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FACTS NOT FASCISM

FACTS NOT FASCISM

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

G.O.P.: A lack of quality control

 I have just watched a video on the YouTube channel called Blanco Lirio on the crash of the Pakistani International Airlines plane in Karachi in 2020. The host of the channel, Juan Brown, goes through the entire sequence of events which led to a crash which killed 91 people.  He reports on the written analysis of the causes of the crash, which was made by the authorities.

There were a number of cascading events which were recorded. These eventually led to what is called an unstabilized approach, damage to both engines resulting in loss of power, which then caused the plane to descend and crash into a building.

There are people now who believe that one of the two major parties in the United States is on a dangerous glide path to disaster. One of the causes for the situation is – – to borrow from airline safety jargon — a lack of quality control. We have had another example of this today, according to the New York Times.  It seems that the Senate GOP leader, Mitch McConnell, will not continue in his role after the end of 2024. The New York Times says that a part of the reasoning of McConnell is that he knows he is out of step in his foreign-policy views with the presumed Presidential nominee, Donald Trump.  Putting aside for a moment the major questions about the ability of Trump to run for office under the 14th amendment, this demonstrates that the GOP is putting the needs of one man ahead of all other considerations, including the needs of the American people. What do I mean by this?  This indicates, in effect, that the grand old party cares more about power than it does ethics, or even the safety of the country.

How this plays out, is yet to be seen. But it is clear that the party, and thus the country is in danger of putting into the leadership role of President a man who has openly declared his opposition to the constitution.  This opposition would lead to autocratic government under Trump very soon.  I will have one or two recommendations about actions which can be taken based on many years of following American politics, plus considerable study, reading, and thought. You are cordially invited to return here and check out these recommendations in the near future . 



Friday, February 23, 2024

1932: Year of Decision Has Important Lessons for Today

 

The rise of Hitler was so different from the rise of Franklin Roosevelt as to call into question the very title of this book.  And yet the juxtaposing of these two figures from World War II in their year of ascendancy is taking.

The book alternates chapters between Hitler and Roosevelt.  In this way both figures exist together, yet separately. The choice two different countries made is apparent.  But in America, the United States already had a long history of democracy, whereas Germany's democratic history was short indeed.  Thus, Germany was susceptible to fascism in a way American fascists could only dream of.  

Now, in 2024, we have an ill-informed American public, most persons of which are insufficiently schooled in the the history of the rise of Hitler.  This book helps remedy that lack.  

But even with books like 1932, the right-leaning capitalist media of America with its emphasis on the trivial and superficial, presents American patriots with the task of overcoming the intellectual torpor, and simple ignorance of a very wide swath of the public.  We can only hope and pray that the ground-level efforts of the people will overcome the propaganda front of smoke, and clouds, and mirrors. 

Thursday, February 01, 2024

Journal Suspects AI Used to Generate Post

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Republican victory in 2024 depends on their being able to do this. <a href="https://t.co/uyiyVKsHzK">pic.twitter.com/uyiyVKsHzK</a></p>&mdash; Patrick Ruffini (@PatrickRuffini) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickRuffini/status/1752773165044891904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Cases of Marijuana-induced Illness Have Skyrocketed.


An increase in an unappetizing-sounding illness known as “scromitting” has arisen in certain areas in the wake of legalization of marijuana. This is according to reports.  There is more on this phenomenon at the link below.  


 https://youtu.be/Rx-urUi0mnA?si=m3ti3Eo4I7CQemSV

Thursday, November 30, 2023

A Corporations Is Not a Person

 The statement above proclaims a truth.  And yet to say it can engender confusion.  Still it is no prevarication.

At the link below you will find a most useful article about corporate hijacking of the Constitution.  It may well be one of the most important modern articles on the Constitution,  The idea that a corporation is not a person, but rather a collection of individuals seems straight-forward, most obvious.  

But beyond this, it is a construct clever on the surface, but awkward and nonsensical underneath.  It is a false artifice built upon wishful thinking and opportunism.  

The damage done by this single mirage is truly beyond measure.  As you will see in the article the idea has its logic, but is in reality a skewed idea which absolutely skewers the true meaning of a self-governing people.  


The Constituion Is Not a Person

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

TV News Guest Verifies Cracks in the House of Capitalism

 Quickly --

A knowledgeable guest on one of the right-thinking cable news channels last night spoke about the fissures in the OpenAI organization.  He summarized by saying he had never seen anything like this, and further, the concepts of service mankind (Open AI) v. the goals of capitalism (Microsoft) are in conflict to such a degree that capitalism itself is being threatened.  A most interesting interview.


More details later. 


Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Changing Times

 For the observant to say, the times they are a-changin', is an understatement.  To your author here, the statement is cataclysmic -- for real.

For people all around the world there is a palpable undercurrent of uncertainty, even hostility. This simmering pot is experienced in ever so many ways and places -- Ukraine, Gaza, Africa, the streets of America, and other places. 

As for me, the events of the past weeks and months with their felony charges directed at high-level former officials, wars and rumors of wars, democracies threatened -- mostly from organized right-wing groups -- have meant a pause had to be taken in posting here.  For both the quantity and the quality of such events have verily overwhelmed the ability to keep up.  And, also, a blog sometimes seems hardly an adequate medium for such tumultuous happenings.  So, a re-evaluation is occurring in this office.  It will be interesting to see what comes out of this evaluation.  Stay in touch here for the outcome. 

The Profit System: Denouement

 Coming Soon:

A new series of articles on the decline and fall of the profit system

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Operation Saving Democracy: the newest large pro-democracy organization in the United States

 Former military officers and others form new group to defeat Trumpism


A new group of 500 former U.S. officials have banded together to form what looks to be a powerful group fighting to save democracy and essentially defeat fascism.  Members of the new group Operation Saving Democracy spoke on MSNBC yesterday.  If this trio of highly credentialed speakers is any indication, this new organization is sure to be quite helpful in the effort to stop Trumpism.

Even with such powerful voices, I believe more is needed. First, without in any way excusing the far-right, we need to recognize that the pain and suffering of many Americans has deep roots in historic racism, economic and financial systems which suffocate individuals, as well as the diminution of the authority of major institutions, especially the church.

Let us wish Operation Saving Democracy all the best in their patriotic mission. 


Operation Saving Democracy



Wednesday, September 06, 2023

This Is Your Pilot, Bob Reich

In the video linked to below, former Secretary of Labor, Bob Reich, succinctly and brilliantly explains why airplane travel has become unpleasant — and expensive.  The cost of add-ons for services which were formerly included at no extra charge, has led to higher prices, and frustration.  Yet, Secretary Reich says, the  airline companies are flush with cash.


Informative and entertaining:


https://youtu.be/eTzaMXXelew?si=Kzj71vLcxiXbzopB

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Back to the Basics of Good Behavior

The land of the free has become in many instances The Land of the Free-Wheeling.   At this point, your Musical Patriot is reduced to a review of some "rules" of common courtesy.  Since the American culture doesn't seem to care much for "rules," let us call these guidelines.  Here, then, is a short excerpt from a respected book on simple -- but important -- manners.

 

  A Gentleman Says the Right Thing

______________

 

A gentleman does not brag.

 

_______________

 

A gentleman does not whine. 


_______________


How to Be a Gentleman.  A Timely Guide to Timeless Manners, by John Bridges. Harper Horizon, 2022, p. 95.

 

N.  B.   Any similarity to any living person is not necessarily coincidental.  

 

 

 

 



Friday, August 04, 2023

From the Autocrats' Playbook

 As described in the book Strongmen by Ghiat, the autocrat attempts to set up a political climate in which citizens are afraid to criticize the would-be dictator for fear of what will happen to them if the dictator comes to power.  This hideous tactic used by Hitler, Mussolini, and others, is intimidating and insidious.  All the more reason to openly and strongly oppose the presumptuous tyrant. 

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Saturday Morning Cartoon

Popeye for President 


Surprise special.  Guess who Bluto represents;  and Popeye.

Enjoy!


Item is listed as in the public domain.

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Franklin Roosevelt's words are important (and much needed) now.

 If American democracy ceases to move forward as a living force, seeking day and night by peaceful means to better the lot of our citizens, fascism will grow in strength in our land.

                                                                                -- Franklin Roosevelt, November 4, 1938

      Let us begin this task of ceaseless work of vigilance and opposition to intolerance.                                                         


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Bill Clinton Warns on Rising Nationalism

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