Librarianguish

Thursday, January 26, 2006

A friendly reminder

It sure seems this country is going a little crazy these days. I've been staying away from political commentary for a while, but I've been noticing that the real scary activity has been ramping up, almost into a frenzied push for power. Personally, I don't know how any intelligent adult can still support the administration. Breaking the law is just that - breaking the law. And repeatedly doing it - BAD. There are no ifs ands or buts. If we are to be a great country, then this is not acceptable.

You may or may not be familiar with the 12 Warning Signs of Fascism (be sure to click on the link for some great visuals). If you're not, it's time to learn. If you are, it's time to refresh yourself.

Exuberant nationalism
Enemies identified
Rights disappear
Secrecy demanded
Military glorified
Corporations shielded
Corruption unchecked
Media controlled
Rampant sexism
Intellectual bullying
Police militarized
Elections stolen

Huh. If I'm not mistaken, every one of those things is taking place right now to some degree or another. Do people just not care anymore? Are they so apathetic they will let this country fall to pieces around them?

Domestic spying? Or terrorist surveillance program? Evidence is piling up that the NSA, FBI, and other law enforcement agencies are spying illegally on small grass-roots peace groups across the U.S. You know how dangerous those Quakers are! Yep, and so are all those grandmothers and other groups. Heaven forbid that there be people that oppose the actions of the government and dare to speak out and try to make changes. Heaven forbid that somebody actually try to point out the truth of what is going on.

Not too long ago, I read the book called It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis. It tells the tale of the United States slowly slipping into fascism, while all the time people just kept denying it could possibly really happen. Scariest of all, it was written before WWII, but applies perfectly to the situation today. I encourage you to read it if you haven't.

Please start seeing what's going on around you, before it's too late.

Peace and blessings.

Posted at 08:30 am by librarianne

	Posted by Brother @ 02/16/2006 05:08 PM PST
	It is obvious that James and I interpret the same events of the world in opposite ways (ultimately, we all view the universe around us through our own "eyes" only, and differences are to be expected). Is the current government fascist? Purely, of course not. But are fascist tendencies present, on the political scale from right to left? I believe so. This trend toward fascist policies began before Bush (they really began in earnest in the mid 90's when the Republicans took congress), and were apparent under Clinton as well (but not to the degree found today). So here are my interpretations regarding the first 6 on the above list. 1. The extreme nationalism observed after 9/11 has much receded, but there will always be those who use it to bolster their views (e.g., State of the Union speech, marketing). James' point is irrelevent to the discussion--it is not either/or. 2. I don't think this part about "enemies" is to be taken as literally as James takes it. Of course, "enemies" such as terrorists and criminals will be identified. I think the writer meant "enemies" of the conservative causes currently championed by the one party in control of all three branches of federal government. For example, in Boise a veteran and employee of the federal government who has covered his truck with anti-war and anti-Bush stickers was visited by unidentified agents of Homeland Security and required to remove his vehicle from a federal building parking lot. He broke no regulation, but was simply harassed for being opposed to the current government--he is an "enemy". 3. The free-speech rights of protesters (on both sides of political discourse, from anti-abortion protesters to people attending political rallies) has been violated--many times over (examples abound on Fox News and in the Wall Street Journal). See above note too. Violations of FISA by Bush has violated the rights of citizens who have been illegally spied on. 4. This administration fully admits its goals of increased secrecy. But many of the things it tries to keep secret have nothing to do with national security, but only the security of who has special access to the White House power elite (and policy makers). Clinton politically paid the price for not being as secret (regarding who got overnight visits to the White House and other things). You only have "leaks" if secrecy has been violated--boy there are a lot of "leaks". 5. The Iraq War has been used to glorify the military, through embedded media up to the White House propaganda. Honoring veterans service is not "glorifying" the military--these are people who have volunteered to do a difficult job (some worthy of honor, others not--just like people everywhere). As a result, military spending up, domestic spending (relative to military) down. With Iraq, our military became the nation's offense, not defense. 6. Corporations are monitored by laws and regulations, true. However, there are plenty of loop holes, tax shelters, etc. that have been around a long time. More disturbing are congressional actions to shield corporations from liability (e.g., firearms) or extremely limit their liability). Anyhow, just some thoughts.

	Posted by Librarianguish @ 01/26/2006 08:57 PM PST
	I really don't have the time or the energy to spell out every detail, but that doesn't mean I couldn't find them. Any observant adult that pays attention to news outside of the mainstream, and even some of the mainstream news can see that there are some dangerous trends taking place. My intent with this post was to share one particular line of thought that might indeed get people to at least wake up and start thinking about what is happening. Not everyone who believes there are serious problems is hysterical (http://www.thomhartmann.com/), and in fact some of the best educated people are raising the alarm. It is my belief that making observations on the current state of affairs should be done with an open mind. In my experience the folks on the right side tend to be less open minded than those on the left. And lately, the conservative right has become mean, hateful, and greedy beyond belief. You can't convince me that they are true Christians, for anyone who is a follower of Jesus could not morally or ethically support policies that trample on the masses for the benefit of a few. Thank you for your discussion. I encourage you to listen to Thom Hartmann for an intelligent presentation of the side you oppose. It never hurts to keep an open mind. I will if you will.

	Posted by James @ 01/26/2006 06:58 PM PST
	"We can agree to disagree." Does that mean that you don't have any specific examples to back upthat "list"?

	Posted by Librarianguish @ 01/26/2006 03:31 PM PST
	I figured I might get a comment disagreeing with these points, and of course that is your right. I for one, and I'm not alone, believe that this country is currently at great risk. I'm hardly hysterical about it, but felt it would be good to share this information for anyone who is interested. We can agree to disagree.

	Posted by James @ 01/26/2006 01:20 PM PST
	Nice list. Let's examine it, shall we? 1. Exuberant nationalism - You would prefer exuberant anti-Americanism? (Actually, we have that already.) Or perhaps globalism? 2. Enemies identified - Would you rather we not name our enemies and defend ourselves against nothing ... or everyone? 3. Rights disappear - What constitutional rights have you lost lately? Give an example, please. 4. Secrecy demanded - Really? When the media freely exposes both scandals (real or imaginary) and classified national security information and programs what secrets are you referring to? 5. Military glorified - By glorified do you mean respected and honored for the voluntary defense of your right to speak your mind? Perhaps you'd like to return to those halcyon days of the Vietnam era when our servicemen were cursed, degraded and spit on. 6. Corporations shielded - I'll bet WorldCom and Enron wish this one were actually taking place. 7. Corruption unchecked - We have seen corruption exposed and indictments handed down on both sides of the political aisle. What's your definition of "unchecked"? 8. Media controlled - You mean the way the New York Times is controlled? Or CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC? The way Dan Rather, Arianna Huffington and Chris Mathews are controlled? Again what's your defintion of controlled? 9. Rampant sexism - Say what? Can you give an example of this? 10. Intellectual bullying - I agree on this one. Conservative students are constantly bullied by their liberal educators at every level. 11. Police militarized - Again, do you have an example of this? If this were true the National Guard wouldn't have had to go in and do the job of the New Orleans police. 12. Elections stolen - How many studies by a cross-section of media and other agencies would it take to convince you that George W. Bush won the election in Florida? Your list is another one of those liberal bloviations that the left thinks sound really good until they are examined. Then, like any other house of cards, they collapse. You are doing a fair job of "opposing the actions of the government and daring to speak out" and I'll guarantee not one thing is going to happen to you. Please stop the hysteria, "before it's too late."

	Posted by Librarianguish @ 01/26/2006 09:56 AM PST
	Thanks Jill. I know plenty of people that think like us, but it seems that the thinking about it doesn't defeat it. It's very clear that the people will in power will stop at nothing anymore to keep and increase that power. Cheers, and thanks for visiting!

	Posted by Jill @ 01/26/2006 09:23 AM PST
	Seems at times there are only a few of us left who think like you. I have a hard time with these people who are being led "down the garden path" in the name of national security and abuses of power. I for one dont like this abuse!

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