(Note to literalists: the Watched column presently contains only a smattering of 'warblogs' because the facilitator of the template-change--Dr. Menlo--is not very familiar with them, and will be adding more as they are sent to him. Also, this blog may contain areas of allusion, satire, subtext, context and possibly even a dash of the surreal: wannabe lit-crits beware.)
Control
[Watch this space for: Pentagon and Petroleum, The Media is only as Liberal as the Corporations Who Own Them, Wash Down With, and Recalcify]
WARBLOGGER WATCH
Monday, May 19, 2003
(Remixed propaganda from the Great Micah Wright)
As people know, I was one of the first to call this government "fascist", long before the Germans for example. Now, of course, a person that would call the Bush Administration "fascist" could be accused of being redundant or even obvious. However, there's a nice list of 14 rules that outline the fascist condition. I've linked to some of our favorite war pundits for background illumination. I've picked the first three. Other folks can look at 4 through 14 and link to the usual suspects. I think I just need Pejman and Glenn, and a special appearance by Dr. Weevil...(I'll be adding more links when I have the time. My goal is to put a link on every word...) Actually, Little Green Footballs makes this just way to easy. And you know what's sad? I'm a huge jazz rock fan and I've probably seen and heard Charles play, on "School Days" no less...Sad.
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.