It can be difficult to keep up as chaos reigns in this nation but it is incredibly important to remember that the number one issue in America right now -- as we tend to the GOP dismantling of the United States the best we can -- is Putin's invasion of our sovereignty in his effort to disrupt our election process which resulted in the installation of his preferred candidate into the Oval Office.
With the Trump fired, former FBI Director James Comey scheduled to testify before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in the morning, I'm sharing five of my favorite Trump/Russia articles to assist in remembering or in just beginning to learn what the over arching issue is right now.
Focused Reads, which may produce Focused thoughts after which Focused action -- will be up to you!
(If you follow me on Twitter, please forgive any repetition as I am also sharing this material, and more, with friends and some media on Twitter today, as well!)
ONE
I love the above graphic. I mostly love it because it comes from Congressman Eric Swalwell's website where he makes information on Russian interference in our election available for the public here !
I love the story linked below, written while Trump was still a candidate, because it was written by a writer who was actually on the ground and was able to bring real life context to the piece.
"Trump Is Already Helping Putin Consolidate Control of Ukraine
The GOP candidate's pro-Russia comments have become must-see TV in both countries—and they’re demoralizing the Ukrainians.
By Anna Nemtsova
August 23, 2016
But the main reason the U.S. election has become must-see TV is not because it’s a great reality show, or because Putin and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine come up as issues in the campaign as often as Mexican immigrants, ISIS and Benghazi. It's because the political rhetoric across the Atlantic is actually starting to change facts on the ground in Russia and Ukraine. In both countries, coverage of the political chaos in the United States—the north star of politics for both anti-American and pro-American figures in this part of the world—is stirring public discontent and doubt about the future in Ukraine, and a sense of confidence, even arrogance, in Russia. ... "
You can read the story here
TWO
"How the Trump Organization's Foreign Business Ties could Upend U.S. National Security
By Kurt Eichenwald
September 14, 2016
If Donald Trump is elected president, will he and his family permanently sever all connections to the Trump Organization, a sprawling business empire that has spread a secretive financial web across the world? Or will Trump instead choose to be the most conflicted president in American history, one whose business interests will constantly jeopardize the security of the United States?
Throughout this campaign, the Trump Organization, which pumps potentially hundreds of millions of dollars into the Trump family’s bank accounts each year, has been largely ignored. As a private enterprise, its businesses, partners and investors are hidden from public view, even though they are the very people who could be enriched by—or will further enrich—Trump and his family if he wins the presidency.
A close examination by Newsweek of the Trump Organization, including confidential interviews with business executives and some of its international partners, reveals an enterprise with deep ties to global financiers, foreign politicians and even criminals, although there is no evidence the Trump Organization has engaged in any illegal activities. It also reveals a web of contractual entanglements that could not be just canceled. If Trump moves into the WH and his family continues to receive any benefit from the company, during or even after his presidency, almost every foreign policy decision he makes will raise serious conflicts of interest and ethical quagmires. ... "
You can read the story here
( Graphic Courtesy of VOX update in March 2017. You can find their story here )
THREE
"The NSA Chief Says Russia Hacked the 2016 Election. Congress Must Investigate.
It's up to Capitol Hill to protect American democracy.
By David Corn
November 16, 2916
Despite all the news being generated by the change of power underway in Washington, there is one story this week that deserves top priority: Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. On Tuesday, the director of the National Security Agency, Admiral Michael Rogers, was asked about the WikiLeaks release of hacked information during the campaign, and he said, “This was a conscious effort by a nation-state to attempt to achieve a specific effect.” He added, “This was not something that was done casually. This was not something that was done by chance. This was not a target that was selected purely arbitrarily.”
... The possibility that a foreign government covertly interfered with US elections to achieve a particular outcome is staggering and raises the most profound concerns about governance within the United States. An investigation into this matter should not be relegated to the secret corners of the FBI or the CIA. The public has the right to know if Putin or anyone else corrupted the political mechanisms of the nation. There already is reason to be suspicious. Without a thorough examination, there will be more cause to question American democracy."
You can read the story here
FOUR
The "Kremlin Playbook" as Referenced before the Senate Sub-Committee on Crime & Terrorism "...Autocracies Undermining Democracies..." !"Testimony by: Heather C. Conley
Senior VP for Europe, Eurasia and the Arctic Center for Strategic and International Studies" You can read her testimony here You can also find a link to the hearing video and the actual "Kremlin Playbook" in an earlier blog here FIVE 
"The Many Paths from Trump to Russia
By Marshall Cohen and Tal Yellin
The FBI and both chambers of Congress are investigating whether there were improper contacts between the Trump orbit and Russia during the 2016 election. Here is a summary of known connections between Trump associates and Russia. (Updated May 9, 2017) ... "
You can cruise through this fabulous interactive piece here
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Direct sources for Democrats:
(Shared sources come with the understanding readers will apply their own critical thinking to the information they consume. #StrongerTogether does not share lightly but -- no one is perfect!)
The Democratic Party Website
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(Remember 2018...)
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Curated by Gail Mountain, with occasional personal commentary, Network For #StrongerTogether ! is not affiliated with The Democratic Party in any capacity. This is an independent blog and the hope is you will, at a glance, learn more about the Party and you will, with a click or two, also take action on its behalf as it is provided!
( You can also find me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GKMTNtwits )
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