Alexander Billet on Donald Trump and the Aesthetics of Fascism:
The crisp, angular uniforms for party members cranked out by the thousands, the massive orchestrated rallies, the technologically innovative films of Leni Riefenstahl—these are all perfect examples of how fascism aestheticized politics to its own end. All employed the rhythmic regimentation of life, the fetishization of raw power and sacrifice for the Fatherland. Violence was not celebrated for its own sake, but was seen as a necessary and fascinating virtue, even beautiful for its ability to mobilize people’s minds and bodies.
The resemblance between these and the Freedom Kids performance, or Trump’s descriptions of a “great, beautiful wall” along the Mexico border, are clear. All equate freedom with the ability to exert absolute power. All are the intended substance of the vague slogan “Make America Great Again.”
But the aestheticization of politics does not (by itself) equal fascism. Benjamin’s argument is that fascism represents merely the introduction of aesthetics into politics. On the one hand, he is arguing that the manipulative link between politics, art and fascism is not strictly causal. On the other, he’s saying that the ability to make human suffering pretty for political gain is something that can persist well beyond the decline of classic fascist dictators like Hitler, Mussolini or Franco.
In fact, if there is anything we can say about the aestheticization of politics in our own age, it is that it’s alarmingly quotidian.
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At Daily Kos on this date in 2010—Fiorina's fail train at top speed:
The hits keep on coming for Carly Fiorina, the failed CEO gasping for air in the GOP primary to take on Senator Boxer. Carly's campaign has been one unmitigated boatload of fail since its inception. Let's summarize:
• The company she nearly ruined has now maxed out to Senator Boxer.
• She trails primary opponent Tom Campbell badly in all the latest polling.
• She has lied--twice--about her fundraising numbers.
• And to top it off, her website rollout is often considered a nominee for all-time worst.
The California Democratic Party has definitely taken notice, and today announced the creation of a parody site dedicated to exposing Carly's floundering campaign: carlyfailorina.com (it's pleasing that we blogger types aren't the only ones using the alliterative "fail" to describe Carly's drain-circling campaign).
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On today’s Kagro in the Morning show: Wingnut writer GunFAIL update. Greg Dworkin parses the IA data. TX open carriers are never satisfied. Trump wants Iowa do-over, unicorn. Adventures in public-private surveillance state partnership. How the Cruzes leverage each others’ jobs for fun & profit.
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