I don’t take Labor Day off. I take the day before Labor Day off, that way I can use the holiday itself to rest and recuperate. I’ll write more then, but don’t expect anything out of me tonight. I’ll be off to a rather fancy imported beer pub myself, might show off the expedition upon my return.

Have a good holiday, everyone. Tell me what you’re up to.

I’ve had this list emailed to me a few times, it’s been spread around the ol’ internets, and I just today stumbled across it on Reddit. It’s called The 14 Characteristics of Fascism, written by a fella named Dr Lawrence Britt.

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
   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.
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
   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.
   

You see where this is going. The 14 traits are all things that are echoed here in America. Over-patriotism, religion, sham elections, it’s all in there. The intention, then, is that we read the list and go “oh no, we’re fascists!”

Okay, so I’ve established that I’ve seen the list before, so why haven’t I written about it? This big ol’ political scientist makes a list of what a fascist regime looks like and America is all 14 under Bush. Clearly I should be leaping for joy at this opportunity to show the incompetence and evil of the Bush Clan.

Well sure, but there’s a problem. There is no Dr Lawrence Britt. If you do a quick Google search for his name you’ll notice that the list is his only credit. Every single hit concerning him is related to the 14 characteristics. He’s often credited as a “political scientist” but where he works is never revealed (though I believe I’ve seen him placed in various universities).

He has no biography. He has no place of employment. He doesn’t have a single other article that he’s written. A man of this kind of influence would undoubtedly have written other articles, yet none seem to exist.

Then there’s the subject matter itself. All 14 points are clearly geared to match America under the Bush regime. Not one single point isn’t obviously attributable to Bush’s leadership of America and highlight current issues being discussed as of 2003 (abortion, gay marriage, the PATRIOT Act).

Moreover, none of the items here are even exclusive to fascism. They’re just signs of a badly-run government. These aren’t new. That our government pushes religion, boosts corporations, is sexist, controls the media, and points at scapegoats is equally applicable now as it was during the first Bush administration or WWII and the Cold War.

The end result is an article written under a fake name by someone wanting to blast the Bush administration under the guise of being an analysis of fascism in general, like it’s an accident that the list just so happens to mesh with America today (albeit in an exaggerated kind of way). It’s thought-provoking, but hardly earth-shattering.

Let’s think. America’s SCOTUS said Bush’s tribunals were illegal in a huge show that we do value human rights. A judge ruled against the NSA in a show that we are NOT going to give our civil liberties up to the police. Our Senators and Representatives have the power to impeach the president if they want. The only real anti-gay legislation involves marriage. Abortion is still legal. Our constitution talks of the separation between church and state and progress is made almost yearly (despite efforts otherwise). We still have labor unions. The corrupt officials largely get caught. National security IS an issue right now. Our military DOES need funding. The American people do NOT believe that terrorists are behind everything any more.
I’m incredibly critical of Bush. Hell, I’m pretty critical on the way America’s going these days. But let’s be realistic in our criticisms. We are not living under Mussolini or Hitler. America is not a fascist state just yet. Everyone just calm the hell down.

[tags]war, terrorism, fascism, government, usa, bush[/tags]