Young Turks: Conservatives Hate Wall-E

Yeah, I know, another Young Turks video. But hey, I really like them, and we're coming off of a holiday weekend, where interesting blog stories are few and far between. And why am I apologizing?

Anyway, here The Young Turks discuss the crazy conservative outcry over the liberal, fascist movie. . .Wall-E. Seriously. I haven't seen Wall-E yet, but I might now!

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Blasts News Media

The apple didn't fall far from the tree. Robert F. Kennedy is amazingly well spoken and intelligent. And his views on the news media need to be heard. It's from 2004 or so, but more timely than ever. Check it out.

The Scary Stuff that Doesn't Make the News

Image from OldAmericanCentury.org

I listen to a lot of Air America Radio, and read a lot of political blogs (left and right), so I tend to be aware of a lot of the things that don't make the mainstream news. There's a lot of scary stuff going on behind the scenes in our government, and most people just don't know about it.

I've made it one of the main missions of this blog to bring forward anything I find that falls into this category. Unfortunately, I don't always know where to look. Not being a poli-sci major, and having had my last journalism course in high school, I know that I'm ill equipped to do an exposé. So, I'll keep bringing forth those things I find, and hopefully I can contribute to a raising of the public's consciousness in my own small way.

The worrisome part of all of this is, even if this stuff burbled to the mainstream, would anyone notice--or care? A shocking number of people seem to take pride in being politically disconnected, and in "not paying attention to the news." Will America's ideals be lost, will our country even be recognizable if these twin trends (government overreach and citizen apathy) continue?

[Excerpt]

Rule by fear or rule by law?

Since 9/11, and seemingly without the notice of most Americans, the federal government has assumed the authority to institute martial law, arrest a wide swath of dissidents (citizen and noncitizen alike), and detain people without legal or constitutional recourse in the event of "an emergency influx of immigrants in the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs." [snip]

According to diplomat and author Peter Dale Scott, the KBR contract is part of a Homeland Security plan titled ENDGAME, which sets as its goal the removal of "all removable aliens" and "potential terrorists. . ."

Read more at: SF Gate

Jonah Goldberg vs. Jon Stewart on Daily Show

In my last post, I described Jon Stewart's dismantling of Jonah Goldberg's Liberal Fascism premise on The A Daily Show. Then it occurred to me, I can just show you! Check it out. . .

Jonah Goldberg's Book Filed as Parody at Amazon

Hee hee! Hey, I usually make it a practice to read a book before passing judgement on it. In fact, it burns me up if I really, really like a book, and somebody who hasn't read it trashes it. But I'm making an exception here.

Why? Because Jonah Goldberg, author of Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, From Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning, has been making the talk show, cable news and right-wing talk radio circuit, discussing this book at length. And his premise is rather laughable. He's basically saying that despite criticisms of conservatives resembling fascists, the definition actually fits liberals.

After watching Golberg's feeble attempt at selling his book on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (see video here), the objective of the book just fell flat for me. Stewart eviscerated him and his premise.

Anyhow, here's the funny part. Amazon.com has classified Liberal Fascism as a political parody! Hilarious.

[Excerpt]

Goldberg's Liberal Fascism filed under 'Parodies' at Amazon

Jonah Goldberg's new book Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, From Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning has provoked controversy and dispute in a variety of media. But at internet commerce giant Amazon.com, Goldberg's critics appear to have advanced a new front in their battle against the book: having it classified as a "parody. . ."

Read more at: Raw Story

Ron Paul Compares Huckabee to Fascist!

Photo from RonPaul2008.com

Ah, Ron Paul, even more of a fly in the ointment to Republicans than even Mike Huckabee. He can raise money fast. His supporters disrupt events and talk radio shows better than Howard Stern fans. They even somehow keep winning FOX "News" straw polls for their guy. And Paul himself is totally against the Iraq War, and Bush's foreign policy.

Now, Ron Paul is squaring off against Huckabee over his "floating cross" ad. I like it!

[Excerpt]

Huckabee spot reminds Paul of fascism prediction

Asked by Fox and Friends host Steve Doocy what he thought of the TV spot, Paul minced no words.

"Well, I haven't thought about it completely, but you know, it reminds me of what Sinclair Lewis once said," Paul responded. "He says, 'When fascism comes to this country, it will be wrapped in the flag carrying a cross.". .

Read more at: Raw Story

Naomi Wolfe Gets the FOX Treatment

A while back, I wrote about Naomi Wolfe, an author who has outlined the similarities between the United States and fascism in other countries throughout history. She's a remarkably intelligent woman with a lot to say, whether you agree with it or not. John Kasich, subbing for Bill O'Reilly, never gave her the chance to lay out her case.

In a textbook FOX "News" example of their take on "fair and balanced," Kasich brings on someone with an opposing view, and then scarcely lets her speak. Take a look, and then read our previous piece for a little clarity.



And check out NewsHounds for their piece on the video.

Fascist America, In 10 Easy Steps

Image from OldAmericanCentury.org

A while back, I wrote a post about the parallels between fascism, and the present state of America. I even linked to an article that outlined what fascism is, and how it's starting to fit our current government, or at least our government as it is being handled by the Bush Administration.

I was somewhat taken to task by my friend, who sometimes contributes here as "Lesto," who thought the article lacked in a few areas, and didn't make my case. Well, Lesto, please read this post, by writer Naomi Wolf. Written earlier this year, it makes a much stronger case, one that you may have trouble disagreeing with.

The rest of us can just read it, and get a little bit sick. Thanks to Air America's Randi Rhodes for the link. . .and for the queasiness.

[Excerpt]

Fascist America, in 10 easy steps

From Hitler to Pinochet and beyond, history shows there are certain steps that any would-be dictator must take to destroy constitutional freedoms. And, argues Naomi Wolf, George Bush and his administration seem to be taking them all. [snip]

1. Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy

After we were hit on September 11 2001, we were in a state of national shock. Less than six weeks later, on October 26 2001, the USA Patriot Act was passed by a Congress that had little chance to debate it; many said that they scarcely had time to read it. We were told we were now on a "war footing"; we were in a "global war" against a "global caliphate" intending to "wipe out civilisation". . .

It's long, but it's good. Read more at: Guardian Unlimited

Democracy is Hard Work. Vote Fascism!

I like my humor dark, and I like it to make a point. This fits the bill. Hat-tip to BradBlog.com for this video, about Australian politics. It is just as relevant here in the US. And hey, that strapping Aussie lad, and that accent. . .he almost had me convinced!

Fascism: A Definition

Image from source, OldAmericanCentury.org

I heard the term "Islamo-fascism" the other day, and was irked for the umpteenth time. This to me is a phony-baloney term, coined because it sounds scary. Like terrorists aren't scary enough already. But "fascism?" It just didn't sound right to me, so I looked it up. . .

[From Dictionary.com]

Dictionary.com Unabridged
(v 1.1)
fas·cism /ˈfæʃɪzəm/
[fash-iz-uhm] –noun
1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.

Outside of the "racism" part, this sounds an awful lot like the country we're currently living in, especially given the new focus on the theory of the unitary executive.

Doing some more research, I found this fascinating site, showing precisely how my conclusion actually fits, in many ways. Grab your tinfoil hat, and check it out:

Project for the Old American Century