Thread: Russian Trolls Using NFL Protests to Sow Discord Online, Republican Senator Says

Russian-bought Black Lives Matter ad on Facebook targeted Baltimore and Ferguson

Former Democrat Congressman rips West Point grad behind pro-communist photos

• 
  
  
  Second Lt. Spenser Rapone is seen in an undated photo making a fist and holding a cap with a sign inside that reads, "Communism will win." (Twitter)
  

A U.S. Military Academy graduate who posed with a sign reading “Communism will win” and posted pro-Colin Kaepernick messages on social media is now being ripped by the former Democratic congressman who helped him get into the prestigious school.

Ex-Rep. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania, who served from 2007 to 2013, told The Daily Caller that Second Lt. Spenser Rapone – who is now the focus of an Army investigation – has let him down.

“Several years ago, I met Spenser Rapone when he was a high school student seeking an appointment to West Point,” Altmire said.

“At the time, he was an outstanding, well-rounded student who came from a good family. I have not been in touch with him in the years since the appointment, and I was shocked and extremely disappointed in the recent reports of his indefensible actions.”

To get into West Point, applicants must receive nominations, usually from U.S. politicians.

“While I strongly support the rights of American citizens to express their opinions, the actions of 2nd Lieutenant Rapone are abhorrent and appear to be in clear violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, in addition to being inconsistent with the values of the United States Military Academy. I have no doubt that the U.S. Army will take appropriate action,” Altmire told The Daily Caller.

The Army said in a statement Tuesday that “Rapone's chain of command is aware of his actions and is looking into the matter.” The photos began circulating online over the weekend.

Rapone’s father Richard, a treasurer in Lawrence County, Pa., also spoke out against his son in a now-removed Facebook post, according to The Daily Caller.

Richard reportedly said Spenser, who graduated in 2016, was not accepted into West Point right out of high school, but was approved after enlisting in the Army and serving in Afghanistan.

“It’s my belief when he returned back from Afghanistan there was a notable difference in his political views,” the news organization quoted Rapone as posting. “Spenser is my son and I love him dearly, however, I do not like nor condone his politics, his actions or behavior.”

Rapone’s communist sympathies are no secret, the New York Post reported. He once posted photos of himself holding Karl Marx's “Communist Manifesto” and a photo of One World Trade Center with him holding a communist red star on the top.

The "Communism will win photo" was hashtagged #veteransforkaepernick, citing the former NFL player whose national anthem protests have sparked a divisive movement this season.

But a veterans’ subgroup of the Democratic Socialists of America has come to his defense.

“Let there be no doubt that we have unequivocal solidarity with and pride in Spenser. He’s an exceptional soldier,” it posted on Twitter.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/28...st-photos.html

Llankford is proving himself an idiot on several levels. Shame! I think the people of Oklahoma had greater expectations of him than to fall head-first into the Russia hoax or run to the laps of illegal aliens for a pat on the head from people who aren't even supposed to be in our country let alone have special legislation to amnesty their wrong-doing including violations of our sovereignty and rule of law.

Originally Posted by Judy

Llankford is proving himself an idiot on several levels. Shame! I think the people of Oklahoma had greater expectations of him than to fall head-first into the Russia hoax or run to the laps of illegal aliens for a pat on the head from people who aren't even supposed to be in our country let alone have special legislation to amnesty their wrong-doing including violations of our sovereignty and rule of law.

Russia hoax? How would you personally know if there are or aren't Russian internet trolls attempting to push discord in our country? Honestly, I don't think it is out of the realm of believability.

Oh my God .... there are trolls on the internet from everywhere, there are American Trolls causing discord in our country, what do you think the Russia Hoax is all about to begin with? How are ads opposing illegal immigration even if posted by the Russians causing discord in our country? Americans hate illegal immigration, so do the Russians. That's why among many other reasons, we should be pals with Russia.

Americans aren't as stupid as you seem to think we are. We don't care what country you're from when exercising your free speech on the internet. We care what you say not where you're from. If 30 million illegal aliens in the United States can Twitter and Facebook, without a Congressional investigation, then Russia, China, Ukraine, or any other country in the world can Twitter and Facebook all day long if they want to without a Congressional investigation or any other investigation, as far as I'm concerned.

Twitter tells Congress it has suspended hundreds of Russia-linked accounts

Why secret Russian ads on Facebook are a worry for America

Originally Posted by Judy

Oh my God .... there are trolls on the internet from everywhere, there are American Trolls causing discord in our country, what do you think the Russia Hoax is all about to begin with? How are ads opposing illegal immigration even if posted by the Russians causing discord in our country? Americans hate illegal immigration, so do the Russians. That's why among many other reasons, we should be pals with Russia.

Americans aren't as stupid as you seem to think we are. We don't care what country you're from when exercising your free speech on the internet. We care what you say not where you're from. If 30 million illegal aliens in the United States can Twitter and Facebook, without a Congressional investigation, then Russia, China, Ukraine, or any other country in the world can Twitter and Facebook all day long if they want to without a Congressional investigation or any other investigation, as far as I'm concerned.

Okay, you admit that it's possible, so why all the other razzle-dazzle B.S.? Just agreeing that it is possible is all that's necessary.

Originally Posted by MW

Okay, you admit that it's possible, so why all the other razzle-dazzle B.S.? Just agreeing that it is possible is all that's necessary.

Admit what is possible?! That there are trolls on the internet? There are trolls on every website on the internet. There have always been trolls on the internet. Were you not aware of this fact? You act like this is some startling revelation, some shocking discovery, when it's a fact of life on the internet and has always been. Manufacturing a news story and Congressional investigations on the long-term well-known fact that there are trolls on the internet is absurd. Using these fake news stories to malign Russia over trolling is ridiculous. It's all a hoax, trying to convince Americans that free speech is dangerous. It reminds me of the anti-war protests during the Vietnam War, they blamed those on the Russians, too, when it was American college kids who didn't want to be drafted or have their friends and family drafted into a war they didn't think they would be allowed to win in a country they couldn't even find on a map.

Americans elected Donald Trump to be President of the United States and the Russians didn't have a damn thing to do with it.

The USA has influenced elections elsewhere by media. Russians are chess players and could see them trying to influence just as we have. They didn't mention a particular candidate but issues. Glad they did bring up those issues too. They spent a lot of money of those ads.