If it's not Stalinism, then what is it? [View all]

[JackRiddler]

Stalinism. McCarthyism. Mirror images in so many ways, they served to reinforce each other through their hostility. Blind nationalisms, fundamentalisms, extremisms and fanaticisms of different kinds may serve different psychological needs, interests or political philosophies - even "centrism" can qualify. But they exhibit a consistency of attitude: Demands for absolute conformity to a pre-set line. Expectation of absolute loyalty to some leader or abstract principle. Fawning over remote idols. Stubborn defense of their perceived territory and patented issues. Placement of loyalty before reason. Hateful and irrational global labels of contempt for those perceived as disagreeing with them: e.g., these are fools, crazies, racists, right-wingers, Nazis; the more meaningless, the better. Contempt for reason. Monotony. Talking points. Repetition. Repetition. Sophistry. Rewrites of history, rewrites of reality. Luckily those who seem to show it in defense of the present US government's personnel and policies (many of which are consistent with unfortunate USG policies stretching back decades) have little in the way of enforcement power in this particular venue. They may flood, but they don't pull very much (something you'd think they'd notice, and adapt for greater effectiveness). They may bully, but they don't get to censor very much.

So this is not Stalinism, because it is the opium of a powerless sect. But the attitude is there.

Point made, I'll spare you the next 10 paragraphs.