Communism Quote by Eugene Lyons
![“Whenever the communists are under fire, it [the term "red-baiter"] has served to divert attention from the subject matter to futile discussion of personal motives, the critic’s private life and other deliberate tricks of befuddlement.” quote by Eugene Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/294/eugene-lyons-96062_communism_whenever-the-communists-are-under-fire-i_449530.jpg)
““Whenever the communists are under fire, it [the term "red-baiter"] has served to divert attention from the subject matter to futile discussion of personal motives, the critic’s private life and other deliberate tricks of befuddlement.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Red Scare and American Politics, Eugene Lyons, 1950
Red‑baiting shifts focus from substantive issues to personal attacks, undermining constructive debate.
In simple terms: Attacks distract from real issues.
Key Takeaway
Avoid personal attacks in arguments.
Themes
politics
media
discourse
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
media
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- news commentary
- online forums
- academic debates
Key Concepts
red‑baiting
ad hominem
deflection
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people resort to personal attacks?
- How can focus stay on issues?
A Different Perspective
Personal attacks can backfire and damage credibility.
![“[T]he useful idiots, the leftists who are idealistically believing in the beauty of the Soviet socialist or Communist or whatever system, when they get disillusioned, they become the worst enemies. That’s why my KGB instructors specifically made the point: never bother with leftists. Forget about…” quote by Yuri Bezmenov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d23/yuri-bezmenov-90074_aim-high_t-he-useful-idiots-the-leftists-who-are_897408.jpg)
