The Volokh Conspiracy
Mostly law professors | Sometimes contrarian | Often libertarian | Always independent
Ukrainians Calling Russian Invaders "Orcs"
Apropos "ruscism," I thought I'd also note this other relatively new usage, seemingly pretty clearly from Tolkien.
Some Googling suggests there are some possible broader connections, e.g., to this Russia/Mordor item, but I can't speak to how common the usage was in the past. But right now it does seem to be a thing (e.g., here, here, and here).
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The fierce nationalism coming out of Ukraine sends the Left into apoplexy when anything approaching it is seen in a Western nation. It is denounced as nativisim, xenophobia, etc. During the War on Terror, there was endless handwringing over "backlash" against Muslims, as there was over anti-Asian "backlash" over COVID. Yet, I haven't heard a single peep of concern over anti-Russian backlash. Frankly, many in mainstream media almost seem to encourage it.
I remember when Republicans wept at the sight of Muslims with purple fingers—Bushism is just as wacky as communism and Nazism but a few degrees less evil.
Calling people orcs makes it easy to kill them. But this war doctrine will one day be deemed to be a superstition, that killing millions of enemy soldiers is effective warfare.
Get rid of the lawyer traitor Commissars of Political Correctness. Then kill the enemy oligarchs and heads of state that are the real causes of war. Their motivation is their own selfish enrichment and empowerment, with greed without limit.
The immunization of sovereigns makes the lawyer profession not 10 times more toxic than organized crime. It makes them 1000 times more toxic than organized crime.
It may be that public self help may once be necessary. Ukrainian hackers locate Putin and deliver the drone to his window. Then they settle all family business with his oligarchs.
We owe these Russian oligarchs for one thing, however, They stole all the money that was budgeted to modernize the Russian military.
What is the legality of offering Russian soldiers bounties and asylum for killing officers? The higher the rank, the higher the pay. Kill a listed oligarch, get $10 million. Kill Putin, get $100 million, even to your estate. Kill Xi Ping get $billion. Cheap at much higher prices.
There is no value to capturing any alive, since the lawyer traitors will have them released.
Who here supports allowing the repeated editing or deletion of Comments by Reason? All other social media have that function.
Davie, you may want to ask your doctors and/or mother about clozapine (Clozaril). It won't help with the authoritarian aspects of your autism but may help tamp down some of the more odd characteristics you exhibit.
Queenie. You are the only one who ever replies to me. I am so lonely. I want to help you in return. Can you tell me your race for the letter of recommendation?
"I am so lonely."
That I believe! Ask about those meds Trump supporter weirdo!
"oligarchs and heads of state that are the real causes of war. Their motivation is their own selfish enrichment and empowerment, with greed without limit."
I agree with this.
Bigotry against Muslim and Asian countrymen is not nationalism.
So then we can retire that "white nationalism" thing, right?
Closer to "Bigotry against Muslim and Asian countrymen is the White part of the White Nationalism that is actually not nationalism."
Closer to "Bigotry against Muslim and Asian countrymen is the White part of the White Nationalism that is actually not nationalism."
Does that reply come in a version that's been translated into coherent English?
As we look down our noses at WWII domestic behavior, people should pray, if they be the prayin' type, that we never ever again get into a serious war where demonization of the enemy is useful.
Hate to tell you, but we're in one now, between "Liberals" and conservatives. See the Washington Post, NYT, or Fox for examples.
I've long though that;
After WWI the people around the world looked at each other and found out that the propaganda was false and they were more alike than different.
After WWII people around the world looked at what happened and found out the propaganda barely touched the level of true evil.
Man, Eugene,
You really seem to be Gobblin' up those LOTR references.
This is smart psy-ops. Spreading the rumor that Russia is conscripting orcs is exactly what's needed to get ents to ally themselves with Ukraine. From there it's game over.
Americanism, regarding drones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtrkZgo00TU
Russian quest for a warm water port? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTt-XE0XYMM
Are we talking regular Orcs or Uruk-Hai?
These orcs are not competent enough to be Uruk Hai.
I guess that makes their serial numbers orcids.
There are several cute LOTR puns on this thread, but I hope we will not be dragon too many of these out.
I thought the big Z on their military vehicles meant that they were Zombies.
Hmm. Orcs vs. Zombies.
I thought it was odd to hear "orc" in the song. Then I saw a subtitled video yesterday in which soldiers called the Russians orcs and realized it must be a thing, not a one-off.
There are some that think Tolkien is "racist" because he uses orcs as a supposed proxy for non-Westernized cultures (usually people of color) invading the West. So, it wouldn't be the first time his work has been accused of being "racist".
Anti-racist zealots can't hold a candle to the zealousness of the anti-anti-racists.
So you are an orc?
No, you're obsessed.
How so orc?