Chris Hedges: "AMERICAN FASCISTS" The Christian Right vs USA

Now this is informative. It it explains a lot in play right now! So what is fascism in the United States?  The video is dated 2007, the information is certainly not!

Good video. It is indeed highly timely.

Hedges mentions Eco's Fourteen descriptors for fascism. Here they are:

1. The cult of tradition. “One has only to look at the syllabus of every fascist movement to find the major traditionalist thinkers. The Nazi gnosis was nourished by traditionalist, syncretistic, occult elements.”
2. The rejection of modernism. “The Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, is seen as the beginning of modern depravity. In this sense Ur-Fascism can be defined as irrationalism.”
3. The cult of action for action’s sake. “Action being beautiful in itself, it must be taken before, or without, any previous reflection. Thinking is a form of emasculation.”
4. Disagreement is treason. “The critical spirit makes distinctions, and to distinguish is a sign of modernism. In modern culture the scientific community praises disagreement as a way to improve knowledge.”
5. Fear of difference. “The first appeal of a fascist or prematurely fascist movement is an appeal against the intruders. Thus Ur-Fascism is racist by definition.”
6. Appeal to social frustration. “One of the most typical features of the historical fascism was the appeal to a frustrated middle class, a class suffering from an economic crisis or feelings of political humiliation, and frightened by the pressure of lower social groups.”
7. The obsession with a plot. “The followers must feel besieged. The easiest way to solve the plot is the appeal to xenophobia.”
8. The enemy is both strong and weak. “By a continuous shifting of rhetorical focus, the enemies are at the same time too strong and too weak.”
9. Pacifism is trafficking with the enemy. “For Ur-Fascism there is no struggle for life but, rather, life is lived for struggle.”
10. Contempt for the weak. “Elitism is a typical aspect of any reactionary ideology.”
11. Everybody is educated to become a hero. “In Ur-Fascist ideology, heroism is the norm. This cult of heroism is strictly linked with the cult of death.”
12. Machismo and weaponry. “Machismo implies both disdain for women and intolerance and condemnation of nonstandard sexual habits, from chastity to homosexuality.”
13. Selective populism. “There is in our future a TV or Internet populism, in which the emotional response of a selected group of citizens can be presented and accepted as the Voice of the People.”
14. Ur-Fascism speaks Newspeak. “All the Nazi or Fascist schoolbooks made use of an impoverished vocabulary, and an elementary syntax, in order to limit the instruments for complex and critical reasoning.”

I particularly appreciate Hedges's explanation of America's fascination for Creationism: it does not have a religious purpose, but rather it is intended to replace rational thinking with obedience to the Leader.

He is a very articulate and informative man. I want this feedback on him. And I thank you for sharing. Listening intensely.

Creationism also contributes to willful ignorance and a dumbing down effect of the population. After all, an ignorant population is easier to control and manipulate.

Yes.

The mass movement is: Dominionism and Conservationism combined in our 'day.'

Dominionism and Conservationism combined in our 'day.'

I, a believer, have joined the Resistance! Can we count on you?

What is the Resistance? If it doesn't require violence, I'm in

Actually, for now, I am more of a free-agent of the Resistance. But here is their website: theresistanceparty

Check It Out! (There is no violence. I as a believer fight with non-violence, my frirend!)

Yeah just ask Barack Obama about that one:

"Clinton’s margin surged in the 50 most-educated counties"

"Hillary Clinton improved on President Obama’s 2012 performance in 48 of the country’s 50 most-well-educated counties. And on average, she improved on Obama’s margin of victory in these counties by almost 9 percentage points, even though Obama had done pretty well in them to begin with."

"Clinton collapsed in the 50 least-educated counties"

"Now here’s the opposite list: The 50 counties (minimum population of 50,000) where the smallest share of the population has bachelor’s degrees"

fivethirtyeight

"Hillary Clinton has made big gains with well-educated whites, particularly women. And Donald J. Trump has continued recent Republican gains in winning over less educated whites , particularly men ."

nytimes

What does Obama have to do with anything I said?

Sadly, Hillary was not selected by the electoral college.

BREAKING NEWS:

Senate panel backs up intelligence agencies, says Russia aimed to help Trump in election

READ MORE HERE!

Actually, Hillary losing was the best outcome there could have been!  It is not sad that she lost. 

May I check out your intellectual integrity? Please walk with me a short ways:

On today, the Senate Intelligence Committee delivered its report: 

The Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday backed up conclusions from U.S. intelligence agencies that Moscow interfered in the 2016 election with the aim of helping President Trump win, releasing an unclassified report which called the intelligence assessment solid.

“The Committee has spent the last 16 months reviewing the sources, tradecraft and analytic work underpinning the Intelligence Community Assessment and sees no reason to dispute the conclusions,” said a statement from Sen. Richard M. Burr (R-N.C.), the panel’s chairman.   More. . . .

Arkpdx, questions:

1. Who do you believe, a republican-led Senate Committee Chairman or a daily lying President Trump who met with Chairman Kim Jung Un and translators only in their first meeting?
2. What would you have personally thought about it, if Hillary Clinton met with Kim Jung Un and translators only in their first meeting?

Please, I covet your reply.

That's pretty funny!

Kudos on making my day better!

Yeah. 'Shades' of Russia and Big Brutal Bear avatars will be breaking out everywhere in 'red state' America this July 4, 2018!!!

"BOOM BOOO-YAH!!!"

More jokes! I like it!

Laughter now - tears just beyond the horizon.

Why would you cry?

May I check out your intellectual integrity? Please walk with me a short ways:

On May 14 thereabouts a news story broke in this country regarding the Chinese Government and President Trump of Trump Enterprises: 

China Contributing $500 Million to Trump-Linked Project in Indonesia

T he Chinese government is extending a $500 million loan to a state-owned construction company to build an Indonesian theme park that will feature a Trump-branded golf course and hotels. A subsidiary of Chinese state-owned construction firm Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) signed a deal last week with the Indonesian firm MNC Land to build an “integrated lifestyle resort,” as part of Beijing’s global influence-expanding “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative.

The project will include a number of Trump-branded hotels, a golf course, and a residence.  While the $500 million loan will not be directly allocated to any of the Trump-branded features, Beijing’s contribution of half the project’s total operating budget ensures the success of the broader theme-park venture. The Trump properties are considered flagship elements of the theme park, according to MNC marketing materials, and internal documents obtained by Agency France-Presse show Trump’s sons have been directly involved in its planning . More. . . .

&

Donald Trump not breaking election promise by aiding crippled Chinese telecoms firm ZTE, White House says

ZTE is a high concern of China and Trump has asked Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to look into whether a US ban on selling the company American technology is consistent with US laws and regulations, White House principal deputy press secretary Raj Shah said.

President Xi of China, and I, are working together to give massive Chinese phone company, ZTE, a way to get back into business, fast. Too many jobs in China lost. Commerce Department has been instructed to get it done!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 13, 2018

ZTE pleaded guilty last year to conspiring to violate US sanctions by illegally shipping US goods and technology to Iran and entered into an agreement with the US government. The ban is the result of ZTE’s failure to comply with that agreement, the Commerce Department said. More. . . .

Texan1211, questions:

1. Do you observe any at all impropriety with the two 'transactions' between President  Xi Jinping and President Trump ?
2. What would you have personally thought about it, if President Barack Obama started Indonesian building projects (in the largest Muslim country in the world) using procured funds from a China loan, through the lifting or lessening of a U.S. ban?

Please, I covet your reply.

Well, your link says that Trump isn't getting the money to build, nor using the money to build, nor was he the recipient of the loan, so I don't see an issue with it.

And asking the Commerce Dept. to "look into" something is hardly grounds for conspiracy-mongering.

Had Obama done the same--I could not have cared less, given the same circumstances you applied to Trump.

I never seemed to get as worked up about Obama as many on the left would have liked me to be. He was the President. I respect the office. And no, I didn't agree with everything Obama did--just like I have disagreed with every president since I started taking an interest in politics.

Texan1211, questions:

1. Do you observe any at all impropriety with the two 'transactions' between President Xi Jinping and President Trump?
2. What would you have personally thought about it, if President Barack Obama started Indonesian building projects (in the largest Muslim country in the world) using procured funds from a China loan, through the lifting or lessening of a U.S. ban?

• The project will include a number of Trump-branded hotels, a golf course, and a residence.
• ZTE pleaded guilty last year to conspiring to violate US sanctions by illegally shipping US goods and technology to Iran and entered into an agreement with the US government. The ban is the result of ZTE’s failure to comply with that agreement,

Texan1211, two questions: 

1. You find 'nothing to see here' in this? No unease? There is a guilty plead by ZTE. 
2. If President Trump gives ZTE a lift and lessening on the 'strength' of its loss to China - do you think it is fair to reinstate the Iran Nuclear Deal negotiated by the Obama Administration?
   1. Or, should Iran, a largely Muslim country, offer up a round of Iranian building projects to our president as a sweetener?
      

I would rather see a treaty with Iran than some backroom deal being cut away from the light of day.

Weasel words cannot replace integrity, Texan1211. Please, consider the facts and the questions.

I covet your reply.

Well, Texan1211? You have had several days now to ponder the question. . . .

Chris Hedges is a joke.

Here's just one take down of his hysteria written to mark the 10th anniversary of his book:

The author of that book spelled out the secret Christian agenda, which would

replace democracy with a theocratic elite that would govern by imposing their interpretation of “Biblical Law.” Reconstructionism would eliminate not only democracy but many of its manifestations, such as labor unions, civil rights laws, and public schools. Women would be generally relegated to hearth and home. Insufficiently Christian men would be denied citizenship, perhaps executed. So severe is this theocracy that it would extend capital punishment beyond such crimes as kidnapping, rape, and murder to include, among other things, blasphemy, heresy, adultery, and homosexuality.

What actually happened was something close to the opposite.

Ten years ago, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton were on record as opponents of homosexual marriage, and Elena Kagan argued that there was no constitutional right to homosexual marriage. But homosexual marriage is today the law of the land. In 2003, one could, in theory, go to jail for homosexual acts; today, one can go to jail for refusing to participate in the public consecration of such acts, sexual outlaws having been replaced by nonconformist bakers and fundamentalist flower arrangers in our national rogues’ gallery. No one is being executed for using contraception — quite the contrary: The Little Sisters of the Poor, an order of Catholic nuns, has had to go all the way to the Supreme Court seeking some relief from the Obama administration’s insistence that the group of elderly celibates must provide birth control to its members, who do not wish to use it and who in fact consider the forced purchase of it a violation of their consciences and their First Amendment rights.

There is, in fact, almost no evidence that the vast conspiracy of Christian theocrats plotting to overthrow the republic ever existed as anything other than after-eight talk among a couple of cranky Calvinist theologians. More generally, there is very little evidence that the so-called Christian Right — which is in fact not especially Christian or conservative as those terms are conventionally understood — has much meaningful influence on public policy.

nationalreview

Hedges might be the worst prognosticator since Malthus. It's actually kind of funny reading his depraved conspiracies. 

More generally, there is very little evidence that the so-called Christian Right — which is in fact not especially Christian or conservative as those terms are conventionally understood — has much meaningful influence on public policy.

A denial? This is the second denial of the Christian-Right I have read in recent on NT. Surely, there are conservatives on NT who won't even discuss Jesus-Messiah for fear of exposing their dangerous dichotomy. So these Christian-Right members of NT write of politics separate  and apart from faith in God.  Politics separate from conscience. As if no one can see their deceit! As if Jesus-Messiah can be split away from Good.

Give. Me. A. Break. I , we, see you Christian-Right, in all your displays!

and apart from faith in God.  Politics separate from conscience. As if no one can see their deceit! As if Jesus-Messiah can be split away from Good.

I have no idea what you are trying to say, but the belief that America in 2018 is on the verge of some right wing Christian dictatorship taking power is about as absurd as believing wheel chair bound Quebecois separatists are an existential threat to the US. Honestly, worrying about the  Les Assassins des Fauteuils Rollents might be a more productive use of time than Hedges moon battery. 

Don't ever pay any attention to anything Sean says. He composes his Comments to be as offensive as possible, blatantly or subtly. He just wants to mess with people.

Please stop. Your senate majority leader misappropriated a Supreme Court Justice seat (Gorsuch). Your president is stacking courts in the conservative name, and lies daily to the citizenry, and to other world leaders. Do not try to distract us with more fake news!

Maybe, you are not a member of the Christian-Right. It may be you are not a Christian at all! You could be a 'spokesman' from the political wing, alone.

IT DOES NOT MATTER! The effects are the same regarding the actions of the whole conservative movement! Wear it - you're dressed in it!

Sean Treacy has no idea I read conservative 'mail' from time to time. "It's all in there." Denial is futile.

Your president is stacking courts in the conservative name

You say that as if it's a bad thing. I assure you it is not a bad thing. It is also one of the reasons he got elected. We want him to do just that. 

Well, you may want to keep this in mind: court packing numbers can rise and fall based on Congressional authority. Also, individual judges and justices can be impeached for bias, misfeasance in areas of law, and for politicizing the bench. Justice Clarence Thomas may find a congressional 'targeting' of his voting record and activities will become necessary/forecasted.

e stop. Your senate majority leader misappropriated a Supreme Court Justice seat (Gorsuch). Your president is stacking courts in the conservative name, and lies daily to the citizenry, and to other world leaders.

I see. Your evidence of a christian right wing conspiracy to set up a dictatorship consists of politicians being politicians and exercising their constitutional duties.

I can't make this stuff up.  

Your evidence of a christian right wing conspiracy to set up a dictatorship consists of politicians being politicians and exercising their constitutional duties.

That you think misappropriating a courts seat, 'packing' federal courts in an imbalance of congressional partisanship, and of course a proliferate lying president whom words need a 'clean-up squad' in attendance is all there is to this Republican Party deceit, speaks volumes about your intentions to distract. LISTEN TO THE VIDEO ABOVE. The Republican Party, with its Christian-Right and Conservative wings is largely corrupt—but, not completely corrupt yet.

No misappropriation of seats. 

Trump nominated someone, that person was confirmed. All legal according to the Constitution.

Keep up, please: Read 3.1.3 .     Misappropriation . (<<Hover over.)

Keep up with your opinion? 

is that necessary?

No misappropriation occurred. Period. 

A President selects, the Senate confirms.

Deceit! Republicans misappropriated a seat on the High bench - conservative Scalia died out of the seat, a moderate replacement Garland was duly delivered -  straight up! Now, the Republican Party is speaking in unison with its president who continuously speaks with a 'forked tongue.' Own republican 'red' deceit! The conservatives did not own the Scalia 'chair.' Your thieving senate majority leader would not even allow a vote! Your political poison will come back to sickened the party one day.

Now how about that Christian-Right wing in your party? You want to pretend it does not exist or that it is a sect of "better angels." Which?

I wasn't talking about religion--only justices and judges. 
Was there something illegal about Trump's pick? Was his pick confirmed by the Senate?

This article IS talking about religion, specifically the Christian Right, who helped 'install' President DJ© Trump and during the process gave your guy a mulligan! A "Do-over." "A second chance." Did you 'righteous' folks 'give' President Obama a 'mulligan' - for fixing a Bush recession? 

• How many bankruptcies did Obama on his life's record to date?
• How many mistresses have you manufactured out of Obama's past?
• Does Trump measure up to a conservative's measure of a liar yet? For example:

Merrick Garland was a good choice, too, because he's a moderate. Presidents should choose moderates to fill SCOTUS seats

Agreed. They're less likely to be swayed by political bias toward one side or the other.

Agreed. In my opinion, President Trump is not going to do anything resembling grace - as sought after by his predecessor President Obama in deciding on a moderate, Judge Garland Merrick. 

Trump plans to make a (painful) statement.

Fascism is a loaded word which can mean different things to different people:

• Authoritarianism.
• Nationalism.
• Absolute Military Power.
• State Propaganda.
• Censorship.

— from the video above.

These words are roiling around today in different threads of the Trump Administration.

Well, I hope everybody enjoyed the fireworks this week!