Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Pro-Moscow voices tried to steer Ohio train disaster debate
AP ^ | March 19, 2023 | DAVID KLEPPER

Posted on 03/19/2023 5:54:02 AM PDT by McGruff

Soon after a train derailed and spilled toxic chemicals in Ohio last month, anonymous pro-Russian accounts started spreading misleading claims and anti-American propaganda about it on Twitter, using Elon Musk’s new verification system to expand their reach while creating the illusion of credibility.

The accounts, which parroted Kremlin talking points on myriad topics, claimed without evidence that authorities in Ohio were lying about the true impact of the chemical spill. The accounts spread fearmongering posts that preyed on legitimate concerns about pollution and health effects and compared the response to the derailment with America’s support for Ukraine following its invasion by Russia.

Some of the claims pushed by the pro-Russian accounts were verifiably false, such as the suggestion that the news media had covered up the disaster or that environmental scientists traveling to the site had been killed in a plane crash. But most were more speculative, seemingly designed to stoke fear or distrust. Examples include unverified maps showing widespread pollution, posts predicting an increase in fatal cancers and others about unconfirmed mass animal die-offs.

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: neocons4biden; russiarussiarussia
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-50 next last
To: VTenigma

This load has FBI strong arm stench all over it. It worked like a charm every other time they tried it, why change the formula now?


21 posted on 03/19/2023 6:36:00 AM PDT by hardspunned (Former DC GOP globalist stooge)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: elpadre

Well done, I concur.


22 posted on 03/19/2023 6:38:58 AM PDT by foundedonpurpose (Praise Hashem, for his restoration of all things! It's )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: All

“Examples include unverified maps showing widespread pollution, posts predicting an increase in fatal cancers and others about unconfirmed mass animal die-offs.”

Report all suspicious posts.


23 posted on 03/19/2023 6:43:35 AM PDT by McGruff (Don't underestimate Joe's ability to f*** things up - Barack Obama)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: McGruff
Thanks for posting this…. You can see the hornets nest you’ve stirred up!

While I’m sure that there are fine, concerned posters re. this environmental disaster (and I share their concerns), the loudest voices tend to be spouting talking points sprinkled with big words and regurgitated memes, forever and always angry, always attacking. Chaos is the goal.

FR IMO has an infestation problem exploiting Free Speech.

My opinions…

24 posted on 03/19/2023 6:45:42 AM PDT by Hootowl99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: McGruff

Of course. Anyone who disagrees with Big Brother is with Emanuel Goldstein. Room 101 to all of them!


25 posted on 03/19/2023 6:46:24 AM PDT by Jan_Sobieski (Sanctification)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: McGruff
Examples include unverified maps showing widespread pollution, posts predicting an increase in fatal cancers and others about unconfirmed mass animal die-offs.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources estimates that at least 43,000 aquatic animals died from the spill. Numerous "respectable" news sources say the same thing and believe that there may have been more animal deaths.

26 posted on 03/19/2023 6:51:33 AM PDT by x
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hardspunned

Agreed.


27 posted on 03/19/2023 6:52:35 AM PDT by VTenigma (Conspiracy theory is the new "spoiler alert")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: VTenigma

Ah, the ‘Russians’ again.

Associated Press is committed.


28 posted on 03/19/2023 6:53:17 AM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: McGruff

Now we can’t disagree with anything the deep state does or were Russian agents.


29 posted on 03/19/2023 6:53:22 AM PDT by DouglasKC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: McGruff
Never mind, there are very few nations in the world where we don't try to control what is being discussed.
30 posted on 03/19/2023 6:53:38 AM PDT by Kazan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: McGruff
…claimed without evidence…

I guess they’re rerouting their Covid talking points…

31 posted on 03/19/2023 7:05:19 AM PDT by Magnatron
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MeganC

Lunatic alert!


32 posted on 03/19/2023 7:07:29 AM PDT by BlackbirdSST (Trump or Bust!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: BlackbirdSST

Thank you for letting me know you’re off your meds again.


33 posted on 03/19/2023 7:08:27 AM PDT by MeganC (There is nothing feminine about feminism. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: McGruff

This entire article is a trashing of Musk and Twitter. It galls these folks that there are un-spied, free speech platforms out there where people can post what they want — factual or not.

Why they don’t go over to Mastodon and get all their posts spied on and monitored to to their hearts content escapes me…


34 posted on 03/19/2023 7:17:06 AM PDT by Magnatron
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BitWielder1

And it never applies to their talking points.


35 posted on 03/19/2023 7:26:55 AM PDT by ARW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: MeganC
Thank you for letting me know you’re off your meds again.

You're an embarrassment.

36 posted on 03/19/2023 7:39:43 AM PDT by BlackbirdSST (Trump or Bust!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: McGruff

This is a replay of the RussianCollusion crappola from 2016 — by the same turds.

So, lemme git this straight. If someone says something YOU have decided is untrue, THEY are Russian agents. Right?

Color me Russian, then. If a total TWOT speaks facts it is still a FACT! I don’t care about the origin.

Do mind, tho, if any crappola outfit like AP orCNN touches the fact it is probably going to be mutated into a lie. It is their nature. Like a scorpion.


37 posted on 03/19/2023 7:49:26 AM PDT by bobbo666 (Baizuo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: McGruff
I do not believe anything that the lying liberal media says at all. I *especially* don't believe it when they blame Russian propaganda.

EVERY WORD in print whether physical or online, or verbally said on-air is nothing short of GASLIGHTING.

Nothing, not a single word the "news" media says is to be trusted. EVER.

38 posted on 03/19/2023 7:59:19 AM PDT by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: McGruff

Fiction writers. Why post this garbage giving them a wider publication? Use better common sense.


39 posted on 03/19/2023 8:09:02 AM PDT by bigfootbob (Arm Up and Live Free!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BlackbirdSST

“You’re an embarrassment.”

We have quite a few of those here.


40 posted on 03/19/2023 8:14:38 AM PDT by bigfootbob (Arm Up and Live Free!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-50 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson