Fascism Refresher

[Nordmadr]

14 Characteristics of Fascism as presented by Dr. Lawrence Britt:

The 14 characteristics are:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism -- Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia.
Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights -- Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that
human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need". The people tend to 'look the other way' or even approve of torture, summary executions,
assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause -- The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived
common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military -- Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding,
and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

More:
http://www.anotheramerica.org/fascism.htm


So does anyone care to guess how many of those the "United Corporations of America" is currently exhibiting? I'll give you three guesses.


Fascism
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
Oppressive, dictatorial control.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=fascism



When Fascism Comes to America

by Maureen Farrell



I. When Fascism Comes to America, It Will Be Embraced by FOX News

"The American fascist would prefer not to use violence. His method is to poison the channels of public information. With a fascist the problem is never how best to present the truth to the public but how best to use the news to deceive the public. . ."– Former Vice President Henry A. Wallace, the New York Times, April 9, 1944

"Fox is not objective. Fox is a Republican propaganda machine." – Roger Ebert

In 1944, Henry A. Wallace, one of three Vice Presidents to serve under Franklin D. Roosevelt, assessed the threat of fascism in America and predicted that the time might come when the media was in collusion with the ruling power. "American fascism will not be really dangerous until there is a purposeful coalition among the cartelists, the deliberate poisoners of public information. . . ," he wrote.

Decades later, during the first Gulf War, the media dutifully regurgitated propaganda while those in power did, in fact, "use the news to deceive the public." But the public remained so fully gullible that by the time the Bush Cartel's "Operation Iraqi Freedom" hit TV screens, the "deliberate poisoners of public information" didn't even have to break a sweat to fool us twice.

http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/04/09/far04031.html



Olafr

[Nordmadr]

1. The Real Threat of Fascism

The Real Threat of Fascism
by Paul Bigioni

Observing political and economic discourse in North America since the 1970’s leads to an inescapable conclusion: the vast bulk of legislative activity favors the interests of large commercial enterprises. Big business is very well off, and successive Canadian and U.S. governments, of whatever political stripe, have made this their primary objective for at least the last 25 years. Digging deeper into twentieth century history, one finds this steadfast focus on the well-being of big business in other times and places. The exaltation of big business at the expense of the citizen was a central characteristic of government policy in Germany and Italy in the years before those countries were chewed to bits and spat out by fascism. Fascist dictatorships were borne to power in each of these countries by big business, and they served the interests of big business with remarkable ferocity. These facts have been lost to the popular consciousness in North America. Fascism could therefore return to us, and we will not even recognize it. Indeed, Huey Long, one of America’s most brilliant and most corrupt politicians, was once asked if America would ever see fascism. His answer was, “Yes, but we will call it anti-fascism”.

By exploring the disturbing parallels between our own time and the era of overt fascism, I am confident that we can avoid the same hideous mistakes. At present, we live in a constitutional democracy. The tools necessary to protect ourselves from fascism remain in the hands of the citizen. All the same, I believe that North America is on a fascist trajectory. We must recognize this threat for what it is, and we must change course. I propose to identify the core economic elements of fascism. In doing so, I will show that present-day political fashions are leading us down the path already trodden by Italy and Germany.

Consider the words of Thurman Arnold, head of the Anti-trust Section of the U.S. Department of Justice in 1939:


“Germany, of course, has developed within 15 years from an industrial autocracy into a dictatorship. Most people are under the impression that the power of Hitler was the result of his demagogic blandishments and appeals to the mob… Actually, Hitler holds his power through the final and inevitable development of the uncontrolled tendency to combine in restraint of trade.”

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0930-25.htm

Olafr

[DIKB]

2. Old American Century has a great

Illustrated look at the 14 points of Fascism - http://www.oldamericancentury.com/14pts.htm

It really brings it home.

[Democrats_win]

3. "3 Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause"

Never thought of those stupid books (e.g. Hannitiy´s "Deliver us...defeating terrorism, despotism, and liberalism")in that context.

We´ve certainly seen this trend for maybe 30 years now. It does take a while to turn humans into an angry mob. As the economy tanks, it´ll get worse.

[MissMarple]

4. Sheila Samples article linked at the site...."Freedom to Fascism...

A Bumpy Ride"

"Republicans don't seem to realize that they are no longer individual members of a coherent "party," but are merely part of a mean-spirited and dangerous movement that is theatening to sweep away democracy as we know it."

http://207.44.245.159/article7054.htm

[Nordmadr]

5. That article is a good read. Like everything else I read these

days though, it just makes my blood boil further. Where are all the heroes?

Olafr

[radio4progressives]

6. K&R - at least kicked!

i tried to recommend this thread but got a "24 hour" rule error message ..

so... i'll just kick this instead!

:kick: :applause: