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Campaign for America's Future / By Sara Robinson
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5 Ways to Build a Fascist-Proof America

If we want to build a fascist-proof America for the long haul, we must stand up now for everything we believe and everything we are.
August 27, 2009  |  
 
 
 
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August, die she must. The town hall freak show is winding down, the media circus is packing the cameras and satellite dishes and hairspray back into the vans, and Congress is soon heading back to the relative safety of Washington.

Yet, after all the fuss and bother, they're probably no more or less resolved to pass health care reform than they were back in June, when those first delirious fevers rose like clouds of infectious mosquito nymphs hatched from a thick, overheated carpet of soggy Astroturf.

Let's hope they succeed at getting it done. But, win or lose, we're crazy to think that the goon squads formed and trained to instigate this summer's health care wars will pack it in just because the silly season is over.

Those folks have tasted power, graduated from their introductory courses in Political Bullying 101, shared some camaraderie and beer and felt the heft of their own political muscle. That was fun. Now, what do we do next? Paralyze the school board over evolution in the textbooks? Intimidate the city council into shutting down the immigrants' services center -- or beat up some immigrants, so they'll just stop using it? Vandalize the cars and houses of known liberals? Get one of our own elected sheriff, so he can deputize the rest of us and make our posse official?

Nothin' but good times ahead. Now that they're organized up and had a little practice, the possibilities for further mayhem are limited only by the boundless paranoia and unfettered fantasies of the right-wing mind.

Out at our local county fair this past weekend, the GOP booth was festooned with a wide array of buttons, T-shirts and bumper stickers proclaiming the owner's status as a "Proud Member of the Right-Wing Mob," and other similarly, um, assertively empowered sentiments.

Judging from the general belligerence of the collection on offer, that seems to be the GOP's whole political identity now. It's determined to move boldly into 2010 as the party of America's union-, immigrant-, democracy- and (if necessary) head-busting squadristi -- and it's damn proud of it all, you betcha.

* * *

How in the hell did we get here? And more to the point: How do we get back out?

The first question is depressingly easy. This is precisely where 40 years wandering in the right-wing moral, cultural and economic wilderness has left us -- and, in fact, where it was always intended to lead us.

A liberal democratic society is a complex system that's designed to be very resilient and self-correcting in the face of all kinds of extremism. But the health of that system -- especially its natural immunity to would-be attackers -- ultimately depends on just one factor: It cannot survive without people's ongoing confidence in a functioning political contract.

When it's working right, this contract guarantees the upper classes predictable, reliable wealth in return for their investments. It promises the middle class mobility, comfort and security. It ensures the working classes fair reward for fair work, chances to move ahead and protection against very real risk that they'll be forced into poverty if they can't work any more.

Generally, as long as everybody gets their piece of this constantly renegotiated deal, everybody stays invested in keeping the system going -- and a democratic society will remain upright, healthy and moving mostly forward.

For the past four decades, conservatives have done everything in their power to dismantle that essential contract, and thus destroy our mutual confidence in the fundamental agreements that allow any democratic system to function. (None dare call it treason -- but a solid case could be made.)

This isn't news: by now, most of us can recite the litany, chapter and verse, of the all the many ways they hacked away at America's essential ability to function as the Constitution intended.

But the biggest loser, as always, has been the working class -- the people whose only real power lies in their sweat and their numbers. Their faith in the promise of democratic self-government has been shattered through years of union-busting, farm foreclosures, factory exports, college grant cuts, subprime mortgage scams and all manner of betrayal, treachery, neglect and abuse.


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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.
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What We Face is "Reaganism" ... And why we neeed to kill it ...
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Posted by: mmckinl on Aug 29, 2009 1:04 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Ronald Reagan was the mouthpiece for what we face today. Reagan was the mouthpiece for the AMA and health care companies in the early 60's warning of Communist Care.

As Governor Reagan tried to dismantle environmental protections. He ran roughshod over Universities placing autocrats as Chancellors, University Presidents and Deans. The coming "tax revolts" started in California on Reagan's heels.

Reagan announced his run for President in 1980 in Philadelphia Mississippi. Why ? "Philadelphia, county seat of Mississippi's Neshoba County, is where three civil rights workers -- Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman -- were murdered in 1964."

Reagan announced there wouldn't be anymore welfare mothers driving brand new Cadillacs to pick up their welfare checks under his administration. When asked for an example none could be found, but that didn't stop the mantra.

As President he fired all the Air Traffic Controllers giving the Green Light for corporations to do the same with their strikers.

Under Reagan the Military Budget went crazy while he turned America from the biggest creditor nation in the world to the biggest debtor nation in the world.

Reagan cut taxes for the already rich. Check the charts for the historic wealth disparity between the middle class and the filthy rich ... it all began with Reagan's tax cuts.

Trade deficit? It took off under Reagan as did leveraged buyouts, out sourcing and CEO Pay.

Reagan did nothing to stop the AIDS epidemic and fired his Surgeon General C. Everett Koop when he tried to meet the AIDS challenge.

We must hold Ronald Reagan to account for where we are ... we have to set the record straight ... that Reagan was a pure catastrophe for our country ... We must knock Reagan off his pedestal ... Why do you think the right wing has tried to name everything after Reagan ...? It's because Reagan's Legacy is the Keystone of their power and America's turn toward fascism ... away from the Common Good and away from Social Equality and Economic Justice ...

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» It's kinda sad to see anyone ... Posted by: wolfgangmo75
» "Reaganism - the good old days. Posted by: progressive-life
» RE: "Reaganism - the good old days. Posted by: johnthetreehugger
» Reaganism - the bad old days. Posted by: thornwolf
» RE: "Reaganism - the good old days. Posted by: progressiveview
» RE: regressive-lie strikes again! Posted by: sasquuatch55
» RE: "Reaganism - the good old days. Posted by: HillbillyRob
» RE: "Reaganism - the good old days. Posted by: wolfgangmo75
» damnit, you stole my post! Posted by: hurricane hugo
» You are right. Posted by: zigy

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Are Czars fascist?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: LillianB on Aug 29, 2009 1:20 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Are deals with big pharma and expanding the patriot act fascist? How about supporting indefinite detention or squeezing blood out of a bankrupt country for "stimulus" we never saw? Is pouring taxpayer money into a company then taking it over fascist? Is trying to pass a massive bill before anyone reads it fascist? How about another needless costly war?

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» RE: Are Czars fascist? Posted by: luzmejor
» Nothing to see here Posted by: SeattlePackedSnowandCollidedCars
» RE: Are Czars fascist? Posted by: Axiom69

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5 Ways to Build a Fascist-Proof America
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Posted by: sthomper on Aug 29, 2009 1:27 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
10. Free education for all children in public schools.
http://www.anu.edu.au/polsci/marx/classics/manifesto.html

somewhere in this article there was mentioned that in 'liberal democracies' when they work right everyone gets a piece of something, etc etc etc.
well...we already have plank 10. from karl marx in our liberal democracy.

in europe and elsewhere since the 20th century began between elected officials of every type of (doctrine)ist there have been more people killed than at any time before.
numerous broken treaties from democratic??? elected leaders (um..representative govt??), deadly wars, babies pulled from incubators, oops....even after the so-called wars for independence took place. democracies had to still go kill other people.

personally i think a system if regional fiefdoms would be superior.

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» RE: 5 Ways to Build a Fascist-Proof America Posted by: johnthetreehugger

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What a total load of "BOLLOCKS"
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Posted by: ghost in the machine on Aug 29, 2009 1:50 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I have never read such naive unintelligble garbage as this . This is naive twoddle . Imposed images and notions of an ideal world view . This woman is positively dangerous .

Like someone who says .."trust me I know about these things ,.. you need to put sand in the the top there as all those little grains will roll around and lubricate your engine "

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» RE: What a total load of "BOLLOCKS" Posted by: ghost in the machine
» RE: What a total load of "BOLLOCKS" Posted by: ghost in the machine
» RE: What a total load of "BOLLOCKS" Posted by: ghost in the machine
» RE: What a total load of "BOLLOCKS" Posted by: ghost in the machine
» And dMac says in response ... Posted by: wolfgangmo75
» RE: What a total load of "BOLLOCKS" Posted by: ghost in the machine

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Polybius and the Roman Republic
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Posted by: edgar_michel on Aug 29, 2009 1:56 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I remember reading Polybius somewhere and the date of the article was about 160 B.C. perhaps two hundred years before the birth of Christianity. Polybius was born in 200 B.C. so he was about forty when he wrote the article. What struck me about the article was how articulate Polybius was; shattering my misperception of the relative primitiveness of that period of time.

Polybius said that the strength of your country lies in the strength of your constitution; a well crafted constitution checks against corruption and ensures a broad distribution of wealth. Polybius was most impressed with Sparta’s constitution and its author Lycurgus. Polybius talked about the battle between Rome and Cartagena and why Rome eventually prevailed even though Hannibal delivered them a sound defeat in the first battle. Polybius said that the reason Rome was able to regroup after a sound trouncing is because Romans were fighting for Rome and that Romans all shared in the bounty of Rome whereas Hannibal’s forces were paid mercenaries. When Rome regrouped and came a second time at Hannibal, the mercenaries not seeing any more profit in continuing the fight simply fled and Rome delivered to Hannibal a complete rout.

At that time the Roman constitution prescribed that an emperor was to be voted in to office by a majority of those eligible to vote, Plebs, Senators and Councilmen and was elected to lead a particular campaign and after one year in office was required to surrender the office. He was only allowed to run for emperor once every ten years, no exceptions. It’s Ironic because Polybius began his article describing how lucky he was to have been born when he was because through his reading of the Greek classics he surmised that the best crafted constitutions have their hidden weaknesses and a country is only immune from corruption until someone discovers the inherent weakness built into the constitution and exploits it.

Polybius extolled the pleasure of living in a functioning republic. A hundred years after he wrote that article Julius Caesar marched into Rome across the Rubicon, seized Rome and declared himself emperor for life, ending the Roman republic.

Polybius was right, he was lucky to have been born when he was.

Is there an inherent weakness in the Constitution of the United States allowing corruption to gain a foothold?

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» glad I checked the responses Posted by: hurricane hugo
» RE: Polybius and the Roman Republic Posted by: edgar_michel
» RE: Polybius and the Roman Republic Posted by: edgar_michel

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Progressives are screw-ups
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Posted by: Perry Logan on Aug 29, 2009 2:56 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Here's the problem. Both the Democrats and the progressive community have just proven themselves to be screw-ups.

Am I going to join forces with someone who spent the primaries calling his fellow Democrats racists, as the Obama people did?

Nope.

Am I going to the political front lines next to some pr*ck who called Hillary and her female supporters the C word over and over?

Perish the thought.

Am I going to roll up my sleeves for a a "progressive" organization that throws dissenters out and publishes right-wing smears against fellow Democrats?

Not in this lifetime.

Do I feel solidarity with Democrats who were dumb enough to vote for the party traitor, Barack Obama?

I do not.


The Kingdom of the Democrats: it lasted but four years.

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» RE: Progressives are screw-ups Posted by: mkdelta69
» RE: Progressives are screw-ups Posted by: progressiveview
» RE: Progressives are screw-ups Posted by: gilette7
» RE: Progressives are screw-ups Posted by: mapsguy1955
» RE: Progressives are screw-ups Posted by: pastortom52

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Three Words!
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Posted by: Jaipurr on Aug 29, 2009 3:10 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are three words that are key to the process currently establishing the Fascist Republic of America, along with the UK and many other "free" nations.
Those three words are greed, profit and capital.
The process may well have gone too far to stop now and there seems no will to fight back!

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» RE: Three Words! Posted by: John Annis
» RE: Three Words! Posted by: richholland
» RE: Three Words! Posted by: DavidMac
» RE: Three Words! Posted by: justAnEgg
» RE: Three Words! Posted by: Dakota Flint
» RE: Three Words! Posted by: justAnEgg
» RE: Three Words! Posted by: progressiveview

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we can apply Tom Paine's test to the current state of affairs
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Posted by: Suzon on Aug 29, 2009 3:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Excellent article, Sara!

Perhaps the words of Thomas Paine might be a place where Americans can find agreement:

When it shall be said in any country in the world, 'My poor are happy; neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars; the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive; the rational world is my friend, because I am the friend of its happiness': when these things can be said, then may that country boast of its constitution and its government.

Who is going to argue with the wisdom of the man who made the arguments which justified throwing off the yoke of tryanny?

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» Oh wow Posted by: begruntleed

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Where on earth have the liberals been doing for 40 years?
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Posted by: axisofoil on Aug 29, 2009 4:41 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Complaining about conservatives. Doesn't anybody notice that other than going left right left right left right, this ship never changes course? Isn't that obvious by now? They have given us the choice of liberal or conservative and thrown us in a pit to fight. Who are they? Well, let's see. Who could they be? Here's a clue. They go around the world killing millions of people for profit. We pay their overhead as well as profit, travel expenses, vacations, health care and pensions. They are not on a budget. We all know their billing procedures. They are supported by presidents both republican and Democrat as well as congress. They are busy at this moment building illegal uranium bombs, manufacturing more depleted uranium rounds, planning more military bases and will certainly loose trillions more dollars without any apology. They have no respect for human life. Zero. They fly in invisible jets and use night vision. They kill mostly women and children. They have fleets of ships, tanks, limo's, jets and mountains of weapons that if not used will not increase profits. Halliburton licks it's chops thinking about them. Martin Luther King talked about them, as well as Kennedy and Eisenhower to name a few. Many have matching outfits. Some of the lower ones come home with no arms or legs. Many commit suicide because they find the whole thing disturbing. When they were playing in the jungle they used stuff that burned your skin off. Now they use white stuff that burns you from the inside out. Many wanted to elect one of them president for his 15 sucessful attacks on women and children. Who are these guys? Who are their suppliers? How did they get to be such a big business?
For any real change, we need to take control of our own destiny. Politicians are irrelevant. ALL of us need to work together against the real enemies of freedom. How about this. All of the military who snoozed through the largest terror attack on this country were promoted. Was that fair, just, lawful? Were they so focused on killing they forgot that their job was protecting...........us? The military was sure stupid that day. But what a great opportunity for them to initiate another really big killing spree. So they did. The reason they gave, WMD's, is now a standing joke. Want to see them stop laughing? What if we all pushed for a real investigation into 9/11 and get some heads rolling? Their heads, for a change. They wouldn't even see it coming because they think they have successfully marginalized all who want another 9/11 investigation into a group they call conspiracy nuts. Clever. A new investigation would not be about theories, but about the facts of their irresponsibility that day. Their negligence cost a lot of life and loss of our rights. Their ineptness changed the world. For that, they rewarded themselves. How stupid are we? Dose anyone really believe there wasn't gross negligence? Why haven't liberals seized this opportunity? Push to open a new investigation and believe me, the conservative agenda would come apart. Why wouldn't you want to do that? Because they have programmed you not to. You wouldn't want to be laughed at or called a conspiracy nut. Their conspiracy spin really worked. They win. Again.

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» Waterboard Silverstein Posted by: weathered
» Tell us about it, Reagan lover. Posted by: GuitarBill
» DNFTT* Posted by: Quist
» In your dreams Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: In your dreams Posted by: axisofoil
» DNFTT* Posted by: Quist
» Then consider ignoring yourself. Posted by: GuitarBill
» Billy.....you are so silly. Posted by: axisofoil
» DNFTT* Posted by: Quist
» Hypocrite. Posted by: GuitarBill
» DNFTT Posted by: Quist
» DNFTT* Posted by: Quist
» DNFTT* Posted by: Quist
» Another red herring, Troll Queen? Posted by: GuitarBill
» DNFTT Posted by: Quist
» DNFTT Posted by: Quist
» DNFTT Posted by: Quist
» DNFTT Posted by: Quist
» DNFTT Goodbye William. Posted by: Quist

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Defeat fascism.....
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Posted by: progressive-life on Aug 29, 2009 5:13 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
vote out Obama and Pelosi.

Between these two this is the closest we've come to fascism in this country. Controlling the media, suppressing alternative views, eliminating the middle and upper classes, controlling business, unionizing the country and using union thugs to intimidate Americans trying to voice their opinions, allowing groups to intimidate voters at voting booths.etc..etc..etc..

Seem they have tossed the constitution for OBAMA's NEW AMERIKA

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» RE: Defeat fascism..... Posted by: johnthetreehugger
» RE: Defeat fascism..... Posted by: photon's feather
» RE: Defeat fascism..... Posted by: tap17x
» RE: Defeat fascism..... Posted by: progressiveview
» RE: Defeat fascism..... Posted by: BigRon
» RE: WTF? Posted by: mythmorph
» RE: Defeat fascism..... Posted by: MT512

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Fascists in Germany, Reichstag Fire and 911
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Posted by: whole2th on Aug 29, 2009 5:41 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One tool of fascists is "false flags" operations--and the lessons of history are clear involving the Reichstag Fire which was followed in one month by the German Enabling Act which bears chilling similarities to the Patriot Act which was passed after extorting Congress with anthrax from our own military bioweapons program.

New investigations into 9/11 should be added to the advice and plans for resisting and thwarting the rise of fascism, not only in America, but around the world. Sinclair Lewis's book, "It Can't Happen Here" and Naomi Wolf's writings (END OF AMERICA) and speeches make a clear case that fascism is on the rise.....world-wide, and especially in America.

A key event enabling the stampede to fascism is 9/11 which was a conspiracy (called "false flags" operation) by neocons, fascists and New World Order demons. Terrorists could not have hoped for the shredding of our Constitution which has occurred all quite legally and justified by the enforced myths about 9/11. All "quite legally" Americans (as the good German people) have allowed our liberties to be taken on the promise of a bit more security.

Learn about WHO DID IT it here: http://whodidit.org

and here: http://911missinglinks.com

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» What Israel hates most? Posted by: weathered
» Mossad's DNA is all over 9/11 Posted by: weathered

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GOP the party for Lemmings
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Posted by: mchllecat on Aug 29, 2009 5:45 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The crazies controlling the GOP today are CRAZY,Hatefulpeoplethat cantstand haveing lost the POTUS,The rest of the country need to stop paying attention to them on t.v.,They should be ostrocized by society,they are liveing in the past,Mostof those being hateful at town halls were probably those hateing on those black chidren in the sixtys when they integrated the schools,They(GOP) are still fighting that fight,their anger is for theirown misguided feelings of entitlement or being better than othersbased on race.They give all White people a bad name,GOP base onlystands up together for hate,and this T party crap is ridiculous esp. since MOST people at them are paying less taxes than when Bush was in,But not apeep about it when Bush was in Office,NOt a peep when Bush lied about wmd,or wiretapping americans,giveing taxBREAKS,cutting taxes on SUPER WEALTHY,the ignorant,poor masses of white MOSTLY OLD fat white people really need to educate themselves with some common sense.GOP is justfor themproud rightwing terrorists......if you are a republican today that is who you are.it's who you vote for...those idiots with selective memory when caught breaking the law...birds of a feather....p.s Bragging at town hall meetings that a thousand page bill is too much for your wee little brain to comprehend is hilarious,Guess reading wasnt a critiria when(if) you went to school,and all those people that buy bookslike stephin king whose averageis about a thousand pages a book at least.....just proveingyour stupid again...bubba

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FIGHT THE FUNCTIONS OF FASCISM IN AMERICA
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Posted by: aahpat on Aug 29, 2009 6:10 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"Yet, after all the fuss and bother, they're probably no more or less resolved to pass health care reform than they were back in June"

Actually far less resolved because the Democrats who held town hall meetings allowed the Reich-wingers dominate the meetings and media while supporters sat passively by allowing the thugs to dominate the theater.

"Paralyze the school board over evolution in the textbooks?"

They have been doing that for decades. Where have you been?

"Intimidate the city council into shutting down the immigrants' services center -- or beat up some immigrants, so they'll just stop using it?"

Well that's a component of the war on drugs and both the Democrats and Republicans in city councils, state legislatures and congress have been single-mindedly promoting fear and hate of immigrants and poverty oppressed minorities with fascist tactics since 1970.

"Vandalize the cars and houses of known liberals?"

Why vandalize when an intimidating word or a false report to police will do the job.

"Get one of our own elected sheriff, so he can deputize the rest of us and make our posse official?"

There has not been a liberal in American law enforcement in the past fifty years in America. It is a haven of right-wing racism and extremism.

" This is precisely where 40 years wandering in the right-wing moral, cultural and economic wilderness has left us -- and, in fact, where it was always intended to lead us."

Yup. In 1970 Richard Nixon, in collusion with the Dixie-crats in congress at the time, created the war on drugs as a federalization and re-invigoration of Jim Crow. A paramilitary with federal authority to attack with impunity the core constituencies of what was perceived then to be the Democratic anti war and civil rights base.

The drug war economic warfare campaign has flooded our cities with tax free economic opportunity that poverty oppressed children find hard to ignore. Lured into opportunity that then mass disenfranchises them and their community.

At the same time willingness by rebellious youth, of all colors, who question the authority of the drug laws by their imbibing on proscribed intoxicants, then become easy targets for incarceration, mass disenfranchisement forced re-indoctrination.

"It cannot survive without people's ongoing confidence in a functioning political contract."

So then what is the outcome of forty years of unrelenting attacks on the rule of law, directed at generations of our youth, by the authoritarian war on drugs?

The social contract farce!

"...in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity..."

What do these constitutional assertions mean, in reality, when the drug war acts to undermine and subvert each and every one?

Democrats have been just as aggressive as the GOP in imposing the war on drugs on America's youth since 1970. Barack Obama is today escalating and militarizing the war on drugs on our streets and internationally.

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» Addendum: SOLUTION Posted by: aahpat
» I have no hope for Obama Posted by: aahpat
» RE: You Are The Hope Posted by: desidid
» You Are The Ho Posted by: aahpat

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There is a way out...but it will take time
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Posted by: ETSpoon on Aug 29, 2009 6:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What is needed are two new amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

One which strips 14th Amendment protections from corporations, overturning the flawed reading of the 1886 Supreme Court decision in Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad, granting "personhood" to corporate entities.

The other amendment would provide for the public financing of all elections, from the presidency on down to local offices.

Why Constitutional amendments? Because once the Constitution is amended is it the supreme law of the land and all the conservative justices on the Supreme Court can do nothing to over turn them. Remember the Volstead Act, the Eighteenth Amendment, prohibition? Had to be overturned by another amendment.

Am I spamming. Yes. But other than some sort of armed insurrection, of which there is a lot of big talk with no action in this country, if something is not done in respect of denying corporations protection under the 14th Amendment and leveling the political-election playing field we will lose our representative democracy.

It may be to late already.

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» Great source, there. Posted by: leafsong1
» Where you find this stuff? Posted by: sausage
» Research Posted by: leafsong1
» Too late? Posted by: tatamchwh

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Here's the 6th, and maybe most important, way to undermine fascism
[Report this comment]
Posted by: hagwind on Aug 29, 2009 6:26 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Local, real-time, face-to-face organizing. Successful unions are built on strong locals, the women's movement at its height was built on small groups, the anti-nuke movement had its affinity groups, the Communist Party had its cells, and the civil rights movement had its churches.

To me one of the scariest signs that fascism is genuinely possible in this country is the widespread assumption that elected leaders have the power to fix -- or wreck -- things singlehanded. Look at the people who turned against President Obama when he'd barely been in office a month: He hadn't cleaned up the gargantuan mess that the Bush administration dropped in his lap, so throw the bum out! If Dennis Kucinich / Ron Paul / Cynthia Kinney had been elected, everything would be fixed by now.

These people aren't looking for a leader, they're looking for a savior who's going to wave a magic wand and solve all the country's problems in a few months. This mindset is a prime prerequisite for fascism. Anyone can promise to solve all the country's problems in a few months, but only someone with dictatorial powers can actually do it. And their idea of a solution probably won't look much like yours or mine.

Most people who've ever worked on the local level -- in political groups, cultural groups, organizational groups, any kind of groups -- know this. We know that accomplishing anything worthwhile takes a lot of hard work, compromising, talking, swearing, and teeth-gnashing. We also know that sometimes people we don't 100% agree with or don't especially like turn out to be invaluable allies.

Local organizing. It's key.

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» Obama Cleaning? What Up... Posted by: americansheep
» RE: Obama Cleaning? What Up... Posted by: mkdelta69

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EXCELLENT POST SARA!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: timenotonmyside on Aug 29, 2009 6:31 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I've been reading your posts on Campaign for Americas Future for a long time.

This one is the best by far, so clear and concise.

''How in the hell did we get here? And more to the point: How do we get back out?''

You are so right when you say '' we must stand up now for everything we believe and everything we are''.

Anybody else out there want to stand up ?

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REV. BILLY TALIN SPEAKS THAT LANGUAGE
[Report this comment]
Posted by: americansheep on Aug 29, 2009 6:39 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Rev. Billy, of the church of stop shopping, (something like that) who is running for mayor of NYC, speaks that language of emotion, fire and people power... Check out his website.

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Yeah, we know all this; what we don't know is how to fight fascism
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Posted by: leafsong1 on Aug 29, 2009 6:52 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And this article is no help. GI bill? Great, now the white supremacist gangsters recruited by the military for their wet work are to be inducted into the bourgeoisie. Card check? Great, now these thoroughly infiltrated organizations can be more effective arms of the corrupt Democratic party (with a little help from the MAFIA). Progressive religious institutions are ever more indebted to government funding. And the astroturfers themselves are really only window dressing. Political decisions aren't made and public opinion is not guaged at staged political events. The "protests" are only to disguise the supreme power money exerts over our elected officials. The threat of fascism is not a threat at all; it is our reality. Similarly, the "only" option the author describes is not an option at all, it is a pipe dream. There is no way from here to there that does not pass through streets washed with blood.

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» Simple Posted by: aahpat
» RE: Simple Posted by: hagwind
» You have no concept Posted by: aahpat
» Denial is the water Posted by: aahpat
» RE: You have no concept Posted by: MT512

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HEY WE ALREADY HAVE DEATH PANELS - ITS RUN BY THE DRUG AND INSURANCE COMPANIES
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Posted by: cori on Aug 29, 2009 6:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
47 million Americans are uninsured and the ten's of millions who are insured often don't get covered if they fall ill with something serious- Are we stupid or what? We already have death panels they are run by the drug companies that make trillions off of dangerous drugs that can kill you. Being totally profit driven, there is NO incentive to find cures and there are no check and balances! And if you don't have insurance and you get sick and lose your job - tough - you might starve and die in the the gutter. THEY DON'T CARE!!!! Death panels are already happening! WAKE THE HELL UP!

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WE ARE ALL TELLING TRUTH ARE WE???
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Posted by: flymulla on Aug 29, 2009 7:07 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As Budget Deficit Grows, So Do Doubts on Dollar
Yet, after all the fuss and bother, they're probably no more or less resolved to pass health care reform than they were back in June, when those first delirious fevers rose like clouds of infectious mosquito nymphs hatched from a thick, overheated carpet of soggy Astroturf.
Let's hope they succeed at getting it done. But, win or lose, we're crazy to think that the goon squads formed and trained to instigate this summer's health care wars will pack it in just because the silly season is over.
Is it not true that USA printed the dollars bills and flooded the markets without the backing of the gold? is it not true the solo aim to go to Iraq was oil? Is it not true that there was no link between the Saddam and Taliban? Is it not true that after these Bush went to Saudi fro begging for oil and he was told, “Sorry not a drop”? Is it not true that Bush at one time said, “We have plenty of gas”? These divided the population and who would trust any now? Now to UK.
I have no idea why UK is always talks in terms of the divided Scots, Wales, Irish, and UK. No wonder the Lock, bee took the beefiest advantage, and Libya now makes the huge laugh having tent at the USA meeting. Is that not sarcasm on all Great Britain?
Can we stop this and talk of ONE UK?
We give all a think tank and competition of trade.
I thank you
Firozali A Mulla

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Ironies abound
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Posted by: Tom Degan on Aug 29, 2009 7:30 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"But the biggest loser, as always, has been the working class -- the people whose only real power lies in their sweat and their numbers."

Great line. Something I have thought of often. The irony is that so many of the working class have been brainwashed into believing that Liberalism is the enemy of American progress.

Let's send them to reeducation camps.....

Alright, I'm kidding

Let's make them aware - is that better?

I think things are starting to change. It is only a matter of time that we awaken fro the right wing coma we've been snoozing under for the last thirty years.

Teddy Kennedy 1932-2009

Let's win this one for Teddy!

Tom Degan, Goshen, NY

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End the campaign contributions - bribary connections
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Posted by: LeonBNJ on Aug 29, 2009 7:31 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The first step is to end the de facto campaign contributions - bribary connections. As other posters suggested, perhaps we should consider a constitution amendment as to funding of campaign contributions of all elected officials. Put in caps on how much one can raise, no paid commercials on TV/Radio/Newspapers, mandate debates with questions from real voters and so on. Yes, the 1st Amendment was intentionally designed mainly to protect political speech but it was not to allow money to be the speech or access to influence politicans. We all are aware that the bulk of money for political campaigns for any politican of either the Repulicans or the Democrats comes from the rich.
Perhaps in additions we should have protests in front of the venues where big-buck political fundraisers are done, require all politicans to post on the internet within a few days of receiving the contributions of the name and interests and publicize connections of politicans policy making and campaign contributions.

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Going POSITIVE
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Posted by: CTC123 on Aug 29, 2009 8:11 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We all inhabit different moral galaxies,
'yet' we are all interdependent pieces of
the same puzzle, inhabiting the same planet.
Search 4
Sen. Ted Kennedy on health, environment, economy
CTC123GREEN

Great article, Sara Robinson

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40 Years of Liberal/Progressive Appeasement
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Posted by: aahpat on Aug 29, 2009 8:12 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Will not be overturned by a few paragraphs of hand wringing.

Get up, Stand up!
Stand up for your rights.
Get up, Stand up!
Don't give up the fight.

American liberals and progressives gave up the fight by the end of the Vietnam war and America has become progressively and more liberally fascistic ever since.

The fascists have been shoving Democrats/liberals/progressives to the right for forty years so that today the average liberal sounds more like Richard Nixon did in 1970. I was there then and I am here now. Its very depressing and disappointing to see.

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» Turn on, tune in, drop out Posted by: tatamchwh

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George Washington on political parties
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Posted by: aahpat on Aug 29, 2009 8:34 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
From Washington's retirement address as president.

On party politics:
They serve to Organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force--to put in the place of the delegated will of the Nation, the will of a party; often a small but artful and enterprizing minority of the Community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public Administration the Mirror of the ill concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the Organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common councils and modefied by mutual interests. However combinations or Associations of the above description may now & then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the Power of the People, & to usurp for themselves the reins of Government; destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

I have already intimated to you the danger of Parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on Geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, & warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party, generally.

This Spirit, unfortunately, is inseperable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human Mind. It exists under different shapes in all Governments, more or less stifled, controuled, or repressed; but in those of the popular form it is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissention, which in different ages & countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders & miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security & repose in the absolute power of an Individual: and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight) the common & continual mischiefs of the spirit of Party are sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise People to discourage and restrain it.

It serves always to distract the Public Councils and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill founded Jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot & insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence & corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country, are subjected to the policy and will of another.

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the Administration of the Government and serve to keep alive the spirit of Liberty. This within certain limits is probably true--and in Governments of a Monarchical cast patriotism may look with endulgence, if not with favour, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate & assuage it. A fire not to be quenched; it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest instead of warming it should consume."

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"reliable wealth" and "upward mobility" are the real reasons for "fascism"
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Posted by: canary131 on Aug 29, 2009 8:50 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The entire premise of our system is that us hard-working Americans can "get ahead". Of who? Of the rest of the world? We already consume far more than our share.

It's our incessant need to consume that got us here. People want the material goods that we can only get through explotation of the rest of the world. Hence, world domination and fascism are the order of the day.

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» canary131 and "fascism" Posted by: SteveA
» RE: canary131 and "fascism" Posted by: canary131

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The fate and destiny of America.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: popham on Aug 29, 2009 8:51 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sara Robinson is a good writer; however, if you
enjoy reading about "progressive", utopian
guidelines, which will save America from left OR right facsism, then Sam Adams, Jefferson, the Declaration and the Constitution make for much more enjoyable and logical perusal.
The key word in Sara's article is extremism.
In my five road trips across America 2007-08, as a 3rd Party candidate for President, I had the good fortune to speak with thousands of
concerned Americans. Though they may have belonged to one of the two major parties, on a
regular basis, they expressed to me their total
dislike for the extremes of Dems. & Reps. Many
of them urged a revisiting of the Constitution,
for in recent years it has been ignored or
shredded by Administrations and Congress.
Like me, most of the folks I met are politically centrist. Their only concern is to
see the U.S.A. back on the right track.
In outlining her liberal 'wish list', Sara
condemns conservatives, when in fact, the clear
and present danger has always emanated from both sides of the aisle---for more than 30 years.
It is indeed time to put an end to this folly
government in which our so-called representatives care nothing for the average
citizen. They 'spend' 70% of their time campaigning for their next election. Lobbyists
pay their way and dictate legislation.
The level of greed, pursuit of power, ineptitude, incompetence and even sexual exploits has become intolerable.
They feed off of each other, regardless of party. They are repugnant; silly and pathetic
individuals solely bent on their own selfish
goals. Progressives, liberals, conservatives?
They, in my humble opinion, do not represent
the American people. Indeed, the American people want and deserve a better America, where
liberty, justice, prosperity, security and
happiness should be our highest priorities.
And yes, for the sake of future generations,
Civics should be a required course from grade
school to high school.
Both sides of the societal aisle have allowed
the current state of affairs to occur. So now
is the time as Sara suggests, that we all stand
up for our country, before it is lost to the
extremes of liberalism OR conservatism, for both border on some degree of fascism; both have been dragging America down for almost a
generation.
We believe that a 21st Century American
Revolution is near. What form it will take
remains to be seen. We hope it will be peaceful. The rally/march in Washington on
Saturday, Sept. 12th could be a turning point.
In the meantime, we can and must, at this critical time in history, join forces as one family of 300+ million Americans and show the
world that we are indeed the greatest nation on
earth.

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Sara Robinson has not a clue
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Posted by: SteveA on Aug 29, 2009 8:54 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Fascism does not arise from private citizens meeting in public to express their views on a huge new government initiative. That is an exercise of their freedom of speech, a gift from God - not the state! - EXACTLY as Sara herself does when she writes. (Even when WHAT she writes may be considered drivel.)

Fascism is when personal freedoms are surrendered to a power-hungry state demanding everyone behave the same. When no woman or man is allowed to champion the right of an infant to live - even in an Illinois hospital! - or when noboby gets away with doubting Al Gore's stunning denial of science with his new religion, THAT'S fascism.

A black American carrying a single-shot weapon in public is not Fascism - even if it looks really dangerous - unless he is trying to keep others from expressing their opinions or casting votes. Was he trying to keep people out of the peaceful assembly?

Busloads of SEIU fatboys pushing geezers around and trying to stomp on people is simple assault and battery, unless it is organized to keep opinions from being expressed - THEN it is INDEED Facism.

Sara needs to get out more - and buy a dictionary. If she spent her own money on her "education" she may want to consider asking for a refund.

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» Steve A. has not a clue Posted by: leafsong1
» RE: Steve A. has not a clue Posted by: picalillie
» RE: Sara Robinson has not a clue Posted by: photon's feather

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Exercise your neurons and vote for something different.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ABetterFuture on Aug 29, 2009 9:08 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Of course, that would require dispensing with the highly politically profitable stigma of "conservativism" versus "liberalism".

I know many, many, many folks prefer to be agin' the devil, but until the electorate wakes up to the fact political policy in Washington D.C. is simply a rotating Power door, then we're stuck on the low road, on a bearing towards Status Quo, just over the horizon.

I mean, look folks--we've chosen to tolerate 32 years of having a Bush or Clinton regularly sucking oxygen in the Whitehouse, 20 of which a Bush or Clinton was actually the president.

It's comical, in a We-Look-Down-on-Bannana-Republics sort of fashion, if you ignore where it has gotten us as a nation.

Thus, your answer to fascism: pick something different for a..."change", lol.

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They are our doctors, our lawyers, our police...
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Posted by: aahpat on Aug 29, 2009 9:29 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That is a 1990's vintage quote from Aryan Nations/KKK leader Tom Metzgar who is today in jail awaiting trial for helping a bombing attack.

"Get one of our own elected sheriff, so he can deputize the rest of us and make our posse official?"

Guffaw! Sheriff?! LOLOLOLOLLLLLLLLL!!!

Sonia Sotomayor: A defense Lawyer's Judge Dread

Sotomayor: Authoritarian Rubber Stamp

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WE SHOULDN'T HATE REPUBLICAN VOTERS, WE SHOULD WAKE THEM UP AND HELP THEM INSTEAD !!
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Posted by: skepticgod on Aug 29, 2009 9:55 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I HATE BOTH PARTIES, I PREFER A SOCIALIST PARTY FOR USA. BUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY VOTERS ARE REAL DANGEROUS, MISGUIDED AND MENTALLY DISTURBED PEOPLE.

Beware of Republican Party voters, i don't really know where did they get their evil morality from. I've never seen such evil and immoral people in this world.

There are many Republican Party websites that sell T-shirts that read: "I support waterboarding"

I mean what the hell is going in the minds of our fellow citizens who are americans as well and who need our forgiveness, love and understanding.

So we shouldn' hate republicans but help them

,

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» ... Neville Chamberlain Posted by: aahpat
» This way to meet your maker Posted by: aahpat

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Forward this
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Ahimsa on Aug 29, 2009 10:16 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
To our president and congress.
Powerful piece, thanks!

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Two step program
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Posted by: billwald on Aug 29, 2009 10:33 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
First, a 100% income tax on all income in excess of 100 times median income.

Second, a 100% estate tax of all property in excess of 100 times median household assets.

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There are no Martin Luther King's today
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Posted by: aahpat on Aug 29, 2009 11:16 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And that makes all the difference.

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Good ideas in this article
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Posted by: swooshy on Aug 29, 2009 11:19 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Great article and I think the steps outlined are spot on.

You are right, it's scary when people go on the attack at a President who was barely in office for a month or two because of a real mess that took eight years of the fox basically watching the chicken coop . Guess the junk food, poor education and hate media are kickin' in as planned here.

I once heard William F. Buckley pronounce with all his conservative bluster something to the effect of "that means you want US ALL to PAY FOR YOU ALL". Working middle class and working poor people with no hiding places for their money and no wage or price protections are footing this bill. Sad thing is that many of them get convinced to point the UZI at their own foot by a flag waving hypocrite who is making a profit whether it's a politician, so-called religious leader or a ceo.

This latest foray of the IRS into Switzerland should be interesting to say the least. How many co's ceos bulked up their own salaries, raised prices and outsourced work to dirt cheap labor countries and then decided taxes were too high??

The double speak insult to the intelligence of Americans -- the phrase "jobless recovery" is another sign of the disconnect here. It really means business as usual. You are right about the healthcare thing hitting the buttons of the conservative right wing. It really brings the predatory nature of completely unregulated capitalism into bold relief. The public option scares them to death because it is an acknowledgement of a lack of trust people have in "business as usual". The cat is out of the bag here and the usual dark forces are trying like hell to get it back in on healthcare, energy, consumer protections in banking, investing, credit cards etc. I think parts of this group still can’t believe Obama got elected.

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Fascism is what you get
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Posted by: aahpat on Aug 29, 2009 11:30 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
after forty years of liberals and progressives not really caring about the growing authoritarianism of the War on Drugs that has now morphed into the war on terror.

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» RE: Fascism is what you get Posted by: aussidawg
» RE: Fascism is what you get Posted by: picalillie
» RE: Fascism is what you get Posted by: aahpat
» Manipulation of fear Posted by: tatamchwh

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The simple first step!
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Posted by: Jill 2 on Aug 29, 2009 11:59 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Disengage from the blinkered, crippled naivete of American consciousness.The ideological conventions and mechanisms of American Democracy– as it is now constituted– cannot defeat American fascism; American right-wing Democracy has ossified beyond redemption where the basically 'centrist' reforms Sara Robinson calls for, are impossible. Real 'economic Democracy' can never emerge from a spurious, fake 'political' democracy; liberal democracy is itself inherently pre-disposed to a shadow fascism as its fundamental modus operandi, ALL American politics are right wing politics. That bedrock reality will not be altered by voting for fake saviors like the wretched Obama.

American democracy must be replaced, if not smashed, but it cannot be replaced by internally generated, proprietary mechanisms based on structural rules it itself sets in advance. It should also be unequivocally understood that if an American left wing was carrying on as the right wing patrician capitalist Obama administration and the Neanderthal troglodyte right are presently doing, the Pentagon would intervene domestically to restore the true fascist order against the left. That would happen faster than the blink of an eye. Reform, in post modern America, can only come from the right as proven by the fascist regimes of Reagan, Bush and the neo fascist Obama. What to do? Understand, learn, and then learn some more. Sara Robinson is about 'reforms.' It is too late in the day for those, if they were even possible.This is a nation where people love the Predator Drone. Think about that dark little fact.–(Jill Bains)

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» RE: The simple first step! Posted by: leafsong1

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Latest GOP Threat
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Posted by: Lilly on Aug 29, 2009 12:47 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Go to townhall.com to see an article about the GOP sending out a fundraising letter saying that if health care is passed, Democrats will deny medical services to Republicans.

Meanwhile on Thursday Glenn Beck hinted broadly that Obama is training a private militia that will answer only to him. Beck also said clearly that Obama's enemies are "the American people" and that Obama "might send his thugs into South Texas to take away people's guns".

It is tempting to think that no sane person would fall for this style of propaganda but posts to right-wing websites show that many do. The other day somebody posted to townhall that Rachel Maddow speaks only in innuendo and rumor while everything Glenn Beck says is researched and true.

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» RE: Latest GOP Threat Posted by: aussidawg
» RE: Latest GOP Threat Posted by: bobdown

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SEIU Violence ignored
[Report this comment]
Posted by: wiserd on Aug 29, 2009 1:04 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'm hard pressed to think of any conservative who has done more than, at worst, yell and carry signs. And as we were told over and over just a few short years ago, protest is patriotic and dissent is the highest American value. I believed it then, and I believe it now.

I'm not any kind of political protester, but I've seen, on YouTube, at least two actual assaults by union members on those opposing Obama care. Friends I've talked to have related that they know of more incidents like this locally that the media have simply ignored.

It seems increasingly likely that there's an organized attempt by the SEIU to use violence to support their desired political agenda.

It seems the author, like the media, is ignoring the real criminals in order to lash out at some unrealistic fantasy.

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I suppose I should qualify further ...but whats the point
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ghost in the machine on Aug 29, 2009 1:10 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One thing I ve realised about "you progressives " is you think your intellectually high brow and coming from the " cutting edge" of thought .In reality you have no grasp of philosophy and logic and despite all good intentions your positions and " analysis" if I can call it that are devoid of anything than subjective idealism that construes the world as you want it to be from nothing other than appearances .

As for the right wing scum lowlifes that come onboard and abuse you , well what can I say , perhaps that is the defining characteristic of where in general your "countries at ".

On the one hand fat woddling armpit honking brain dead soon-to- be fascists . On the other brain dead liberal idealists that cant see the wood for the trees.

Quite frankly you scare the shit out of me . Your a sure sign of a species that doesn't grasp the nature of its condition ( just like good old Armstrong Custer), and so you will probably drag the rest of us down the road of 'species extinction'.

As one of the more elevated humans that once dominated your lands once said "" tribe follows tribe and regret is useless ...your time of decay will surely come ""

Well your eating and breathing it ,and left or right your the 'Pied Pipers' of the "Fools road "

No wonder 2/3 of the World hate you ....

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Begin by learning the difference between Democracy and Despotism
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Posted by: richflocker on Aug 29, 2009 1:17 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Corporations control of our country. This article mentions that our education system no longer teaches civics. The Bill of rights is not clearly understood and is undermined by many unconstitutional laws that violate things like the prohibition of perpetuities (state constitutions especially). Ending the Fascist Occupation of our country requires ending the corporate control of private property - "Mandatory Homeowner Associations" for example are corporation created "contracts" that violate the principles of democracy in their formation/perpetuation. Legislative processes are owned by corporate lobbyists. Ending "the war on drugs" requires that the will of the people be invoked, not the will of drug makers and prison-management corporate lobby. This 10 minute film provides the definition of Democracy - compare to the absolute despotism found in the "corporatocracy" our government has become:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfrQalpmdqk

What sort of community do you live in? My community ranks opposite of democracy as depicted in this video made in 1946. Fascism has returned and we must become educated and then join together to do it in. Again.

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Campaign for America's Future and Sara Robinson
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Posted by: logansafi on Aug 29, 2009 2:14 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sara Robinson and the 'campaign for America's Future' are real good at screaming fascism about Republicans and then voting for Democratic Party imperialism, Democratic Party collaboration with the Republicans, and Democratic Party corporatism. It's a rather pathetic and obscene act IMO.

We need less reformism hiding behind ultra Leftist babble and more real Movement building, but instead we get the usual 'let's go with the Democrats crap from these folk. Too bad alternet is falling in line with this drivel about fascism being just around the corner. We still have a corporate pseudo democracy in the US same as always before.

Today me and 4 other antiwar protresters had 3 cops protecting us from a mob of Right Wing thugs who wanted to hassle us while we shouted at US troops marching through our city with PEACE and ANTIWAR slogans, which is hardly what a fascist society is like, Sara. Go vote your DP if you want but shut up about the US drifting towards fascism with your guy in the presidency, won't you?

STOP OBAMA'S WARS!

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» RE: Obamas wars? Posted by: picalillie

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way too late, folks
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Posted by: tazdelaney on Aug 29, 2009 2:56 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
the first act of president george washington was to hire a bunch of thug mercenaries to go kill as many indians as the could inthe southeast. they were paid ingold: full-price for a man's scalp, half-price for a woman's and quarter-price for a child's scalp. the war against the indians had begunin 1500, was rampped up by washington and ended in 1900 when across the hemisphere, 98% of the once 70 million 'indians' had been exterminated. in 1872, a survey showed that 70% of americans favored the COMPLETE annihilation of the 'heathens.' with such things as president andrew jackson's smallpox-saturated blanket campaign (distributed largely via missionaries...) they damn near got their wish. what few remained were herded into concentration camps called 'reservations, where many were forced at gunpoint to attend their oppressor's churches and go to schools in which the 'history' texts cast indians as trash we threw out while minimizing their numbers...

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Join the Random Party
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Posted by: antegrav on Aug 29, 2009 2:58 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Years ago, I quipped to my brother that we need a Random Party in this country. The Random Party has some tentative planks in its platform:
1. Choose candidates for public office at random from the population. (we would have fewer felons in office that way)
2. Give everyone a gun and tell them to shoot anyone who pisses them off. Everyone would either be a better neighbor or a better shot. Both are useful skills.
3. Give homeschool parents the money that the school district gets for their child.
4. Consolidate all taxes, license fees, etc. into one sales tax with no exceptions or exemptions or personal data collection. Liberals may negotiate for a prebate (see FairTax.org for the basic model), but with random elections, the 'liberal/conservative' model will be replaced by the 'Oh shit, I'm elected!' model.
5. Release all government documents to the public unless the release of those documents affects currently fighting military personnel.
6. Raise the age of military enlistment to 30 years old.
7. Draft all doctors and nurses into the military/civil service. Use the military administration system and eliminate health insurance programs.
8. Legalize hemp and marijuana growing and ban the use of sulfuric acid/wood for paper production.
9. Ban all advertising outside of 200 miles of the source of raw materials for products.
10. Move the constitutionally described federal government to a former military base in the geographic center of the country and turn Wash. D.C. into a public park/museum. The representatives will be under a 4-year enlistment schedule (staggered) of guarded residence at the base, with access by natural persons only (no artificial persons allowed-this means no lobbyists).
Is that enough?

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A few good ideas,by Glenn Beck!
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Posted by: Jill 2 on Aug 29, 2009 3:07 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"...the GOP sending out a fundraising letter saying that if health care is passed, Democrats will deny medical services to Republicans. "

–Since this is basically what the American health care system does now to many poor Democrats and indigent, why not let the Republicans share in the misery of the lack of socialism that their ignorance festers!

"Meanwhile on Thursday Glenn Beck hinted broadly that Obama is training a private militia that will answer only to him."

–Since Dick Cheney already did this, and Obama is basically following in the same footsteps on most matters of national security (i.e. continuing to use the outright fascist Blackwater etc.), perhaps even the lunatic demagogue Beck is not always wrong!

"..that Obama "might send his thugs into South Texas to take away people's guns".

– One can only wish this were true. It might even be a good enough reason to re-elect Obama, since there are so few, if any, other good reasons. Everyone knows that exigent state force against all private gun ownership is the only way that much to be wished for social benefit will ever come to pass in America.

"...while everything Glenn Beck says is researched and true."

–Yikes! Beck is a fascist demagogue. Anything he says that may be true is purely coincidental. or accidental That he would ever 'research' anything is oxymoronic and a contradiction in terms. That so many Americans believe him, despite all the evidence to the contrary, is a severe social problem, which can only be dealt with not by education, but only by the beneficent force of the state. Republicanism is a toxic, anti-human cancer and should have no legal political franchise. It is an abyss that undermines any notion of moral civilization. –(Jill Bains)

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what do we believe in.
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Posted by: jejer on Aug 29, 2009 6:02 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I see a small, miniscule federal government, with more decision making power at the local level where it belongs, low taxes, and the taxes that are taken stay within this country, no more forced charity to foreign countries that neither appreciate or respect us, where the only thing that limits my actions is that the end result does not physically cause harm to another, and where my words do not promote harm to another, where healthcare is not for profit and our food isnt mutated and engineered............
so tell me who in washington stands for that?!

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» When everything is local Posted by: tatamchwh

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Sara's Second Idea: We need to re-establish the rule of law.
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Posted by: SteveA on Aug 29, 2009 6:39 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Second: We need to re-establish the rule of law.

Except for tax cheats Charlie Rangel & our current Treasury Secretary; the Democrat insiders who ran Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into a ditch, a few of our Czars, etc, etc. There are lawbreakers on each side, but who even thought of running Richard Armitage into jail for outing Valerie Plame?

Al Gore actually lied to the Senate this year about his green-business interests, but not a peep from that comittee's majority! Hmmm....

Y'know, has anyone actually SEEN Al Gore and Dick Cheney in the same place at the same time?!?!?!?

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May you always be a dreamer
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Posted by: willymack on Aug 29, 2009 6:55 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
May your wildest dreams come true.
The dreamers seem to be disappearing in this country. They dreampt of:
Liberty
Egality, and
Fraternity
What we have now is a nation of know-nothings, completely wrapped up in themselves, and largely semi-literate. This is a certain recipe for disaster, and instead of the former, we'll end up with:
War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery, and
Ignorance is Strength

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Want to fight fascism?
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Posted by: rafaeltoral on Aug 29, 2009 7:07 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Quit buying things.
Quit paying taxes.

Simple in principal, complicated in execution.

What has worked so far in my case:
Quit buying anything I don't need.
Working less hours a week, paying less taxes.

Where I would like to be soon:
Working under the table, paying no taxes.
Further eliminating costs of living through ingenuity.
Further refining where I spend what little money I have to spend.
Continuing to be a wrench in the gears, any way I can. In a constructive, rather than destructive, way.

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The Solution Is Simple And Inevitable - The Kids Take Over The Media....
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Aug 29, 2009 7:16 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
All I can say that if I was 16 years old going on 18 - and did things with video cameras and were Really wanting to learn this trade properly..

And I was given Two Offers - instead of going to Film School...

At The Age of 18...

You Can either go to film school - and get your student loan - and go through all the stages to get your Degree...

Or you can join us

(The BBC)

Or us

(Channel 4)

Which one would you choose?

You see - if you join The BBC - Or Channel 4 - They Wll Actually Pay You - While You Are Learning


Actually If you've got such talent - it didn't start at the age of 15 - the age that you might pick up a guitar...

No you have been doing this stuff with your Dad's video camera since the age of 3...

And you have gradually built it up - such that by the age of 8 - you are doing scripted productions with your fellow 8 year old play mates...

We are going to do - like a stage play like we did at the age of 5 at the Christmas panto...

Except we are going to do our own story - and make a video - of us all....

And as you Progress and Learn...

You get to the age of 16 or 18....

And seriously - are offerred all these opportunities

I think Our Daughter Katy Knows Most of Them and is in Several Student Films...

She Seems To Know All The Gay Boys....

But She is Not Doing THAT at University...

She is Going To Have The Best Time Of Her Life


You See - or maybe not...

It is Our Children Who Are Going To Turn This World Around

Us old Farts will soon Be Dead

Our Kids Are Going To Sort It Out....

And There is One Thing I will Say From Years of witnessing their behaviour...

They don't half look after each other - regardless of skin colour race religion or whatever the babies parent's tried to make them to be

The Kids Are Amazing

The New Generation Are Just So NICE

They don't want to fight and have wars at any level - and when something aweful happens they will not be intimidated and display the most enormous COURAGE supporting each other

Tony

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The Girly Boy Emotional Stuff From Today Now Follows (Don't Read If You Don't Like It)
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Aug 29, 2009 7:29 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
After Deep Interogation from both sides - both male and female, by my wife and myself, we came to the conclusion that he is completely gutted - had no idea it was coming and it was a total bolt our of the blue and we all tried to rationalise it coming up with all sorts of theories...

And for the first time since We met her - she wouldn't give a straight answer to a straight question...

We know for a fact that he is completely besotted with her, he loves her to bits and can't understand why he has been thrown away...

And so after this afternoon - we go somewhere else and her friend turns up...

And he beckons me over to talk to her...

And I say he is completely Soul Destroyed...

And because the music was really loud (briliant band by the way) I also did the hand gesture...

It sort of started head height - and my hand slowly went down

And I got an immediate reaction

Her friend's eyes immediately flushed full of tears

So we all reckon she has got another bloke

Stupid Cow

And then this other guy came out with a completely detailed analysis - whilst his wife was at the bar...

He said - she is so completely wild, provocative and flirty - that her new bloke won't be able to handle her...

After 6 weeks of wild sex - he will dump her - and she will try and come crawling back to you...

And I said - My Mate isn't a take it or leave it guy...

He ain't going to be used as a cast off - to be taken back when the bitch gets bored...

And sure I love her to bits

And she has taken my phone number - My Wife wouldn't give hers...

She said come round for Sausages and Mash

And I thought WTF is going on here...

And so I hugged and kissed him and said go home

And Cry Your Heart Out

And Forget Her

And in a few months time when you have got over her

Start again

And he is such a lovely bloke

He will

The thing is they were so completey fucking brilliant together - like teenage kids in love...

But he is trying to rationalise it and he is pouring all his emotional guts out to everyone...

And we all cuddle him

Tony

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Part 2
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Aug 29, 2009 7:42 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Maybe I am slightly responsible for the break up. You see they had been together for about 18 months and were seriously talking about getting married - but sometimes it was obvious to me that she just wanted to go home - but he was determined to go to another pub and have another beer...

And I said to him - can't you see she is just completely knackered and wants to go home to sleep...

But he couldn't see it - and said no we are going here...

Whilst my wife and I just came home....

And after U2...

He still had to do more...

And so we said - well - O.K. - but we are going home to bed...

And they got home at about 5:00 am - and at 12 - he was out again - still drinking....

And so 9 hours later - I said where is she?

And he didn't know..

And when she came into the pub

She and Her were just so glad to see each other...

And so..

Look there is nothing between us except Friendship

So she might not have another bloke - and is just testing him - and maybe they will get back together...

But I don't think so

She will be shagging a Biker

What is wrong with people - they all fall out with each other which is completely fucking normal?

The first thing to tell the 17 year old boy - which we probably did...

He is trying to choose between Oxford or Cambridge - in a Year's time...

All Really Sexy Women - The Ones You Really Fall In Love With...

Are Highly Emotional Creatures and Their Moods Change Like a Manic Depressive Throughout Their Menstrual Cycle...

Basically - All Sexy Women Are Mad

And That's Why We Love Them So Much


I read something written earlier this week by some intellectual who had made his career out of studying the human race and other animals on this planet...

And he said the human female is unique amongst all animals on this planet - in that when "it" is the most fertile few days of her monthly periods - she doesn't make it completely obvious that she Really wants it...

And I thought what Fucking Ivory Tower are You Sat In Watching Us?

You Know NOTHING

And You are Still a VIRGIN

Tony

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We Do This All Over The World - We Form Small Groups Of Friends...
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Aug 29, 2009 8:17 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And the groups of friends intermingle - and all thr rules are unwritten but well understood - and the friends we really like - we ask to come and have fun with us doing something different - and the favour is returned and then the small groups of friends reduce in their number of groups - because we suddenly realise that like 10 groups of 4 or 5 friends have turned into one group of 70 friends - and we all talk complete and utter bollocks but we get to know each other and care for each other and support each other through the hard times as well as the good times and we are now 100 people who really care for each other..

And we notice another group of 100 people - and we become geographically spread but all of us have one thing in common...


We Just Love It....

When another New Young Musician Comes on Stage

And Does It So Good....

And We are Looking at Each Other - Thinking Where The Fuck Has She Come From?

Tony

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Fascism for some is democracy for others and vice versa !
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Posted by: FLYING DOOFUS on Aug 29, 2009 8:42 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well, gotta enjoy eating my sausage burritos and watching a few more John Wayne films. I think we're in democracy. No?

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Stop Wasting Our Time
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Posted by: Know1 on Aug 29, 2009 10:24 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are five racketeering billionaires involved behind the scenes causing a lot of chaos. Bernie Madoff was convicted of crimes and imprisoned, demonstrating the principle that billionaires are NOT untouchable.

OILY Brothers Charles and David Koch are behind a lot of trouble. Along with Rupert Murdoch they oversaw criminal activity supporting a serial manslaughter fraud perpetrated by their CONVICTED RICO partners in the Tobacco companies. Murdoch was director of Cato Institute as was David Koch, and brother Charles created and funded Cato while it engaged in developing science frauds for pay.

There is no statute of limitations for murder -- it was known by the tobacco companies that one out of twelve smokers would die of lung cancer. They fought to deceive and create doubts, leading to postponed regulatory control of their Murder Inc. Cato was created to DEREGULATE killer industries.

Cato had a VP from Phillip Morris Tobacco aways on the board, but Rupert Murdoch was simultaneously on the boards of Cato and PM. Cato people staffed TASSC for PM.

Richard Scaife also funded lie-factories using his "Gulf Oil" inheritance (in 1984 stocks were swapped for Chevron Oil in a merger with Gulf).

Sun Myung Moon once already occupied a cell in federal prison, and he would be there again now except that the Federal Attorney who was working his way up the Moonie chain was fired by Karl Rove. All they could get Al Ca[pone for was tax evasion, but I'll take poaching endangered species for Moon -- anything to end the stream of propaganda mills he own from predating on America any more.

It cost millions to fight against the Kochtopus healthcare offensive of FreedomWorks and Americans For Prosperity. Better to spend that money once and for all putting Kochs in prison because there's climate change battles which will cost every bit as much. Make an example of somebody -- make it COST something to subvert America. Make them PAY. Make them FEAR treasonous undermining of America. Take away the rewards for their crimes.

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Lawless California
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Posted by: macdon1 on Aug 29, 2009 10:35 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I live in California's Central Valley where the rich go to college and the poor go to prison. The law is not the law, it is whatever the DA says is the law. The way the county courts are conducted is reminiscent of the kangaroo courts of slave days. For a person of color this is Meridian Mississippi circa 1954.
I sincerely believe this is one of the test areas for the right wing to see how far they can push lawlessness and violation of citizens' rights guaranteed by the constitution. If we don't stop it here and in other places like this, democracy is doomed.

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nomomorons
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Posted by: nomomorons on Aug 30, 2009 12:16 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
GREAT analysis; I would add, however, that this morass has come about because Democrats lost their identity (and/or their courage) and became timid about standing up for Democracy. We need to be adamant, we need to be bold, we need to stop defending and accommodating and hiding from the fray. With dignity and certainty about our rightness, we cannot, any longer, hope that someone else will save us.

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Republicans aren't a political party,they're a gang.
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Posted by: theblackgeorgecarlin on Aug 30, 2009 12:24 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There like a gang, taking what they want at will at any time with only the pretense of law. Selling heroin and crack on the corner to the addicts(their followers) and they are willing to follow the rules, just as long as no one challenges the order. If someone challenges the order,then the rules of the Streets, the Hobbesian state of nature dictates that the gang does whatever it takes to preserve itself. They only care about the law when it can get them what they want. Well, if thats the way they are gonna play it, I can play that way, and progressives better start playing that way too. This isn't a debate, logic or reason don't matter to these people, this is a fight, its a war, we need to organize, and be willing for a struggle on our hands to preserve American democracy.

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One way to build a fascist-proof America: GUARANTEED TO WORK!
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Posted by: uncertain on Aug 30, 2009 4:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Let's just put the Democrats in charge of everything, forever and always.

I'm sure that all the open-minded, highly tolerant, and obviously well-intentioned folks like we see here in the comments sections of AlterNet will use their power responsibly, justly, and help build a better America.

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» FINE BY ME!!!! Posted by: Beck

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Eric Holder et al., and Judges in Collusion to Declare Themselves Immune from Accountability.
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Posted by: IsidoroRDL on Aug 30, 2009 7:08 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Greetings:

At the outset, "[t]here is no crueler tyranny than that which is exercised under cover of law, and with the colors of justice …"– U.S. vs. Jannottie, 673 F.2d 578, 614 (3d Cir. 1982). As Thomas Jefferson stated more than 200 years ago, "[t]he germ of destruction of our nation is in the power of the judiciary, an irresponsible body - working like gravity by night and by day, gaining a little today and a little tomorrow, and advancing its noiseless step like a thief over the field of jurisdiction, until all shall render powerless the checks of one branch over the other and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated."

In this context, we must review the issue of the use of legal sophistry to circumvent the limitations on the powers of government placed on it “the people” in the Constitution and the Rule of Law (http://home.earthlink.net/~isidoror).

First, history has shown that Democracies such as ours are precarious institutions. Therefore, constant vigilance must be maintained to preserve our Constitution from undue government encroachment. We must always recall the sorry behavior of German judges and lawyers use of cronyism during Nazi era which did play a key part in allowing Hitler to power, because “[b]y the time the gas vans came and the human slaughter factories were built in Auschwitz and the other death camps, the murder of the six million Jews and other persecuted minorities was done completely within the framework of German law.” Yad Vshem The Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes Remembrance Authority, 2004.

Second, we must make certain that as a Nation faced with the threat of terrorism, we do not transform ourselves into legal tyrannies by permitting the legal profession to utilize cronyism to immunize government employees and judges from accountability for negligent, or criminal acts outside of their scope of authority, judicial capacity, or jurisdiction.

In this contest, the evidence from my more than three decades of federal civil litigation confirms that the issue of immunity for the drafting and use of legal analysis justifying the use of torture, is but a subpart of the larger issue of the on gong criminal conspiracy of present and former government attorneys and judges to grant themselves immunity for tortious and criminal acts. This is particularly true regarding Attorney General Eric Holder, who when second in command of DOJ directed all forms of illegality by the government, See Isidoro Rodriguez, Esq. v. Ed.-in-Chief, Legal Times, et al., DC Ct. Of App. No. 07-5234 (Feldman, J.)(Beltway Attorney Eric Holder argued in briefs that the government “absolutely immune for tortious and criminal acts (http://www.liamsdad.org/others/isidoro.shtml); see also, Isidoro Rodriguez, Esq. and Isidoro Rodriguez-Hazbun v. NCMEC, et al., D.C. No. 03-0120 (Roberts, J.); and, See Martinez v. Lamagno and DEA, 515 U.S. 417 (1995)(A FTCA suit I filed where DOJ under Eric Holder argued that there was no liability for a DEA agent causing an accident while driving drunk and having sex).

This evidence confirms a conspiracy of Eric Holder and judges to deny access to an impartial jury trial and court so to assume away the restrictions on the power of government. But, as explained by the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Lee, 106 U.S. 196, 220 (1882), “[n]o man in this country is so high that he is above the law.”

Sincerely,

Isidoro Rodriguez, Esq.

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O Brother
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Posted by: rosebud78 on Aug 30, 2009 8:39 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If you disagree with big brother, Bush was the same way, you are a fascist, extremist, terrorist, crazy. Big brother is good. We have always been at war with East Asia. While we were having this debate over health care, Pakistan was invaded by the US. Honduras had a US led puppet coup. Conformity, however, is the most important thing! We want these people who subsidize poison in our food and water in charge of our health care? The beneficiary of this bill is most certainly big pharm. Dont get me wrong, I would support health care reform if it actually benefitted the people.

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» RE: O Brother Posted by: axisofoil

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Fascism, the simple definition
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Posted by: aahpat on Aug 30, 2009 9:21 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A culture bereft of compassion.

Welcome to America the first fascist super power of the 21st century.

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manifest
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Posted by: jillipooh on Aug 30, 2009 1:11 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am trying not to let Sara's loosely veiled anger rouse mine. I don't fit your stero-type; I have nothing in common with Larry the Cable Guy and I really don't like Glenn Beck. I am not a republican, and I am of mixed race.

I was raised in the suburbs of DC and LA. Guess what..I disagree with you! Poor people can reason(!!!), and don't need white elistists such as yourself telling them how to do it correctly. I've got more going for me than the sweat of my brow, but thanks for your self-congratulatory concern for me.

Maybe you could begin your re-ducation with Martin Buber, or Ayn Rand, or Milton Friedman, or Thomas Jefferson or John Adams. They would not appreciate Glenn Beck; and they wouldn't care for your tone any better.

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Your Kidding!
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Posted by: bh on Aug 30, 2009 4:02 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We have been living in a Corporate Fascist society for some time. I just figured it out when the Dem's took power in Jan. It's business as usual. Nothing gets done in this Nation unless Corporate American gives it the go ahead. And that's a fact. We are so screwed.......For twenty years I worked to get the Dem's in power and it might as well be Bush 3rd....I wonder if anyone else feels this way?

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Empathizew/Frustration
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Posted by: Jeffff on Aug 30, 2009 4:37 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Authoritarian Red: Paths to Discourse- so futile and frustrating. In the midst of being barraged w/ crazed litany, try experimenting with a few lines about the origins of vaccines having aborted fetal tissue as its "starter." Cognitive Disonance strikes and you may find a break in the barrage- enough to get some attention, perhaps even some thought - maybe

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Fascism: The Rods That Beat Us Into Communism
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Posted by: muadhib on Aug 30, 2009 5:12 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Health Care Reform: if it were not for the "astroturfers", we would have had an outline of a plan shoved down our throats. Now the administration is in damage-control mode, and a workable plan seems to be in the works. I am fortunate to be represented by Maxine Waters (Dem. - House). She held a live telephone conference call Thursday, and fielded questions regarding the Health Plan. The difference with Maxine? Her constituents trust her. Tough questions were asked, such as the veracity of the "death panel option" (which she denied). At the end, I went from opponent to probably sold.

Rule of Law: the basis of our nation. Let those in Washington remember that our law is based on the Constitution, and not edict.

Education: the theory of evolution is just that: a theory. We have reverted to science by consensus and dogma - witness the anthropocentric global warming theory. AGW is based on computer models, not empirical proof (the basis of science).

Inequality: agreed. There is no longer a question of a "hidden hand" running America. Goldman Sachs has purchased Obama and Congress. They are openly kiting checks between Treasury and the Fed, to monetize debt until the Ponzi collapses. The patricians frolic on the hill while the peasants prepare to starve. Hope they leave us a little "change".

Liberal Institutions: I must agree, but my definition of liberal is probably different from this writer's intent. Orwell spoke of groupspeak - which is politically correct speach. The party line. We always get back to the dialectic. The goal is to play right and left against one another. The masses become a blank slate with no opinions, who will than blindly obey any directive. In the Renaissance, students would engage in free discourse. Sometimes they would pull daggers to decide the debate. Today, the debate does not take place. Professors are censured for contesting the proclamations of the Goracle. Our press ignores the evidence destroying the official 9-11 conspiracy theory, such as the nanotech thermite at ground zero, and the lack of a Boeing jet at the Pentagon. Unions need to be born again - too many sell their members out for pieces of silver. We need to redefine what it means to be a liberal. I can accept a transgender persons' decision to alter their body, even though it is against my religious beliefs. But I should not be attacked for not lauding the decision to do so. I knew someone who went under the knife, and it was not a decision that should have been left to this persons' much older gay lover to make for him. But too many liberals would have acted as cheerleaders, since to be supportive of transgender surgery is politically correct.

Fascism: The Rods That Beat Us Into Communism.
In a past age, a liberal was a person who dared to think out of the box. We are manipulated into the box to control us. Fascism and Communism are the political control systems, but control of our minds is the real game. Read Orwell and read the Protocols. These are both scripts for our enslavement. If we break from the script, the NWO will go the way of the 1000 year Reich.

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#6 VOTE LIBERTARIAN ! SMALLER GOVERNMENT, LOWER TAXES, FREEDOM, and LIBERTY !
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Posted by: superfeduphoosier on Aug 30, 2009 5:55 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Who can beat that kind of a whopping deal?

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Seems reasonable
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Posted by: slinkypomo on Aug 30, 2009 6:20 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I have to admit, that sounds reasonable to me dude!

RT
Online Privacy when it Counts

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Liberty and Social Responsibilty Balanced by Constitution
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Posted by: SpiritMatter on Aug 30, 2009 6:45 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Excellant comments. we need to protect and maximize our personal freedoms while minimizing the infringement of any individual or group on the equal rights of any other individual or group. We need to recognize that the more we reap from society the more we are responsible for sowing back into society. When it comes to opportunity and justice, we need to equalize the playing field. We can do this through society funded equal education opportunities for all. We can do this by not denying a freedom to one group because of supposed harm and then allow another group their freedom even though it is proven to be more harmful. (Alcohol) Let us regulate and punish behavior based on it's proven harm not on how much a special interest group demonizes it. Let us restrain our desire to let Big Brother on the left or right convince us that we have to control our neighbor's behavior even if it does not hurt us directly or significantly.

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After Downing Street's founder has a new book on this!
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Posted by: Evan Ravitz on Aug 30, 2009 9:02 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
David Swanson's new book "Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union" needs people to buy it TUESDAY to drive it up on Amazon's greatest hits: http://davidswanson.org/book It almost seems it'd be easy to form a more perfect union than our current clusterfuck!

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America, a democracy?
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Posted by: egb on Aug 30, 2009 11:55 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Ms. Robinson starts off describing America as a democracy. All educated people who have studied American history know that America is not a democracy. The article goes down hill from the first paragraph with few facts and an enormous amount of emotional baggage dumped her readers. American education has failed Ms. Robinson if, indeed, she was educated in America. I suggest she study American history for about two years and then come back and tell us what Thomas Jefferson thought.

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» RE: America, a democracy? Posted by: axisofoil

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Convert To Apple TV
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Posted by: 250baichi on Aug 31, 2009 12:18 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Convert To Apple TV

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Paul Bigioni
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Posted by: Bigioni on Aug 31, 2009 10:27 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Excellent article, but it misses a key issue: antitrust law must be strengthened so that it becomes a genuinely effective tool for creating a truly competitive market economy. To make businessmen actually compete with eachother, you will have to tear apart the huge monopolistic private institutions which dominate most US economic activity. When you do this, you disempower those institutions so that their deathgrip on politics and policy is loosened. That deathgrip is fascism. Big business has so much political control that we are beginning to accept it as the real power in our lives. Antitrust law is supposed to loosen the deathgrip of big business. A bunch of smaller businesses all fighting amongst themselves for survival is much less able to coordinate the control of Government - and that would be a very good thing. It would reinvigorate your democratic process so the the people - the actual people - would again find their voice. This is no mere techie issue. FDR thought it was critical in the late '30's, and I say it is more critical now. It is also something that both left and right could agree on if it was done properly and justly.

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Two things ....
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Posted by: jaxong on Aug 31, 2009 12:16 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The metaphor about mosquitoes breeding in astroturf in the lede doesn't work. Mosquitoes need water for their eggs to hatch, and to sustain the larva and pupa until they mature to adulthood. Also, California's Proposition 13 was passed on June 6, 1978, not in 1977 as Ms. Robinson cites. Otherwise, I'm in agreement with what the writer outlines.

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Convert TOD files
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Posted by: 250ruth on Aug 31, 2009 8:38 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
AVI Converter Mac

TOD Converter is currently the most powerful TOD video converter, which can convert tod

files to various videos and audios files, such as MPEG-4, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, MOV, M4V, AVI,

DivX, XviD, ASF, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, 3GP, 3GPP, MKV, FLV, SWF, VOB, AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR,

AU, FLAC, MP3, etc. Meanwhile, TOD Converter can support various portable devices, such as

iPod, PSP, Apple TV, Xbox, Zune and so on.
Convert TOD files

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Feminism helped put nails in this coffin.
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Posted by: messedup on Sep 1, 2009 11:38 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
When I see the manipulation they use in the workplace, it's easy to see why the guys are so quiet these days.

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Game Over
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Posted by: mn on Sep 1, 2009 8:57 PM   
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Sorry folks, this country is history. The USA is OVER. I have been following the road to fascism since the Kennedy coup (his assassination). Where I live, the progressives are caching weapons and massing ammunition. We are getting ready for WWIII. We have made lists of local fascists who are also arming, getting ready to kill progressives. This is going to be like Bosnia. If you think this is still about ballot boxes and kumbaya, you are delusional. This will be settled by massive violence, privation, and armed camps. Do you have the stomach for civil war, as a piece of a world war? Momma Planet has to shed at least 2 billion human beings in order to survive, in the next 2 decades. Will you be one of them? Get your war on.

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» RE: Game Over Posted by: axisofoil

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xtiml
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Posted by: xtiml on Sep 2, 2009 12:01 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
what is this forum? are you in another world? these writers/journalists are all a bunch of zionist jooz or shabaz goy or idiots, the prollem with this country is that zionits are running it for israel and we are screwed, the talmud is taking over the courts they are naking anti semitism a crime thats enough to make me anti semite to those who aint semites but in fact are gods plague on earht, if you melikans cannot see what the face is that is salivating over you look at obama's cabinet, then look at who owns everythingh and who keeps you in a controlled informnation society while you watch tv snd read garbage then think i am crazy, they did it before been amnipulating the world their way and never have been so colose to their objectives as now.of course you all too tupid to look into it and thats why you too stupid to know any thing of whats is going on. it is the zionist jews and you should see what they got planned for you us the whole world.

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» RE: xtiml Posted by: xtiml

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a especial clothes make you fetching
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Posted by: hancoo on Sep 2, 2009 6:39 PM   
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50% off ed hardy womens lingerie
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Posted by: hancoo on Sep 2, 2009 7:00 PM   
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Exciting price Ed Hardy The official site of Don Ed Hardy shoes. Find the latest Ed Hardy fashion footwear here. cheap Ed Hardy Welcome to the Ed Hardy Store, Find a great range of Ed Hardy products. Ed Hardy Women's Ellerise Lowrise Sneaker · Ed Hardy Women's Ed Hardy bags Ed Hardy shirts Ed Hardy clothes ED Hardy womens Ed Hardy Sunglasses Ed Hardy Belts ed hardy shoes Ed Hardy Wallets discount Ed Hardy

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y tu mama tambien
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Posted by: nikoniko on Sep 3, 2009 12:40 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's utterly naive to believe that a descent to fascism is a "left wing/right wing" problem. The "liberals" and "conservatives" and "moderates" who run this circus are all traveling down the same river. Their tactics are different, but they are all merrily merrily paddling down the same stream while telling us that the "other" side is filling our pockets with posies.

Basically, for some of us life is but a dream, whereas for the rest it's an f-ing nightmare due to the simple fact that power is passed around from monster to monster, each monster wielding it with impunity.

It's time to group all of the monsters into the same family and stop trying to say which monster is more benevolent than the other. All of them will be scary and powerful, until the light is turned on and we see them for the cowardly, callous charlatans that they are.

Yes, we should make haste to take the steps that the author, Sara Robinson sets forth in this article, nevertheless, we should do so with the full awareness that the politicians in Washington are working in tandem to undermine any reversal to the obscene gains that those with wealth and power enjoy.

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Astroturf on the left side of the room
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Posted by: askwhynow2day on Sep 3, 2009 10:38 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Who is trucking rabble-rousing mobs with slick professionally printed signs?????

The Left.

It takes a lot of time to make astroturf.

Be fair huh.

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You forgot step 6
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Posted by: jeremy2009 on Sep 3, 2009 6:52 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
6. Let everyone in the police informant networks and citizens' watch groups know how they're being exploited.

Police informants are unpaid employees of the state for LIFE. They do whatever they're told, for free, for fear of going to prison. Citizens' watch groups are made up of volunteers. All you have to do to persecute someone is tell the watch groups in his community, "This is a dangerous person, we haven't caught him yet, but follow him everywhere, and let him know he's not going to get away with it." Meanwhile you tell the police informants in his area to break into his house, tamper with his belongings, anything to provoke him and get him to act out. Many people targeted in this way end up dying or committing suicide from the extreme stress.

This is happening right now in America. It is misleadingly called "gang stalking" and it is happening with the complete approval of your politicians.

You can read more about it at The Hidden Evil website (hiddenevil.com).

You guys have no idea what's happening right now, under your noses, in America today.

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One not-so-small point
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Posted by: wjfaust on Sep 5, 2009 10:36 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This article excellent in tone, content and style. I have just one complaint. You conclude that, with an adaptive, living democracy, "you've got prime growing conditions that lead to an expanding economy." This may be true but we really do need to ask ourselves if a growing human economy is any longer an appropriate goal. Given that our unsustainable behavior leads to consumption of the entire planet's annual primary productivity by September of each year, a growing human economy is counterproductive and ultimately will do us in.

My point is that when we solve problems -- even problems as seemingly large as restoring true human democracy -- we need to frame our solutions within the largest relevant context. That context is no longer just human society. It is now the entire planet and all of its species on whom our well-being is utterly dependent. The planet is imperiled and we need to face the fact that our current economic paradigms (ever-expanding economy, endless consumption) are neither necessary or sufficient for true human democracy. That link must be broken. Until it is, we will remain beholden to the corporations that now dominate our democracy and we will be ultimately impoverish ourselves through planetary destruction.

Besides, contemplating a democracy-in-the-large (inter-special) will actually sharpen our understanding of our human democracy and its real needs.

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The only way is to demand that our Federal Laws be enforced & Officials violating it be prosecuted
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Posted by: JohnHKennedy Denver CO on Sep 5, 2009 2:36 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If our elected Democrats refuse to call for the enforcement of all Federal Laws including that of Torture
we should threaten them with "un-electing them", and be ready to do the action required, the action that is critical to getting Change,
Campaigning Against Them In Their Local Districts,
regardless of who is running against them (a hated Republican or not, it makes no difference).

We have to overcome our fear of Republicans getting power so that we are able to force our Democratic Congresspersons to do what we demand.
It is time to "get angry".

Start by fighting for Prosecution of the Torturers.



KEEP ASKING ALL POLITICIANS AT ALL PUBLIC EVENTS

"WHY DO YOU SUPPORT TORTURE?"
If they aren't actively calling for enforcement of our Federal Torture Laws,
They DO Support Torture.

SIGN THE PETITIONS
Demanding
both a Commission of Inquiry
and prosecution for all those leaders
in Bush's Administration that
Conspired to Torture at ANGRYVOTERS.ORG

http://ANGRYVOTERS.ORG


Only Prosecution Stops Torture!

Only Prosecution Stops Abuse of Power and
of Our Constitution and Rule Of Law

Only Prosecution Stops Abuse of Power and
of Our Constitution and Rule Of Law
and gives Voters their power back.
The only alternative is un-electing them.

.

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Foolish, foolish, foolish rhetoric...
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Posted by: tsakovs on Sep 8, 2009 10:54 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
there is only ONE way to ensure America never becomes a fascist country.

Simply DIS_EMPOWER the corporations.

It has very little to do with liberals or conservatives, or democrats or republicans or ANYTHING of that nature.

If we were to take away corporations (and thereby most if not all banks) personhood; and disband the lobbiests; AND ensure that NO corporation could ever contribute or influence a politician monetarily or materially, we would THEN and ONLY THEN be able to take back our country!

It's really that SIMPLE!

Get with it America! Start to see through all of this bullshit that you are being fed by people who write articles and spew out news like this.

Big banks and corporations are the culprits and they are instrumentally destroying democracy. And unfortunately we do not have enough WISE and GOOD politicians to stand up for US the people.

Don't let anybody tell you it's because of the left-wingers, the right wingers, the conservatives or the liberals - for example and I quote from this article:

"For the past four decades, conservatives have done everything in their power to dismantle that essential contract, and thus destroy our mutual confidence in the fundamental agreements that allow any democratic system to function. (None dare call it treason -- but a solid case could be made.)"

Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit!!! It's the corps which are for all intents and purposes the 'man behind the curtain' pulling the puppet strings of our government. Don't let this kind of mis-information or mis-direction confuse you into thinking otherwise.

We need a separation of CORP and STATE now! Exactly like we have for church and state.

Let's fix what's broke in this country and not fix just the symptoms!

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Michael Schwerner
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Posted by: teon6 on Sep 19, 2009 2:41 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Reagan announced his run for President in 1980 in Philadelphia Mississippi. Why ? "Philadelphia, county seat of Mississippi's Neshoba County, is where three civil rights workers -- Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman -- were murdered in 1964."

Reagan announced there wouldn't be anymore welfare mothers driving brand new Cadillacs to pick up their welfare checks the vampire diaries season 1 the vampire diaries subs subs tv subtitles parallel port relay interface relay interface circuit seropol5 under his administration. When asked for an example none could be found, but that didn't stop the mantra.

As President he fired all the Air Traffic Controllers giving the Green Light for corporations to do the same with their strikers.

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Alternet Comments:

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What We Face is "Reaganism" ... And why we neeed to kill it ...
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Posted by: mmckinl on Aug 29, 2009 1:04 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Ronald Reagan was the mouthpiece for what we face today. Reagan was the mouthpiece for the AMA and health care companies in the early 60's warning of Communist Care.

As Governor Reagan tried to dismantle environmental protections. He ran roughshod over Universities placing autocrats as Chancellors, University Presidents and Deans. The coming "tax revolts" started in California on Reagan's heels.

Reagan announced his run for President in 1980 in Philadelphia Mississippi. Why ? "Philadelphia, county seat of Mississippi's Neshoba County, is where three civil rights workers -- Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman -- were murdered in 1964."

Reagan announced there wouldn't be anymore welfare mothers driving brand new Cadillacs to pick up their welfare checks under his administration. When asked for an example none could be found, but that didn't stop the mantra.

As President he fired all the Air Traffic Controllers giving the Green Light for corporations to do the same with their strikers.

Under Reagan the Military Budget went crazy while he turned America from the biggest creditor nation in the world to the biggest debtor nation in the world.

Reagan cut taxes for the already rich. Check the charts for the historic wealth disparity between the middle class and the filthy rich ... it all began with Reagan's tax cuts.

Trade deficit? It took off under Reagan as did leveraged buyouts, out sourcing and CEO Pay.

Reagan did nothing to stop the AIDS epidemic and fired his Surgeon General C. Everett Koop when he tried to meet the AIDS challenge.

We must hold Ronald Reagan to account for where we are ... we have to set the record straight ... that Reagan was a pure catastrophe for our country ... We must knock Reagan off his pedestal ... Why do you think the right wing has tried to name everything after Reagan ...? It's because Reagan's Legacy is the Keystone of their power and America's turn toward fascism ... away from the Common Good and away from Social Equality and Economic Justice ...

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» It's kinda sad to see anyone ... Posted by: wolfgangmo75
» "Reaganism - the good old days. Posted by: progressive-life
» RE: "Reaganism - the good old days. Posted by: johnthetreehugger
» Reaganism - the bad old days. Posted by: thornwolf
» RE: "Reaganism - the good old days. Posted by: progressiveview
» RE: regressive-lie strikes again! Posted by: sasquuatch55
» RE: "Reaganism - the good old days. Posted by: HillbillyRob
» RE: "Reaganism - the good old days. Posted by: wolfgangmo75
» damnit, you stole my post! Posted by: hurricane hugo
» You are right. Posted by: zigy

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Are Czars fascist?
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Posted by: LillianB on Aug 29, 2009 1:20 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Are deals with big pharma and expanding the patriot act fascist? How about supporting indefinite detention or squeezing blood out of a bankrupt country for "stimulus" we never saw? Is pouring taxpayer money into a company then taking it over fascist? Is trying to pass a massive bill before anyone reads it fascist? How about another needless costly war?

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» RE: Are Czars fascist? Posted by: luzmejor
» Nothing to see here Posted by: SeattlePackedSnowandCollidedCars
» RE: Are Czars fascist? Posted by: Axiom69

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5 Ways to Build a Fascist-Proof America
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Posted by: sthomper on Aug 29, 2009 1:27 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
10. Free education for all children in public schools.
http://www.anu.edu.au/polsci/marx/classics/manifesto.html

somewhere in this article there was mentioned that in 'liberal democracies' when they work right everyone gets a piece of something, etc etc etc.
well...we already have plank 10. from karl marx in our liberal democracy.

in europe and elsewhere since the 20th century began between elected officials of every type of (doctrine)ist there have been more people killed than at any time before.
numerous broken treaties from democratic??? elected leaders (um..representative govt??), deadly wars, babies pulled from incubators, oops....even after the so-called wars for independence took place. democracies had to still go kill other people.

personally i think a system if regional fiefdoms would be superior.

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» RE: 5 Ways to Build a Fascist-Proof America Posted by: johnthetreehugger

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What a total load of "BOLLOCKS"
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Posted by: ghost in the machine on Aug 29, 2009 1:50 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I have never read such naive unintelligble garbage as this . This is naive twoddle . Imposed images and notions of an ideal world view . This woman is positively dangerous .

Like someone who says .."trust me I know about these things ,.. you need to put sand in the the top there as all those little grains will roll around and lubricate your engine "

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» RE: What a total load of "BOLLOCKS" Posted by: ghost in the machine
» RE: What a total load of "BOLLOCKS" Posted by: ghost in the machine
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» And dMac says in response ... Posted by: wolfgangmo75
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Polybius and the Roman Republic
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Posted by: edgar_michel on Aug 29, 2009 1:56 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I remember reading Polybius somewhere and the date of the article was about 160 B.C. perhaps two hundred years before the birth of Christianity. Polybius was born in 200 B.C. so he was about forty when he wrote the article. What struck me about the article was how articulate Polybius was; shattering my misperception of the relative primitiveness of that period of time.

Polybius said that the strength of your country lies in the strength of your constitution; a well crafted constitution checks against corruption and ensures a broad distribution of wealth. Polybius was most impressed with Sparta’s constitution and its author Lycurgus. Polybius talked about the battle between Rome and Cartagena and why Rome eventually prevailed even though Hannibal delivered them a sound defeat in the first battle. Polybius said that the reason Rome was able to regroup after a sound trouncing is because Romans were fighting for Rome and that Romans all shared in the bounty of Rome whereas Hannibal’s forces were paid mercenaries. When Rome regrouped and came a second time at Hannibal, the mercenaries not seeing any more profit in continuing the fight simply fled and Rome delivered to Hannibal a complete rout.

At that time the Roman constitution prescribed that an emperor was to be voted in to office by a majority of those eligible to vote, Plebs, Senators and Councilmen and was elected to lead a particular campaign and after one year in office was required to surrender the office. He was only allowed to run for emperor once every ten years, no exceptions. It’s Ironic because Polybius began his article describing how lucky he was to have been born when he was because through his reading of the Greek classics he surmised that the best crafted constitutions have their hidden weaknesses and a country is only immune from corruption until someone discovers the inherent weakness built into the constitution and exploits it.

Polybius extolled the pleasure of living in a functioning republic. A hundred years after he wrote that article Julius Caesar marched into Rome across the Rubicon, seized Rome and declared himself emperor for life, ending the Roman republic.

Polybius was right, he was lucky to have been born when he was.

Is there an inherent weakness in the Constitution of the United States allowing corruption to gain a foothold?

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» glad I checked the responses Posted by: hurricane hugo
» RE: Polybius and the Roman Republic Posted by: edgar_michel
» RE: Polybius and the Roman Republic Posted by: edgar_michel

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Progressives are screw-ups
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Posted by: Perry Logan on Aug 29, 2009 2:56 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Here's the problem. Both the Democrats and the progressive community have just proven themselves to be screw-ups.

Am I going to join forces with someone who spent the primaries calling his fellow Democrats racists, as the Obama people did?

Nope.

Am I going to the political front lines next to some pr*ck who called Hillary and her female supporters the C word over and over?

Perish the thought.

Am I going to roll up my sleeves for a a "progressive" organization that throws dissenters out and publishes right-wing smears against fellow Democrats?

Not in this lifetime.

Do I feel solidarity with Democrats who were dumb enough to vote for the party traitor, Barack Obama?

I do not.


The Kingdom of the Democrats: it lasted but four years.

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Three Words!
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Posted by: Jaipurr on Aug 29, 2009 3:10 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are three words that are key to the process currently establishing the Fascist Republic of America, along with the UK and many other "free" nations.
Those three words are greed, profit and capital.
The process may well have gone too far to stop now and there seems no will to fight back!

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we can apply Tom Paine's test to the current state of affairs
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Posted by: Suzon on Aug 29, 2009 3:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Excellent article, Sara!

Perhaps the words of Thomas Paine might be a place where Americans can find agreement:

When it shall be said in any country in the world, 'My poor are happy; neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars; the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive; the rational world is my friend, because I am the friend of its happiness': when these things can be said, then may that country boast of its constitution and its government.

Who is going to argue with the wisdom of the man who made the arguments which justified throwing off the yoke of tryanny?

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» Oh wow Posted by: begruntleed

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Where on earth have the liberals been doing for 40 years?
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Posted by: axisofoil on Aug 29, 2009 4:41 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Complaining about conservatives. Doesn't anybody notice that other than going left right left right left right, this ship never changes course? Isn't that obvious by now? They have given us the choice of liberal or conservative and thrown us in a pit to fight. Who are they? Well, let's see. Who could they be? Here's a clue. They go around the world killing millions of people for profit. We pay their overhead as well as profit, travel expenses, vacations, health care and pensions. They are not on a budget. We all know their billing procedures. They are supported by presidents both republican and Democrat as well as congress. They are busy at this moment building illegal uranium bombs, manufacturing more depleted uranium rounds, planning more military bases and will certainly loose trillions more dollars without any apology. They have no respect for human life. Zero. They fly in invisible jets and use night vision. They kill mostly women and children. They have fleets of ships, tanks, limo's, jets and mountains of weapons that if not used will not increase profits. Halliburton licks it's chops thinking about them. Martin Luther King talked about them, as well as Kennedy and Eisenhower to name a few. Many have matching outfits. Some of the lower ones come home with no arms or legs. Many commit suicide because they find the whole thing disturbing. When they were playing in the jungle they used stuff that burned your skin off. Now they use white stuff that burns you from the inside out. Many wanted to elect one of them president for his 15 sucessful attacks on women and children. Who are these guys? Who are their suppliers? How did they get to be such a big business?
For any real change, we need to take control of our own destiny. Politicians are irrelevant. ALL of us need to work together against the real enemies of freedom. How about this. All of the military who snoozed through the largest terror attack on this country were promoted. Was that fair, just, lawful? Were they so focused on killing they forgot that their job was protecting...........us? The military was sure stupid that day. But what a great opportunity for them to initiate another really big killing spree. So they did. The reason they gave, WMD's, is now a standing joke. Want to see them stop laughing? What if we all pushed for a real investigation into 9/11 and get some heads rolling? Their heads, for a change. They wouldn't even see it coming because they think they have successfully marginalized all who want another 9/11 investigation into a group they call conspiracy nuts. Clever. A new investigation would not be about theories, but about the facts of their irresponsibility that day. Their negligence cost a lot of life and loss of our rights. Their ineptness changed the world. For that, they rewarded themselves. How stupid are we? Dose anyone really believe there wasn't gross negligence? Why haven't liberals seized this opportunity? Push to open a new investigation and believe me, the conservative agenda would come apart. Why wouldn't you want to do that? Because they have programmed you not to. You wouldn't want to be laughed at or called a conspiracy nut. Their conspiracy spin really worked. They win. Again.

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» Waterboard Silverstein Posted by: weathered
» Tell us about it, Reagan lover. Posted by: GuitarBill
» DNFTT* Posted by: Quist
» In your dreams Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: In your dreams Posted by: axisofoil
» DNFTT* Posted by: Quist
» Then consider ignoring yourself. Posted by: GuitarBill
» Billy.....you are so silly. Posted by: axisofoil
» DNFTT* Posted by: Quist
» Hypocrite. Posted by: GuitarBill
» DNFTT Posted by: Quist
» DNFTT* Posted by: Quist
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Defeat fascism.....
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Posted by: progressive-life on Aug 29, 2009 5:13 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
vote out Obama and Pelosi.

Between these two this is the closest we've come to fascism in this country. Controlling the media, suppressing alternative views, eliminating the middle and upper classes, controlling business, unionizing the country and using union thugs to intimidate Americans trying to voice their opinions, allowing groups to intimidate voters at voting booths.etc..etc..etc..

Seem they have tossed the constitution for OBAMA's NEW AMERIKA

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Fascists in Germany, Reichstag Fire and 911
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Posted by: whole2th on Aug 29, 2009 5:41 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One tool of fascists is "false flags" operations--and the lessons of history are clear involving the Reichstag Fire which was followed in one month by the German Enabling Act which bears chilling similarities to the Patriot Act which was passed after extorting Congress with anthrax from our own military bioweapons program.

New investigations into 9/11 should be added to the advice and plans for resisting and thwarting the rise of fascism, not only in America, but around the world. Sinclair Lewis's book, "It Can't Happen Here" and Naomi Wolf's writings (END OF AMERICA) and speeches make a clear case that fascism is on the rise.....world-wide, and especially in America.

A key event enabling the stampede to fascism is 9/11 which was a conspiracy (called "false flags" operation) by neocons, fascists and New World Order demons. Terrorists could not have hoped for the shredding of our Constitution which has occurred all quite legally and justified by the enforced myths about 9/11. All "quite legally" Americans (as the good German people) have allowed our liberties to be taken on the promise of a bit more security.

Learn about WHO DID IT it here: http://whodidit.org

and here: http://911missinglinks.com

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» What Israel hates most? Posted by: weathered
» Mossad's DNA is all over 9/11 Posted by: weathered

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GOP the party for Lemmings
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Posted by: mchllecat on Aug 29, 2009 5:45 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The crazies controlling the GOP today are CRAZY,Hatefulpeoplethat cantstand haveing lost the POTUS,The rest of the country need to stop paying attention to them on t.v.,They should be ostrocized by society,they are liveing in the past,Mostof those being hateful at town halls were probably those hateing on those black chidren in the sixtys when they integrated the schools,They(GOP) are still fighting that fight,their anger is for theirown misguided feelings of entitlement or being better than othersbased on race.They give all White people a bad name,GOP base onlystands up together for hate,and this T party crap is ridiculous esp. since MOST people at them are paying less taxes than when Bush was in,But not apeep about it when Bush was in Office,NOt a peep when Bush lied about wmd,or wiretapping americans,giveing taxBREAKS,cutting taxes on SUPER WEALTHY,the ignorant,poor masses of white MOSTLY OLD fat white people really need to educate themselves with some common sense.GOP is justfor themproud rightwing terrorists......if you are a republican today that is who you are.it's who you vote for...those idiots with selective memory when caught breaking the law...birds of a feather....p.s Bragging at town hall meetings that a thousand page bill is too much for your wee little brain to comprehend is hilarious,Guess reading wasnt a critiria when(if) you went to school,and all those people that buy bookslike stephin king whose averageis about a thousand pages a book at least.....just proveingyour stupid again...bubba

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FIGHT THE FUNCTIONS OF FASCISM IN AMERICA
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Posted by: aahpat on Aug 29, 2009 6:10 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"Yet, after all the fuss and bother, they're probably no more or less resolved to pass health care reform than they were back in June"

Actually far less resolved because the Democrats who held town hall meetings allowed the Reich-wingers dominate the meetings and media while supporters sat passively by allowing the thugs to dominate the theater.

"Paralyze the school board over evolution in the textbooks?"

They have been doing that for decades. Where have you been?

"Intimidate the city council into shutting down the immigrants' services center -- or beat up some immigrants, so they'll just stop using it?"

Well that's a component of the war on drugs and both the Democrats and Republicans in city councils, state legislatures and congress have been single-mindedly promoting fear and hate of immigrants and poverty oppressed minorities with fascist tactics since 1970.

"Vandalize the cars and houses of known liberals?"

Why vandalize when an intimidating word or a false report to police will do the job.

"Get one of our own elected sheriff, so he can deputize the rest of us and make our posse official?"

There has not been a liberal in American law enforcement in the past fifty years in America. It is a haven of right-wing racism and extremism.

" This is precisely where 40 years wandering in the right-wing moral, cultural and economic wilderness has left us -- and, in fact, where it was always intended to lead us."

Yup. In 1970 Richard Nixon, in collusion with the Dixie-crats in congress at the time, created the war on drugs as a federalization and re-invigoration of Jim Crow. A paramilitary with federal authority to attack with impunity the core constituencies of what was perceived then to be the Democratic anti war and civil rights base.

The drug war economic warfare campaign has flooded our cities with tax free economic opportunity that poverty oppressed children find hard to ignore. Lured into opportunity that then mass disenfranchises them and their community.

At the same time willingness by rebellious youth, of all colors, who question the authority of the drug laws by their imbibing on proscribed intoxicants, then become easy targets for incarceration, mass disenfranchisement forced re-indoctrination.

"It cannot survive without people's ongoing confidence in a functioning political contract."

So then what is the outcome of forty years of unrelenting attacks on the rule of law, directed at generations of our youth, by the authoritarian war on drugs?

The social contract farce!

"...in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity..."

What do these constitutional assertions mean, in reality, when the drug war acts to undermine and subvert each and every one?

Democrats have been just as aggressive as the GOP in imposing the war on drugs on America's youth since 1970. Barack Obama is today escalating and militarizing the war on drugs on our streets and internationally.

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» Addendum: SOLUTION Posted by: aahpat
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» You Are The Ho Posted by: aahpat

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There is a way out...but it will take time
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Posted by: ETSpoon on Aug 29, 2009 6:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What is needed are two new amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

One which strips 14th Amendment protections from corporations, overturning the flawed reading of the 1886 Supreme Court decision in Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad, granting "personhood" to corporate entities.

The other amendment would provide for the public financing of all elections, from the presidency on down to local offices.

Why Constitutional amendments? Because once the Constitution is amended is it the supreme law of the land and all the conservative justices on the Supreme Court can do nothing to over turn them. Remember the Volstead Act, the Eighteenth Amendment, prohibition? Had to be overturned by another amendment.

Am I spamming. Yes. But other than some sort of armed insurrection, of which there is a lot of big talk with no action in this country, if something is not done in respect of denying corporations protection under the 14th Amendment and leveling the political-election playing field we will lose our representative democracy.

It may be to late already.

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