Former concentration camp inmates warn against downplaying fascism

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Former concentration camp inmates warn against downplaying fascism
Jul 15, 2007, 14:03 GMT


Weimar, Germany - Former inmates of the Buchenwald concentration camp in the east of Germany warned Sunday against downplaying the dangers of fascism.

Attempts to honour the victims of Nazi crimes were being overshadowed by the global spread of wars, nationalism and racism, said the president of the international Buchenwald committee, Bertrand Herz.

He was speaking at a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the construction of the largest concentration camp in Hitler's Germany, where 56,000 people lost their lives.

'In 1945, we never dreamed that today in Germany there would again be right-wing forces that would be allowed to demonstrate in our cities,' Ottomar Rothmann said.



Read more: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1330218.php/Former_concentration_camp_inmates_warn_against_downplaying_fascism

[babylonsister]

1. We need to learn from history, not ignore it. nt

[MLFerrell]

11. As a professional historian-in-training, I can tell you this...

If there is one constant in human events, it's that the actors of history don't ever learn a goddamned thing from the past.

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

20. or they do learn and realize how profitable it is to make sure everyone else forgets

..it's the peasants that never learn

[unblock]

58. they DO learn from the past.

the formation of the usa is a prime example. corrected many mistakes inherent in the nature of european-style monarchial/colonial governments at the time. the marshall plan is another example.

what IS the case is that whatever is learned is either temporary or rendered moot by some other lesson from the past that was not properly learned.

[EST]

2. The great wheel turns, the pendulum swings.

Humans are not ready for the stars.

[Mend]

3. it seems as though the bad guys never go away....they just mold into spores for

the next go-around.

[formercia]

5. Just like Anthrax

ready to come out of hiding and kill when the environment is favorable.

[Greyhound]

38. It's been largely the same families for hundreds of years.

They intermarry and pick up new names, but if you look into it, it is mostly the same people doing the same things they've always done.

Remember during the reign of George 41, there was a story for a few about how the BFEE is related to the English Royals? Vanderbilt, Rothschild, Lazard, DuPont, Rockefeller, etc.

[defendandprotect]

49. We're working always from the same gene pool -- it won't change!!!

[Zorra]

4. In 2000, we never dreamed that our Supreme Court would select

an unelected fascist tyrant to be the leader of our country, a tyrant that would would later launch an unprovoked and unjustifiable attack on a sovereign nation and would spit on our Constitution.

The descent of the US into fascism must be truly horrifying to the survivors of the holocaust.

[Bjorn Against]

6. Yep, facism still exists they just call it neo-conservative now.

[Downtown Hound]

7. Here, here!

I used to laugh at the loony antics of the far right in the 90's, thinking that they were the extreme bunch of a party that while I didn't like, I never thought would be capable of carrying out the things that its wackos suggested.

No longer. Today, things that once seemed radical are the norm in today's Republican Party. That's why when I read that thread about the National Review cruise, and they suggest executing liberals, I no longer just laugh it off. These people are dangerous, sick, and diseased. We must fight them with ever blood fiber in our beings. If we don't, they really will turn America into the Fourth Reich. And we will be the first ones to disappear.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Vidar]

14. Head back to the Free Republic & learn how to spell "martial".

[Judi Lynn]

21. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh! Thanks! I was suddenly thinking of "the Marshall Plan!"

MARTIAL! Well, that helps.

[yellowdogintexas]

55. sorry I missed the deleted message, they must have been doozies!! nt

[IChing]

15. What is Marshall Law?

you silly troll?

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

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[Downtown Hound]

19. This is a board for liberals and progressives

Why do you even bother trying to hide where your sympathies truly lie? There's plenty of pro-fascist boards out there for you to spout your verbal diarrhea on. Stick to them.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Downtown Hound]

25. And your point is what exactly?

This is hardly a communist board. Yes, many of the people here do espouse some socialistic views on issues such as health care and social programs, but there's a huge difference between communism and socialism. If you'd bother to learn them and not parrot everything the right wing tells you then you would know that.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

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[Downtown Hound]

16. Why yes, now that you mention it, the government has been doing all those

things. How many people were arrested after 9-11 and held for months or even years with no trial or evidence against them, and then released (if they were one of the lucky ones) with no explanation? Hundreds? Thousands? Political opponents have been spied on, harassed, arrested at demonstrations, sometimes with no provocation, or tear gassed. No need to shut down newspapers when almost all media in this country is owned by five different corporations, all of which have a vested interest in either the Republican Party of the defense industry. The courts? The Republicans have been making a non-stop effort to dominate the courts. They only dislike judicial activism when it comes from the left.

Fascism takes time. The concentration camps in Germany didn't happen overnight. What we're seeing here in America is the early steps towards a truly nightmarish, fascist regime. And you in your blissful ignorance just go right along with it and cheer it on.

Welcome to DU. Enjoy your brief and short stay. And know this. You will never succeed in implementing your fascist plans here in America. We will fight you every step of the way, and we will win.

[PoconoPragmatist]

17. Ummm...You Forgot

"rendering" political "detainees" to foreign countries to torture. Won't be long before these spineless bastards have the guts to do it themselves, instead of "rendering" to others to do their dirty work for them. for now, they gotta keep their own hands clean. If too many people catch onto what they are doing, too soon, it will screw their plans.

[clixtox]

51. Shhhh...

There you go, letting the "cat" out of the bag!

Some folks just can't keep a secret!

You said it though, tragically, that is exactly what is happening.

Those of us who see the truth have an obligation to speak out at every opportunity, wherever we may be. Tell your family and friends for sure but also tell people you don't know every chance you have.

Blissfull ignorance is a luxury we can not allow to continue. Be a patriot and tell it like it is.

Always refer to the "war in Iraq" as a recognized WAR CRIME and Chimpy/Slimy Dick as WAR CRIMINALS! Please...

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Downtown Hound]

24. Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin, myself, thousands at the Republican

National Convention in 2004 to name a few. And actually, in fairness, we were at least guilty of something. Standing up to the war machine. The thousands of Muslims arrested after 9-11 were guilty of nothing except being Muslim.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Downtown Hound]

29. You honestly have never heard of the massive dragnet

that occurred after 9-11? In which thousands of people were jailed for long periods with no trial or evidence against them. My God, you Republicans are willfully ignorant. Here's a little linkie for you. Man, I though this was rather common knowledge, but I guess when you're a dumb ass with his head in the sand, it's easy to live in a fantasy world.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0627-03.htm

And as for all of us protesters trying to get arrested, I'm afraid it's just not true. I have seen police open fire at protesters with wooden bullets with no provocation, arrest them in spite of the fact that they committed no crimes, and yadda, yadda, ya. You get the idea.

[PoconoPragmatist]

65. You Don't Understand Their MENTALITY!!

See...they have their heads buried...not in sand....no, not even up their asses....but in a feed bag where they munch contentedly until they die. They have no desire to risk losing that feed bag, or having it ripped away, so they blissfully ignore anything that does not directly negatively impact THEM.

And, for those who ARE directly negatively impacted by things...well, the feed baggers learned quickly to dub them as "whiners" "liberals" and "communists"...all dirty words...because they fear that the change these people would bring would jeopardize their nice, comfortable existence.

Is it "whining" to correctly see a problem, and correctly diagnose it, publicly? Is it "whining" to call attention to areas in our public policy that are unfair, or less than perfect? Hell no...THAT'S A PATRIOT!! Someone who wants the best for their country, and is willing to speak up to see that it happens!

The traitors are the ones who sell out collective good for the country, in order to not risk their precious feedbag - they will watch the country go over a cliff rather than risk their comfort.

Do these people not know that the first step in correcting a problem is to accurately diagnose it...and call attention to it?

But these people are afraid of the potential negative impact that could come to them from change...and they know that speaking out (read: whining) is the first step!

These people all have the attitude, "I got mine...fuck you."

[bleedingheart]

32. apparently you have not studied history

it starts with demeaning and mocking your opponents...so that you gain popularity and the consent of the public...then you start by shutting down papers...and then arresting your opponents...

Read about the rise of Fascism in Europe..and you will be suprised how easily and quickly they went from mocking the establishment and appealing to the basest instincts of the masses...till they were goosestepping all over Europe and dragging people to their deaths in concentration camps...

[yellowdogintexas]

54. and you make sure the people are afraid, very afraid...of something

and keep stoking that fear...the more afraid they are, the more they will let the gov't get away with.

[Fire Walk With Me]

70. You and the reply to your post have really summed things up.

They've studied history in order to repeat the things that work.

Truly, supposition here...but if they did turn the military upon our country at some point, what exactly could we do about it?

[silverojo]

37. I never found the '90s neo-cons amusing

They started rising in the 1970's with the Moral Majority, and we've been fighting them ever since. They were bound to succeed at some point in history.


(Edited for spelling)

[DeDeDe]

44. I use to laugh too....

I just read a book on WWII, interviewing the survivors. Not that I see an exact comparison YET but, America is close. I lately went to a couple con religious sites, I do not remember what they are called, I did not care, but I could NOT BELIEVE what hundreds of people were saying about that poor Hindu man, Zed, and about his prayer in Congress. They wanted him strung up along with anyone who thought 'Pagan' prayers should be in Congress. Most posts said that Freedom of Religion is not Pagan Religions but only Christian because that is what the forefathers meant. You just would NOT believe what Americans were saying! I almost thought we were above that ignorance. I guess not.

We peace lovers have to be STRONG. Some day we may have to form Le Resistance and I'm there 100%! I even dreamed that I formed one underground, we were hiding in an attic for meetings on fear of talking against the gov't. It had a special name and plans...everything.

Sorry, I have many dreams at night but I wanted to share that one with you all!

[Downtown Hound]

46. Hello DeDeDe,

Welcome to DU!

[bluedog]

8. my old German neighbor

questioned ...some of you (American) people ask why us(Germans) let Hilter take so much control and never tried to stop him.......that we didn't see the hate and vileness this man would create...... and yet you say nothing when bush is on the same path!

yes...folks its up to WE the people to stop this madman.

[JohnyCanuck]

12. America 2007 = Germany 1930?

America 2007 Is Germany 1930

Norman D. Livergood

We who live in the post-World War II period possess an immensely valuable symbol, even if we don't understand it or use it effectively: the example of Nazi Germany.

"The German experiment, except to those who are its victims, is particularly interesting, and, like the offer of a strong man to let himself be vivisected, should make a great contribution to political science. For the Germans are the most gifted and most highly educated people who ever devoted the full strength of a modern state to stopping the exchange of ideas; they are the most highly organized people who ever devoted all the coercive power of government to the abolition of their own intellectual life; they are the most learned people who ever pretended to believe that the premises and the conclusion of all inquiry may be fixed by political fiat."

Walter Lippmann. (1936), The Good Society

Nazi Germany was created by the criminal cabal that currently rules the United States and much of the world. One of the early underlings of this cabal was Prescott Bush, Dubya's grandfather. Prescott Bush was a director of the Union Banking Corporation, which the U.S. government took over in 1942 under the Trading with the Enemy Act. The U.S. Alien Property Custodian seized Union Banking Corporation stock shares, all of which were owned by E. Roland Harriman, Prescott Bush, three Nazi executives, and two other associates of Prescott Bush.

snip

On Oct. 28, 1942, the U.S. government issued orders seizing two Nazi front organizations run by the Bush-Harriman bank: the Holland-American Trading Corporation and the Seamless Steel Equipment Corporation. Nazi interests in the Silesian-American Corporation, long managed by Prescott Bush and his father-in-law, George Herbert Walker, were seized under the Trading with the Enemy Act on November 17, 1942. In this action, the government announced that it was seizing only the Nazi interests, leaving the Nazis' U.S. partners to carry on the business.

These were actions taken by the U.S. government during wartime, but Prescott Bush and his collaborators had already played a central role in financing and arming Adolf Hitler for his takeover of Germany. Harriman, Bush and the other cabal puppets had financed the buildup of Nazi war industries for the conquest of Europe and war against the U.S. They had also helped in the development of Nazi genocide theories and racial propaganda, with the slave labor and extermination camps as the result.

The cabal that controls America has moved as rapidly as possible to bring about the same conditions of dictatorship and fascism in the U.S. as it did in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. The first major thrust toward fascism began during the Bush takeover of the Reagan presidency. During Bush Senior's (second) presidency he pulled off the Iran-Contra drugs-for-weapons crime, the savings-and-loan heist, the illegal use of U.S. military force to protect Bush's criminal collaboration with Manuel Noriega, his man in Panama, and many other crimes of state.

http://www.hermes-press.com/germany1930.htm

[creeksneakers2]

9. All the signs are here

Fascism started here and is making progress.

[cascadiance]

10. What bothers me is that a movie like "Starship Troopers" was ONCE clearly a satire on fascism...

... which reflected similar sentiments by Robert Heinlein who wrote the original novel, but that kids watching this film today, will not see the satire in it, but look at it as more of a real projection of us in the future, or just a "fun" action film! I wonder how much Paul Verhoeven is disturbed about that.

THAT to me is sad!

[Kagemusha]

28. Easiest way to stop fascists from demonstrating is to employ fascism.

I find that a little ironic. Not that I don't understand where they're coming from. But nonetheless, shock at people being "allowed" to demonstrate does rub me the wrong way on some level.

[whistle]

31. I'm not downplaying fascism, I believe we already have fascism in American

...politics and in the very highest seats of power. Our congress has the constitutional power to bring these fascist elements and forces down through impeachment and constitutional enforcement rules, all our representatives and senators need is the will and the courage to take action.

[bleedingheart]

33. The ones downplaying fascism are the GOP and the Democrats who play along

those are the ones who chide those of us who see the parallels...

It is on the rise and it is disgusting how easily people fall into it. My neighbor is a life long Democrat but the GOP fascist techniques appeal to his basest instincts...and it is both shocking and disgusting to see how people fall into it...

[madamesilverspurs]

34. Grim.

One of my neighbors got out of Germany in the nick of time. She commented in 2001, BEFORE 9-11, that listening to Bush was like hearing Hitler and his gang all over again. She asked, "Where do I go now to be safe?" Pretty damned appalling that an American president can elicit such fear.

[Judi Lynn]

35. Hope she and we will all be able to see this fascist leave in 2009.

Not surprised to hear her comment. Very, very interesting. Sad, too.

[Greyhound]

39. Do you really think that all the fascists have "R"s after their names? n/t

[badgervan]

50. Right Now....

... in our country, yes.

[DeDeDe]

45. What a message to read

MadameSilverspurs I would love to use that statement as an email signiture. What name can I use as to who wrote it please? I think it is VERY important that people know a woman from WWII Germany said this.

Well, Bush will be out soon, but he still has a year to do a lot of damage. Which Democrate can heal the wounds of America?

[madamesilverspurs]

61. I'd have to ask her permission to give her name

...and as skittish as she is, she's not likely to give it. Not that I disagree with your sentiment, I just can't deliver something that doesn't belong to me.

[AntiFascist]

36. K&R, I think it is important to note that...

Hitler came to power in post-Depression Germany by spreading fear of communism and a communist takeover. This allowed him to gain the support of industrialists, small businesses and farmers who feared that their businesses would be taken away. Watch out for this same "anti-communist" propaganda popping up from time to time, particularly in light of discussions involving socialized medicine. While I would never support any form of Communism myself, it is the anti-communist rhetoric that has been shown to lead toward the path of fascism.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Doctor_J]

41. We already have a great many symptoms of fascism in the US

ultra-nationalism, direction of grievances toward irrelevant/made-up factions (welfare cheats, immigrants, etc.), state-run media, sever income stratification, ultra-powerful executive branch, and so on. there are many, even at DU, who think we're not living under fascism yet because we don't have martial law. This is an extremely dangerous ignorance.

[Gman]

43. Germany has had it right for 60+ years

when they outlawed the right wing. Nothing good has EVER come from anything from the right wing. It's high time we did the same thing and outlaw/criminalize the right wing.

[dickbearton]

60. Apply the Supreme Law of the Land...

The Constitution requires the impeachment of Bush and Cheney.
We do not need new laws; we need to apply those we have. Those
in Congress, who do not support the Law of the Land, should
also be removed. MSM, like Fox news, should have its license
revoked for violating the public trust, corporations should be
re-regulated and brought before trust busters, the Corrupt
Republican Party should face Rico laws for conspiring to and
stealing elections. You get the idea, lets start enforcing the
law.

[tom_paine]

74. I refuse that action on principle. What you describe is a Nazi-like act

And I do not think Germany outlawed all right-wing political parties, that would also be insane and Hitler-ish.

I believe only the Nazis and affiliated parties are outlawed.

What you describe is so very wrong. I can only think you were being sarcastic.

[DeDeDe]

47. I found a great article

I am new here and hope it is alright to post this link on America and facism:

http://www.theearthcenter.org/ssfascism.html

[clixtox]

52. Thank You!

The linked article really spells out the similarities between our situation in the USA and previous fascist regimes around the world.

Congruency would be a more accurate description than similarity actually, IMHO!

[ProudDad]

48. My girlfriend's mother was German

She watched Dresden burn then was a refugee for years until she and her Russian husband immigrated to the U.S.

Before he was "fired", She saw rumsfeld on TV and said, "Put a mustache and a swastika on that man, you've got Hitler all over again."

She's definitely worried that fascism has returned to haunt the Earth and it's the bushies and their masters...

[yellowdogintexas]

56. been saying that about Pat Buchanan since 1992 and his

blood curdling speech at the R convention.

[Socal31]

53. So is everyone on this thread

that says the US is going sharply to a "facist" regime forgetting that we have term limits, and we are electing a dem in 2008? Or are we throwing in the towel? Last time I checked, the current administration has a limited time left....not exactly capable of a Hitler-like campaign.

[yellowdogintexas]

57. as long as this admin doesn't conjure up a reason to NOT have

elections...which I do not in my deepest heart of hearts think they can actually get away with, but wouldn't put it past them to attempt.

[clixtox]

59. How Refreshing...

To read a little optimism on DU!

While my hopes are similar to yours this is no time to be complacent!!!

Too many so-called Democrats are completely beholden to corporations and industries whose interests don't coincide with ours. In fact our interests are generally just the opposite of theirs.

Be very careful about who you support. Look below the patina, the veneer of all politicians is polished to such a gleaming shininess that their core values are obscured enough for voters to be confused enough make stupid choices!

Hitler was elected, believe it or not!

[dickbearton]

63. Bush only tip of iceberg...

We have to work to expose and remove neo-nazi neocons
regardless of the rock they are found under. There are plenty
in Congress. Don't throw any towel in, Find a progressive and
work for his campaign.

[Blackbird_Highway]

64. One Possible Scenario

It takes a bit of imagination, but it's really not that hard come up with a scenario:

Before the 2008 election, there is a "terror atack" in DC that is actually a false flag operation. The capitol building is burned to the ground. DC Firefighters aren't able to reach the blaze, since the streets are blocked off due to the terror attack. Most Demo congress critters, and a few unfavorable Repubs too, all tragically die in the fire. Seems that somehow, the fire exits were locked. Those darn terrorists! Lucky that the most loyal and patriotic Repubs weren't present at the time!

Bush declares that he now represents all three branches of government (He has ALREADY signed a Presidential Directive for this!). The Supreme Court, from an unknown hiding place (hiding from the terrorists, or from Bush?), sends out a message that they agree with the Presidential Decree.

The Fuhrer also declaes martial law. Most of the web is shut down, (esp. DU!). All forms of media are also tightly controlled, and start pumping out stories about how lucky we are that Bush is here to save us from the terrorists. All news outlets sound just like Fox news. Anyone who has any remote chance of being an objector is rounded up and never sees the light of day again.

A variation on this has Bush also being one of the victims of the false flag terror attack, and Cheney becomes Fuhrer. Makes the whole thing sound a bit more believable, doesn't it?

The whole thing sounds crazy dosn't it?

Yeah, but it would have sounded crazy to the people in Germany in 1933 too.

But then, our own government would never attack our own people in a false flag operation, or would they? Go read the Northwoods Operation. That was not some crackpot tinfoil-hat conspirosy theory, it's a verified authentic document released by the Pentagon, signed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that plans exactly such an attack.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwoods

[AntiFascist]

69. Welcome to DU Blackbird_Highway!...

Any administration the would stand by doing nothing after the Katrina disaster is perfectly capable of allowing a false-flag operation against Americans to occur if it helped them to attain their goals. I also feel that Cheney has the audacity to use warnings about nuclear weapons going off in the US as a veiled threat. These people have gone beyond being criminally insane and seem oblivious to the fact that their popularity is dropping even further.

[Mythsaje]

71. Never work...

Early on it might have, but not now.

They'd be batshit insane to try it.

[Blackbird_Highway]

62. The Fourteen Signs

Fascism involves corporatism, which involves giving legislative powers to large corporations. For instance, having big oil companies write the energy policy.

Fascism is also militaristic. An example is using a terroist attack as an excuse to invade a country that had nothing whatsoever to do with the attack, simply because you don't like that country.

Fascism is authoritarian, and anti-liberalism. Detaining persons without charging them with crimes, torturing prisoners, and limiting free speech are all examples of autoritarian activities.

Fascists are fanatical about suppressing opposition. Redistricting, election fraud, and even forcing lobbyists to fire members of the opposing party all ways to suppressing opposing views, In fact, a classic way is to call the opponents fascists.




1.) Powerful and Continuing Nationalism: Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
2.) Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights: Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
3.) Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause: The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
4.) Supremacy of the Military: Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding
5.) Rampant Sexism: The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay
6.) Controlled Mass Media: Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
7.) Obsession with National Security: Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses
8.) Religion and Government are Intertwined: Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
9.) Coporate Power is Protected: The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
10.) Labor Power is Suppressed: Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to afascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.
11.) Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts: Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.
12.) Obsession with Crime and Punishment: Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations
13.) Rampant Cronyism and Corruption: Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
14. Fraudulent Elections: Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

http://www.oldamericancentury.org/14pts.htm

[LongTomH]

66. Anybody notice the one, horrid reply they got?

Straight from the Reich-wing:

I guess in the US we'd have to get rid of the entire Democrat Party to get rid of the fascists. Let's see, the Democrat Party wants to eliminate free speech with a Fairness Doctrine, they want to take away our right to defend ourselves and want to kill undesirables. I'd say they are pretty fascist.

Time for some DU action>?

[Mythsaje]

72. Project much? n/t

[EstimatedProphet]

73. Not the only one anymore...

[Kurovski]

67. K&R

:kick:

[Sandeman]

68. right-wing forces that demonstrate

I am german. While i do not condone the views of right wing extremist parties, it should be duely noted that in a democratic system even these people have a right to voice their opinion, whether the gentleman in question likes it or not.

[bobthedrummer]

75. "It Can't Happen Here"