What the hell is an Islamo-fascist, anyway?
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Introduction
This term has been everywhere lately. Now I love a good racial epiphet as much as the next guy, but shouldn't they make some sense. In 2003, Laurence Britt did a piece on fascism; identifying 14 points that all fascist regimes have had in common.
In fact, I can't think of any government in the world that meets all 14 requirements. Can you?
"First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me."
Pastor Martin Niemöller
1
Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
www.oldamericancentury.org/shockand_we.jpeg
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.
The principle talking points for Hitler's National Socialist Party concerned how the German people had suffered under the Draconian terms of the Treaty of Versailles. They promised to return Germany to it's rightful place as a world power. Basically Aryian pride.
With which nation, exactly are the Islamo-fascists aligned.
The principle talking points for Hitler's National Socialist Party concerned how the German people had suffered under the Draconian terms of the Treaty of Versailles. They promised to return Germany to it's rightful place as a world power. Basically Aryian pride.
With which nation, exactly are the Islamo-fascists aligned.
2
Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
www.nytimes.com/2006/09/28/washington/29detaincnd…
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.
Okay, I sort of see this one.
Okay, I sort of see this one.
3
Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
www.oldamericancentury.org/godless.jpg
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.
Hitler blamed all of Germany's problems on the Jew bankers, the Leninist Communists, and the Gypsies (illegal immigrants, using public services but paying no taxes)
They use a hatred of us to rally their nut jobs. We use a hatred of them.
Hitler blamed all of Germany's problems on the Jew bankers, the Leninist Communists, and the Gypsies (illegal immigrants, using public services but paying no taxes)
They use a hatred of us to rally their nut jobs. We use a hatred of them.
4
Supremacy of the Military
www.oldamericancentury.org/fy05.gif
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
Well, now wait a minute. Do they have a military, per se? Well, I guess they do if you count retards with rifles.
Well, now wait a minute. Do they have a military, per se? Well, I guess they do if you count retards with rifles.
5
Rampant Sexism
www.unknownnews.org/0505310527you're-fired.html
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy
I can sort of see this one.; burkhas and all.
I can sort of see this one.; burkhas and all.
6
Controlled Mass Media
www.oldamericancentury.org/FF_SC.jpg
Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
Well, they don't really seem to control any media, or actually govern anything for that matter. Let's count Al Al Jazeera. I'm really trying here.
Well, they don't really seem to control any media, or actually govern anything for that matter. Let's count Al Al Jazeera. I'm really trying here.
7
Obsession with National Security
www.oldamericancentury.org/elev.jpeg
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses. Well, this is just ridiculous, they don't have a nation, and they are not a government.
8
Religion and Government are Intertwined
www.bushgreenwatch.org/mt_archives/000062.php
Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
Hitler claimed to be a Christian, so he could persecute Jews and Catholics. Again, the terrorists don't have a government, they are all about religion.
Hitler claimed to be a Christian, so he could persecute Jews and Catholics. Again, the terrorists don't have a government, they are all about religion.
9
Corporate Power is Protected
www.oldamericancentury.org/9_corp.htm
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
Hitler and the Krupps. Gustav Krupp saved the Nazi party in 1932. If it had not been for Gustav Krupp, Hitler would never have come to power.
I'm not sure which corporations the Islamo-fascists favor.
Hitler and the Krupps. Gustav Krupp saved the Nazi party in 1932. If it had not been for Gustav Krupp, Hitler would never have come to power.
I'm not sure which corporations the Islamo-fascists favor.
10
Labor Power is Suppressed
www.shastalink.k12.ca.us/csea/Legislative/BushAtt…
Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.
There's that government thing again. I'm starting to think we may be being misled.
There's that government thing again. I'm starting to think we may be being misled.
11
Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/interference/…
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.
Well, it's beginning to look like there is no such thing as an Islamo-fascist.
Well, it's beginning to look like there is no such thing as an Islamo-fascist.
12
Obsession with Crime and Punishment
www.alternet.org/rights/45647/
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that the terrorists don't really measure up as fascists.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that the terrorists don't really measure up as fascists.
13
Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
www.oldamericancentury.org/1161889068Jurisdiction…
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
Is anyone else starting to see a pattern here?
Is anyone else starting to see a pattern here?
14
Fraudulent Elections
www.freepress.org/departments/display/19/2005/152…
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
Well, this can't be a coincidence.
Well, this can't be a coincidence.
Well, there are people who profess to be of the Islam faith who use violence and terror to achieve their objectives. Those objectives have been stated to be: annihilation of Jews and Israel and conversion or death of all non-believers.
I find them scary regardless of the label attached to them.
You are an intelligent man with a great vocabulary; what would be the proper term? Is this a matter of semantics?
I find them scary regardless of the label attached to them.
You are an intelligent man with a great vocabulary; what would be the proper term? Is this a matter of semantics?
It is precisely a matter of semantics, and I call them terrorists. I see no difference between Islamic terrorists, and Neo-nazi terrorists like Timothy McVey. They are no more representative of Islam in general than Timothy McVey. or Eric Rudolph represented Christians. Think about it, and then read number 3 again.
I believe that this administration carefully chose that term to play on the xenophobia of the masses in this country. "Everybody hates fascists, so let's link them to Islam." That'll scare the shit out of Joe Middle America.
Is this an up or a down?
I believe that this administration carefully chose that term to play on the xenophobia of the masses in this country. "Everybody hates fascists, so let's link them to Islam." That'll scare the shit out of Joe Middle America.
Is this an up or a down?
A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist to me. It is someone who is the cause of widespread fear and panic, no matter what they profess their beliefs or faith to be. Murder for a cause is still murder and is still wrong no matter who is doing the killing. Pinning the blame for this wrongdoing on an entire group of people and labeling them because of the actions of a few is also wrong. Thanks for a thought-provoking list, Ol Hippie. Well done.
So much of the current political situation is about control of language. I'm glad you brought this one to the fore, OH.
Next, can you deconstruct "War on Terror" for us? And how about the Republicans always talking about the "Democrat Party" instead of the "Democratic Party"?
Next, can you deconstruct "War on Terror" for us? And how about the Republicans always talking about the "Democrat Party" instead of the "Democratic Party"?
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