Special Features

Attack on The United Churches of Christ

Attack on The United Methodist Church

"The Christian Right, Dominionism, and Theocracy", by Chip Berlet

Parts OneTwoThreeFourFive

"Taking Over The Republican Party", a four part series by Joan Bokaer

The Woman in A Mink CoatWhile We Were sleepingAngels On a PinheadUnder Cover of Night

Blogs

Bartholomew's Notes On ReligionChip BerletMax BlumenthalThe Panda's ThumbFrederick Clarkson Chuck Currie DefCon father Jake Stops The World John Gorenfeld Religion Clause Chris Mooney Religious Right Watch The Revealer Jesus Politics Majority Report Radio Blog Mainstream Baptist Orcinus Dispatches from the Culture Wars Ex-Gay Watch The Wall of Separation Blog From The Capital:a blog on religious liberty issues and the separation of church and state

CrossLeft: Organizing The Christian Left Dark Christianity The Daily Kos Booman TribuneePluribus Media My Left Wing Political Cortex Street Prophets

Organizations

American Booksellers Foundation for Freedom of ExpressionACLUAnti-Defamation LeagueAmerican Library AssociationChristian Alliance for ProgressCitizens ProjectDefCon: Campaign to Defend The ConstitutionFaithful America People For the American wayInstitute For Democracy StudiesInterfaith AllianceJews On First: Defending the First AmendmentAmerican Fundamentalists Americans United for Separation of Church and StateBaptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty The Clergy and laity Network Political Research Associates Theocracy Watch Media Matters for AmericaMilitary Religious Freedom FoundationMontana Human Rights NetworkNational Center For Science EducationReligious Coalition for Reproductive ChoiceThe RevealerSouthern Poverty Law CenterTexas Freedom NetworkCrossLeft: Organizing the Christian LeftTheocracy WatchTruth Wins Out"




Framing Fascism
Jay Taber printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Sat Aug 08, 2009 at 03:03:38 PM EST
In her recent article, Sara Robinson argues the United States is well on its way to becoming a totalitarian, fascist state. As evidence of this inevitability, she cites current town hall disruptions and threats received by public officials.

Not to quibble with her observation that we have been on a dangerous trajectory for some time, but the anti-democratic movement in America is bi-partisan, and is already well-entrenched. Both Obama and Bush are part of it.

While GOP thuggery is a deplorable means of exercising political influence, self-immersion in political panic or fascist hysteria is not what's called for. To her credit, Ms. Robinson soberly examines some of the attributes of rising fascism in response to social decline that deserve consideration, but fitting recurrent misbehavior -- mobilized for political purposes -- into a fascist framework is perhaps not the most effective analysis.

Addressing the underlying causes of disatisfaction, such as widespread institutional and market fraud, while less amenable to a partisan agenda, is nevertheless more strategically sound in defending democracy. Not to impune Ms. Robinson's motives, but there is a partisan aspect to her critique.

The anti-democratic movement, as Sara notes, is a serious threat to our freedom and well-being; framing that threat with inappropriate models, however, can lead to confusion about how to address that threat. The habit of linear thinking is not always conducive to public health.


To discuss this story, sign up for a free account

Display:
Framing Fascism | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 hidden)
I disagree (none / 0)
I've read her article, and your response.  I think she has great weight of credence to what she says.

After all, some of these actions have taken place near here... and her description fits this area to a "t".

I know that there is a knee-jerk reaction against the words "fascist" and against comparisons to Hitler and his Germany among liberals and the left, and this I don't like.  I don't buy "Godwin's Law"- if a comparison to Hitler and Hitler's Germany (or fascism) is valid, then it is appropriate.

In this case, she makes a valid argument that this comparison is viable.


by ArchaeoBob on Sun Aug 09, 2009 at 03:20:59 PM EST

Partisan Nonsense (none / 0)
Al Schumann has injected some sense about differing realities http://stopmebeforeivoteagain.org/2009/08/differing_realities.htm l into the town hall uproar that I find helpful in dissociating from the partisan nonsense. The main point being that town halls and other aspects of faux democracy provide cover for the charade of representation, when the reality is that the American people have no voice. Promoting scary stories for profit and prestige only increases a sense of helplessness among consumers of this product. Sara is by no means the worst, but she exemplifies the elitist nature of scare-mongering merged with party politics. Succumbing to political theatre is due to political illiteracy; pretending low level delinquents are more than that is silly.

by Jay Taber on Sun Aug 09, 2009 at 03:55:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Jay, do you even know Sara ? (none / 0)
I wouldn't characterize her as elitist. As for the American people having no voice, well - that's a long discussion. What perfect democracy has ever existed ? I'm not minimizing corporate & military industrial & theocratic Christian influence over our current Democratic process. But, I'd submit, there are degrees to this - I don't believe we are living in a perfect totalitarianism posing as democracy and I suspect you don't believe that either.

Are people disrupting townhalls (whatever the merits of those) "low level delinquents" ? In the 1990's people who subscribed to the sort of conspiracy theories that the "birthers" and their ilk do today were forming militias and carrying out domestic terrorist attacks such as the Oklahoma City bombing. I know you know that, so why minimize what's going on currently ? The militias are rapidly reemerging, and the NWO / Illuminati / secret government detention center conspiracy theories are thicker and more prolific than a decade ago. The genre hasn't been effectively debunked, it has accreted and moved into mainstream discourse.

Meanwhile, I do agree with you that it's not necessarily useful to scare people. I did research for MRFF, along with Chris Rodda, for most of a year, and believe me - I could scare the pants off most if I thought it would be useful. Sara Robinson's piece, in accord with what I know, presents a mild portrait of the threat.

But, let's have a reality check - during the 1990's, were mainstream media voices discussing violence against leading Democratic Party politicians ?

by Bruce Wilson on Sun Aug 09, 2009 at 07:14:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Taboo Subject (none / 0)
You and Chris are doing some fine work, and typify what I would cite as exemplary applied research. I do, as a matter of fact, know Sara. She attended a conference where Neiwert and I were presenters. Given her background, and Dave's work as a journalist, their understanding is a cut above most. When we've disagreed, it's been about tenor, not so much content. Still, most of what I've observed has been delinquency by misled people, much more than murderous intent. Because of that, I think it's important to be accurate in analysis so that we deal with things appropriately. Some of the human rights professionals and wannabes knowingly overstate threats as well as their achievements, and while this doesn't prevent us from working together against serious violence, it does sometimes impede effective community organizing. My concern is that this has always been a taboo subject in the human rights industry, and needs to be aired before the next time all hell breaks loose. I'm not very hopeful about that happening.

by Jay Taber on Sun Aug 09, 2009 at 07:58:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]


Jay, I still disagree (none / 0)
First, I know the organizers of one of those town hall events.  They are NOT, and I repeat NOT "aspects of faux democracy".  The people behind them care about voting and democracy.  DEEPLY.

I took part in a public roundtable discussion that is connected with trying to change the structure of our medical system- something that I'm proud of.  Are you going to characterize that as an "aspect of faux democracy"???  Well, at least we're trying- not just sitting back and sniping.

Maybe you disagree with all of this and think that liberals and democrats are part of the problem.  I don't agree with you in the least.  

You owe the people I know an apology.  If you include the roundtable in your characterization, YOU OWE ME AN APOLOGY.

I also know the sort of language that is used around here about liberals and so on.  It is easily characterized as the language of murderous intent.

by ArchaeoBob on Sun Aug 09, 2009 at 08:52:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]




Modern American Politics (none / 0)
Indispensable Enemies, the one book to read on the American political system.

by Jay Taber on Mon Aug 10, 2009 at 01:59:31 PM EST

Fascist strain in America is not new (none / 0)
1930s and 1940s: Winrod, Fr. Coughlin, Gerald Smith, and so on, for the political/religious end, Ford and so on for the corporate end. Bullshit on "It Can't Happen Here". Sure it can, it just takes certain conditions, some of which have been fulfilled, some of which are not present at this time.

Who gets arrested at protests? Not the folks showing "open hunting season on liberals" signs, or carrying nooses. Police force is brought out against mainstream newspaper reporters who dare to photograph police. Police provocateurs out of uniform attempt to create situations allowing their uniformed colleagues to sail in and bust heads.

Who gets investigated? Not the people talking about killing the president or the radio/TV pundits "joking" about poisoning Democratic politicians.

Someone is funding those Astroturf organizations that have set up instant protests at the health care townhalls.

I simply do not believe in the good faith of a large portion of the American public. I do believe that 20% of the US population would be perfectly happy if the clock were turned back to Jim Crow days, and would gladly see gays and Jews expelled from the country. I also do not believe in the good faith of a large portion of US corporations - it is perfectly imaginable that a few corporations might slip a bit of money to Astroturf organizations that would assist malcontents in a bit of union-bashing or noose-waving. You don't need a lot of violent folks to take a country to fascism, just a little violence, a little money, some real skill at propaganda, and a populace unwilling to look too closely.

by NancyP on Mon Aug 10, 2009 at 08:58:53 PM EST

I share your lack of faith (none / 0)
in the "American Public".

It's disheartening to hear anti-liberal rhetoric or see stuff like that at yard sales, on church signs and church property, etc.  The language is getting more and more militant and violent- as well as the repetition of right-wing propaganda such as put out by the "birthers".  It's even starting to cause a ruckus on non-political/non-religious blogs that don't have a thing to do with either.

I've even heard it in the checkout lines at Wal Mart.

I'm rather concerned that the local people will put my face with my name.  There ARE a couple of hate groups living less than a couple of miles from my house, and with the hostility since President Obama winning the election and considering that I'm rather politically active, I fear for my safety at times.

As far as businesses, out of the couple of hundred or so that were my customers, only around 10% or so would hire minorities and of those, only 5 to 10 at most would hire them for anything more than cleanup or grunt labor.  I was put under a lot of pressure to attend a business seminar (by several of the owners) which was "how to get rid of unions and keep them away".  I still have the book I was given for that seminar- and it's blatantly a program to eliminate unions.

I might add that when it became public knowledge that I was American Indian, I lost around 60% of my customers in one month.

I can tell it's getting worse, even though I'm no longer in that environment.

The general population I've encountered also has been programmed that "looking too closely" is that dreaded thing SOCIALISM.  Never mind that some of them recognize that they're getting the shaft.

They seem willing to tolerate almost any elite abuse, rather than even be close to a "socialist".  Many of them express that attitude towards "Librul Democrats!" too.

by ArchaeoBob on Tue Aug 11, 2009 at 12:42:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]



Town Hall Sham (none / 0)
Black Agenda Report currently has a number of articles on the Town Hall sham http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/progressives-should-b e-shutting-down-these-so-called-health-care-town-meetings-too and other aspects of health care betrayal by Obama, Congress, and the Democratic Party.

by Jay Taber on Wed Aug 12, 2009 at 01:47:51 PM EST
Sorry on your URL (none / 0)
Page not found.

by Nightgaunt on Sun Aug 23, 2009 at 04:22:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]


Birthers need to be publicly mocked (none / 0)
and not given the chance to present their "argument" in a debate and be taken seriously. If debate format is there already, we need Colbert types as their opponents, delivering zingers in every sentence, and mocking them for ignoring the real problems of real people.

We aren't going to change the Birthers' minds about anything, but we could sway the middle-of-the-road types who follow fads. Laughter punctures many a fad.

Most people, when not being incited in a mob, find all the "death panel" and "socialist born in Kenya" shrillness to be off-putting, and would more than likely agree that the Birthers are Chicken Littles.

by NancyP on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 11:22:20 AM EST


Framing Fascism (none / 0)
This administration seems to want to win elections and stay in power, more than they care about what is best for the country. This sort of rhetoric is really bad for the United States, and doesn't serve to create any kind of discourse to solve the problems of the Middle east... for shame. Pariuri SportiveRezultate LiveClasamente Fotbal

by devmobdev on Tue Jan 19, 2010 at 05:20:24 AM EST

Framing Fascism | 12 comments (12 topical, 0 hidden)

WWW Talk To Action


Netanyahu and Hagee, Serial Obstructionists
Last week I wrote about Prime Minister Netanyahu's participation at John Hagee's CUFI rally held in Jerusalem on the evening of Joe Biden's arrival......
By Rachel Tabachnick (0 comments)
Bill Donohue: Defender of Glenn Beck.
Glenn Beck's recent admonition that people who attend a church that teaches social justice should leave -- was anti-Catholicism. This was obvious from a......
By Frank Cocozzelli (4 comments)
Blog Against Theocracy!
It's that time a year again.  It's time for the annual Blog Against Theocracy, April 2-4, 2010.   The prime mover of this blogtacular......
By Frederick Clarkson (1 comment)
Creeping Religious Rightism in the Democratic Party, Cont.
  Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State has an op-ed today at AOL News discussing how, campaign......
By Frederick Clarkson (6 comments)
Invoking Intolerance: Religious Right Throws Fit Over Islamic Prayer In Virginia
Today an imam delivered the opening prayer before the Virginia House of Delegates - and once again the Religious Right is having kittens. Three......
By Rob Boston (1 comment)
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and John Hagee Share Stage as Biden Arrives in Israel
Yesterday (Monday) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to hundreds of Christian Zionists in Jerusalem at an event organized by John Hagee and Christians......
By Rachel Tabachnick (6 comments)
When the Truth Is Shown to Be Lies
It's been a year since President Obama lifted the Bush administration's restrictions on the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.  Nevertheless, religious opponents......
By Frank Cocozzelli (7 comments)
Repent Amarillo's Spiritual Mapping and Vigilantism
Repent Amarillo, a Texas ministry which refers to itself as an "Army of God,"  is making news for its spiritual warfare and vigilante tactics.......
By Rachel Tabachnick (17 comments)
Whale Tale: AFA Staffer Says Bible Mandates Death For SeaWorld Orca
On Feb. 24, a tragedy occurred at SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla. A six-ton killer whale known as Tillikum pulled trainer Dawn Brancheau underwater to......
By Rob Boston (5 comments)
A Call to Censor the Religion Blogosphere
Some time ago, I filled out a survey from the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in connection with an academic study they were doing......
By Frederick Clarkson (8 comments)
Prayer Warriors of the New Apostolic Reformation Getting Some Exposure
Yesterday Alternet published an article by Bill Berkowitz including an interview with me about the New Apostolic Reformation, or the "largest religious movement you......
By Rachel Tabachnick (8 comments)
Role Models of Remonstrance
I recently called for mainstream Catholics to offer remonstrance -- an earnest presentation of reasons for opposition or grievance against the reactionaries now fomenting......
By Frank Cocozzelli (8 comments)
Ken Starr and Baylor
A few years back I received a letter from Baylor University stating it decided to discontinue its "unclothed anatomical figurine drawing class".  It was......
By wilkyjr (2 comments)
Albert Mohler Is Worried. And He Should Be.
Yesterday, I published a commentary at Women's eNews titled: U.S. Religions Quietly Launch a Sexual Revolution. Its about how the Religious Institute, a progressive......
By Frederick Clarkson (1 comment)
Street Fight: Ohio Clergy Seeks End Of Tax Exemption For D.C. Structure Owned By `The Family'
The infamous "C Street house" is back in the news. A group of clergy in Ohio, aided by a tax lawyer, has written to......
By Rob Boston (3 comments)

School Board, State and school prayer
Now both the Polk County School Board and the state of Florida are trying to push prayers in the schools! ......
ArchaeoBob (0 comments)
City in trouble for sectarian prayers
The city of Lakeland, Florida has been challenged by Atheists of Florida and the local synagogue for having sectarian prayers before public meetings. ......
ArchaeoBob (0 comments)
The Blind Side's Blind Spot
The hit movie, The Blind Side, is all about the Christian values of being your "brother's keeper." Or is it? ......
John Sheirer (3 comments)
When Christianity is Un-American
Just thought readers might be interested in linking to this article at The Yurica Report: http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/Murray_WhenChristianityIs UnAmerican.html ......
TMurray (1 comment)
Violence increasing
I think people should read this article- and realize that the dominionists are becoming more and more violent.  If something isn't done to counter their hate, this country is in deep trouble! ......
ArchaeoBob (3 comments)
His "Freedom" Means Denying Yours - With Your Own Taxes
Referring to recent political skirmishes over the rights of gays and lesbians to marry, Cardinal Francis George called five rocks thrown at empty buildings and the theft of a few lawn signs "quasi-fascism."  He......
bettyclermont (0 comments)
Rome has spoken....Man the lifeboats!
When Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, it was widely reported that he preferred a smaller, more obedient flock in his Church. Once again, he is proving those reports to......
bettyclermont (0 comments)
Your children will be forced to shower with gays! (says the AFA)
I've just received the following American Family Association email, which claims that the Obama administration has a nefarious plan to force gays and straights in the US military to shower together ! Donald Wildmon......
Bruce Wilson (3 comments)
Pope John Paul II's Penitential Practices: The Opus Dei Connection
We are pleased to once again welcome theologian William Lindsey as a guest front pager. This piece is crossposted from the new progressive Catholic group blog, The Open Tabernacle: Here Comes Everybody. -- FC......
William Lindsey (0 comments)
WallBuilders, Inc., Promoting a dominionist "Christian Nation"
Cherry Hill Seminary Supports Patrick McCollum in 9th Circuit Case Against California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation http://snipurl.com/u8kcj ......
Dragonzmajick (2 comments)
Roeder verdict sparks fears of more anti-abortion violence
cross-posted at dKos Scott Roeder is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder of George Tiller.  At the very least, he'll by 75 years old before he can......
Christian Dem in NC (0 comments)
The dark underside of the Latter Rain--a walkaway's view
cross-posted at dKos I read Bruce Wilson's posts on dKos and Talk To Action regarding the "Pray For Newark" initiative with particular alarm.  While Pray for Newark appears to espouse an admirable goal--community empowerment--it's......
Christian Dem in NC (2 comments)
Bishops as Provocateurs
In a thinly-veiled reference to the campaign of President Barack Obama, Archbishop Emeritus of St. Louis, Raymond Burke, charged that Americans are "embracing a totalitarianism which masks itself as the 'hope,' the 'future' of......
bettyclermont (0 comments)
The Vatican v. Children
Yesterday was not a good day for children seeking justice from the Roman Catholic Church. The internet brought the following news: ......
bettyclermont (0 comments)
Religious bigots control supermarket chain
Well, they've won again.  The religious bigots have forced Publix Supermarkets into bowing to their wishes. ......
ArchaeoBob (11 comments)
Manhattan Declaration is to Theology what Fox is to Journalism
The December 20, 2009, New York Times ran a lengthy article by David D. Kirkpatrick about Robert P. George, "The Conservative-Christian Big Thinker." The occasion was release of George's "Manhattan Declaration" signed by the......
bettyclermont (2 comments)
Merry Freakin' Christmas: I'm Taking Your Stuff, and you Can't Stop Me!
A humorous look at the larger implications of a seemingly harmless holiday tradition. ......
John Sheirer (1 comment)
Lou Engle, September 25, 2007, Los Angeles: "Holywood"
[This is a partial transcription of a sermon/speech Lou Engle, Founder of TheCall gave on September 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. The full sermon is slightly over 63 minutes. This partial transcript is of......
Bruce Wilson (0 comments)
Rick Warren Tweet complains my videos of his "Hitler/Lenin/Mao" speech are unfair
It's gratifying to know "America's most powerful pastor" seems to have taken notice of my videos, showcasing Rick Warren's 2005 speech at California's Anaheim Angels Stadium, during which Warren outlined a "stealth" program to......
Bruce Wilson (4 comments)
Blurring Reproductive Rights and the Religious Right
The principle of the Hyde Amendment, which restricted federal funds from paying for abortion back in 1976 -- is now seen as an acceptable, "abortion neutral" position for the prochoice Democratic Party. How did......
Frederick Clarkson (0 comments)
Rick Warren Calls on Followers To Be Dedicated as Followers of Lenin and Mao
[note: for more recent news on Rick Warren, see Rick Warren's Dissertation Advisor Leads Network Promoting Uganda Anti-Gay Bill] Video, below contains audio recording, photos, and transcript from Rick Warren's April 17, 2005 speech......
Bruce Wilson (6 comments)
Julius Oyet Touts The College of Prayer
A new Talk To Action story identifies Apostle and bishop Julius Oyet as a major player in the recent effort in the Ugandan parliament to pass a draconian anti-gay bill. In this video [transcript......
Bruce Wilson (1 comment)
Mark Silk on the Hagee / Rodriguez Entente
Mark Silk, at Spiritual Politics has picked up on my notice of the Hagee-Rodriguez embrace and zeroes in on what's certainly one of the most notable aspects: "The key thing to understand about the......
Bruce Wilson (1 comment)
Inscribing Christian Values in our Children Before Birth?
Following the evolution of evangelical discourse as it re-defines homosexuality as evidence of "fallen creation", Terri Murray looks at how the Christian right have shifted their rhetoric to adapt to empirical research showing that......
TMurray (0 comments)
US News & World Report Showcases Creationist Ray Comfort
US News and World Report's Dan Gilgoff has charitably provided evangelist Ray Comfort a media platform in the form of a US News & World "exclusive" through which Comfort defends his efforts to distribute,......
Bruce Wilson (0 comments)
Atheist billboard in Central Florida
The organization "Atheists of Florida" sponsored a billboard promoting atheism in Lakeland, Florida.  I, however, have some concerns. ......
ArchaeoBob (4 comments)
Transcript: Billy Graham and Richard Nixon, February 21, 1973
The following is my own transcript of a 20 minute phone conversation between Richard Nixon and Billy Graham, on February 23, 1973. As far as I am aware this is the only publicly available,......
Bruce Wilson (0 comments)
Rifqa Bary being sent back to Ohio now
Well, there's a change in this case.  After the judge gets immigration documents and so on from the parents, he will send her back. ......
ArchaeoBob (2 comments)
The War on The War on Christmas Goes To Pot
The first day of Fall could be considered the official launch date for the annual war on the war on Christmas, which represents a significant part of the the American Family Association business model......
Bruce Wilson (1 comment)

More Diaries...




All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Comments, posts, stories, and all other content are owned by the authors. Everything else © 2005 Talk to Action, LLC. Powered by Scoop