Is Menard a Russian Agent?

[arayder]

There's a conspiracy theory making the rounds which says Robert Menard is serving as an agent, or possibly just a "useful idiot", for Russian intelligence services.

The theory centers on Menard's insistence that Canadian law may be ignored by any individual who uses his methods. . .methods which have never worked. The theorists say these beliefs, if acted upon, would help to erode Canadian society . . just what the Kremlin wants!

It is pointed out that recently Menard has focused his propaganda efforts on young Canadians who are unaware of his decades of his failures. The CTers say that's just the sort of thing the FSB would advise Menard to do!

They point out what seems to be Menard's recently improved finances and his frequent references to "rich friends". Menard no longer starts go-fund-me pages for his efforts and even claims to have a fantastic new and expensive project in the works.

Who's putting up the cash for this new project? Theorists ask who Menard's new rich friends are? Russian agents funded with mounds of cash?

Who pays for Menard's bills?

Who put Menard in touch with Beth Martens?

Interesting questions, eh?

 

[theprestige]

This edition of the newsletter is kind of meh, in my opinion. Now, if you were to run an interview with one of the conspiracy theorists, or an in-depth article about them and their theories, that would be different.

 

[arayder]

Menard won't deny any connection to Russian intelligence services. Neither has he explained his financial connections to the infamous Wilfred Leger.

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[theprestige]

Menard won't deny any connection to Russian intelligence services. Neither has he explained his financial connections to the infamous Wilfred Leger.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Who? Who are the inquiring minds? When you say a conspiracy theory is making the rounds, who's passing it around? Do they have names? Some online venue where they present and discuss their conspiracy theories? Can we read their theories for ourselves? Can we talk to them about their theories?

 

[arayder]

It is widely believed that Wilfred Leger saved Bobby Menard's bacon after the latter was arrested in Ontario for impersonating a peace officer. Bobby, desperate for help, ran to Montreal and holed himself up in a house believed to be owned by Leger. When Bobby ran short of funds Leger helped promote the Ninja Goat. Subsequent promotions by Menard employed Leger as the "money man".

Leger has suspected ties to Russian financiers.

One might ask why Leger and his wealthy Russian associates would bother with a no account like Menard. But the reality is Russian anti-democracy, disinformation specialists routinely feed propaganda and meager funds to potential mouth pieces like Bobby Menard.

Bobby turned out to be cheap trick.

 

[arayder]

Who? Who are the inquiring minds? When you say a conspiracy theory is making the rounds, who's passing it around? Do they have names? Some online venue where they present and discuss their conspiracy theories? Can we read their theories for ourselves? Can we talk to them about their theories?

You must do your own research.

 

[bluesjnr]

You must do your own research.

You made the claim, "Inquiring minds want to know". You've been asked to back it up.

 

[smartcooky]

Who? Who are the inquiring minds?

You made the claim, "Inquiring minds want to know". You've been asked to back it up.

Jesus you two... "Inquiring minds want to know" doesn't actually mean that there are any actual inquiring minds or that they want to know something. It is just a commonly used internet meme (used for dramatic effect) based on a quote by Sam Emerson, the protagonist in the 1987 Joel Schumacher movie "The Lost Boys"

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Jesus you two... "Inquiring minds want to know" doesn't actually mean that there are any actual inquiring minds or that they want to know something. It is just a commonly used internet meme (used for dramatic effect) based on a quote by Sam Emerson, the protagonist in the 1987 Joel Schumacher movie "The Lost Boys"

Ah hem.

 

[smartcooky]

Ah hem.

Yes indeed...

(and that's one too!)

 

[Myriad]

Jesus you two... "Inquiring minds want to know" doesn't actually mean that there are any actual inquiring minds or that they want to know something. It is just a commonly used internet meme (used for dramatic effect) based on a quote by Sam Emerson, the protagonist in the 1987 Joel Schumacher movie "The Lost Boys"

It was an 80s ad campaign slogan, for the National Enquirer.

 

[theprestige]

You must do your own research.

It's not my research to do. These are your claims. It's up to you to support them.

And really, all I'm asking is, where you're getting your information. The most direct way for me to "research" that is to ask you, "where are you getting your information?"

For example:

It is widely believed that Wilfred Leger saved Bobby Menard's bacon

Widely believed by whom? Where are you getting this information from? Is there some online source where this belief is being discussed by those that believe or dispute it?

Leger has suspected ties to Russian financiers.

Suspected by whom? Where are you getting this information from? Is there some online source where these suspicions are being discussed, along with the evidence for and against them?

One might ask why Leger and his wealthy Russian associates would bother with a no account like Menard. But the reality is Russian anti-democracy, disinformation specialists routinely feed propaganda and meager funds to potential mouth pieces like Bobby Menard.

Without any sources or evidence, this just sounds like you're JAQ-ing off: Trying to insinuate that Menard is a Russian agent, and that there is substantial support for this idea among people who know things. But you don't actually name anyone or any group that knows anything about this. You don't provide any links to anyone who supports this idea.

You're moving from documenting a conspiracy theory from Menard, to promoting a conspiracy theory about Menard. If, as you insinuate, there is credible evidence that Menard is a Russian agent, then drop the insinuation and present the evidence. If subject-matter experts have good reason to believe this, name the experts and point us to where you found their good reasons laid out.

Bobby turned out to be cheap trick.

As far as I can tell, a cheap trick is all he is. Just a garden-variety charlatan working a SovCit scam. As far as I can tell, you're the only one suggesting there might be more to it.

 

[theprestige]

Jesus you two... "Inquiring minds want to know" doesn't actually mean that there are any actual inquiring minds or that they want to know something. It is just a commonly used internet meme (used for dramatic effect) based on a quote by Sam Emerson, the protagonist in the 1987 Joel Schumacher movie "The Lost Boys"

The OP seems to be clear that "inquiring minds" is not simply a figure of speech. There are actual people out there with actual questions about Menard's situation. He's talking about actual CTers.

But I admit that I'm open to the possibility that it's all just empty cliches and JAQ-ing off.

 

[arayder]

For the record, folks, I don't buy the theory that Menard is a Russian agent. He's just too big a loser for that.

But, I think it's perfectly possible that some internet trolls at a Russian troll farm have Bobby on their list a useful idiots. I have no information to back up this suspicion. It's just a hunch.

All one has to do to get on his friends list is tell him how wonderful he is. So it's not beyond the realm of possibility that some troll in St. Petersburg is paying Bobby's ego like a cheap fiddle.

Now whether the Russians are working with others to get Menard helpful life boosts is another question altogether. Ya' gotta' ask why an at least reasonably smart businessman like Wilfred Leger would pony up for Menard's housing and help back a couple of his schemes, including quite possibly putting up some money for the ninja goat, which any grade school kid could spot as a loser.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

The OP seems to be clear that "inquiring minds" is not simply a figure of speech. There are actual people out there with actual questions about Menard's situation. He's talking about actual CTers.

But I admit that I'm open to the possibility that it's all just empty cliches and JAQ-ing off.

Stop taking things too literally.

https://imgur.com/gallery/vJd9khC

 

[arayder]

Well we know Leger was the guy people were supposed to send money to in order to buy into a couple of Menard's schemes (including the ninja goat) when Bobby first got to Montreal. Menard was house sitting the house Leger had up for sale.

No, I am not going to post the links to this. Everybody following Bobby knows all about it.

When Bobby's call for investors in the ninja goat fell flat Bobby bragged that he had a financial backer for the project. Leger? A false boast?

But the real question one has is why Leger would latch on to a drunken loser like Bobby who, by his own admission, was depressed at the time. Sympathy for a charming loser on the skids? Lovers? Favors done for a Russian business associate?

 

[theprestige]

Well we know Leger was the guy people were supposed to send money to in order to buy into a couple of Menard's schemes (including the ninja goat) when Bobby first got to Montreal. Menard was house sitting the house Leger had up for sale.

No, I am not going to post the links to this. Everybody following Bobby knows all about it.

Not everybody is following Bobby. Is your newsletter intended only to inform those who are already informed?

Does this conspiracy theory about Menard being a Russian agent exist anywhere online besides the OP of this thread?

 

[theprestige]

Stop taking things too literally.

What things from the OP should I stop taking too literally? For reference, here's what I'm taking literally:

"There's a conspiracy theory making the rounds..."

Is that supposed to be figurative? Is there not a literal conspiracy theory being literally circulated?

"The theorists say..."

Are there not literal theorists? Is nobody literally saying what arayder attributes to them? If so, what is the correct interpretation?

"It is pointed out that..."

Is it not literally pointed out? Is nobody actually pointing out anything?

"They point out..."

Do they not literally point things out?

"Theorists ask..."

Are there not literal theorists? Are they not asking literal questions? Are they literally not asking questions?

If arayder isn't talking about literal theorists literally circulating a literal conspiracy theory, then what is the correct figurative interpretation of the OP?

---

And regardless of the correct figurative interpretation, the OP itself is a literal attempt to circulate a conspiracy theory, by the time-honored method of "just asking questions". arayder isn't saying there's a conspiracy. He's just saying that other people are saying there's a conspiracy. Except, apparently, there are no other people, and there is no conspiracy theory. Just arayder saying there is one... figuratively.

If this is what Menard-following has come to, drumming up rumors of conspiracy theories, then I don't really see the point of following the guy and reporting on his antics at all.

What's next? Florida Man is working for the Chinese government? (I'm not saying, I'm just saying...)

 

[arayder]

Well we know Leger was the guy people were supposed to send money to in order to buy into a couple of Menard's schemes (including the ninja goat) when Bobby first got to Montreal. Menard was house sitting the house Leger had up for sale.

No, I am not going to post the links to this. Everybody following Bobby knows all about it.

When Bobby's call for investors in the ninja goat fell flat Bobby bragged that he had a financial backer for the project. Leger? A false boast?

But the real question one has is why Leger would latch on to a drunken loser like Bobby who, by his own admission, was depressed at the time. Sympathy for a charming loser on the skids? Lovers? Favors done for a Russian business associate?

Not everybody is following Bobby. Is your newsletter intended only to inform those who are already informed?

It is not for the ignorant.

Does this conspiracy theory about Menard being a Russian agent exist anywhere online besides the OP of this thread?

Yes.

 

[Trebuchet]

My knowledge of Menard comes entirely from this forum, but based on that, why would the Russkies want him for anything? He's from an unimportant country and has about two and a half followers.
Compare that with Trump, who got 75 million votes in the USA and they've had in their pocket for years.