This is the main Diaries, with commentary, from the last few days that relate, in my opinion, to the possibility that this country is becoming a Corporate Nationalistic Anti-Communistic State. Historically the Fascist state which was Italy under Mussolini bears remarkable resemblances to what this country is becoming.
I first wish to express my sympathies for those who perished, were injured, and those who are coping with the disaster that is unraveling the Far East. And also my best wishes to the families of those listed previously and all that were affected physically or emotionally. Please, if it is in your power, help in whatever way you can.
I believe this type of weekly review might be an effective answer to the dilemma of the sheer magnitude of the number of diaries posted here at Dkos. I suggest that if you have a topic you feel strongly about, and believe as I do, that too many excellent diaries which are going by the wayside that you too start a similar review.
Much Much More below the fold. Give them all a read or at least some mojo
This Diary received very little attention earlier this week after receiving rave reviews in it's Initial presentation. I am trying different time frames for presenting this very important information in an a effort to find an Ideal time to present it.
This Diary only covers Sunday thru Wednesday due to the number of listing if you missed the previous versions click my nickname above for the previous editions
1. Powerful and continuing expression of nationalism.
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights.
Plutonium Page has done it again when she came up with another great Diary on how the CIA seeks to hide abuse details. Another well known tactic of Fascism is secrecy. Fascist governments seek to maintain power so secrecy and hiding the truth, where those in power can be exposed, are important indicators. So the C.I.A., using the "Glomar response", has decided our national security would be threatened if the truth were told. They are right if you believe that Bush Security is National Security. It is true that if the treatment of prisoners is determined to lead to the top then our National Security will be in danger unless we hold those leaders accountable. If we fail to hold them accountable then the rest of the world would be justified in blaming the entire nation for those actions.
Trendar has the story of Pinochet Revisited - The CIA is "Disappearing" People. Based on the latest Washington Post Sunday article with more details on the Gulfstream Jet used to transport "detainees" to foreign soil for interrogations. This whole story is a tale of keeping America's "hands clean" by using other nations who use more flexible interrogation procedures on person's of interest, including Americans, to obtain intelligence. When you combine this with the "Executive Orders" referred to by the C. I. A.'s e-mails which the A.C.L.U. uncovered through "Freedom of Information" requests you get a pattern where the C.I.A. is covering their tracks while the Troops are being made the "Fall Guys" to keep secret administration policy. This can become more clear cut evidence of a "Distain for Human Rights" if investigations are allowed to proceed which will prove we have certainly shown another "Sign of Fascist Governments.
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause.
Up2date uncovered for us the fact of outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell caught in lie. It seems another reason for the invasion of Iraq is unraveling. Al-Zarqawi who was once, according to the administration, the main Al-Queda operative in Iraq is now starting to receive "rhetorical support" from bin Laden. But now they are working closely together, by their own admission, due to the insurrection in Iraq. So to recap when they had no relationship the administration said they had, but now that they are working together the administration call it "rhetorical support". I feel for Powell and hope he enjoys his time off but it seems currently he is "Dancing has fast as he can". I apologize for the image of Construction Worker Powell I put in your head.
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism.
Pontificator hos got the goods on the plan by the Pentagon to Screw the Environment. The N.Y. Times reports that the Military is exempted from laws intended to protect the environment and are trying to get more restrictions lifted. This definitely fit's the category of "Supremacy of the Military" when the military does not have to obey the laws that govern the rest of us.
5. Rampant Sexism.
Ann Rose has found that Mississippi Abortion Clinic Under Strictest Regulations. Did anybody notice that Clinic is singular? That's right! According to the report there is only one Clinic in Mississippi that provides reproductive choice to women. Not only is this clinic strictly regulated but it is under a constant barrage by protestors. If this is not a form of intimidation and coercion toward any woman who wishes to exercise her rights, what is?
6. A controlled mass media.
Roseeriter brought us the story of how the Freakin' Media has Dumbed Itself Down. It seems the media has refused to co-operate with Conyers' investigation. The media may not be controlled by the government but their corporate lawyers sure know which side their bread is buttered on.
7. Obsession with national security.
8. Religion and ruling elite are tied together.
Frederick Clarkson blessed us with a Must read Diary on Theocracy vs. Democracy in America. I will refrain from comment since I want everyone to read this one for themselves because "the rest of us need to have useable renderings of our history, so we can go toe-to- toe at the school board, on the op-ed page, and in candidate debates.
Swinger Special has found, for us, the Christian Coalition's Agenda for the 108th congress. And Family Values don't even make the top two. Gay Rights is down at number 16. Abortion isn't in the top 19. So see the list and find it for me. Can any find helping the helpless, empowering the powerless, or anything Jesus actually thought was a priority? Is there any doubt that these people are actually more concerned with power and controlling others than what Christ actually stood for?
9. Power of corporations protected.
Ivolsky reports that the Evening news didn't report forest rule change, gotta love the weekend/holiday news cycle. Readers of "This Week in Fascism" saw this reported and most major Newspapers reported this story but the Network and Cable News services never mentioned it. I can hope there was plans to run this before the tsunami, rightfully, became the main story. This is an example of what The West Wing referred to as a super "Trash Day" story. Being released just prior to Christmas Eve makes this story effectively silenced. This is an effective propaganda technique where the Administration can say they put out the story it's not there fault no-one reported it to the general public.
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated.
11. Distain for the arts and Intellectuals.
Ray Z. showed us the Anti-scientific method. His Diary specifies the methods used by those opposed to believing what diligent researchers are doing to get their misinformation out. A thorough look at the principles listed show us that our opposition uses these methods for more than just the Anti-scientific method.
G. Factor has done the research and determined that Too Much Education = Turning Liberal "If you wanted any more proof that America is drifting toward a fascist country, this "too much education" drive is exactly what prompted the Nazi turn in Germany: keep your core beliefs, refuse to be challenged, listen and obey, the enemy is insert creed". These are his words not mine but I totally agree. It seems the wingers and conservative planners are actively working to reduce or control education to prevent them danged progressive ideas from being taught to the kids.
12. Obsession with crime and punishment.
Lapin discovered the House Ethics Subcommittee To Investigate McDermott. It seems that eight years ago he may have leaked a recorded phone call concerning Newt Gingrich. This is a definite case of cronyism where you place someone or something else under the microscope while the elephant (DeLay) runs wild through the room.
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption.
Goldfish found for us in the Chicago Trib: Bush Celebrates Nation at War. This is an article actually detailing the persons and companies who are paying $100 and $250 thousand for Bush's second inauguration. This definitely shows who are thanking Bush and friends for what they have done for them. And also those who will get special access at the start of the second term to have the "ear of the President.
14. Fraudulent elections.
This week Claude gave us a NM recount status report. It seems like New Mexico has joined the crowd of people who are ignoring their own laws because something may cost more money than the laws require from the person requesting the recount is required to pay. The law from what I read does not allow only recounts when there is a high probability of changing the outcome but that does not seem to bother those that are supposed to uphold the law. It seems these people forgot their oaths to uphold the laws and constitution on their state. This is definitely a sign of a Fascist state.
Renee in Ohio has informed us that Blackwell's role [is] becoming clearer. She details the latest attempts by Blackwell to delay and derail the recount. It seems the only parties not making an attempt to follow Ohio Election Law are under orders from the Secretary of States office. When it becomes more important for the party in power to stay in power then it is for them to obey their own laws then we are definitely coming closer to a Fascist State.
There is hope! Here are some articles on a way to fight back.
This section is devoted to those who have done something and are sharing their stories, those who have suggestions for ways to be active, and those who cry out for immediate action. I do what little I can. I am becoming active in my local blue county in the biggest red state. They need a party chairman and I volunteered, but there is a school board member who is also interested in the job so I am not campaigning for the job just willing to serve if needed. I plan to do as much as I can when called upon.
Nanette K wants us to know "We're late..." Time to catch up with organizing on the local levels. She informed us bout the Progressive Focus Center who are trying to organize progressives at the Local, City, and State levels prior to the next elections. Everyone should go there and get signed up if you want to be involved in re-energizing our party so we can effect change.
Saint is spearheading the Media Boycott. I personally have been boycotting the media with the exception of Olbermann, Aaron Brown, and Democracy Now since I became a member of the Reality Based Community. We have Media Matters and Fox Watch who are doing us the favor of "watching so we don't have to". I urge everyone to join Saint and I in this so that possibly those who control the purse strings for the Talking Heads will see some light. But if you look at what they put in these R.W.C.M. broadcasts you will see their owners goal is to increase the overall profits of their corporations so he profits of the propagandists are secondary so this may have little effect, but it's better for the sanity.
Bucky let us know about the Counteroffensive in Culture War in Texas In Texas, we're not running for cover. We're taking the fight to them. These brave Texans are proposing that instead of dealing with a false threat to marriage and family stability they need to recognize and deal with an the actual threat that causes Texas divorce rate to be 71% higher than Massachusetts'.
Some Excellent Series'
Seattle Liberal has started the Nerd Network News (This Week's Science Diaries) to try and keep everyone on top of the Nerd's. Go see what's there.
There is an excellent daily Religious News Roundup by Pastor Dan which deserves mojo even considering how big Dans head must be from all that he recieves.
Don`t miss any of RubDMC`s Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) series if you "can handle the truth" and give mojo too.
Be sure and see Jeffrey Feldman`s Frameshop series. This deserves your attention and mojo.
You must read "The Goebbels Diaries" by Youngblood Kaufman gives us some insight into how Fascism was achieved in the past. See the whole set.
Newsie8200 Does an excellent Week's Best Diaries You Didn't Read. I bet she does more research then I do.
Be sure to read Scott Bateman`s Daily Cartoons, it deserves mojo and a whole lot more.
PsiFighter37 tells us "What I believe in as a Democrat". This an excellent well thought out series that deserves more than 2 comments per edition. We have to gain more cohesion as a party. Take a cue from the repubs and not degrade those democrats who have different views on a particular issue so that we can get the issues that are important to most of us accomplished.
Firedoglake is doing a well thought out series on "Taking Back the South. Go help him with his plans.
The Diaries listed here are not endorsed by this Diarist but are listed to allow you, the reader, to make your own determinations as to the extent in which this country has taken the wrong road toward Fascism. Each week I hope to use your inputs to improve the basic arguments for my contention that this country is going along that road. I also hope that through identifying the path we are on then methods can be found to bring this to the attention of others and change our path before it is too late.