Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'm sorry, but BS is BS. He served this country, and I admire him for that. But, he was being an idiot at the town hall, and appears looking more for a few minutes of fame than having any constructive substance on the issue at hand.
Mussolini: Fascism, the more it considers and observes the future and the development of humanity quite apart from political considerations of the moment, believes neither in the possibility nor the utility of perpetual peace. It thus repudiates the doctrine of Pacifism
Perpetual war is a liberal idea? I guess all those hippies were staunch conservatives, huh?
You do realize that Hitler sent communists and socialists to prison camps?
Of course, to you, as you state, "Liberal is a dirty word." Stick with that. It's better than showing ignorance of history.
"Perpetual war" as in protesting for the sake of protesting? "Perpetual war" as in fighting the capitalist and what is viewed as the big evil corporations? Honestly, the Left would be at war with anything for the sake of it. Pacifism is hardly a left wing concept as I do believe the Christians say turn the other cheek, thou shalt not kill etc.
Really, go back with an open mind and study the history of socialism, fascism and communism, realize that these are "state" concepts which is NOT right wing!! It all starts with that. Mussolini indicated that Italian fascism was the equivalent of "state" socialism or "state" capitalism. This means that the State controls business or corporations. Sound familiar? THAT history lesson is the one you should be thinking about but somehow I think you will still miss the facts and remain ignorant.
"Perpetual war" as in protesting for the sake of protesting? "Perpetual war" as in fighting the capitalist and what is viewed as the big evil corporations? Honestly, the Left would be at war with anything for the sake of it. Pacifism is hardly a left wing concept as I do believe the Christians say turn the other cheek, thou shalt not kill etc.
Really, go back with an open mind and study the history of socialism, fascism and communism, realize that these are "state" concepts which is NOT right wing!! It all starts with that. Mussolini indicated that Italian fascism was the equivalent of "state" socialism or "state" capitalism. This means that the State controls business or corporations. Sound familiar? THAT history lesson is the one you should be thinking about but somehow I think you will still miss the facts and remain ignorant.
You can't fix stupid, and the idea of separating fascism from socialism (i.e. Nazis vs. Soviets) doesn't require any sort of intellectual leap. With the educational decline of America, I'm not surprised people actually believe the two systems are right v left or otherwise different. He'd fit right in fighting for either of those countries, swallowing everything his benevolent dictator spewed about the eeeeevil bourgeois/proletariat.
Foxman and the ADL are just upset that they can't milk this for more $$$$$$$$. These professional "survivors" are disgusting. For Foxman and the ADL to breath our air is "outrageous, offensive and inappropriate"!
Quote:
Originally Posted by helenejen
"Regardless of the political differences and the substantive differences in the debate over health care, the use of Nazi symbolism is outrageous, offensive and inappropriate," said Abraham H. Foxman, [Anti-Defamation League ]National Director and a Holocaust survivor.
For those of you who are confused about Facism and didn't notice the last 8 years . 14 POINTS OF FASCISM
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.
NOTE: The above 14 Points was written in 2004 by Dr. Laurence Britt, a political scientist. Dr. Britt studied the fascist regimes of: Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile). Does any of this sound familiar?
Seems to me like it quite fitting and even more so for the current regime - aside from a few points - but the other ones are earmarks of that State society
Okay, so he makes his speech and doesnt stick around for the reply?
Grandstanding without any substance and without offering an alternative. He has a bright future as a GOP politician.
46 Million Americans have no health care. I guess the solution by the right is to let them rot? They should just keep it real and admit it.
46 million?
how many are illegals?
how many are people that dont want health care because they believe that they wont get sick?
maybe when you start giving the right answers, that 46 million number shall go down pretty damn fast.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Ya, that's always a thread killer....
