Re: So, What IS a Fascist, anyway?

David I. Raines wrote:

> On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 14:43:54 -0700, Rat & Swan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > Jonathan Ball wrote:
> >
> > <snip>
> >
> > > 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.

That makes "aras" fascists.