Profile in Focus | Dr. Jill Stein Part 11 (August 2017 - October 2017)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | Dr. Jill Stein Part 11 (August 2017 - October 2017)
“Dr. Jill Stein, Green Party candidate for President, at a campaign stop at Metro Community College in Omaha, Neb” from Jill Stein by Matt “A.J.” Johnson from Omaha, Nebraska, United States under CC BY 2.0.
Jill Stein's relationship to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as her interactions with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, became a topic of interest and speculation. Stein addressed her connections in an interview with Newsweek, shedding light on her involvement in the election and her stance on key issues.
In August 2017, Jill Stein, the Green Party's former presidential candidate, found herself in the spotlight once again as she faced questions about her relationship to Russia and her involvement in the 2016 election. Newsweek published an interview where she explained her interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Hillary Clinton during the election. As investigations into Russia's interference in the election continued, Stein's connections and actions came under scrutiny.
The month also brought legal matters for Stein. In relation to her environmental activism, she reached a plea deal over her arrest at the Standing Rock protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016. The judge accepted a no-jail deal for her, resolving the legal matter surrounding her participation in the protest.
The aftermath of the 2016 Presidential Election remained a focal point, with discussions about the election results and the role of third-party candidates like Jill Stein. Reports indicated that Russian propaganda efforts favored alt-right websites, including Breitbart, raising concerns about the extent of Russia's influence on the election. Social media giants like Facebook and Twitter were also under scrutiny for allowing Russian-funded ads to target users during the election.
As part of the investigation, Facebook revealed that Russian-backed ads had supported various candidates, including Stein, Bernie Sanders, and Trump. These findings stirred controversy and led to debates about the impact of social media on elections and potential collusion between campaigns and foreign entities. Russian environmentalists labeled the U.S. Green Party as Putin's "accomplices," underscoring the complex relationship between Russian interests and American political movements.
Hillary Clinton's tell-all book shed light on her perspective of the election and her interactions with various figures, while Russian politicians accused U.S. spies of inaction during Russia's alleged interference in the election.
In the midst of the Russia investigation, Stein's position on nuclear energy came into focus when NewScientist published an article on thorium as a potential power source for future nuclear reactors. Stein's views on environmental issues and alternative energy sources were often a key aspect of her political platform.
In September 2017, it was reported that a GOP Congressman had sought a Trump deal on WikiLeaks and Russia, adding to the intrigue surrounding potential connections between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Social media giants like Facebook faced scrutiny for their role in the dissemination of Russian-funded ads. Mark Zuckerberg pledged to reform the platform's ad policies and provide transparency regarding ads linked to the Russian government. Russian-funded ads were found to have backed not only Trump but also Jill Stein, Bernie Sanders, and others.
The ongoing revelations of Russian fake accounts and posts that reached millions of users on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter underscored the extent of the disinformation campaign. The House Intelligence Committee announced its intent to release Facebook ads purchased by Kremlin-linked groups, providing further insight into Russia's tactics.
As investigations continued, the reality of the Russia-Trump investigation was reaffirmed, with evidence of Russian fake accounts reaching 126 million Facebook users. Reports also highlighted a London-based professor who allegedly acted as a conduit between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Throughout August to October 2017, the political landscape remained tense as the Russia-Trump investigation unfolded. Stein's actions and connections to Russian interests raised questions about her role in the 2016 election and fueled discussions about the impact of foreign interference on the U.S. democratic process. As the investigation continued, the nation grappled with the complexities of modern politics, social media's role in shaping public opinion, and the significance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.