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Dissecting the lies in PBS' "Inside Putin's Russia" series

Rick Sterling
The Duran
Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:24 UTC
Vladimir Putin
Dissecting the untruths of state-funded US media one lie at a time

The US government supported Public Broadcasting System (PBS) recently ran a five part series dubbed "Inside Putin's Russia". With a different theme each night, it purports to give a realistic look at Russia today. The image conveyed is of a Russia that is undemocratic with widespread state repression, violence and propaganda. Following are significant distortions and falsehoods in the five part documentary.

Episode 1: "How Putin Redefined what it means to be Russian"

In this episode, the documentary:

* Claims that Russian identity is based on "projection of power". In reality, "projection of power" characterizes the US much more than Russia. For the past two centuries the United States has expanded across the continent and globe. The last century is documented in the book "Overthrow: American's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq". The US currently has nearly 800 foreign military bases in over 70 countries. In contrast, Russia has military bases in only two countries beyond the former Soviet Union: Syria and Vietnam.

* Ignores crucial information about events in Ukraine. Russian involvement in eastern Ukraine and Crimea are presented as examples of "projection of power". However, basic facts are omitted from the documentary. There is no mention of the violent February 2014 coup in Kiev nor the involvement of neoconservatives such as Sen McCain and US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland. In a December 2013 speech, Nuland outlined her intense involvement in Ukraine including US "requirements" that Ukraine choose a "European future" since the US had "invested $5 billion to assist". Days before the coup in February 2014 Nuland was captured on audio planning the composition of the coup leadership.
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Airplane

Romania closes airspace to Russian passenger jet carrying deputy PM on board


RT
Fri, 28 Jul 2017 14:33 UTC
Russian S7 airplane
© s7.ru
Authorities in Romania have denied access to its airspace for a Russian flight that was headed to Chisinau in Moldova. Russia's deputy prime minister, Dmitry Rogozin, was on board the passenger plane, which had to request an emergency landing in Belarus.

Russia's ambassador to Moldova, Farit Mukhametshin, who was waiting for Rogozin at Chisinau airport, confirmed to Rossiya 24 TV channel that Romania had denied access to the Russian plane on Friday.

Rogozin was headed to Chisinau to meet with Moldovan President Igor Dodon.
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Attention

Judicial Watch files three FOIA lawsuits against acting FBI chief McCabe


Sputnik
Fri, 28 Jul 2017 14:30 UTC
Andrew McCabe
© AP Photo/ Jacquelyn Martin
Three Freedom of Information Act lawsuits are seeking information on Acting Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Andrew McCabe's political activities, travel and employment status, the watchdog group Judicial Watch said in a press release on Friday.

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton is quoted in the release as saying the lawsuits will help answer questions about the ethics and judgment about the top leadership of the FBI.

"Judicial Watch today announced that it filed three separate Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuits against the US Department of Justice seeking records for current FBI Acting Director Andrew McCabe relating to his political activities, travel vouchers, and employment status," the release stated.
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Map

Russia isn't arming the Taliban, but the 'deep state' wants Trump to think so

Andrew Korybko
Sputnik
Wed, 26 Jul 2017 14:04 UTC
Kabul
© Sputnik/ Alexandr Graschenkov
The US' latest disinformation offensive against Russia is aimed at manipulating Trump into dispatching more uniformed troops to Afghanistan instead of going through with Bannon's PMC proposal, as both factions fight for control over who will receive the profitable right to ensure security for future American mining operations.

International media lit up in feverish speculation earlier this week after unsubstantiated reports emerged once again that Russia is supposedly arming the Taliban. Moscow struck back at these accusations by decrying them as baseless and part of a US disinformation campaign, which they are, but a few more words need to be offered about this provocative episode in order to place it into its proper context.

The US is aghast that Russia has taken the lead in organizing the Moscow peace process for Afghanistan, which has already seen three meetings hosted in the Russian capital involving all of the war-torn country's regional stakeholders.
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Info

Japan sanctions Chinese bank and firms to pressure North Korea


RT
Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:18 UTC
The 105-storey Ryugyong Hotel, the highest building under construction in North Korea, is seen in Pyongyang
© Bobby Yip / ReutersThe 105-storey Ryugyong Hotel, the highest building under construction in North Korea, is seen in Pyongyang.
Tokyo on Friday has announced the blacklisting of two Chinese companies for their connections with North Korea. The announcement comes as concerns rise Pyongyang is prepping for another missile test.

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said five entities, including two Chinese organizations, and nine individuals will be "newly subject to asset freezing" and other unilateral punishment.

According to Nikkei daily, China's Bank of Dandong, a Chinese shipping firm and a North Korean trading house dealing with coal and other commodities are among the organizations slapped with the new sanctions.

The Bank of Dandong has also been sanctioned by the US and is accused of money laundering for North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

"It is important to strengthen pressure so that North Korea should act toward denuclearization," Kishida told reporters as cited by AFP.

"We will urge North Korea to take concrete action toward the resolution of issues," he added.
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No Entry

US orders embassy staff families to leave Venezuela citing 'unpredictable' situation


RT
Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:09 UTC
US Embassy in Caracas
© Carlos Garcia Rawlins / Reuters
The US State Department has ordered family members of embassy personnel in Caracas to leave the country due to security concerns amid violent protests. It also issued a warning against traveling to Venezuela.

The State Department notification came on Thursday, warning US citizens of "social unrest, violent crime, and pervasive food and medicine shortages."

"This travel warning also informs U.S. citizens that on July 27, the Department ordered the departure of family members and authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. government employees from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas," it reads.

The embassy employees willing to depart the Latin American nation have been sanctioned to leave, while those who are staying had their movement within the capital and other parts of the country restricted.
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No Entry

Sanctions retaliation: Russia tells US to cut embassy staff and stop using storage facilities, US has temper tantrum


RT
Fri, 28 Jul 2017 11:52 UTC
US diplomatic staff in Russia
© Valeriy Melnikov / Sputnik
Moscow has told the US to reduce the number of its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people, and is also halting the use of embassy storage facilities in the capital, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The retaliatory move comes after the US Congress approved new sanctions against Russia.

"The Russian side is suspending the use of all storage facilities on Dorozhnaya Street in Moscow, and a cottage in Serebryaniy Bor by the US Embassy in Russia as of August 1," the ministry said in a statement.

The number of US diplomatic service staff in Russia should be reduced to equal the number of Russian diplomats in the US by September 1, Moscow says.

"This means that the total number of personnel involved in the American diplomatic and consular institutions in the Russian Federation is reduced to 455."

Comment: The Ministry's official English statement:
On July 27, the US Congress passed a new bill on tougher anti-Russia sanctions. This measure is further proof of the Unites States' extremely hostile foreign policy. Hiding behind its own "exclusiveness", the United States arrogantly ignores the stances and interests of other countries.

It is common knowledge that the Russian Federation has been doing everything in its power to improve bilateral relations, to encourage ties and cooperation with the US on the most pressing issues on the international agenda including fighting terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, illegal drug trafficking, illegal migration, cybercrime, etc. Our understanding has been that we can only solve these global problems if we work together. We believe the majority of people in the world share this approach.

Meanwhile, the United States is using Russia's alleged interference in its domestic affairs as an absolutely contrived excuse for its persevering and crude campaigns against Russia. This activity contradicts the principles of international law, the UN Charter, WTO regulations and, simply, the common standards of civilised international communication.

The United States continues to pass more unlawful sanctions against Russia, to seize Russia's diplomatic property, which is formalised in binding bilateral documents, and to deport Russian diplomats. This is clearly a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and generally recognised diplomatic practices.

The adoption of the new sanctions bill is an obvious indication that relations with Russia are in thrall to the political infighting in the United States. Moreover, the new bill sets to a goal to create a dishonest competitive advantage for the US in the global economy through the use of political means. This blackmail aimed at restricting Russia's cooperation with its foreign partners threatens many countries and international businesses.

Despite Washington's constant outbursts, we have adhered to responsible and reserved behaviour and have not responded to express provocations until now. However, the latest events confirm that certain circles in the US are fixated on Russophobia and open confrontation with our country.

- Therefore, we suggest our American counterparts bringing the number of diplomatic and technical staff at the US Embassy in Moscow, the consulates general in St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok, into strict correspondence with the number of Russian diplomats and technical staff currently working in the United States, until September 1, 2017. This means that the total number of American diplomatic and consular office employees in the Russian Federation must be reduced to 455 people. In the event of further unilateral action on behalf of US officials to reduce the Russian diplomatic staff in the US, we will respond accordingly.

- Starting August 1, the use of all the storage facilities on Dorozhnaya Street in Moscow and the country house in Serebryany Bor will be suspended from use by the US Embassy.

Russia reserves the right to resort to other measures affecting US' interests on a basis of reciprocity.


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Laptop

Ex-Democratic staffer arrested for bank fraud hid stolen government electronics


Sputnik
Fri, 28 Jul 2017 05:33 UTC
DNC headqurters
© AP Photo/ Paul Holston
It was revealed on Thursday's episode of Radio Sputnik's Fault Lines with Nixon and Stranahan that electronics - including laptops, hard drives and Blackberries - stolen from the Democratic National Committee were found at a home owned by Imran Awan, a former DNC staffer arrested by the FBI while attempting to flee the country on Monday.

Awan was a DNC contractor while Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was the head of the DNC. He has been the subject of a separate criminal probe since March for "committing serious, potentially illegal, violations on the House IT network," with the help of four accomplices, Politico reported in March. "The five current and former House staffers are accused of stealing equipment from members' offices without their knowledge," the Politico report noted.

"I knew right away something was wrong since they had government markings," said Andre Taggart, a former US marine and a tenant at a property owned by Awan, referring to electronics equipment. Taggart told the FBI and Capitol Police that hard drives, which had been "pried open," were located at the house owned by Awan and his wife Hina Alvi. Independent journalist George Webb explained the findings on Thursday's episode of Fault Lines with Nixon and Stranahan on Radio Sputnik.
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Info

Russian lawyer Veselnitskaya says Browder will lie in Senate testimony, and she has proof - UPDATE: Browder doesn't disappoint


RT
Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:58 UTC
bill browder
William Browder, Anglo-American financial terrorist
The testimony prepared by Magnitsky Act lobbyist William Browder for the Senate Judiciary Committee, probing alleged Russian meddling into the US election, is false, Russian attorney Natalia Veselnitskaya told RT, adding that she has the proof.

Browder was due to testify before the Committee on Wednesday, but his appearance was eventually rescheduled for Thursday. The delay was caused by Senate Democrats invoking a rule barring the committee sessions from lasting more than two hours in response to attempts by the Republicans to repeal ObamaCare.

However, Browder's written testimony to Committee was published on The Atlantic website earlier this week.

"I read the transcript carefully - there is nothing new there, he has already said all these things before. And I can tell you with certainty that... Browder will give false testimony," Veselnitskaya told RT on the phone.

Comment: So Browder says Veselnitskaya hired Fusion GPS (the same company responsible for the dodgy Trump dossier, in cahoots with ex British spook Christopher Steele). Browder himself is accused of ties to British intelligence. And the "ex-counterintelligence officer" lobbyist who also attended the meeting with Trump Jr. is also allegedly tied to Fusion GPS. Were the meeting and the dossier connected? Was it intended to back up the unfounded allegations found in the trumped-up dossier? Is Browder attempting some damage control to obscure what really happened? It's a tangled web, that's all we know for sure!

See also: Update: Russia haters everywhere are ecstatic. Browder delivered a stellar, hysterical testimony to the U.S. Senate in which he said everything his fellow Russia haters wanted him to say. It has to be read to be believed:
Browder appeared before the committee, which is looking into alleged Russian meddling into the US election, on Thursday.

Browder, CEO of Hermitage Capital, who was sentenced in absentia to nine years in prison for his financial crimes in Russia in the 2000s, was summoned as a key witness and an expert on Putin's Russia.

He has given senators his version of the meeting between Veselnitskaya and the Trump team, comprised of US president Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and then-campaign chairman Paul J. Manafort, during the race for the White House in June 2016.

"Nobody was talking about adoptions. They were talking about the repeal of sanctions so that Russian torturers and murderers could freely travel and keep their money in America," Browder said.

His emotional speech was welcomed by senators as they left little doubt that the witness was saying what they wanted to hear.

Browder told the committee that the Russians are all "liars," who have "no empathy and no morals."

"The Russians will do anything they can get away with and even stuff they can't get away with," he said.

The businessman said that his experience of working in the country taught him that "in Putin's Russia, there are no good guys," adding that he was threatened with kidnapping and death.
Remember, Browder wasn't even at the Trump Jr. meeting. So what value could his testimony in this regard possibly have? That's right, absolutely none. Putin was right, Russophobia is the new anti-Semitism. Yet could you even imagine someone saying Jews are "all liars who have no empathy and no morals"? But all's fair when it comes to hatred of Russians, it seems.

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Gold Seal

Dear CNN, here are a few true and juicy news stories you might cover if you were in the business of reporting corruption...

Llama
Jimmy's Llama
Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:00 UTC
CNN Big lies
Dear CNN,

Let's be honest. You've had some problems lately and most people view your network as nothing more than an exploding dumpster fire. And they're right. You are a dumpster fire. But you don't have to be. Listen, since you're probably going to cut down on the Trump/Russia collusion stories and maybe lay off the doxing/blackmail business for awhile I figured some air time and column space are opening up, right? Well, you can't use that time and space for more stories about how good you think Obama looks in jeans because that's ridiculous and sad so that's where I come in! I don't want you to be upset that the Russia story isn't working out so I put together a list of leads that have everything to do with Russia. I hope this will cheer you up, motivate you to write real stories, and get you to stop publishing #FakeNews. Enjoy and you're welcome!
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