NEWS & POLITICS  
Campaign for America's Future / By Sara Robinson
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 614

7 Ways We Can Fight Back Against the Rising Fascist Threat

Why the right-wing extremism must be stopped in its tracks or else we face the threat of outright violence and goon rule.
August 13, 2009  |  
 
 
LIKE THIS ARTICLE ?
Join our mailing list:

Sign up to stay up to date on the latest News & Politics headlines via email.

 
 
Advertisement
 

Second: Think nationally, fight locally. The conservatives are running this effort as a national campaign -- but that's not where the real fight is. The terror that fuels fascism is always intensely, intimately local in scale.

Fascist goon squads always recruit from the neighborhood -- they're built on people you know. Since that's where they start, that's where they have to be stopped.

This is why all the best tactics involve community-level action. The high-level fight in Congress and the media is already under way, and the Democratic leadership is fighting it with unusual elan. But anybody who sits this one out because they assume that the folks in D.C. have it all handled for them shouldn't be surprised when they start getting "special treatment" from longtime neighbors, or discover that they can't park their car downtown any more without having it vandalized.

That's just the next baby step up from where we are now; and in some places, it's already started to happen. Winning this means getting out there and defending our community's standards and boundaries now, while they're still there to be defended.

Third: Brush up on our nonviolent resistance -- but leave the heavy lifting and rough enforcement to the cops. It's true that the only way to stop a bully is to stand up to them. But there are ways to stand up to them that don't involve getting down to the eye-for-an-eye level.

Back home, we had a saying: "Never mudwrestle a pig. You will lose, and the pig enjoys it."

If we meet thuggery with thuggery, we will lose, because they're just plain better at it. And make no mistake: they will enjoy it. Right now, the right wing is looking -- hard -- to make the case that they're the innocent victim and the left instigated this whole thing. This quote from religious right organizer Gary Bauer is typical of the genre:

My fear, given the stakes and emotions on both sides, is that union thugs, ACORN activists and left-wing anarchists (who ransacked the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul during last year's Republican National Convention) will turn violent, and innocent people will get hurt. If that happens, the radical left will bear the responsibility for demonizing free speech.

The Nazis used this kind of victim-blaming to tremendous effect as they built up their party.

We must not -- must not -- give our proto-brownshirts any basis to make the same kind of argument. (Of course, the absence of evidence will only drive them to make up fake victims; but then we get to call them out as whining liars with a big fat persecution complex, which is always a fun way to spend a news cycle or two.)

It's about the moral high ground, people. Any choices we make must be consistent with our own values, or we betray both ourselves and the country.

Standing up for health care reform is important; but before that, the country needs to see us standing up for civil discourse and the right to democratic free speech. Since we're defending the rule of law, our best tactic is to use that law.

You have a right to attend a public meeting and speak your mind in a civil, respectful manner. You do not have a right to be disruptive or deprive other people of their right to be heard. And most jurisdictions have laws about disturbing the peace and creating a public nuisance -- laws, let's not forget, that the Bush regime didn't hesitate to stretch until the elastic gave out against people who merely showed up at meetings with the wrong bumper stickers or T-shirts.

Since we're not Bush goons, we can't go around arresting people who haven't yet broken any laws. But when people -- from either side -- cross that line, it's time for the cops and prosecutors to make the point for us: bullying people in a public meeting (or anywhere else) is illegal and will not be tolerated in this county.

Fourth: We need to make absolutely sure that the media get the story right. The teabaggers would run out of power with the flick of a switch if the media would just turn off their cameras. But the cold reality is that this kind of drama is a real ratings-booster.

It would be like telling lions to lay off that elephant carcass. Left alone, the media (local news in particular) will turn these people into cultural heroes. They couldn't turn their backs on this if the republic depended on it.

Since we can't beat 'em, we'll have to join 'em. The best cure for bad speech is always more speech. This means bringing cameras and documenting everything, getting it up on YouTube, and blogging it.

It also means coordinating rapid-response letterwriting to the local paper and keeping down-home reporters well-fed every single day with some new theme that reinforces the idea of concerned nonpartisan citizens trying to keep control over their democratic discourse in the face of organized thugs. Since the media are watching, let's make sure they see it all.


View as a single page
 
Sara Robinson is a fellow at the Campaign for America's Future and a consulting partner with the Cognitive Policy Works in Seattle. One of the few trained social futurists in North America, she has blogged on authoritarian and extremist movements at Orcinus since 2006, and is a founding member of Group News Blog.
Email
Print
Share
Post on reddit
Post on stumbleupon
Post on facebook
Post on digg
Post on twitter
Post on delicious
LIKED THIS ARTICLE? JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Stay up to date with the latest News & Politics headlines via email
See more stories tagged with: fascism, republicans, gop, first amendment, protests, teabaggers, town hall

comments COMMENTS ( 614 )
READ COMMENTS
LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST A COMMENT
 

Comments are closed-

I started reading...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: tjg1984 on Aug 13, 2009 12:31 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
but I had to stop when you said that the "anti-health care rioters" are "all about race." After that, I am no longer able to take you seriously. And all of the many people who hold the position you describe as "all about race" but for whom it is not about race dismiss you.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Join our new progressive political party Posted by: www.democratz.org
» The GOPranos. The Republi KLAN party Posted by: www.democratz.org
» RE: I started reading... Posted by: mythmorph
» RE: True... Posted by: Cybershaman
» I think... Posted by: katnip
» No... Posted by: katnip
» "Strong" majority? Posted by: brunowe
» RE: "Strong" majority? Posted by: Birdland
» RE: "Strong" majority? Posted by: Birdland
» Grrr... Posted by: photon's feather
» So let me get this straight Posted by: katnip
» Quannah.... you are a COWARD! Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: I started reading... Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» That's absurd Posted by: photon's feather
» RE: I started reading... Posted by: aichbe
» Join our new progressive political party Posted by: www.democratz.org
» TRUTHINESS FROM VOTEVETS.ORG! Posted by: foreverhope
» RE: I started reading... Posted by: yesman
» RE: I started reading... Posted by: Wilde
» RE: Hmmm Fascism? Posted by: theweel

Comments are closed-

Why Defend Obama or the Democrats ? : "Medicare for All"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mmckinl on Aug 13, 2009 12:38 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We need our own chant:

" Medicare For All "

Does anybody know what Obamacare actually is? What backroom deals we haven't heard about yet?

Yes ... action needs to be taken, but not to defend Obama and the Democrats but to promote single payer "Medicare for All". That'll shut the Hooligans up ... they don't even know that Medicare is a socialist program ... and we will be telling Obama and the Dems to cut the crap and get America the health care we deserve at the price we can afford ...

Obama and the Dems want to spend MORE MONEY! We already spend 60% or more than the other G7 countries that have single payer and we have worse outcomes! And take a wild guess where all that new money ends up ... yep ... right in the pockets of Big Pharma and the Health Care Companies .... !

No ... our call is clear ... we demand the solution ... not more Right Wing Malarkey and not more Obamacare Bull Shit ... Demand "Medicare for All" ...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» I rest my case Posted by: pelican beak
» Smoke and Mirrors, Posted by: pelican beak
» Tell us, Prophit/CynicI.... Posted by: Quannah
» RE: Tell us, Prophit/CynicI.... Posted by: Benn_Miller
» I'm a "right-winger", Max?" Posted by: GuitarBill
» Idiots Need to Get A Life Posted by: Aimleft
» RE: Do not feed the trolls Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» RE: It's CRIME FIGHTING TIME ! Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» RE: It's CRIME FIGHTING TIME ! Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: It's CRIME FIGHTING TIME ! Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» RE: It's CRIME FIGHTING TIME ! Posted by: maxpayne

Comments are closed-

AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: foreverhope on Aug 13, 2009 1:01 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
PRIVATE FOR PROFIT HEALTHCARE IS AN OXYMORON!

More than two thirds of the American people want a single payer health care system. And if they cant have a single payer system 76% of all Americans want a strong government-run public option on day one (85% of democrats, 71% of independents, and 60% republicans). Basically everyone.

It’s official. America and the World are now in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. A World EPIDEMIC with potential catastrophic consequences for ALL of the American people. The first PANDEMIC in 41 years. And WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES will have to face this PANDEMIC with the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed World.

STAND READY AMERICA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF YOUR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

We spend over twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other country in the World. And Individual American spend about ten times as much out of pocket on healthcare as any other people in the World. All because of GREED! And the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare system in America.

And while all this is going on, some members of congress seem mostly concern about how to protect the corporate PROFITS! of our GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT NATIONAL DISGRACE. A PRIVATE FOR PROFIT DISGRACE that is in fact, totally valueless to the public health. And a detriment to national security, public safety, and the public health.

Progressive democrats the Tri-Caucus and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust government-run public option for all Americans, with all of the minimum requirements progressive democrats demanded. If congress can not pass a robust public option with at least 51 votes and all robust minimum requirements, congress should immediately move to scrap healthcare reform and request that President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676 (A Single-payer National Healthcare Plan For All).

Coverage can begin immediately through our current medicare system. With immediate expansion through recruitment of displaced workers from the canceled private sector insurance industry. Funding can also begin immediately by substitution of payroll deductions for private insurance plans with payroll deductions for the national healthcare plan. This is what the vast majority of the American people want. And this is what all objective experts unanimously agree would be the best, and most cost effective for the American people and our economy.

In Mexico on average people who received medical care for H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died. This has been the same results in the US. But 50 million Americans don’t even have any healthcare coverage. And at least 200 million of you with insurance could not get in to see your private insurance plans doctors in 2 or 3 days, even if your life depended on it. WHICH IT DOES!

If President Obama has to declare a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY to rescue the American people from our healthcare crisis, he will need all the sustained support you can give him. STICK WITH HIM! He’s doing a brilliant job.

THIS IS THE BIG ONE!

THE BATTLE OF GOOD Vs EVIL!

Join the fight.

Contact congress and your representatives NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD!

God Bless You

Jacksmith – WORKING CLASS

(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ian-welsh /americans-lives-vs-insura_b_241703.html

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Your stats are BS Posted by: progressive-life
» RE: Your stats are BS Posted by: mythmorph
» RE: I call bullplop! Posted by: Ghoulman
» RE: Your stats are BS Posted by: progressive-life
» It's everyones' favorite paid shill. Posted by: wolfgangmo75
» Obama way below 50% Posted by: progressive-life
» RE: Utter rubbish. Posted by: Ghoulman
» RE: Obama way below 50% Posted by: aichbe
» RE: Obama way below 50% Posted by: Birdland
» RE: Your stats are BS Posted by: Quannah
» RE: Your stats are BS Posted by: aichbe
» RE: Your stats are BS Posted by: aichbe
» RE: Your stats are BS Posted by: Birdland
» RE: GREAT Post; Great Summary Posted by: mythmorph
» RE: That's a possiblility Posted by: Ghoulman
» Stop the pandemic screeching Posted by: photon's feather

Comments are closed-

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH! LET'S TAKE IT TO THE STREETS!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: foreverhope on Aug 13, 2009 1:06 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
For What It's Worth by the Buffalo Springfield

There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound

Everybody look what's going down
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind

I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side

It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

Paranoia strikes deep
INTO YOUR LIFE IT WILL CREEP!
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away

We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» You think we don't know you? Posted by: foreverhope
» You are sick. Posted by: Aimleft
» You are sick also. Posted by: Aimleft
» blah blah blah blah Posted by: Caleb Darkstar
» A SPOT ON YOUR AMEN Posted by: americansheep
» I agree 100% Posted by: progressive-life
» But... Posted by: progressive-life
» Name one Posted by: wolfgangmo75

Comments are closed-

7 ways to stop Marxism
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Macarthur on Aug 13, 2009 1:27 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
1) Don't fall for the race card. The Left elected Obama, not because he has any intelligence, but because he is black. For four long years, no one can criticize Dear Leader, because anyone who criticizes any black man not named Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell, or Bill Cosby is a racist fascist. Don't fall for it! Keep screaming and shouting! If Colin Powell and Clarence Thomas ran on a ticket in 2012, not only would I vote for them, I would volunteer! And if McCain/Feingold didn't ban the First Amendment, I would donate all my money to them! And you assholes call me a racist?! You're the racist, for playing the race card, stirring the pot, and belittling REAL racism!

2) Buy your guns while you can. The Obama Media is all over the patriotic New Hampshire citizen who celebrated both Thomas Jefferson (the greatest man who ever lived) and the Second Amendment. This man did nothing wrong and broke no laws. Obviously, the Loony Left hates the Second Amendment, and like Hitler, wants to impose gun control. Buy your guns while you can and prepare for the coming civil war!

3) Call your representatives. Tell them their career is toast if they vote for Obamacare. Obama is a liar. He says he does not support single-payer death care, even though he said a few years ago that he does! Like the income tax of 1913, the Democrat agenda is to put their foot in the door, establish legislative precedent, and expand expand expand! Obama claimed a few years ago that it's a process that will take 15 or 20 years. This is just the first step! Don't fall for his lies! Just yesterday in New Hampshire, he claimed that the AARP endorsed his plan. LIAR! The AARP immediately released a statement claiming that was "inaccurate." OBAMA LIES ABOUT EVERYTHING!

4) No matter how many times Alternet bans you, keep logging on! It's well known that loser communists can't handle any level of competition. Whether it's economic, physical, athletic, intellectual, whatever, Democrats are born losers. I know many that have already fled to Canada, because they hate America and the "rise of fascism." Keep it up! Let's scare more of these bed-wetters up north. And when they try and get back in for superior health care, use your second amendment to keep them on their side of the border.

5) Watch more Fox News. During the horrible Bush years, my favorite cable news network was MSNBC, because I enjoy dissent. I hated Fox News! But now, I am forced to watch Fox, because it's the one and only source of dissent. MSNBC is an absolute joke now, and CNN only covers Michael Jackson...yes, he's still dead. If you want any dissent whatsoever, Fox is the only choice.

6) Get a dictionary. Marxist Alternuts have no idea what words like liberal or fascism mean. Learn the real definitions, and understand how the real liberals are Ron Paul libertarians, and big-government Obama freaks who think taxpayer-ownership of Government Motors is a good idea are the real fascists.

7) Did I say buy a gun? Well, BUY MORE GUNS. A civil war is coming. The patriots might be outnumbered, but hell, we got the guns. We're not going down without a fight! As the great patriot of New Hampshire reminded us...

The tree of liberty must be watered from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

The day of reckoning is coming.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: tjg1984
» to tjg1984, excellent post! Posted by: Macarthur
» RE: Buy a clue. Posted by: Ghoulman
» Rape? Really? Posted by: Macarthur
» Stupid Any? Posted by: Aimleft
» RE: Rape? Really? Posted by: Ghoulman
» FOREVERDOPE???? *LOL* n/t Posted by: progressive-life
» I'm so so sorry Lauren Honey! Posted by: foreverhope
» ALERT TO TROLL PATROLLERS! Posted by: foreverhope
» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: bulbman
» RE: Buy guns and dictionaries! Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» RE: talking about Marxism... Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: progressive-life
» RE: This guy is SICK Posted by: mythmorph
» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: desidid
» INTERVENTION FOR YOUR "HEAVY MENTAL" Posted by: americansheep
» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: robert.noll
» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: luzmejor
» 6) Get a dictionary. Posted by: CanuckKid
» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: ayudame
» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: ericksonml@sbcglobal.net
» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: ericksonml@sbcglobal.net
» RE: 7 ways to stop Marxism Posted by: ericksonml@sbcglobal.net

Comments are closed-

These Jack Boots Were Made For Walkin'
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Tom Degan on Aug 13, 2009 1:44 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually"

James Baldwin


"Calm down. You're overreacting. We're nowhere near there yet."

Well that's certainly good to know - or am I kidding myself here? Truth be told, all the signs are there as this piece points out. The reaction of some in this silly country to the election of a black guy to the presidency is disturbing to be sure.

Why are they reacting like this? Having an African American as president as chief-executive is no milestone event. Think about it for a minute or two: What will Barack Obama be doing for the next eight years? The same thing that black people have been doing for the last four centuries: Cleaning up the mess left behind by lazy and ignorant white people. What's the bis deal?

The GOP's Little Image Problem

Tom Degan
Goshen, NY

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Marxist? Posted by: HeroesAll
» Inconceivable! Posted by: Macarthur
» RE: Marxist? Posted by: taxidave
» Almost laughable? Posted by: Aimleft
» RE: Marxist? Posted by: progressive-life
» Fuckhead moron? Posted by: Macarthur
» Oh come on, you love it. Posted by: Aimleft
» Tom, you need some sunshine. Posted by: Macarthur
» Gee, Mac Posted by: Aimleft
» RE: Macarthur, you need some manners Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» RE: Yeah, I'm sick of Tom Degan, too! Posted by: Allstar Cookie
» Some suggestions for you, Tom.. Posted by: grindermonkey
» RE: Yeah, I'm sick of Tom Degan, too! Posted by: progressive-life
» RE: oh, nice. Bring it on! Posted by: Ghoulman
» Ha Ha! America wins again! Posted by: Macarthur
» RE: Ha Ha! America wins again! Posted by: Ghoulman
» RE: Just keep playin... Posted by: beijaflor
» Baldwin? Posted by: johnwinthrop
» Give the racism BS a break! Posted by: progressive-life
» RE: Easy to say... Posted by: Ghoulman

Comments are closed-

Heads up: Obama is a neocon
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Perry Logan on Aug 13, 2009 2:51 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Both the author and the townhall protesters seem unaware that Obama is a neocon.

We have come to expect the folks on the right to be delusional. There's a reason we call them wingnuts. But progressives have got to get over this cognitive dissonance problem they're having with the Obama administration.

The big news. as most AlterNet readers know, is not that right-wingers are irrational Nazi wannabees. It's that Obama and much of the Democratic leadership are batting for the other team.

If they had a little more sense, the townhall and teabag people would be celebrating having another one of their own in the White House.

I'm especially concerned about charges of racism against anyone who opposes Obama. A Democrat racism as a political tool is a very, very bad sign.

In case you missed it, the Obama campaign used racism as a political tool is documented in Sean Wilentz article, Race Man.

The Obama people also used misogyny against Hillary and her supporters. These people are not Democrats.

One commenter (possibly a white guy?) suggested we buy guns. He should head over to StormFront, where stocking up on guns and ammo is all the rage.


Video: Obama's Bait & Switch Presidency

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Obama is NOT a neocon... Posted by: Ghoulman

Comments are closed-

Pay Royalty
[Report this comment]
Posted by: johnwinthrop on Aug 13, 2009 3:24 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Ever hear of copyright laws?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

THOSE WHO REAMAIN SILENT ARE COMPLICIT
[Report this comment]
Posted by: drricklippin on Aug 13, 2009 4:05 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We have an obligation to bear witness and act now. Waiting is not an option.

We have a genuine internal terrorist threat in this nation that goes far beyond the need to protect free speech.

We are dangerously close to something horrible happenning.

If we remain silent now we will be complicit when this horrible event occurs

Dr. Rick Lippin
Southampton,Pa

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: THOSE WHO REAMAIN SILENT ARE COMPLICIT Posted by: huntswithboomstick

Comments are closed-

For every action
[Report this comment]
Posted by: aahpat on Aug 13, 2009 4:27 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There needs to be an equal and opposite reaction.

If you don't like the political expression of violent bullies and thugs then you need to dust off your Gandhi and Martin Luther King peaceful counter-protest tactics and get out there in the faces of the thugs.

Way, way back in the anti Vietnam and civil rights protest days we did not encounter universal support and acceptance. No, we faced police with water cannons, angry dogs unleashed on us and right-wing union thugs who were escorted into protest crowds by police for the specific purpose of instigating violence. Then the police would arrests the peace or civil rights protesters while ignoring the instigators and fascist thugs.

Today, unlike in the 1960-70's, you folks have it easy. The federal government is on the side of the non-violent citizens.

All that you have to do to shut down these extremists is to be peaceful and confront them. Stand up for your values.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: For every action Posted by: Femmy68
» Femmy68 Posted by: aahpat
» RE: For every action Posted by: songbird1268
» RE: For every action Posted by: aahpat

Comments are closed-

Sara's not being honest here
[Report this comment]
Posted by: logansafi on Aug 13, 2009 4:33 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sara starts off with all the supposed reasons most of us reject her Chicken Little prattle about 'Fascism is Coming! Fascism is coming!' and she's wrong on all counts. We reject her because she is using these hysterical shouts of hers to shill for the Democratic Party hacks who want to continue the Health Care mess with a few minor manipulations. Here is the analysis of hers we totally reject...

'The high-level fight in Congress and the media is already under way, and the Democratic leadership is fighting it with unusual elan.'

What a pile of crap! And what a pile of crap is all her hysteria about these usual gang of nitwit and loud mouthed Rightists out there, too. And too bad the mealie mouthed liberal DP voters never opened their mouths in simple rage before.

That's because people like Sara have been all telling them to just depend on lobbying Democrats and vote for them! and to do it all nice and politely. That's just not enough, Sara. Obama's no Saint and you have it all wrong. Your Democrats are going to much it all up like they did 16 years before simply because people like you, Sara, demobilize them with nitwit advice and rhetoric.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Is anybody else sick of Macarthur?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: bulbman on Aug 13, 2009 4:42 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Excellent, Mainspark! Posted by: Aimleft
» RE: xcellent, Mainspark! Posted by: foreverhope
» RE: xcellent, Mainspark! Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» RE: RIGHT HAND AT WORK Posted by: americansheep
» RE: IGHT HAND AT WORK Posted by: Sister_Lauren

Comments are closed-

Good luck folks
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Mathew Trisencusean on Aug 13, 2009 4:47 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Right wing American thugs have been terrorising the whole planet for the last fifty years.We havent been able to slow you down yet and weve tried pretty much everything suggested in this article.
If you do manage to kerb the thuggery in your own neighbourhoods it would be cool if you could bring yourselves to stop blowing up kids in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Good luck folks Posted by: Jeremiahiii
» YES! BINGO! Posted by: foreverhope

Comments are closed-

Why not just remove the elephant carcass?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: The Other Katherine Harris on Aug 13, 2009 4:56 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I agree with all you say about our fascist threat, Sara, but not about throwing ourselves into the fray.

This media circus can't go on if there's nothing to air or write about. Officials need to stop holding mass meetings and instead book private appointments with constiuents (individually or in small groups) and hold press conferences that require credentials to get in.

There's nothing to be gained by continuing the public spectacle. It feeds the frenzy and will inevitably lead to serious violence.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Your Both Right and Wrong
[Report this comment]
Posted by: bcainw on Aug 13, 2009 5:28 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You are correct in understanding that we are headed toward the final stages of fascism. But the right/left wing dichotomy is old and inaccurate. And you tend to side with the psuedo-Obama-Left as you paint the opponents of Obama's health care plan as right wing nuts.

What we need is Single Payer which does not allow any Illegal Aliens into the program. Anything else will not be fair, will descriminate against older Americans in favor of Illegal Immigrants who are largely much younger and cheaper to insure. The sad reality is that much of what Obama is doing favors Illegal Aliens at the expence of Legal American Citizens: especially older Legal American Citizens.

The problem is global in scope. Goto my website:

www.newagecitizen.com

Read the article that I wrote in October 2008:

"Curious Obama: Globalist Traitor"

This will give you the "big picture" of what is really going on. It is sad just how prescient this essay was. Frankly I wish I was completely wrong: but my record is pretty good.

We are in big trouble. Buy fire arms for your protection. Organize locally. Prepare for civil war. I truly hope it does not come to that.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Your Both Right and Wrong Posted by: fred_53_99
» RE: credible manners??? Posted by: beijaflor
» RE: credible manners??? Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: credible manners??? Posted by: beijaflor
» RE: credible manners??? Posted by: maxpayne

Comments are closed-

Third Stage: We're In It
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Lilly on Aug 13, 2009 5:32 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Those who read Sara Robinson's August 7 exegesis of Robert Paxton on Fascism---and who, as I did, printed it out and keep referring to it---will by now have recognized that we are in Paxton's Stage 3 of a developing Fascist society. Yesterday, anyone who watched Senator Grassley on television felt the horrible shock of recognition. The very Congressman who, one day earlier, had been praised by the President as being reasonable and working for compromise, validated the thugs and crazies when a woman spoke of death panels and forced euthanasia and Grassley prefaced his reply to her with the words "You have every right to fear".

It's one thing when an uneducated big-bellied gun-toting chain-smoking beer-swilling gays-hating evolution-spurning fool sits in his Alabama trailer court passing rumors. It's another when a United States Congressman passes the same rumors, and the whole business is raised by many powers when the rumor-passing is done for political gain and thus becomes part of a political platform. Grassley's real message was "If only you will vote for me next time around, I will abandon whatever I said yesterday and make common cause with zealots". The worst are indeed now full of passionate intensity, and unless they can be checked, we will no longer exist as the same nation we have been. I do not feel optimistic, led as we are by Mr Nice Guy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Chuck Grassley has the solution! Posted by: Sister_Lauren

Comments are closed-

*Sigh*
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Femmy68 on Aug 13, 2009 5:39 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And the comments quoting the fear mongering propaganda begin....
Come on people, these claims about eliminating medicare or forcing medicare-like plans on those who already have coverage and like what they have are just propaganda. These are exactly the lies the repugs are spreading and you're falling into it if you are repeating it. Quit taking the far right headlines seriously and look up the actual documentation. The proposals are a matter of public record. You can read them for yourself and use your favorite dictionary for any political terms you don't understand. You will quickly find that the Administration is trying to mimic the most successful healthcare systems out there, a hybrid system much like what France has. There is NO SUCH THING as a "DEATH PANEL". The Counseling they're speaking of is something that's available at every hospital in the nation. Its a matter of informing the elderly of their rights at that stage of their lives. Most just don't know about it because they don't know the right questions to ask. I have worked in the offices that offer this type of information and its something that has needed to be done for years. Don't believe the crap, research it. See it for yourself. The Repugs don't want the elderly to know the facts because they want them to think the medicare replacement plans are a better deal when they're definitely NOT. I know...I verified the benefits for admissions for years. That's money in the rich insurance companies' pockets. THAT is why they pay so much to lobbyists. They don't want to lose that money. Now who's REALLY out to get Grandma?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: *Sigh* watch senator snake in the grassley Posted by: wagnerrocks@gmail.com
» RE: MAX!!! Posted by: beijaflor
» RE: MAX!!! Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: MAX!!! Posted by: beijaflor
» RE: MAX!!! Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: MAX!!! Posted by: Benn_Miller

Comments are closed-

Fascism is for Government
[Report this comment]
Posted by: snowhound on Aug 13, 2009 5:41 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You are all falling for the big scheme that the media is playing out to divide the people. This health care bill does very little to reduce the costs of healthcare to the taxpayer. It gives the federal government more control over your personal health. The current system is not much better and we can blame Bush for the Prescription Drug Program that guarantees huge profits to the Pharmaceutical Industry but this bill does nothing to change that. I have an idea! Why doesn't Mr. Obama start removing some of the Acts that Bush pushed through while nobody was paying attention, like the Patriot Act and the Military Commissions Act which have removed Habeas Corpus for American citizens. Maybe Bush enacted these things because he knew that someday the government would need to use them on Americans, and maybe the war Terrorism was a way to do it. People need to wake up and see who the real Fascist threat in this country is. It's the Government, Corporations, and there Media outlets that are the real threat to Liberty.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Fascism is for Government Posted by: maxpayne

Comments are closed-

No Longer In doubt
[Report this comment]
Posted by: When In Doubt on Aug 13, 2009 5:43 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It seems Sara Robinson struck a real nerve of the rightwingers....majority of the comments prove her point...

Heed her words...it's later than she thinks.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Fascism is already in place in our Corporate Tyranny that has our government bought and paid for
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mtcloud on Aug 13, 2009 5:51 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Isn't it obvious by--
--The Bailout, which has only bailed out the corporations?
--The 9/11 coverup?
--The documented proof now out of the Corporate assasinations of John & Bobby Kennedy, MLK, Malcom X?
--Corporate Death camps like Guantanamo?
--Labeling any type of dissent as "extremist" and "terrorist"?

Michael Cloud - In memory of my brother murdered by the Corporate Tyranny in the world trade center, 9/11. 9/11 was planned and carried out by the corporate tyranny by government "officials" from the national to the local levels.

Alternet readers. You have been warned. At least I can sleep at night now knowing I have let you know. I hope this information allows you to SAVE a loved one from being murdered, burned alive, blown to bits with US Military High Explosives. This is not an idle warning. Of course I have researched 9/11 since it happened. 9/11 is not just idle cocktail party talk for me---- like it is for all who didn't have a brother heinously butchered by the government. ALTERNET CONTINUES THE COVERUP

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Indict Silverstein Posted by: weathered

Comments are closed-

The fascists do not pose the real danger
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sdz on Aug 13, 2009 5:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Although I would not want to minimize the threat posed by any alliance between the atavistic reactionaries of the far right and the opportunists within the Republican Party, I believe the more disturbing threat to American democracy originates in the decline of American power worldwide and the methods typically developed in an effort to manage this decline, methods that refer to the political techniques, cultural attitudes and institutional capacities that began to flower with the first Nixon administration. In other words, it is the broader developmental drift which has characterized this society since the late 1960s that we need to fear.

The looming possibility: An American dictatorship in general.

Briefly put: In good times and bad, the Pentagon budget grows. Prisons and exile slowly displace welfare programs as a mechanism of social control and thus social integration. Naturally, America has seen fit to color-code both the welfare state and surveillance-security state that would replace it. Class and racial inequalities remorselessly grow and feed the economic stagnation that has defined the American economic system since its Golden Age ended. The conclusion of the Golden Age is significant since it was then that a consumption-centric culture displaced Christianity as the source from which most Americans draw their motives to live and their attitudes to make sense of the world. But, this “American way of life” will soon cease to exist because the country can no longer afford count on its Asian creditors to fund it. Eventually, the Dollar will fall from its lofty position and take the “American way of life” with it.

A socio-economic crisis of this kind and magnitude will surely begat a political crisis. We can expect a political crisis because there will be far too many Americans with no place to call home and no work to do — masterless and propertyless men and women having no functional role to play in the system coming into being. What will America do with this growing “underclass”? If this massive disintegration leads to rioting and other “disruptive” events and situations, we can expect a government which cannot effectively repudiate terrorism, torture, incarceration and exile (ethnic cleansing and genocide) to refuse to take the plunge into a dictatorship of some sort. A fascist dictatorship is merely one possible path the country might take; it is not the only path, though. Any dictatorship, including a fascist dictatorship, would require the blessing — if not more — of the security-surveillance apparatus. The real danger, to my mind, can be found in America’s massive war-making and spying system. This system holds the key to America’s future. What direction will it take when it believes it and the political system per se to be under siege? Will it defend democracy in America or its institutional prerogatives and its class-based allies?

I do believe the reactionaries and fascists among us will play a role in the troubles to come. But they are likely to remain the useful idiots of those institutions which pose a great danger to American democracy in any case.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Why can't Alternet Offer "Real" Investigative Media? Because They Aren't
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mtcloud on Aug 13, 2009 5:57 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Top 16 ways that the Alternet Could Create Real Investigate Media For Education & Common Good
Click Here For Morelinked text


1b. Many sided: Issues examined from many points of view; opposition fairly represented.
2b. Uses qualifiers: Statements supported with specific references and data.
3b. Balanced: Presents samples from a wide range of available data on the subject. Language used to reveal.
4b. Statistical references qualified with respect to size, duration, criteria, controls, source and subsidizer.
5b. Discrimination: Points out differences and subtle distinctions. Use analogies carefully, pointing out differences and non-applicability.
6b. Alternatives: There are many ways of solving a problem or viewing an issue.
7b. Appeals to reason: Statements by authority figures and concerned parties used to stimulate thought and discussion. "Experts seldom agree".
8b. Appeals to fact: Facts selected from broad data base. Logical, ethical, aesthetic and psycho-spiritual aspects considered.
9b. Appeals to people's capacity for thoughtful, reasoned responses: Uses emotionally neutral words and illustrations.
10b. Avoids labels and derogatory language: Addresses the argument, not the people supporting a particular viewpoint.
11b. Promotes attitudes of openness and inquiry. Aim is to discover.
12b. Explores assumptions and built-in biases.
13b. Language usage promotes greater awareness and consciousness.
14b. Can lead to breadth of vision and understanding.
15b. Referenced studies reveal conflict-of-interest funding sources.
16b. Statistics presented to show many aspects of problem, not always from a non-max/min approach.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» FRIEND! Posted by: foreverhope
» RE: It's a left-wing editorial site Posted by: rfrancis@godisdead.com

Comments are closed-

There is a danger and the Town Halls have shown it
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Bob Horn on Aug 13, 2009 5:57 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We should be discussing strategy and tactics for keeping right wingers ((some directed by Fox News or the RNC, and others from white militias,etc) from dominating political life in this country. We have to discuss ways for progressives to set the terms of the debate broadly in society.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Our soldiers are fighting and dying in wars started by Bush, and for what? They
[Report this comment]
Posted by: avidAmerican on Aug 13, 2009 6:11 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
are not laying down their lives for these idiots to shanghai democracy at Town Hall Meetings with their lies, racial slurs, moronic screams. It is sad for them to think they are dying for that! Shame on you Insurance Company backers to use that excuse to bring out the worst of the American people. Shame on you for how you are making our soldiers feel about the country they are fighting and bleeding and dying for. Calling their Commander-in-Chief all the nasty names your garbage mind can dream up, shame on you. You know who you are, so do we. Shame on you.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

WOW. Amazing! It happens again.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Jeremiahiii on Aug 13, 2009 6:15 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think the old Zen "reflection" dynamic is at work here.
Again, the lied to Left is propagating an idea has been totally fabricated. Tea-baggers as thugs? How rediculous. Tea-baggers as a Nationally organized group being "used" by Fascists to disrupt the work of the current Fascist Regime? C'mon, people. Get real.

Don't fall for the divisive rhetoric the above article is spewing. The current administration is as Fascist as they come, and anyone with brains to get over the false Right/Left paradigm can see it. Anyone with brains SHOULD be outraged. We were duped again.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Yeah, Right. Posted by: Aimleft

Comments are closed-

The new american facisim
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Jbuuty on Aug 13, 2009 6:35 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Having read Sara's two recent posts, and the newspaper in my conservative PA town, I can't but agree with her. Read chapter 6 from Mein Kampf - it reads like a Republican strategy paper. These are scary times.

It's obvious from reading comments on AlterNet that rational discourse (see also Lakoff The Political Mind) with people prepared to impose fascism will not work. As the author writes we need a new non-violent mass movement of people who really care about America and Americans. Again as Lakoff says, we need to emphasize the empathetic basis to our nation's founding and our movement for health care and democracy against right-wing threats to democracy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Well-thought out and a good read, but ignores the fact...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ABetterFuture on Aug 13, 2009 6:37 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...that we are IN democrud nirvana.

Perpetual wars, a credit card nation, no way to pay for sick folks who CAN'T otherwise help themselves to see a doc...

Democrat in the whitehouse.

Democrats in the Senate.

Democrats in the House.

Democrats on the high court.

Suggest you aim some ire at the folks in power, instead of preaching your bible? Even though it may be fun to point fingers at the silly few yellers on the right, it may--perhaps--be more productive to discuss how those who are in positions of power are FAILING us.

You know, your champions of the status quo? How is that war going for you, again? Sucks, in my opinion, but I didn't vote the Same (Biden-Obama-Palin-McCain) Ticket. Thus, I have every right to be pissed about your republicandemocrat thievery, deception, and autocracy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Sorry, this comment has been removed from the system.

Comments are closed-

Leaving our troubles behind...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Matamillion on Aug 13, 2009 6:37 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I can't get over these Neocon shills going out against socialized health care. Are they all fully covered or something?

Another total lie was uncovered coming from the sewer pipe of the right wing dogma mill and it only translates in the press as hilarious irony. Instead it should be a beacon shining on the liars that discredits them, their bankrupt, self serving, venal and rapacious policies!

Did you hear the one about physicist Steven Hawking? You know, the guy currently sitting in Sir Isaac Newton's wheel chair @ Oxford University.
According to an editorial in Investor's Business Daily, if he was getting that EVIL! socialist medical care in England he'd have been euthanized years ago for being too much trouble & expense to the system.

Too bad for the Daily they don't EVER kill British citizens to shore up profits like American insurance companies routinely do, putting them in contention for Serial Killer of the Century.

Too bad Cons aren't even bothering to be realistic, much less truthy and totally missed the fact that Hawking is British and has enjoyed 45 years of "free" socialized medicine, for which he gratefully owes his life!

Seriously, don't make me break my foot off in your ass, you morons!

And I do mean morons. A recent pole featured on The Rachel Maddow Show showed that 7% of North Carolina's Republicans deny that Hawaii is part of the United States and 5% didn't know it was even a state! Therefore, I guess, Obama is still not qualified to be President.

What the fuck am I supposed to do with that? Take them seriously? I mean, they are presumably adults & have a free voice, but what if that free speech is just empty headed bullshit?
LIKE, "I think there should be a tax on standing in water!" (Who said that, I wonder?)

Yes I am making a connection between those two points.

Yes, I believe that if you are as dumb as a bag of hammers, I don't have to listen a word you say and you should be excluded from the public forum because you are batshit crazy and a danger to the public health on the grounds of incompetency. You have forfeited your right to a voice in this discussion because we don't have time to teach you how to use logic and reason, much less go back and teach you the simple facts of the issue.

We don't have time for disruption by idiots who are following behind money grubbing lobbyists like baby ducks.

And stupid baby ducks at that!

My solutions are these:
Re-classify all Cons as incompetent (not just Birthers, ALL Cons) and confiscate their property. (I call their stereo)
or
Put on a police uniform & tell them they can't vote. You can give any reason if you are wearing a uniform, but use "It's Dubya's new strategery" to save time.
or
Tell them it's time for the rapture and that Jesus said they should march to the sea and ride the Golden Escalator into Heaven. (dibs on their Porsche this time)

There, the giant pain in my ass just went away!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Fighting illegal wars overseas didn't faze the FASCIST REICHWINGERS....
[Report this comment]
Posted by: xvictor on Aug 13, 2009 6:40 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
....neither they did lend voice against U.S. government-sponsored torture.

It's truly pathetic, however, when those misinformed scumbags are raising hell when poor folks for the first time are able to obtain a level of decent medical care.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Incoherence Posted by: Jbuuty
Sorry, this comment has been removed from the system.
» Ignorance Posted by: Jbuuty

Comments are closed-

How about ending affirmative action? It's nothing but a curse to
[Report this comment]
Posted by: maxpayne on Aug 13, 2009 7:03 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
women and minorities and yet a boon to the monied elite class.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The Town Hall meetings should be cancelled, they are getting nowhere anyway
[Report this comment]
Posted by: avidAmerican on Aug 13, 2009 7:07 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and are nothing but a scream machine for those who have nothing real to say and just want to stop others from having their say, while insulting ELECTED officials. We need to stop giving them a platform for their moronic faked rages. They should all go to anger management classes if they are that angry.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

To Macarthur and company
[Report this comment]
Posted by: desidid on Aug 13, 2009 7:14 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Macarthur, damn I thought you passed on long ago...really you people who are far to the right, who come to a site that is Left are comical. You obviously don't get much attention on the sites where all the peckerheads think alike. So here you come hoping to stir things up. Frankly I see your post and those like yours and wonder why people bother arguing with you. Half of the crap you have to offer is straight out of the dualing banjos pork em' in the butt mindset that keeps displaying itself for the world to see at the townhalls around the country. Loved the douche bag that stood up at the Arlen Spector town hall and stated she doesn't want to live in Russia. Today she was on Hardball and Lawrence O'Donnell used kid gloves and still made her look like the mental midget she is. She couldn't even answer the simple question, "Will she and her parents opt out of medicare and SS, since they don't believe in socialist programs?" At that point she looked like a deer in the headlights and sounded like Homer Simpson, "Doh!" And the real knee slapper was her saying she was happy with a health insurance that has a $5,000 deductable, but the good thing is this year her son will need a couple of surgeries so it will finally kick in. I love this image going around the world, eventually people will realize America has buffaloed them with bullshit! I watch people like you and get downright giddy, because you believe yourselves to be intelligent. You think you make substanitive points, but frankly you are a half-wit. Who cares if you hate me, I want you to hate me, because you have not one worthy quality that makes what you think matter. When you and your kind meet it must smell like a shitpit where the only other living things that can bear to be around you are rats, roaches, and maggots. Whatever you think about, Blacks, Hispanics, or whomever, it can not match the sheer nauseating disgust I feel thinking about one of your ancestors forcing himself on one of mine. I know I would have burned my own flesh at the thought of someone like you or yours having touched me.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Hero and the truth
[Report this comment]
Posted by: C. Rich on Aug 13, 2009 7:21 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sometimes it is had with this health care thing to see who is hero.Check out this beautiful piece:

http://americaspeaksink.com/?s=hero+for+sale

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Sad, But True
[Report this comment]
Posted by: NoPCZone on Aug 13, 2009 7:26 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Ignorance, superstition and darkness has won out in the USA. Maybe not for all time, but for now.

I'm 47 years old and we will not probably have this opportunity again before I am either retired or on the very edge of retirement. Once again, America stood at a crossroads and took the easy path that history will show to be the wrong one.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

NONE OF THE ABOVE: FASCIST SINCE BLACK FRIDAY
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ffrf.org on Aug 13, 2009 7:50 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sen. Prescott Bush and the federal reserve.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Old farts at the health care meetings . . .
[Report this comment]
Posted by: premarachel on Aug 13, 2009 8:01 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
think they have theirs (health care) and are soo afraid to lose it. I'm amazed that nobody realizes that while the government is trying to come up with a program for ALL Americans, the health insurance industry looks for every means at it's disposal to either cancel or refuse treatment for it's customers making claims. S.Palin tried to attribute this very same tactic to the proposed health care on the table in Washington, stating that under the Obama plan people would be refused care if they were too old, too sick, etc, exactly what our high priced insurance companies do today.
So please, all you ignorant old farts, screaming at town hall meetings, educate yourselves. Most of us are really tired of your selfish, ignorant, xenophobic attitudes. Get a grip and go back to school and learn to read and write. Think about other people for a change. And instead of sitting in front of the tube watching all the hate mongers on Fox, take a walk through you neighborhood or go help out at the homeless shelter. Just do something positive for a change while you have time left.
And please, please, stay away from town hall meetings unless you are willing to check your stupid out of control anger at the door and LISTEN for a change.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The Four Horsemen of the New American Apocalypse
[Report this comment]
Posted by: EncinoM on Aug 13, 2009 8:07 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Carrying a banner that reads "The tree of liberty must be watered from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants," yet they only hint at who the tyrant is (don't want the Secert Service pating them a vistit), nor do they say why he is a tyrant, other then to quote bumper sticker slogans, the new horsemen ride in. They are Hatered (Sean Hannity), Fear (Rush Limbaugh), Paranoia (Alex Jones) and Ignorance (Glen Beck).

They have but one goal to whip up the unthinking masses into a frenzy, they seek to protect the fictional city on the hill that their teacher spoke of. Using code words the horsemen build upon the anxiety, that any change brings and the nervousness of lean times to distract the masses and form them into mobs.

These horsemen do not offer solutions, they do not want to negoatiate, they all desire chaos and the power they have obtained by controling the masses. They call the masses "patriots" and those that do not follow the horsemen "sheep" or "socialists," etc.

The horsemen must be exposed to the light of truth, we must be expose thier vile lies and educate the masses.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

There Are Several References Here To Buying Guns and Ammunition and Revolution and Civil War
[Report this comment]
Posted by: tony_opmoc on Aug 13, 2009 8:14 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And hardly anyone objecting from either side. Are Americans completely fucking crazy? You don't even know what you are arguing about.

For 8 years you had a bunch of complete lunatics in charge, taking you into illegal wars and torturing people - and there was barely a bleat out of any of you.

Maybe you all just like war and are bored with seeing it on TV and want to do it at home. If so can you bring all your fucking military and drones back to the USA - and show it all in Prime Time in High Definition - so the rest of the World can have a break from you Bombing Them To Fuck?

"I`ve got a friend, he`s a pure-bred killing machine,
He said he`s waited his whole damn life for this,
I knew him well when he was seventeen,
Now he`s a man who`ll be dead by Christmas end
so...
Everybody`s gone to war,
But we don`t know what we`re fighting for,
Don`t tell me it`s a worthy cause,
No cause could be so worthy.

If love is a drug, I guess we`re all sober,
If hope is a song I guess it`s all over,
How to have faith, when faith is a crime?
I don`t want to die...
If God`s on our side, then God is a joker,
Asleep on the job, his children fall over,
Running out through the door and straight to the sky,
I don`t want to die...

For every man who wants to rule the world,
There`ll be a man who just wants to be free,
What do we learn but what should not be learnt?
Too late to find a cure for this disease.

so...
Everybody`s going to war,
But we don`t know what we`re fighting for,
Don`t tell me it`s a worthy cause,
No cause could be so worthy."

Lyrics copywrite Nerina Pallot. I thought she was an American - she sings with an American accent, but talks posh English and lives just down the road.

Nerina Pallot - Everybody's Gone to War

Tony

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Some of us know Tony... Posted by: zigy

Comments are closed-

Lefties like your beloved Slick Willie Clinton can be fascists too! He has blood on his hands....
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JohnTruth2001 on Aug 13, 2009 9:05 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
from Waco, TX & from Serbia!!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» And your point is? Posted by: Aimleft
» RE: And your point is? Posted by: Beck

Comments are closed-

Thanks for this empowering playbook!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: scajomar on Aug 13, 2009 9:25 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I printed the article and am going to go make several copies today to give to my business colleagues, family and friends. I'm posting it to my Facebook page, and emailing it to a few activists who I know will use it the same way. Many people I know are totally confounded about how to shut down the loud, rude Right without stooping to their level and shouting them down. These seven suggestions are smart, intelligent, civil ways to deal with people who have been mobilized and fomented to action by fear. I still value civilized, reasoned, fact-based discussion as the basis of a successful democracy; if those who also think this way share this battleplan, there'll be, perhaps, a triumph of brains over brawn.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Sara Robinson...my hero
[Report this comment]
Posted by: AnIndependentThinker on Aug 13, 2009 9:49 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Ms. Robinson, I believe you've hammered it home in this very extensive post regarding the potential threat of violence and facism in these United States. Thank you for being courageous enough to do so.

I've been reading the comments, the follow-up comments, and again re-read your post. I'm neither democratic or republican. I follow a different kind of politics -- which to me, is the politics that rules our hearts, minds, and spirits.

While much of your feedback has been positive, some of what I've seen is a constant retalliation based on sheer ignorance. The one thing I've noticed is that some commenters claim that democrats like to "pull the race card." Huh? Well, it is my opinion that while some dems may pull the proverbial "race card," that convervatives love to pull the "God card." You know, every time something doesn't go their way, they turn into religious zealouts ready to take up armageddon with lynch mobs and torches, while they lie in wait for one of the dems to cast the first stone. Please.

Gandhi was right in his saying that, "I like your Christ. I dont like your Christians. They are so unlike Christ."

That's all I have to say.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Half Breed.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: melpol on Aug 13, 2009 9:51 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Whites in America are trying to hold on to their economic advantage by supporting Fascist regimes. But Internet information favors the advantage of a Socialist style government. The American giant is no longer only a white man, but also a half breed.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

an encouraging article
[Report this comment]
Posted by: zooeyhall on Aug 13, 2009 9:51 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Being a progressive, and yet a rather shy and unagressive person, I have been dismayed at what has been going on the past couple of weeks concerning health care. Yet being isolated in rural Nebraska (where I am a farmer) and being the person that I am, I have been at a loss for what to do.

I want to commend the author of this article for their practical, commonsense, and effective suggestions that someone like me can use to fight the madness. Thank you!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: an encouraging article Posted by: keyboardtek
» RE: an encouraging article Posted by: AnIndependentThinker
» bullies beget bullies Posted by: zooeyhall

Comments are closed-

BA
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mnstra on Aug 13, 2009 9:54 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
NO THE RIGHT WING EXTREMISM MUST NOT STOP. WE PROGRESSIVES NEED TO TAKE A TIP OT TWO ABOUT THEIR COURAGE AND STANDING UP.TO OPPRESSION.........WHAT HAVE WE DONE ON THE LEFT TO STAND UP TO WALL STREETS ROBBERY?. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT COWER AND GO TO STARBUCKS.
I SAY MORE POWER TO THE VOCAL ON THE RIGHT AND THAT MAYBE WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM.MAYBE WE NEED TO LEARN THE COURAGE TO FIGHT LIKE THEY DO. AGAINST THE BANKSTERS

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

This and that
[Report this comment]
Posted by: willymack on Aug 13, 2009 10:03 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are those who would welcome a theocratic dictatorship.
There are those who would welcome a fascist dictatorship.
There are those who would welcome a fascist/theocratic dictatorship.
There are those who would welcome ANYTHING that doesn't require them to THINK or impinge on their "reality" shows, NASCAR, WWF, etc.
We're talking about a lot of people here, folks, and when they're riled up (easy to do) by bad people with evil agendas, they can be DANGEROUS.
Is the resistance to the idea of universal health care spurred on by the aforementioned bad people a threat to our democracy? Hell, yes.
Is their rabid opposition to anything President Obama proposes based on racial bigotry? You bet. They'd just LOVE to see Obama go down, and punish everyone who voted for him.
The bad guys CAN be defeated, but only if we keep after our President, Congress, and the Senate and demand they do right by us, or else.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: This and that Posted by: Quannah

Comments are closed-

Fascism, Richstag Fire, 9/11
[Report this comment]
Posted by: edgar_michel on Aug 13, 2009 10:07 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The warning for Americans was 9/11, and they just let it pass. What more does it take to wake a sleeping population. But then they are to be forgiven because the explanation they were given seemed to make sense especially when most Americans do not know Newtons Laws or the concept of conversation of momentum.

Once you understand that a body at rest remains at rest and a body in motion remains in motion unless acted upon by an external force then you understand that the lower in-tact portion of the towers not damaged by the 767's represented an external force that would slow the descent of the upper part of the building because the lower part was acting on the upper part in a direction directly opposite the upper parts motion.

Learning is absolutely essential to remain viable in a technological society. It also means learning about the realities of health care and what options are most advantageous for the most people. You can't expect your representatives to do this for you; you have to learn about it yourself and then make your decision, otherwise you will be left out. Yes learning is hard work and you have to give up some of your leisure time to do it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Fascism, Richstag Fire, 9/11 Posted by: tony_opmoc

Comments are closed-

"Everybody look what's going down" wrote someone here . . .
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Walks-in-Storms on Aug 13, 2009 10:36 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Indeed, that's a consummation to be desired; so why, obviously, does nobody here have even the faintest idea about what's "going down?"

What's going down is the nation has been divided ("divide and conquer," the tactic was called originally - Operation MOCKINGBIRD it was called more recently when launched and employed by the U.S. Government) into two extremist groups screaming mindless ideological slogans and one-liners (to say nothing of the invective and scatology seen everywhere here on AlterNet) at one another. Meanwhile, the plotters - who like the characters in an old John Wayne movie have started a barfight in order to provide a distraction while they rob the bank - steal the nation blind.

Just like it doesn't matter what the Internal Revenue Code says (no one actually knows), it doesn't matter whether "health care" law passes or not. The corporation who rule here will go on "administering" the way Internal Revenue Service does (dictatorily, "czar"-like, in other words) The corporations will go on taking obscene profits, the same number (or more) people will get no attention - medical or otherwise - from their corporately owned and run government, and the public will go back to whatever the next "crisis" the lobbyists in Washington and the statehouses foment in order to cover their next "bailout" or its equivalent.

Or another Michael Jackson will die, or an Anna Nicole Smith; Nancy Grace will pillory another Duke Lacrosse Team - whatever. If they have to, the media will invent a digitalized being who kills and eats immigrant babies. Whatever new form of scum needs to be invented to lure the scum-sucker public, it will happen. In the media.

People who are killed fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan, realize and don't forget, earn page six in the newspapers - and only an occasinal reference in the "flow strip" at the bottom of the screen. That's you figurative rain gauge and perspective of the public's priorities.

It also tells you how difficult it is to get them to "look what's goin' down."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Sarah conceals the dynamic that drives Fascism ...yet again
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ghost in the machine on Aug 13, 2009 11:02 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sarah does it again!!! ....Just like in her last bit of superficial tat. What is concealed is the central dynamic that drives any road to fascism . Only when we grasp the class basis of our societies and the objective laws that govern it , and the objective interest fascism serves, can we understand the need to change the social and economic relations that fuel it .

Anyone who fails to grasp the necessity for fundamental revolutionary change ultimately plays into the hands of the corporate and financial elites .

Sarah may superficially 'sound 'right ' but she is a Pied Piper in the so called ''left''. For her glib pronouncement of ''saving our democracy '' is a generalisation that means next to nothing , and is useless to man or beast . As with any such generalisation its ''meaning'' will be filled with all and sundry versions . A loose alliance of uneasy bedfellows will fracture when the pressure gets turned up.

As in the UK the fight against fascism goes under the banner 'Hope not Hate'. It is a vacuous slogan that wreaks of a sense of desperation and has no theoretical substance to it .

As Trotsky once intimated ...the well meaning social progressives and libertarian lefties , actually objectively open the door to fascism ' because they fail to grasp despite all their heartfelt intentions ' ''the essence '' of the task that now befalls the working class , to decisively rescue the world from the law governed process of its self destruction and rebirth in the same format as before .

For CHRISTS SAKE !!! WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE !!! EITHER LEARN THE LESSONS OF HISTORY ...OR BE DOOMED TO REPEAT THEM!!!!! AND STOP REPACKAGING IT IN SOME MYOPIC SUPERFICIAL TAT!!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

You don't find such an act to be tyrannical in any way?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: rfrancis@godisdead.com on Aug 13, 2009 11:09 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676

You don't find such an act to be tyrannical in any way?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» oops, was supposed to be a reply n/t Posted by: rfrancis@godisdead.com

Comments are closed-

Only way to fight this is To Prosecute Them every time they violate Federal Laws or Constitution
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JohnHKennedy Denver CO on Aug 13, 2009 11:26 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The only way we can prevail against such an organized evil is in the courts. Expose them for the evil and lawlessness that they represent.

Start with their Federal Torture Law violations and then go after their many other crimes.


Keep asking ALL politicians at ALL public events
"Why do they support Torture"

If they aren't actively calling for enforcement
of our Federal Torture Laws, They Support Torture.

Torture is your key issue.



SIGN THE PETITIONS
Demanding
both a Commission of Inquiry
and a Special Prosecutor
For All Their Crimes
at ANGRYVOTERS.ORG

ANGRYVOTERS.ORG

Over 250,000 signed
Add your Signature Today

Only Prosecution Stops Torture!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Right wing wackos are not the real threat.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: zigy on Aug 13, 2009 11:30 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
These "tea-baggers" are being manipulated by right-wing operatives to create an illusion of a dangerous, populous, insurrection. Fascism is the melding of the state (i.e. the Federal government) with corporations to benefit the corporate agenda. Since the so called Patriot Act was steamrolled through Congress, we have gone a long way toward that becoming reality. It would by no means be an exaggeration to aver that the Wall St.(Goldman Sachs)- military-Industrial Complex have co-opted congress and largely taken over the democratic process and that indeed, fascism has come to America. The evidence of such is prolific. From Obama's decrees to the policies of Geithner and Bernake, to the intentionally created "housing bubble" to the cooked-up wars based on lies. The question remains as to how far this fascist agenda will be advanced to the detriment of the American middle and lower classes. One need not be a "conspiracy nut" to see that "the establishment" or what ever one wants to call the powers-that-be do not have the best interests of the American masses in mind.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

I think its pretty lame
[Report this comment]
Posted by: rokdevil on Aug 13, 2009 11:33 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
to assume that everyone that has a problem with the US Government getting involved in Healthcare is a racist. Was that the answer when Bill and Hillary tried?
The truth of the matter is that its not even about who is in the white house, at least for me. I have only to look at the performance of the government in Medicare, Medicaid, FEMA, Social Security, USPS and Amtrak to KNOW that they government simply cannot make this work. Not only are they incompetent but we (as a nation) are BROKE. If you haven't taken the time, go to http://www.iousathemovie.com and tell me how that sits with you.
If its so important to insure health care for all then why not take the matter into your own two hands and donate your time and/or money to a charitable group? Why have the government tax us all just to waste the money on backroom deals and foreign handouts?
I'm tired of people tossing the race card around as a means of silencing dissent. I don't care about race, I care about liberty and personal responsibility, as every American should.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Republicans are moblizing Duke and his ILK...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Bearzerker on Aug 13, 2009 11:56 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
so be ready for anything...

chaos and mayhem are/is just part of the plan

Canada sure is looking good

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Always remove any semi-conscious people from these groups
[Report this comment]
Posted by: PaulK on Aug 13, 2009 12:40 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Any ideological steamroller group has its classic loonies. For example, classical Fascism believes fervently that all wealth comes from the ground (which a debating society might legitimately bat back and forth), but that one statement somehow also means that you personally should buy guns and prepare for a race war (which a logical debater couldn't defend unless the entire audience dropped a fifth of whiskey apiece).

Such a movement also has slightly more normal people who can be reached. Identify and go after the heads of these folks, one on one. Figure out what motivates them. Figure out what bogus thoughts have gotten into their heads, and counter them with evidence. For example, didn't one Republican senator (out of 40) call Sarah Palin nuts?

Any fire will eventually die out if you remove the nearby fuel. The goal is to eventually isolate the nuts.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Medicare.......
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Ardeith on Aug 13, 2009 12:43 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Maybe it's time to reconsider what we're calling socialized medicine........

Perhaps none of you have had to deal with the Medicare system, but I have. I've been disabled almost twenty years, and have depended on Medicare, and Medicaid in Florida, all that time. I would be unable to walk, in a wheelchair, if not for that medical coverage.

I have never been denied any care my rheumatologist thought I needed, nor any medications he prescribed. I have had to go to the emergency room, in the middle of the night, a couple of times...over the years... and never been denied care.

The only time I've been hospitalized in twenty years was only for three days, but I had no problem with the hospital, or my coverage. Only with the food.......

My father, on the other hand, had an HMO covering his medical needs, and had a totally different experience. The HMO had to approve any and all care his cardiologist ordered, and any prescription given him.

Even though the cardiologist was my father's most vital doctor, the HMO insisted he see a "primary care" doctor....that is a "family" doctor, who had to sign off on every appointment made with the cardiologist. I suspected that was only another way for the HMO to control medical care for my father.

When Dad was hospitalized, the HMO kept demanding he be moved to a "regular care" room, when his doctor wanted Dad in "cardiac intensive care." When the doctor wrote a prescription, and specified a name brand drug, the HMO was all for insisting he get generic drugs.

His doctor did not feel the generics were really good enough, he didn't think the quality control for the generics was sufficient. That doctor jumped through all the hoops the HMO invented, just to see that my father got the best medicine the doctor felt he needed. It was all about the money, with the HMO, not what Dad's doctor felt was best.

Furthermore, the HMO would not let my father go to the closest hospital...a fully accredited full care hospita. They insisted on a hospital further away...also fully accredited...but the level of care I saw there was not up to the standards of the other hospital. I saw both, as my mother was in the closer hospital....but my mother was also disabled, and covered by Medicare....

I have no idea what the Medicare standards are for people needing heart, liver, or any other sort of transplants....but for the things I do know something about...I'll take Medicare any day. Even if some of you want to condemn it as "socialized" medicine...
Ardeith Carter

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Don't look now but Posted by: Benn_Miller

Comments are closed-

Sara Robinson continues the naïveté!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Jill 2 on Aug 13, 2009 1:03 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"The high-level fight in Congress and the media is already under way, and the Democratic leadership is fighting it with unusual elan." –Sara Robinson

Statements such as this give away the essential innocuousness and ineffectuality of Sara Robinson's well meaning anti-fascist article. It also undermines the essential accuracy of her analysis as to the nature of the fascist threat. It is anything but alarmist or histrionic, but is something worse: It is naïve.

Sara's proscriptions sound hollow when it works within the political context of the Democratic party. No serious combating of the fascist malaise is possible under the aegis of the Democratic party, or for that matter, under the auspices of what is an essentially right-wing American democracy as a whole. It is an oxymoronic, ridiculous assertion to claim the American Congress has more than a cursory interest in smashing, much less mitigating troglodyte fascism, when It has none. How can a party that collaborates and conspires collegially with Republicans for the sake of "bipartisanship" be seen as fighting fascism? The answer is simple: It can't and it won't.

This same Democratic party "leadership" that Sara nonsensically contends is fighting the domestic fascist rabble with "unusual elan," is the same leadership which allows Obama to slaughter innocent civilians, as we speak, at the point of the fascist Predator drone in Afghanistan and Pakistan; the same 'leadership' which supports the continuance of permanent war crimes and state terror overseas; the same leadership which rationalizes American barbarity. In fact, and most ironically, it is the same 'leadership' who has deliberately sabotaged real health care reform. They are constitutionally and morally incapable of fighting fascism. Serious political bloggers should maintain no illusions to the contrary, or they risk appearing as fools, or worse cynical operatives. Are they afraid of being marginalized or seen as members of the "loony left?" Trying to come off as 'reasonable' centrists they come off sounding as anything but.

That is a contradiction, that some Democrats and liberals may feel comfortable with, but is in fact, totally unreconcilable and a shameless illusion. Like just about everything produced from the Neo-fascist, Democratic party leadership, even the most sincere and heartfelt statements of moral decency, come out sounding like little more than sick jokes. –(Jill Bains)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Kudos to you, Ms. Bains! Posted by: zigy

Comments are closed-

What in heck is a "Futurist?"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: zorba1 on Aug 13, 2009 2:03 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I do not Like extremist groups but under our Constitution they are legal and have the right to assemble.
I belive all these groups are good for America, we are a nation of different peoples and radical ideas, thats good as anything else is socialism or anarchy.
We need these extremists to keep the rest of us on our toes.
I do not like Obama, at one time I did but ended up not voting for him, he has lied big time.
Most of the promises he made about change have already been trashed.
I do not like this writer "Sara" either.
To end these groups you need to become an extremist yourself.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

If only they would have...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: phist on Aug 13, 2009 2:11 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Remember back a few months ago when the bank bailouts and stimulus bills were pushed through real fast? So fast not one single Congress critter had time to read the bills. The bankers, big money people, and government employees got theirs immediately without any public debate at all. Now it's our turn to get what we (the majority) want and suddenly Congress critters want to take their time and water it down and stall. I am just as angry as the nay-sayers of health care reform but for entirely different reasons. These people (big money and government servants) are playing us for fools and here we are trying to figure out a way to win an argument with and against idiots. Republicans or Democrats, it doesn't matter - they are all the same: they got theirs and to hell with everyone else.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: If only they would have... Posted by: maxpayne
» They can't read apparently Posted by: guns4everyone

Comments are closed-

DERAILED TOPIC
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Birdland on Aug 13, 2009 2:59 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Looks like the topic of the article was once again derailed by the trolls again. They are very successful in diverting people from the subject at hand. They manage to get everyone cursing, yelling, and off topic.
Don't fall for their tactics anymore. We all already know what they're doing and don't need to convince each other.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Fascism has NEVER been defeated internally
[Report this comment]
Posted by: rastaman on Aug 13, 2009 3:50 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Fascism has never been defeated internally. However, resistance movements have changed fascism and halted its birth.


effective resistance to fascism must be based on a class analysis of society, an internationalist perspective that attacks imperialist war, a multi-racial, anti-racist/anti-sexist, organized approach (as opposed to ephemeral coalitions based on sex, race, religion), willingness to consider violence, and the grasp of the critical role of ideology in combatting fascist practice.



THE QUESTION IS: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE USA SHOULD BE "SAVED"?

WHY WOULD YOU SAVE A GENOCIDAL HEGEMONISTIC IMPERIAL COLONIZER?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Sounds like a cute article but racism isn't about blacks alone.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: superfeduphoosier on Aug 13, 2009 4:06 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why is it ok for a black man to discriminate against people of different color? For that, latinos who do the same? Is that what being liberal is all about? If a white guy discriminates, bonk him but if another ethnic discriminates, it's ok? There's plenty of racism on both sides more than what the author says.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

We have the deck stacked against us - this is one battle we need to fight
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cori on Aug 13, 2009 4:30 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Come on folks - we have lost a lot - they have been fighting against national health care for decades because they want the big buck and if we loose now it will only get worse.

The big problem with establishing a national health care system is special interests and the ability of big Pharma and health insurance companies that are pouring billions of dollars into making sure that the American people do not get what they desperately need. There seems to be a big disconnect between the representatives who are supposed to represent us and grasping the implications of allowing big business as usual at the expense of ten’s of millions of American lives. Our health care system is an outrage and a national scandal but our reps are more interested in making profits then helping the people who vote for them. Where is the morality and conscience? Also we are already subsidizing Canada’s health care system! Our tax dollars are going to universities to develop drugs that drug companies then go on to make profits from. The whole system is corrupt to the bone. Drug companies are profit driven so they are pushing unsafe medications that are a threat to our population and are not interested in cures. We know that pesticides are poison to us and bees and many other creatures, but we continue to pack them into foods and farm land. We see that revenues are falling but continue to spend trillions on endless wars and the biggest prison system on the planet instead of our health care. Medicare works and us Baby Boomers, the biggest population in the nation have been paying into it all our working lives. We are in the process of self destruction because of corruption and now it has gone so far that the whole nation will become a much poorer and unhealthy place to live if we don't fight for our lives and health.

cc Sen Patrick Leahy, Sen Peter Welch & Sen Bernie Sanders

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Eff Glen Beck,Eff the Repugs, and EFF the MSM!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: theblackgeorgecarlin on Aug 13, 2009 4:32 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'm getting sick and tired of hearing these idiots disrupt the natural political process over healthcare, it is really pissing me off. Were were these whores when the government was writing the bailouts last year? ohh yeah, sucking their corporate healthcare masters' dicks. The nerve of these motherfuckers, to block healthcare reform and turn around and say they care about Americans! Racist,facsist,anti-Americans assholes. I and millions of other real Americans are gonna do the things Sara Robinson suggested, I won't rest until I see these lynch mobs gone!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Europeans get our and march in the streets and they get a better system
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cori on Aug 13, 2009 4:35 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
People in Europe live longer and are healthier. France has the best health care in the world bbecqause their people fought for it. Because they know what it means to their lives - they are not stupid and blind like us.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

They have succeeded in depriving us of a good healthcaqrre system for decades
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cori on Aug 13, 2009 4:39 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why? Profits!!!!!! They don't care if ten's of millions of us die.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Its about time...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: aapinko on Aug 13, 2009 5:30 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Until the people stand up and take back what is theirs, they will continue to be trampled on!

RT
Online Privacy when it Counts

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Sara's solution to dealing with Far Right Wingers? Lobbying the Democrats? What a joker!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: logansafi on Aug 13, 2009 5:49 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Here is Sara's solution to all our problems.... Lobbying the Democrats! Voting for Democrats. Being perpetually tied to the corporate Democratic Party! And most of those shouting 'Fascist! Fascist! Fascist!' are of like mind, too.

This fact is a sad commentary about the liberal Democrat, who always ignores the imperialism, the reactionary character of the Democratic Party, simply because they can find yet worse in the democrats. Ther is nothing good about what the Democrats are doing here with Health Care Reform. They have created no movement at all to change the System, and in fact are mobilizing the Right Wing by their own incompetence, which Sara thinks is skill.

'Fifth: Support legislators who don't show fear. The Democratic Party seems to be playing this just right (so far).'

Huh, Sara? What are you smoking?

'The leadership has made it known that these noisy, scary people don't represent the 73 percent of Americans who support health care reform. The GOP is running the risk of being marginalized as not only the Party of No, but the Party of Moonbat Crazy.'

Once again, what are you smoking? You talk of the danger of a rising fasdcism in one breath, then in the next breath you talk aobut how the Right Wing is on the skids! Get it straight, please.

'If you've never attended a public meeting in your life, August 2009 is the month you need to start. Your congressperson's Web site probably lists a schedule, or at least a number you can call to inquire."

Yawn. Sara calls for us to go support the Democrats as tehy reform Health Care INSURANCE to make it better for business interests, not us.

'But that's just a first step. Do more. Write. Call. Find out where your local congressional office is, and just drop by when you're in the neighborhood. Tell the staff how you feel -- about health care reform, about the teabaggers, about your legislator's brave stance in the face of this.'

Oh God. These Dermocratsd glued tyo the party can nauseate real Leftists no end. The Democrats suck, and tehy are mobilizing the Right Wing against reform, and Sara is too blind to see what's in front of her eyes!

PS.... I hope I am not 'bullying' the poor tied to the Democrats liberals as accused by one earlier on this thread. Boo-hoo-hoo. I must beAttila the Hun if I were to state the truth about these flub ups, it seems? Sad....

If they're showing stress, encourage them to stand firm. A constituent in the office counts for thousands writing e-mails, so an in-person visit is 15 minutes incredibly well spent.

One visit or call is good. More is better. Put it in your schedule to contact your representatives at least once a week for the duration, and make sure they're not buckling under the pressure.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

tmginnova
[Report this comment]
Posted by: tmginnova on Aug 13, 2009 6:07 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yeah, he's only fighting for the biggest expansion of health care and health care security in 50 years, and some on the left want to call him names (much like the right wingers) and in effect fight the prospect of real change. This is too important for "feel good" rhetoric. Get real and help.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: tmginnova Posted by: logansafi

Comments are closed-

HOLY SHIT,
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sirios on Aug 13, 2009 6:12 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Alternet commenters make those town hall meetings look like a 60s love in.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: HOLY SHIT, Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: HOLY SHIT, Posted by: lightwing1

Comments are closed-

WATCH SICKO AND THEN YOU WILL KNOW WAT YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cori on Aug 13, 2009 6:53 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
THERE IS SUPPOSEED TO BE A MARCH ON WASHINGTON IN SEPT - ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THIS?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Benwa
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Benwa on Aug 13, 2009 8:38 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Let me get this straight. Believers and practicioners of free speech are goons? You must have studied studiously at the feet of Mao.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Let's add #8 - Recover the true meaning of the words liberal and progressive.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Benn_Miller on Aug 13, 2009 9:05 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
After reading this article through and through as well as the comments, it is apparent that we need to recover the words liberal and progressive that the right have completely redefined. Looking at the mafia warfare through 100s of these comments, it is hard to tell right from left. People such as mmckinl, tjg1984, rfrancis@godisdead.com, maxpayne, CynicI, zigy, aaphat, and bcainw try to focus on general issues as a means of curbing racial discrimination and hence racism and the unimaginable happens. They get pelted at by the Obama cultists and are labelled as rightwingers or even racists because they don't support Obama's flawed rightwing policies and want a true alternative policy that most Americans actually support. Now I know that someone is gonna reply with the usual "we'll you're blah-blah-blah" childish response because I'm willing to sympathize and listen to everyone's points of views. How many of you out there who react in a very hostile manner to independent dissent can really call yourselves liberal or progressive? By imitating the rights' violent reactions, you stand to lose. To question Obama's move on his policies is not racist as some on this site would like to call it. The problem is that mmckinl, tjg1984, rfrancis@godisdead.com, maxpayne, CynicI, zigy, aaphat, and bcainw are totally misunderstood by most people on this forum. CynicI tried to raise an interesting question as to why foreverhope's excessive screeching is not only condoned but that anyone who criticizes her screeching is automatically pelted at while anyone else is shout down at. I'm not defending these people completely. For example, I don't agree with maxpayne on his opposition to affirmative action but I think he's correct to point out that health care should be a right for everyone and not just special people and that race is another culture war distracting issue. The majority of the American public will not judge Obama by the color of his skin but by how he performs as president. It is time to put down the race issue and take the time to recover the words liberal and progressive first.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

A reasonable analysis
[Report this comment]
Posted by: yesman on Aug 13, 2009 10:20 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Mea culpa. I've been known to refer to those on the other side of issues as "fascists" before, and perhaps sometimes they deserved the title. However, the author is right that at this point, we, as a country, REALLY ARE dangerously close to becoming a truly fascist state. It's not hyperbole this time.

That said, I have two qualms about this essay.

1. The author assumes that the police and other law enforcement officials will actually enforce the law fairly, and that they will not side with the mobs, allowing them to run wild, while making up fake charges, if necessary, to justify arresting and harrassing the "socialists." I'm not so sanguine on this point.

2. The author assumes that there are mass media outlets which will cover stories fairly, according to their merit or interest, rather than spinning or fabricating facts to cast the mobs in the best possible light. Even discounting Fox, I'm not so sanguine on this point either.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

I wished Walter Mondale had won in 1984.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Mondale84 on Aug 13, 2009 11:41 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A lot of this rising fascist threats could have been subdued. I have rarely seen a classic liberal after that year.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

BIG BROTHER CENTRALIZED GOVT NAZIONALIZATION OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY "EXPOSED" !!!!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Mr.RIGHT on Aug 14, 2009 4:47 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
fyi Sara...

Fascism is a centralized Nationlized economy controlled by a centralized Government Sara!!!!

And one that infringes on your liberty and free choice...such the way the modern day "left" big brother alinskyites "democrats" do with cap & trade taxes....and subsidizing Corporate lobbys by taxing small businesses!!!



Sara:
You throw round the word Racist and fascist as tools NOT to accure a justice Sara, but a tool to exploit, you're the worse kind of race baiter



Nazionalizing healthcare such as the Democrats wish to do only helps one group Sara...the largest Corporations that get to dump their workers on the public plan "instead of offering insurance as ""salary/comensation"" and FORCES the bill onto to the "tax-payer"

Socialized Med SHOULD ONLY be for the POOR, elderly and handicapped...NOT FORCED on those WHO CAN AFFORD their own...or recieve benefits from their employer!!!!!!



THIS IS AMERICA
NOT NAZI GERMANY
Sara!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Wow 550 comments so quickly.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: dingham on Aug 14, 2009 6:15 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Patriot Act made us Fascist the day enacted.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Wow 550 comments so quickly. Posted by: bonapartist

Comments are closed-

Oh goodie, another article with Fascism/Nazism in its title
[Report this comment]
Posted by: bonapartist on Aug 14, 2009 9:22 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Cannot wait to see jackbooted SA marching around and smashing glass.

Seriously is there any option to address right wing in US except equate them with Nazism and Fascism?

What is it? Screaming NAZIS!!! or FASCISTS!!! lends credentials to the article? Yes, about as much as comparing Obama to Hitler gives credentials to Rush Windbag.

I have no sympathy for right wing as I see it as corrupt, untintelligent, oligarch supporting group. But for Pete's sake lay off comparing them to Nazis and Fascists already.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Commentary informed by outadated assumptions
[Report this comment]
Posted by: leafsong1 on Aug 14, 2009 10:40 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is precisely why it is wrong to define fascism in a way that excludes anything which is not a mid-twentieth century European dictatorship. Beyond the shortsightedness of prescribing methods to defeat a Hitler or a Mussolini for the purpose of defeating much more sophisticated modern pseudo-dialectic fascists, the author is prescribing methods that actually failed against Hitler and Mussolini. How does it help to be quieter and more passive when fascists shout louder? The problem is a lack of any real propensity for revolutionary violence on the left, not an excess of it. The right will complain about leftist radicalism regardless of whether it exists. The public will believe them regardless of reality, because they control the press, the government, and the major religious leaders. The solution is certainly not to cower in fear of a possible rightist revolution; the solution is to present a real danger of successful leftist revolution to the ruling class. Only the fear of nationalization of wealth and of the guillotine for our aristocracy will intimidate the pigs sufficiently to modify their behavior, and only the realization of such a revolution has any hope of wresting control of our own government from them more or less permanently.

Perhaps the author's foremost failing in analyzing historical and present fascism is his assumption that fascism is a popular movement. Fascism (whose history extends back as far as history itself) is never a popular movement; it is a top-down plutocratic despotism accompanied by mandatory belief in rightist propaganda. Its function is to profit the rich and powerful through military aggression against internal and external enemies. People accept it to preserve their livelihoods and their sanity amidst the cronyism and propaganda, not because they find its rationalizations or emotional appeals persuasive. The proper way to fight fascism is to bring deadly force to bear against its progenitors, in this case, the corporate bosses, not by talking calmly to people who have already deliberately and permanently closed their minds. This has already passed far beyond anything that could be resolved through discourse.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Seven Ways We Can Fight Back Against the Rising Fascist Threat
[Report this comment]
Posted by: wildcat on Aug 14, 2009 12:14 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I have a problem with Robinson’s series on fascism in America, which is that although she makes the proper connection between the ‘conservative’ elite wealthy interests and the growing goon groups, she does not also clearly identify the corruption and compromise of high level Democrats by the same anti-democratic corporate interests. I hope she addresses this in a third installment of her series.

Millions of people who vote Democratic Party and who definitely oppose fascism are going to have to pay attention and draw a line between their loyalty to democracy and their loyalty to elected Democrats (who cannot be counted on to act on principle). Groups like Progressive Democrats of America will need to step up their work to build community level committees to defend democratic rights. And, in turn, all the left groups that are outside of the Democratic Party are going to have to find concrete ways to work with their neighbors who are inside the Democratic Party.

One of the great failures of the democratic opposition to rising fascism in the 1930s in Germany and Spain was inadequate unity and actual infighting amongst ourselves. We don’t need (or want) to stop telling each other how and why we agree or disagree. We do need to support each other’s democratic rights and to work together at the community and broader levels.

By “broader” I mean not merely national. Americans should not hesitate to seek help, and to offer help, and to work with like-minded people in other countries. America is, after all, a global power, and what happens here will impact the whole world. People were afraid, in World War II, what would happen if fascist governments had nuclear weapons. Well, let’s all think about what could happen if America’s nuclear weapons fell into the hands of an openly fascist government. Imagine the only constraints upon American wars of aggression is the ability of people in other countries to fight back because all the anti-war activists in America are rounded up and shot.

We can stop this. One big step is to make sure a real health care reform is voted in, and to clearly defeat the far right in this battle.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The Libertarian Paradox
[Report this comment]
Posted by: desidid on Aug 14, 2009 12:51 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Many people who comment on Alternet state they are followers of Ron Paul and libertarian. Apparently libertarian no longer means free will. If we look back to a recent event, the arrest of Professor Gates and follow some of the posts regarding his arrest, we will find that many so-called libertarians felt Sgt. Crowley was well within his rights to arrest Gates. The reason given was that Gates wasn't sufficiently respectful of someone swore to uphold the law.


I can't say for sure, but I have yet to see a post by these people calling for the arrest of those persons at town hall meetings (a public forum) being arrested for not showing sufficient respect for those charged with writing the laws.

The only differences between Gates and these libertarian Americans at town hall meetings are this; Gates was in his home and was well within his rights to argue with the cop, these town hall libertarians are in a public place arguing with House and Senate members who make laws, Gates is Black, town hall dissenters White.

So from my vantage point libertarian has come to mean white entitlement. You see, those of you who have advocated against Gates rights but, for the town hall hooligans the veil has been lifted. You don't believe in the right of the Black individual in their home when confronted with White authority, but you damn sure believe in the right of the White individual to show their ass in public, especially if the White authority is seen as spreading the word for the Black head of state.

Time to take your hoods off and show your true selves. The only people you are fooling in proclaiming an unbiased libertarian stance is yourselves.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Whew! ... Glad that we've got that all settled now. Nice work, all.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: gazooks on Aug 14, 2009 9:12 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Can you imagine an alien sitting at it's view-screen watching and listening to all these privileged humans working through this "health" issue with such intelligence, compassion and grace?

(Either laughing it's little gray ass off, ... or shedding deep, black tears.)

One thing's fo sho. There had better be some big bucks allocated for mental health services when we're done.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Fascism and how to fight it
[Report this comment]
Posted by: arala on Aug 15, 2009 9:19 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sara dismisses all rational argument with her position by characterizing it as cranks, and ridiculing the argument that she doesn't understand the US is already fascist since (insert date here). But the key point of these arguments is that you cannot defeat fascism with an appeal to alliance with liberalism or ruling capitalist parties.

The idea of opposing fascism in order to save the established order is part of the appeal of fascism. Identifying fascism, in the US context, exclusively with the right wing and the Republicans is hopelessly naive.

There are, roughly speaking, three views of fascism out there: 1) how fascism presents itself; 2) how competing rulers, and competing strategies and ideologies within imperialism present it; and 3) how working class revolutionaries, anarchist or socialist, have traditionally seen it. Sara, whatever her academic and intellectual credentials, basically falls into the second category.

These incorrect understandings of fascism reflect incorrect understandings of class society and colonialism as a whole.

Fascism falsely presents itself as revolutionary, anti-capitalist and anti-communist, nationalistic and militaristic, a vanguard that welds together a "volk" into a fighting machine in which a new state and social order is created that purges weakness, sentimentality, and "alien" influences, particularly insofar as it defends
"womanhood."

Competing imperialist ideologies generally speaking, portray fascism as uniquely totalitarian, nationalistic, militaristic, racist, religiously rigid and xenophobic, to which anti-gay and anti-woman have been added more recently. These pro-imperialists portray themselves as a bulwark against fascism.

Communist and anarchist analyses have tended to portray fascism as reactionary, anti-working class but using racial and religious scapegoating to manipulate
workers into lining up behind an iconic "maximum leader." Sexual repression, particularly latent or repressed homoeroticism, is often emphasized. All three
views portray fascism as the master of propaganda and spectacle, (and as noted, as nationalistic and militaristic).

What's wrong with these views? How can a more correct understanding guide anti-fascist practice?

Fascists, rival imperialists, and euro/worker-centric communists and anarchists, all have, for purposes of their own, reasons to disguise the true nature of fascism, and to distinguish it categorically from other "less evil" forms of class society and oppressive, exploitative rule.

Fascists want to present themselves as
revolutionary anti-capitalists (may even believe they are) in order to cement a mass base and mass participation in their effort.

Other rulers and imperial ideologies or strategies want to portray fascism as evil incarnate, the bogey man in comparison to whom their exploitation, oppression, militarism and repressive measures look benign or justified. They use fascism as a threat to dangle if resistance steps up -- "Look how much worse things can be; we're the best deal you're going to get." Kind of "apres moi, le deluge" -- unite with your own bourgeoisie because fascists would be so much worse.

Euro/worker-centric socialists and anarchists are blinded to the true nature of fascism -- and of their own projects -- because they believe their approach will run their advanced industrial societies better (that is, deep down they still accept the empire). In some cases they are actually seeking an alliance with "their own" bourgeoisie, with whom they can make common cause against the fascists.

If all these views are wrong, what is correct?
I will post more, but check out www.antiracistaction.org (click on 'publication').

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Re: ...leave the heavy lifting and rough enforcement to the cops
[Report this comment]
Posted by: login@bugmenot.com on Aug 16, 2009 6:50 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The third tactic is actually a mistake, which is based on the faulty assumption that the cops are impartial. In fact, the cops are very partial, they're mostly on the fascists' side, and they won't hesitate to show it by arresting (and sometimes shooting) nonviolent left protesters while not hindering the astroturfers in the slightest.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

It has not just started...it is only more visible due to threats from Obama
[Report this comment]
Posted by: teachertun on Aug 16, 2009 9:14 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I have been saying for the longest time that our country is fascist. It is controlled by corporate and banker money and power. It has been for a long time. We are wage slaves...
Now it is more visible because Obama is threatening the status quo. Let's face it. If public health care became a reality, the insurance companies would have to admit they have been making a "killing" from the deaths and illnesses of thousands of people. That just cannot be allowed to happen. So it is in their best interest to push the limits, to push the ignorant, racist and scared puppets to do their dirty work. Fascism? It has been here for a long time. Think tricky Dick, Ronnie (x6) and all of the other mongrels that have been "leading" our country. As I recently heard said, "honey, PLEEEAASE."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Mind Control is the Fascist Agenda
[Report this comment]
Posted by: femtobeam on Aug 16, 2009 10:19 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The ability to communicate, whether at town hall meetings, over dinner, on the phone, or via the Internet are at the core of the rise of the fascist state. The sabotage of computers and networks has now become mind control and brain interface access to embedded devices.

If you look closely at the programs of the NIH, many of the subcontractors are pursuing mind control, brain studies, remote medicine, preventative health care and social engineering. It is not just in the HHS division but spans all of Government. It is not being done by the Government; it is being done by private companies, who are not being held accountable for their "research and experimentation on the public". Foreign governments and companies now have access.

The Mind Control Agenda is an actual communications network with real equipment of interconnected and controlled minds. The brain waves are read or acted upon by operators who can translate thoughts into numerous languages now. The control over the networks is the control over the population. They are using uninformed persons to disrupt everyone's ability to assemble so we will be isolated with a controlled online and one way television communication.

This issue is not about only health care money matters, it is about the future of freedom of thought and security from a takeover. By creating a media event to be seen around the world of US Citizens acting like adolescents and not discussing the real problems and solutions, we look weak and childlike to them and unequipped to lead the world with freedom when we are losing our own. We are witnessing it.

President Obama has only been in office for less than one year but he will be the president who will decide our future as it relates to the threat of mind control via directed energy weapons, EMS and embedded devices as well as our Internet and health care. It is during his time in office. It is more important that he be able to communicate with us through the media instead of the media. Everyone needs to assess their possibility of being mind control accessed. What do you have of value to the controllers?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The Top 16 ways that the Alternet feeds you Corporate Indoctrination & Propaganda vs. Education
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mtcloud on Aug 17, 2009 7:10 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Top 16 ways that the Alternet feeds you Indoctrination & Propaganda vs. Education
http://www.trufax.org/general/indoc.html

1a. One-sided: Different or opposing views are either ignored, misrepresented, under-represented, or denigrated.
2a. Uses generalizations, "allness" statements, and lack of specific references and data.
3a. Card Stacking: Data carefully selected - even distorted - to present only the best or worse possible case. Language used to conceal.
4a. Misleading use of statistics.
5a. Herding: Ignores distinctions and subtle differences. Attempts to bring together superficially similar elements together. Reasons by analogy.
6a. False Dilemma (either/or): Only two solutions to the problem or two ways of viewing the issue - the "right way" (writer or speaker's way) and the "wrong way" (any other way).
7a. Appeals to Authority: Statements by selected authority figures used to clinch an argument. "Only the expert knows" approach.
8a. Appeals to consensus or bandwagon approach: "Everybody's doing it so it must be right".
9a. Appeals to emotions and emotional responses: Uses words and pictures with strong emotional connotations.
10a. Labeling: Uses labels and derogatory language to describe proponents of opposing viewpoint.
11a. Promotes attitudes of attack and/or defense with the aim of selling a position or product.
12a. Ignores assumptions and built-in biases.
13a. Language promotes lack of awareness and unconsciousness.
14a. Can lead to tunnel vision and bigotry.
15a. Referenced studies conceal conflict-of-interest funding sources..
16a. Statistics always presented to show maximum damage from problem and minimum damage from solution.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Gary
[Report this comment]
Posted by: gbsadv on Aug 18, 2009 8:00 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am concerned with Sarah's recommendation to submit letters documenting irrational hatred by talk radio to the CEO's who promote it for their own profitability, and to promote their own corporate agenda's. These people are well connected with the embryonic fascist state, and their profits will mushroom (sorry about that word)as they gain even more control than they already have. Military industrial, health, prison, more complexes than we can name, would make Washington, or Eisenhower tremble in fear.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

A false premise explosion
[Report this comment]
Posted by: reelman on Aug 18, 2009 11:45 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
READ the book "Liberal Fascism"...
as we ALL should know (even not reading the book) the national socialist party was the NAZI Party...you cannot change historical fact.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

iPod Touch Video Converter
[Report this comment]
Posted by: boay on Aug 18, 2009 6:47 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
iPod Touch Video Converteris remarkable for iPod Touch's powerful multimedia functions. Wonderful sound and image quality definitely bring much ease and fun to your tiring work-day. However, it is also tiresome to update your iPod Music. So this iPod Touch Video Converter is emerging because of this. Using this software, you can convert various video and audio formats to iPod touch, such as avi, flv, mpeg, wmv, mpeg, divx, mp3, etc. Wonderful output quality and stable converting speed will definitely satisfy your demands.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

QUIZ: ITS A NATIONAL D_ _ _ _ _ _ _
[Report this comment]
Posted by: reelman on Aug 19, 2009 7:07 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
QUIZ: ITS A NATIONAL D_ _ _ _ _ _ _

1…Exhibits shocking arrogance (these are our publik servants no less)
2…Avoids real answers (often detests follow-up questions)

3…Shifts topic and blame (to avoid answers or depth of discussion; has a list of demons)
4…Seeks comfort being among the least successful (those that can be most easily manipulated to vote for them)

5…Says the other Party “does it too’ (therefore its okay)
6…Acts like you can’t read or think (does not matter if you vote their Party though)

7…Accuses others of what he/she/their Party does (this is a genetic principle to them)
8…Often avoids open meetings (may walkout if pressured to answer, prefers filtered pawn audience)

9…Shows little attachment to reality (economic or historical or fiscal)
10..Lies and often later lies about lying (you misunderstood of course)

11..Has no visible ethical boundaries (opposes them except for others, will call you judgmental)
12..Often defaults to serial personal smears when challenged (horrible debaters when given equal time)

Print this out in 24 point bold type and post it near your TV screen for comfort as you witness the Oz Landers of liberalism (secular socialism).
Do not expect these points to change next week or month or year…learn to recognize and live with them…liberals are true to form.

http://conservablogs.com/theconservativecrawfish

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Who are the real Fascist, Sara?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ChicagoWay on Aug 24, 2009 3:05 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It has always been a real hoot to me to watch those on the far left trying so hard to define/dismiss their political opposition by painting them as fascist. One must consider the source when judging such subjective notions. After all, to a far lefty Ronald Reagan would certainly be at the top of their "fascist" list. For that matter so would most of the Founding Fathers since almost all of them had a very healthy distrust towards great expansion of centralized government. In their day the founders were considered "liberals" (or even radicals), but in today's political context they would be much closer to the average Republican than they would be to the average 21st century "liberal" or progressive.

So exactly who is it that is so in love with the notion of massive government/state control and enforcing economic fairness (according to their own ill defined left-wing notions)?? Is it the modern right/conservatives ...or is it the average leftist/progressive?

Hint... it ain't the right that dreams of some little socialist utopia. Nope, it's the left that has always been in love with big government and the nanny state. Indeed, the modern liberal/progressive can best be defined by exactly how far they are willing to go to achieve the massive state control necessary for their utopian dreams to come true.

The lastest manifestation is the so-called "healthcare reform" initiative and the nationalization of 1/6th of the American economy. The real aim of course is future political control. After all, the more voters the left can get to be dependent on big government and politicians passing out the goodies the more control/power they and lefty politicians have.

Democrats have been doing that slowly ever since FDR. And controlling healthcare is THE perfect vehicle to get that ultimate control the left so crave. If successful liberals/democrats will no doubt have a permanent voting majority. Look at most of Europe's politics for what we will become should the left pull this healthcare hiest off.

Over the years Democrats have turned SS/medicare into their most potent political weapon by always expanding and promising more, more, and more again. At every election for the last 40 years democrats use the same playbook - scaring little old ladies by telling them the mean old Repubs will cut off their SS/medicare given the chance. THAT is also a BIG reason why both of those programs are near bankrupt. Can you imagine what they will do when they get their hands on the whole healthcare system??

So... who are the real fascist??

Fascism, by definition, requires massive state control - from the economy (e.g. national socialism) to controlling almost every important individual or personal choice, and always under the guise of what's best for the greater good and uplifting the state overall. And individual liberties be damned if they get in the way of the left's goal.

So... once again, who are the real fascist?

Would a real fascist be someone like Ronald Reagan and Rush Limbaugh, or would Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez come much closer to the true definition?

Between the choices above which individuals best represents the notion of individual liberties and stopping ever encroaching state control?

Sorry, Sara. One must always consider the source when they see that person trying to dismiss their political oppostion by calling them fascist. Your own poor definition says far more about your own far left politics than it does about those that you are attempting to slander.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

DVD to Gphone Converter
[Report this comment]
Posted by: boay on Aug 24, 2009 6:39 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
DVD to Gphone Converter

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Militant Terrorism Is Not "Fascism"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: johnyradio on Aug 26, 2009 7:23 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The term "Fascism" is corrrectly to an abusive, totatalitarian government state.

Not to vigilante groups.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Alternet Comments:

Comments are closed-

I started reading...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: tjg1984 on Aug 13, 2009 12:31 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
but I had to stop when you said that the "anti-health care rioters" are "all about race." After that, I am no longer able to take you seriously. And all of the many people who hold the position you describe as "all about race" but for whom it is not about race dismiss you.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Join our new progressive political party Posted by: www.democratz.org
» The GOPranos. The Republi KLAN party Posted by: www.democratz.org
» RE: I started reading... Posted by: mythmorph
» RE: True... Posted by: Cybershaman