When asked how fascism starts, Bertrand Russell once said:

[kentuck]

"First, they fascinate the fools. Then, they muzzle the intelligent."

[Baitball Blogger]

1. More to the point, they fascinate the fools by muzzling the intelligent.

[twodogsbarking]

3. It's the chicken egg thing maybe. Peace to you.

[Basic LA]

2. What a great saying.

Bertrand was a font of wisdom!

[fierywoman]

4. Caroline W. Casey often said that you can recognize a fascist because:

they lack a sense of humor.

[erronis]

7. Amazing how many psychological problems are exposed by a lack of humor.

I know I am immediately repulsed by someone who can't exchange a joke or understand an ironic statement.

And I'm sure they are repulsed by me.

Mission accomplished!

[jfz9580m]

11. Agreed

This is definitely one of those times when a sense of humor is a survival skill.

I have so much work to do that I can no longer afford to waste time on anything else. But the nightmarish spectacle that is the state of global politics (to anyone who gets it) makes it hard to entirely tune out. But I have decided to be in the cone of silence largely - a sufficient number of empty vessels racketing about that I need not add to the din…

Now that I am sober (my weed prescription aside) and all caught up (I have these epiphanies sometimes when looking at
confusing masses of information where the apophenia induced by loads of drivel finally yields to an epiphany) definitely my sense of the ridiculous is all that is left as a coping mechanism-I laugh so that I not weep …fortunately it is a very robust asset we have in the family - I remember my mom making jokes about her cancer when I knew she was scared and laughing at her fears.

[live love laugh]

8. Their twisted sense of humor is only on display if there's cruelty.

[John Shaft]

10. They need someone to laugh at

not with.

[Probatim]

20. Even conservative "comedians" punch down.

Sad state to take joy in the struggles of the less fortunate.

[FakeNoose]

23. The same thing could be said of dementia patients

Just sayin'

[democrank]

5. K & R

Thank you for posting this.

[Beartracks]

6. They also have to convince the fools that the intelligent are the fools.

I guess that's part of what fascinates them.

===========

[live love laugh]

9. More like they convince the fools that they're intelligent.

[Beartracks]

14. Yes, most certainly this.

[Evolve Dammit]

12. Sounds about right. The first part is well entrenched. They are chomping at the bit for second part.

[liberalla]

13. That's a keeper.

Bookmarking!

[DoBW]

15. What game do Fascists play?

Nahtzee (consider that proof of life)

[A HERETIC I AM]

16. This quote by Canadian Politician Tommy Douglas is pretty good too.

[robbob]

17. I love Tommy Douglas (thanks for our health care system Tommy!)

but doesn’t that describe a lot of oppressive political systems?

[calimary]

18. Good one!

[redqueen]

19. K&R

[Kid Berwyn]

21. Bertrand Russell on who would do such a thing to America.

Considered an authority on communism and fascism, Russell declared that there is "no danger whatever from communism in America, Fascism, however, may come from the big-business interests."

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1939/4/17/bertrand-russell-sees-usa-dictator-after/#:~:text=Considered%20an%20authority%20on%20communism,the%20big%2Dbusiness%20interests.%22

And people wonder why the press reports 24/7 on Donnie Shitnozzle.

[Paladin]

22. Russell's statement could have been made this morning.

How tragic, that time doesn't change some things.

[Upthevibe]

24. Kick. N/T