Tag: Conservatism in the United States

And an unregistered Russian agent being held in a Northern Virginia detention center can have her legal bills paid by an NGO that is partly funded, but not directly controlled, by the Kremlin. But her prosecution in Washington, D.C., last year shed light on yet another avenue through which Russia tried to influence American politics in 2016: namely, via an old-fashioned, on-the-ground operation, conducted not by experienced spies but by disarming political operatives. (Ionov denied to me that he works for the Russian government.) Both have worked to infiltrate or meddle in American politics—Butina through the National Rifle Association and the conservative, Christian right; and the Anti-Globalization Movement through American separatists on either end of the political spectrum. It was during this period that the Anti-Globalization Movement held its first Dialogue of Nations conference in September 2015 in Moscow, which was attended by separatist leaders from Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Uhuru black nationalist movement. (IT’s vice president is Roman Khudyakov, a former Russian government official and a member of the Right to Bear Arms.) Ionov has a framed letter from Putin in the Anti-Globalization Movement’s offices in Moscow commending him for working “to strengthen friendship between peoples,” according to Vice. Driscoll, Butina’s lawyer, confirmed that he’s been in touch with Ionov about the funds collected for Butina’s defense fund. But he said he’s not concerned by the Anti-Globalization Movement’s controversial history with either the Kremlin or U.S. separatists—he’s just happy Butina finally has some money to pay her legal bills. Driscoll added that he’s optimistic that next month the judge will give Butina a sentence of time served, allowing her to promptly return to Russia.

Talk show host and comedian Dennis Miller has become something like the American right’s leading comic in recent years. Nevertheless it turns out that the frequent Fox News guest—who used to have a segment called “Miller Time” where he made hilarious jokes about stuff like “doing pot” and global warming with Bill O’Reilly—doesn’t really consider himself “political.” During an appearance on last night’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! Miller talked about being a conservative comedian and mentioned that he “[makes] jokes off politics” but that “left to my own devices, I’m not mad for politics quite frankly.” Apparently, even his appearances with Bill O’Reilly were just work—“a place where I hung my hat.” When Kimmel presses him further, mentioning that Miller’s perceived as a conservative comedian (something that his constant tweets supporting right wing politics sort of imply), his guest explains that he’s as “socially liberal as anybody,” he is just weirdly outraged by Nancy Pelosi. The apparently apolitical comedian then talks some amorphous “both sides” stuff about how liberals and conservatives alike can be either good or bad depending on the situation. It’s all very enlightening, but does raise the question: if Miller had his way and the world truly would let him stop talking about politics, who else would provide us with gems like these? Send Great Job, Internet tips to gji@theonion.com

To many conservatives, the compromise immigration proposal released this past week by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, is little more than “amnesty.” One tea party group described the Republican plan as “the final betrayal.” Fox Business host Lou Dobbs, who is close to President Donald Trump, tweeted Friday that Ryan is “trying to open our borders even more and give illegal immigrants the biggest amnesty in American history.” The tension threatens to exacerbate the GOP’s political challenges this fall, when their majorities in the House and Senate could be at risk. “The hardcore Trump voter has a different point of view than the ever-important independent voter, and there doesn’t seem to be a middle ground.” The draft legislation, resulting from intense negotiations between moderates and conservatives, includes a path to citizenship for an estimated 1.8 million young immigrants in the country illegally. The plan includes $25 billion for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and other security measures sought by the White House. Republicans had trumpeted Trump’s support for the plan, yet he told reporters early Friday he would not sign it if it reached his desk. “House Republicans are not going to take on immigration without the support and endorsement of President Trump,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-North Carolina., the GOP’s chief deputy vote counter. “We’re studying the proposal,” said Arizona Rep. Martha McSally, who is viewed as the GOP establishment’s favorite in one of the top Senate races. “Congress should focus on border security and stop talking about amnesty as a solution.” In Pennsylvania, Rep. Lou Barletta, the Republican nominee against Democratic Sen. Bob Casey took an equally aggressive approach against his own party’s immigration plan. It’s amnesty.” Barletta said he has compassion for the children caught up in the immigration debate. Barletta said his party should “absolutely” fear a political backlash from its base this fall should Republicans push through the current compromise. In an election year in which Democrats appear to have an advantage on voter enthusiasm, Republicans can ill afford to alienate any voters this fall, particularly their most passionate supporters.