George Rebane
In the comment stream of a recent post ‘Elections or Polls – take your pick’, a reader posited the thesis that Democrats were a greater danger to the American Republic than is Russia. This launched a debate thread in which the left-leaning commenters saw those supporting the thesis to range from the ignorant to the traitorous. (The RR reader and commenter is former county supervisor and local blogger Mr Todd Juvinall, who has also expanded on this topic here.)
I and most right-leaning readers understand the argument to be a restatement of the classic warning uttered by countless historians and observers of the American experiment who concluded that America by its size, resources, location, and enlightened governance will not be toppled by foreign invasion, but instead, if it is to fall, it will fall because of an internal systemic fault. Here is a list of some such quotes which should convince even the most lightly educated that this thesis is fully matured in America’s ongoing dialogue and debate about how we should rule ourselves.
The most recent advances from the Left to ‘fundamentally transform’ America started under FDR during his obvious and unabashed flirtation with and introduction to socialism in the 1930s. The sought for transformation really got its legs under Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society programs, and has made steady gains for socialism over the last half century. These gains have been successfully camouflaged by our public school system, the co-opting of which was an early victory for the country’s progressives. (The objective of the school system has been to produce an ignorant and politically compliant electorate and that, for all intents and purposes, has today been achieved.) And most recently the Left’s progress toward their objective is such that candidate Barack Obama could publicly proclaim that he and a Democratic Congress would finally make the federal government’s overt goal to “fundamentally transform America.” The historical record of his administration puts paid on the thesis of from whence the greatest danger lies to a continuance of our constitutional democratic republic. (See also Agenda21)
As a comporting sideline, it should be noted that not only American thinkers, but also foreign leaders and students of America agree with this thesis. Regarding modern Russia and its massively armed progenitor USSR, both Stalin and Khrushchev were among the prominent world leaders to concur with the observation that the United States would fall from within, and fall into the lap of socialism cum communism. From what we have seen happening around us and in our daily lives during the recent decades, their predictions appear more prescient by the day. The arrival of our most ignorant generation – the millennials – has made me conclude that we are beyond the tipping point and, at a minimum, headed for the Great Divide (q.v.).
So yes, when comparing the established protocols and practices of the Democratic Party and Putin’s Russia, it is not rocket science to conclude that today’s Democrats are a greater danger to the maintenance of a constitutional America than any other political force on this earth. However, anyone agreeing with this thesis/assessment does not automatically declare himself to be a Russia ‘cuddler’ or colluder. Drawing and advancing such conclusions is at best another example of the leftwing’s lame logic. Nevertheless, with the lightly educated such accusations do get traction, but that is another issue we have covered and will again engage in these pages.
[25jun17 update] “A Washington Post report revealed Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself ordered Russian operatives to interfere in the U.S. presidential election between then-candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.” This is a typical report appearing in the media re the ongoing Russian Influence Imbroglio (RII). The statement communicates the subtle message that the report was true, when in fact no such assessment could be made since no substantive basis/background was included in the WaPo piece. It was simply yet another unfounded allegation at best based on an illegal leak from a supposedly CIA source that is totally unverifiable. (here is access to the entire RII according to WaPo)
To the unwary, the use of ‘revealed’ in the above statement is either careless or pernicious journalism. When one states that something was revealed, the unmistakable implication of the verb usage is that something real was made known which formerly was hidden or not known to the target audience – but in any case, that something is true and factual. There is no necessity, nor is it even possible, to ‘reveal’ known untruths or things that are not verified. In short, reveal has a unique and powerful meaning to English speakers in the realm of communications. An honest and correct wording of the opening statement would have read, ‘Washington Post reported Friday that …’. But that factual statement falls flat, and communicates none of the desired subterfuge about the RII that is on WaPo’s political agenda as a leftwing outlet. Indeed, when you own the words. (more here)
For completeness we note that to cast doubt on the verity of a report or assertion, the useful term of art that serves is ‘claim’, as in ‘The senator claimed that he was at home that night’, or ‘The motorist claimed he was within the speed limit’. No matter how true a stated assertion may in fact be, by presenting it as ‘claimed’ immediately injects doubt in the mind of the target audience, especially if they are judged to have little or no knowledge of the matter.
rebanesruminations.com 
138 responses to “Democrats or Russians – which to fear most? (updated 25jun17)”
“Samuel Liles” earned a PhD in computer forensics and then, after teaching for a short time, joined the Feds during the Obama admin.
That means he’s “potentially a Deep State” kind of guy, using the definition of the Harvard-Harris poll, doesn’t it?
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In other words, Paul, when you wrote “Trumps homeland security believes so. Here’s from their testimony just a few days ago…” you really meant “ Obama’s homeland security believes so. Here’s from their testimony just a few days ago”.
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A review of the days evidence shows that the domestic dem socialists are the ones working to destroy the country. Seattle’s socialists have hurt the most vulnerable working poor people with their self gratifying 15/hour minimum wages.
Wow supervisor that was so enlightened of you to make Seattle a fight for 15 victory. We made our point, no one will remember that the lowest on the totem poll just lost 200 bucks in net take home. Some have to suffer to make our point and resist. Said Fawn Rainbow an ANTIFA leader. 😉
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Trumpcoat antics summary. Democracy is fading away https://medium.com/@Amy_Siskind/week-32-experts-in-authoritarianism-advise-to-keep-a-list-of-things-subtly-changing-around-you-so-252680d31be6
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Mostly interested in what Walt’s definition is Gregory.
Well RR contributors you must believe that the US bombing an airfield in Syria was wrong because Putin said we lied. Putin is not our enemy right?
The Democrats are more of a threat to our well being according to this crew. .
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“Well RR contributors you must believe that the US bombing an airfield in Syria was wrong because Putin said we lied. Putin is not our enemy right?”
Bizarre is the word for that word salad slander of your neighbors, Paul.
Imagine these people you are imbuing with infallibility are… George HW Bush. Former head of the CIA. Now tell me you believe everything they say no matter how much your eyes glass over with their vocabulary.
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Well it’s established rhetoric by some on this blog that the Democrats are more of a threat to our Democracy than Putin and the Russians. That’s established fact expressed over and over again by RR contributors. By the way I was called a traitor by Todd. I haven’t gone that far. Yet
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WTF?? @ 741??
Can you tell us Paul the last time the Russians took 200 bucks a month out of the pockets of a working poor person in Seattle? Your team did.
Can you tell us when the Russians said that the mass killing of Law Enforcement was because of a response to a conspiracy where LE was sent out to kill people? Hands up don’t shoot never happened yet you leftists cheered on that BLM lie.
Comrade Bernie wants to take everything away from people who earned it and tell us we may not save money to give it to our kids. The double death tax just destroys family farms and businesses in the name of redistribution of wealth. When did the Russians to that much damage?
All of you who protested the 40th Presidents agenda that crushed the soviet empire have now done more to destroy success in the country than Krushnev could have ever hoped.
Yes ya po’ ol’ fakenewsman your team is the rot from within. The Russians don’t really want to have a full blown hot war anymore than I do. 😉
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Paul, you’ve called Todd some names over the years, too.
Putin and Russia will, in my lifetime, remain a separate and unfriendly country with a capacity for mischief and not an ally. That said, I’m not especially worried about them. If they’re poking around USA computers connected to the public internet with malicious intent, the thing to do is to either harden the security of those connections, or do what the DoD does… don’t have them connected to the public internet.
You’ve been giiddy about killing off the GOP for the last year and a half, Paul and now, the Russia thing is the last arrow in your quiver as far as you know. Let it go, for the good of the nation. It isn’t going well for your side, and won’t, unless there really is some hard evidence for collusion.
So, the question is, do you feel lucky, punk?
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Oh poor Paul Emery. Says I called him a traitor. But he has called me much worse and so it goes.
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Gregory
Trump will finish off the GOP. You’re not a Republican so why should you care anyway. Just wait and see.
Gregory you write
“So, the question is, do you feel lucky, punk?”
What the heck does that mean? You and I may disagree on political stuff but we’ve been friends none the less like George and I
So can you explain what you mean by that statement.
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Paul Emery, you have promised numerous times that you were going to take your polls and conspiracy theories and go home. Any chance you will actually keep your word and go away? Your pointless repetitive postings are extremely tiresome.
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Deal with it John. I come and go as I please.
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Just look at this thread where the po’ ol’ fakenewsman attacks me carrying water for pet killers, tweakers, a forger and other financial scumbags and assorted criminals. The problem for them always has been the pesky facts like documents, court ordered wire taps and digital video. Its disgusting that he would suddenly posture as a victim considering how many of his crew victimized so many people. 😉
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So when you promise to leave it means nothing, just like everything else you say? Just wanted to confirm that Paul.
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Don
What the hell are you talking about? You’re falling apart man
Once again John I come and go as I please.
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“Trump will finish off the GOP. You’re not a Republican so why should you care anyway. Just wait and see.”
Paul, I’m cheering at the demise of the so-called Progressive Democrats, which is just about all that is left of the Democratic Party. Just wait and see.
So, the question is, do you feel lucky, punk?
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Lucky about what? Did you take that from some Mickey Rourke movie? Odd irrelevant thing to say. Can’t take the late hours I guess. You guys are falling apart.
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Gregory, ‘splain it to him what Do you feel lucky, punk means. Then call his humble abode the cutest outhouse this side of the Pecos. That really sticks in his caw and festers like a saddle sore between his two brain cells. Told you that they are incapable of wrapping their heads around scarism. Impossible task for them. Ain’t Punchy’s fault. Born that way I supposed, just like the missing sense of humor.
Hunker down there Punchy and peek out through you curtains. The Deplorables are out there coming for you. Those summer bugs look just like the drones outside your window. Peek-a-Boo! Paranoid much?
Meanwhile, in the real world,
https://www.facebook.com/RowdyConservatives/photos/a.217983685002343.55586.217926015008110/1116663031801066/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/PatriotPost/photos/a.82108390913.80726.51560645913/10154831009490914/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/lastamericapatriots/photos/rpp.235086849974878/874854462664777/?type=3&theater
Kinda hard to make Putin look good by comparison, but thumbs up to the Democratic Socialists for making it so easy.
https://www.facebook.com/lastamericapatriots/photos/a.235087906641439.1073741826.235086849974878/874843829332507/?type=3&theater
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Keep being the disgusting po’ ol’ party parrot. Every time you lie about me you forget that the people who matter have already seen the factual records a long time ago. You are a shill for animal killers and a forger. What a sad end to a fakenewsmans credibility. 😉
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You really do have to hand it to that Project Veritas guy this time around. Too funny.
We live in odd times. It’s an era where it’s OK for a state to not allow official travel to another state that doesn’t allow gay marriage, but it’s not OK to restrict travel from countries that execute homosexuals.
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Paul, Mickey Rourke? Is that the best you can do?
A man’s got to know his limitations.
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Posted by: Gregory | 27 June 2017 at 08:01 AM
Must you torment him so?!
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I just don’t get you’re nuance Gregory. Sorry, I know you’re trying to be clever but ?????
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Gregory, you going to make my day. You’re turning him every which way but loose.
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Well THIS should ruin someone’s day.,,And speaking of that Project Veritas guy,,,
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/06/26/project-veritas-undercover-investigation-cnn-producer-admits-network-hyping-mostly-bullsht-trump-russia-scandal-for-ratings/
Paul needs a new source for his bombshells.
When will the Paul issue his retractions?
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Posted by: ScenesFromTheApocalypse | 27 June 2017 at 09:05 AM
I guess somebody left the door open and the wrong dogs came home.
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No retractions Walt. What would I retract? Putin snuggers? Never
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Well Paul, you have been the purveyor of fake news here, and pretty much cut and paste from CNN.
All your Rusky BS was just that.Mule manure. Your knee deep in it. Retractions are what honest news folk do on their own. CNN got shamed into doing so, and rightly so.
So another branch of the LIB political tree gets pruned.
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Care to look at the record of Breitbart Walt?
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Walt liberals only lie to cover lies. They can never be pinned down to the truth as they don’t know what truth is. It is a mental disorders of the left.
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pe 1010
Is that the best you can do, you pansy? I love fake newsmen… no matter what you do to them, you don’t feel bad.
(switching to Mickey Rourke ’cause Paul apparently missed 30 years worth of Clint Eastwood movies)
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Oh that’s who it was. Thanks Gregory. Bessee-go ahead with your big mouth…Mske my day
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LOL Paul,, that’s all you got? Their record is plenty better than yours, CNN, MSNBC, ect.
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Trash news Walt but glad you like it. My favorite news service is the Christian Science Monitor.
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Trumpcare-DOA
From our liar and chief:
“I’m not going to cut Social Security like every other Republican and I’m not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid.”
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“Mske my day?”
No comment necessary.
“What would I retract? Putin snuggers? Never”
That’s a shame because that’s what you need to retract, Paul. A false and unfunny denigration you arrived at by a very mangled logic.
You also read CSM, at least after rimming Anderson Cooper? Then maybe you read this on their opinion pages:
“Every day the scandal deepens…,” writes Rob Crilly. “And yet what … evidence is there that the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow in trying to sway the presidential election?… Mr Trump’s words and actions may be confounding. But that is hardly evidence of guilt…. Voters … turned against a tired elite with little understanding of the world beyond the liberal cities in last year’s election…. There may yet come a point when the scandal begins to resonate further afield but … Republicans with an eye on next year’s mid-term elections say they aren’t hearing voters bring up the Russia scandal.”
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Gentlemen – I detect that you have lost interest in the topic of this post a long time ago. Mudballs are much more fun.
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