"But it turns out bots are becoming big business—not for Twitter users, but for companies that sell batches of fake accounts. Several companies exist solely to sell batches of fake accounts for anywhere from $2 to $30 per account. The bot-selling business could pull in $360 million at the higher end, and a more modest $40 million at the lower end. "

"There are many reasons someone would want to buy followers. After all, popularity is currency in social media. Companies, politicians, bloggers, and media outlets all benefit when they rack up followers. It’s even better when those followers retweet your content, like links to products, fundraising pages, or articles. A robust number of followers and retweets lend legitimacy in the social media world. Real people are more apt to like something on Facebook or follow someone on Twitter if that product or person is already established. "

"These days, fake followers are being fleshed out with seemingly real names, bios, and even websites. But the real emphasis is on retweets—companies or individuals can buy a certain number of retweets per account per day. Stroppa and De Micheli told the Times that five retweets a day can be had for $9 a month, and 125 daily retweets for $150 a month. "

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2033766/twitter-bots-fake-retweets-rake-in-big-bucks.html

My question is can you have a bot do its work but if an actual person wants to tweet can same account be used ?

"With stinging criticisms cloaked in humor, late-night hosts Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, Trevor Noah and the whole cast of “Saturday Night Live” have provided American audiences a way to laugh off their political anxiety. But on May 2, we may have to say goodbye to them for now.

That’s because the day before marks the expiration date for the current contract between the Writers Guild of America, the organization representing 12,000 Hollywood film and TV writers, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the writers’ employers. (The Huffington Post is unionized under the WGA-East.)"

"In the case of a strike, programs like “The Late Show,” “Full Frontal,” “The Daily Show” and “SNL,” that have voiced some of the toughest criticisms of President Donald Trump on national television, would face an immediate blackout, according to WGA-West executive director David Young. (Or rather, reruns, which are arguably even worse.)

Because they reflect the issues of the day ― from Trump’s Easter speech to his daughter’s ethically murky role in his administration to his press secretary’s combative demeanor with the media ― late-night programs don’t have a real stockpile of material like other scripted shows and are left with no other choice. It’s happened before, during the 100-day WGA strike that began in late 2007."

Article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hollywood-writers-strike-2017_us_58f72abfe4b029063d352f40

" Donald Trump has sold his entire stake in Energy Transfer Partners, the company overseeing construction of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, a Trump spokeswoman told NBC News.

Trump's shares of the company created a possible conflict of interest for the president-elect, as his administration may determine the project's fate amid ongoing protests from Native Americans and climate activists. Trump has supported the 1,172-mile pipeline and broader efforts to produce more fossil fuels in the United States.

On Sunday, the Army Corp of Engineers denied a federal permit for the project needed for a segment of the pipeline. Trump's administration could still approve it. "

"Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks did not say if he also sold his shares of Phillips 66, which has a smaller investment in the project. "

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/05/trump-sells-his-stake-in-dakota-access-pipeline-developer.html


Not sure what this move mean as to the future ........ if anything ........

Just wanted to pass on article

" Officials in the Obama administration threw cold water on the effort to recount votes in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania on Friday.

The effort was spearheaded by Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who echoed arguments that Russia may have hacked US voting machines to interfere with the outcome of the November 8 election.

A statement from the Obama administration cited by The New York Times acknowledged that the Kremlin likely expected the hacking of some Democratic Party entities in the run-up to Election Day to raise questions about the voting process and the legitimacy of President-elect Donald Trump's victory.

"Nevertheless, we stand behind our election results, which accurately reflect the will of the American people," the statement read. "

http://www.businessinsider.com/audit-the-vote-recount-jill-stein-election-hillary-clinton-trump-2016-11

At this point it would be better to work on races not settled .

At least Jill has a new list to add to for next election

Time to move on start working on leadership and couple years from now

"FEBRUARY 16--Presidential contender Donald Trump, who has vowed to stanch the flow of narcotics and criminals entering the U.S. from Mexico, once wrote to a judge urging leniency for a friend who was convicted of distributing kilos of cocaine that had been smuggled into the country from Colombia, court records show.

In advance of Joseph Weichselbaum’s November 1987 sentencing by a U.S. District Court judge, Trump wrote that the drug trafficker was “conscientious, forthright, and diligent" and "a credit to the community.”

At the time Trump wrote his character reference letter, Weichselbaum, then in his mid-40s, was already a twice-convicted felon. In addition to his 1986 plea to federal cocaine distribution and income tax charges, "

"When Trump wrote on Weichselbaum’s behalf, the real estate developer had known the criminal for several years. Weichselbaum, seen at left, was general manager of a helicopter company that shuttled high rollers for Trump to the tycoon’s Atlantic City casinos, business that was worth about $2 million annually. Weichselbaum’s firm also maintained, stored, and provided pilots for Trump’s personal $10 million Super Puma helicopter.


http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/celebrity/the-donald-and-the-dealer-173892

Weichselbaum also lived in Trump tower , " Weichselbaum then moved into Trump Tower, his girlfriend having recently bought two adjoining apartments there for $2.4 million. "

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/05/donald-trump-2016-mob-organized-crime-213910

http://www.msn.com/?pc=UP97&ocid=UP97DHP&dt=071013&inst=1

vote if you can . Just visited FR they have thread going it needed votes . so when I voted numbers were a lot closer than they should

"Topping the list by a longshot is billionaire birther and infamous reality-TV host Donald Trump. “The Donald earned a staggering $1.5 million per speech at The Learning Annex’s ‘real estate wealth expos’ in 2006 and 2007,” according to Forbes. “Trump appeared at 17 seminars and collected this fee for each one.”

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/washingtons-highest-lowest-speaking-fees/story?id=24551590#1

The above was on page 2 of 5 at link .

For Don to receive that kind of money I would have to think he has a little more to his speaking than there has been ...... Don is a great manipulator that is for sure . One of the reasons I posted cause if the subject of speeches are brought up ..... well he is a private citizen the same as Hillary so there should be no pointing out . If anything I would question why he received the amount he did .........

"As it turns out, some of the most serious damage to Bill Clinton's Presidency came not from his high-profile political enemies but from a small secret clique of lawyers in their 30's who share a deep antipathy toward the President, according to nearly two dozen interviews and recently filed court documents."

"While cloaking their roles, the lawyers were deeply involved -- to an extent not previously known -- for nearly five years in the Paula Jones sexual misconduct lawsuit. They then helped push the case into the criminal arena and into the office of the independent counsel, Kenneth W. Starr."

"The group's leader was Jerome M. Marcus,"

"George T. Conway 3d, a New York lawyer educated at Yale, shared Mr. Marcus's low view of President Clinton. When the Jones case led to Ms. Lewinsky, Mr. Marcus and Mr. Conway searched for a new lawyer for Mrs. Tripp. Mr. Marcus and Mr. Porter helped arrange for Mrs. Tripp to take her explosive allegations to Mr. Starr."

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/24/us/president-s-trial-lawsuit-quietly-team-lawyers-kept-paula-jones-s-case-alive.html?pagewanted=all

Below is from " Kellyanne Conway Takes on Toughest role yet : Trump 's Whisperer "

"Conway isn't the only person in her family who has worked to take down the Clintons. Her husband, George T. Conway III, a lawyer at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, was behind some of the most bitter lawsuits against Bill Clinton in the 1990s and stories that were promoted via the Drudge Report."

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-08-18/kellyanne-conway-takes-on-toughest-role-yet-trump-whisperer

The New York Times article was written in 1999 , the second article was written this year ( aug ) . Both worth reading in regards to the smearing of the Clinton 's and wanting to " take down " or rather have them lose politically .

now . They are doing a skit right now . Michelle will also be guest

"Donald Trump pointed to the resignation earlier Wednesday of a high-ranking Mexican official as proof that his trip to Mexico last week was a success.

“If you look at what happened, look at the aftermath today, the people who arranged the trip in Mexico have been forced out of government,” Trump said in a commander-in-chief forum hosted by NBC News in New York. “That’s how well we did, and that’s how well we’re going to do have to do.”

Trump was referring to the resignation of Finance Minister Luis Videgaray, who reportedly lobbied hard to invite Trump to meet with President Enrique Peña Nieto last week. Trump did not explain why the departure of Videgaray, long considered Peña Nieto's closest advisor, constituted a success for his campaign. "

"Trump made his remarks about the finance minister in response to a question by moderator Matt Lauer about whether his temperament--and his acknowledgment that he sometimes says things he later regrets--undermined his ability to be the nation’s commander in chief.

In addition to mentioning Videgaray, Trump answered the question about temperament by pointing to his success in the GOP primary."

http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-trump-points-to-mexico-trip-and-gop-1473295674-htmlstory.html

"Mr. Peña Nieto also used a second home owned by one of Mr. Hinojosa’s companies as an office during his presidential campaign and before he took office in 2012.

After a torrent of accusations that the president and his finance minister, Luis Videgaray, were receiving special favors from a contractor who wins lucrative government deals, Mr. Peña Nieto defended himself, saying there was no conflict of interest."

Rest of article , which is very interesting ...http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/31/world/americas/mexican-presidents-ties-to-contractor-raise-questions.html?_r=0

What is the connection between Donald Trump , Finance Secretary Luis Videgaray that stepped down on Weds and Juan Armando Hinojosa Cantú, a government contractor in Mexico ? Did Don cross the line and black mail someone for visit ? or Logan act ?

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Logan+Act