DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus Cuckoo Republicans, what they have become pt.8

They were always there. Trump just brought them out of the closet.

This sort of misses the mark to me - what you say is true: These people were always there. 100% - but before Trump they never had a mainstream political person/party to rally behind and vote for. Now they do - through Trump's dog whistles and pandering. Through Trump's unwillingness to unequivocally condemn this group of racists/nationalists/white supremacists .... they all believe he is in their camp. Same with Q-Anon ... Trump reposts their tweets or reposts others that references their tweets and watch words etc.

So we have a significant % of the population - previously adrift of politics, previously probably didn't vote ... now voting for Trump and Trump back candidates. Without this slice of the population - the GOP is not winning. That's part of their conundrum - without Trump and the sicko, whacko, hate filled extremists - they win nothing. It's why politics isn't going to normalize any time soon.

I certainly agree with you and didn't explain why I felt he had brought them out of the woodwork. Now they feel empowered and that they have a say in government. I realized they lived among us but had no idea how large the multitude of those people were. It's why I say every liberal should arm themselves. Heavily if they can afford to do so.

2 men sentenced to years in prison for fraudulent border wall fundraiser tied to Steve Bannon

April 26, 2023 / 3:27 PM / CBS News

A federal judge in New York on Wednesday sentenced two former business associates of ex-White House official Steve Bannon to several years in prison for their roles in an infamous and fraudulent fundraiser to build barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border during the Trump administration.

The two men, Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato, previously pleaded guilty to several federal crimes related to siphoning funds from the online fundraising scheme known as "We Build The Wall," which raised more than $25 million from tens of thousands of private donors.

Kolfage, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax crimes, was sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in prison. According to the Justice Department, Klofage diverted $350,000 in donations for his own personal use, including to purchase an SUV and a cosmetic surgery.

Badolato, who pleaded guilty to committing wire fraud, received a 3-year prison sentence. Prosecutors said he also took hundreds of thousands of dollars in "We Build The Wall" donations for personal use.

Brian Kolfage leaves court after being sentenced for defrauding donors to the "We Build the Wall" effort on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in New York.

Brian Kolfage leaves court after being sentenced for defrauding donors to the "We Build the Wall" effort on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in New York. Bebeto Matthews / AP

In addition to the prison sentences, Kolfage was ordered to forfeit $17.9 million and pay $2.9 million in restitution. Badalato was ordered to turn over $1.4 million and pay restitution of the same amount.

During the sentencing, Judge Analisa Torres said Kolfage and Badolato's scheme "was no ordinary financial fraud," noting that it could have a "chilling effect" on political fundraising efforts, the Justice Department said in a release.

According to prosecutors, Kolfage, an Air Force veteran who lost limbs during the war in Iraq, worked with Badolato, Bannon and others to divert hundreds of thousands of dollars in private donations to bank accounts and entities they oversaw, despite a public commitment to only use the money to build border barriers.

Bannon, who served as former President Donald Trump's chief White House strategist, was arrested in 2020 on federal charges over his role in the "We Build The Wall" fundraiser. Mr. Trump pardoned Bannon in one of his last acts before leaving office.

However, Bannon is still awaiting a trial on similar state charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. A presidential pardon does not offer immunity from state charges.

A third individual involved in the "We Build The Wall" scheme, Tim Shea, was convicted of wire fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice, last year. He's set to be sentenced later this year.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brian-...ifYOnGJca4BupBKr1tJFT3NL0L7YNPm4m4sMOpc0

Grifters gonna grift.

Part of me wants to feel some sort of empathy/sympathy for the people who donated to this scam. Then, I think about the fact that they were repeatedly warned about Dolt 45, Bannon, and the shady folks working for them.

At this point, I still have some feelings for the families who probably need that money, but for those folks who parted with their money- I got nothing.


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