Fascist America, in 10 easy steps. Can you deny it?

Question

1. Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy
2. Create a gulag
3. Develop a thug caste
4. Set up an internal surveillance system
5. Harass citizens' groups
6. Engage in arbitrary detention and release
7. Target key individuals
8. Control the press
9. Dissent equals treason
10. Suspend the rule of law

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2064157,00.html

I'm curious to know who else agrees with this. What's your argument against? Please read the article before responding, thanks.

"You say "tomato", I say "tomatoe"... Conspiracy theory? How so?

Again, I'm really interested in a substantial response to this.

Dead Marxist: I never mentioned anything about Nazis or Hitler.

As per your argument: "For example, there is a tradition in many newsgroups and other Internet discussion forums that once such a comparison is made, the thread is finished and whoever mentioned the Nazis has automatically "lost" whatever debate was in progress."

... I suppose that would mean that you 'lost' this debate?

sshazzam: Please go back through and actually read the article. You're mischaracterizing a LOT.

1) Author does not say this; she says that it is exaggerated and hyped and compares our situation to Spain.

2) Gitmo, CUBA -- American soil, but Constitution does not apply; the author's whole point, it's a political loophole. (Let's call a spade a spade, shall we?)

3) "A thug caste... that would imply..." The author did not even come close to saying that. You're "implying" things just aren't true.

4) The author never claims this is the first time in American history we have had surveillance.

5) "Groups being harrassed"... Have you been to anti-War rally recently? How can you honestly know unless you believe eyewitness accounts or have been there yourself?

6) How can you ignore this?

7) Refer to #5 & also ask yourself where you get your news. From multiple sources or only a few?

8) "There is on 'control of the press'"... Most ludicrous thing I have ever heard on Y! Answers; again, are you in denial?

9) Fox News has numerous examples. Watch the Republican debates? Candidate Ron Paul was called a terrorist sympathizer by Guiliani. Why? Paul questioned our presence in Iraq.

10. "Freakin' retarded"? Taking a wild guess here, but I'd bet that Naomi Wolf has probably written more articles than you have as syndicated journalist. (i.e. she has facts that back up HER content.)

Answer 1

Scary isn't it?

But what Ms. Wolfe doesn't mention, and most "thinktank" types haven't figured out yet, is that many of the first steps in these paths to Facism started with Reagan's War on Drugs.

That is when it became not just legal, but accepted, to pull over a car and tear it apart looking for drugs. Why? Well just to punish the "bad" people and keep the "good" people safe.

Sneak n' peeks were not just allowed, but encouraged.

The balance of power turned and police became able to break the law to catch the dealers. Most don't realize that prior to the mid 80s the cops were not allowed to break the law to catch a criminal. Now they can bring the drugs to your home, encourage you to smoke with them, then arrest you for the delivery & purchase. How is it that we cannot see the folly in this?

Neighbors were encouraged to narc on neighbors.

Propaganda machines (Just Say No and DARE) were fired up in the schools to indoctrinate the youth into the "evils". (side note: they are now doing the same thing with guns, the one thing left that can keep us free and our government is turning the youth against the Constitutionally demanded Right to Bear Arms).

I tried to speak out back in the 80s but the tide of the sheep wanting to be "safe" was just too great. The same thing is happening now with this War on Terror.

Safety is an illusion, no one can ever truly be safe. Humans have been radical and terroristic since the beginnings of time, laws cannot regulate them out of existance, yet we are trying.

Every day I grow more and more fearful of what we are becoming, my fear is I won't be able to leave once the sh*t really hits the fan.

My only prayer is that the recession will force those of us with brains to start questioning the motives behind the laws. But until our children are starving and we are living in tents, I doubt that enough of us will have the courage, or the brain power, to realize what is going on.

Scary days are here my friend, scary, scary days.

Answer 2

Caca.
1. If you don't think the threats from the muslims are real look around the world. They tell you they are peaceful as they wipe our blood off their hands. They are all a bunch of lying, evil devils out to invoke the end of the world.

2. There are two kinds of law concerning the US and there always has been. Military law was created for circumstances outside of typical circumstances within our own country. The prisoners being held in Cuba fall under military law and can not be prosecuted under our federal laws because they are not citizens of the US.
3. A thug caste...that would imply that within our borders we have a group of people running around that are free from the law. Blackwater does not fall into this catagory. They are simply a security contractor just like Securitas or Event Staff as concerts except they work overseas. Just like any big business the US has sought to cut corners to save money. Hiring contractor s is one way to do it, but they are not free from the rules of our nation or military law.
4. If you think there has never been an internal surveillance system you are wrong. BUT do to the freedoms that we have in this country and that we welcome people from all over the world people that mean to do us harm can also walk in. Surveillance internally needs to happen for safety. IF we didn't have militant muslims that want to kill everyone we wouldn't need interal security.
5. "groups being harrassed"... come on. People are still free to gather and say what they want in this country. But if your actions are leading up to violence then I want to know. I have a family and I want protection and peace, not a bunch of crazed paranoid freaks trying to blow up my daughters school to make a point. THe agents that supposedly have "infiltrated" all these groups well let us know what you are up to.
7. target key individuals... OMG Ya know if there are key individuals that are trying to do harm to our well being then axe em! Send to cuba, whatever. NEXT
8. There is no "control of the press." That is paranoid to think that the USA is controling all reporters from all over the world and making them say what we want. Iraq is a dangerous place right now. Some people are going to get shot, even reporters. If a person is acting suspiciously or even in the wrong place at the wrong time then yes they are going to be questioned. So freakin what.
9. Are you joking? That is a gross interpretation of the facts. If there is evidence that indicates you are involved in terrorist activities then yes you, or any citizen can be arrested, etc. Here is a clue...It is ok to voice your opinions against the government, it is ok to voice your displeasure in the president, but if you start talking about or plaing on harming people to make your point then by all means arrest them please, and be rough about it. I am talking pepper spray, concussion grenades, cuff dragging...whatever.

10. OMG the "National Guard" can now help out someone in a different state? Who ever wrote this is freakin retarded? That is considered suspension of law? The whole point of NATIONAL guard is to be domestic guardians. The president has always had the power to call up the Guard units in time of emergency. All they did was edit some words to make their scope of assistance greater given the greater threats that are being made against us.

This whole article is BS.

One thing you conspiracy theorists forget all the time is that there is a balance between freedom and safety. If you want to be free we need to protect ourselves internally and externally from those that want to do us harm and will take advantage of our freedoms to do it.
Although I don't like how Bush has done somethings I am 100% for the USA, freedom, voting, and peace and I will not tolerate anyone that wants to take that from me, my family or my countrymen,

Answer 3

People will always call something a conspiracy theory without having the slightest notion that just because you call it a conspiracy theory doesn't mean that there is no truth in the theory. Hello Sangria I agree with you. You may find by blog entry on this rather interesting.

"Has America Become A Facsist Nation?"

http://undertheradarmedia.blogspot.com/2007/11/has-america-become-fascist-nation.html

Answer 4

Okay Sangria that question it's a good one to give power of opinion.
The journalist that wrote that opinion text it's probably a man that think against the big AMERICA (US) and fortunately he can write what he think here and in America as well so the 8th point it's broken.
Of course all Muslims people agreed with you. I DON'T.

Answer 5

There is a protocol called Godwin's Law. It states that, during an online discussion, the first person to draw an analogy with Nazi Germany automatically loses the argument. It is a rule that exists in academia, journalism and even politics.

I hereby invoke Godwin's Law. You lose!

Answer 6

It is a conspiracy theory, well written & researched by a conspiracy theorist, who believes it is true and apparently has alot of time on his hands, but not much in his head.

If enough people like yourself read into such nonsence it has a snowball effect & more believe it so it gains false credability; see 911, moon landing, Roswell UFO, JFK assassination, New World Order, "Paul is dead", high fructose corn syrup(ouch!) ect, ect.

Answer 7

Anarchist America in one easy step:

1.) Ignore terrorist threats to society

Answer 8

I agree with you - here is a great link. Check this out:

http://www.lookingglassnews.org/viewstory.php?storyid=6485

Answer 9

Where did you get Hillary's plan for America?

Answer 10

I don't agree, thank you. I live in the real world.