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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.

DemocratDangerThe 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.

Posted in , , , , ,

138 responses to “Democrats or Russians – which to fear most? (updated 25jun17)”

  1. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Paul Emery has nothing.

    Like

  2. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    “I can go on and on but there’s no point.” The first truth from the po’ ol’ fakenewsman, the problem is he does not get the there’s no point part. Despite all the good bye’s the po’ ol’ pollhead keeps slinking back in full party parrot mode. While even cnn realizes they have gone over the top po’ ol’ PE will still have huffpo, Maxine, Schiff and Pelosi to parrot. 😉

    Like

  3. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Good points DonB. The lamestream media and the democrats are deflecting now that we see Obama and his minions’ withheld pertinent info on what they knew. And all to influence the election. Obama says he did not want to appear like he was interfering. SAY WHAT? He was on the campaign trail for her the whole time. Honestly these media types and the democrats truly thinks the American people are stupid. And that is in our favor. They outsmarted themselves.

    Like

  4. George Rebane Avatar

    PaulE 1035am – Your conversation wanders all over the place; most certainly you’re not keeping to the thread of your accusation of RR commenters delivering “wet kisses”. And bringing nukes to this thread indicates that you never understood the thread in the first place. One more time – re threat by Dems or Russians to fundamentally transform the US has nothing to do with nukes. FYI, nukes are used in a global war, not political subterfuge or non-constitutional governance by internal parties like the Dems. Russia has no motivation to nuke the US for the same reasons that MAD prevented the USSR from doing so. Try to stay on the rails.

    Like

  5. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    So George the Russian interference in our elections is not a problem to you?

    Like

  6. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    More party parrot boring from the boorish po’ ol’ fakenewsman. Snooooozzzzzer. 😉

    Like

  7. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    What’s all the fuss about? Paul had been fretting and worrying (what concerns me is…) about Trump lifting the sanctions against Russia since before the Inaugation. Trump and that dirty oilman T Rex are going to lift the sanctions! Trump and T Rex is going to lift the sanctions for…oil and benefit evil oil companies! . “What concerns me is Trump is has no experience and Putin is going to run circles around him, blah, blah, blah”. “Trump is Putin’s puppet and Exxon is going after the pipelines and they are going to lift the sanctions!!!!!!!!! Danger, danger, danger, sound the alarms, all hands on deck. Man the battle stations. Danger, Will Robertson, danger!
    Geeze fellas, at least Paul is consistent. You guys act like this is something new.
    But, but, but… we makes nice with Saudi Arabia! Human rights violators!
    Well, the Saudis are our allies, human rights violators or not. Good to make nice with our allies. That is usually what allies do. Besides, sanctions is a nice distraction to take the focus (heat) off our Democrat Party’s blatant death march to tyranny while writing laws that neatly subvert our Constitution, all in the guise of “equality”.
    Sanctions! Look at sanctions, not the imploding Left.
    Oh course Russia has a billion warheads pointing at us. It’s their deterrent to keep the Lefty War Mongers here from attacking Mother Russia. A reasonable response to the real threat, which is the Deep State Democrats.

    Like

  8. George Rebane Avatar

    PaulE 1132am – Wow and double-wow!! From where in hell do you get that conclusion?? I’m not kidding Paul, show us the workings of your mind – please.

    Like

  9. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    Paul 1035, the 80’s are calling and they want their foreign policy back.
    George 1120, I think Paul is just throwing turds into the fan.
    Paul 1132, you’re talking about the interference that didn’t change a single vote? If the DNC doesn’t want hackers from anywhere getting into their computers, they should invest in security. Lock the barn door.

    Like

  10. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Oh my. The Leader of The Resistance speaks. Onward Together….off the cliff.
    https://www.facebook.com/RowdyConservatives/photos/a.217983685002343.55586.217926015008110/1116133118520724/?type=3&theater
    http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/06/25/rally-for-peace-trump-supporters-condemn-lefts-climate-of-violence-at-white-house/
    https://www.facebook.com/lastamericapatriots/photos/a.235087906641439.1073741826.235086849974878/874637712686452/?type=3&theater
    I feear the Democrats and the damage done by Fakenews. Luckily, both are being considered for placement on The Endangered Species List to keep a few around to show our grandchildren whatthe real threat to our Constitutional Republic looked like.

    Like

  11. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    Here is a Russian nugget for the po’ ol’ pollhead, a poll in Russia had Stalin taking the #1 spot from putin as the greatest Russian. Sounds like the commie core is rising to the surface again. That should make for better relations with the rabid left like our po’ ol’ druid. Back to the future for the socialist collective. 😉

    Like

  12. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Simple question George. The residents of this blog show no concern for what has absolutely been established as Russian attempts to interfere with our elections. I’m asking if you run with that crowd or have your own opinion. Not much from you on that.

    Like

  13. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    What a maroon @ 1217. We have been at odds with the Russians for a century with a brief WWII cooperation to crush the Nazis. You continue to look wacky acting like Russia screwing with us at every tern is somehow new.
    For someone like you ya po’ ol’ fakenewsman to impugn people who served under arms is a perfect example of the newspeak of the leftists and why they have lost touch with Americans. 73% say you are a distraction to real national interests and 63% say you are hurting the Country, but of course that is the real point of your exercise is it not? 😉

    Like

  14. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    punchy 1217
    No one “resides” here more than you do, Paul. Simple question… do you count?
    Let me repeat the question… you’re talking about the interference that didn’t change a single vote?

    Like

  15. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    @ 12:27 pm Paul, the word is meddle, meddle, not interfer. But, you are coming around slowly and, by golly, finally jumped in with both feet and used the most accurant description as “Russian attempts to interfere with our elections.” Excellent. Bravo! Kudos! Attempts to interfere” is a big leap forward, Punchy, after all these months of Rope-a–Dope and the Bob & Weave Show. Al last, we are finally on the same page, albeit Wikileaks has in no way yet to be “absolutely been established as Russian attempts to interfere with outr election. Remember, the DNC refused to let our government see their server. Refused all help. But, let’s celebrate today’s big breakthrough. Making progress there, Punchy. Good water boy, good. You deserve a nice treat. Time to get your dog biscuit.
    George! George! Paul is calling you. George, do you agree with these Putin cuddlershere or not? Yes or no, yes or no! And no 50 shades of grey. George, you are running with Russian lubbers! George, George!

    Like

  16. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    So let me see. Hmmm. The Rooskies some say tried to interfere with our elections and failed. And there is no proof their alledged efforts had any impact on even one voye. OK, so the reality appears they had nothing to do with anything. So tell us where is the beef?

    Like

  17. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Todd, ‘”Where is the beef” is not the question of real import. The real question, the big question, the only question that matters today is ” Why is Dr. Rebane running with that Putin bromance crowd and why has Dr. Rebane not stood up and denounced them?”
    Why, why, why.? George! George! Your lack of denouncement and repudiation of them Irredeemables is PROOF you have a Putin bromance, too! George, oh George, answer me now!

    Like

  18. Walt Avatar

    Hell. Let’s call KVMR and see if they can replace the not so “up on the facts” news guy with another. Megan Kelly might be needing a new gig. At least her ratings would improve at KVMR. NBC is sure regretting giving her a job.

    Like

  19. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Walt where did you see Kelly’s ratings?

    Like

  20. Walt Avatar

    Yup, Dems are more dangerous. LIBS pushed for high dollar minimum wage, and in some places it’s in place. And take a look at what it’s done.
    http://dailycaller.com/2017/06/26/minimum-wage-you-want-jobs-with-that/
    Employees replaced with automation. Great thinking.

    Like

  21. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    Yes Walt its is very funny that the 20 million dollar wonder woman has been last in ratings. Getting beaten by repeats of 60 minutes says it all. Will she be banished to msnbc hell for not being ready for prime time? She thought all the Trump bashing would make her a bombshell star at NBC but its turned into a wet firecracker for the NBC fools who paid her all that cash. 😉

    Like

  22. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Speaking of serving under arms Don can you share with us you’re military record?

    Like

  23. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    For your reading pleasure
    After a brief flurry Trump is again in the dump with 14.4 negative polls. Down by an astounding 22 in Gallup daily.
    https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_trump_job_approval-6179.html

    Like

  24. Walt Avatar

    No one cares about your meaningless polls. But whatever helps you sleep at noon.
    I hear that Art Bell refused to take your job. The reasoning was your farther “out there” than he is.

    Like

  25. ScenesFromTheApocalypse Avatar
    ScenesFromTheApocalypse
  26. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    Really ya po’ ol’ fakenewsman? You aren’t really going to resurrect your pecker head friends old lie about me ‘being a marine on mental leave from the gulf war’ are you? That lie was disproven in court years ago because my DD214 shows honorable service with the AF. Typical of po’ ol’ PE showing he can not hack it when facts enter the conversation about his Russian dressing addiction. More pathetic than ever. 😉

    Like

  27. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    DonM, he attacked me relentlessly for having a 326 in the first lottery and not volunteering in 1968-69. He took a “reserve” position with the AF and was able to stay stateside during Vietnam. He even accused me of being a liar as I said I was married with a child. You cannot make this stuff up!

    Like

  28. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Walt @ 1:02 pm. Darn it, you beat me too it. Well, I snooze, I lose. Got distracted with a thing called ‘life happens’. Was going to place it over at the Great Divide, but I will post here and say kudos for being the early bird.
    Per Walt’s 1:02 pm……do ya fear Da Russia or the Democrats more, be they liberals, progressives, or Democtraic Socialists?
    “In other words, exactly what conservatives and those who understand basic supply and demand predicted.”
    https://heatst.com/biz/surprise-surprise-study-shows-seattles-minimum-wage-hike-hurt-low-wage-workers-earnings/?mod=sm_fb_post

    Like

  29. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    Todd @ 215- I seem to recall the po’ ol’ fakenewsman happily throwing chicken hawk at people during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He didn’t seem too worried about Russian adventurism at all.
    But now that madam liar liar pantsuits on fire spent $1,200,000,000.00 in a losing campaign its different, right? 😉

    Like

  30. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Bigger threat to our security, the Democrat Party or Da Russian are coming?
    http://freebeacon.com/national-security/anti-trump-leak-campaign-damaging-u-s-allied-operations/

    Like

  31. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Headed to a Supervisor announcement today at 5:30. And no it is not me. LOL!

    Like

  32. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    Lets review how the Russian dressing story is playing out in the real world (not in fakenewsmens heads obviously).
    CNN investigations unit had 3 employees fired over the latest fake Russian news they had to retract, including the head of the unit.
    It has come out that Gen Flynn had a target on his back placed there by McCabe the #2 at the FBI. 2 years before Flynn was unmasked illegally Flynn had officially supported an intel specialist in her sexual harassment complaint against McCabe. Flynn offered to testify for her and wrote to the investigators using his official stationary.
    McCabe used all the clout he could to kill the investigation into his possible misdeeds but with people like Flynn supporting the accuser the investigation went forward and is in fact ongoing. McCabe was forced to give sworn depositions. Now it makes sense, simple revenge against Flynn with a dose of Russian dressing and the dems post election mantra the Russians did have wasted time that could have been used to make America great again! 😉

    Like

  33. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    Here is an end of the day toke for the po’ ol’ pollhead- A Harvard poll shows 54% of people think the deep state is driving all of this to unseat Trump.
    Is it possible that the fakenewsmen have a negative favorability poll number now? 😉

    Like

  34. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Don
    what is “Deep State” and who made that definition?

    Like

  35. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    What’s that squeaking and scratching sound? A fakenewsmand perhaps? Is anyone surprised the po’ ol’ pollhead is ignoring my 502? 😉

    Like

  36. Walt Avatar

    You expect us to believe you haven’t heard of it Paul? And who the hell gives a crap who coined the phrase. The real question is, do you have any clue what it means? And no cut and paste from Wiki, or anywhere else for that matter.

    Like

  37. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Don’t have a clue Walt. The only time I hear it is from you guys. Please define.

    Like

  38. Walt Avatar

    Not doing your homework for you. None of your confidential informants have read you in?
    More “news man” creds shot to shi*…

    Like

  39. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    I see that term all the time Walt but I’m not sure what it means to you. Seems to mean different things to different people. We need that to have a basis for discussion. Does it mean solid blue States such as Calif and New York or what?

    Like

  40. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    And we all thought he wasn’t talking to us deplorable types anymore.;-)

    Like

  41. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    Golly gee, Paul, the Harvard-Harris poll defined it thusly in that question… “CT27 Specifically, do you think the so called “Deep State” -the collection of intelligence agencies and holdover workers from the Obama administration — is trying to unseat President Trump using leaks of classified information?
    And yes, on page 95, it shows 54% yea on that.
    On the next page, an interesting followup… why did Hillary lose?
    Hillary Clinton and her 1495
    campaign team for running a 67%
    weak campaign
    or
    Forces like the Russians, 743
    former FBI director Comey, 33%
    and the Democratic National
    Committee not having
    reliable voter data
    Paul, 2 to 1 people think Hillary lost it herself, not ’cause the Russkies, Comey or the DNC being unable to find their ass with both hands free. That kind of suggests the witch hunt tactic might be self limiting.

    Like

  42. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    That’s not the question. You and I can agree that Hillary waged a terrible campaign and in my view should have never been picked by the Dems. even with those flaws she won the popular vote by millions but came up short in three key states by only a few thousand votes. the question is did Russia violate our sovereignty by interfering with our elections. Trumps homeland security believes so. Here’s from their testimony just a few days ago
    “Russian government-linked hackers potentially targeted as many as 21 states’ election systems last year, a Homeland Security official warned Congress on Wednesday.
    None of those systems were involved in vote counting, however.
    DHS’ acting Director of Cyber Division of the department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Samuel Liles, said that by late September the intelligence community concluded that 21 states “were potentially targeted by Russian government-linked cyber actors” with scanning of Internet-connected election systems. Liles did not specify which 21 states he was referring to.
    The comments came during a hearing of DHS and FBI cybersecurity officials before the Senate intelligence committee. “

    Like

  43. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Also all you Putin cuddlers must believe that that Syria didn’t use chemical weapons a couple of months ago. I mean that’s what Putin believes and he’s you’re guy, much preferred over any Demorat. Here’s a quote from your guy.
    “President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia had information that the United States was planning to launch new missile strikes on Syria, and that there were plans to fake chemicals weapons attacks there.
    Putin was speaking hours before U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was due to arrive in Moscow for talks with Russia’s foreign minister and days after denouncing last week’s U.S. missile strike on a Syrian air base as illegal.
    Standing alongside Italian President Sergio Mattarella who was in Moscow for talks, Putin, when asked by a reporter if he expected more U.S. missile strikes on Syria, said:
    “We have information that a similar provocation is being prepared … in other parts of Syria including in the southern Damascus suburbs where they are planning to again plant some substance and accuse the Syrian authorities of using (chemical weapons).”
    http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-usa-putin-idUSKBN17D1K9

    Like

  44. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    Paul, after answering the question, I added the 2 to 1 a’gin you question to potentially target your sense of futility regarding trying to motivate the 33% who think the Russkies might have made a difference.
    Wow… “potentially targeted by” the Russkies. I guess that means I’ll potentially be concerned. So, Paul… how many states had their “internet-connected election systems” compromised, and not just “potentially targeted”? That seems to be a big zero.
    I gather there’s still no actual evidence the Russkies succeeded in damaging squat.
    Good luck in getting the Constitution amended to eliminate that pesky Electoral College. Too late for 2016 in any case. Maybe by 2116? Maybe never?

    Like

  45. fish Avatar
    fish

    Posted by: Paul Emery | 26 June 2017 at 07:07 PM
    A frightened old man terrified that a “proper” politician isn’t ensconced in the White House…….sad!

    Like

  46. Gregory Avatar
    Gregory

    PE 707pm
    “I mean that’s what Putin believes and he’s you’re [sic] guy, much preferred over any Demorat [sic]”
    Stop making shit up, Paul.

    Like

  47. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Gregory
    I guess you ignore the findings of Trumps Homeland Security Team and the entire intelligence community as well as the head of the FBI, NSA, CIA…….. Incredible. Gregory you and three or four on this blog and Trump are the only ones that believe that. Amazing.
    readers take note. this is a very unusual collection here at Rebanes Ruminations.

    Like