9
POPSHe Never Played The Fear Card "Underscoring the power of fighting fearmongers without resorting to fearmongering, the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche issued this warning with which I close. "Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. In reminding his fellow Americans that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, President Roosevelt sought to make us less vulnerable to our enemies, not more like them."
5
POPSThey Thought They Were Free 4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized. 5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution. 6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common. 7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
6
POPS14 DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS OF FASCISM
Supremacy of the Military Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized. * Rampant Sexism The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy. * Controlled Mass Media Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common. * Obsession with National Security Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses. * Religion and Government are Intertwined Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in th
8
POPSWhy good teachers quit (hint: it's not just "burnout") This is a point I've made over and over again -- we live in a society that does not value education, period. We might pay lip service to the work teachers do, but at the same time, Americans tend to look down on teaching as a profession for "nice" people without a lot of ambition. They're not respected by students, by parents, by school administrators, or by the culture at large, and teachers are frequently used as convenient scapegoats for a whole range of societal failures. No wonder good people decide not to stay.
4
POPSFascism USA ---14 Points 2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc. 3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc. 4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized. 5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, tradition
4
POPS Dance of the Straw-men Consider the rhetorical straw-men that he marshals in speech after speech. Always divisive, always Alinsky-like, always agitating, the masterful community organizer can't help himself. On Health Care (03-05-2009): "...today, there are those who say On Taxes (09-26-2008): "...we all would love to lower taxes on everybody. But here's the problem: If we are giving them to oil companies, then that means that there are those who are not going to be getting them..." On Abortion : (09-01-2008) "...Choice is about how we lead our lives. It’s about our families and about our communities. It’s about our daughters and whether they’re going to have the same opportunities as our sons. There are those who want us to believe otherwise..." I'll be frank. I'm sick of his use of Alinsky's tactics. Always dividing, always creating straw-men, always creating scapegoats. Never once appreciating the wonder of individualism, of liberty, of our founders.
10
POPSThe Abu Ghraib We Cannot See "Photographs can’t show us that the real bad apples were at the top of the civilian chain of command in Washington, but that is what we need to know — or, rather, since we’ve known it and gone along with it for a long time, that is what we need to come to terms with now.
7
POPSDems Desperately Trying To Cut and Run From “Torture” Debate Now they’re trying to run away from the topic lest it get more press that they knew about “torture” and railed against it. Worse yet, if the press starts to look at who knew what/when…people might see that yeah, Democrats KNEW about pre-war intel on Iraq, and it wasn’t a case of Bushliedpeopledied (the timeline is 100% clear on this as are the bi-partisan investigations and reports). People might actually realize that Sen Rockefeller misled about a lack of WMD threat because he KNEW what was found. Sen Levin misled about regime ties to Al Queda because he’d been briefed too. All these briefings took place around the same time the torture briefings did. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=227326&title=waffle-house Waffle House Nancy Pelosi denies knowledge of harsh interrogation techniques before slowly parsing her unequivocal denial of never being told.
13
POPSSomeone tell Obama: Americans did not cause the financial crisis, the world's central banks did
"Every economic bust demands scapegoats. And you can always bet your bottom dollar that politicians and journalists will be the ones leading the mob. (One need only recall the Democrats' recent efforts at whipping up hatred against bankers for confirmation of this dismal fact). But all said and done, you can never beat a good conspiracy story. And that is basically what Simon Johnson* has given us. According to this brilliant student of economic history America is facing elite business interests — financiers, in the case of the U.S. — played a central role in creating the crisis, making ever-larger gambles, with the implicit backing of the government, until the inevitable collapse. More alarming, they are now using their influence to prevent precisely the sorts of reforms that are needed, and fast, to pull the economy out of its nosedive. The government seems helpless, or unwilling, to act against them. (The Quiet Coup, The Atlantic, May 2009). "
4
POPS The Clever Manipulation of Projection and Paranoia 
OBAMA AND THE NEO-MARXIST LEFT In order to achieve his collectivist agenda, Obama and the left need a scapegoat. Watch and see who is being scapegoated and you will understand what is now happening in this country. To maintain popular support, the dedicated socialist "needs voters to stay angry at designated class enemies. When all else fails, they will crank up the hate and the projection ; and "turn feral with frightening speed." Obama will attempt to preserve the illusion of private enterprise, even as he demonizes entrepreneurs and scapegoats them to avoid having the federal government accept its own role in the current economic crisis. Through the clever use of projection and paranoia; by scapegoating the productive and the wealthy, Obama's government will grow bigger and more powerful and never have to take responsibility for the worsening state of the economy. The necessary scapegoats are in place...let the show trials commence! via Dr.Zero's astute observation
10
POPSBush vow, 2003: US will prosecute torture, cruelty In a proclamation on UN day supporting victims of torture, Bush vowed to prosecute any such acts. The CIA called the White House to complain, having been authorized by Bush to do what he was publicly promising to prosecute.
3
POPSAbu Ghraib Prison Guards Claim They were Scapegoated The last I knew, it's not a defense in the military to engage in activity that one knows or should have known to be illegal. So I don't see what the defense would be for the convicted and incarcerated guards who tortured people at the Abu Ghraib prison. That they were scapegoated as a "few bad apples," however, goes without saying. But it was transparently clear that these guards were enacting extant policy. These guards deserve their consequences for their actions. But they should be joined in prison by those who ordered, approved and created the torture policies they enacted.
4
POPS Fourteen Defining Characteristics Of Fascism These are all obvious and we have been seeing them allover our faces in the news. Sometimes things are so clearly on our faces that we look past them. Awareness of his fact should bring us to an alert position. Scrutinize the whys and when anything is said and done for our consumption and idea forming tool. We are affected by all that we see and hear and sometimes, if it is repeated enough, people take if for the truth. Unfortunately, we are at a point in this era that we have to pause and question, for most politicians have proven to be liers, traitors, lascivious sinners and have come short of the ideal as role models. It is becoming dangerous trend not only with politicians but sports idols and entertainment people. Are they a reflection of us, we have to ask.. I guess this rant is not only about fascism but fr all that seems to be going wrong in the world.
1
POPS“Money Mischief.” Classic 1992 book lays out gov''ts current response to melt down
Amazingly, what Friedman described is exactly what is happening today. Obama and the Democrats are unwilling to cut spending and be fiscally responsible, and instead will massively increase the money supply — which inevitably leads to inflation. Skarica writes, “We are seeing this phenomenon unfold right now before our very eyes.” Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said there is no problem with inflation, declaring on March 10, "We do think inflation will be low over the next couple of years." And just this week, it was announced the Fed pumped another $1.2 trillion into the economy! Bernanke surely knows what Friedman explained in “Money Mischief” — that it takes at least a year after the massive expansion of the money supply for inflation to rear its ugly head. And Bernanke is well aware, as Friedman so artfully explains, that inflation causes a brutal economic “hangover,” making things actually worse in the long run. Sadly, our biggest problem today is not the
0
POPSHey, YO! You Two Presidentes! Heads Up!
With the CDO architects (Rubin & Co.) tasked with "fixing" the crap they created while reminding you who the supposed "real" culprits (scapegoats) are ("failed policies", "8 yrs.". "blah,blah"), and while the gentle daddy rubs your tummy while overseeing the setup for the final Big Pop and Crumble, orating in tones of gentle thunder that render you passive before serving you the Kool-Aid, will our Jim Jones be perceiving threats in a sensible way? Nationalistic Anti-Capitalism (i.e. Chavez) is probably not fully aware that the job is done. Global Financial Socialists soon to begin the 21st year of the Bush/Clinton Puppet Regime have already lit the fuse. Oby needs to get the word to actors like these ~~~>> that they can stand down. THEIR GOALS ARE ONE IN THE SAME! They need just bide their time and America will be diminished to the irrelevant, subservient bit-player JFK and RFK would have NEVER allowed us to become, yet which Teddy and Papa Joseph P. envisioned we must become.
4
POPSVatican calls for psych tests to weed out gays The Vatican is so deep into denial about their own problems, that once again they have decided to continue slandering gays in order to exonerate themselves of responsibility for their own unnatural beliefs.
0
POPSInnocent Govt Bailing out Evil Industry=NOT ! Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002, placing some very stringent, inappropriate, and inflexible reporting rules on financial institutions. Under this law, financial assets must be valued at fair market value--- even if they are not for sale! The Working Capital Model eliminates this problem entirely, but it is difficult to apply when the individual securities are not identifiable. More than 95% of Americans are making their mortgage payments right on schedule, yet there is no market for the financial products that contain these mortgages. Consequently, balance sheets reflect trillions of dollars less than the maturity value of the securities held by the financial institutions.
3
POPSSen Coburn Says Root Of The Problem Is Political Greed In Congress .....members of Congress chose to ignore the problem and distract themselves with unprecedented amounts of pork-barrel spending.” “Taxpayers who want to ensure that this doesn’t happen again should send a very clear message to Washington that it’s time for Congress to live within its means and restore the principles of limited government and free markets that made this country great. I will do everything in my power to ensure that this bill does not lead us down a slippery slope of European style socialism and slow economic growth. I will also promise taxpayers that I will do everything in my power to block what I expect will be hundreds of attempts by politicians in Washington to continue business-as-usual borrowing and spending in the next Congress. In a time of crisis, American families have to make hard choices between budget priorities. So should Congress."
2
POPSShorting history Good article outlining the history of placing the blame on the shorts - not on the problem stocks or the market issues underlying what the shorts are betting against.
0
POPSNine Salmonella Victims Ate at One Chain... ``The restaurant is not the problem,'' said FDA spokeswoman Julie Zawisza in an e-mail today. ``The tomatoes are.'' Poor tomatos! Scapegoats like these always at the hand. Underpaid, haunted kitchen workers are only one part of problem, another - management in restaurants and overall culture of processing food. Wash your hands with soap, rinse your tomato without soap or brush - don't get crazy and enjoy off this wonderful gift of nature.
4
POPSSenate Democrats Offer Energy Plan Amid Price Surge Now, why would they want to "...consolidate previous failed attempts"? :~( No real solutions here; just bandaids, blaming, and blustering. How long will it be before Congress gets the message that WE are serious about these energy problems? Just like everything else, our legislative branch of government talks forever and all the while accomplishing nothing until it's a Crisis? Then they look to their typical scapegoats instead of looking towards themselves.
0
POPSRescuing The Rust Belt.................. by Thomas Sowell Japanese auto makers like Toyota and Honda are hiring thousands of American workers. But they are not hiring them in the rust belts. They are avoiding the rust belts, just as domestic businesses are avoiding the high costs that have been piled on over the years by both unions and governments in the rust belt regions. Where does NAFTA come into the picture? International trade is just one of the many ways in which the competition of lower cost producers can cause higher cost producers to lose customers and jobs. Jobs are always disappearing. The big question is why they are not being replaced by new jobs. Rust belt policies that drove out old jobs also keep out new jobs. NAFTA makes it easier for politicians to blame the problem on foreigners. In fact, foreigners make ideal scapegoats for politicians. After all, people in Japan or India can't vote in American elections.
4
POPSNo End in sight for soaring art market What do you do when you know cash is going to take a dive. You buy hard assets. Gold,Property, a spread of stable currencies, and Art. Then when the dive comes, you can buy bank books for 5c in the dollar. The US economy is likely to crash, and the Republicans who 'control' the money will try to use the democrats as scapegoats. The designers of the crash, are waiting to use it to their full advantage. Shame they can't take it with them.
2
POPSMarine Lawyer Alleges Military Injustices Although we don't agree on every issue, Lt. Col. Colby Vokey sound as if he is a man of principal that I could respect. It's too bad he thinks the military justice system is so broken he must leave the Marine Corps.
0
POPSMirror Quotes That last quote needs to be rightly applied using the law of three. Context is everything. It is foolish for the lamb surrounded by wolves to see other sheep. Neither ought one fall into hedgemony amongst the innocent, there by not seeing their true hearts. As happens to persecuted peoples. It is important to distinguish. To never see evil or danger where it exists is dangerous and makes one prey. On the other extreme, to witch hunt makes one an evil persecutor that scapegoats innocents. The key is to never go to either extreme. The middle path, and seeing the whole picture. Light and shadow. Good and evil. And all the degrees between. In context of all players involved. The law of three is key.
3
Pops
Newest Clips
Latest Comments
Most Pops
Print
Save
Turn on live update