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Crunchy Frog

(26,548 posts)
34. My impression, from reading the article and the comments,
Sat Mar 11, 2017, 04:27 PM
Mar 2017

is that The Nation currently represents a strand of left wing authoritarianism that exists in this country, among whom you will find left wing supporters of Donald Trump.

There are accusations made against the Clinton campaign, accusations of "McCarthyite hysteria" against Democrats and liberal media figures in general. There is almost a hero worship tone with respect to Trump, and a distress over the "slurs" against him, and calls for impeachment, which he sees as the real threat to American democracy. There are all kinds of intellectually dishonest arguments, and false equivalencies.

In the comment section, you repeatedly see the RW talking point that claims that Hillary was planning a nuclear war against Russia. Any sort of tension with Putin is described in hysterical terms as escalations that could lead to nuclear war. Expressions of disagreement with the article are equated with McCarthyism.

I honestly can't see how any non-authoritarian with basic analytic skills could read this article and not conclude that it's a relatively crude piece of pro-Putin, pro-Trump propaganda.

It's been a long time since I've read The Nation, but it seems like it's becoming the magazine equivalent of JPR. It's alarming to see some "progressives" swallowing this unquestioningly.

What the "Clinton campaign" said was factually accurate or evidence based opinions Renew Deal Mar 2017 #1
I believe that Professor Cohen is suggesting that Democrats guillaumeb Mar 2017 #2
Even in the most innocent light he's a unwitting agent. DemocratSinceBirth Mar 2017 #21
This pro-Putin article by Putin apologist Cohen was already thoroughly debunked at DU wishstar Mar 2017 #3
If you wish to accuse the author as a way of dismissing the content of the guillaumeb Mar 2017 #6
This is an opinion article, so who the author is makes all the difference. DanTex Mar 2017 #18
Much of what is posted here is opinion. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #48
Opinions from credible sources are worth more than opinions from, say, Rush Limbaugh. DanTex Mar 2017 #54
Using the term "plain facts" to talk of what are so-far simply allegations of Russian involvement guillaumeb Mar 2017 #57
Using the term "simply allegations" to talk of what are established facts of Russian involvement DanTex Mar 2017 #62
Cohen is wrong. This is also about politics. Attacking Trump and weaking him in the public eye is TeamPooka Mar 2017 #26
Attacking Trump on the basis of so-far unsubstantiated allegation guillaumeb Mar 2017 #49
They (democratic congresspersons) are pushing for... Blanks Mar 2017 #56
There are plenty of allegations, guillaumeb Mar 2017 #58
Right, my point is that it's to early to call to impeach... Blanks Mar 2017 #63
And your point is Cohen's point in the article. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #64
How the hell does this author think we can have this "impartial investigation of the facts" pnwmom Mar 2017 #76
I cannot answer for the author. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #78
Nope, so many were meeting w Russians and repeatedly LIED bettyellen Mar 2017 #4
I agree that the lies and the meetings look damaging. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #7
Look up Cohen's ridiculous defenses of Putin, it's astounding the pretzels he twists himself into bettyellen Mar 2017 #9
What if we look at Putin as a nationalist? guillaumeb Mar 2017 #10
And ignore his interference in European and American elections- because that's not nationalism... bettyellen Mar 2017 #13
The US also has a long history of interference in foreign elections. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #16
So what? Does that mean we are supposed to pretend Putin didn't interfere in ours? DanTex Mar 2017 #23
we are not to pretend, but Cohen is basically asking that the case guillaumeb Mar 2017 #44
No, that's not at all what he's doing. DanTex Mar 2017 #52
Already been covered in another thread. Crunchy Frog Mar 2017 #5
The voters are the ones who need to be impressed. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #8
This article and the surrounding discussion have nothing to do with "impressing the voters" Crunchy Frog Mar 2017 #36
You are entitled to your opinion of The Nation, and Cohen. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #50
Under a different title. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #11
Don't know if you noticed - you are the only one defending this author and their weak ass premise. TeamPooka Mar 2017 #27
YES! +100 Thanks for calling out the bull****! skylucy Mar 2017 #29
Which proves that what Cohen says is incorrect? guillaumeb Mar 2017 #51
I did not see where he advocated allowing the case to build before calling for impeachment. Crunchy Frog Mar 2017 #37
Certainly: guillaumeb Mar 2017 #53
I guess I interpret that passage differently than you do. n/t Crunchy Frog Mar 2017 #60
How do you interpret it? guillaumeb Mar 2017 #61
I'm sorry. I'm not going to get into further discussion with someone whose made 4,000 posts Crunchy Frog Mar 2017 #66
JPR are lovin' Stephen F. Cohen womanofthehills Mar 2017 #25
No! Why is this apologist for Putin being quoted here? MineralMan Mar 2017 #12
A pursuit of the truth is one thing, and that should continue. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #14
And that is the process that is ongoing. MineralMan Mar 2017 #17
I feel that Cohen is a credible commenter on politics and Russia. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #19
Cohen has consistently supported Putin. MineralMan Mar 2017 #22
My impression, from reading the article and the comments, Crunchy Frog Mar 2017 #34
Yes. It's not enough to just say that a publication or a writer MineralMan Mar 2017 #35
I disagree on the assessment of The Nation. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #46
OK. You disagree. MineralMan Mar 2017 #68
Stephen Cohen - Putin's Pal womanofthehills Mar 2017 #24
Exactly. JPR is where I would expect this article to be posted. MineralMan Mar 2017 #31
I agree! +100 skylucy Mar 2017 #30
It's an odd article... eniwetok Mar 2017 #15
Alger Hiss. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #20
We need detente with Russia. David__77 Mar 2017 #28
Did you forget the :sarcasm: smilie? MineralMan Mar 2017 #32
Russia invade Crimea...and interfered with our elections...they Demsrule86 Mar 2017 #41
The Soviets invaded Afghanistan... David__77 Mar 2017 #69
Disagree - Russia Is Actively Trying To Undermine US Democracy TomCADem Mar 2017 #33
I call Bullshit... Demsrule86 Mar 2017 #38
Sure, nothing to see there. That's why like 10 Russians associated with this thing have dropped Warren DeMontague Mar 2017 #39
So Democrats are supposed to still play nice in the sand box with the deplorables LiberalLovinLug Mar 2017 #40
I'd like to read what his spouse, Katrina vanden Heuvel, has to say. oasis Mar 2017 #42
Jill Stein was on the Kremlin payroll bluedye33139 Mar 2017 #73
Why all the pro-Ryussia pro-Putin bullshit being posted around here? Foamfollower Mar 2017 #43
Cohen evolved from a Soviet apologist to a Putin apologist. Fuck him nt geek tragedy Mar 2017 #45
The Pathetic Lives of Putins American Dupes geek tragedy Mar 2017 #47
OK. So if a steam roller was heading your way full force and you knew you were going to be hit by it caroldansen Mar 2017 #55
I missed something in your argument. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #59
Cohen on the Ukraine bluedye33139 Mar 2017 #65
Thanks ... LenaBaby61 Mar 2017 #67
Russia is a mafia nation; trump is at least partly being controlled/influenced by them; TheFrenchRazor Mar 2017 #70
Are you kidding me?!!! Nevermypresident Mar 2017 #71
+1 bluedye33139 Mar 2017 #72
Not my intent to insult. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #74
The problem with that idea is that it presupposes that, even if DT IS in league with Putin now, pnwmom Mar 2017 #75
But if what you posit is in fact true, guillaumeb Mar 2017 #77
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