Presidential Election 2024 and the Nightmare It Could Be

Tuesday, November 5, 2024, is the final election day...hopefully not forever.

The Convict vs The Prosecutor

Where do Harris and Trump stand on the key election issues? - Guardian

Kamala’s Wins @harris_wins - "BREAKING: Nikki Haley is bashing the Trump campaign for running one of the weakest candidates and races she’s seen. It’s clear the dam is breaking within the Republican Party and the base is fracturing. Retweet so all Americans see this."

Sunday, November 3, 2024...

Trump, more comments about bullets passing through the media at his rally.

Trump Says He Wouldn’t Mind Someone Shooting Through ‘Fake News’ At Rally

This is not presidential in any way, shape or form. Forbes

Now. Let's start with THIS:

National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica
Nov 2
UPDATED ENDORSEMENT: 1,043 National Security Leaders—including 10 Cabinet & 11 Service Secretaries, 253 retired Admirals & Generals, 49 Senior Enlisted, and 164 Ambassadors—proudly endorse Kamala Harris for President.

Trump "America"

About women's issues this election...

At a recent campaign event in New Hampshire, Donald Trump asserted his intention by saying:
“I’m going to protect the women of our country… whether the women like it or not.”
Which has raised concerns if not alarms for some about his approach to women's autonomy and reproductive rights. Critics have interpreted this statement as indicative of narcissistic and misogynistic tendencies, suggesting that he prioritizes his views over women's expressed desires.
This behavior aligns with a broader pattern observed among some political figures who claim to act in women's interests while disregarding their preferences. Which women have now died from.
Trump's history of controversial remarks and allegations of sexual misconduct contributes to the perception of him as embodying misogyny. His assertion that he will act in women's best interests, regardless of their input, resonates with narcissistic behavior, where one's own beliefs overshadow the rights of others.
Such dynamics prompt worries about the normalization of these attitudes and their implications for societal views on women's rights and sexual violence​.
Trump's comments can provide a sense of validation for individuals with narcissistic and abusive tendencies, as they reinforce a sense of power and control over women. Such remarks can resonate with those who hold misogynistic views, allowing them to feel justified in their beliefs and actions.
This dynamic is concerning, particularly in light of his adjudicated status as a sexual abuser, and his being a convicted felon indicating a criminal behavior orientation which is arguably a lifetime orientation, all of which raises questions about the authenticity of his intentions to protect women.
The juxtaposition of his rhetoric with his past actions highlights the complexities of his influence and the dangers it poses.
But sure, vote for Trump as POTUS. We don't have enough chaotic, ignorant and unfocused leaders, yet.

Does China want Trump to win?

China prefers stability and predictability in international relations, which does not align with Trump's often erratic and confrontational style. During his presidency, Trump's unpredictable trade wars and sudden policy shifts strained U.S.-China relations and made it difficult for Chinese officials to navigate these changes—often not in positive ways.

Moreover, Trump’s alignment with Putin could create challenges for China, as Russia serves as a counterbalance to Western influence in various areas. Strengthening ties between the U.S. and Russia could increase geopolitical pressure on China, especially in regions where their interests overlap or where they cooperate against Western powers. Given these factors, it's reasonable to conclude that Trump's return to the presidency may not align with China's strategic interests.

The question of whether the U.S. should align more closely with China's interests is complex. While promoting stability and predictability could reduce tensions and potential conflict, it's crucial for the U.S. to prioritize its own national interests, values, and relationships with allies. Engaging with China on economic and environmental issues can be beneficial, but such engagement must be cautious—especially under a leadership style like Trump's—to protect U.S. industries and human rights.

Ultimately, a pragmatic approach that encourages stability while maintaining a firm stance on core values is essential for U.S. foreign policy.

On the topic of Putin, Ukraine, and NATO, Boris Johnson recently stated that Ukraine must join NATO, emphasizing that Putin cannot be allowed to expand into Europe, which he sees as his intention. He argues that the only viable path is to bring Ukraine into NATO to prevent a Russian victory. Johnson also expresses skepticism about Trump’s willingness to stand up to Putin, highlighting the need to closely observe the dynamics between Putin and Trump.

Zelenskyy warns North Korea, Russia alliance could spell trouble for Asia: China's 'silence is striking'

"Ukrainian Pres Zelenskyy is sounding the alarm that the recent deployment of NK troops in Russia not only spells trouble for Ukraine, but also draws into question the stability & security of nations in Asia that are allied with the West.
"North Korea’s actions aren’t random," Zelenskyy said in a frank interview with South Korea’s public broadcasting network KBS on Thursday. "They have strategic goals."
"Their actions aren’t coincidental - they want Russia’s support in return," he added in comments also posted to his social media account on X." via Fox News

Summary of Trump's Comments & the Reality of Mail-in Voting - Trump's Statements:
2016: Trump claimed that mail-in voting could lead to widespread fraud, particularly targeting minority communities, asserting that the electoral system was "rigged"​

2018: He maintained mail-in ballots were vulnerable to fraud & warned of the potential for extensive cheating​

2022: Trump's rhetoric escalated, alleging that election officials distributed "80 million unsolicited ballots," emphasizing the risk of rampant fraud​

2024: He continues to frame early & mail-in voting as significant threats to democracy, reflecting persistent distrust in these systems​

Reality of Mail-in Voting:

Low Rates of Fraud: Research indicates that voter fraud, particularly involving mail-in ballots, is exceedingly rare. Studies have shown that states using mail-in voting have low instances of fraud, often lower than traditional voting methods​

No Systematic Bias: Evidence suggests that mail-in ballots do not favor any political party, countering claims that they disproportionately benefit Democrats or facilitate cheating​

Benefits of Accessibility: The expansion of mail-in voting has been recognized as beneficial, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, as it enhances voter accessibility without significantly increasing fraud risk​

In conclusion, while Trump's comments have fueled fears regarding the security of mail-in voting, the statistical evidence & research consistently show that these voting methods are secure & effective. 

Donald Trump's stance on early & mail-in voting has evolved recently, though it remains complex & sometimes contradictory. Historically, he has been critical of these voting methods, often associating them with potential fraud & claiming they undermine the integrity of elections. This rhetoric has created a significant partisan divide, with many Republicans working to encourage their voters to use these methods to increase turnout​.

However, leading up to the 2024 elections, Trump has started to shift his position. He announced that he plans to vote early this cycle, indicating a more accepting attitude toward early voting than in previous years. He expressed that he is "OK with early voting," acknowledging its popularity among voters​.

Donald Trump's recent support for early and mail-in voting stems from several strategic factors. As the Republican Party faces challenges in recent elections, Trump has recognized that embracing these voting methods is essential for improving turnout among GOP voters. This shift aligns with party initiatives aimed at maximizing voter participation, as many Republicans now view early voting as crucial for electoral success​

Trump's change in stance also reflects an acknowledgment of voter preferences, with many supporters favoring the convenience of early voting. His adaptation seems to be a pragmatic response to the changing political landscape, moving away from earlier claims of fraud associated with these voting methods​.

FYI...

Recent reports indicate that Chinese hackers have targeted the U.S. telecommunications infrastructure, with implications for national security and political campaigns. The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have confirmed unauthorized access to commercial telecom systems, which may have included attempts to gather information related to the presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris​

VOICE OF AMERICA

The hacking group involved, known as Salt Typhoon, has reportedly compromised systems of major U.S. telecom providers, including Verizon and AT&T. These breaches are concerning as they may allow hackers access to sensitive information, including wiretap capabilities that could undermine criminal investigations and national security operations​
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While the Chinese government has denied these allegations, calling them disinformation, the attacks highlight ongoing cyber threats from state-sponsored actors in China​

U.S. intelligence has warned that such foreign actors are actively trying to interfere in the upcoming elections, using both cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns​
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SECURITYWEEK

Russia

In the context of the upcoming U.S. elections, two significant Russian-related issues have emerged:

1. Disinformation Campaigns: Russian-backed influence operations are increasingly targeting the electoral process in the United States. These campaigns focus on spreading misleading narratives that can affect public perception and voter behavior. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Microsoft have warned that these disinformation efforts are part of a broader strategy to sow discord and amplify divisions among the American populace​

   The ongoing operations highlight the vulnerabilities in the information landscape, particularly as the election nears.

2. Cyber Threats: While the recent focus has been on Chinese cyberattacks, Russia also poses a substantial cyber threat. Security agencies are alert to potential hacking incidents that could target election infrastructure or related systems. The concern is that Russian cyber actors may not only engage in disinformation but could also attempt to infiltrate critical systems to disrupt the electoral process​

   WIRED

Overall, both issues underscore the challenges facing U.S. election security as foreign actors like Russia continue to employ various tactics to interfere in the democratic process. For more information, you can explore detailed analyses from sources like WIRED and Microsoft’s threat assessment​

Thank you for being an American citizen. Now VOTE as sanely as you can with what you have to work with. 

Cheers! Sláinte!

Compiled with help from ChatGPT