As Americans woke up to the news of a mass shooting taking place mere miles from the nation’s Capitol, Alexey Pushkov, an official with the Russian government, decided to slam American exceptionalism on Twitter, mocking the theory and angering U.S. citizens.
Pushkov, Russia’s parliamentary foreign affairs chief, took to the social networking platform as the U.S. learned of a shooting rampage taking place at Washington Navy Yard. The deadly shooting left multiple casualties, and as the nation grappled with the violence, Pushkov instead lectured on American exceptionalism.
Новая стрельба у штаба ВМС в Вашингтоне – одинокий стрелок и 7 трупов. Никто уже не удивлен. Наглядное подтверждение “амер.исключительности”
— Алексей Пушков (@Alexey_Pushkov) September 16, 2013
According to Buzzfeed, Pushkov’s tweet read “A new shootout at Navy headquarters in Washington — a lone gunman and 7 corpses. Nobody’s even surprised anymore. A clear confirmation of American exceptionalism.
The USA should part with the notion of American exceptionalism. It contradicts the principles of equal rights and smells of political racism
— Алексей Пушков (@Alexey_Pushkov) September 16, 2013
Following the Russian officials tweets — which comes days after U.S. officials struck an accord with the Kremlin on how to proceed in Syria — many in the U.S. lashed out, prompting Pushkov to continue with his anti-American rhetoric.
За предложение США отказаться от концепции исключительностью амер. “демократически” мыслящие амер-цы осыпали меня ругательствами. Почитайте.
— Алексей Пушков (@Alexey_Pushkov) September 16, 2013
Directly translated, Pushkov’s tweet read, “For the U.S. proposal to abandon the concept of American exceptionalism, ‘democratically-‘thinking Americans are showering me with insults.” He continued:
Поток ненависти к нам от амер.граждан поразителен. Один пишет:”Видимо, мы ( т.е. США) зря спасли вас от немцев во второй мировой войне”!!!
— Алексей Пушков (@Alexey_Pushkov) September 16, 2013
According to Buzzfeed, the tweet reads, “The torrent of hate towards us from American citizens is staggering. One writes: ‘It seems that we (that is, the U.S.) saved you from the Germans during WWII for nothing’!!”
Still, Pushkov went on:
“Exceptional” Americans! Some of you have just proved that you are really exceptional – first of all, by your level of hatred and animosity.
— Алексей Пушков (@Alexey_Pushkov) September 16, 2013
Since Pushkov hit Twitter, there have been many developments in the events at Navy Yard. According to The Associated Press, at least six people were killed in the shootings, and one gunman is dead. More than 10 were injured.
Additionally, Washington, D.C., Metropolitian Police Chief Cathy Lanier said there could be two more gunman on the loose, both dressed in military-style clothing.
