Gonzales Cautions Judges on Interfering

[sabra]

http://www.forbes.com/business/commerce/feeds/ap/2006/09/29/ap3055270.html

Gonzales Cautions Judges on Interfering


Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who is defending President Bush's anti-terrorism tactics in multiple court battles, said Friday that federal judges should not substitute their personal views for the president's judgments in wartime.

He said the Constitution makes the president commander in chief and the Supreme Court has long recognized the president's pre-eminent role in foreign affairs. "The Constitution, by contrast, provides the courts with relatively few tools to superintend military and foreign policy decisions, especially during wartime," the attorney general told a conference on the judiciary at Georgetown University Law Center.

"Judges must resist the temptation to supplement those tools based on their own personal views about the wisdom of the policies under review," Gonzales said.

And he said the independence of federal judges, who are appointed for life, "has never meant, and should never mean, that judges or their decisions should be immune" from public criticism.

[Avalux]

1. Holy shit.

:wow:

[The Backlash Cometh]

24. I second that, only louder, "HOLY SHIT!"

Someone call the FBI. I think a threat has just been launched at our judges.

[grytpype]

28. Is is 1938 yet?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

30. or 1984. It is a Brave New World.

and it sucks

[ShortnFiery]

87. Since I'm an child born of American Parents, but born, none the less,

in a Middle Eastern Country. :wow: OMG! I better take Mr. William Pitt's lead and write a letter, "Should I disappear."

No worries for I'll save a few crumbs of bread for you since I'm probably one of the first to arrive at one of the thousands of detention camps. Yes, we have become what we hate!

I love my country - I have served my country in the Military - But now for the first time in my life - I'm afraid of my Government. :scared:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

101. A people should not be afraid of their government.

a government should be afraid of its people

[ShortnFiery]

108. It required "Three Extra Months" for the FBI to complete my background

investigation although my Dad was born in South Dakota and my Mom's place of birth, Nebraska.

When I was in Junior in R.O.T.C. during 1979, I was ordered to provide my Consulate Report of Birth from Child Born of American Parents Abroad directly to the R.O.T.C. staff - just to make sure, I wasn't one of the "bad guys."

I went on to be granted a security clearance and serve in Army Intelligence (Officer Corps), but with what I consider The Insane Clown Posse in Our Executive Branch, ANYONE who holds an opinion contrary to them, should be afraid - very afraid! :scared:

Yes, we have to reverse both The Warantless Wiretapping and Torture Bills because IMO, THIS Executive Branch can and will use these techniques on *all* of THEIR political enemies.

No doubt, The Average American Citizen is in "A World of Shit!" :grr:

[katinmn]

138. I'm sorry you've gone through this. It is so very wrong.

We need to fight back and get this insane law and others overturned ASAP.

[springhill]

130. Does anyone still think...........

they will let us win an election?

[unpossibles]

2. wow. threats from on high....

America. Fuck yeah!

</sarcasm>

[Junkdrawer]

3. And today, that warning has teeth...

Hear a case on a terror detainee, and you'll be aiding and abetting a terrorist...

[katinmn]

4. Gonzo.., STFU.. Just because you pray at the foot of Bush doesn't mean

everyone else has to.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Or else what, AG/AG?

[wtmusic]

6. ah, the "Unitary Executive" theory rearing its ugly head

Wartime, eh? Then those "detainees" must be "prisoners of war" after all...

[Lasher]

48. But Gonzo said we are not at war

Are we at war when it helps Junior and his pals clutch at power, and not at war when that's inconvenient for Gonzo?

[Nostradammit]

62. Yeah - when did Congress declare war?

I must have been out shopping that day.

[Schema Thing]

7. wow. Now I'm afraid.

[stepnw1f]

8. Somebody Arrest This Man!

Fucking prick thinks he's a dictator... well... treat him like one, American style.

[Matariki]

9. I'm sick of the 'wartime' bullshit

Doesn't it seem so obvious that it motivates any wanna-be dictator to start a war as soon as they get into office.

[AndyA]

10. War? What war? War has never been declared.

The right to use force was granted, but no declaration of war has ever been issued. Gonzalez himself admitted to this last month.

THERE IS NO WAR. THERE ARE NO WARTIME PRESIDENTIAL POWERS.

What we have is a do-nothing Congress who is letting the Executive Branch crap all over our Constitution.

[Lasher]

50. Oops, I made that same point upthread

Then I saw you had made the same point here. Sometimes I get in a hurry and post before I read all of a thread. My bad.

But ya know what? I wish this Congress had done nothing at all; no tax cuts for the rich that's bankrupted our Treasury, no authorization to invade Iraq without provocation or any other form of moral justification, no bills to circumvent habeas corpus and accountability for war crimes.

They have not been complacent. They have been complicit.

[Nostradammit]

63. Double oops -

But still, fuck Alberto Gonzales.

[Lasher]

103. You gotcha.

We can't say that too many times, that's for sure.

[AndyA]

68. Complicit, yes. There is a distinction. This Congress would make a

good throw rug.

[Imagevision]

84. K&R!!!!!!!!!!!

[jtrockville]

96. If Gonzales admitted there's no war... why do people fall for it?

AndyA, if you don't mind, could you a link to Gonzalez's admission?
He needs to stop talking out of both sides of his mouth.

[JFen]

118. For my arguments with others later,

Do you have a link for Gonzo saying that before? I'm looking but I'm unable to find it yet.

[halobeam]

11. Ugh.

---
Is this like... "I am advised not to discuss this, because there is an "ongoing investigation"" bullshit?!


What I'm referring to is the "resist temptation of their views right now, because the policies are under review!!"

That's my take on this yet, additional ballsy, in your face and down your throat... statement... oh and by the way... you may repeat after me:



"Judges must resist the temptation to supplement those tools based on their own personal views about the wisdom of the policies under review," Gonzales said.

[Marnieworld]

12. But the president has to obey the law

And the law isn't an opinion. What madness has the country been infected with? That room should have left in protest.

[jamesinca]

144. They are setting up legal opinion as "activist judges"

Any judge that should write a legal opinion that should go against the wishes of the current administration will be considered an activist judge. The right wing has already grabbed onto the idea that they are bad people and should be run out of their appointments. Let one of them dissent and they will be labeled an activist judge. Activist judge is part of the vocabulary, now is when it starts getting used.

[xxqqqzme]

13. wow that slippery slope is more steep and

slippery than I thought. Who knew the slide would be so fast? speedy doesn't miss a beat does he? Wonder what he's been promised?

Any interviews of any judiciary at this conference?

[0007]

14. Gonzales is the butt of all ugly jokes on Democracy & Truth!

"Rice Anoints Gonzales As “The Highest Legal Authority In The Country”"

[underpants]

34. He has a compelling personal story

he does

[acmavm]

41. Just out of curiousity, what does that have to do with anything?

[underpants]

51. He has a compelling personal story

Next speaker "I would like to make a mention of his compelling personal story..."

Nothing, it has absolutely nothing to do with anything but that was all you heard during his confirmation debate. See if they mention that they think you can't say anything negative or you hate Latinos and the great American dream....


He has been W's wingman for a long time but in the end he is actually less competent than the rest of the administration and that is saying something.

[acmavm]

54. Ahhhhhh, I see. Thanks. (By the way, I have one hell of a

compelling personal story. Why hasn't that gotten me shit????)

[underpants]

64. Have you considered

becoming a "Republican of color"?

It's hard to get in the door but once you are the sky's the limit

[acmavm]

91. What color?

[Javaman]

15. first they stack the court then they are going to do a hit job on them

now.

If things continue on this trend I say by the time the next presidential "election" rolls around, the supreme court will be completely neutered.

[bluescribbler]

72. Supreme Court neutered?

You mean it hasn't been already? It's a 5-4 Bushco lapdog.

[Javaman]

77. I have a feeling it will get worse than that.

I believe that even the lapdogs he has will sometimes disagree with moron and in that case they will be completely ignored. Or they will just roll over and play dead, much like with this bill which is colossally unconstitutional.

Where is that hack Scalia?? Mr.Constitutional Traditionalist???? He's a pig.

[acmejack]

133. I see you give him the benefit of the doubt.

I hold our porcine friends in much higher regard!

[YankeyMCC]

16. More reasons to support the mission to Mars

we need another opportunity to try and build a nation based on freedom and liberty. This experiment in deomcracy here in North America seems to be failing.

[teriyaki jones]

17. Yikes! K&R n/t

[gratuitous]

18. You don't want to be declared an enemy combatant, do you?

So, just keep an eye on your rulings there, your honor.

How naked does the threat have to be before every newspaper, network station, cable channel and radio program sees it?

[AllegroRondo]

19. This is what Fascism looks like

I want my country back.

[brentspeak]

20. Gonzales: U.S. Constitution = nothing but a bunch of "personal views"

[AnneD]

21. I was saying this to anyone that would listen after the SCOTUS

'decided' the 2000 election...they were on their way to making themselves irrelavent. They have continually (in the vast majority of cases) sided with Bush and Big Business against the individual (the worst offense was the Public Domain ruling).

The average citizen has no rights, thanks to the Patriot act and this embolden this Admin to make more drastic changes. Congress didn't stand up to Bush, the media has not stood up to Bush, and the SCOTUS has not stood up to Bush. And now THEY have to deal with the monster that THEY created. They want to wring their hand about how judges are threatened. Well hells bells, where were they when WE were threatened.:nopity: Their authority is based on the thinnest of reasons....respect. They have no army, no way to fund their decisions, etc. They rely solely on our respect of their judgment. If respect cannot be shown to the individual-don't expect it to be reciprocated.

[ryanus]

22. He's gonna get a revolution before too long

Probably what he wants anyway.

[katinmn]

49. Let's see if the judges pick up the gauntlet.

The Repukes are just daring everyone to challenge them in a big way.

They don't know when to chill.

[wryter2000]

85. My point exactly

I think this will just p*ss them off. At least, I'm hoping so.

[flyarm]

23. and here it begins..the decline to fascism

Gonzales Cautions Judges on Interfering

****and here it begins..the decline to fascism....who is this little asswipe to tell our judges anything!

he is a little mother fucker who was appointed by little lord pissy pants..

most of our judges have served this nation and our states and circuit courts to preserve our constitution..for all of the people, all of the time...who the fuck does this little prick think he is??

fuck that mother fucker! fuck him to all hell just like they are fucking prisoners..!! the same way... fuck this little prick!

fly

[Binka]

137. Fly I Love You

Fuck them all.

[allisonthegreat]

25. Simply amazing

How much this administration can get away with?...One things for certain they certainly aren't accountable for anything including what they say...we know they aren't responsible for anything they are doing, or have done.

[Tin Man]

26. K&R for the fascism

:scared:

[AndrewJacksonFaction]

27. Wonder what Glenn Greenwald has to say about this.

NT

[Az_lefty]

29. That is a f_cking threat...

what are you gonna do Gonzales, waterboard them?
:puke:

[deminks]

31. His "client" is the United States. Not El Diablo. Somebody tell him.

This little man will declare martial law soon. Mark my word.

[zonkers]

44. Twisted. Brazen. Insane. Outrageous.

[grannie4peace]

32. :wow:

this is a really big mess!it's hard to believe it is really happening, that the American public could allow this to happen. try to remember, it isn't over 'til it is, it's a sick earth and humans may think they are in control, but there is a good & kind force out there that is directing everything. all the people speaking out against it are wise and clear in the concern for man's future.add your prayers to strengthen them and to let them know there are real people out here that are so thankful they have the brassballs to speak for us and the future of mankind.

[underpants]

33. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[grannie4peace]

39. that was a trip

hi- its weird to be , i'm trying to look at it thru the eye of the history of mankind.... i have a friend who said if you keep the people struggling for a living they are too busy trying to just make it from payday to payday to think about what some crazy people in control of our country are doing... history makes it easier to bear. then there is always the clear crisp air that I know will be here long after we are gone:):) i better do something other than pound on my keyboard--- :hi:

[Canuckistanian]

35. How dare the the SCOTUS make themselves the final arbiter?

Why, that's... that's..... in the Constitution.

[datadiva]

36. Last time I looked

The United States had not Declared War! Dumbass.

[uppityperson]

37. link to whole text of remarks here

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=73444

[Straight Shooter]

86. In that statement he references Roberts and Alito.

Only Roberts and Alito.

IOW, those are the only two who matter at this time. It's a subtle ploy, but it's there.

Also, he sandwiches his onerous comments in between the rhetorical and the mundane.

[uppityperson]

92. yes, makes it hard to tell what he is saying

blah blah blah blah blah f* you people blah blah blah blah blah

[pecwae]

38. That smirking little tyrant

makes my skin crawl worse than the monkey. He probably made that threat with his perpetual evil smile. I loath the sight of him!

[fooj]

40. Your time is coming, Gonzo.

Count on it.

[Supersedeas]

42. Al Gonzo-go back to 1yr law school-Youngstown v. Sawyer--oh i forget

you now attend the Karl Rove School of Law.

We know, we know--the Constitution and the Geneva Conventions are just so quaint.

[Maat]

95. Well-put, Supersedeas ...

says this recent law school graduate.

[LeftishBrit]

43. OMG!!!!!

He ought to be impeached for that!

[knight_of_the_star]

45. Jawohl

Sieg heil herr Reichsmarshall! Uber alles deutcheland!

[John Gauger]

106. Good one. nt

[Vidar]

46. So when does Gonzales start kidnapping judges?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

69. he'll just deem them enemy combatants. that will shut their traps.

What a smarmy little bastard. How DARE he warn an independent judiciary "don't mess with us"?

[savemefromdumbya]

47. Alberto 'Himmler' Gonzales!

[katinmn]

52. Gonzo criticized the Consitution for the "independence" of federal judges

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=73444

"As a consequence of the independence that the Constitution's Framers provided, federal judges are relatively unaccountable for their decisions. This is why it is so important that judges understand their role in our constitutional democracy and hold themselves accountable to it. When the Constitutional text demands an unpopular result, judges cannot shirk from their responsibilities. They might be criticized; but that's America. In addition, respectfully, when courts issue decisions that overturn longstanding traditions or policies without proper support in text or precedent, they cannot -- and should not -- be shielded from criticism. A proper sense of judicial humility requires judges to keep in mind the institutional limitations of the judiciary and the duties expressly assigned by the Constitution to the more politically accountable branches."

[acmejack]

134. Court stripping bill, now this.

I used to wonder what it felt like to live in a dictatorship, I guess I now know the answer to that question. Or at least I soon shall have the misfortune of the experience.

[OneBlueSky]

53. generally, the Judiciary doesn't like the Executive telling them . . .

what they can and cannot do . . . in fact, the HATE it . . .

whether this applies to a stacked court, however, is another question . . .

[Mist]

75. Possibly even * appointess would balk at this. nt

[kevinmc]

55. Gonzales Cautions (Threatens) Judges on Interfering n/t

[lumpy]

56. The Constitution recognizes that the president

DOES NOT have a pre-emptive role in any area including foreign affairs, contrary to how Gonzales OR the Supreme court might interpret the tenets put forth in the Constitution. The Constitution is all about preventing the rule of one entity, whether it be aspirations to be king or dictator.

It is beyond unbelievable that Gonzales ignores Constitutional provisions and has the stupidity to state the following:

"The Constitution, by contrast, provides the courts with relatively few tools to superintend military and foreign policy decisions, especially during wartime,"

Gonzales denies and ignores the provisions/tools that the Constitution provides to protect violations by the executive branch OR the Supreme court.

The tools provided to remedy those violations consist of impeachment and criminal indictment.
The time is long past to put those remedies into effect.

[mvd]

57. Unbelievable

When the President violates the Constitution and laws, of course it's the courts' business!

"has never meant, and should never mean, that judges or their decisions should be immune from public criticism." - yet apparently, we're all supposed to support Bush's wars no matter what.

[kurth]

58. Go Fuck Yourself, Banana Republic Monkey

Goddamned fascist tool.

[w4rma]

59. FYI: This authoritarian was the primary author of the Patriot Act. (nt)

[alfredo]

60. We need to impeach, then if the Hague comes

calling, we should not fight extradition.

I am consulting an international law expert to see if our congressmen and women who are granting the bush junta immunity are now liable under international law.

[LostinVA]

61. WTF kind of fascist garbage is this?

[chat_noir]

65. a president is Commander-in-Chief only to the military

It is not a title that extends to the civilian population.

[me b zola]

66. They're wasting no time in trying out those new wheels

:scared:

[Coexist]

67. pigfuckers.

all of them.

[marmar]

70. What a ghoulish creep that bastard is...

I'm almost missing Ashcroft! :scared: :scared: :scared: Fuck him. Twice.

[scarface2004]

115. you mean fat little bastard!

get it right!

[jackster]

71. o. m. f. g.

we're toast

[sakabatou]

73. How dare you question the President when

he wipes his ass on the Constitution!

:sarcasm:

[IWantAChange]

74. And so it begins...

or should I say continues? Once the Administration gets their 'torture and detainment' bill passed by the senate - rejecting and overriding the 2 Supreme Court rulings that momentarily slowed Dubyha - the continued assault on the Judicial Branch will begin in earnest. A rubber stamp GOP Congress and a neutered Judiciary - what or whom is going to stand in the way of these power mad individuals changing the way we live for decades??

[Mister Ed]

76. Constitution makes Prez Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces ONLY

That's it. Just the Armed Forces. Not Commander-in-Chief of the USA. Not Commander-in-Chief of the Universe.

Gonzalez has been conveniently ommitting that fact whenever he speaks of this part of the Constitution.

Things are moving very, very rapidly now, people. It is no exagerration to say that the fate of the USA, and of the whole world, hangs in the balance.

[southern_belle]

78. Well, that didn't take

long, did it? :banghead:

[wryter2000]

88. Welcome to DU

:hi:

I wish it were under better circumstances.

[Julius Civitatus]

79. Gonzo to the judiciary: "Bush is our king now so STFU and dance, bitches!"

I though this translation would help those who could find the legalese too thick.

You are welcome.

[donkeyotay]

112. Thanks because I was confused

After everything got changed, the Unitary Executive was mumbling some strange shit about fighting terrism everywhere in many ways and it would take a looooooong time. Apparently we can't question him until he has accomplished this mission.

Then, I saw on tee vee where the war in Iraq had been downgraded to "The Conflict in Iraq" or "The Battle for Iraq." So, it's confusing just exactly when anyone else will ever have any say about how this country goes..... but it's all so clear when you say it.

[Julius Civitatus]

113. You're welcome

We definitely live in Orwellian times, and words have become meaningless. Everything is a slogan now.

[KamaAina]

80. Almost makes me yearn for good ol' Asscroft

and that's saying a LOT. :grr:

[Straight Shooter]

81. Yes, by all means listen to bush's judgment. He's NEVER been wrong.

:sarcasm:

Jeebers on a walking stick, a chill went up my spine when I read the AG's words. I hope all judges take this shot across the bow very seriously.

Look what you've unleashed, Congress. Just look at what the hell you have unleashed!

[wryter2000]

82. Hmmmm

I wonder how this will go over with judges. I don't think they take kindly to being told what to think. I hope this backfires in his smarmy face, big time. I hope some judges out there are just waiting for Atty General Torture to try to bring it on.

[UrbScotty]

83. Don't let personal views get in the way... got that Mr. Scalia? (nt)

[stevietheman]

89. Gonzales had better watch his words, or...

people will start forming a queue to take his ass down.

Clear unconstitutional, fascistic remarks like this must surely be stopped, one way or another.

[StrictlyRockers]

94. "We don't brook with no dissention, see?"

Take heed activist judges. I have an offer for you that you can't refuse.

[rateyes]

90. Dear AG Gonzales,

and anyone from the NSA monitoring this board without a warrant:

Take your opinion and SHOVE IT!

You big prick! We don't give a flying fuck what you think the courts ought to do. Do your job, you piece of elephant shit, and let the courts do theirs.

[geiger]

93. SO IT DIDNT EVEN TAKE 24 HOURS

and the threats have already begun.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

145. The entire bill is a threat aiming to chill free speech and dissent

nm

[Singular73]

97. He can say anything he wants.

Doesn't mean he has any authority to carry out his "views".

[Vinca]

98. Will the day ever come when you will log onto the DU and the

first item at the top of the page will be good news?? Pass the Prozac, please.

[melissinha]

99. BS, Mr. Torture Czar!

You Sir, are a contemptous sick jerkoff.

We don't conduct laws solely based on your sick twisted opinions of your boss' power.... You are a disgrace!

[jbpdx]

100. 'Wartime' is just a ruse

This whole 'being at war' is bullshit. I'm convinced now that 9/11 was orchestrated by this regime, which put us at this point.

[Totally Committed]

102. *POTTY MOUTH WARNING*

F*CK THIS BASTARD TO HELL AND BACK!

Just f*ck him.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TC

[donkeyotay]

114. Well, honestly, I just don't understand why some people hate this

administration so much. The President is just trying to do his best to protect us, and I just don't understand why the left is so angry...
:sarcasm:

[John Gauger]

104. Gonzalez protests too much

He is telling them before the law has even been signed not to overturn it? Sounds to me like someone is aware the laws unconstitutionality.

[silverweb]

105. They're going to use this new legislation to the fullest.

Ashcroft's warning of "watch what you say, watch what you do" now has teeth. Illegitimate teeth, but teeth nonetheless.

What has not been shredded of our Constitution has been subverted and the USA as we knew her is all but dead.

We have become what we have always professed to hate.

But those of us with jobs will continue to do them so that we can pay our bills and stay out of the soon-to-be-established debtors' workhouses (do you still have any doubt?). We'll collect our paychecks and shop and feed our families and pretend to go about our lives as usual... only because we don't know what else to do and still survive. And, perhaps, because hope dies hard.

But I'm so depressed I can't think -- let alone hope that anything good can ever come from this spectre of our nation again.

[michael_1166]

107. It all sounds like it has been

planned well in advance, doesn't it?
Prepare for a tough ride, I'm sure they're not finished unveiling their horrors. It might just as well be just the start.

Btw. came across this video on Google video. Judge for yourself:
http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=277826260716604258&q=beech+grove+camp

[silverweb]

120. Yes, it does.

That video is terrifying. I fear the implications are all too real and we'll soon enough see them in action.

This knot in my chest and lump in my throat and the tears in my eyes will just not go away.

[Castleman]

123. Holy. Fucking. Shit.

Dachau USA. In Indiana.
That's where we'll be going after they round us up for speaking our minds.
Well, that's where they PLAN on sending me.
I'm not going, and I plan on taking as many of them as I can when they try to get me.
Give me liberty, or give me death!



"Were you shaken, by the thunder
It will pass with the night
Don't you be frightened my child
Rest your head here awhile
I must tell you about your papa
and the price that he paid
For speaking his heart out one day
They came and took him away

Fighting here is all that remains for us now
We've stopped trying to hide our hatred inside
We're crying out loud
baby we once were so proud
Jesus where are you now

Where have you gone desparecido
I hope someone remembers your name
Where have you gone desaparecido
How can they just turn their backs to our shame
Where have you gone desaparecido
I taste your blood in the roots of this land
Where have you gone desaparecido
Mi querido, only yesterday I held your hand

There's a dark road no one speaks of
But we must live with the truth
It runs from the Plaza De Mayo
To the Rio Sumpul
They say someday, when we die, we'll ride
Wild horses in a world without end
But what do we do until then

Standing here and staring straight into the lies
They can steal all we have
But never can they steal the hope from our eyes
Baby our heart must survive
How many times must we die

Where have you gone desaparecido
I see your face in every grain of sand
Where have you gone desaparecido
Mi querido, only yesterday I held your hand"

It's scary to think that Little Steven wrote those words in 1983 about the injustices in South America, I never, for a minute dreamed it'd be like that here.

[Golden Raisin]

109. Has any member of the Democratic

"leadership" expressed their outrage at Attorney General Gonzales' opinions about the pre-eminence of our Emperor and how judges should know their places? Hillary Clinton? Reid? Pelosi? Kerry, Bill Clinton, Dean? Anyone? If these big names do not start speaking up immediately and forcefully when shit like this comes down from the Bush junta we are all going to end up incarcerated in internment camps someday soon. It should not have to be Keith Olbermann speaking up bravely. It should be the top Democrats (and the Republicans too for that matter). I'm not holding my breath.

[swimboy]

110. F. A. G.

Fuck Alberto Gonzales!

There is apparently no unplumbable depth to his shamelessness.

[MAX 1]

111. Fascism Anyone?

Fascism Anyone?
Laurence W. Britt

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free Inquiry readers may pause to read the “Affirmations of Humanism: A Statement of Principles” 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 fascism’s principles are wafting in the air today, surreptitiously masquerading as something else, challenging everything we stand for. The cliché that people and nations learn from history is not only overused, but also overestimated; often we fail to learn from history, or draw the wrong conclusions. Sadly, historical amnesia is the norm.

We are two-and-a-half generations removed from the horrors of Nazi Germany, although constant reminders jog the consciousness. German and Italian fascism form the historical models that define this twisted political worldview. Although they no longer exist, this worldview and the characteristics of these models have been imitated by protofascist regimes at various times in the twentieth century. Both the original German and Italian models and the later protofascist regimes show remarkably similar characteristics. Although many scholars question any direct connection among these regimes, few can dispute their visual similarities.

Beyond the visual, even a cursory study of these fascist and protofascist regimes reveals the absolutely striking convergence of their modus operandi. This, of course, is not a revelation to the informed political observer, but it is sometimes useful in the interests of perspective to restate obvious facts and in so doing shed needed light on current circumstances.

For the purpose of this perspective, I will consider the following regimes: Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Franco’s Spain, Salazar’s Portugal, Papadopoulos’s Greece, Pinochet’s Chile, and Suharto’s Indonesia. To be sure, they constitute a mixed bag of national identities, cultures, developmental levels, and history. But they all followed the fascist or protofascist model in obtaining, expanding, and maintaining power. Further, all these regimes have been overthrown, so a more or less complete picture of their basic characteristics and abuses is possible.

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.

2. Disdain for the importance of human rights. The regimes themselves viewed human rights as of little value and a hindrance to realizing the objectives of the ruling elite. Through clever use of propaganda, the population was brought to accept these human rights abuses by marginalizing, even demonizing, those being targeted. When abuse was egregious, the tactic was to use secrecy, denial, and disinformation.

3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause. The most significant common thread among these regimes was the use of scapegoating as a means to divert the people’s attention from other problems, to shift blame for failures, and to channel frustration in controlled directions. The methods of choice—relentless propaganda and disinformation—were usually effective. Often the regimes would incite “spontaneous” acts against the target scapegoats, usually communists, socialists, liberals, Jews, ethnic and racial minorities, traditional national enemies, members of other religions, secularists, homosexuals, and “terrorists.” Active opponents of these regimes were inevitably labeled as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.

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.

5. Rampant sexism. Beyond the simple fact that the political elite and the national culture were male-dominated, these regimes inevitably viewed women as second-class citizens. They were adamantly anti-abortion and also homophobic. These attitudes were usually codified in Draconian laws that enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country, thus lending the regime cover for its abuses.

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 regimes’ excesses.

7. Obsession with national security. Inevitably, a national security apparatus was under direct control of the ruling elite. It was usually an instrument of oppression, operating in secret and beyond any constraints. Its actions were justified under the rubric of protecting “national security,” and questioning its activities was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.

8. Religion and ruling elite tied together. Unlike communist regimes, the fascist and protofascist regimes were never proclaimed as godless by their opponents. In fact, most of the regimes attached themselves to the predominant religion of the country and chose to portray themselves as militant defenders of that religion. The fact that the ruling elite’s behavior was incompatible with the precepts of the religion was generally swept under the rug. Propaganda kept up the illusion that the ruling elites were defenders of the faith and opponents of the “godless.” A perception was manufactured that opposing the power elite was tantamount to an attack on religion.

9. Power of corporations protected. Although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control, the ability of large corporations to operate in relative freedom was not compromised. The ruling elite saw the corporate structure as a way to not only ensure military production (in developed states), but also as an additional means of social control. Members of the economic elite were often pampered by the political elite to ensure a continued mutuality of interests, especially in the repression of “have-not” citizens.

10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated. Since organized labor was seen as the one power center that could challenge the political hegemony of the ruling elite and its corporate allies, it was inevitably crushed or made powerless. The poor formed an underclass, viewed with suspicion or outright contempt. Under some regimes, being poor was considered akin to a vice.

11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts. Intellectuals and the inherent freedom of ideas and expression associated with them were anathema to these regimes. Intellectual and academic freedom were considered subversive to national security and the patriotic ideal. Universities were tightly controlled; politically unreliable faculty harassed or eliminated. Unorthodox ideas or expressions of dissent were strongly attacked, silenced, or crushed. To these regimes, art and literature should serve the national interest or they had no right to exist.

12. Obsession with crime and punishment. Most of these regimes maintained Draconian systems of criminal justice with huge prison populations. The police were often glorified and had almost unchecked power, leading to rampant abuse. “Normal” and political crime were often merged into trumped-up criminal charges and sometimes used against political opponents of the regime. Fear, and hatred, of criminals or “traitors” was often promoted among the population as an excuse for more police power.

13. Rampant cronyism and corruption. Those in business circles and close to the power elite often used their position to enrich themselves. This corruption worked both ways; the power elite would receive financial gifts and property from the economic elite, who in turn would gain the benefit of government favoritism. Members of the power elite were in a position to obtain vast wealth from other sources as well: for example, by stealing national resources. With the national security apparatus under control and the media muzzled, this corruption was largely unconstrained and not well understood by the general population.

14. Fraudulent elections. Elections in the form of plebiscites or public opinion polls were usually bogus. When actual elections with candidates were held, they would usually be perverted by the power elite to get the desired result. Common methods included maintaining control of the election machinery, intimidating and disenfranchising opposition voters, destroying or disallowing legal votes, and, as a last resort, turning to a judiciary beholden to the power elite.

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.



Note
1. Defined as a “political movement or regime tending toward or imitating Fascism”—Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary.

http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=library&page=britt_23_2

[DFW]

116. I see!

Judges shouldn't be immune from criticism.

Bush Lite should be immune from criticism.
Especially during wartime. Not wartime?


No problem, He'll make it wartime.

[L0oniX]

117. Alberto Gonzales? ...just another illegal alien

[lovuian]

119. Nothing like threatening judges like whats he going to do

arrest them???
This guy is a fascist of the hightest degree...

[iamahaingttta]

121. We need to remove these people from society...

... permanently, without fear or prejudice and by any means necessary.
These people are a blight on our species and they need to go away forever.
Unfortunately, we might get a little hurt or dirty in the process, but nothing important in this life is easy.
Ready?

[patrick t. cakes]

156. agreed

agreed, agreed, agreed. when, where, how. we see how well elections work

[Swede Atlanta]

122. How did he graduate from Law School?

I recently graduated from law school but he obviously must have missed the case of Marbury v. Madison in which Chief Justice Marshall established that the independent judiciary declares what the law is. It is exactly this distinction that made the U.S. such a departure from other political systems. The concept that a judiciary, tenured for life, that can withstand public opinion, determines what is lawful under the Constitution and what is not, is exactly what the Founding Fathers sought.

Torture guy is even less competent than I thought he was a while back.

[katty]

124. booga booga!!! Speedy's gonna git ya!!

[Endangered Specie]

125. Soo... when do they start the Two Minute Hates?

[HuffleClaw]

126. MEEEP

wow, that is just insane. unbelievable.

[wtmusic]

127. I am SO ready to see that punk frogmarched

hopefully it will happen before he destroys my country

[indepat]

128. No need for a court system when the decider decides everything

[nealmhughes]

129. Hmmm, let us see: a member of the executive branch is telling the

federal judiciary on how to rule...

No, wait! What he said in plain English is "sure our war is stupid as are our policies, but * declared war without declaring war, so STFU and let us rule on any questions." Is that right?

[Roland99]

131. Is Mr. Quaint himself issuing not-so-subtle threats to our Judiciary???

[happydreams]

132. Gonzalez has his facts wrong!

This is not "wartime". The US Congress has not declared war.

[The Wizard]

135. Democrats beware

first they came for the..................

[Megahurtz]

136. It's The New ReThuglic.

With the pushiest Nazi-ReThugs ever.

Unbelievable!:wow:

[intheflow]

139. What part of separation of powers doesn't this guy understand?

Oh, right, he's the guy arguing for the Unitary Executive abomination. :puke:

[leesa]

140. When is Gonzo going to jail where he belongs?

[williesgirl]

141. Tell asshole to forget about judges, go after GOP perverts instead.

[lonestarnot]

142. As the worm turns.

[donheld]

143. Judges are to abide by the dictators wishes

I think that's the jist of what he said, and yet many many people don't see anything wrong. If that isn't troubling then nothing will ever be troubling again.

[lonestarnot]

146. Hey Gonzales! SAFOMA!

[Desperadoe]

147. Attorney General John Newton Mitchell

also believed that he was above the law.

<snip>On February 21, 1975, Mitchell was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury and sentenced to two and a half to eight years in prison...............<snip>

<snip>As attorney general, Mitchell believed that the government's need for "law and order" justified restrictions on civil liberties. He advocated the use of wiretaps in national security cases without obtaining a court order and the right of police to employ the preventive detention of criminal suspects. He brought conspiracy charges against critics of the Vietnam War, and demonstrated a reluctance to involve the Justice Department in civil rights issues. "The Department of Justice is a law enforcement agency," he told reporters. "It is not the place to carry on a program aimed at curing the ills of society."

On February 21, 1975, Mitchell was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury and sentenced to two and a half to eight years in prison for his role in the Watergate break-in and cover-up, which he dubbed the White House horrors. Tape recordings made by President Nixon and the testimony of others involved confirmed that Mitchell had participated in meetings to plan the break-in of the Democratic party's national headquarters in the Watergate Hotel. In addition, he had met, on at least three occasions, with the president in an effort to cover up White House involvement after the burglars were discovered and arrested. In 1972, he warned reporter Carl Bernstein about a forthcoming Watergate-related article: "Katie Graham's gonna get her tit caught in a big fat wringer if that's published." This threat against the Washington Post publisher is considered the most famous threat in the history of American journalism.<snip>


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_N._Mitchell

[Gregorian]

148. Honestly, are there any judges left?

I mean, Limbaugh is on drugs. Pedophile republicans walk unfettered. Chong did time.

So which judges is he speaking to? Judge Judy?




And yes, all of the above brilliant comments. You guys are wildly fantastic. I stand on your shoulders. I have no shame that by doing so, I will also see. Underpants has 65,000 posts???!!!

[Stalwart]

149. Judges Should Not be Afraid of Gonzales

Gonzales should be (and no doubt he is) afraid of the judges. He is not the only one that is afraid. This is a another pre-emptive strike of a coward using a shock and awe strategy. He will be shocked when he no longer has a big thing to swing.

Long thread, somebody must have beat me to my subject line but I didn't see it.

[Citizen Kang]

150. War time?

I don't remember congress decalring war on anyone? Therefore we are not currently at war. and the SCOTUS, no matter how corrupted can still interpret the Constitution as they see fit.

[D23MIURG23]

151. Who the fuck does he think he is?

[colorado_ufo]

152. Stunned and speechless.

Here is a human being devoid of even a shred of pride and decency. How much less than a man!

[focusfan]

153. judges should take a stand and tell Bush he is not Lord&master

and maybe take him down a notch from his throne

[woodsgirl]

154. Bullying

has worked well for KKKarl and friends..but they are going
down. They know they can be tried for war crimes and this is a
last ditch effort to protect themselves after Nov.They also
have been talking about activist judges and making veiled and
not so veiled threats against them for some time. Anybody
heard about Kissinger making a lot of visits to the WH? Maybe
thinking about bombing Iran quietly like Cambodia during the
Vietnam war. I'm noticing these people use the same dirty
tricks over and over. This time around, let's change the
scenario...and prosecute for war crimes. Everybody who voted
for the torture of detainee's should be prosecuted as well as
the media enablers. It's the only way we can ever win back
some respect from the world.

[patrick t. cakes]

157. agreed

but what happens when they steal november. whats the next move?

[peaches2003]

155. Thanks so much.

They are so sure of themselves now they are openly demanding control of all 3 branches. This may be the reason for the whole Iraq war. They can use 'in wartime' as an excuse for their power grab.