that's right, you heard me...
so check this out. i got this idea. so i did some research. i found the atmosphere in this country kind of strange... people just happily going along with nationalistic fervor, really strange sympathy for corporate interest, and a certain demonizing of non christian cultures... (um... 'axis of evil' anyone?) and it got me to reminiscing. does anyone remember the economic policies of pre WWII axis members? you might not guess it, but they're strikingly similar to our current economic policies. every time the spending bills come to congress they are more and more representative of corporate entities as opposed to helping programs for actual citizens. the government IS paying pseudo-journalists to publish their opinions (which are in line with the administration's opinion) without the consent of congress (that is what we consider propaganda) -- (though i have issues with the opportunity for congress to approve that kind of garbage to sell us) .. .... anyway. so i've covered propaganda, censorship (FCC debacles), using violence to suppress potential dissidents (guantanamo...torture... disgusting) ... exalting the nation (or race or religion) above the individuals-- (trade your rights for a slight increase of national security)... engaging in corporatism (that's what the economic conservatives are all about man, that's what it's all about.) what i don't have yet is the 'severe economic and social regimentation' i don't really see that. but i could just not know where to look.
let us never never be viewed by outsiders as fascists. because after ww2, the policy is to stop fascism before it takes hold. europe learned the dangers of severe nationalism, we have not. they can put aside their ethnic insecurities and work together, we cannot. we will not. and we are less because of it.
let us never never be viewed by outsiders as fascists. because after ww2, the policy is to stop fascism before it takes hold. europe learned the dangers of severe nationalism, we have not. they can put aside their ethnic insecurities and work together, we cannot. we will not. and we are less because of it.
11 Comments:
Wouldn't it be interesting if Europe caught on to what you're saying and... (I'm sure as soon as I hit the "publish" button, there's going to be a knock at my door; so if you never hear from me again, presume I've been taken.) ...they -- France, Germany, Britain, et cetera -- attacked us to remove our leader and restore democracy? I know the powers-that-be would fight it with every phalange. I wonder if the populace would resist it that much, or if there might be the same rejoicing as there was in the streets of certain foreign cities which shall remain nameless.
Dangerously yours,
Screwtape
the best part is, they probably would take so long, weighing it, wondering if it was worth it.. i know i'd be rejoicing... if this regime fell, and i don't care what secret service agent reads it. the part that is the scariest is people get swept up in nationalism. they get really excited and jingoistic when told they are better than others. you've seen it. we've allseen it. and it's unnerving. it spirals out of control and leads to rejection of freedoms that we used to hold dear.. i will not go quietly though. not that they're actively threatening me. but if they did, i'd publish everything...everywhere. and most certain people would report that i'm a delusional paranoid loon. but someone out there would understand. ok. time to go to work.
Patriotism is the conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.
No, you may not attribute that to me, as I stole it myself from G.B. Shaw.
Jingoistically yours,
Screwtape
Do more research, broggster. The U.S. was much closer to fascism in the 1950's than it is now. The 1950's led to the 1960's, which led to increased freedom of speech, TV spouses sleeping in the same bed, free love and vastly more potent marijuana.
Keep voicing that "informed" opinion of yours. And by all means keep an eye on all those bad "corporations" and all those bad people who own them, buy from them, sell to them and work for them, because they're keeping an eye on you.
-Voice
i didn't say the people or corporations were bad, did i? no, what i said was corporatism was a feature of fascism. i also didn't say we weren't ever fascist before. my opinion on corporations is this: they are not people. they are not citizens. they can not vote. they should not get to choose our elected officials. nor, once the officials are chosen should corporations be allowed to muscle the government around. the government in my opinion should not favor corporations (i.e. tax breaks for home depot specifically) over the citizens (i didn't get a tax break with my name on it). but when the citizens are lied to that it is in their best interest to do allow such a thing, they will vote for it to happen. i place blame on the liars in this scenario. propagandizing bush administration.
and thanks for calling me "informed"... i'd like for you to list the connections you make between the fascist 50s into the 60s and 70s and explain how one thing lead to another. because even though we know what happened and when, maybe you think you know why... and that's really the point of it all isn't it?
Chicken Little, I simply pointed out that the fascist 50's didn't lead to WWIII. You implied that we are at risk for this when you said "let us never never be viewed by outsiders as fascists. because after ww2, the policy is to stop fascism before it takes hold." I think we can safely engage in a little more corporatism, propagandizing, censorship and violence before France and China come after us.
On corporations, you are correct in stating that they're not people. They are groups of people, like labor unions, political action committees, special interest groups, cities, churches, charitable associations and other organizations with common interests. All these groups vie for space in the larger public consciousness, and all have been successful in various ways. If you wish to deny the groups called corporations the right to pursue their collective interests, what groups would you go after next?
On tax breaks for Home Depot: thousands upon thousands of individual shareholders (the owners of the company, the members of the group) get those benefits. Those people are people.
-Voice
Is it fairly safe to assume that the condescending name-caller who now refers to himself as "Voice" is the same condescending anonymous name-caller from earlier? My point is, why do you have to bring feeble and pointless personal attacks into what could otherwise be a polite (and maybe even enlightening, heaven forbid) discussion of the issues at hand? You're only distancing yourself from actually getting a point across. Bad form, old chap!
Jon
Jon,
While wandering through cyberspace, I stumbled across this Brogg. In the Brogg, I found some fairly condescending comments about those who don't agree with the group-thinkers here, at corporations, at Bush, etc. ... the "Others." The entries whipsaw the reader from one convenient notion to another. Either the "Others" are blithering idiots destined to blow themselves out of the gene pool, or they are evil geniuses orchestrating vast conspiracies against "Us." But one thing is certain: "Us" is better than "Other." "Us" is mensa-smart, "Us" is better informed, "Us" is a critical thinker.
Now, here in the Brogg, we don't give any respect to the "Others," we don't humor them as they blindly parrot what they learn from the mass media -- we don't have to. We have a right to speak our opinions. If we think all those moronic geniuses are assholes, well we just say what's on our minds. Isn't that what the internet is all about? Saying what's on our minds? Okay then.
-Voice
p.s.: If I return, I may decide to try, but don't count on me being any less condescending to you "Us's" than you are to us "Others."
It *REALLY* makes me want to come home, four more years with him.
This argues for establishing a happy hippy commune up north of the border. Now, if only I could find some useful skill to donate...
here's something interesting. i have a good friend who is very conservative. for some reason or another he doesn't like organized labor, or the government spending money on things that aren't defense. he also agrees with certain religiously-affiliated policies. i am the opposite. i do appreciate organized labor, i think the goverment should spend on things like education and transportation and carrying out just laws... in addition to national defense. so... you might imagine we have a strained and difficult relationship. you might. but we were discussing politics the other night (not even yelling, or name-calling, or anything like that) and he said something very interesting. he said he is very glad that someone he respects is of an alternative opinion to himself. i echoed the sentiment because knowing someone who isn't a selfish person or a stupid person or a greedy person or all the other things i call "them" sometimes... it really tones down my emotions about it. it's highly therapeutic. now i have other family and friends who avoid talking about politics, whether we agree or don't, because it makes us uncomfortable. other family, who are very diplomatic, spend time discussing it civilly.. some don't. my dad is a monster debator.. (i avoided the word master intentionally).. anyway... this is my point: when we're all face to face, we remember not to be rude, not to call-names, and insult each other's convictions. it's not very hard to do. that is where the internet is different. for all we know the people we're talking about or to will never read the shit.. so now i'll appologize for one thing. i'm sorry there was no disclaimer on this website that it would be unfiltered and bitter. the regular readers know exactly how bitter i tend to be.. like i said many times, this is therapeutic for me (chinese medicine demands you honor your anger)... it's generally harmless. occasionally i invite discussion, often i don't. but mostly it's just a vent. an outlet. so here's your disclaimer. remember every horrible thought you've ever had, every time you've called someone an asshole in your head and smiled (or didn't grimace) on the outside because you knew it wasn't gonna help anyone to start a fight. sometimes you have to spit those out. somewhere they wont' hurt anyone. and here it is. and i feel better and the brogg's purpose is served.
that's all i have..
You shouldn't have to justify your venting space. Everyone needs a venting space and this is YOURS. You shouldn't be personally attacked for venting in a space that is yours. It's not like you're using someone else's blog as your place to rant. If you want to vent here, it's totally fine with me and anyone who doesn't like it doesn't have to read it.
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