Reply #9: Right Is Left...Old Cold War Game

[KharmaTrain]

The concept isn't if Fascism is right wing or not but rather the totalitarian nature of its system. You can have a dictatorship of the right or left that eliminates personal liberties...but it's the totalitarian nature that gives it teeth. This is where the problem lies. Also, this word now has been so abused, it's meaning has been long lost and fully misunderstood.

Sadly, most schools teach World War II and the rise of European fascists in a quick summary, if at all, and makes it seem like it was a temporary insanity...something that really never existed before and hasn't since. Instead we deal with a distorted and contorted definition that has been bantered around for decades by many different political and partisan groups to demonize their opponents.

I used to debate in the 80's that the Soviets were not "leftist"...considering they were using repressive techniques of a right wing dictatorship. Supposedly, the left wing "nirvana" would have eliminated the need for such a represssive state as the worker's paradise would be enough to drive the system. Yeah, we all have our naive moments. Point is, it's perspective...and your point should be more along the lines of extremism in any form (I know it's Goldwater...but it really fits here) are NOT a virtue.

I laughed when I heard O'Reilly throw out the fascist label. My 18-year old son was offended. He felt he was attacked personally...while I saw through O'Reilly's bullshit and his chain pulling. I'm getting more convinced that a lot of what O'Reilly is doing these days is pure bullshit...purely show. If he believes some of this stuff he says, it's just a coincidence. He sees that every time he stirs up the pot...hits the left wing buttons, his ratings go up or stay strong. The guy's a goon...he's no fool.