Thursday, August 1, 2019
Puerto Rico News: Anatomy of a Coup: Was the legal case against Juli...
Puerto Rico News: Anatomy of a Coup: Was the legal case against Juli...: Anatomy of a Coup : Was the legal case against Julia Keleher manufactured by the FBI? - Link Was the legal case against Julia Kele...
Puerto Rico News: Anatomy of a coup: Questions And Answers: FBI bugg...
Puerto Rico News: Anatomy of a coup: Questions And Answers: FBI bugg...: Anatomy of a coup: Questions And Answers - Post Link FBI bugged Rossello and leaked the ChatGate and TelegramGate info to investi...
Puerto Rico News: Anatomy of a coup: FBI bugged Rossello and leaked ...
Puerto Rico News: Anatomy of a coup: FBI bugged Rossello and leaked ...: Anatomy of a coup: FBI bugged Rossello and leaked the ChatGate and TelegramGate to investigative journalists - 12:47 PM 8/1/2019 FBI b...
Puerto Rico News: » Nazi Coup D'Etat in Puerto Rico of July 2019 - M...
Puerto Rico News: » Nazi Coup D'Etat in Puerto Rico of July 2019 - M...: NBCLatino: .@ricardorossello to WH: 'If the bully gets close, I'll punch the bully… - Post Link NBCLatino: .@ricardorossello t...
Puerto Rico News: The Anatomy of the Puerto Rico Coup of July 2019: ...
Puerto Rico News: The Anatomy of the Puerto Rico Coup of July 2019: ...: The Anatomy of the Puerto Rico Coup of July 2019: The Beginnings: March 28, 2019: The Conflict Explodes Into Open - 10:52 AM 8/1/2019 - Pos...
La La La MORDAZA – Learning Spanish: Tipejas y Mamabichos, que problema? Where is the beef? - 2:55 AM 8/1/2019
2:55 AM 8/1/2019 – Learning Spanish: Tipejas y Mamabichos, que problema? Where is the beef?!
2:55 AM 8/1/2019 – M.N.: Hey you, “TIPEJAS” and “MAMABICHOS“, que problema?
Where is the beef?
What is wrong with these words?
Why do you want to put another, new “MORDAZA” on the great Spanish Language?
Language and verbal expressions are not the problem, it is quite stupid to try to police the Language.
The problem is the stultifying and stupefying POLITICAL CORRECTNESS which kills everything that still is alive.
Where is the beef?
What is wrong with these words?
Why do you want to put another, new “MORDAZA” on the great Spanish Language?
Language and verbal expressions are not the problem, it is quite stupid to try to police the Language.
The problem is the stultifying and stupefying POLITICAL CORRECTNESS which kills everything that still is alive.
In Puerto Rico when you are using the term literally:
mama = suck
Bicho = dick
Bicho = dick
When you are using the word in the middle of a discussion, or when referring to another person as a mamabicho not in a literal way,
the word is used as an insult towards someone that is corrupted, selfish, liar, politician, thief.
MORDAZA
“tipeja”
“hypocrite, crazy, buscona, climber and self-conscious”
“whore”
“mamabicho”
by Pedro Berdasco November 04, 2004
Get a mamabicho mug for your friend Yasemin.
2
In Puerto Rico when you are using the term literally:
mama = suck
Bicho = dick
Bicho = dick
When you are using the word in the middle of a discussion, or when referring to another person as a mamabicho not in a literal way, the word is used as an insult towards someone that is corrupted, selfish, liar, politician, thief.
by Vantillana April 24, 2019
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3
Mamar= suck
bicho=cock
Literally “cocksucker”
A “mamabicho” is a Puerto Rican insult that can be used to describe a guy who acts femininely or outright gay. It is also used to describe call-boys/ male-prostitutes.
by who is john galt? July 22, 2009
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4
Refers to a person who thinks high on himself. Someone who think he is like a pimp,when actually he is nothing.
(Mamar Bicho also refers to oral sex)
(Mamar Bicho also refers to oral sex)
by Javier. April 26, 2003
Get a MamaBicho mug for your bunkmate Günter.
7
The art of eating pussy. However, it can also be used as an insult in certain parts of Latin America
Claudia, my man is a total “mama bicho” and I love it!
Ricky, mama bicho! Get the fuck out of Puerto Rico!
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All News Review In 25 Saved Stories
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New chat between Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and close officials has been leaked – Orlando Sentinel | ||
After several rumors of the existence of another chat in which Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares and close government officials participated, 97 pages of conversations were finally made public.
The content, which was published by the journalist Sandra Rodríguez Cotto in her blog in En Blanco y Negro (In Black and White), once again highlights many of the figures that were in the initial Telegram chat, including Rosselló Nevares, Carlos Bermúdez, Elías Sánchez (identified as F do ), Ricardo Llerandi among others.
These conversations, according to Rodríguez Cotto, took place on Nov. 1, 2, 3, 4, 16, 17, 18 and 20, 2018.
“A large part of the exchanges revolve around how the governor can change the narrative of the news media, and how they do this by putting opinion polls for people to vote for social networks. Conspiracies are being discussed to try to change the issues that affected the governor’s interests,” said the Puerto Rican journalist.
Rodríguez Cotto published a short video on Tuesday night explaining that she was evaluating the content and said that its authenticity “was corroborated, the governor and his relatives make strong attacks against the Puerto Rican press, as well as public figures and discuss strategies to allegedly manipulate the information”.
In the chat, comments are made precisely about Rodríguez Cotto, whom Rosselló Nevares called “tipeja,” and instructed not to give him “not a glass of water.” Bermudez, on the other hand, described her as being a “hypocrite, crazy, buscona, climber and self-conscious” before suggesting that “our people in networks should finish her.”
Latest National & World News
They also made comments about ex-candidate Alexandra Lúgaro who ran against Rosselló Nevarez, whom they called a “whore” and mocked her for her use of foul language and how she called reguetón artist Tito El Bambino “leña,” a word use to express that something is not good. Also, Rosselló Nevares called Manuel Natal, a politician who is currently dating Lúgaro “mamabicho,” and Bermudez suggested that “we have to hit Natal hard.”
Central Florida was also the primary the focus of this new chat, in which officials are seen closely following the Puerto Rican vote in the last elections. They were monitoring Osceola and Orange county races and how the U.S. Senate race between Rick Scott and Bill Nelson was developing.
The governor is expected to leave office on Friday at 5 p.m. as he explained in the pre-recorded video that was posted on Facebook last week.
On Wednesday, Rosselló Nevares announced that he had selected Pedro Pierluisi as a candidate for secretary of state, which, according to the Constitution of Puerto Rico, is the person who would assume the title of governor as soon as the incumbent resigns from office.
Jennifer A. Marcial Ocasio
Jennifer is the Editor of El Sentinel and manages the team covering Central Florida’s Hispanic community. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico and has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a second concentration in Political Science from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master’s degree in Communications from Florida International University.
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Direct Relief Surpasses $100 Million in Support for Puerto Rico Post-Hurricane Maria with Latest … | ||
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., July 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Twenty-five Puerto Rican healthcare nonprofits are set to receive a much-needed $8 million … | ||
Thousands of water bottles intended for Hurricane Maria victims found unopened in Puerto Rico | ||
Nearly two years after catastrophic Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, tens of thousands of water bottles issued by the Federal Emergency … | ||
Hoyer endorses Puerto Rico succession plan | ||
Rosselló and Pierluisi are Democrats, while both Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz and Speaker of the House Carlos Johnny Méndez are … | ||
Who is Puerto Rico’s next leader? Island braces for a clash | ||
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico’s political crisis appeared to deepen Wednesday as the island’s outgoing governor and legislators – including … | ||
Pierluisi Inches Towards Governorship | ||
Pedro Pierluisi (New Progressive Party/NPP) will be sworn in today as Puerto Rico’s Secretary of State — but whether he will have the job and become Governor Friday afternoon is uncertain, although it appears to be increasingly likely.Governor Ricardo Rossello Nevares (NPP) this afternoon appointed Pierluisi to serve while the Legislative Assembly is in recess. He also called the legislature back into session tomorrow morning to consider his nomination of Pierluisi to be confirmed as Secretary of State. If confirmed, Pierluisi would become Governor when Rossello resigns Friday at 5 PM.Whether Pierluisi will be confirmed is uncertain. He is opposed by some NPP leaders who think a Pierluisi Administration would be perceived as an administration of the political party of the very unpopular PROMESA Financial Oversight and Management Board, which has been among Pierluisi’s law clients. Also, Pierluisi’s brother-in-law is Chairman of the Board.Senate and Party President Thomas Rivera Schatz (NPP) additionally sees a Governor Pierluisi as a threat to his aspiration to be the party’s gubernatorial candidate next year — and preventing him from attaining the governorship now.Pierluisi will, presumably, be opposed by the one-third of each house of the Legislative Assembly that is not NPP. According to NPP legislators, there were not enough votes yesterday in either house to confirm Pierluisi. Today, however, a couple of NPP legislators said that they would now support him.Pierluisi (D) was Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner in the U.S. House from 2009 until 2017. Minority Whip Hoyer endorsed his nomination today.Rossello narrowly defeated Pierluisi for the NPP’s gubernatorial nomination in a 2016 primary. Pierluisi’s support of PROMESA was an issue. Rossello was also seen as a more aggressive advocate of statehood.During the 1990s, Pierluisi served as Secretary of Justice.The post Pierluisi Inches Towards Governorship appeared first on Puerto Rico Report. | ||
Russia’s Take on Puerto Rico Independence | ||
During the Cold War, the United States and Russia used Puerto Rico and Cuba to demonstrate the value of their opposing economic and political systems. “When the cold war was going on they were like showcases for the world to see which system actually works,” Harry Franqui-Rivera of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College told The Guardian.The Cold War is over, but Russia continues to meddle in U.S. politics, largely by working to intensify conflicts in the United States. Campaigns included efforts to persuade African-American voters to boycott the 2016 presidential election, calls for supporters of Bernie Sanders to vote for Green Party Candidate Jill Stein, and promotion of separatist movements in California and Texas.With Puerto Rico back in political headlines, could Russia be looking for another divisive issue to exploit?While many Americans continue to be confused about the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States, the problems inherent in that relationship are recognized by other nations as a contradiction to America’s claim to be a beacon of liberty and democracy. Negotiations expert William Ury learned this during negotiations with Chechnya and Russia.Russia has provided support to Puerto Rico’s tiny independence movement over the years, inviting activist Ramon Nenadich to an anti-globalization conference in Moscow and joining him at UN Special Committee on Decolonization meetings to argue in favor of independence for the Island. Russian bait
Now the Russian Times, a Russian government-funded news outlet, has published an article titled, “AOC is right: Puerto Rico is a US colony and should be independent.” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has not actually made any statement directly supporting independence for Puerto Rico, and the article doesn’t actually say that she has. Instead, it zips through lots of random facts and factoids about Puerto Rico before concluding, “There is no denying that after 120 years of US rule, Puerto Rico is in bad shape. So why not do the right thing and grant the island full independence?”
This is the closest thing in the article to an actual argument in favor of independence.
Another example is “Would Poverty-Stricken Puerto Rico Be Better Off as an Independent State?” from RealNews, which has been accused of being a Russian propaganda outlet. The headline suggests that the article will support independence for Puerto Rico, but in fact it is an interview of an economics professor. The professor seems quite ambivalent about independence and repeatedly says that there is little support for this status option. The article also discusses Venezuela and Greece.
Since many social media users may share articles without reading them, articles like these can spread quickly in social media based only on their headlines.
Are they part of a new campaign, designed for social media?
The post Russia’s Take on Puerto Rico Independence appeared first on Puerto Rico Report.
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New chat between Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló and close officials has been leaked | ||
After several rumors of the existence of another chat in which Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares and close government officials participated, … | ||
The women out to stop Puerto Rico from having its second-ever female governor | ||
SAN JUAN – The popular suspicion, or at least the very popular hope, among Puerto Rican activists is that Wanda Vázquez will quit rather than … | ||
Hoyer endorses Puerto Rico succession plan | ||
“I support the appointment of former Congressman Pedro Pierluisi to be Puerto Rico’s new Secretary of State, and I urge the Puerto Rican House and … | ||
NPR News: 07-31-2019 5PM ET | ||
NPR News: 07-31-2019 5PM ETDownload audio: https://play.podtrac.com/npr-500005/edge1.pod.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/newscasts/2019/07/31/newscast170810.mp3?awCollectionId=500005&awEpisodeId=747059596&orgId=1&d=300&p=500005&story=747059596&t=podcast&e=747059596&size=4500000&ft=pod&f=500005 | ||
While Donald Trump Tweets About A$AP Rocky, Paul Whelan Is Rotting In A Russian Jail | ||
… campaign press secretary, participated in a three-way call with then-candidate Trump and his attorney, Michael Cohen, at the same time that Cohen … | ||
“trump russia ties” – Google News: Nearly half of House Democrats now back Trump impeachment inquiry – live – The Guardian | ||
Nearly half of House Democrats now back Trump impeachment inquiry – live The GuardianNearly half the House Democrats now support an impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump, according to an Associated Press tally on Wednesday. The number … “trump russia ties” – Google News | ||
US Navy jet crashes in California – CNN | ||
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mikenov on Twitter: Jibaros, Go Home! Or The Big San Juan “Rossello Out!” Show: (link: google.com/search?q=Micha…) google.com/search?q=Micha… | ||
Jibaros, Go Home! Or The Big San Juan “Rossello Out!” Show:
(link: google.com/search?q=Micha…) google.com/search?q=Micha…
mikenov on Twitter
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mikenov on Twitter: Jibaros, Go Home! Or The Big San Juan “Rossello Out!” Show: (link: google.com/search?q=Micha…) google.com/search?q=Micha… pic.twitter.com/VN5kcm258U | ||
Jibaros, Go Home! Or The Big San Juan “Rossello Out!” Show:
(link: google.com/search?q=Micha…) google.com/search?q=Micha… pic.twitter.com/VN5kcm258U
mikenov on Twitter
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mikenov on Twitter: Jibaros, Go Home! Or The Big San Juan “Rossello Out!” Show: google.com/search?q=Micha… pic.twitter.com/FfYR6b85mI | ||
Jibaros, Go Home! Or The Big San Juan “Rossello Out!” Show:
google.com/search?q=Micha… pic.twitter.com/FfYR6b85mI
mikenov on Twitter
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1. Trump from Michael_Novakhov (197 sites): Politics: Trump renews attacks on intelligence of CNN’s Don Lemon, one of the Democratic debate moderators | ||
In tweets, the president called the news anchor “the dumbest man on television” and suggested he was “too dumb” to understand that he should ask fair questions. Politics 1. Trump from Michael_Novakhov (197 sites) | ||
mikenov on Twitter: RT @Coffeeisforclo1: Puerto Rico: fascinating bit in NYT article that while Pierluisi is married to the sister of the chairman of the OB, l… | ||
Puerto Rico: fascinating bit in NYT article that while Pierluisi is married to the sister of the chairman of the OB, local PR media is reporting they are in the process of divorcing pic.twitter.com/qGXbtK4Da8
Retweeted bymikenov on Wednesday, July 31st, 2019 4:43pm
1 like, 1 retweet
mikenov on Twitter
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mikenov on Twitter: Puerto Rico #Coup D’Etat of July 2019 is the sign of things to come. Investigate the resignation of Governor Rossello, arrest of Julia Keleher, and the other circumstances. This might lead to revealing of the vindictive hand of Donald #Trump and the mechanisms that he operates. pic.twitter.com/0GhPZoIxrL | ||
Puerto Rico #Coup D’Etat of July 2019 is the sign of things to come. Investigate the resignation of Governor Rossello, arrest of Julia Keleher, and the other circumstances. This might lead to revealing of the vindictive hand of Donald #Trump and the mechanisms that he operates. pic.twitter.com/0GhPZoIxrL
mikenov on Twitter
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mikenov on Twitter: Puerto Rico #Coup D’Etat of July 2019 is the sign of things to come. Investigate the resignation of Governor Rossello, arrest of Julia Keleher, and the other circumstances. This might lead to revealing of the vindictive hand of Donald #Trump and the mechanisms that he operates. pic.twitter.com/7hsPOvdVE0 | ||
Puerto Rico #Coup D’Etat of July 2019 is the sign of things to come. Investigate the resignation of Governor Rossello, arrest of Julia Keleher, and the other circumstances. This might lead to revealing of the vindictive hand of Donald #Trump and the mechanisms that he operates. pic.twitter.com/7hsPOvdVE0
mikenov on Twitter
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mikenov on Twitter: Puerto Rico #Coup D’Etat of July 2019 is the sign of things to come. Investigate the resignation of Governor Rossello, arrest of Julia Keleher, and the other circumstances. This might lead to revealing of the vindictive hand of Donald #Trump and the mechanisms that he operates. pic.twitter.com/GaUSwbSllb | ||
Puerto Rico #Coup D’Etat of July 2019 is the sign of things to come. Investigate the resignation of Governor Rossello, arrest of Julia Keleher, and the other circumstances. This might lead to revealing of the vindictive hand of Donald #Trump and the mechanisms that he operates. pic.twitter.com/GaUSwbSllb
mikenov on Twitter
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Michael Novakhov – SharedNewsLinks℠: puerto rico – Google Search | ||
Puerto Rico’s outgoing governor nominates a new secretary of state …
CNN–3 hours ago
(CNN) Ricardo Rosselló, the outgoing governor of Puerto Rico, announced that he is nominating Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia as the next secretary of …
In Puerto Rico, uncertainty grows over Rosselló’s promise of an …
In-Depth–<a href=”http://NBCNews.com” rel=”nofollow”>NBCNews.com</a>–20 hours ago Puerto Rico lawmakers threaten legal action if gov names successor …
Caribbean Business–20 hours ago
SAN JUAN — The leaders of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) minority in the Senate and House, Eduardo Bhatia and Rafael “Tatito” …
Puerto Rico Governor Chooses Possible Successor | Voice of America …
Voice of America–3 hours ago
R., testifies before the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Puerto Rico’s current economic conditions and long-term fiscal health, …
Michael Novakhov – SharedNewsLinks℠
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Michael Novakhov – SharedNewsLinks℠: puerto rico revolution – Google Search | ||
“The Brink of Political Revolution”: Puerto Rican Protests Continue …
Democracy Now!–Jul 30, 2019
Protests are continuing in Puerto Rico days after mass demonstrations forced Governor Ricardo Rosselló to step down. It marked the first time …
Uncovering the roots of fury in Puerto Rico with Julio Ricardo Varela …
Opinion–<a href=”http://NBCNews.com” rel=”nofollow”>NBCNews.com</a>–17 hours ago Lessons from the Puerto Rican insurrection: “When tyranny is the law …
Salon–Jul 28, 2019
“When tyranny is the law, revolution is the order.” — Pedro Albizu Campo. It couldn’t be a more radical contrast. On the island of Puerto Rico …
Alma ESL teacher gets close-up look at Puerto Rican protests
<a href=”http://SouthCoastToday.com” rel=”nofollow”>SouthCoastToday.com</a>–Jul 28, 2019
Michael Novakhov – SharedNewsLinks℠
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Michael Novakhov – SharedNewsLinks℠: keleher julia – Google Search | ||
Michael Novakhov – SharedNewsLinks℠
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Trump and Trumpism – Review Of News And Opinions: 7:53 AM 7/2/2019 – Michael Novakhov – SharedNewsLinks℠: 6:58 AM 7/2/2019 – “Fear, and the paralysis…”: Trump corruption investigators risk jobs, reputations for seeking truth – By Michael J. Stern | Trump and Trumpism – Review Of News And Opinions – Topic Review: New Abwehr, WW2, Japan, Korea
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U, SA:
Different hat, the same tune:
MUGGER-MAAGGA:
Make Abwehr And Germany Great Again!
U, SA!
Trump changed his hat. And his tune?
Trump is MAGA no more. Just The Mugger, The Maggot, and the MAAGGA: “Make Abwehr And Germany Great Again”!
Different hat, the same tune though: “U, SA: You, Trump, are SA“!
However, look into his eyes: sensitive, vulnerable, intelligent, and very, very peculiar man. Donald Trump, his personality, and his political movement have to be studied objectively and in depth, in their proper and natural historical perspectives.
Trump is MAGA no more. Just The Mugger, The Maggot, and the MAAGGA: “Make Abwehr And Germany Great Again”!
Different hat, the same tune though: “U, SA: You, Trump, are SA“!
However, look into his eyes: sensitive, vulnerable, intelligent, and very, very peculiar man. Donald Trump, his personality, and his political movement have to be studied objectively and in depth, in their proper and natural historical perspectives.
M.N.: Donald Trump, I see only one, very radical and very bold, truly revolutionary Solution for you, and absolutely honestly and sincerely:
Destroy THE MOB!
You, more than anyone else, know and understand what it means and what it involves. If you really want to achieve the historical greatness:
Destroy THE MOB!
You can do that. And maybe, it is only you who can do that! Turn the tables on them.
Destroy THE MOB!
ZIZ IZ your true historical mission. Accomplish it, and everyone will live happily ever after!
Nazi SA – Google Search
9:36 PM 6/10/2019
11:07 AM 6/10/2019 – To: US Congress: SocialMedia Electoral Manipulations by Israeli Private Intelligence Firms have to be investigated very thoroughly. – Post Link
#KaiserTrump #MAGATrump #Litlle #Ugly #MaggotTrump#MuggerTrump #MAAGGATrump
You are #AbwehrMAAGGATrump:#MakeAbwehrAndGermanyGreatAgain!https://TrumpAndTrumpism.com/ http://TrumpInvestigations.blogspot.com #Attention:#FBI#CIA#ODNI#CI#CounterIntelligence#Trump#TrumpInvestigations#USApic.twitter.com/3NxF7MAZQE
See Michael Novakhov’s other Tweets
11:07 AM 6/10/2019 – To: #USCongress: #SocialMedia #ElectoralManipulations by #IsraeliPrivateIntelligenceFirms have to be investigated very thoroughly. – Post Link
To: #USCongress:
Our most esteemed #LawMakers (as opposed to some Trumpian #LawBreakers):
#SocialMedia #ElectoralManipulations by #IsraeliPrivateIntelligenceFirms have to be investigated very thoroughly.
Regardless of the separate issue of the collaboration, coordination, “collusion” or criminal conspiracy on the part of the Trump Campaign 2016, it appears that all these phenomena were present on the part of the foreign players, and between themselves. They conspired with each other to influence the American Elections to promote their commonly favored candidate Donald Trump, a la “#BoysFunCircle, for the lack of the better description. These parties are (on the relative surface): Russia, Israel, and Arabs represented by UAE.
To: #USCongress:
Our most esteemed #LawMakers (as opposed to some Trumpian #LawBreakers):
#SocialMedia #ElectoralManipulations by #IsraeliPrivateIntelligenceFirms have to be investigated very thoroughly.
Regardless of the separate issue of the collaboration, coordination, “collusion” or criminal conspiracy on the part of the Trump Campaign 2016, it appears that all these phenomena were present on the part of the foreign players, and between themselves. They conspired with each other to influence the American Elections to promote their commonly favored candidate Donald Trump, a la “#BoysFunCircle, for the lack of the better description. These parties are (on the relative surface): Russia, Israel, and Arabs represented by UAE.
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President Vladimir Putin’s “tough-guy” act is getting old. His police rounded up more than 1000 protesters in Moscow at the weekend. Meanwhile, their President was posing aboard a minisub — grinning off the growing unrest.
The exact number detained is unknown. Their offence is: demanding their representatives be allowed to run in regional elections.
Amid it all, Mr Putin stuck to his tried and tested techniques.
He spruiked his tough-man image by spending the weekend sitting inside the reinforced glass bubble of a mini-submarine, diving in tribute to Soviet submariners killed in World War II.
But despite the characteristic cheerful grin and carefree wave, the 66-year-old former KGB intelligence officer is facing a multitude of challenges.
Last year, he swept back into power for an unprecedented fourth term as Russia’s president. This constitutionally final term ends in 2024.
But President Putin has cemented himself at the heart of a new style of Kremlin government. Some analysts call it a kleptocracy — a corrupt pyramid scheme aimed at dividing up the nation’s wealth.
But Mr Putin has always strived to maintain an air of democratic legitimacy — even if it has meant deregistering, disqualifying — or jailing — anyone likely to oppose him.
Unsurprisingly, then, local government elections are at the centre of the latest crisis.
The Moscow City Council is up for renewal. Dominated by Mr Putin’s United Russia Party, the election of even a few outspoken representatives would give any opposition movement both legitimacy and exposure.
And that would be a threat to Mr Putin’s grip on power.
UNDER PRESSURE
The weekend detentions came among widespread protests that locally selected candidates be allowed to contest local elections.
Some 20,000 people took to Moscow’s streets a fortnight ago in what was an authorised protest.
Moscow authorities declared a follow-up protest illegal. But more than 3000 turned up anyway in what was to become one of the nation’s most significant acts of defiance in recent years.
The crowd were telling President Putin something he didn’t want to hear.
Chants of “Putin resign”, and “Free Russia of Putin” sounded out through central Moscow.
Then, riot-gear garbed police forced the protesters to disperse as they rounded up as many as they could grab.
Many were held only a few hours. But some, from social media posts, appeared to have suffered severe injuries in the process.
It was all the result of a call by jailed Opposition Leader and anti-corruption lawyer Alexei Navalnyto protest rigged local government elections. Russia is, in effect, a one-party state.
In 2013, Mr Navalny won almost a third of the vote in the race to become Moscow’s mayor. He was barred from contesting the new round.
Nevertheless, Mr Navalny was arrested and had his house searched just days before the weekend demonstration. Then, as the protests unfolded, he suddenly became seriously ill.
Russian police say he suffered an “allergic reaction” that produced “severe facial swelling and red rashes on the skin” while behind bars.
Mr Navalny was visited in hospital by his personal doctor. “We cannot rule out that toxic damage to the skin and mucous membranes by an unknown chemical substance was inflicted with the help of a third party,” Dr Vasilyeva wrote on her Facebook page.
It’s not the first time Mr Navalny has been the target of a chemical attack. In 2017, substances smeared on his face caused him to lose most of the vision in one eye.
More significantly, it’s not the first time Russian citizens have defied the iron rule of the Kremlin to air their grievances.
PUTIN BLINKS
Mr Putin’s tactics are getting tired. His people are no longer convinced by the same old anti-Western conspiracy theories and populist-nationalist rhetoric.
That leaves him in an uncomfortable position.
He’s having to appease an increasingly unhappy populace.
One of the boldest and large-scale acts of rebellion recently took place in the Arctic Circle. Residents in the region of Arkhangelsk discovered plans to dump Moscow’s garbage in the area’s pristine forests. Widespread demonstrations made their message clear.
The project was suspended. But only after protesters began to demand Mr Putin’s resignation.
Also last year, Mr Putin cut pensions and raised the retirement age by five years in response to growing economic pressures. The President was surprised at the force and extent of the public backlash. So he made concessions — and arrested protest leaders.
Then, in May, dissent erupted again in Russia’s fourth-largest city, Yekaterinburg. This time the outrage was over Kremlin-backed plans for a massive new Orthodox cathedral to be built in one of the city’s few remaining public parks. Clashes between police and protesters revealed the anger at the level of corruption demonstrated by the fast-tracked project.
Mr Putin personally stepped in, ordering the project be delayed and reviewed.
But an outraged public again took to the streets early in June. Russian investigative journalist and anti-corruption campaigner Ivan Golunov was arrested on controversial drugs charges. He was then severely beaten while in custody.
Such was the uproar that the Kremlin quickly had Mr Golunov released and declared innocent.
“Yet again, Putin revealed his desire to appease the public rather than risking the further erosion of popular support,” says Carnegie Moscow Centre senior fellow Andrei Kolesnikov.
“The demonstrations have not been led by a particular group or movement with grand political designs. Instead, protesters in Arkhangelsk — much like those in Yekaterinburg and even in Moscow — are simply people fighting for their government, finally, to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
MOSCOW SPRING?
Chair of Russia’s Accounts Chamber, Alexei Kudrin, recently told the Moscow Times the country faced an “explosion” of protests because of declining living standards and increased poverty.
Economic hardship has been on the rise since President Putin’s “velvet invasion” of Crimea and incursions into Ukraine and Georgia. The international community’s response was to impose economic sanctions.
But that’s not the entire cause of Russia’s unrest, says Mr Kolesnikov.
“In assessing today’s social unrest in Russia, Kudrin is confusing economic frustration with something much more fundamental: the struggle for dignity,” he writes.
Naturally, economics plays its part.
“The fact remains, however, that (Putin’s) approval ratings — despite being lower than he might like — have stabilised, suggesting that Russians have largely accepted their economic plight as a ‘new normal’, Mr Kolesnikov says. “But that does not mean that Russians are willing to accept other ‘normal’ behaviours by their government.”
Specifically, corruption.
Signs of unhappiness have been seen before.
In 2011 and 2012, thousands of mostly middle-class citizens took to the streets to protest rigged parliamentary elections.
Nothing changed. And state-backed polls still mark Mr Putin as the world’s most popular leader.
But one of the few independent Russian social research groups, the Civil Initiatives Committee, recently presented a study titled “Signs of changes in public mood and their possible consequences”.
It identifies a growing anti-establishment sentiment. And a loss of faith in “strongarm” leadership.
Only 7 per cent of the study’s participants admired strong individuals. Some 80 per cent expressed a desire for justice and equal economic opportunities.
“The model based on strong leadership gradually turned from a remote dream into a daily routine, so its original halo of attractiveness began weakening,” the researchers explain. “The established model of communicating with the population through centralised mass media is beginning to sputter.”
PERILS OF POWER
He won the 2018 Russian presidential election with 77 per cent of the vote. He controls Russia’s media. Russia’s wealthiest oligarchs are his friends. Almost all his enemies have fled — or died.
“What is Vladimir Putin afraid of?” asks president of the Free Russia Foundation Natalia Arno. “The current Russian regime is employing an entire arsenal of coercive tools and adopting an ever-growing list of repressive laws to imprison and silence its opponents,” she said.
The foundation was part of a Coalition to Free the Kremlin’s Political Prisoners report that stated there were 236 political prisoners behind Russian bars in March. In 2015, that number was just 46.
Jailed are journalists, environmental activists, anti-corruption campaigners and lawyers.
It’s all part of the assertive authoritarianism President Putin has long applied.
But he has built up a house of cards.
Every link has had to demonstrate complete loyalty to Mr Putin. And Mr Putin’s presence is the glue that holds it all together.
But, now, the question is being asked: How can Putin transition his power?
“Without a clear signal from Putin about what he will do in 2024 or who will replace him, the whole system is coming apart,” political scientist Nikolai Petrov recently told the New York Times.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Mr Kolesnikov.
“Putin is the personification of all the power in Russia,” he says. “His personal rating reflects attitudes towards every government institution. If he loses support, every minister and official loses it, too.”
Jamie Seidel is a freelance writer. Continue the conversation @JamieSeidel
Originally published as Grim warning behind Putin’s latest move
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President Vladimir Putin’s “tough-guy” act is getting old. His police rounded up more than 1000 protesters in Moscow at the weekend. Meanwhile, their President was posing aboard a minisub — grinning off the growing unrest.
The exact number detained is unknown. Their offence is: demanding their representatives be allowed to run in regional elections.
Amid it all, Mr Putin stuck to his tried and tested techniques.
He spruiked his tough-man image by spending the weekend sitting inside the reinforced glass bubble of a mini-submarine, diving in tribute to Soviet submariners killed in World War II.
But despite the characteristic cheerful grin and carefree wave, the 66-year-old former KGB intelligence officer is facing a multitude of challenges.
Last year, he swept back into power for an unprecedented fourth term as Russia’s president. This constitutionally final term ends in 2024.
But President Putin has cemented himself at the heart of a new style of Kremlin government. Some analysts call it a kleptocracy — a corrupt pyramid scheme aimed at dividing up the nation’s wealth.
But Mr Putin has always strived to maintain an air of democratic legitimacy — even if it has meant deregistering, disqualifying — or jailing — anyone likely to oppose him.
Unsurprisingly, then, local government elections are at the centre of the latest crisis.
The Moscow City Council is up for renewal. Dominated by Mr Putin’s United Russia Party, the election of even a few outspoken representatives would give any opposition movement both legitimacy and exposure.
And that would be a threat to Mr Putin’s grip on power.
The weekend detentions came among widespread protests that locally selected candidates be allowed to contest local elections.
Some 20,000 people took to Moscow’s streets a fortnight ago in what was an authorised protest.
Moscow authorities declared a follow-up protest illegal. But more than 3000 turned up anyway in what was to become one of the nation’s most significant acts of defiance in recent years.
The crowd were telling President Putin something he didn’t want to hear.
Chants of “Putin resign”, and “Free Russia of Putin” sounded out through central Moscow.
Then, riot-gear garbed police forced the protesters to disperse as they rounded up as many as they could grab.
Many were held only a few hours. But some, from social media posts, appeared to have suffered severe injuries in the process.
It was all the result of a call by jailed Opposition Leader and anti-corruption lawyer Alexei Navalnyto protest rigged local government elections. Russia is, in effect, a one-party state.
In 2013, Mr Navalny won almost a third of the vote in the race to become Moscow’s mayor. He was barred from contesting the new round.
Nevertheless, Mr Navalny was arrested and had his house searched just days before the weekend demonstration. Then, as the protests unfolded, he suddenly became seriously ill.
Russian police say he suffered an “allergic reaction” that produced “severe facial swelling and red rashes on the skin” while behind bars.
Mr Navalny was visited in hospital by his personal doctor. “We cannot rule out that toxic damage to the skin and mucous membranes by an unknown chemical substance was inflicted with the help of a third party,” Dr Vasilyeva wrote on her Facebook page.
It’s not the first time Mr Navalny has been the target of a chemical attack. In 2017, substances smeared on his face caused him to lose most of the vision in one eye.
More significantly, it’s not the first time Russian citizens have defied the iron rule of the Kremlin to air their grievances.
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SAN JUAN (Reuters) - Puerto Rico's political crisis risked deepening on Thursday as lawmakers and street protesters opposed the Washington corporate lawyer tapped to replace disgraced Governor Ricardo Rosselló.
A day before Rosselló was set to resign over offensive chat messages that sparked mass protests, some members of his party vowed to reject his chosen successor, Pedro Pierluisi, largely over conflict of interest concerns.
Hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans took to the streets to demand Rosselló quit after the leaked messages unleashed rage over suspected administration corruption, slow recovery from 2017's deadly hurricanes and the U.S. territory's bankruptcy.
Rosselló called a special session of Puerto Rico's legislature on Thursday for lawmakers to vote on Pierluisi as secretary of state, and therefore next in line to succeed him.
Members of Rosselló's New Progressive Party (PNP) said Pierluisi's role as a lawyer for law firm O'Neill & Borges advising the federally created financial oversight board directing Puerto Rico's bankruptcy disqualified him for the job.
Street protesters accused Pierluisi of serving the interests of Puerto Rico's political elite, not the people's, in helping establish the widely-disliked board when serving as the island's delegate to the U.S. Congress, then representing it as a lawyer.
Pierluisi released a statement saying he had "listened to the people's messages, their demonstrations," and he would "only answer to the people."
The speaker of Puerto Rico's House of Representatives, Carlos Méndez said he favored Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, also of the PNP, as secretary of state over Pierluisi, citing the lawyer's role at O'Neill & Borges.
Mendez suggested Pierluisi did not have the votes in the lower house to be confirmed.
But in a sign of divisions, several PNP legislators including Yashira Lebrón and Luis Perez Ortiz told newspaper El Nuevo Dia they backed Pierluisi.
And Ramón Luis Rivera, PNP mayor of Puerto Rico's second-largest city Bayamón, threw his weight behind the 60-year-old former attorney general.
"It's time to put Puerto Rico FIRST and end the uncertainty we're engulfed in," Rivera tweeted. "Let's give the governor's nominee, Pedro Pierluisi, a chance."
The island's legislature will convene at 2 p.m. to consider the nomination, with Pierluisi needing a majority of votes to be confirmed.
(Reporting by Luis Valentin Ortiz and Camilo Cohecha in San Juan, Nick Brown in New York and Karen Pierog in Chicago; Writing by Andrew Hay; Editing by Grant McCool)
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Aplazan el juicio por empleados fantasmas
El Vocero de Puerto Rico-Jul 31, 2019
El pasado 13 de febrero, el director del Negociado Federal de Investigaciones (FBI) en la Isla, Douglas Leff, confirmó que mantenía una pesquisa abierta sobre ...
Estados Unidos concluye prosecución de la pandilla de prision de los ...
La Perla del Sur-Jul 26, 2019
... del orden federales para investigar y enjuiciar delitos violentos, independientemente de dónde ocurran “, dijo Douglas Leff, jefe del FBI en Puerto Rico.
Wanda Vázquez tiene abandonado al Grupo Anticorrupción
NotiCel-Jul 26, 2019
... Yesmín Valdivieso; el director del Negociado Federal de Investigaciones (FBI), Douglas Leff; la fiscal federal, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez Vélez; Rosario Vega y el ...
Piden que investiguen cómo se manejó el intento de traslado de Mundi
Primera Hora-Jul 25, 2019
El expresidente de la Cámara de Comercio del Oeste, Pedro Jaime Rivera, solicitó a Douglas Leff, director del Negociado de Investigaciones Federales (FBI), ...
Piden a las autoridades federales que investiguen en La Fortaleza el ...
El Nuevo <a href="http://Dia.com" rel="nofollow">Dia.com</a>-Jul 25, 2019
Jaime Rivera hizo un llamado directo al agente Douglas Leff, director del Negociado de Investigaciones Federales (FBI) en Puerto Rico, y a la fiscal federal ...
Puerto Rico's Governor Confirmed His People's Worst Suspicions
The Atlantic-Jul 24, 2019
... a first trove of messages involving Rosselló and 11 of his advisers was leaked to the press around the time that the FBI—whose agent in charge, Douglas Leff, ...
El FBI tiene documentos del chat de Telegram
El Vocero de Puerto Rico-Jul 23, 2019
... en inglés) copia del chat de Telegram en el que se conspiró en su contra, el director de esa agencia, Douglas Leff, le respondió que recibió los documentos.
Arrest of Jonathan Arce Carrillo aka as 'El Joyero' and Anthony ...
Federal Bureau of Investigation (press release) (blog)-Jul 21, 2019
SAN JUAN, PR—Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Leff, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Juan Field Office, announced the arrest of Jonathan ...
Federales arrestan a "El Joyero" ya "Tony"
Telemundo Puerto Rico-Jul 19, 2019
El director del Negociado Federal de Investigaciones (FBI) Douglas Leff, anunció el viernes el arresto de Jonathan Arce Carrillo, también conocido como "El ...
Puerto Rico is in chaos, and some worry continued instability is a ...
Washington Post-Jul 18, 2019
FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Leff hinted this year that more investigations are in play and that it would be a busy summer for his San Juan agents.
Agencias federales investigarán los actos violentos en el Viejo San Juan
El Nuevo <a href="http://Dia.com" rel="nofollow">Dia.com</a>-Jul 16, 2019
... Douglas A. Leff, enfatizaron en la importancia del derecho a manifestarse de ... bajo nuestra jurisdicción y que constituya un delito federal”, expresó Leff.
Puerto Rico gov says there are other ways to be heard
Caribbean Business-Jul 15, 2019
... fall under our jurisdiction and constitute federal crimes in coordination with our law enforcement partners and the US Attorney's office,” added Douglas A. Leff, ...
Former Puerto Rico Officials Are Accused of Corruption
Wall Street Journal-Jul 10, 2019
Douglas Leff, the special agent in charge of the FBI's San Juan office, had publicly revealed a criminal probe last month into how Puerto Rico awarded some ...
La muerte política de Ricardo Rosselló
El Nuevo <a href="http://Dia.com" rel="nofollow">Dia.com</a>-Jul 10, 2019
El jefe del FBI, Douglas Leff, cumplió su palabra: el verano está caliente, al punto de ebullición. Rosselló, de vacaciones en Francia, adelantará su regreso.
Puerto Rico's former education secretary, others arrested in federal ...
<a href="http://NBCNews.com" rel="nofollow">NBCNews.com</a>-Jul 10, 2019
FBI director Douglas Leff also confirmed the arrest of businessman Alberto Velázquez-Piñol, who was also indicted, during a press conference Wednesday ...
Former heads of Puerto Rico Education Dept. and Health Insurance ...
Caribbean Business-Jul 10, 2019
At the lectern, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez Vélez, U.S. attorney for the District of Puerto Rico; and, to her left, Douglas Leff, FBI special agent in charge of the San ...
El director del FBI en Puerto Rico había advertido que sería un verano ...
El Nuevo <a href="http://Dia.com" rel="nofollow">Dia.com</a>-Jul 10, 2019
... el Negociado de Investigaciones Federales (FBI) habían sido advertidos semanas atrás por el director de esta agencia en la isla, Douglas Leff, como parte de ...
Agentes del FBI allanan el South Bank International en Hato Rey
El Nuevo <a href="http://Dia.com" rel="nofollow">Dia.com</a>-Jul 3, 2019
En aquel momento, el director del FBI en Puerto Rico, Douglas Leff, explicó que aquella intervención estaba relacionada con una investigación de alegada ...
Cierra el pico el FBI sobre la corrupción gubernamental
NotiCel-Jul 3, 2019
... el director del Negociado Federal de Investigaciones en Puerto Rico (FBI, por sus siglas en inglés), Douglas Leff no emitirá más declaraciones públicas sobre ...
Maldonado apunta a involucración de Secretaria de Justicia
NotiCel-Jul 1, 2019
... agencia en la Isla, Douglas Leff. De hecho, el viernes, luego de la escaramuza con la citación de Maldonado Gautier ante Justicia local, Leff emitió un inusual ...
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