Jonah Goldberg, Patriotism and Nationalism

I've written in the past about author (and frequent FOX "News" guest) Jonah Goldberg, and his strained notions of patriotism. And during this Presidential campaign, the topic has arisen many, many times. But with Goldberg, FOX "News," and often times among the general public, patriotism is being confused with nationalism.

When Sean Hannity blathers on (for the umpteenth time) about Michelle Obama calling America "a mean country," or not being proud of her country, he's implying that saying such things is not patriotic. As though America is never mean. As though one must be constantly proud of America to love it.

Hannity is not the only one of course, but he is a consistant espouser of nationalism dressed up as patriotism. And it's time people recognized the difference. This article does a good job of explaining it, if you are unsure yourself.

[Excerpt]

The Far-Right's Patriotism Problem

. . .For a people to be controlled, they must first be robbed of honest discourse and open debate. Distorting language and stripping it of real and honest meaning is the first tool and the best mechanism for transforming a democracy into an authoritarian state. An informed populace is a dangerous populace. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

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