That speech by Trump was chilling. It is very consistent in hitting on all the fascist tropes. One of the things one often hears from those who claim Trump is not a fascist is that his views and policies he advocate are not consistently fascist. They claim that those he surrounds himself with (Steve Bannon comes to mind)may be fascist but he is not smart enough to have any kind of ideology. I made the mistake of laughing at them at first but no longer. These fascists, like MTG, are no longer on the periphery of political life but have taken a center stage as evidenced of the aforementioned to be given a major political platform (leslie stahl interview this bufoon on 60 minutes)in which to spread the nonsensical unreality
I couldn't agree more, especially “The second big mistake in the liberal dismissal reflex I criticized at the outset of this essay is that an over-focus on the bizarre antics of Donald and his most visible national level allies (MTG et al) obscures the critical role played by other dead serious fascist elements within the national political.” That extremely thin layer underneath that stupidity frightens me the most. The ones who can easily manipulate minds like tRumps.
Our government does not represent the people or the people's wishes, so the increasing violence, repression and exclusion by Republicans cannot be understood in a vacuum. The Democrats have consistently voted for war over peace and the government and mainstream media continue to lie and cover up the US decision to blow up the Russian gas pipelines to Germany. Will a fascist regime maintain peace with Russia and China while destroying the Homeland? Does any party in the US call for a cooperative approach to global affairs? Putin and the Chinese Communist Party sound more sane than our Republicans and Democrats combined, but you'd never know it from reading the NY Times or the Wall Street Journal, or from watching CNN or FOX News. The voices of reason in America are out there, but you have to carry your lamp through a lot of dark alleys to find one.
As per usual, the parliamentary opposition, here the Dems, builds the infrastructure that the Fascist will use to the max once in power at the federal level. Specifically the incorporation of high tech/social media into the state has sped up under the Dems.
As to Trump's fascists speech in Waco, did anyone notice the "Whtch hunt" signs behind Trump?
Another thing, the Fascist can no longer count on their monopoly of firearms in the street. It is not good strategy but the right of self-defense should take priority over "gun reform" Frederick Douglas's quote on "three boxes" should inform us
That speech by Trump was chilling. It is very consistent in hitting on all the fascist tropes. One of the things one often hears from those who claim Trump is not a fascist is that his views and policies he advocate are not consistently fascist. They claim that those he surrounds himself with (Steve Bannon comes to mind)may be fascist but he is not smart enough to have any kind of ideology. I made the mistake of laughing at them at first but no longer. These fascists, like MTG, are no longer on the periphery of political life but have taken a center stage as evidenced of the aforementioned to be given a major political platform (leslie stahl interview this bufoon on 60 minutes)in which to spread the nonsensical unreality
I couldn't agree more, especially “The second big mistake in the liberal dismissal reflex I criticized at the outset of this essay is that an over-focus on the bizarre antics of Donald and his most visible national level allies (MTG et al) obscures the critical role played by other dead serious fascist elements within the national political.” That extremely thin layer underneath that stupidity frightens me the most. The ones who can easily manipulate minds like tRumps.
Good essay Paul.
Our government does not represent the people or the people's wishes, so the increasing violence, repression and exclusion by Republicans cannot be understood in a vacuum. The Democrats have consistently voted for war over peace and the government and mainstream media continue to lie and cover up the US decision to blow up the Russian gas pipelines to Germany. Will a fascist regime maintain peace with Russia and China while destroying the Homeland? Does any party in the US call for a cooperative approach to global affairs? Putin and the Chinese Communist Party sound more sane than our Republicans and Democrats combined, but you'd never know it from reading the NY Times or the Wall Street Journal, or from watching CNN or FOX News. The voices of reason in America are out there, but you have to carry your lamp through a lot of dark alleys to find one.
As per usual, the parliamentary opposition, here the Dems, builds the infrastructure that the Fascist will use to the max once in power at the federal level. Specifically the incorporation of high tech/social media into the state has sped up under the Dems.
As to Trump's fascists speech in Waco, did anyone notice the "Whtch hunt" signs behind Trump?
Another thing, the Fascist can no longer count on their monopoly of firearms in the street. It is not good strategy but the right of self-defense should take priority over "gun reform" Frederick Douglas's quote on "three boxes" should inform us