How much does it cost to disrupt the most powerful democracy in the world? About $100,000 in Facebook ads: To reach larger US audiences, the IRA purchased advertisements from Facebook that promoted IRA groups on the newsfeeds of the US audience members. According to Facebook, the IRA purchased over 3500 advertisements, and the expenditures totaled approximately $100,000.Mueller Report Volume 1, page 25 The Internet Research Agency, LLC (IRA), only needed to contribute about $100K to Facebook's bottom line in order to disrupt the 2016 election. Though there were...

According to the Mueller report, the investigation was hampered by several issues; like subjects and documents in question living and being held outside of the US, and active deletion of corroborating materials by people associated with the Trump Campaign as noted below: Further, the Office learned that some of the individuals we interviewed or whose conduct we investigated -- including some associated with the Trump Organization -- deleted relevant communications or communicated during the relevant period using applications that feature encryption or that do not provide for long-term...

The Mueller report is finally here. You can get your own copy of the 448 page report here. The report clearly states the following: Although the investigation established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome, and that the Campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts, the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities. Mueller Report...

Last week tonight Sunday's episode discussed a very important subject that many folks in America, and particularly our elderly communities, are impacted by; mobile home parks and private-equity firms. According to the Seattle Times, between 2016 and 2017, one such equity firm produced over 30% return on investment from their acquisition of mobile parks. These private equity firms make money by raising rents and through fees for anything which does not meet their rules. Fees range from huge late-payment costs, to fees for lack of general up-keep, etc....

The word hacker used to have a negative connotation. If you were a hacker, you were a "hack", a wannabe. Someone that copied others and could not do it on their own. But in the era of Facebook, technology and silicon valley, being a hacker has taken on a more prestigious definition. Nowadays you find ways to "hack" your life. You look for food-prepping "hacks". "Hacks" are everywhere. Being a hacker is a good thing. I am not a proponent of its positivity or negativity, only in its...

Today, Michael Cohen testified in front of congress. But as the title says, the burning of his pants depended very much on which team you belonged to. If you belong to the democrats, Mr. Cohen was self-actualizing. If you belong to the republicans, Mr. Cohen is still in the physiological stage of Maslow's pyramid. It was almost comical how the two teams played the game. The truth, the betterment of the country or the rule of law are no longer a consideration or afterthought. The only consideration is...