I first published this in Dec of 2005 - the "old" days before Gather had over 20,000 members & almost as many groups. Consequently, it wasn't published to any groups. More significantly, it was before the USA Patriot Act, before Bush's domestic spying came to light. I believe it bears repeating now to the many relevant groups in light of the Administration's continued race down a dark road.
Several times in the recent past I have heard the term "fascist" applied pejoratively to various modern politicians. Like (I suspect) most people today, I know that Hitler and Mussolini were fascists, but not what that means. I don't know what they stood for, other than murdering jews. What is a fascist form of government, as opposed to a democracy, a theocracy or monarchy? Rather than start with the internet, I went to the Encyclopedia Britannica (1963 edition) because I happen to have a set that I inherited from my parents and that has gathered dust, unopened for years.
The section on fascism was written by Dr. Hans Kohn, Professor of History at City College of NY. Part of what he wrote startled me. Keeping in mind that he wrote it over forty years ago, perhaps it will startle you:
"Fascism in its beginnings was not a doctrine and had no clearly elaborated program. It was a technique for gaining and retaining power by violence, [and intimidation], and with an astonishing flexibility it subordinated all questions of program to this one aim. But it was dominated from the beginning by a definite attitude of mind which exalted the fighting spirit, military discipline...and rejected contemptuously all ethical motives as [weakness].
Ultimately everything depends upon the ever-changing decisions of the leader, decisions which cannot be discussed but are blindly obeyed and immediately executed. Thus fascism could present itself in a given situation as a bulwark of the social order against [almost anything].
With its stress upon...instincts and activism, fascism insists upon the 'iron logic of nature' which will always make the strong prevail over the weak, the more resolute over the irresolute , and thus aims at educating the nation to develop its strength, courage and resolve, and by those means to ensure its victory."
People holding such views could never gain power in America, could they?
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Comments: 15
I can't believe that I'm seeing this happen in my own country. That people will take to the streets in thousands to protest illegal immigration, but will not make a peep when it comes to the downfall of our Constitution.
BTW, I heard part of a piece on Air America yesterday by a local reporter in Louisiana who said that the Patriot Act "repealed the posse comitatus act". I didn't know that was in the Patriot Act.
The piece also mentioned an organization formed and run by the Dept of Homeland Security that consists of religious ministers whose job in a time of "emergency" is to calm and reassure the people.
I wonder how many Americans know about that?
The Congress would lay down with their tales between their legs, as they have done for years now.
The Police have been brought into the government agencies and are doing things right now that previously was the sole territory of the government (i.e., immigration enforcement).
They have also depleted our National Guard and its supplies - all over in Iraq and unable to help the citizens here. I doubt that individual citizens would have much of a chance.
They also have the services of a number of mercinary groups, like Blackwater, who have opened up "branches" throughout the US. They were there at the BA's call during Katrina when the government agencies were not functioning. Their loyalty is only to the people who hired and pay them.
We are at war. We, as a nation, approved of going to war and doing so has kept us from further attacks, although it has not kept the enemy from threatening further attacks.
Has it never occurred to you that we (the American voters) simply do not know enough about how the war is being executed to answer polling questions on whether the war is going well or not? We can't know -- nor can members of Congress or the press -- because everything we are told goes straight to the enemy. We have to trust that the military in the field and the few who direct them know what they are doing. And wars never go as planned -- mistakes are made and corrected, again and again, until someone finally wins.
It is irresponsible of you and me and everyone else to assume that we know enough to presume to tell anyone that the war is going badly. In fact, it's destructive. We are winning in Iraq and we will win the war if the American people are intelligent enough to let the military do its job and smart enough to support leaders who are doing their best.
As far as our involvment in the Middle East, Iraq, Iran, Afganistan, Pakastan, etc one only need to look again at the Constitution and read the purpose of our Military.
I know the government thinks we are idiots but that does not make it true.
But the conflict in Iraq, going well or going badly, isn't the point. The point is that we have given this president unprecedented (and many say unconstitutional) power absent any indication that he knows how to fight terrorism.
I have confidence in our separation of powers. If the Supreme Court finds parts of the Patriot Act unconstitutional you are honestly telling me you don't think Bush would honor that?
The fact that local police are helping to identify criminal illegal aliens should make you feel safer, not all spun up about some usurption of local authority by the Feds. If a Coast Guard officer sees a drunk driver shouldn't he/she alert local authorities? Same thIng with illegal alien criminals.
Saudi Arabia & Kuwait don't have democracy & aren't likely to for centuries.
What facts do you see, Lex? Do you see any political progress by the duly elected Iraqi government? Do you see that most of the 9/11 killers were Saudis - as is their spiritual leader, Osama bin Laden? Do you see that Osama is NOT IN IRAQ, he's in PAKISTAN? Iraq is the windshield, buddy.
Where would we all be without you, Lex? All us college educated, professional fools? Praise be to Jesus that there are people out there in the country like you shedding your light on our elite intellectual foolishness. Where we have been shortsightedly seeking lies, we should have been seeking the long-range truth all along from people like yourself. I am so glad I have found you and can now see the light.
And just to show you that I can mend my ways and let my mind go down the LL path, you're right about the Supreme Court and the Patriot Act. Why would I ever think that a majority court hand-picked and influenced by Bush would ever baulk at hearing a case against the document (albeit not the document that the Congress reviewed and agreed upon but one revised and printed in the dark of night before the morning vote the next day) that supports the very heart of his power? Foolish, ignorant me. What a total f*cking waste my four college degrees are. Think of all the money I could have saved by just listening to you.
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~