Month: May 2019

Climate Action, Climate Change May 30, 2019February 2, 2020

Exxon Shareholder Majority Rejects Climate Action Responsibility | Votes for High Profit at World’s Expense

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | May 30, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

American publicly traded global fossil fuel companies are in for a turbulent next twelve months. Exxon was feeling this rough ride at it’s annual shareholders meeting Wednesday May 29, 2019. Two of its largest shareholders were demanding climate action accountability and threatened to wrangle the support of fellow shareholders and vote the directors out.

The New York State Common Retirement Fund, led by Thomas DiNapoli, the New York State Comptroller, along with The Church of England led the proxy fight. And although they may have missed their targeted goal of outright removal, they successfully increased shareholder support for climate responsibility. More eyes will now be closely following decision makers, and tweeting about their objections.

The Church of England, another large Exxon shareholder, believes in ethical finance. They’ve made their shock and frustration with Exxon’s refusal to act on #climatechange very public.

“This has been a very difficult AGM for Exxon and a warning shot to management.” ~Edward Mason, Church of England

Climate Action 100+ is a force to be reckoned with. This powerful group of 324 #climate focused international investors, control $33.4 trillion in assets. They have a reach far beyond America’s political divide with a proven ability to move mountains. American conservative investors who aren’t paying attention may find their political allegiance selling them short in the long run, maybe even the short run depending on where the next Category 4 or 5 hurricane or tornado strikes.

Exxon’s press release, following their shareholder’s meeting on May 29, 2019, stated: “ExxonMobil expects to increase annual earnings potential more than 140 percent and double potential annual cash flow from operations by 2025 from 2017 adjusted earning, assuming a 2017 oil price of $60 per barrel adjusted for inflation based on 2017 margins.” Seeing numbers like 140% and a doubling of “potential cash flow” without a concrete plan for climate action, is a clear statement that Exxon views profits as far more important than cutting carbon.

The climate action world does not agree with Exxon’s disregard for their responsibility to decrease Exxon’s carbon footprint. The climate focused public will happily avoid Exxon gas stations, and instead choose Shell and BP. If dollars are the only way to connect with Exxon’s decision makers, the public will accept this and send our objections using dollars. No problem.

Mueller, Politics, Russia, Trump May 29, 2019September 22, 2019

Mueller Was Emphatic | Pay Attention

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | May 29, 2019) – With only an hours prior notice, at 11:00 AM this morning, Special Counsel Robert Mueller spoke directly to the American public, providing a brief ten minute official statement about his investigation and final report. The first several minutes of Mueller’s briefing was riddled with audio difficulties, but it appears he was walking us through the timeline of events which were all documented in his report, as well as shared with the public along the way through his investigation. It doesn’t seem that we missed too much in the muted first few minutes. The only question really then, is what caused the audio disruption. Foreign hackers perhaps, maybe GOP obstructionists, or a technical fluke.

“Now I hope and expect this to be the only time that I will speak to you in this manner. I am making that decision myself.” ~ Robert Mueller, May 29, 2019

Mueller made several significant clarifications that are noteworthy in light of the current public debate about Mueller’s Investigation and Report, particularly the GOP’s current investigation of the investigators.

Special Counsel’s office falls under the Department of Justice and is thus required to follow DOJ policies
According to DOJ, it’s unconstitutional to charge a US president of a “federal crime” while he’s in office
(Note that Mueller clearly stated federal crime, which seems to imply that charging the president with state crimes is lawful – hopefully this isn’t wishful thinking)
Under DOJ, the Special Counsel is explicitly permitted to investigate the president
Further, the “Constitution requires a process other than the Criminal Justice system to formally accuse a sitting president of wrong doing”
Neither Mueller or his investigators will speak beyond the findings released in the Mueller Report. “We chose those words carefully, and the work speaks for itself.”

“The report is my testimony. I would not provide information beyond that which is already public in any appearance before Congress.” ~Robert Mueller, May 29, 2019

Mueller emphasized that the findings contained in the Mueller Report, along with the analysis shared in the 400+ pages, as well as the reasons for the decisions that were made and outlined in the report, and then his statement today, is all he’ll say about it.

In closing, Mueller was emphatic that we pay attention and not lose sight of the central focus of his investigation:

“There were multiple, systematic efforts to interfere in our election. And that allegation deserves the attention of EVERY American. Thank you. Thank you for being here today.” ~Robert Mueller, May 29, 2019

Climate Action, Climate Change May 28, 2019August 20, 2019

Will Exxon Shareholders Revolt on May 29? | Climate Action

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | May 28, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

Several large Exxon shareholders demanded that a climate proposal be included on the ballot for the 2019 annual meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 29, but Exxon failed to comply.

The Church of England, and New York State Common Retirement Fund led by Thomas DiNapoli, the New York State Comptroller, initiated a proxy fight against the Exxon directors on Friday, May 3, claiming that Exxon’s “inadequate response to climate change constitutes a serious failure of corporate governance.”

The band of pro climate action Exxon shareholders, are aligned with Climate Action 100+, a group of investors who command $32 trillion in assets and are using their strength to leverage change amongst resistant companies like Exxon. They asked fellow Exxon shareholders to vote against all existing Exxon directors at Wednesday’s annual meeting.

Of particular concern, is that Exxon competitors are creating effective climate action game plans that curb carbon emissions for this notoriously irresponsible industry. For example:

BP Plc
Chevron
Royal Dutch Shell Inc
Total SA

Will the dawning of Wednesday May 29, 2019, when Exxon finds itself with their back against the wall in Houston, TX, prove to be the much needed turning point for the US fossil fuel mega corporations, who have been the main drivers in global warming across the globe for more than three decades? We’ll soon find out.

Health May 27, 2019August 20, 2019

Hope for the Future of Healthcare In America | Gathering Ideas

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | May 27, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

The House Congressional Budget Office attempted to shed light on the pressing healthcare issues Wednesday May 22, 2019, during a robust exchange of bipartisan ideas shared at its hearing on a potential single payer healthcare system for America.

Fielding questions from the House CBO Committee members was a panel of experts:

Mark Hadley, Deputy Director, Congressional Budget Office
Dr. Jessica Banthin, Deputy Assistant Director for Health, Retirement, and Long-Term Analysis, Congressional Budget Office
Dr. Jeffrey Kling, Associate Director for Economic Analysis, Congressional Budget Office

After several rounds of questions and answers between House Representatives and the panel of witnesses, it seemed clear that there is bipartisan support for unravelling the healthcare tangled knots of challenges and finding solutions for each one. Doing so will enable a bipartisan push towards creating a strong healthcare system for all Americans. The following are several key areas that need to be addressed in order to reach a bipartisan agreement:

Finding a way for Americans with strong private healthcare plans, provided by their employer, to keep these plans if they so choose. Typically, these healthcare plans are associated with America’s largest companies.
- The vast majority of large companies are located in specific regions of the country, as well as in certain cities. For example, silicon valley employs nearly 1 million people. They likely all have exceptional healthcare and won’t want to change it, nor should they have to.
- However, just a few hundred miles away it may be that the majority of employers are small mom & pops who struggle to provide adequate healthcare for themselves as well as the few employees they may have, and are eagerly awaiting a government healthcare plan.
- A substantial percent of the employed work as contractors and are simultaneously reliant of alternative solutions.

IT infrastructure. A looming obstacle for establishing one giant healthcare plan for America, is crafting the IT plan for securing all medical records and making them accessible anywhere. An example cited was the modernization of securing the VA health records.
- The IRS seems to have this down and may be a potential roadmap for healthcare.
- Our election systems are another possible pathway that can be duplicated for health records. However, we’ve recently learned that this intricate system can be successfully hacked.
- The GOP House Representative who raised the IT roadblock, seemed to be implying that this was the reason why we would never be able to implement a massive national healthcare program. But again, we have several expansive systems already in place that can be be potentially duplicated and modified for healthcare. Breaking down the large national map into smaller state components, divided into districts just like our voting districts, seems like an effective starting point on the IT front.

Competition. Our American system of free markets has proven that competition results in innovation, strengthens ingenuity and resourcefulness, and drives down prices. It was apparent at the hearing, that a bipartisan majority believe that competition will improve the quality and price of healthcare in America.
Toxic and contaminated zones that impact health. Certain parts of the country are more toxic than others. Industries such as coal and oil, farming communities with toxic fertilizers, military bases, superfund sites, polluted city air all impact health and create a large pool of Americans who are often born with pre-existing conditions as well as impacted with health conditions at a young age. It’s self-evident that these Americans have been impacted health wise through no fault of their own and should be covered by some type of medical plan that can aid with managing their care – ie, healthcare support similar to what was provided to those who worked at Ground Zero following 9/11.

The real cost of healthcare. The real cost of healthcare is mystifying, but thanks to technology, it shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out. What we know instinctively as individuals by going through bills with a fine-tooth comb, is that there’s a huge markup and that none of us would pay that price if we had to cover everything on our own. But since the insurance company writes the check for a significant portion, we often let it go, even if when frustrated. However, a certain percent of Americans end up filing for bankruptcy when the monster medical bills begin to roll in.
Miscellaneous. Establishing creative solutions for those who believe in natural and holistic methods for staying healthy, and are willing to cover the cost of their own vitamins and wellness regemines, and only need healthcare for a catastrophic event. There are currently no alternatives for this slice of the public if they’re over the age of 30. And yet, there’s an increasing number each year who fall into this particular niche. An effective healthcare plan should find ways to grow this niche.

If we’re willing to find common ground in these specific areas, and are open to comprise, then we should be able to find a path that will lead to bipartisan support for a healthcare overhaul sooner rather than later.

National Security, Public Safety, Trump May 21, 2019

The Mysterious, Recurring Trump Tweet | Secret Signal?

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | May 21, 2019) – Trump has tweeted hundreds of thousands of bizarre, freaky tweets that have rattled millions across the globe. Pointing out one and labeling it as concerning will likely fall on deaf ears, but it seems important to note the anomaly regardless.

In the big scheme of things, this tweet might seem more like Trump’s heroic effort to act presidential for a few seconds a week. However, the constant repetition of the same message – a message Trump has embroidered on his HATRED RED HAT, a sentiment and hat that’s become the emblem for white nationalist vengeance against the world, particularly its American homeland – now seems more like a secret code to Trump’s white nationalist army. And look at the time stamp on this tweet, 4:01 AM on Friday morning May 17, 2019.

Ten minutes later, Trump tweeted what really seemed to hint at the stick in his craw:

Perhaps Trump was disgruntled over Jerry Nadler’s successful hearing on Executive Privilege conducted by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday May 15, 2019. The Hearing was a homerun for the House oversight function over the Executive Branch. Totally understandable why Trump was infuriated. The House was granted a green light around the obstacle that Attorney General Bill Barr has become. Surely Trump was terrified and having a difficult time sleeping.

Hopefully, Homeland Security is tracking all the “MAKE AMERICAN GREAT AGAIN” tweets and monitoring white nationalist response. The Mueller Report mentions Trump tweets as a method to influence jurors in the Manafort trial, as well as letting Manafort know he’d be pardoned if he remained loyal.

Here’s s MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN tweet during a rally in Florida that has photos. Nice. The image is likely filled with white nationalists.

There are several others that have a few sentences of words included. But it’s the all cap MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN that really stands out as a signal. A red flag of sorts. Trump had a whole series of these one sentence tweets following the Michael Cohen hearing. So as we enter a bumpy road up ahead with Trump and the House Oversight, it might be best to check daily for this particular Trump tweet RED FLAG and be cautious.

National Security, Public Safety, Trump May 17, 2019May 17, 2019

Coast Guard White Nationalist Will Remain in Jail Until Trial

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | May 17, 2019) – Monday May 13, 2019, U. S. District Judge George J. Hazel of Maryland boldly overturned U. S. Magistrate Judge Charles Day’s ruling of the preceding week and ordered USCG Lt Christopher Hasson reman in jail on weapons charges until his trial. The trial date has not yet been set.

Hasson, who faces up to 31 years in prison, is a 50 year old self-declared white nationalist, arrested on February 15, 2019, with plans to kill “nearly everyone on earth.” Hasson made a hit list of Democratic leaders, Supreme Court Justices, social media executives and top “leftist” journalists with the implication that they had to be slaughtered. Based on the material seized upon his arrest, it was determined that Hasson idolized Norway extremist Anders Behring Breivik who massacred 77 in 2011, most of whom were students. Breivik penned a 1,500 page manifesto for the purpose of inspiring other like-minded white nationalists, When arrested, Hasson was in the possession of 15 firearms and 1,000 rounds on ammunition. The initial court filing described Hasson as a “domestic terrorist” who was determined to “murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country.”

Hasson stated in a letter to a friend that was included in the initial court filing, “I am a long time White Nationalist, having been a skinhead 30 plus years ago before my time in the military.” One of several Google searches that revealed Hasson’s intentions was the phrase “civil war if trump impeached.”

Last week on May 7, 2019, U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Day ordered that Hasson be released until trial, despite his “grave concerns.” According to the TRIBLive, Day outlines that Hasson was to be be “released to the custody of in-laws at a home in Virginia, with 24-hour monitoring by GPS.”

Charlottesville, VA | White Nationalist rally August 12, 2017

Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) & Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced legislation on March 27, 2019 (S-894 Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2019), less than two weeks after the New Zealand white nationalist massacre, to address the domestic terrorism threat. Senator Kaine acknowledged that “the rise of white supremacy is an undeniable threat to the safety of our communities.” The bill is currently in committee, waiting to be debated, although it’s not expected to move forward anytime soon due to the fact that GOP senators do not believe white nationalists are a threat.

White nationalists often communicate using symbols:

The number 14 is big. It represents the 14 words in the white nationalist slogan: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” Tennant affixed “14” to the rifle he used to slaughter 50 in New Zealand. There are times when symbolic numbers are chosen for the day of an attack, which could potentially mean May 14, 2019.
88, which represents “Heil Hitler” – H is the 8th letter in the alphabet, so HH = 88
1488, combination of the two
Boots and laces – skinheads prefer to wear steel-toed work boots with red or white laces tied a certain way
Confederate flag
American Flag
Echo symbol ((( ))) symbolizes Jewish, so (((banker))) means Jewish banker
H8 – another form of HH or 88 that also conveys HATE
The color red
ETC

Be on alert. If you See Something, Say Something.

Health May 15, 2019August 20, 2019

Overdose Quick Response Team | Saving Lives During Opioid Crisis

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | May 15, 2019)
by Noreen Wise

Huntington, West Virginia Mayor Steve Williams spoke with Axios Co-Founder Mike Allen this morning in a conversation with several other concerned leaders – Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Dr. Vanila Singh Chief Medical Officer US Dept HHS – to discuss a pathway for overcoming the pain crisis in America. More than 50 million Americans are battling chronic daily pain.

Mayor Steve Williams is on the front line of the opioid crisis, speaking candidly about his growth in understanding about the size and scope of this devastating disease, stressing that it is indeed a disease rather than a crime. “We can’t arrest our way out of this.”

Williams walked the audience through his journey of understanding. Initially, his strategy had been to tackle the crisis through law enforcement, with a hard on crime approach. “River to jail.” Anyone crossing the Ohio River to sell drugs in Huntington, WV, was going straight to jail. But arresting 200 in 9 days, didn’t change the results. Drug sellers kept coming. Williams was forced to reassess the root cause of the opioid crisis. Addiction is a disease, he eventually determined. Williams explained that Americans have done a superior job at addressing cancer head on by establishing cancer institutes, and dementia by founding Alzheimer institutes, but there are no addiction institutes.

“The epidemic of addiction is the greatest existential threat facing our nation.” ~ Mayor Steve Williams, Huntington, WV

When asked about solutions for getting overdose survivors into treatment, Williams outlined Huntington’s Quick Response Team, a group of four wearing plain clothes, who immediately move into action within 24-72 hours, to help survivors following an overdose.

The Quick Response Team consists of:

Paramedic
Law Enforcement Professional
Recovery Coach
Pastor

QRT’s mission is to:

Better their community
Instill hope for people struggling with substance abuse
Offer Treatment
Show vulnerable citizens that their city cares about them

Overdose deaths In Huntington, WV have dropped by 50% since the QRT program was established. Mayor Williams’ ability to define the problem, so that he can solve it, appears to be paying off. His central message at the start of this campaign was,”Everybody, EVERYBODY, had to take ownership.” Medical system. Churches. Schools. ETC.

“If you can name it, then you can own it.” ~Mayor Steve Williams, Huntington, WV

Getting the whole Huntington community to own the crisis resulted in a turning of the tides that changed the outcome, saved lives, and revitalized the community. Excellent small scale example that can be applied in every town and city in America.

Thank you, Mayor Williams!

Domestic Terrorism, Public Safety, Trump May 13, 2019May 13, 2019

Will There Be A White Nationalist Terror Attack This Week?

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | May 13, 2019) – On Wednesday May 15, 2019, it will be the two month anniversary of the white supremacist terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, which slaughtered 50 innocent civilians in a hate inspired rampage at a mosque during Friday prayers. The unremorseful white nationalist militant assured the world in his 74 page manifesto that his goal was to “polarize and destabilize the West, and spark a Civil War in the United States.” Asked whether he was a Trump supporter, Brenton Tarrant replied, “As a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose? Sure.”

Approximately one month later, on Easter Sunday April 21, 2019, ISIS linked Islamic terrorists shocked the world by massacring 359 Christians in a closely coordinated attack, striking three churches in separate locations across Sri Lanka. Forty-five of those killed were children. The attacks were surprisingly sophisticated, leading the intelligence community to believe the attackers were trained and supported by ISIS. These ISIS terrorists justified their annihilation by claiming it was retaliation for the New Zealand assault that killed so many muslims.

These two groups of dangerous extremists at opposite poles on the spectrum, may be using the pendulum swing for timing. Is it plausible there may be another white nationalist massacre somewhere in the world between Wednesday May 15 and Tuesday May 21? It seems as though it is indeed plausible.

Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) & Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced legislation on March 27, 2019 (S-894 Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2019), less than two weeks after the New Zealand massacre, to address the white nationalist domestic threat. Senator Kaine acknowledged that “the rise of white supremacy is an undeniable threat to the safety of our communities.” The bill is currently in committee, waiting to be debated, although it’s not expected to move forward anytime soon due to the fact that GOP senators do not believe white nationalists are a threat.

White nationalists often communicate using symbols:

The number 14 is big. It represents the 14 words in the white nationalist slogan: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” Tennant affixed “14” to the rifle he used to slaughter 50 in New Zealand. There are times when symbolic numbers are chosen for the day of an attack, which could potentially mean May 14, 2019.
88, which represents “Heil Hitler” – H is the 8th letter in the alphabet, so HH = 88
1488, combination of the two
Boots and laces – skinheads prefer to wear steel-toed work boots with red or white laces tied a certain way
Confederate flag
American Flag
Echo symbol ((( ))) symbolizes Jewish, so (((banker))) means Jewish banker
H8 – another form of HH or 88 that also conveys HATE
The color red
ETC

Be on alert. If you See Something, Say Something.

Mueller, Russia, Trump May 11, 2019May 11, 2019

Trump’s Panic Immediately After Inauguration Which Led to Comey Firing

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | May 11, 2019) – The Mueller Report is so deep and wide with hard core facts, that it may be possible to analyze and comment for years to come. House Democrats are moving forward with their oversight agenda. There will be a full House vote to hold Barr in contempt of Congress as soon as next week. This could potentially lead to Barr being arrested and sent to jail.

In Volume II of Mueller’s Report, under section “C. The President’s Reaction to Public Confirmation of the FBI’s Russia Investigation,” Mueller cites Trump’s reaction to learning Attorney General Sessions was planning to recuse himself from the Russia investigation, and how Trump “tried to prevent the recusal.” Trump was angered that the FBI investigation was in public domain, and advised that news of the Russia investigation was preventing Trump from moving forward with improving relations with Russia. Trump was determined to “lift the cloud” of the Russia investigation so he could begin executing his foreign relations strategy.

Perhaps it’s the way the Mueller Report is laid out, all the evidence lined up like dominoes, that it appears Trump’s number one priority for improving relations with Russia was lifting sanctions. With each breaking news story about Russia and members of Trump’s campaign, Trump’s efforts to lift sanctions became stymied. Reading the Mueller Report makes it seem clear that Trump was panicked he couldn’t act swiftly to lift sanctions. He seemed pressured to make the sanctions go away. One can’t help but ask if Trump and Russia had some type of time sensitive arrangement about how quickly sanctions needed to be lifted.

The conflict over the Russia Investigation, and Trump’s distress, began less than 48 hours after Trump was inaugurated. It appears, that whatever arrangement was made, would have had to have been nailed down before inauguration. Which brings us back to the original question: Did Trump and Russia conspire before the election? It appears so. What did Trump agree to do, once he was elected? Apparently lift sanctions by a specific date. There might not be tangible evidence, such as a taped phone call or written email, to this effect. But Trump’s obvious discomfort, even anger, about being delayed in moving forward with improving relations with Russia, seems like clear confirmation that Trump and Russia did conspire, and that Trump was given a timetable to work under. This type of evidence may not be what’s required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt and win a conviction, but it does seem valid enough to convince a reasonable mind that we’re in unchartered territory. It’s very dangerous. There are dark forces hiding in the shadows behind every corner. And the only way out of this frightening maze is to proceed forward doing everything by the book.

Mueller, Russia, Trump May 6, 2019October 31, 2020

Legal Definition of Conspiracy, Agreement | Mueller Hearing Essential

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Analysis | May 6, 2019) – After a deep dive with the Mueller Report, fully consumed for a week, it seems baffling that Mueller did not charge Trump and/or his campaign with conspiracy, considering how many contacts there were between the Trump campaign and the Russians, and the mutual support each party had for the other. Additionally, both the Trump campaign and the Russians consistently showed appreciation for the other’s actions and conveyed this in plain sight for the public to see throughout the campaign. With both Russia and Trump mutually supporting the other, for a full year before the election, and two plus years after, it almost seems incredulous that there was no conspiracy, since they still to this day give the impression that they’re conspiring. But since Mueller is a patriot, held in the highest esteem by the vast majority, there’s no doubt that his finding of no collusion or conspiracy is accurate based on the information he had in his possession at the time he concluded the investigation. So then the collision of these two divergent realities, does create cognitive dissonance for some of us, and has resulted in my extended analysis in order for the glaring incongruity to be resolved. During this extended analysis, I’ve made several deductions:

The black & white legal definition of conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 951) is what Mueller appears to have used to base his decision
The word “agreement” appears to be the critical word that becomes the game-changer (I’m not a lawyer so don’t know the history of this word and generally how it may or may not impact a prosecutor’s ability to charge someone for a crime, it does appear to be pivotal though in determining conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia)
How was agreement defined for this investigation? Perhaps the House Judiciary Committee will have the opportunity to ask Mueller.

Another factor to consider in analyzing the Mueller Report in the hopes of reducing cognitive dissonance, is the various methods of communication that were used. It appears that much of the evidence (or lack there of in some cases) was eyewitness account, emails, texts, and phone calls.

Repeatedly throughout the Mueller Report, the vast majority of the 500 witnesses gave the reply of “I don’t recall” at one time or another during an interview. Saying “I don’t recall” doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, it simply means that it can’t be proven to have happened
There were several examples of texts being deleted, Steve Bannon and Eric Prince for example, this despite the fact that all texts and emails were supposed to be preserved. Bannon’s and Prince’s response to a direct question about the missing texts was something to the effect that they didn’t know how the texts vanished from their phone. Reading something like this about such a serious matter, and understanding that there were no consequences for this offense, is quite unsettling.
There were multiple examples provided in the Mueller Report revealing that Trump campaign members were cautioned about communicating with Russians, and advised not to, especially after the media began reporting on it. It appears that after being warned, several parties followed the advice. However, they may have simply altered the way they communicated rather than break off all interaction with the Russians.

There weren’t very many examples of alternative forms of communication that may have been used between the Trump Campaign and Russians, but there was at least one example of coded messaging that was cited in the Mueller Report. There are several questions that can hopefully be asked about the many forms of alternative communication:

Russians are notorious for the symbols and signs used by spies (NYC International Spy Museum); Trumps uses numerous symbols and signs and seems to speak in code when he gives a speech (CPAC, NRA Convention, his rallies); communicating may be as simple as wearing a red MAGA hat on a specific day or tweeting “Make America Great Again” the way he was doing repeatedly back in March; there are many books about how to signal messages in the public
Trump says that he doesn’t email or text, but is that really true? Trump’s a chronic liar, so why should we believe this. If he tweets, it’s very possible he texts and emails, using an alias of course. He then tells everyone “I never email or text” so he doesn’t have two explain using a private server. Seriously. I can picture this so clearly.
Since we’re dealing with the Russians, the possibilities of alternate forms of communication are endless. According to many blockbuster films, (Sum of All Fears and Hunt for Red October to name two) Russian spies are incredibly sophisticated and know not to send an official written agreement to conspire, but can certainly craft a coded agreement.

So much to think about. So many questions to ask Mueller. Lastly, can the Trump campaign’s decision NOT to report Russia’s offer to help Trump win the election be considered as evidence that Trump did communicate directly with Putin his “agreement” to conspire with Russia? It certainly appears like an agreement commitment. Trump’s actions since his inauguration further convey committed agreement. The Russians have reached out to presidential candidates for decades. In the past, the presidential candidates have gone straight to the FBI and reported it. Why didn’t Trump? It seems obvious why he didn’t. Trump’s decision to not go to the FBI, which he extended toward a foreign enemy that’s in direct conflict with our laws, may not by definition be considered “conspiracy,” but may in spirit strongly communicate to a foreign enemy that the Trump campaign and Russia entered into an agreement before the election. After so much reading, research and analysis, there’s still quite a bit of cognitive dissonance. How will this be resolved? It seems the only way possible is that Mueller have the opportunity to answer questions for the House Judiciary Committee during a hearing. Mueller seems concerned the American public may be confused because of Attorney General Barr’s partisan response. Yes, very confused. A Mueller hearing is essential.