Is America ‘yearning For Fascism?’
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» databoy replied on Tue Mar 30, 2010 @ 2:33pm |
 Coolness: 106230 | by Chris Hedges
The language of violence always presages violence. I watched it in war after war from Latin America to the Balkans. The impoverishment of a working class and the snuffing out of hope and opportunity always produce angry mobs ready to kill and be killed. A bankrupt, liberal elite, which proves ineffectual against the rich and the criminal, always gets swept aside, in times of economic collapse, before thugs and demagogues emerge to play to the passions of the crowd. I have seen this drama. I know each act. I know how it ends. I have heard it in other tongues in other lands. I recognize the same stock characters, the buffoons, charlatans and fools, the same confused crowds and the same impotent and despised liberal class that deserves the hatred it engenders. "We are ruled not by two parties but one party," Cynthia McKinney, who ran for president on the Green Party ticket, told me. "It is the party of money and war. Our country has been hijacked. And we have to take the country away from those who have hijacked it. The only question now is whose revolution gets funded." The Democrats and their liberal apologists are so oblivious to the profound personal and economic despair sweeping through this country that they think offering unemployed people the right to keep their unemployed children on their nonexistent health care policies is a step forward. They think that passing a jobs bill that will give tax credits to corporations is a rational response to an unemployment rate that is, in real terms, close to 20 percent. They think that making ordinary Americans, one in eight of whom depends on food stamps to eat, fork over trillions in taxpayer dollars to pay for the crimes of Wall Street and war is acceptable. They think that the refusal to save the estimated 2.4 million people who will be forced out of their homes by foreclosure this year is justified by the bloodless language of fiscal austerity. The message is clear. Laws do not apply to the power elite. Our government does not work. And the longer we stand by and do nothing, the longer we refuse to embrace and recognize the legitimate rage of the working class, the faster we will see our anemic democracy die. The unraveling of America mirrors the unraveling of Yugoslavia. The Balkan war was not caused by ancient ethnic hatreds. It was caused by the economic collapse of Yugoslavia. The petty criminals and goons who took power harnessed the anger and despair of the unemployed and the desperate. They singled out convenient scapegoats from ethnic Croats to Muslims to Albanians to Gypsies. They set in motion movements that unleashed a feeding frenzy leading to war and self-immolation. There is little difference between the ludicrous would-be poet Radovan Karadzic, who was a figure of ridicule in Sarajevo before the war, and the moronic Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin. There is little difference between the Oath Keepers and the Serbian militias. We can laugh at these people, but they are not the fools. We are. The longer we appeal to the Democrats, who are servants of corporate interests, the more stupid and ineffectual we become. Sixty-one percent of Americans believe the country is in decline, according to a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, and they are right. Only 25 percent of those polled said the government can be trusted to protect the interests of the American people. If we do not embrace this outrage and distrust as our own it will be expressed through a terrifying right-wing backlash. "It is time for us to stop talking about right and left," McKinney told me. "The old political paradigm that serves the interests of the people who put us in this predicament will not be the paradigm that gets us out of this. I am a child of the South. Janet Napolitano tells me I need to be afraid of people who are labeled white supremacists but I was raised around white supremacists. I am not afraid of white supremacists. I am concerned about my own government. The Patriot Act did not come from the white supremacists, it came from the White House and Congress. Citizens United did not come from white supremacists, it came from the Supreme Court. Our problem is a problem of governance. I am willing to reach across traditional barriers that have been skillfully constructed by people who benefit from the way the system is organized." We are bound to a party that has betrayed every principle we claim to espouse, from universal health care to an end to our permanent war economy, to a demand for quality and affordable public education, to a concern for the jobs of the working class. And the hatred expressed within right-wing movements for the college-educated elite, who created or at least did nothing to halt the financial debacle, is not misplaced. Our educated elite, wallowing in self-righteousness, wasted its time in the boutique activism of political correctness as tens of millions of workers lost their jobs. The shouting of racist and bigoted words at black and gay members of Congress, the spitting on a black member of the House, the tossing of bricks through the windows of legislators' offices, are part of the language of rebellion. It is as much a revolt against the educated elite as it is against the government. The blame lies with us. We created the monster. When someone like Palin posts a map with cross hairs on the districts of Democrats, when she says "Don't Retreat, Instead-RELOAD!" there are desperate people cleaning their weapons who listen. When Christian fascists stand in the pulpits of megachurches and denounce Barack Obama as the Antichrist, there are messianic believers who listen. When a Republican lawmaker shouts "baby killer" at Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak, there are violent extremists who see the mission of saving the unborn as a sacred duty. They have little left to lose. We made sure of that. And the violence they inflict is an expression of the violence they endure. These movements are not yet full-blown fascist movements. They do not openly call for the extermination of ethnic or religious groups. They do not openly advocate violence. But, as I was told by Fritz Stern, a scholar of fascism who has written about the origins of Nazism, "In Germany there was a yearning for fascism before fascism was invented." It is the yearning that we now see, and it is dangerous. If we do not immediately reincorporate the unemployed and the poor back into the economy, giving them jobs and relief from crippling debt, then the nascent racism and violence that are leaping up around the edges of American society will become a full-blown conflagration. Left unchecked, the hatred for radical Islam will transform itself into a hatred for Muslims. The hatred for undocumented workers will become a hatred for Mexicans and Central Americans. The hatred for those not defined by this largely white movement as American patriots will become a hatred for African-Americans. The hatred for liberals will morph into a hatred for all democratic institutions, from universities to government agencies to the press. Our continued impotence and cowardice, our refusal to articulate this anger and stand up in open defiance to the Democrats and the Republicans, will see us swept aside for an age of terror and blood. [ www.commondreams.org ] |
| I'm feeling insects right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» basdini replied on Fri Apr 2, 2010 @ 12:49pm |
 Coolness: 145315 | stop posting shit like this |
| I'm feeling surly right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» databoy replied on Fri Apr 2, 2010 @ 6:12pm |
| Coolness: 106230 | |
| I'm feeling insects right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» basdini replied on Sat Apr 3, 2010 @ 2:09am |
| Coolness: 145315 | because i am not a leftist, thus i am a rightist.
brilliant |
| I'm feeling surly right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» MolocH replied on Sat Apr 3, 2010 @ 9:17am |
 Coolness: 226390 | Originally Posted By BASDINI
stop posting shit like this LuLz. "The cut and paste" Substitute for personality is getting to you too I see. |
| I'm feeling ka-tet of one right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» databoy replied on Sat Apr 3, 2010 @ 10:23am |
| Coolness: 106230 | Moloch you retard, find one other post in this section that isnt "cut and paste" or just a link.
"Howzabout" you stick to Ebonics and recycling internet memes? It's seems to be what you are good at. Basdini: If you dont like what you read, just move along. Or you could word your disagreement. But you would rather i just stop posting. Censorship much easier than coming up with a real rebuttal. |
| I'm feeling insects right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» MolocH replied on Sat Apr 3, 2010 @ 10:52am |
| Coolness: 226390 | Originally Posted By DATABOY
Moloch you retard, find one other post in this section that isnt "cut and paste" or just a link. "Howzabout" you stick to Ebonics and recycling internet memes? It's seems to be what you are good at. Er c tu a mwe tu parles? Pass que bon, j'men crisses. T'a le droit de peter un plomb a chaque fois que je te pitches une pique. C ton droit. Pis c le mien de juste te pitcher des piques si ca me tentes. Besides, c pas comme si on etait des chums ou kekchose. Update » MolocH wrote on Sat Apr 3, 2010 @ 10:53am Tse, t juste comme un cutterhead ou un Pierrot.
Un internet-meme interactif genre. |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» basdini replied on Sun Apr 4, 2010 @ 12:41am |
| Coolness: 145315 | i'm just saying, maybe, write your own article??? |
| I'm feeling surly right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» MolocH replied on Sun Apr 4, 2010 @ 10:47am |
| Coolness: 226390 | Originally Posted By BASDINI
i'm just saying, maybe, write your own article??? +10K I mean, fine, read it onlin, but maybe write your own, including your views and shit istead of just parroting it? Beter yet, post the link, and actually start a discussion. |
| I'm feeling ka-tet of one right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» basdini replied on Sun Apr 4, 2010 @ 1:42pm |
| Coolness: 145315 | i agree i think we could make the news section more interesting if we started creating more content for it,,,
i just think that it's one thing to post a news article that is about events and involves reporting of those events, but stuff like this is just editorial fodder for ideological warfare...there is nothing 'wrong' with posting this but why settle for someone's editorial when you could write your own... |
| I'm feeling surly right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» MolocH replied on Sun Apr 4, 2010 @ 3:51pm |
| Coolness: 226390 | Originally Posted By BASDINI
i agree i think we could make the news section more interesting if we started creating more content for it,,, i just think that it's one thing to post a news article that is about events and involves reporting of those events, but stuff like this is just editorial fodder for ideological warfare...there is nothing 'wrong' with posting this but why settle for someone's editorial when you could write your own... Well, you know what they say. Culture is like strawberry jam, the less they have, the more they spread it. With that beeing said, I wanna reiterate that I don't think Databoy posts uninteresting stuff, it's just how he does it. Y'know, posting something that's been said by someone else, already formatted and proofread. It reminds me of a particular line in a KMFDM song, "Nothing to say, and no way to say it, but you can state that in three languages." -KMFDM Update » MolocH wrote on Sun Apr 4, 2010 @ 3:52pm See what I did there?
I quoted someone AND included my personnal views on the subject. Wich makes this a communication attemp and not a teddy ruxpin moment. |
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| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Gamos replied on Tue Apr 6, 2010 @ 12:33am |
 Coolness: 93610 |  |
| I'm feeling a message in a bottl right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» greatjob replied on Tue Apr 6, 2010 @ 7:58am |
 Coolness: 282570 | who the fuck is boxxy?
could you use a more vague demote in this thread plz? |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» databoy replied on Tue Apr 6, 2010 @ 12:28pm |
| Coolness: 106230 | Wow, just wow.
Why dont I write my own articles? I'm not a journalist... Just because you have a blog and an opinion doesn't make you in anyway qualified to be a journalist. I would rather relay the messages of real journalists who quote real experts, university professors, politicians... If you Basdini or Moloch feel the unprecedented urge to write your own articles, go right ahead. As for those articles being more interesting, i seriously doubt it. Surprise me. I know for a fact that the articles that i relay in this section are way better written, more nuanced and better documented than anything i could write and i wave the humility to admit it. Besides, i type at about 10 words a minute and dont have 2 weeks to write an article only to have some moron take a shit all over it. So yeah, I'll keep posting articles that i find interesting and pertinent and maybe a few peoples here might find them interesting as well and will do the same. Who knows, maybe one day someone will even react with more then just a huff and puff one liner and express an opinion that might lead to a discussion. That would be nice. Till then, thank you Basdini for at least taking the time to read the articles I post, even though you usually seem at odds with the views and opinions expressed therein. Next step would be formulating complete sentenced wording your disapproval or just adding your point of view. To you Moloch, I'll just leave you to wallow in your dollar bin quotes, your commonplace arguments and your retarded interweb memes. I know you are just upset cus every once and a while I call you out on your retarded macho posturing. So yeah, keep shooting the messenger. Eventually the only truth left will be your own. Bliss awaits (not the dj) |
| I'm feeling insects right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Daf replied on Tue Apr 6, 2010 @ 12:35pm |
 Coolness: 185470 | i think you took their comment wayyy too badly
they got a point, it would be interesting to at least know your opinion on the article you post to at least open a conversation and you don't need to be a journalist to have a opinion on whats going on right now I think you should be please to know that people are more interested in what you think, than to read some nobody profesionnal giving his opinion because it's his job. "Who knows, maybe one day someone will even react with more then just a huff and puff one liner and express an opinion that might lead to a discussion. That would be nice. " it would maybe help if you start the dance, just sayin' :) people should stop taking critics like it's a bad thing, and others should learn how to critic people without being rude <3 |
| I'm feeling kiss me, im shitface right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» MolocH replied on Tue Apr 6, 2010 @ 1:34pm |
| Coolness: 226390 | I did mention that I didn't think you posted garbage, I was just refering to the fact that you never even include a toughts or anything. That and the fact you're a douchebag.
Witch is okay, I mean. I can deal with that. |
| I'm feeling ka-tet of one right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» databoy replied on Tue Apr 6, 2010 @ 2:13pm |
| Coolness: 106230 | You know what they say about opinions and assholes...?
If I relay a particular article, It is because, i agree with it or find the view interesting and original. It is because, I believe the information contained within to be important. If 10 peoples read it, i will have pushed those ideas just a bit further. That's good enough for me. Daf, you post a lot of really cool pics in other threads, for that i thank you, but most of the time you are not the creator of those artworks. Have you ever been chewed out because of that? Probably not cus that's what everyone does on ravewave ALL THE TIME, post shit they find on the net. If any of you are truly interested in the original content I have to offer, you can always take a look in the music section, my project is called Monokongo. Or just google it. As for the journalism, I'll leave that to the REAL journalist on the field. |
| I'm feeling insects right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Daf replied on Tue Apr 6, 2010 @ 2:40pm |
| Coolness: 185470 | Originally Posted By DATABOY
Daf, you post a lot of really cool pics in other threads, for that i thank you, but most of the time you are not the creator of those artworks. Have you ever been chewed out because of that? well usually it comes with a opinion, or just the fact that I post it it's because i like it but like you said most of them aren't mine, though very often I come with my own all i am saying is you are right, you can post wathever you want without saying anything, I haven't said otherwise, i just approve with the other comments, that it would be nice to know what you think you look like someone who likes to think and makes people think, i just wish we could read more about your opinion then what's on cbc news. And i wish people would respond like this after my post of art, i would be really proud to read that people would find me more interesting than some random artist on Internet, and like i said, you should too. anyway nevermind my comment, it wasn't meant to point fingers, but unfortunatly it always finish like that on [ rave.ca ] (or anyone who can't take critics) I still think that you kind of over react on some comments in this thread and that maybe in those comments there was good points. even if you don't like it, it's still kind of true and i will take your comment in consideration, and try to always explain why I am posting this specific picture in the future. I would lie if i would say that you were not right on that part |
| I'm feeling kiss me, im shitface right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» databoy replied on Tue Apr 6, 2010 @ 3:16pm |
| Coolness: 106230 | Personally I dont see where i overreacted, plus I explained the reason why I dont write my own articles in a quite clear and concise manner. I'll stick to that. If you are interested in my opinions beyond what I post, I suggest you buy me a beer and we'll talk about all sorts of stuff.
Most of the articles I post are from [ www.commondreams.org ] a progressive news wire based out of the U.S. This news wire was personally suggested to me by Jacques Languirand and his wife subscribed me to it. Since then, every day i get the main titles delivered to me in my email. I would suggest you subscribe as well, seeing as the views expressed by their contributing journalists are not those carried by most news media services. I don't think i have ever quoted anything from cbc Daf, you can comment the artworks you post, but they dont need your editorial comment to make them interesting. |
| I'm feeling insects right now.. | |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» Daf replied on Tue Apr 6, 2010 @ 3:20pm |
| Coolness: 185470 | haha "being chewed up" after 2 or 3 simple comment from the 2 same person, is to me over reacting
and sorry, i meant BBC news |
| I'm feeling kiss me, im shitface right now.. | |
Is America ‘yearning For Fascism?’
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