The Russians Are Coming!

Last week, I decided to rent out the Academy Award winning movie “The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!” which is the first movie I remember watching as a kid.

The movie debuted in the United States during the Cold War and put a decidedly human spin on our fear of Russia. It is still, even today, a very funny movie about a submarine that washes up on a sandbar near a New England island, and how the people on that island respond to that event. While the movie is a comedy, it was also a commentary on the way in which we saw life on our little blue dot in the Milky Way.

What the movie succeeded in showing us is that at the end of the day, we’re all just human beings that share basic human qualities. That was an ambitious and perceptive statement to make in 1966, and it is equally as profound today in light of allegations that Russia is interfering with the process of governing in the United States.

Nearly twenty years ago, I befriended a small Russian family who had just legally immigrated to America. It was an interesting experience for me to see America through their eyes. They were fascinated by my dishwasher, by the giant grocery store down the street, and they insisted on vacuuming my house every time they visited because they had never seen a vacuum cleaner and they couldn’t get enough of it. Everything about life here overwhelmed and excited them; America was everything they wanted it to be.

I explained to them that as a young student at school, that I had to practice hiding under my desk in the event of a surprise nuclear attack by Russia. “Duck, cover, and hold” was the prevailing safety measure in those days, because, wisdom held, covering exposed skin might shield us against the blast and the ensuing thermal effects of a nuclear bomb.

They sat wide-eyed through my story, insisting they had never been taught, as children, to fear America in quite the same way.

I have collected all kinds of stories throughout my life that taught me that it’s often governments, and not people, that create division in the world. At the end of the day, most human beings on earth would gladly come to dinner at your house and vacuum for you later.

We all want the same things for our families—-a peaceful home, adequate nutrition, and the chance to become the people we were meant to be through liberty and opportunity. We were all meant to thrive, just as every living organism on earth is meant to thrive.

Two news stories this week illustrate just how difficult it is for so many people in the world to achieve the simple things they want for their families.

The first is the new statistic that came out on wealth inequality: One percent of the world now owns more than the rest of the world’s population—which is simply staggering. According to CNBC, the poorest half of the world saw no increase.

Billionaires now have enough wealth to end poverty seven times over.

What this tells you is that humanity is enslaved, that no matter how hard we work, the majority of people on earth continue to create wealth for others rather than themselves.

The second news story is an incident, that as of last week, was still not resolved. A “jaw-dropping” memo was discovered that allegedly proves the Obama administration used FISA warrants to spy on the Trump campaign as well as his transition team ahead of the president’s swearing-in. 

Our government leaders are deciding whether or not the American people are worthy of seeing this memo, but my outrage is more focused on Diane Feinstein.

People all over the country started using the hashtag “Release The Memo,” but Diane Feinstein tried to convince her political base that it was Russian bots that were making that hashtag so popular.

She wrote a letter to both Twitter and Facebook, demanding they stop using the hashtag, because, she wrote, they needed assistance “in our efforts to counter Russia’s continuing efforts to manipulate public opinion and undermine American democracy and the rule of law.”

Twitter immediately conducted an investigation and found that there were no Russian bots and that the hashtag had been made popular by repeated use from the American people.

That old cry “The Russians are coming!” strikes again.

Are we ever going to learn?

Never have we witnessed so much corruption on both sides of the political aisle in our lifetime. And we as Americans have to demand that it end. We the people are infinitely more powerful than we believe ourselves to be.

And suggest that they watch that old 1966 movie, which so beautifully illustrates that human beings all over the world are more alike than we know and that we all hope for and deserve the same bright life.

Most troubling of all is that we are being led to believe we have more to fear from the Russians than we do our own government. And that’s a mistake we can only make for so long.



Cue the cowards in 3...2...1...

This was awesome to read, and I agree that government's sow much more hatred than citiezens ever could. Now I will go find that movie!

That's an unusual encounter with Russian people. Most of the Russians I know living in Russia today do very much fear America and NATO. They're quite convinced now that NATO is on the verge of launching an attack against them.

a reply to: MRuss

Very astute observation.

This, this is why we can't have nice things.

Perceived, preached, and professed fear.

The only thing to fear is government and fear itself.

a reply to: MRuss

You are living in a false sense of security. My cousin is married to a Russian woman and they live here in the UK. I do not get all mushy about Putin, though and think he is all cuddly and my bro, hahaha.

You are spreading muck about the West in the conclusion of your little Rusky pep talk:

Most troubling of all is that we are being led to believe we have more to fear from the Russians than we do our own government. And that’s a mistake we can only make for so long.

You are being a nice troll or a very deluded person. I think we all know this now. You will not find much sympathy on ATS after all the recent "revelations".

I have zero against Russian citizens, but I fight hard to keep my government sane and I respect them. How dare you spread muck about the West and praise the Ruskies so after all the pesky meddling? Really, it is cheeky and too audacious and outrageous. You insult me and my culture on an Amrtican based website. People must be fools if they fall for this. That is up to them, but I am not.

Putin is a serious guy with a very different idea of power. I DO NOT want anything to do with oligarchy. It is sick in the head. It is gangster and evil to the core. Putin murders his enemies in his own country and out of it. That is not the kind of friend I would want. It will not continue too much longer. I expect it will die with Putin. He is getting older now. We will have to do our best to sit it out as long as he does not get too violent against us. If he does it will be anihilation for us all. Putin knows this.

Don't mess. Stop being so cuddly. I don't like it. I have a warrior's sense of duty and this silly nonsense offends me. I don't want you spreading muck like this and I will be hot on your tail whenever I see it.

Stop bitching about the West. Take the plank out of your own eye then tell us how to remove our splinter. Russia is a barbaric civilzation compared to us. Look at the murder rate there. Look at Putin helping his moron Syrian President friend to GAS HIS OWN PEOPLE.

I got NO sympathy for Syria. If you are that much an animal against your own bro well you deserve what is comin' to ya! Take the bitter pill of the consequences of your own actions. Karma is a proverbial...you know what.

Double hahaha: Is that MRussIAN by any chance, hmmmm???

a reply to: MRuss

what is interesting is to hear how North Korea uses the same sort of propaganda to frighten it's people about us. I don't know this fist hand, but I did read about it here a month ago I believe. They are taught we are some evil empire that kills everyone. (which has a tiny bit of truth to is, but we don't kill -everyone-)

Good read, nice thread.

a reply to: Revolution9

Seems you've had a few too many pints tonight.

You might want to review your post a little more carefully before posting, for both spelling and clarity purposes as your coming off as a drunk, knee-jerk reactionist.

The OP was not favoring Russia or America, and certainly not the governments.

You should sober up a bit, and then revisit this thread with a clear head.

The Russians are coming? Ha ha. Not only are they coming but are now being blamed by the USA of all the chemical attacks in Syria. You could`nt make it up. Oh I forgot, they already did. Their evidence relies on the White helmets and other terrorist groups which the west has been funding.
The USA funded the Russian revolution lol Then they funded Adolf into power. He would not have been able to invade anywhere without the help of Ford who supplied him with the engines he needed and Rockerfeller supplied him with oil. Not forgetting the Bush family and friends who also helped to fund him.
Yet all we hear is this bs about the Russians.
What a bunch of idiots they must think we are and we are if we listen to this bs being peddled by the west.

a reply to: Revolution9


Spare me the lecture.

I’m not going to duck under my high school desk anymore. I’ve traveled too much, met too many of the world’s people, foolishly feared the unknown too much to buy into your proganda.

People don’t kill. Governments do. And so I urge you to be the change you want to see in the world.

Instead of cowering against the unknown, stand up like a man and demand a better world. A better government.

This country has the potential to topple down around us and rather than grab a six-pack and turn on Gold Rush, speak up against the destruction, the Deep State, the inequality, the push for a one world government and the endless quest for power and the corruption that follows.

Fear the Clinton’s s and their trail of bodies. Fear what happened to Seth Rich. Fear the 16-year plan Obama and Hillary had to destroy America.

You want to cower under your desk? Go right ahead. But don’t complain when you get the American Government you deserve.

a reply to: illuminnaughty

Read my response to Revolution above.

Not surprised there are a bunch of cowards answering.

a reply to: Cygnis

It’s early afternoon in the United States of America.

I am neither drunk, nor do I drink at all.

You are simply a bully who doesn’t agree with me.

I don’t fear your difference of opinion nor do I care what you think.

Clarity? You have problems with my clarity?

I think you might be talking about yourself.

Good day mate!

originally posted by: MRuss
a reply to: Cygnis

It’s early afternoon in the United States of America.

I am neither drunk, nor do I drink at all.

You are simply a bully who doesn’t agree with me.

I don’t fear your difference of opinion nor do I care what you think.

Clarity? You have problems with my clarity?

I think you might be talking about yourself.

Good day mate!

Umm. I think you misread something.

Cygnis was responding to Revolution9, not you.

He/she actually agreed with your OP in their response that WAS to you.

originally posted by: Cygnis
a reply to: MRuss

Very astute observation.

This, this is why we can't have nice things.

Perceived, preached, and professed fear.

The only thing to fear is government and fear itself.

Well, that got out of hand quickly, didn't it?

originally posted by: MRuss
a reply to: Cygnis

It’s early afternoon in the United States of America.

I am neither drunk, nor do I drink at all.

You are simply a bully who doesn’t agree with me.

I don’t fear your difference of opinion nor do I care what you think.

Clarity? You have problems with my clarity?

I think you might be talking about yourself.

Good day mate!

MRuss, Cygnis was replying to Revolution9 and sticking up for you and your OP (re-read)

Toodles!!


Good OP!

a reply to: stosh64

You beat me to it...

it's the thought that counts!

a reply to: six67seven

a reply to: Painterz

Not surprising really, given our expansion right up to their doorstep (despite promises otherwise), installing pro-US governments in their neighboring countries and imposing sanctions over the same BS we conduct as a matter of policy (in the ultimate expression of hypocrisy)

Too bad really. We have a chance to really make progress with Russia diplomatically, yet some would rather squander it in exchange for hype and sensationalism. I suppose some are simply bored with their lives

This is a great thread

a reply to: Revolution9

Clam down.

The problem, as always, is the ones in power -- that would certainly include Putin.

Regular people are generally regular people in most places. There are some places where the governments have had a freer hand with propaganda like N. Korea and in many Middle Eastern nations where you are going to have some very entrenched prejudices, but mostly, regular joes are regular joes.

originally posted by: MRuss
a reply to: Cygnis

It’s early afternoon in the United States of America.

I am neither drunk, nor do I drink at all.

You are simply a bully who doesn’t agree with me.

I don’t fear your difference of opinion nor do I care what you think.

Clarity? You have problems with my clarity?

I think you might be talking about yourself.

Good day mate!

I do believe you should check on who I was replying to, it was at the top of my post.

I also responded to you, as well. I made two posts, one to you, and one to Revo. Perhaps you mixed them up.

I do beseech you to re-read and look at who is being addressed in which post.

originally posted by: Cygnis

originally posted by: MRuss
a reply to: Cygnis

It’s early afternoon in the United States of America.

I am neither drunk, nor do I drink at all.

You are simply a bully who doesn’t agree with me.

I don’t fear your difference of opinion nor do I care what you think.

Clarity? You have problems with my clarity?

I think you might be talking about yourself.

Good day mate!

I do believe you should check on who I was replying to, it was at the top of my post.

I also responded to you, as well. I made two posts, one to you, and one to Revo. Perhaps you mixed them up.

I do beseech you to re-read and look at who is being addressed in which post.

Damn...awkward

I really enjoyed the OP for the most part, but your replies in your own thread seem like a different person lol.

Kudos to Cygnis for calling out revo and backing up MRuss.
Shame on MRuss for tilting before taking a moment of clarity to assess the posts:/