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Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Fascism Must Be Recognized
We Must Be Alert To Rise Of Fascism
BY HOWARD J. BLITZ
Jun 22, 2005
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Fascism is not a four-letter word, but it might as well be. As defined in Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, fascism is totalitarianism marked by forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry and commerce, and bellicose nationalism. The means of production might be privately owned, but are in effect controlled by government edict.
Fascism reflects the constant use of patriotic mottoes, slogans, symbols, songs and other paraphernalia, and flags are seen everywhere including flag symbols on clothing. Fascism uses fear and the need for security as its motivating force to persuade individuals that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of “need.” Fascism rallies individuals into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived threat whether it is racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, conservatives, liberals, communists, socialists or any other group.
Fascism controls the privately-owned media through government regulation. Fascism uses the most common religion in a nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to a fascist government’s policies and/or actions. Fascism does not tolerate different points of view and therefore it is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested and free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.
It is likely the Patriot Act will be renewed this year.
It allows the government to monitor religious and political institutions — even without suspecting criminal activity — to assist in terror investigations.
It allows prosecution of librarians or other keepers of records if they tell anyone that the government subpoenaed information in a terrorism investigation.
It allows monitoring of federal prison conversations between attorneys and clients and denies attorneys to individuals accused of crimes.
It allows search and seizure of an individual’s papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigations.
And it allows individuals to be jailed indefinitely without a trial and without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them.
It behooves all individuals to know and understand what fascism is and to be able to recognize it when it raises its ugly head or it begins to be raised.
Government officials always state that their actions are in the best interest of the individual. However, it was government officials who stated that the Social Security number would never be used for identification. Today, no one can accomplish much without using that number.
Government officials also told individuals in 1913 that the income tax would only affect the wealthy. Today, the income tax impacts all income levels.
Fascism must be recognized for what it is — government control of all human activity — and it must be recognized when it begins to exist or else the light of individual liberty could be snuffed out.
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The Freedom Library Education and Scholarship Program begins again Aug. 16 at two locations, the Freedom Library in Yuma and Antelope High School in Wellton. The Freedom Library now offers two adult scholarships in addition to the one academic and the two instructional seminar scholarships for those in grade eight through sophomore in college. Contact The Freedom Library at 726-8050 or go to the Web site www.freedomlibrary.org for more information and registration procedures.
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Howard J. Blitz is a local libertarian and president of The Freedom Library Inc., 2435 S. 8th Ave. His e-mail address is info@freedomlibrary.org
Posted at 04:03 pm by R7fel
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