Hiding in the Backwaters Just one more blog on the net.

The Fascist State

Not content with vicariously baptizing John Adams a Christian, Ann Coulter has posted a whiny rant about a court system that keeps finding things protected by the Constitution that she feels are not, never were (nor ever should be) "in" the Constitution. Never mind that personal liberty and social responsibility were the pillars upon which the Founding Fathers built this country and framed the document in question. Why is it, do you think, they specifically excluded religion from government? It wouldn't be because of religion's tendency toward dictatorial authority would it?

In her list of "if gay marriage what next?" Ann lists the right to fascism. Since my concept of what fascism actually is is somewhat vague, I did some reading. Turns out the term fascism is, by its very nature, vague. I did find one article I found rather interesting.

In his article "Fascism Anyone?" published in Free Inquriy, Laurence W. Britt identifies fourteen traits common to seven fascist or protofascist regimes that might allow one to apply the admittedly nebulous term "fascism" to each one.

1. Disdain for the importance of human rights. Propaganda was used to marginalize and
   demonize those being targeted, thus convincing the populace at large of the inherent
   "rightness" of their actions.
2. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause. Common "culprits" often being communists,
   socialists, liberals, secularists, and homosexuals.
3. Rampant sexism beyond a simply male-dominated culture. Adamantly anti-abortion
   and homophobic, these regimes usually enjoyed strong support by the orthodox religion of the country.
4. Obsession with national security. Questioning the activities of the national security
   organizations was portrayed as unpatriotic or even treasonous.
5. Religion and ruling elite tied together. Fascist regimes portrayed themselves as militant
   defenders of the dominant religion. Any oppostion to those in power was portrayed as an
   attack on religion.
6. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism.
7. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism.
8. Power of corporations protected.
9. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts.
10. Obsession with crime and punishment.
11. Rampant cronyism and corruption.
12. Fraudulent elections.
13. A controlled mass media.
14. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated.

While Ann does bitch contstanly about the media, I haven't heard her suggest they be government controlled. I haven't read anything about suppressing labor unions either. She does seem to have a problem with this pesky court system that seems hell bent on preserving personal liberty. Still, be careful what you wish for, Ann. Unless the courts find the right to fascism somewhere in the Constitution, your column's days may be numbered.