NY Times: Oh, Wait. Maybe It Was Collusion.

[L. Coyote]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/02/opinion/donald-trump-russia-collusion-cia.html
By JOHN SIPHER and STEVE HALLAUG. 2, 2017

Did the Trump campaign collude with Russian agents trying to manipulate the course of the 2016 election? Some analysts have argued that the media has made too much of the collusion narrative; that Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting with Kremlin-linked Russians last year was probably innocent (if ill-advised); or that Russian operatives probably meant for the meeting to be discovered because they were not trying to recruit Mr. Kushner and Mr. Trump as agents, but mainly trying to undermine the American political system.

We disagree with these arguments. We like to think of ourselves as fair-minded and knowledgeable, having between us many years of experience with the C.I.A. dealing with Russian intelligence services. It is our view not only that the Russian government was running some sort of intelligence operation involving the Trump campaign, but also that it is impossible to rule out the possibility of collusion between the two.

The original plan drawn up by the Russian intelligence services was probably multilayered. They could have begun an operation intended to disrupt the presidential campaign, as well as an effort to recruit insiders to help them over time — the two are not mutually exclusive. It is the nature of Russian covert actions (or as the Russians would call them, “active measures”) to adapt over time, providing opportunities for other actions that extend beyond the original intent.

It is entirely plausible, for example, that the original Russian hack of the Democratic National Committee’s computer servers was an effort simply to collect intelligence and get an idea of the plans of the Democratic Party and its presidential candidate. Once derogatory information emerged from that operation, the Russians might then have seen an opportunity for a campaign to influence or disrupt the election. When Donald Trump Jr. responded “I love it” to proffers ...................

[elleng]

1. Oh, Wait. Maybe It Was Collusion.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016190429

[Not Ruth]

2. Collusion has no defined legal meaning

So the Supreme Court needs to define it, before convicting someone based on it. Or else it is an instant loss on appeal

[still_one]

4. Yes it does

"A deceitful agreement or compact between two or more persons, for the one party to bring an action against the other for some evil purpose, as to defraud a third party of his right Cowell. A secret arrangement between two or more persons, whose interests are apparently conflicting, to make use of the forms and proceedings of law in order to defraud a third person, or to obtain that which justice would not give them, by deceiving a court or it officers. Baldwin v. New York, 45 Barb. (N. Y.) 359; Belt v. Blackburn, 28 Md. 235; Railroad Co. v. Gay. 8G Tex. 571, 26 S. W. 599, 25 L. R. A. 52; Balch v. Beach, 119 Wis. 77, 95 N. W. 132.

Law Dictionary: What is COLLUSION? definition of COLLUSION (Black's Law Dictionary)

http://thelawdictionary.org/collusion/

[Not Ruth]

5. Not according to these guys

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/11/us/politics/collusion-trump-russia-campaign.html

In general parlance, “collusion” means working together, usually in secret, to do something illicit. But the term has no defined legal meaning. Lawyers instead talk about the offense of “conspiracy.

[Justice]

9. Pretty sure lawyer drafting complaint would allege conspiracy not collusion

Collusion is a media term. Legal term is conspiracy.

[Not Ruth]

11. Was listening to CNN Sirius XM this afternoon

They said that there was no federal law against collusion.

[Gabi Hayes]

3. See post 26 from this fun thread

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029339421

[Johnny2X2X]

6. $500 Billion Russian Oil Deal

The reason why I think the media will let us down in regards to Trump is that they aren't covering the $500 Billion Russian/Exon Oil Deal that is the primary reason that Russia worked so hard to steal the election.

This is "THE" Story! Hillary and Obama killed this deal. Trump made a former Exon head his SOS and then worked to weaken sanctions against Russia that were preventing this deal. Now that the sanctions have been strengthened the deal is dead and Russia will start burning Trump.

If we had a responsible and free Press, this oil deal would be talked about nightly and every American would have at least a cursory knowledge of what it's all about.

[lindysalsagal]

10. Thank you. Tillerson is the Exxon Mobil exec hired to bring Putin the oil deals.

That's all the corruption needed for indictment. Sometimes I wonder if Mueller is Kabuki, just to give the oil companies cover. Sure hope not.

[ffr]

7. High crimes will get him and his KGOP accomplices that new tower.

Justice must prevail.

[Scarsdale]

8. Long overdue

for this disgusting excuse for a "president" to face up to what he has done to this country. I want to see the entire corrupt tRump family lose their ill gotten wealth. Entitled low life scammers.