Re: So, What IS a Fascist, anyway?

usual suspect wrote:
> 
> Rat & Swan wrote:
> > But, in fact, that is very much what he is, although he doesn't see it
> > himself (as you say, "fascist" has become a dirty word).  He took
> > power by legal means, but without winning an election.
> 
> He won the election.

Since when is being appointed by the Supreme Court winning an election?

> > He solidified
> > his power by legal means, but in ways which subvert the constitution
> 
> Ipse dixit.
> 
> > and popular civil liberties.
> 
> Ipse dixit.
> 
> > He inflames prejudices to create uncritical popular support.
> 
> Ipse dixit. I think he's been far too kind to the "religion of peace."
> While he wishes Muslims a happy Eid, the ones here in Austin tempered
> their joy by remembering the "innocent blood being spilled in Iraq and
> Afghanistan," and pledging support for Usama bin Laden.
> 
> > He (most damningly) employed preemptive
> > military force against essentially harmless victims.
> 
> Sadam? Uday? Qusay?
> 
> > And he is closely tied to major business and industrial figures.
> 
> So are Bill and Hillary, Albert Arnold Gore (Jr), and most politicians.
> 
> > He runs major
> > propaganda disinformation campaigns (i.e., crudely, lies like a rug).
> 
> Ipse dixit.
> 
> > He, or his followers, appear(s) to be willing to fix elections.
> 
> Slander, ipse dixit.
> 
> > Bush's regime has most of the classic traits of fascism.
> 
> "The word Fascism has now no meaning except in so far as it signifies
> 'something not desirable.'"
> 
> George Orwell
> "Politics and the English Language", 1946
> 
> Fascism has a very specific meaning, or at least it used to. Orwell was
> right.
> 
> > Don't forget that fascism had popular support in all the countries
> > where it came to power.
> 
> Other than revolutionary communism, what movements HAVEN'T had popular
> support when they came to power?

-- 
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a
revolutionary act.
- George Orwell