Still afraid of the OTHER 'F' word?

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Fascism Anyone?
by
Laurence W. Britt

(The following article is from Free Inquiry magazine, Volume 23, Number 2.)

Free Inquiry readers may pause to read the ÒAffirmations of Humanism: A Statement of PrinciplesÓ on the inside cover of the magazine. To a secular humanist, these principles seem so logical, so right, so crucial. Yet, there is one archetypal political philosophy that is anathema to almost all of these principles. It is fascism. And fascismÕs principles are wafting in the air today, surreptitiously masquerading as something else, challenging everything we stand for.

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For the purpose of this perspective, I will consider the following regimes: Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, FrancoÕs Spain, SalazarÕs Portugal, PapadopoulosÕs Greece, PinochetÕs Chile, and SuhartoÕs Indonesia.

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Analysis of these seven regimes reveals fourteen common threads that link them in recognizable patterns of national behavior and abuse of power. These basic characteristics are more prevalent and intense in some regimes than in others, but they all share at least some level of similarity.

1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism. From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.

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4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism. Ruling elites always identified closely with the military and the industrial infrastructure that supported it. A disproportionate share of national resources was allocated to the military, even when domestic needs were acute. The military was seen as an expression of nationalism, and was used whenever possible to assert national goals, intimidate other nations, and increase the power and prestige of the ruling elite.

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6. A controlled mass media. Under some of the regimes, the mass media were under strict direct control and could be relied upon never to stray from the party line. Other regimes exercised more subtle power to ensure media orthodoxy. Methods included the control of licensing and access to resources, economic pressure, appeals to patriotism, and implied threats. The leaders of the mass media were often politically compatible with the power elite. The result was usually success in keeping the general public unaware of the regimesÕ excesses.'

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(Also mentioned, and discussed in greater detail in the article:

2. Disdain for the importance of human rights.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause.
5. Rampant sexism.
7. Obsession with national security.
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together.
9. Power of corporations protected.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated.
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption.
14. Fraudulent elections.)

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Does any of this ring alarm bells? Of course not. After all, this is America, officially a democracy with the rule of law, a constitution, a free press, honest elections, and a well-informed public constantly being put on guard against evils. Historical comparisons like these are just exercises in verbal gymnastics. Maybe, maybe not.

~ snip ~

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Read the whole article here:

http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/britt_23_2.htm

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Ladies and gentlemen, it has to be admitted: fascism has finally reached our shores.

That is one of the scariest, most offensive articles I've read. I feel like I need a shower now.

I'm amazed anyone pays attention to him. He's a blogger who just says outrageous things - either because he is genuinely deranged; he thinks he can make money out of it like Ann Coulter does; or he is, as you say, a fascist. But there's no real difference between him and the Ku Klux Klan. Individual fascists exist in any society, and always have done.

It's things like the Patriot Act, Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib and Falluja that are the worrying indications that fascists are gaining influence in government.

Local Voices in today's Kansas City Star. This is Dominionism.

America must return to faith to find hope in fighting terrorism

LEILANI HAYWOOD


“We want to restore freedom to our nation and just as you lay waste to our nation so shall we lay waste to yours.”

— Osama bin Laden

The country buzzed with shock when Osama bin Laden came out of hiding to claim responsibility for the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center towers.

In a videotaped message just days before a historic U.S. election, bin Laden accused America of killing and oppressing Arabs and warned America that it was caught in a quagmire in Iraq.

Just days later, another tape from al-Qaida surfaced. On it, a masked man claiming to be an American threatened attacks against the United States. Some U.S. officials believe the masked man to be Adam Yahiye Gadahn, a young man who grew up in an upscale Southern California suburb, converted to Islam and who is believed to have worked as a translator for al-Qaida.

“The magnitude and ferocity of what is coming your way will make you forget all about September 11th,” the masked figure said on the video. “After decades of American tyranny and oppression, now it's your turn to die. Allah willing, the streets of America will run red with blood, matching drop for drop the blood of America's victims.”

If the masked individual is Gadahn, what would cause a young man who grew up in an affluent lifestyle to vow to kill Americans? Does anyone besides me wonder why al-Qaida and terrorists are bent on wiping out my existence? Bin Laden refers to America and Israel as “friends of Satan” with the statement, “It is permissible to spill their blood and take their property. God says: ‘O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and Christians for your friends and protectors; they are but friends and protectors to each other.” Whether you like it or not, tolerant, pluralistic Americans who believe everyone should worship as they choose are in the middle of a religiously motivated war.

Some of you are saying, “These are just a couple of nut cases taking their religion to the extreme.” I ask you, how long will it take you to realize that your only hope is God? The God whom America's forefathers professed to follow?

America has made a god of tolerance to the point where some feel free to label anyone who professes Christian convictions as bigoted and narrow-minded. Our only hope for overcoming terrorism is for America to become passionate again about what made it great. What made America great when it rose up and routed Nazism from the Earth was its God. What made America great when it led in the demise of communism was its God. What made America great through the wars, depression and famines was its faith in a supreme being and conviction that we are a light to the world.

Our greatness as a nation starts with the individual who passionately stands for righteousness. Our military men and women fight terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq, but what can we do at home to stand against the likes of bin Laden and Gadahn? Are we so indecisive and spineless as a people that we won't come together for the sake of our families and children to fight terrorism? The fight against terrorism doesn't depend on weapons, but convictions for a cause that is greater than ourselves. To overcome terrorism, our passions and convictions for righteousness must exceed our enemies'.

Bin Laden advised jihad warriors in his Feb. 11, 2003, tape to avoid consuming alcohol, committing adultery, disobeying parents and committing perjury. These warriors are living a lifestyle based on their convictions while we tolerate the spread of amoral hedonism in our culture. Our enemy is training young men and women from the time they are children to hate us and what we stand for while we allow our young to indulge.

Our Christian religion has deteriorated to the point where divorce, adultery and suicide take place in the church at the same rate as they do outside the church. Our only hope as a nation is a revival of Christianity. We need a resurgence of morality that strengthens our people and shows in our lifestyle. You may call me intolerant, but the battle line is already drawn.

Bin Laden and Gadahn don't want to negotiate. They don't want diplomacy. “I advise myself and you to fear God covertly and openly and be patient in the jihad,” bin Laden said. “Victory will be achieved with patience.”

Leilani Haywood is a communications manager with the Community Blood Center. She lives in Kansas City. To reach Midwest Voices columnists, write to the author c/o the Editorial Page, The Kansas City Star, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108 or send e-mail to oped@kcstar.com.