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Now that we know thanks to The New York Times that the Trump team was in constant communication with Russia as it hacked the U.S. elections, we can all take a deep breath and say, as MSNBC’s Chris Hayes puts it, “Occasional reminder that this is all *insane*”

As is Trump’s response to the growing scandal this morning. And yes, he blamed Hillary Clinton for his troubles, sending this tweet :

This Russian connection non-sense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017

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That doesn’t even make any sense, but then, this is Donald Trump we are talking about, finging mud desperately to save himself by blaming others.

As we have been reminded by Greg Hogban, it needs to be said that we were warned by Hillary Clinton about Trump and Putin. She warned us. She persisted. She did not sit down and shut up:

She warned. She gave an explanation. She persisted.pic.twitter.com/WqhFguDeDX — Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) February 15, 2017

Second, having chanted three times “We are not worthy,” Republicans must agree to put a stop to all business of government until this matter is complete resolved to the satisfaction of a bipartisan commission. If the GOP can have 33 Benghazi hearings to investigate an attack on one embassy, they can investigate a possible Russian-backed takeover of our government.

Until then, because of the risk of Putin’s influence coloring Trump’s actions, everything ought to come to a complete standstill until the matter has been thorough investigated. Everything. Including especially any Trump executive orders but also bill signings like that of H.J. Resolution 41 last night.

Guantanamo chief prosecutor Col. Morris Davis is right about that:

There should be no more confirmations, or Exec orders, or bills until we figure out what the hell is going on. @POTUS @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/ruKDHQEzL2 — Col. Morris Davis (@ColMorrisDavis) February 15, 2017

Such an investigation is critical because the likelihood now mounts that Michael Flynn is just the tip of a very rotten iceberg:

This is now the key question: did the Trump camp collude w/Putin's regime as it mounted an op to subvert US election to help Trump? — David Corn (@DavidCornDC) February 15, 2017

Now that the news is out, now that our worst fears are confirmed, there is, as Morris Davis reminds us, but once choice remaining to us, and this is a choice that affects us just as much as it affects Republicans in Congress:

Courage is standing up when everyone else sits down. Either stand up for America or sit down with Russia. pic.twitter.com/9P7kWuqdCa — Col. Morris Davis (@ColMorrisDavis) February 15, 2017

Hillary stood up and spoke out. She persisted. She did not sit down. Now it is our turn.

It’s true that “so far” no evidence that Trump colluded with Russian hacking efforts, but “so far” is why we have investigations: so that we can know for certain when reasonable doubt exists.

As Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) says, “Americans deserve a transparent, independent investigation into Russia’s involvement with the Trump camp.” If Republicans won’t give us that, it’s difficult to disagree with Rob Reiner that we can “say goodbye to world’s oldest democracy.”

That’s the choice, America.