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How is it illegal for someone outside the US to comment on a US election thread? Is it illegal for CNN to talk about Russian politics? Is it illegal for Russian

by unpwn 9y ago

How is it illegal for someone outside the US to comment on a US election thread? Is it illegal for CNN to talk about Russian politics? Is it illegal for Russian media to cover US politics? Why would it be legal for institutions but not for individuals? How is any of that undemocratic?

hsod 9y ago
If they are paid to comment on behalf of or in opposition to a particular candidate, it's (probably) a violation of campaign finance laws. I don't think anyone is arguing that a Russian with a personal interest in American politics is barred from discussing a US election.
sp332 9y ago
The people who are not voting should not be involved in the vote. It's not illegal for Russian media to cover American politics in Russia, but I think it was illegal for them to buy a bunch of ads in America without disclosing their Russian origin. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/twitter-finds-hundreds-of-accounts-tied-to-russian-operatives/2017/09/28/6cf26f7e-a484-11e7-ade1-76d061d56efa_story.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/twitter-find...
- craftyguy 9y ago
  I don't think that is (currently) illegal. Morally wrong? Yea, probably, but that's beside the point.. and honestly this is all a red herring since it's just Congress trying to treat the symptom and not the disease.
- unpwn 9y ago
  By your principles felons and minors shouldn't be able to discuss the politics either... I completely disagree with that stance and find it undemocratic myself. Also its not illegal for companies outside the US to buy adds in the US (Assuming facebook/reddit is even considered the US)... And parties outside the US have been making contributions to political campaigns in the US for years so outside "interference" is nothing new...
  - sp332 9y ago
    Well I'm in favor of felons voting. And you're right, legal liability in this case is on the Trump campaign and not the Russians. https://mobile.twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/915685900214063105 https://mobile.twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/9156859002140... Depending on the severity of the "meddling", America could impose sanctions on Russia, and it certainly won't help the diplomatic atmosphere when discussing current sanctions either.

by unpwn 9y ago

hsod 9y ago

If they are paid to comment on behalf of or in opposition to a particular candidate, it's (probably) a violation of campaign finance laws. I don't think anyone is arguing that a Russian with a personal interest in American politics is barred from discussing a US election.

sp332 9y ago

The people who are not voting should not be involved in the vote. It's not illegal for Russian media to cover American politics in Russia, but I think it was illegal for them to buy a bunch of ads in America without disclosing their Russian origin. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/twitter-finds-hundreds-of-accounts-tied-to-russian-operatives/2017/09/28/6cf26f7e-a484-11e7-ade1-76d061d56efa_story.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/twitter-find...

craftyguy 9y ago
I don't think that is (currently) illegal. Morally wrong? Yea, probably, but that's beside the point.. and honestly this is all a red herring since it's just Congress trying to treat the symptom and not the disease.
unpwn 9y ago
By your principles felons and minors shouldn't be able to discuss the politics either... I completely disagree with that stance and find it undemocratic myself. Also its not illegal for companies outside the US to buy adds in the US (Assuming facebook/reddit is even considered the US)... And parties outside the US have been making contributions to political campaigns in the US for years so outside "interference" is nothing new...
- sp332 9y ago
  Well I'm in favor of felons voting. And you're right, legal liability in this case is on the Trump campaign and not the Russians. https://mobile.twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/915685900214063105 https://mobile.twitter.com/SethAbramson/status/9156859002140... Depending on the severity of the "meddling", America could impose sanctions on Russia, and it certainly won't help the diplomatic atmosphere when discussing current sanctions either.