Caitlin Johnstone

Democrats Outraged At Republican Accusations Of Foreign Loyalty

Democratic Party royal family member Chris Cuomo delivered a pearl-clutching, hand-wringing monologue on CNN last night about how appalling and outrageous it is for Republicans to accuse Democrats of having covert loyalties to a foreign government. Cuomo, who is the son of a Democratic New York Governor and the brother of another Democratic New York…

Caitlin Johnstone
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Democratic Party royal family member Chris Cuomo delivered a pearl-clutching, hand-wringing monologue on CNN last night about how appalling and outrageous it is for Republicans to accuse Democrats of having covert loyalties to a foreign government.

Cuomo, who is the son of a Democratic New York Governor and the brother of another Democratic New York Governor, began his “Closing Argument” segment rationally enough, berating the 194 Representatives who voted against opposing Trump’s ability to initiate an Iran war without congressional approval. Obviously the more resistance there is to Mike Pompeo manipulating the highly suggestible Commander-in-Chief into any more reckless warmongering against Tehran, the better.

But then, without any coherent segue, Prince Fredo began babbling about Republicans leveling baseless accusations about Democrats having loyalties to Iran.

https://twitter.com/CuomoPrimeTime/status/1215468591409180672?s=20

“They’re in love with terrorists,” we see Republican Representative Doug Collins saying in Cuomo’s clip. “They mourn Soleimani more than they mourn our Gold Star families, who are the ones who suffered under Soleimani. That’s a problem.”

Cuomo made some sputtering outraged face noises about Collins’ comments, then highlighted Republican Representative John Rutherford’s tweet accusing Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal of belonging to a “squad of Ayatollah sympathizers” for her condemnation of Trump’s indefensible assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Democrats were quick to condemn Rutherford’s obnoxious accusation on Twitter.

Cuomo also highlighted a tweet by Republican Representative Mark Meadows claiming that “Democrats are falling all over themselves equivocating about a terrorist” (which also drew angry Democratic backlash on the platform), and expressed astonishment at war crime fetishist Nikki Haley’s ridiculous claim that “The only ones that are mourning the loss of Soleimani are our Democrat leadership, and our Democrat presidential candidates.”

“So on the right, stop spreading toxic gossip about who likes terrorists,” Cuomo bloviated in a long-winded conclusion, making no mention at any time of the fact that Democrats have been spouting this exact same sort of “toxic gossip” for more than three years now.

President Trump and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy kicked it up even further than Cuomo’s examples, on Thursday openly accusing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of “defending Soleimani” with criticisms of Trump’s drone strike assassination.

“I never thought there would be a moment in time that the Speaker of the House of Representatives would actually be defending Soleimani,” McCarthy said, adding, “Did you listen to what the Speaker just said? ‘Soleimani was a bad person, but…’ There is no ‘but.’”

“If only we had a word for this — something-ism,” quipped notorious Russiagater Jonathan Chait of McCarthy’s comments. The joke, obviously, being that [Kevin] McCarthy was practicing [Joe] McCarthyism by accusing political rivals of having loyalties to a hostile foreign government.

This would be the same Jonathan Chait who authored what was arguably the single most bat shit insane Trump-Russia conspiracy article that ever made it past the editors of the mainstream press in a 2018 New York Magazine masterpiece titled “What If Trump Has Been a Russian Asset Since 1987?”, which was just as crazy and full of baseless speculation as the headline suggests. McCarthyite Russia hysteria was being mainlined into the veins of rank-and-file Democrats so aggressively at the time that Chait was subsequently granted a (serious, non-mocking) interview with Chris Hayes on MSNBC to expound upon his fact-free conspiracy theory.

None of this, of course, is to defend any of the vile Republican comments listed above. Accusing political adversaries of being soft toward a targeted government in order to shut down dissent and pressure them to espouse a more militaristic position is absolutely despicable. It’s a very typical right-wing tactic which is designed to shrink the Overton window of acceptable debate into the most hawkish and jingoistic ideological corner of political discourse possible. Which was why anyone to the left of Hillary Clinton found it extremely shocking and creepy when Democrats began making it their entire political strategy after their loss in 2016.

Democrats’ baseless yet relentless accusations of Kremlin loyalty against political opponents, from “Moscow Mitch” McConnell to “Putin Puppet” Trump, have sucked all oxygen out of the room for progressive reform and created political cover for this administration to freely escalate cold war tensions with Russia more aggressively than any president since the fall of the Berlin Wall. So it has been a relief to see Democrats and liberal pundits like Cuomo and Brian Stelter set aside the jingoism and McCarthyism to actively protest the warmongering of this Republican administration.

But I’ll make you a bet right now, and I doubt anyone will take me up on it: I bet you it won’t last.

I bet you that in the coming weeks, after the dust settles from this past week’s horrifying ordeal with Iran, that the Democratic establishment and its allied media narrative managers will pace their herd into forgetting all about opposing the US war machine and set them right back on track with impotent nonsense about Russia, Ukraine, and impeachment proceedings that will never remove Trump from office.

Mark my words, and mark your memory. Hold on to your memory of how scary this past week was and what a big deal it’s been, and then watch carefully as the narrative managers memory hole the entire thing like it never happened, even as the military situation between the US and Iran remains as precarious as ever. Let the contrast between your memory of what happened and their subsequent behavior inform you of what these people really are, and what they really stand for.

Don’t believe their sudden espousal of anti-war values and skepticism toward establishment war narratives. Ignore their stories about themselves and what they value, and watch their actions instead. It is a very safe bet that their words right now and their actions in the coming weeks will tell two very, very different stories.

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32 responses to “Democrats Outraged At Republican Accusations Of Foreign Loyalty”

  1. Marshalldoc Avatar
    Marshalldoc

    Imagine the reaction is someone had the temerity to accuse both the Dims & Repugs of being more loyal to Israel than either are to the U.S.!!

  2. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    Both sides are packed with people loyal to a foreign country. Many are even dual citizens.

  3. Casandra Avatar
    Casandra

    In an insane and immoral uber-capitalist-over-all society, its always all about money. The prediction that the Democrats will quickly switch to support war, war and more war is dead on target. Because, the Democrats will want to make sure that the vast mountains of money currently being bulldozed into the accounts of defense contractors and anyone with a cousin in an intelligence agency with a black budget continue to flow unimpeaded. Thus, the rhetoric will quickly shift to how we need to spend, spend, spend to defend America or else we are all doomed.
    I’m betting on a Democratic “plan” which is mainly promoted as being “the opposite of Trump” which will of course entail a series of massive increases to the military and all of the intelligence agencies. Most likely the wars and the enemies stay exactly the same, except now we need a new Pivot to Oppose Trump where the only difference is that they spend even more money and any starving mother begging for food is told where to go stuff it.

  4. Dolly Avatar
    Dolly

    The US Constitution has been turned on its ear. That is factually obvious at this occasion.
    As written and finally ratified by the American people, it takes both houses of Congress to agree to go to war before a war can occur. A declaration of war must pass both houses. The last time this occurred was Dec. 8, 1941. when Congress refuted arguments that a crisis moves to fast for a Congressional vote by declaring war on Japan the day after Pearl Harbor.

    Now, under both Obama and Trump, we see it now apparently operate as it takes both houses of Congress to vote against a war to even begin to have a prayer of stopping it.

    A vote by the house that it would not approve a war with Iran should, under the constitution, tell the President and the world that the war is not going to happen because everyone now knows the President can’t pass his/her required declaration of war. Too bad the last American war to actually pass the constitutional hurdle of congress passing a declaration of war was in the 1940’s.

    “The means of defence against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.” — James Madison

  5. cutthecord Avatar
    cutthecord

    the neos of both parties want to bury you under mountains of gibberish in order to cover up their loyalty to Israhell firsters on wall street, in the Deep State, in hollywood, in MSM, in academia, etc. it’s clear as day that israhell and the israhell firsters planned the criminal wars, blackmail everyone into them, and benefit from them. the world knows it. the fact that it has been spectacularly backfiring on them doesn’t change anything. the zionist mouthpieces like wapo or intercept have been dumping all the blame on Trump and distancing themselves from their own crimes. the zionist ship is fast sinking. let’s cut all the bullshit. BDS everyday every way!

  6. Michel Bélisle Avatar
    Michel Bélisle

    Just a little mistake in my last comment when I was talking about the Second Coming of Jesus. I will repeat myself the right way:

    “And as it was the case for His first Coming, there are a lot of people among the ruling elites not so happy about His Second Coming and it is depressing to notice that.
    But according to prophecies, His Second Coming is very close and I pray the Rosary to hasten His return because I have really seen enough of all the bullshit.”

    Many writers are noticing that rumors of war are often happening when ruling elites have trouble on the domestic front. For example, the famous trends forecaster Gerald Celente often says:

    “Unfortunately, when all else fails, they take us to war.”

    https://geraldcelentesblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/gold-silver-war-and-collapse.html

    Isn’t it surprising? They are telling us all is wonderful!

    I pray the Rosary to hasten the return of Jesus because I am fed up with the never-ending lies.

    1. Dolly Avatar
      Dolly

      The funny thing is that if Jesus did come back today, most Christians would probably support locking him up in Gitmo, seeing as nailing people to crosses is so out of fashion in these modern times.
      Jesus, saying things like “love thy enemy as you love thy brother” would in this time be regarded as a traitor and a terrorist and a major threat to national security. If he wasn’t set to Gitmo for his own protection, a mob of maga hat wearing Christian thugs would beat him to death.

  7. Step O'Rafferty Avatar
    Step O’Rafferty

    Have these politicians forgotten that they have constituents that they are supposed to be representing? Are the constituents aware that they have politicians representing them? What is a nation to do when almost the entire body of legislators are a loony bunch of imbeciles? How can they be thrown out in a non-violent way?

    1. Ishkabibble Avatar
      Ishkabibble

      There is one and only one way to “throw out” legislators — vote them out of office and replace them with people who are not imbeciles. Do you know specifically what you want your new legislators to do, what changes you want them to make to the present arrangement? If the great masses of voters do not (which IMO is the case), then the present arrangement will go on forever.

      1. Step O'Rafferty Avatar
        Step O’Rafferty

        Ishkabibble that’s depressing but true. The great majority will not care what the politicians are doing (or not doing) until the supermarket shelves are empty. The vociferous few who are trying to prevent atrocities being carried out in our name are just an annoyance to the majority.

      2. cutthecord Avatar
        cutthecord

        people have been trying that for 400 years, and nothing ever changed. wanna do one more time, expecting a different outcome???? boycott the damn phony elections and organize real ones, for christ sake.

        1. Dolly Avatar
          Dolly

          “Not voting” is the best way to make sure absolutely nothing changes.
          ———
          If the only voters were the Biden family and the Trump family, then whichever won by a 5-4 majority would claim they now have the power. There is nothing that says that a low voter turnout invalidates an election. They’d happily go on not worried about having to worry about your vote.

    2. Dolly Avatar
      Dolly

      Fascinating that the predictable commenters on this site all combine to agree that you can not throw them out in a non-violent way. Each says it in slightly different ways, but their message always is that no alternative is possible.
      That’s what the elites always say ….. no alternative is possible …….just before every revolution.
      !!!!!!!!!
      “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.” — John F. Kennedy

      1. Step O'Rafferty Avatar
        Step O’Rafferty

        Dolly, calling us predictable is a bit unfair or maybe even arrogant. I think most people would love to see society change for the better in a peaceful way. The dilemma we face is that the brainwashing of the masses, using fluoride, vaccinations and media, has been very successful. I am hoping that everyone will rise above the imposed consensus paradigm, wake up and then vote in such a way that our legislative chambers are filled with intelligent, compassionate people. Do you have any suggestions as to how this might be achieved?

  8. John Knox Avatar
    John Knox

    Politicians, like wrestlers, are very theatrical. They rave at each other when the cameras are on, then meet for drinks at the country club on Saturday. No need to take them at their word.

    1. Michel Bélisle Avatar
      Michel Bélisle

      You’re right John,

      Politicians are giving a big show! The goal of this show is to preserve the statu quo of the System, in short making sure there is no change.

      But change is coming and His name is Jesus! And as it was the case in His first Coming, there are a lot of people among the ruling elites so happy about His Second Coming and it is depressing to notice that.

      But according to prophecies, His Second Coming is very close and I pray the Rosary to hasten His return because I have really seen enough of all the bullshit.

  9. Michel Bélisle Avatar
    Michel Bélisle

    I believe the return of the days of Noah began with the end of the USSR.

    In 1990, the West was already on the path of decadence and it was accelerated by the end of the USSR.

    The end of the USSR was a signal for the decadent West to do whatever they wanted to do in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world.

    The good news about the return of the days of Noah is that it means the return of Jesus is very near and I pray the Rosary to hasten His return because I am fed up and have seen enough.

    1. Step O'Rafferty Avatar
      Step O’Rafferty

      If Noah and Jesus dare to show their faces they will be sharing a cell with Julian Assange.

  10. George Critch Avatar
    George Critch

    I am surrounded by a sea of the convinced and I reside on an island of curiosity, wonderment and doubtful of the convictions of our culture and civilization. Do we really ever know the reality behind what is displayed before us? The mockingbird pressitudes are shills. We know that. Do THEY really know the truth behind the dialog that they spew?

    http://www.iamawake.co/the-shady-oil-company-behind-syrias-hidden-war-golan-israel-genie/

    While the chimera of open dialogue, investigative journalism and government is be bandied about, activities such as the above are happening all around the globe and is the cause for these wars and the Machiavellian intrigue that is as timeless as civilization. It’s always about resources and power. Follow the money.

  11. Ishkabibble Avatar
    Ishkabibble

    After listening in awe to Donito Assolinni’s speech the other worshiping the US military, I could not help being reminded of the following:

    1. Ishkabibble Avatar
      Ishkabibble

      Lyrics to the “hymn”:

      All things bright and beautiful
      All creatures great and small
      All things wise and wonderful
      The good Bomb made us all
      He gave us eyes to see with
      And lips that we might tell
      How great the Bomb Almighty
      Who made all things well

  12. ron campbell Avatar
    ron campbell

    “Ignore their stories about themselves and what they value, and watch their actions instead.
    It is a very safe bet that their words right now and their actions in the coming weeks will tell two very, very different stories.”

    Ms Johnstone these people are totally incapable of being anything but two and three faced human beings. Only gullible people ever listen to or believe anything that they say anymore!

  13. Levi Tate Avatar
    Levi Tate

    .
    https://medium.com/@rloldershaw/great-quotation-at-the-end-of-bombshell-hedy-lamarr-19be9833fa42
    .
    This was from a poem written by Kent M. Keith and read to her children by the amazing Hedy Lamarr, actress, inventor, big thinker.
    .
    “ The Paradoxical Commandments
    .
    People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
    Love them anyway.
    .
    If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
    Do good anyway.
    .
    If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
    Succeed anyway.
    .
    The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
    Do good anyway.
    .
    Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
    Be honest and frank anyway.
    .
    The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
    Think big anyway.
    .
    People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
    Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
    .
    What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
    Build anyway.
    .
    People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
    Help people anyway.
    .
    Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
    Give the world the best you have anyway.”
    .
    ― Kent M. Keith, The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council

  14. USA-ma Bin Laden Avatar
    USA-ma Bin Laden

    In these confusing times, it can be difficult to understand the pressing political debates of the day.

    To dispel this confusion, here is a very illuminating video that succinctly explains the disputes raging within the American political establishment and its institutions (including the media, Congress, White House, Democrats and Republicans):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lQcKiFy_DM

    You’re welcome.

  15. JWK Avatar
    JWK

    I’m pretty sure I’m not from this planet, and I want to go home. NOW!!

    1. cutthecord Avatar
      cutthecord

      not at all. you are in the overwhelming majority. the ghouls want you to think you’re in minority and thus powerless, and give up.

  16. JWK Avatar
    JWK

    It’s a very typical either-wing tactic. They’re all US Sociopaths In Charge, who lie when the truth served them better just to manipulate you. As far as any involvement with a foreign nation, of course, any of them, if they find profit in it. Or in the case of the Zionists, Christian and Jew, it massages their delusions. Or in the case of many other Jews, can’t seem to realize the evils of Israel.

  17. Khatika Avatar
    Khatika

    Caitlin, thank you for watching this drivel and keeping us informed because I refuse to watch the MSM. Sadly, i am also becoming numb to it all and am more filled more with rresignation and sadness than outrage.

  18. Julius Skoolafish Avatar
    Julius Skoolafish

    Chris Cuomo could not possibly be of Italian descent – he disgraces their entire history and culture – he must be a crypto.
    I just watched a Morning Briefing with Harley Schlanger on Larouche – he basically called General Qasem Soleimani a mere member of a “militia”.
    Chutzpah and projectionism and their forte.

    1. Masterredfox Avatar
      Masterredfox

      Chris Cuomo is that relative you have to tolerate at the dinner table at family gatherings with his rantings. Thanks for not including his genetic heritage as the reason for his “views” which are the result of his “liberal” thinking acquired from his environment of associates.

  19. Defiance Demon Avatar
    Defiance Demon

    “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” ain’t got NUTHIN’ on these surreal times.

    If that statement doesn’t make any sense…. it’s not supposed to. Nothing else on this planet makes any real sense.

    1. pasha Avatar
      pasha

      I thought my avatar was cool until I saw yours. Now I’m jealous.

      So now I’m off to find other jealous folks so we can claim victimhood and gain privileges based on our status, which isn’t our fault so somebody must be to blame.

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