McCarthyism alive and well...

[jj]

Those who don't remember McCarthy are doomed to misuse his name.

Oh, I remember the man, I remember him speaking, etc. Yeah, I was pretty young.

Let's see, now we can put the 'evildoers' into Gitmo for as long as we want.

What's the difference, corps? No, it's not the same excuse, it's "islam" instead of "communist" but we have a whole bunch of people advocating that Obama is a socialist (nothing he's said is remotely close to socialism), bow wow woof woof.

And we know that "godless" and "atheist" are two of the strongest hatewords in the country. Dole aside, just look at national polls and what they say, atheists are not good americans, they can not be trusted, etc.

The real witchhunt hasn't come yet, and may not, thanks to this election.

 

[gtc]

it's "islam" instead of "communist"

Its not Islam that is the enemy. Who is suggesting that it is?

 

[jj]

Its not Islam that is the enemy. Who is suggesting that it is?

Uh, you don't read much news, or hear what the middle of the US thinks much, do you?

Bear in mind that the idea isn't mine...

 

[gtc]

But you aren't talking about 'middle America'; you are talking about government actions when you mentioned 'Gitmo'.

 

[Shadowdweller]

Republicans are still under the misperception that America loves rugged individualism and isn't a country of people looking for handouts paid for by other people.

Which no doubt explains the long history of corporate welfare. Oh wait...

 

[Architect]

I am pretty sure fascism is thrown around in Europe in a similar way and the old caricature of the European lefty complaining about 'anglo-saxon' or 'bourgouise' Economic or cultural values.

I'm pretty sure you're wrong, I'm afraid.

 

[Almo]

People have gotten all hung up on Volatile's use of "McCarthyism."

That issue aside, the question here is why people are content to dismiss something because it's labelled "socialist" without even learning the details of what's being labelled that way.

What labels get used to smear things from the right? I've heard people call Bush "fascist," which seems at least semi-appropriate given his stance on privacy/due process issues.

 

[Beerina]

People have gotten all hung up on Volatile's use of "McCarthyism."

That issue aside, the question here is why people are content to dismiss something because it's labelled "socialist" without even learning the details of what's being labelled that way.

What labels get used to smear things from the right? I've heard people call Bush "fascist," which seems at least semi-appropriate given his stance on privacy/due process issues.

Fascism is socialism with strong nationalism. They both have nominally private businesses with massive controls by the state.

Privacy and due process can be problems for fascism or socialism. Witness some European countries legally silencing certain opinions that power-hungry politicians direct The People's hatred against are deemed inappropriate or dangerous. They just don't use The Motherland as the stir stick. They use The People or For The Good Of The People instead. The base outrage chemistry is the same.

 

[Gurdur]

... Witness some European countries legally silencing certain opinions that power-hungry politicians direct The People's hatred against are deemed inappropriate or dangerous. They just don't use The Motherland as the stir stick. They use The People or For The Good Of The People instead. The base outrage chemistry is the same.

Some day, Beerina, you really should visit "Europe" and actually learn something about the place. It would broaden your mind a hell of a lot.

I know, I believe in rationality, sanity and skepticism, and shame on me for trying to force facts on you, and interfering with your jihad; but hey, don't you think you really could try getting some new conversational topics, preferably ones with a tiny bit more grasp of reality?

 

[1337m4n]

Meh, calling people Communists is just a way of calling people Nazis without anyone invoking Godwin's Law upon you.