The New Russophobia 2

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Mon, 2017-01-23 20:58

Michael Moriarity

sherpa-finn wrote:

In ikosmos' absence: "We need a stronger NATO to contain those sub-human Russians".

Well, yes, but in the original case, the dogwhistle was not intended to create a new desire in the listener, it was intended to appeal to an existing, very strong desire without actually mentioning it, because that desire was too scandalous when said out loud. In this case, it seems to me that there is no scandal in calling for a stronger NATO, and there is no strong, pre-existing desire for such a thing in the audience. Thus, whatever this political tactic might be, it does not seem to be a dogwhistle.

Mon, 2017-01-23 20:58

#653

Mobo2000

Well, to avoid having things go in the shitter again, let me try to be really clear:

The black agenda report was talking about the american liberal media. The dogwhistle in that context is there is "the Russians are anti-women assholes". The hidden message is "so we should do something about it -- regime change, sanctions or invasion".

This arises in the context of a US media landscape currently awash with "dangerous, tyrannical, election-interfering Russia" stories. And many of them may be true. The effect of putting them forward is to create a sense that Russia is a threat, and very different from us, in american citizens who are not politically engaged. With regards to the shitty domestic violence law, because it is an issue important to progressives, it builds a base of support among US progressives for a more aggresive military stance by the US.

ETA: Ha, yes, sherpa fin has put it concisely.

Mon, 2017-01-23 21:11

#654

6079_Smith_W

@Michael,

And the dogwhistle I was talking about here (intended or not) was that yes, the russien government does do nasty things on occasion. That's what raised all the flak anyway, rather than the actual issue of women and children getting beaten.

Wed, 2017-01-25 13:11

#655

NDPP

RT Critics Admit Promotion of Russian Media Threat is a Money Racket

https://www.rt.com/op-edge/375009-rt-critics-russian-media-money/

"Regular readers of RT Editorial will know this column has provoded evidence of how think-tanks, which are becoming increasingly indivisible from lobby groups, faithfully promote the specific agendas of their paymasters regardless of their stated high-minded missions. When it comes to Russia, most of these faux-academic concerns have primarily concerned themselves with whipping up hysteria about a supposed imminent military danger to Eastern Europe.

Shocker: almost all of these are funded by weapons manufacturers and entities like the US Department of Defense. In other words, the very people who need a bogeyman to justify armed forces spending. However, convincing the general public that Moscow is going to overrun Europe has always been a hard sell. Mainly because Russia is not the USSR and its military spending is much smaller compared to NATO.

For example, the Kremlin's 2017 defense budget is around 45 billion. This compares to the $622 billion Washington has projected for the coming year. That does not include all the other NATO members.

With this in mind, it iwas interesting to note Monday's Guardian piece headlined 'EU Escalates Its Campaign Against Russian Propaganda'..."

Thu, 2017-01-26 04:49

#656

NDPP

The Intercept: Seymour Hersh Blasts Media For Uncritically Promoting Russia Hacking Story

https://theintercept.com/2017/01/25/seymour-hersh-blasts-media-for-uncri...

"The way they behaved on the Russia stuff was outrageous', Hersh said. 'They were just so willing to believe stuff..."

some babblers too

Thu, 2017-01-26 05:50

#657

josh

I have tremendous respect for Hersh, and his point regarding the media coverage might well be valid, but that doesn't change the fact that the DNC was hacked, hacked information found its way to a third party, and that that third party leaked the information. And that Russia had the means and motive to do that. And that their denials have been little more than non-denial denials.

Thu, 2017-01-26 09:10

#658

6079_Smith_W

Trememdous respect except for "The Dark Side of Camelot". I don't know what he was thinking when he wrote that.

Thu, 2017-01-26 13:16

#659

kropotkin1951

josh wrote:

I have tremendous respect for Hersh, and his point regarding the media coverage might well be valid, but that doesn't change the fact that the DNC was hacked, hacked information found its way to a third party, and that that third party leaked the information. And that Russia had the means and motive to do that. And that their denials have been little more than non-denial denials.

You prefer a flawed American spy agency analysis to a respected independent journalist's take on the affair. If I remember correctly I think you bought into the viagra story and the fact that the armed insurgents in Benghazi were not Islamic fanatics but democratic fighters against the evil, evil leader of the country? Did you also get sucked in by the babies in incubators stories?

The US spy agencies use this kind of propaganda because it seems that even somewhat reasonable people will buy into it.

Tue, 2017-02-07 14:00

#660

bagkitty

At the risk of offending some, an update on the changes to laws regarding domestic violence in Russia.

I have opted to post in this thread as this is the one where I originally posted regarding what was then the proposed changes (post #553). I consider it an update passing on information rather than trying to get the last word in when, quite obviously, the poster who had the most problem with my raising it in the first place is no longer able to respond.

The Guardian reports: Putin approves change to law decriminalizing domestic violence.

The wording of the headline itself may be problematic, it appears to hinge on violence within a family being reduced to a regulatory offence as opposed to a criminal offence.

Wed, 2017-02-08 03:58

#661

NDPP

John Helmer: The Western Press Incorrectly Depicts Putin as on the Wrong Side of a Feminist Issue

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2017/01/102058.html

Wed, 2017-02-08 04:13

#662

NDPP

Though much-hated in the West, mostly by those who know only what they read in the Guardian etc, here is a Russian documentary on VP.

'President'

https://youtu.be/ecEK6llcucA

Thu, 2017-02-09 12:17