# 10 years from now, which will be perceived as the bigger threat to US, Russa or Islamic terrorism

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-years-from-now-which-will-be-perceived-as-the-bigger-threat-to-us-russa-or-islamic-terrorism/787660>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [May 29, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-years-from-now-which-will-be-perceived-as-the-bigger-threat-to-us-russa-or-islamic-terrorism/787660 "2017-05-29T18:06:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-years-from-now-which-will-be-perceived-as-the-bigger-threat-to-us-russa-or-islamic-terrorism/787660/21 "2017-05-30T19:42:42Z")

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> [@marshmallow](#):
>
> Which is perceived as the bigger threat now? Liberals say Russia, conservatives say Islam.

Which is John McCain?

> [@](#):
>
> During an interview with ABC Australia, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) says that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a greater threat to the US than ISIS

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**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2017, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-years-from-now-which-will-be-perceived-as-the-bigger-threat-to-us-russa-or-islamic-terrorism/787660/22 "2017-05-31T09:52:38Z")

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> [@davida03801](#):
>
> Liberals were for the Russians, before they were against the Russians.

And conservatives were against the Russians before they were for them. It’s almost like this is all a game and doesn’t matter.

> [@Procrustus](#):
>
> Which is John McCain?

A RINO, at least on right-wing sites.

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**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2017, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-years-from-now-which-will-be-perceived-as-the-bigger-threat-to-us-russa-or-islamic-terrorism/787660/23 "2017-05-31T10:15:57Z")

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While the OP acknowleges that there is nuance to a situation like this, it ultimately is trying to force a bifurcation where there is no need to, and where it can only mislead.

What is the bigger threat: an extremely unlikely event that could kill millions or a very likely threat that will kill hundreds? What is “more” in the public consciousness: something lots of people think about a little, or something a smaller set of people are intensely worried about?  
What is the point in trying to play top trumps?

Also, as a nitpick, I don’t like Islamic terrorism being called the “boogieman”. That term implies a false or imaginary threat, not merely an exaggerated one.  
It’s not an imaginary threat.

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