Way, way back when I was a young lad in high school, one of the english teachers was famous for espousing "horseshoe theory" to the point where we all (even those of us who didn't attend his class) knew his trademark hand gesture.
At this point, the interesting question becomes how we fight and resist the New Fascism? I say we engage politically and resist the power centers that have formed - unseat the "go along get along" class of political elites. Withhold our spending from the corporations that indulge woke culture. Change out governments and corporate leaders constantly so the parasites don't get comfortable. And hold whoever gets in accountable to defending our liberty of thought and agency. The first whiff of "compromise" and we yank them out - or take our business elsewhere.
I think it starts by rejecting "woke" and cancel culture, and people are being more emboldened in that regard by a - some big names like Rowling and Chappelle and others saying FU to the cancelers, and b - the Left's excesses. In particular, I think the transgender activists are going to be the downfall of the Left.
The Lia Thomas story is now followed up by this one:
and both are affronts to common sense and what everyone knows is the truth. Add to that the drive to, for want of a better word, "woke-sexualize" grade school curricula and other excesses, and you can see how people who'd been cowed into quiet acquiescence are finally screaming "enough!"
Fascism is not right wing. It never has been. Fascism, as both Hitler and Mussolini have explained in writing, is socialism. The tweak that fascist leaders make to differentiate themselves from run of the mill Marxists was to leave the means of production in the hands of tightly regulated and controlled cronies. Hitler dictated what could be produced, where it could be produced, who could produce it. The state dictated prices, wages, and sales.
The fiction that fascism is right wing is a purposeful disinformation campaign from the left. Read Mein Kampf and the writings of Mussolini. You have fallen into the leftist trap.
The actual end of the right wing spectrum is anarchy, not rewarmed socialism.
I've made the same point about fascism being a left-of-center ideology many times here, but it remains that, over on the other side of the Atlantic, it's labeled "right wing."
Part of the reason is that the definitions of "left" and "right" are different over here than over there. The left-right spectrum in American political talk includes degree of control of matters economic by government. The European far-right is characterized by extreme nationalism, distrust of immigrants, and similar "national purity" arguments. There are some in America who embrace those views as well, and while I believe they are few, and we all know they're a universally reviled fringe, the Left is trying to make major political hay out of them.
It's obvious to me that our Left, which is often denounced for being socialistic, is more fascist than socialist in matters of economics and government control. They don't want to nationalize industries, because then they'd have to run them. They're fine leaving ownership in private hands, so that the down side risk is not on the government. But, "fascist" is widely aimed at everyone but them, moderate or far-conservative, and while we can argue against the word's application in that fashion, I think it's more effective to call them out for being fascists.
It’s infuriating they are too lazy to learn and use language accurately and with precision, instead of just making the same mouth noises for anything found to not align with their values (and I used that term loosely). I’m hoping the result will be similar to an overplayed song on the radio which is soon disliked and forgotten. Then, perhaps, the song will also be “fascist” or “fascism,” but hope with the passing of time they might learn how to better articulate their sentiments. Hey, one can hope.
Thanks for the terrific writings Peter. I’m happy to have found you once again from the early Pigs and Sheep days (Lev pointed me here).
From your lips to God’s ears. I just read the story about Portland from Bari Weiss’ substack this morning. I’m glad I had a chance to visit Portland back in 2015 before it got to the point of not being able to enjoy a visit. It was already in an advanced state of decay, but am glad I had a chance to experience the city at least once before it became downright dangerous.
The trip was capped off with a return flight sitting by John Malkovich. It appears his daughter was attending college in the area and he flew in with his wife to meet his daughter for his birthday weekend.
At this point, the interesting question becomes how we fight and resist the New Fascism? I say we engage politically and resist the power centers that have formed - unseat the "go along get along" class of political elites. Withhold our spending from the corporations that indulge woke culture. Change out governments and corporate leaders constantly so the parasites don't get comfortable. And hold whoever gets in accountable to defending our liberty of thought and agency. The first whiff of "compromise" and we yank them out - or take our business elsewhere.
I think it starts by rejecting "woke" and cancel culture, and people are being more emboldened in that regard by a - some big names like Rowling and Chappelle and others saying FU to the cancelers, and b - the Left's excesses. In particular, I think the transgender activists are going to be the downfall of the Left.
The Lia Thomas story is now followed up by this one:
https://www.nationalreview.com/news/sorority-girl-at-university-of-wyoming-speaks-out-on-transgender-pledge-hes-just-calling-himself-a-girl/?bypass_key=WGZoZjZRZ1VSVzV0NzA5TittWEc1Zz09OjpaakJLV0dWNGVtNUtPR2RHVlRKVFFtRnlNV292ZHowOQ%3D%3D?utm_source%3Demail&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=newstrack&utm_term=29448799&utm_source=Sailthru
and both are affronts to common sense and what everyone knows is the truth. Add to that the drive to, for want of a better word, "woke-sexualize" grade school curricula and other excesses, and you can see how people who'd been cowed into quiet acquiescence are finally screaming "enough!"
That's how it gets better.
Fascism is not right wing. It never has been. Fascism, as both Hitler and Mussolini have explained in writing, is socialism. The tweak that fascist leaders make to differentiate themselves from run of the mill Marxists was to leave the means of production in the hands of tightly regulated and controlled cronies. Hitler dictated what could be produced, where it could be produced, who could produce it. The state dictated prices, wages, and sales.
The fiction that fascism is right wing is a purposeful disinformation campaign from the left. Read Mein Kampf and the writings of Mussolini. You have fallen into the leftist trap.
The actual end of the right wing spectrum is anarchy, not rewarmed socialism.
I've made the same point about fascism being a left-of-center ideology many times here, but it remains that, over on the other side of the Atlantic, it's labeled "right wing."
Here's just one of many: http://www.therootsofliberty.com/ultra-right-wing
Part of the reason is that the definitions of "left" and "right" are different over here than over there. The left-right spectrum in American political talk includes degree of control of matters economic by government. The European far-right is characterized by extreme nationalism, distrust of immigrants, and similar "national purity" arguments. There are some in America who embrace those views as well, and while I believe they are few, and we all know they're a universally reviled fringe, the Left is trying to make major political hay out of them.
It's obvious to me that our Left, which is often denounced for being socialistic, is more fascist than socialist in matters of economics and government control. They don't want to nationalize industries, because then they'd have to run them. They're fine leaving ownership in private hands, so that the down side risk is not on the government. But, "fascist" is widely aimed at everyone but them, moderate or far-conservative, and while we can argue against the word's application in that fashion, I think it's more effective to call them out for being fascists.
https://therootsofliberty.substack.com/p/self-hating-fascism
Great piece!
Another opportunity for an Inigo Montoya moment for the masses regarding the words: fascist, fascists, and fascism.
Oh, they've got that sorted out. It's "anyone I don't like."
https://therootsofliberty.substack.com/p/self-hating-fascism
It’s infuriating they are too lazy to learn and use language accurately and with precision, instead of just making the same mouth noises for anything found to not align with their values (and I used that term loosely). I’m hoping the result will be similar to an overplayed song on the radio which is soon disliked and forgotten. Then, perhaps, the song will also be “fascist” or “fascism,” but hope with the passing of time they might learn how to better articulate their sentiments. Hey, one can hope.
Thanks for the terrific writings Peter. I’m happy to have found you once again from the early Pigs and Sheep days (Lev pointed me here).
Happy you're here.
The Left is getting its comeuppance, despite the massive water-carrying by Big Media and Big Tech.
The Dems have totally lost their minds in allowing the far-left to take over. They're facing a major rebuke in a week.
https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=260347&post_id=81775299&utm_source=post-email-title&isFreemail=true&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxNDA0Njk3NiwicG9zdF9pZCI6ODE3NzUyOTksImlhdCI6MTY2NzI5NzA2NCwiZXhwIjoxNjY5ODg5MDY0LCJpc3MiOiJwdWItMjYwMzQ3Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.b5LpzM4lbdzrr3sBEgsIsb64jy1r9YAMosg3UTLwUnQ
From your lips to God’s ears. I just read the story about Portland from Bari Weiss’ substack this morning. I’m glad I had a chance to visit Portland back in 2015 before it got to the point of not being able to enjoy a visit. It was already in an advanced state of decay, but am glad I had a chance to experience the city at least once before it became downright dangerous.
The trip was capped off with a return flight sitting by John Malkovich. It appears his daughter was attending college in the area and he flew in with his wife to meet his daughter for his birthday weekend.