Repost By Dr. Glen Barry eco-terrorist and small evil little man
- From: John <Ya@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 21 May 2008 11:31:37 -0400
By Dr. Glen Barry
I recently wrote that "President Bush is a lying fascist christian
fanatic
warmonger that threatens the Earth and civilized society". I deeply
regret
these remarks, having failed to add "war criminal, eco-terrorist and
small
evil little man" to the list. This essay strongly asserts that America
has
gone drastically wrong, and that conservative fascism has arisen that
threatens America, the world and the Earth's existence as we know
them.
There is no agreed upon and authoritative one-sentence definition for
Fascism. I define it as authoritarian, hierarchical and militaristic
government; based upon governance for corporate interests, holding
itself up
as the only adequate response to an urgent threat, while scapegoating
some
segments of society.
Key features of this definition are present in contemporary America -
particularly the authoritarian blending of corporations/industry with
the
state. The United States of America is being run by, of and for
corporations. Energy industry interests have been foremost in foreign,
environmental, human right and other policy realms.
And any good fascist requires a good scapegoat. Gays, "extremist"
environmentalists and indeed the natural world itself fit the bill
nicely.
America's fascism is using liberalism as a straw puppet and
anti-terrorism
as its crucible.
Liberal is now a dirty word. Forget humanity's unprecedented advances
under
the banner of liberal democracy. Liberty, equality, and fraternity -
the
basis of America's government, constitution, Declaration of
Independence,
and Bill of Rights - are monumental liberal achievements. Without
American
liberalism workers would remain relegated to sweat shops and extreme
racial
injustice would persist. Conservatives are against progress and change
-
extremist conservative fascists all the more so.
As in the past, America's flavor of conservative fascism gains its
support
primarily from angry and anxious people, frustrated with the chaos and
uncertainty implicit in a modern democracy based upon liberal
democratic
principles. Many are christian fanatics who are no less dangerous than
their
counterparts from other religions, which believe as they do, that the
way to
God is to force their spirituality upon others.
I am aghast at the Bush record. In virtually every sphere of policy
America
has abdicated leadership. During a time of nuclear proliferation and
criminal terrorist acts you want more international law, not less.
Civil
rights, natural forests and a functional atmosphere are being lost -
perhaps
forever.
President Bush has undone decades of environmental policy, leaving a
legacy
of unmatched ecocidal violence against the Earth's natural systems. At
a
time when there exists unprecedented wealth to address environmental
issues,
President Bush has chosen instead to launch a holy war.
There can never be absolute security in a free and open society.
Belligerent, taunting militarism will not make America or the world
safer.
Not only has Bush lied about justification for a state of perma-war,
he lies
by stating usurpation of civil liberties will maintain freedom. Secret
prison camps, torture, spying on peaceful protesters and certainly
preemptive war are fascist - the antithesis of liberal democracy.
It is time for America to get over 911. This dastardly event must not
be
allowed to change America for the worse, nor halt future efforts to
make
America even greater. The focus should be upon bringing the criminals
responsible to justice in order to stop future attacks without
undermining
American liberties and our position in the world. Indeed, overreaction
may
be worse than moderate action. Restraint and thoughtfulness are signs
of
wisdom and strength.
There are much greater threats to American and global security than
terrorism. Americans are living in fear largely because their lives
and
society are exploitative, inequitable, unjust, and unsustainable.
American's
standard of living is not universalizeable. These inequities are at
the root
of America's feeling of insecurity.
If Americans do not want to live in barricaded terror for the rest of
their
life they will need to learn how to share and play by a set of fair
global
rules. Americans must empathize and work to alleviate suffering in the
rest
of world; as most of humanity strives to meet basic human needs in the
midst
of abject poverty, environmental collapse, American sponsored
militarism and
commercialism, and rampant preventable disease.
Freedom has never, and will never, be defended or maintained by
restricting
civil liberties or waging preemptive war. Such fascist acts are the
antithesis of democracy. In the grand tradition of patriots,
suffragists,
and activists - liberal and progressive anti-fascists must rid the
World of
conservative fascism in order to embark upon an era of ecological
sustainability, social justice and international mechanisms to end
terrorism
and militarism.
There are immediate actions required to overthrow fascist corporate
control
of America and the world. First and foremost, the U.S. must withdraw
swiftly
from Iraq. Strength and resolve against criminal terrorists does not
mean a
great nation can not admit a mistake at the hands of tyrant
leadership.
Other countries have dealt with illegitimate, authoritarian leaders -
emerging better for having done so - and the U.S. can too.
America will only reenter the circle of civilized, progressive nations
by
placing a short timetable on withdrawal and doing the best we can to
stabilize things before then, and after. And it is crucial that
America's
current fascist leader be deposed at the ballet box; or if necessary,
through impeachment, an International Court of Justice indictment
and/or an
international war crimes tribunal.
Further, the U.S. is the only country likely to marshal the resources
and
technology necessary to lead on climate change, water scarcity and
other
imminent environmental catastrophes. The Earth's ecosystems are
collapsing
around us. As the ecological fabric of being frays, conditions
conducive for
life can no longer be assured. Bush's militarism makes this leadership
impossible and global ecological Armageddon all the more likely.
The purpose of this rant is not to incite any sort of lawless action.
However the American people do retain the rights of all free peoples
to
protest and overthrow tyranny. Godspeed to the brave protesters in New
York
this week as they peacefully highlight the importance of dumping Bush,
in
order to start building a bright green, equitable, just and free world
for
all.
.
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