Re: So, What IS a Fascist, anyway?

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 14:43:54 -0700, Rat & Swan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
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> Jonathan Ball wrote:
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><snip>
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>> You just don't like Bush, Freddie.  Fair enough - I don't much like him, 
>> either, probably for somewhat the same reasons - but you aren't getting 
>> anywhere calling him a "fascist".
> 
> 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 solidified
> his power by legal means, but in ways which subvert the constitution
> and popular civil liberties.  He inflames prejudices to create 
> uncritical popular support.  He (most damningly) employed preemptive
> military force against essentially harmless victims.  And he is
> closely tied to major business and industrial figures.  He runs major
> propaganda disinformation campaigns (i.e., crudely, lies like a rug).
> He, or his followers, appear(s) to be willing to fix elections.
> 
> Bush's regime has most of the classic traits of fascism.
> Don't forget that fascism had popular support in all the countries
> where it came to power.

Myself and many others use the term "fascist" to describe anyone or any
group that believes it has the right to dictate behavior to another group
or individual, and use the threat of violence, coercion, to accomplish
this imposition of will.

-dir

The greatest fine art of the future will be the making
of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.

Abraham Lincoln