Who should americans be more concerned about: MS-13 or Russia?

89 points · 119 comments · view on lemmy.world

119 Comments

NotSteve_@lemmy.ca · 89 pts · 1y

Considering Russia kind of just put the final nail in the coffin for your democracy, probably Russia

Eggscellent@sh.itjust.works · 62 pts · 1y

I guess it depends on how many nuclear weapons MS-13 has.

ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org · 59 pts · 1y (5 replies)

Americans should be concerned about Trump and his goons first and foremost - the "homegrown" criminal gang.

Seriously, had you heard about MS-13 before Trump?

Rhoeri@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Americans should be concerned about Trump and his goons first and foremost

Soooooooo…. You’re saying Russia then.

Venator@lemmy.nz · 2 pts · 1y

Yeah but taking out Putin won't help as much now.

GrumpyDuckling@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y

Glorifying gang culture was really popular in the 90's-2000's so I was definately slightly aware of ms-13 from someplace. Maybe law and order or some other show mentioned it. I was never really aware of DT until he ran for president.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Yes

It was probably one of the few buttons america even had before trump.

Ms-13, Isis, Blm and that was fox news

ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org · 12 pts · 1y

Ms-13, Isis, Blm and that was fox news

E-xactly.

swordgeek@lemmy.ca · 30 pts · 1y (5 replies)

Trump.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 32 pts · 1y (4 replies)

We count that as russia.

kaprap@leminal.space · -15 pts · 1y (3 replies)

No you dont

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 1y

We do

tiny@midwest.social · 9 pts · 1y

Trump and Tulsi gabbard have said Rusaian talking points nearly word for word in public settings. They are Russian assets the only question is if they know they are Russian assets

BussyGyatt@feddit.org · 2 pts · 1y
Ledericas@lemm.ee · 27 pts · 1y (3 replies)

Russia, biggest mafia in the world, and also funds White supremecist/right wing groups all over the worlds.

tfm@europe.pub · 14 pts · 1y (2 replies)

And US presidents

ThomasCrappersGhost@feddit.uk · 10 pts · 1y (1 reply)

And Brexit, people think. Russia is dangerous to the whole of the world.

Ledericas@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 1y

yup, also funds fox(works closely with MURDOCH), which russia today version in the US.

Zoldyck@lemmy.world · 27 pts · 1y (4 replies)

Trump, GOP, MAGA > Russia > China > MS-13

DancingBear@midwest.social · 10 pts · 1y (3 replies)
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1rre@discuss.tchncs.de · -1 pts · 1y (2 replies)

Threats to the US

A lapdog isn't a threat except to reputation, even if they're not on your side. Same reason North Korea isn't on the list of threats.

Even if they have influence, it's not exactly domestic policy, otherwise you'd have to add the IRA to the list also.

IndustryStandard@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1y

Israel is deporting American students for excersizing their free speech.

Israel has more influence than the first amendent.

DancingBear@midwest.social · 2 pts · 1y
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cerement@slrpnk.net · 24 pts · 1y (2 replies)
  • international: Russia (and their puppet, Trump)
  • domestic: we have enough racist, fascist domestic terrorists (ex. Proud Boys, Patriot Front, etc., etc.) that pose far more of a threat to the US than MS-13
daggermoon@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1y

The only other time I had ever heard of MS-13 was the psychopathic rantings of a former cop I worked with briefly. Hmmm... wonder why they aren't a cop anymore?

Ledericas@lemm.ee · 1 pts · 1y

ironically russia also fund those white supremecy groups to, they have been known to, sow division in the us, and other countries.

GeeDubHayduke@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 23 pts · 1y

I don't see a MS-13 hand shoved firmly up Trump's ass, so....

jewbacca117@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 1y (1 reply)
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Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 1y

Gangs are bad. Thing is, you don't fight gangs with military you fight them with relief. Gangs thrive on hurt people and the people who are suffering. If you relieve the hurt and suffering poverty causes you destroy the gangs ability to recruit.

ieatpwns@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Russia

Ms-13 hasn’t made it to the White House

Russia has

CheeseToastie@lazysoci.al · 3 pts · 1y

Sad but true

kaprap@leminal.space · 15 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Trump

Etterra@discuss.online · 6 pts · 1y

Then Russia. Thats where the ACTUAL voter interference comes from.

bluegreenwookie@bookwormstory.social · 15 pts · 1y (3 replies)

Idk anything about ms 13 so I can't try to assess them as a threat. But I have a hard time imagining a gang or terror group coming close to russia in terms of threat to Americans

Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 1y (2 replies)

I find it peculiar we never heard about ms-13 until a few months ago (at most).

didnt1able@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 1y

One of my best friends came from el Salvador. They fled because of the gang violence, I've known her since we were about 12. She was the one who told me about MS13. But it wasn't something that was mainstream media worthy because it was a big issue there.

CoffeeJunkie@lemmy.cafe · 0 pts · 1y
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KMAMURI@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 1y

They should be concerned about the dictator problem they have at home.

nickwitha_k@lemmy.sdf.org · 13 pts · 1y (5 replies)

Depends on context. If the context is "planning a holiday in El Salvador", maybe MS-13 is relevant. Beyond being worried about impact on others' lives, MS-13 is largely irrelevant to Americans and most people that I've encountered never heard of them before 2016.

Psythik@lemm.ee · 4 pts · 1y (4 replies)
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CoffeeJunkie@lemmy.cafe · -3 pts · 1y (3 replies)
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Hobo@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y (2 replies)

I'm not sure what you're getting at. That article says in multiple places, and even implies it with the scare quotes in the title, that they didn't find a bunch of gang members in that complex. So what exactly are you trying to say?

Here's a few quotes from that article:

Aurora Police Department Interim Chief Heather Morris said in a statement on Friday that "gang members have not taken over" the complex.

"I'm not saying that there aren't gang members that don't live in this community," Morris said. "But what we're learning out here is that gang members have not taken over this complex."

...

Morris stated that the local authorities have "really made an effort" in recent days to ask specific questions about gang activity in the area and at the complex.

"Making sure that people aren't paying rent to gang leaders or gang members," she said.

According to Morris, the residents they've spoken with have assured them that this isn't happening, and she believes they are being honest.

"We're standing out here, and I can tell you that gang members have not taken over this complex."

CoffeeJunkie@lemmy.cafe · -2 pts · 1y (1 reply)
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Hobo@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

Just curious but have you looked into that story on the Aurora apartment complex past the reactionary headlines you're cherry picking? It's way more nuanced and has little to do with gangs. I kind of find it funny that you decided to backtrack with a different article because you didn't even read the first one you posted.

As for some nypost gibberish, I don't care to read it. It's obvious you're a reactionary and have an agenda. The "immigrant problem" is a racist nationalistic bullhorn, and I suspect you fall into that crowd. Unless of course you support returning the US to the people that aren't immigrant ancestors? Perhaps we could find some common ground there.

sith@lemmy.zip · 13 pts · 1y

Russia. MS-13 is nothing in comparison. Though it wouldn't surprise me if Russia supports MS-13 as part of their hybrid warfare. That's how they work.

Understand that Russia has largely been able to put US to its knees through hybrid methods that utilize and enhance the negative effects of american arrogance, neoliberal dogmatism and the war on drugs. Trump is the final stage before the empire comes down. It's probably too late to turn the ship around by now. China + EU is already the facto world leaders and the US is doing everything to destroy itself and there is no real political and economical self-awareness among people with power.

The US should have started to decrease inequality, stop the war on drugs and enforced (sane) tariffs and migration policies 15 years ago. The EU has the same problems, but there isn't the same level of inequality and political extremism and fundamentalism, which makes me believe that the EU will survive as a western democracy and relevant world player, but the US will not.

originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com · 10 pts · 1y (1 reply)

the forces task with each risk are entirely separate. the states should police for internal gang activity. the feds should be fucking freaked out over russia just deciding to invade other soverieng nations for zero reason.

but that was back when the united states had a functioning government. those days are long gone.

GrumpyDuckling@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y

The reason Russia invaded is because Zelenski wasn't supposed to win the election and they want their puppets running Ukraine again.

daggermoon@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 1y (10 replies)

That's a joke right? MS-13 isn't trying to invade Ukraine.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1y (9 replies)

Not a joke, apparently, read the other comments.

daggermoon@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 1y (8 replies)

Okay, I read them. What's your point? What are your intentions? Put me down for Russia ig.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 1y (7 replies)

Point is some people take the threat of MS-13 way too seriously.

ThomasCrappersGhost@feddit.uk · 4 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Some people think Trump is good, too.

daggermoon@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

They're cultists.

daggermoon@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y (4 replies)

I'm more worried about never being able to own a home or never being able to support myself. I'm more worried that i'll never learn another language then I am some street gang I have never seen.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y (3 replies)

Because you don't engage with right wing media like these sick fucks. If you read the shit they are being fed you realize if these same people found jack and the bean stalk in the nonfiction section they would put a nation wide ban on beans.

daggermoon@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y (1 reply)

They also infiltrate left wing circles. They can be pretty clever. Not to sound paranoid but I've seen them on Lemmy. People convinced that Ukraine is some sort of Nazi state that Russia is justified in invading. Nevermind all the Nazi groups in Russia and abroad that are funded by Russia. Call this shit out when you see it. Try to deprogram them if you can I guess. They probably have to see it for themselves though.

ThomasCrappersGhost@feddit.uk · 2 pts · 1y

Those people are also saying “Palestine bad” cause of reasons and using it to justify Israel’s genocide or “China bad” like their own nation isn’t doing the exact same thing.

vxx@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

It's an artificial crisis planned by the trump admin years ago

https://apnews.com/general-news-international-news-88ba0f2a51b35bf8195e886d4210e5c3

IndustryStandard@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Israel.

inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y

The death toll from Israel supporting Americans exponentially dwarfs the number of Americans harmed by MS-13.

xc2215x@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 1y

Russia.

mcamp@lemmy.aicampground.com · 7 pts · 1y

I'm going to go with option C, the Trump regime.. We need to be more worried about them and how they ate dismantling our democracy.

Diva@lemmy.ml · 4 pts · 1y (9 replies)

MS-13 or Russia

neither of those are real concerns tbh. Americans should be concerned about housing, feeding and providing medical care to everyone before worrying about external threats.

T00l_shed@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 1y (7 replies)

Russia is affecting those things in the us though. Maybe if the gop weren't in russias pocket you'd be more on point.

Diva@lemmy.ml · -6 pts · 1y (6 replies)

Russia is affecting those things in the us though.

People being unhoused, going hungry and without healthcare is bipartisan consensus in the US and Russia has nothing to do with that.

T00l_shed@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1y (5 replies)

and Russia has nothing to do with that.

Except the gop is in russias pocket

Diva@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 1y (4 replies)

Not all of the countries problems can simply be attributed to 'the enemy' on the other side of the planet. The dysfunction I'm pointing out is home grown and enabled on both sides. The republicans are obviously worse, the democrats prevent anything better.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

That completely ignores where the battle is being fought. Right now social media has a strangle hold on the discussion around politics in America. If misinformation/disinformation isn't countered effectively the GOP wins out. That means there is no hope for the homeless, universal access to Healthcare, and every other legitimate function of goverment that the GOP are attacking.

T00l_shed@lemmy.world · -1 pts · 1y (2 replies)

I don't recall attributing all the countries problems on Russia and the gop. Most of the dems are gop lite. There are some that do work towards housing and feeding. Like school lunch and breakfast programs.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y (1 reply)

This tells me you've never looked at the voting record. It's OK, most dont.

T00l_shed@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y

Not for everything no. I've seen some good for sure, but imo not enough.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y

Fair

Tronn4@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

Republicans and some democrats

QuarterSwede@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

China. Military has been gearing up to defend Taiwan for years and the intervention has been moved up to only 2 years from now.

douglasg14b@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

Ah this point?

You're own bloody country

autonomoususer@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 1y
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Liberteez@lemm.ee · 0 pts · 1y (3 replies)

We should be concerned about both.

The Latin American gang crisis is real. Biden wanted to tackle it, and Congress said no. They have funding from c#ina to create issues at our border to destabilize us.

Of course, every single arrested person deserves due process. Many are being targeted maliciously right now under false pretenses.

Ruzzia is of course the greater threat. They are also very weak right now. Their victory with US sabotage is honestly their biggest win in decades, and their other fronts are utter failures. But their cruelty and focus on our demise has resulted in a surgical counterintelligence strike that will forever harm American life much moreso that the Latin American gangs.

The greatest threat is c#ina, should they get more involved.

cerement@slrpnk.net · 0 pts · 1y (1 reply)

The Latin American Los Angeles gang crisis is real.

Liberteez@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 1y
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BrainInABox@lemmy.ml · 0 pts · 1y

They have funding from c#ina to create issues at our border to destabilize us.

This is literally just MAGA conspiracy theory

PP_BOY_@lemmy.world · -2 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Red Scare or "duh ill-e-gulls"

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

Red scare was about communism.

humanspiral@lemmy.ca · -6 pts · 1y (1 reply)

The US has threatened Russia for last 80 years. At increased levels in last 20 years. Forcing Russia to defend itself in last 3 years has made it stronger. There is absolute blowback danger from Russia, that can extend to nuclear destruction, but it as fully self inflicted as going around zoinking Grizzly bears' tails. Foreign national threats to US are entirely the result of US evil, and US desperation is making it worse.

GeeDubHayduke@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 1y

Ah yes. You must be the common clay of the new west.

MacNCheezus@lemmy.today · -10 pts · 1y (46 replies)

One of them is a heavily armed criminal gang which operates locally and engages in violent crime, murder, and human trafficking, the other is somewhere on the other side of the world and currently fairly busy expending massive amounts of military resources trying to occupy a few provinces of a neighboring country.

This feels like asking if you should be more worried about domestic rattlesnakes or lions in Africa.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y (34 replies)

So your position is russia raises no threat to America. I'll write that one down.

remotelove@lemmy.ca · 0 pts · 1y (3 replies)

No, that is not what he said at all.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y (2 replies)

Tell me how lions in Africa are a threat to Americans

remotelove@lemmy.ca · 0 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Oh, fuck off.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

What. Logic escapes you all the sudden?

MacNCheezus@lemmy.today · 0 pts · 1y (29 replies)

I wouldn't say none whatsoever, but comparatively little. They're already engaged in a fairly high stakes military operation costing them massive amounts of resources and manpower every year and constantly teetering on the edge of triggering a NATO involvement. Yeah they have nukes, but if they really wanted an all-out war, don't you think they would have dropped one already?

I'd say chances are very low. First of all, the US likely has a capable early warning system and the ability to intercept a nuclear warhead in-flight, and second, the potential retaliation would likely be horrifying and not worth the risk. Worrying about armed criminal gang members who are already in the country seems to be a lot more sensible to me because they pose a more immediate threat.

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 1y (28 replies)

I firmly believe, and the evidence supports, Russia has deployed a widespread disinformation campaign against America and has infiltrated the highest levels of government.

MacNCheezus@lemmy.today · 0 pts · 1y (27 replies)

Do you have any evidence for that belief?

Clinicallydepressedpoochie@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y (26 replies)

Before we do all that you tell me what sources you will accept.

MacNCheezus@lemmy.today · 1 pts · 1y (25 replies)

Hard evidence, preferably. I'm not interested in hearsay or conspiracy theories. There's enough of that out there already.

Rhoeri@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y (10 replies)

It’s cute that you think they’re all on the other side of the world. You must feel very safe.

I envy you.

MacNCheezus@lemmy.today · -4 pts · 1y (9 replies)

I haven't heard of any armed, violent Russian criminal gangs operating on US territory in recent years, so yeah, I'm less worried about them than the ones that are known to operate here.

Rhoeri@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y (8 replies)

Just wait…

MacNCheezus@lemmy.today · -3 pts · 1y (7 replies)

Okay. I'll check back in when the Russians are at my door.

Rhoeri@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y (6 replies)

See, it’s funny because you think that everyone sharing this is insinuating that Russia’s army is here. Or that it’s being implied that they’re here en masse in any conceivable way.

No one is saying this-

But if you think the White House isn’t compromised, I’ve got a bridge to sell you if you’ve got the рубль.

MacNCheezus@lemmy.today · -1 pts · 1y (5 replies)

That may be the case, but what immediate danger does that pose to me? I'd be more worried about armed gangs in my neighborhood than spooks in Washington, because the former would likely pose a more immediate threat to my life than the latter.

Rhoeri@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

The spooks in Washington will soon be controlling the armed gangs in your neighborhood. Only those gangs will have an American flag on their sleeve.

I have a feeling that line between the former and the later will blur much faster than you think.

starlinguk@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

How does it affect you? If a neighbour who doesn't like you can just call the police, tell them you're in a gang, and get you deported without due process that will absolutely affect you.

PS the world is in this state because of unempathetic people like you.