The use of the phrase “clear and present danger to our democracy” is not political rhetoric. It’s a phrase with a defined legal meaning, one that goes perfectly with the Nazi tone of that speech.
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., writing for the Court, declared that “the most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing panic. [The] question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent.” – 1919 SCOTUS decision in Schenck v. United States.
In 1957, SCOTUS used the same language in its Yates v. United States decision that ruled the First Amendment protected radical and reactionary speech, unless it posed a “clear and present danger.“
Joe spouted another triggering phrase; MAGA tweeters responded with a thread that is way too long for this blog. Below is the one that started it off with some examples of the replies.
“I’m a blue-collar kid who got an Ivy League engineering degree, went to law school, married 25 years, raised 2 kids, paid my debts, volunteers on a local nonprofit board, loves the Bill of Rights, and I am a threat to the very soul of this nation.”
“I’m a widow who worked my entire life, paid for college without a loan, took care of my terminally ill husband, rescue animals, never lie, cheat or steal, crochet and craft, believe in God, the 10 commandments and the Golden Rule. I’m a threat to the very soul of this nation.”
“I am a middle aged teacher. I teach low income children in the worst neighborhood in my area. I raised 7 children, and put myself through school while raising the first 2 alone. I am a threat to the very soul of this nation.”
“I’m retired LE. I own my home. I believe in God. I believe life begins at conception. I enjoy the outdoors, going to the gym and riding my road bicycle. I also teach people to use firearms safely and responsibly. I am a threat to the very soul of the nation.”
“I’m a follower of Christ and a wife to a hardworking man. I am homeschool mom to 3 boys and spend most weekends watching any one of them playing baseball or doing Jiu Jitsu. I serve at my church. I teach at a homeschool co-op. I am a threat to the very sound of this nation.”
“I’m a Vietnam combat vet, worked my ass off my entire life, pay my taxes, retired now, own my home, take my grandkids hunting and fishing, don’t bother anyone and just want to be left alone. I am a threat to the very soul of this nation.”
“I too, am apparently a threat to the soul of this nation. I have to squeeze in all my evil doings between caring for my elderly mom, helping with my grandkids, participating in my church and community choir, and being a wife and mom. It’s a struggle, but I manage.”
“I have a Gadsden shirt, I have an American flag in my front yard and I served the country for 21 years in the military during 2 conflicts and the Cold War. I too am a threat to the very soul of the country.”
“I’m a mom, I take care of my sick mother, who can’t live on her own. I love my dogs and I cook ‘real food’ for them twice a day, everyday. I just bought my first house, and I love to decorate and bake goodies for my neighbors. I am a threat to the very soul of this nation.”
“I’m a middle aged mom. I raised two children whom I taught to love Christ and be kind to others. I bake casseroles. I listen to 80’s pop music. I pay my taxes and don’t break the law. I’m also now considered a threat to the soul of the nation.”
“Work 80+ hours/wk, garden, volunteer kids school and church activities, cook meals for homeless and deliver meals to home bound seniors. I am a threat to the very soul of this nation.”
“I’m a retired Command Master Chief. 26 1/2yrs. Spent 8 of the 1st 13 yrs of my marriage away from my family on 3 ships. I do wood working and babysit my 1 yr old granddaughter. I am a threat to the very soul of this nation.”
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/clear%20and%20present%20danger
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/Schenck%20v.%20United%20States
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yates_v._United_States
- https://twitchy.com/samj-3930/2022/09/04/conservatives-explain-how-i-am-a-threat-to-the-very-soul-of-this-nation-in-powerful-thread-making-biden-look-even-worsea/
polination.blog 
I’m not white enough for the liberals. I am an American. I am a threat to the soul of the dnc/elitist communists.
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Welcome, fellow patriot! 🙂
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