From: Bart (129.171.32.13)
Subject: Conservative Fascism is Un-American
Date: August 28, 2004 at 12:27 pm PST
Conservative Fascism is Un-American
President Bush Threatens the Earth and Human Society with Ruin
Earth Meanders
By Dr. Glen Barry
August 28, 2004
I recently wrote that "President Bush is a lying fascist christian fanatic
warmonger that threatens the Earth and civilized society". I deeply
regret these remarks, having failed to add "war criminal, eco-terrorist
and small evil little man" to the list. This essay strongly asserts that
America has gone drastically wrong, and that conservative fascism has
arisen that threatens America, the world and the Earth's existence as we
know them.
There is no agreed upon and authoritative one-sentence definition for
Fascism. I define it as authoritarian, hierarchical and militaristic
government; based upon governance for corporate interests, holding itself
up as the only adequate response to an urgent threat, while scapegoating
some segments of society.
Key features of this definition are present in contemporary America -
particularly the authoritarian blending of corporations/industry with the
state. The United States of America is being run by, of and for
corporations. Energy industry interests have been foremost in foreign,
environmental, human right and other policy realms.
And any good fascist requires a good scapegoat. Gays, "extremist"
environmentalists and indeed the natural world itself fit the bill nicely.
America's fascism is using liberalism as a straw puppet and
anti-terrorism as its crucible.
Liberal is now a dirty word. Forget humanity's unprecedented advances
under the banner of liberal democracy. Liberty, equality, and fraternity
- the basis of America's government, constitution, Declaration of
Independence, and Bill of Rights - are monumental liberal achievements.
Without American liberalism workers would remain relegated to sweat shops
and extreme racial injustice would persist. Conservatives are against
progress and change - extremist conservative fascists all the more so.
As in the past, America's flavor of conservative fascism gains its support
primarily from angry and anxious people, frustrated with the chaos and
uncertainty implicit in a modern democracy based upon liberal democratic
principles. Many are christian fanatics who are no less dangerous than
their counterparts from other religions, which believe as they do, that
the way to God is to force their spirituality upon others.
I am aghast at the Bush record. In virtually every sphere of policy
America has abdicated leadership. During a time of nuclear proliferation
and criminal terrorist acts you want more international law, not less.
Civil rights, natural forests and a functional atmosphere are being lost -
perhaps forever.
President Bush has undone decades of environmental policy, leaving a
legacy of unmatched ecocidal violence against the Earth's natural systems.
At a time when there exists unprecedented wealth to address environmental
issues, President Bush has chosen instead to launch a holy war.
There can never be absolute security in a free and open society.
Belligerent, taunting militarism will not make America or the world safer.
Not only has Bush lied about justification for a state of perma-war, he
lies by stating usurpation of civil liberties will maintain freedom.
Secret prison camps, torture, spying on peaceful protesters and certainly
preemptive war are fascist - the antithesis of liberal democracy.
It is time for America to get over 911. This dastardly event must not be
allowed to change America for the worse, nor halt future efforts to make
America even greater. The focus should be upon bringing the criminals
responsible to justice in order to stop future attacks without undermining
American liberties and our position in the world. Indeed, overreaction
may be worse than moderate action. Restraint and thoughtfulness are signs
of wisdom and strength.
There are much greater threats to American and global security than
terrorism. Americans are living in fear largely because their lives and
society are exploitative, inequitable, unjust, and unsustainable.
American’s standard of living is not universalizeable. These inequities
are at the root of America's feeling of insecurity.
If Americans do not want to live in barricaded terror for the rest of
their life they will need to learn how to share and play by a set of fair
global rules. Americans must empathize and work to alleviate suffering in
the rest of world; as most of humanity strives to meet basic human needs
in the midst of abject poverty, environmental collapse, American sponsored
militarism and commercialism, and rampant preventable disease.
Freedom has never, and will never, be defended or maintained by
restricting civil liberties or waging preemptive war. Such fascist acts
are the antithesis of democracy. In the grand tradition of patriots,
suffragists, and activists - liberal and progressive anti-fascists must
rid the World of conservative fascism in order to embark upon an era of
ecological sustainability, social justice and international mechanisms to
end terrorism and militarism.
There are immediate actions required to overthrow fascist corporate
control of America and the world. First and foremost, the U.S. must
withdraw swiftly from Iraq. Strength and resolve against criminal
terrorists does not mean a great nation can not admit a mistake at the
hands of tyrant leadership. Other countries have dealt with illegitimate,
authoritarian leaders - emerging better for having done so - and the U.S.
can too.
America will only reenter the circle of civilized, progressive nations by
placing a short timetable on withdrawal and doing the best we can to
stabilize things before then, and after. And it is crucial that America's
current fascist leader be deposed at the ballet box; or if necessary,
through impeachment, an International Court of Justice indictment and/or
an international war crimes tribunal.
Further, the U.S. is the only country likely to marshal the resources and
technology necessary to lead on climate change, water scarcity and other
imminent environmental catastrophes. The Earth's ecosystems are
collapsing around us. As the ecological fabric of being frays, conditions
conducive for life can no longer be assured. Bush's militarism makes this
leadership impossible and global ecological Armageddon all the more
likely.
The purpose of this rant is not to incite any sort of lawless action.
However the American people do retain the rights of all free peoples to
protest and overthrow tyranny. Godspeed to the brave protesters in New
York this week as they peacefully highlight the importance of dumping
Bush, in order to start building a bright green, equitable, just and free
world for all.
