I enjoy and often am impressed by peoples opinions and analysis of the news on this platform. The diverse background in experience and education brings forth perspectives and angles on events that make me question my currently held beliefs and allow me to expand as a critical thinker.

With that said, there are some absolutely bad shit stupid things said on this platform and information circulating that is completely false and misconstrued. Every community has echochambers and steemit is no different. Conspiracy theory driven, government loathing principles riddle this platform. And why wouldn't it? The cryptocurrency community as a whole is a congregation of individuals rife with government distrust. (I am no exception). We come here to avoid censorship, to fight the good fight against that man. The man of censorship, government repression, injustices. Here you can speak out against those and fight them any way you see fit.

If you are actually going to read this, then take a moment for a deep breath. Clear the emotion, clear as much bias as possible, and try to resist preconceived notions. Try to fight back any fear that might be clouding your prefrontal cortex, which would inhibit critical thinking.

So where is this going?

As great as that is, I can't hold back anymore. Too many people are out of touch with reality in this community and I can't take it anymore. I have sat rather peacefully on the sideline until now. Being new to the platform, I didn't want to rally hard against that anti government/conspiracy theory sentiment in this community. I am constantly trying to be skeptical of the United States government and those abroad, but the disconnect I see here sometimes is appalling. I have written a few posts critical of U.S. foreign policy, praising U.S. policy, against Trump and for Trump, but we are amidst the most historic check and balance crisis of our generation. We are in history right now steemit, and so many people are either so resistant to the notion government serves at least some benefit, or they are so unbelievably ignorant and lazy, that they don't read shit and can't form their own opinion, so they are suckered into every conspiracy theory. They are roped in because just like throughout history, when a population gets disgruntled they blame something irrational. It is because populations of people are idiotic and driven by their feelings instead of logic.

Let's take fanatics of the left. Do you really think Donald Trump is the source of all our problems right now? The left acts like our nation is an utter wreck because of one man. They think that this man is a dumber reincarnation of Hitler, here to ruin our nation. They seem to completely ignore the tens of millions who voted for him, spurred by the deepening rift in our country. Do you think that you can just throw fancy facts at people who don't agree with you and belittle their belief system and you are holier then god? Cut me a fucking break, half of what you say is just regurgitated nonsense.
I sometimes fall into this category.....

And the Trump fanatics. So desperate for someone they feel represents them, they are willing to overlook and believe anything. Take this small example. A man with zero christian values, and who is everything the bible preaches against, He cheats on spouses, lies consistently, cheats people out of money, boasts that he is the best at everything, and never repents, is suddenly the savior of Christendom. Forget that Christianity in the United States has been declining for decades. Much because the church can't adapt. I believe in god, but younger people feel so disconnected with the church, they reject it. A institution plagued by sex and economic scandal. Not only that, but the church is allergic to science. Instead of adapting and offering explanations between the cohesion of science and the church, they bury their heads in the sand. But ya, let's blame immigrants and liberals for poisoning our children minds and making them hate Jesus.

Just for a moment, just a brief fricken moment, lets ground ourselves in reality here. Please for the love of fucking sanity, take off you tin caps, put away your SJW and take a moment to understand the history we are in. Here are two things that need to be addressed immediately

Robert Swan Mueller

• Appointed to F.B.I. director in 2001 by George W Bush and served 13 years (longest since J Edgar Hoover) Was confirmed 98-0 in the senete
• Served in Vietnam and received a Bronze star for saving a wounded comrade.
• Graduated Law school from University of Virginia and had a very successful, distinguished career in public and private law
• Appointed Director of the F.B.I. One week before September 11th attacks

I present this small outline, because for some bizarre reason people are under the impression Mueller is some incompetent sock puppet of a Globalist Illuminati or something. This man has done nothing but serve his country with integrity, honesty,and has fought his life to uphold the law.

You don't believe me, listen to Ty Cobb, Trump's lawyer talk about Mueller.

So the guy doing the investigation is the best entire world and whose integrity to the rule of law, is his core belief.

Then we get people saying, "well he is going to make stuff up and purposefully find something"

Mueller is arguably the best law enforcement agent in the U.S. You think if all he discovered in the Russian investigation was some business deals that skirt legality and Trump aids that violated the law, he would present a indictment of the President to congress? Give me a break. Bill Clinton was impeached on perjury, lying about his affair. And no, he can't just manufacture evidence out of thin air. Read the indictments of those so charged so far, and that everyone except Manafort has pleaded guilty to. Not to mention that he can't arbitrarily charge people, a grand jury of citizens must bring fourth those charges and multiple judges have to sign off on everything he does. He has to present overwhelming evidence. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/30/full-text-paul-manafort-indictment-244307

Then we get the question, "well, he probably is getting paid, or some conspiracy involving that"
Here is his net worth https://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/08/robert-mueller-counsel-financial-records-241414
A generous estimate puts his net worth around $10 Million. 3.5 million of which he made in the private sector since leaving the F.B.I. ( he gave up that job). He could well be multiples times richer had he been a partner at a firm instead of Director of the F.B.I., but his commitment to our country's rule of law and his perceived higher calling to uphold it, far outweighs wealth.

Now, for the love of everything logical, take for a moment that there are people in this country that care and fight for this country above all else. Above personal wealth, above ego, above recognition. They take their life work seriously, because they are the balance in american democracy.

Hilary Clinton

Where does Hilary fit into this? She is a unemployed grandma!!!
She is irrelevant. Why is anyone still talking about her? Has anyone here read the Bengzhi investigations? There are 7 and I have not read them all, but I have read enough that Clinton was not directly at fault in the attack. Her State Department failed to properly staff the embassy and underestimated the immediate threat those in it faced. That's bad in my opinion and is a failure on her part. Then Uranium One......a deal that had to be approved by over 7 different agencies. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/14/hillary-clinton-uranium-one-deal-russia-explainer-244895
It's funny, Trump and Jeff Sessions talk about this a lot, but they do nothing about it. Did she commit a crime, well, then investigate and charge her! If they are so for the rule of law, how could they just let her get away with it? Because there isn't a crime there are anyone with sufficient knowledge knows it. They need to act like there is though for their base, and for deflection from their own real investigation. Clinton is by no means an angel, and if elected, I hoped there would be a investigation launched into her foundation, to assure the american public she wasn't accepting laundering money through that avenue.

Why the investigation began

This investigation would have never happened if not for Donald Trump. He fired James Comey, then went on Tv and said it was because of the Russia investigation. He then invited Russians into the oval office the following day and bragged that the "pressure was off". Speculate away why he did it, but he did. Like Nixon and Watergate, it made no sense. There was no serious threat of a special counsel being appointed at that time. It was mostly people who hated Trump and his presidency grasping at the straws of unsubstantiated accusations. That move forced a counselor to be appointed. Think about what he did. What if the mayor of a city fired the police chief, then put out a statement that a investigation into the him was the reason he did it?

The supreme court has already ruled the president is not above the law.
Even if the whole Russia thing was a complete hoax and no one commited a single crime (which we know didn't happen), and Trump had nothing to do with it, ignore it. They will find nothing. The left will keep screaming collusion (nothing will change that), but nothing substantial will come of it. Besides, the probes the F.B.I had launched and any congressional investigations are jokes compared to the power of a Special Counsel. A special counsel is the justice departments Blue Eyes White Dragon, their MewTwo, their ace in the hole. They have immense investigative powers, resources and scope.

At the time the special counselor was appointed, Jeff Sessions had recused himself. We don't know exactly why, but most likely a combination that he forgot to disclose a meetings with the Russian Ambassador in which they disccused sanctions, and to avoid the circus show distraction that would ensue. Sessions sees the attorney general job as a opportunity to restore the countries rule of law to his interpretation of it. ( I don't agree with his views/interpretation, but he has integrity within the law). He is focused on achieving his vision and the Russian investigation distraction would only get in the way of that, so he recused himself. (BTW, this angered Trump, because he viewed Sessions as his protector in the justice department meant to shield him from investigations). Hence, Trumps continued anger with Sessions.

Rod Rosentstein, deputy attorney general and overseer of Russian investigations, had no choice, but to appoint a special prosecutor. He had already compromised his integrity by drafting a letter for Comeys' dismissal at the presidents request, and then had that explanation undermined hours later, making it appear he was trying to cover for the president.

The media vultures and speculators

This investigation has spurred sensationalism on both sides. I hear everything from Trump is under direct control of Putin, to, everyone who disagrees or brings any accusation against Trump is a brainwashed globalists and everything in between. Why people gravitate towards such sensational speculations, idk, i'm not a psychologists, but it distorts what actually is occurring. Now Mueller, like any professional, is very tight lipped about the investigation. There have been hardly any leaks from his office and most of the information we have is from the indictments and those who talk after being interviewed. He has more information then most people can fathom, and the reach of his investigation is immense. We have only a glimpses of where the investigation is headed, but that doesn't stop the media. They want to get your attention anyway necessary. And why do most people not know the particulars/reality of the investigation, because they don't care, they're lazy!!! People just want a couple lines so they can rally on social media or in public for or against Trump. They don't want to spend to time to stay informed, to stay grounded in their thought. That is why if you read this, comment cheesy potato orgy in the comments and I will be truly impressed and throw you some upvotes, and unless there are a crazy number of people who see this ( I doubt), give out sbd.

Something also I like to point out also is how the narrative has changed immensely from the Trump camp

• "We never talked or met with Russians"
• "We talked with them, but not about sanctions"
• "We may have mentioned sanctions, but what's that big deal"
• "We may have met and talked to Russians, but not collusion"
• "We did host a meeting with Russian agents after they told us, ""We may have information that hurts Hilary Clinton, as part of the Russian Governments guise to get Trump elected" , but nothing came of the meeting, and Trump never knew about it.
  A meeting that top adisvor Steve Bannon said this about.

"The three senior guys in the campaign thought it was a good idea to meet with a foreign government inside Trump Tower in the conference room on the 25th floor -- with no lawyers. They didn't have any lawyers. Even if you thought that this was not treasonous, or unpatriotic, or bad s***, and I happen to think it's all of that, you should have called the FBI immediately".

• "They did have information for us, but it wasn't good info. What's that big deal it's just opposition research?"
• "None of our staff did any crimes involving anything Russian!"
• "Our staff did crimes when they weren't part of the Trump administration"
• "The staff that committed crimes during the campaign, weren't important. They were just low level coffee boys."

How could anyone believe anything they say involving the investigation or anything Russia related

The Players

Michael Flynn (Trumps National Security Officer) Plead guilty to lying to the F.B.I.

He first lied about his meeting with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. He then lied about talking about sanctions. The Trump campaign and White house was warned and alerted multiple times about his compromising situation and that he was still registered as a foreign lobbyist with Turnkey. He has been cooperating with investigators and was the first big name charged/embroiled in the investigation. He is part of the reason this whole investigation came about.

He is a former general fired by the Obama administration, but campaigned hard for Trump and became a top adviser during the campaign, winning Trumps favor. This translated into the national security role for Flynn

Carter Page (Trump policy adviser from March to October)

Also watch the response when asked about foreign government collusion

This wonderful individual got the F.B.I.'s attention back in 2013. Years before Trump considered running! It was suspected he was a Russian agent, working on behalf of that government and their powerful oligarchs to lobby Russian friendly policy and Pro Russia Ukrainian nationals. Our intelligence agency intercepted talks among Russian officials that Page could be used as leverage and information gathered from him. He was placed under surveillance by the F.B.I. after he left the Trump campaign because of information gathered from years of being the radar, and his curious meetings with Russian officials while on the campaign team. If you're curious how and what protocols it takes to be a citizen surveyed by the F.B.I. Here, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Intelligence_Surveillance_Act
Carter Pages application was 90 pages long. This boils down to where the investigation started and for the record, Carter Page hasn't been charged, but is cooperating with investigators.

George Papadopolus (Trump foreign Policy Adviser (began on campaign in March, has plead guilty to lying to the F.B.I)

A foreign policy adviser who Trump, and his surrogates claim was a coffee boy and Trump never met.

Sitting two left of Jess Sessions.

In his plea deal he admitted to lying to the F.B.I about his Russian contacts who he sent emails to trying to get meetings with. Meetings about cooperation with the Trump campaign and Russian. He proposed a meeting between Trump and Putin. He was told by "a professor" (serving as a intermediate for the Kremlin,), that they had dirt on Hilary and wanted a meeting. Coincidentally, the Trump Tower meeting happened shortly after. And after the meeting, wikileaks began releasing hacked DNC and Hilary emails. The professor that served as the intermediate has since disappeared from the face of the planet. Not even his fiance can find him.

Now, lying to the F.B.I. is a serious charge, but in reality, small peanuts compared to what it could be. Any prosecutor would levy a lighter sentence for cooperation if the party has something to offer. This is no doubt what happened here. It is only a guess what else Papadopolous could've been charged with, but he plead guilty. Only Mueller truly knows, so I will not speculate, but 100%, this adviser plead guilty to breaking the law involving Russian collusion.

Paul Manafort (Trump campaign manager from March until August) Charged with money laundering, tax fraud and conspiracy against the United States, among other things. Has plead not guilty.

Here is Trump talking about Manafort and his role.
"Recommended by a friend" Trump says. Trump says he has the best people working for him. So, a man who had been is recommended by a friend and Donald Trump, appoints him to campaign manager. Paul Manafort worked for free!!! How bizarre is that? Someone who was financially broke and was committing bank fraud, had laundered and smuggled millions into the U.S. Committed tax fraud and has been lobbying for Russian oligarchs and pro Russian Ukrainian interests comes in a works free of charge. If you were broke and already under scrutiny by the U.S. government, would it make any sense to take job, and then say you'll do it for free? The indictment outlining the charges is remarkable, the evidence, insurmountable, but you are guilty until proven innocent and he has a upcoming trial where we are sure to learn a lot more.

Rick Gates (Paul Manaforts right hand man, and was a part of the campaign, and transition even after Manafort left)

He has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the investigation. He was charged with nearly identical charges as Manafort

Other noteworthy casualties of the investigation

Podesta group

This was a powerful lobbying group founded by John Podesta (top adviser to Hilary Clinton and Obama) and brother Tony Podesta. It suddenly was on the verge of collapse and multiple top lobbyists stepped down amid ensnarement in the Mueller probe. This came as a surprise, but serves as a good measure, that no one is safe in this probe and where the Special counsel can find crimes, he will pursue them. Predictably, this didn't get as much news headlines as it should have in my opinion. The #3 ranked lobbying firm crumbles and its founders are closely tied to the Clinton's and Obama. Further reports indicate that they were about details surrounding Manafort and Rick Gates, but still, media (predictably) dropped the ball.

Russian Nationals

These thirteen individuals were charged by the Mueller probe for helping orchestrate and run a "troll factory" in Russia where hundreds of employees would try to use social media to spread fake stories and sow discord in the 2016 presidential elections. This was done to promote conflict between supporters of each candidate.

Under the eye of the probe

Blackwater founder Erik Prince, Devos family, Roger Stone Jared Kushner

Blackwater is the largest private military contracting firm in the world and it's CEO met with a top Russian official on behalf of the Trump campaign to discuss a way in which to set up a back channel with Russia that could not be monitored. This meeting was in a remote island off the coast of Africa and claims that it was a chance encounter, but a member of that meeting and who helped set it up has testified against that assertion.

The Devos family are multi billionaires and the Special council is investigating their ties to the Trump Campaign. Their is reportedly a server that their family kept pining in conjecture with other individuals in this investigation. The details are foggy, so we will probably have to wait until the investigation is over to know more detail.

Roger Stone is being looked at because of his contact with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Stone wanted to have a meeting with Assange and had been in contact with him during the campaign. He also tweeted curiously that it would soon be Podestas turn in the barrel, just a short time before hacked emails were released from John Podesta. It is being looked at if he coordinated with Assange to released those hacked emails. I would like to note that I would take this with a grain of salt. Roger Stone has long been the ire of many and any mention or speculation that is negative radiates throughout the press. I for one am waiting for more information until I make any judgment about this.

Jared Kushner is the presidents son in law and top adviser that has been tasked with Middle East peace and revamping the entire government despite having no experience in either field. He made a terrible real estate deal in 2008 and now his company is over a billion in debt. He has received over a half a billion in loans during the time in office and officials from other nations have talked about leveraging his financial problems and naivety in negotiations. His security clearance has since been downgraded because he had to amend his security papers three times for omitting meetings with foreign diplomats. (It is illegal to lie in reporting those). We shall see where the investigation leads and if he will be embroiled in any charges.

Last, but not least the Steele Dossier

A controversial document complied by a ex British spy. It was opposition research paid for by different parties, including democrats. It brought to the public, the first credible allegations involving Trump-Russian collusion even though behind the scenes investigation were already underway before the document was made. Some of these allegations have been verified and some have been not, but nothing has been flat out disprove. This is a hot topic for both sides and I don't think it will be resolved before the investigation is over. Read the document for yourself and think about the allegations, what we have learned so far, and the credibility of the information
Read the full document here
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3259984-Trump-Intelligence-Allegations.html

There is also a second Steele dossier that alleges Russia blocked Mitt Romney from being Secretary of State and wanted someone more Russia friendly in that position. I have no idea if this is true and I have not read the second dossier, like I have the first, but it is interesting because people thought Romneny would be Secretary of State. He was having dinners with Trump, etc, but then abruptly was passed over for Tillerson who has a Medal of Freedom from Vladimir Putin and was CEO of Exxon Mobil who has a multi trillion droller deal locked up by sanctions with Russia. Multiple people in the Trump campaign also sought to open back channels with Russia although we do not know if they came to fruition.

It is also interesting to note that Tillerson was fired the other day. One day after he contradicted the White house in claiming that the nerve attack against a Russian spy in Britain, was almost certainly Russia's doing. Tillerson also has been upset that his foreign policy work has been usurped by Jared Kushner who has the presidents ear and who has disagreed with Tillerson at almost every turn.

Speculation

I don't like to speculate much because I know a fraction of a percent the Special Counsel does, but even knowing that we can draw some reasonable assumptions.

Best case scenario, Trump employed people in top positions who committed and were committing crimes. These were well known shady individuals and either Trump didn't care that he had crooks running his campaign, or he was oblivious. I'm not sure which is worse.

Best case scenario: Trump doesn't know how government works, he doesn't know how checks and balances work. he doesn't know how the constitution works and because of this he doesn't know about separation of power and obstruction of justice. Essentially speaking, he is too stupid to realize where he crossed the line or broke the law. Although, not knowing is no a defense.

Worst case scenario: Russian was able to sucker in naive and idiotic Trump officials and leverage the crooks in his organization to work with Russia to get Trump elected and in return Trump would lift sanctions and come to bat for Russia internationally and look out for Russias interests. In this speculation, Trump most defiantly knows, but is either too stupid, or immoral to see the wrong in this. That, or Russia has compromising information on Trump either involving his business or personal blackmail.

Hopefully you enjoyed this and maybe learned a thing or two from this post. Stay woke steemians!