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Home Front
A Friendly Drink in a Time of War
2004-01-28
The conclusion of an imaginary barroom discussion:
"But isn’t George Bush himself a fascist, more or less? I mean-admit it!"

My own eyes widened. "You haven’t the foggiest idea what fascism is," I said. "I always figured that a keen awareness of extreme oppression was the deepest trait of a left-wing heart. Mass graves, three hundred thousand missing Iraqis, a population crushed by thirty-five years of Baathist boots stomping on their faces-that is what fascism means! And you think that a few corrupt insider contracts with Bush’s cronies at Halliburton and a bit of retrograde Bible-thumping and Bush’s ridiculous tax cuts and his bonanzas for the super-rich are indistinguishable from that?-indistinguishable from fascism? From a politics of slaughter? Leftism is supposed to be a reality principle. Leftism is supposed to embody an ability to take in the big picture. The traitor to the left is you, my friend . . ."
The piece is by Paul Berman. Go read the whole thing. And then, if you haven’t already, go read his book "Terror and Liberalism." It’s a must.
Posted by:growler

#4  I liked the part about his freind staring increduously. Some Liberals get it, a lot more don't. To a large degree they are still blinded by the passions aroused in the 2000 election debacle. Pre 9/11 I was ready to vote for just about anybody but Bush. Now I'm not sure. Liberals like to make jokes about his speaking ability and his gaffs with the English language. Well if they want somebody who can talk the paint off of a lamp post they can vote for a used car salesman. I'd rather vote for somebody with the balls to see what's right and try to do it and damn the political consequences
Posted by: Cheddarhead   2004-1-28 5:46:16 PM  

#3  Edwards voted against the Iraq/Afghan appropriation. His supporters' attempt to paint him as a closet Lieberman is at best wishful thinking.
Posted by: someone   2004-1-28 1:29:09 PM  

#2  Paul Bermans book is indeed excellent.


Unfortunately, with the defeat of Joe Lieberman, this kind of muscular liberalism is in eclipse - i hope temporary. (it is worth noting that John Edwards for. pol advisors include some strong democracy supporters. Hes been keeping his own stance on Iraq under wraps - perhaps less forthright than Joe, but maybe a smarter strategy)
Posted by: liberalhawk   2004-1-28 12:47:29 PM  

#1  The old liberal slogan USED to be "fascism means war"..they even had bumperstickers.
Yet nowadays, they embrace fascist Islam and make excuses for it and try to teach American children to submit to it's fascist ideology as just another religion no better or worse than Christianity, Buddhism, etc.
I don't know about California, but down here in the south we will never submit to liberals teaching our children to honor Islam's murderous oppressive ideology.
(I know, I know, they will call us redneck rascist white trash, whats new, the only approved rascism according to liberals is towards white southerners)
Anyway, liberals can take thier appeasment of Islamists and brutal dictators and shove it.
Posted by: TS   2004-1-28 11:18:57 AM  

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