Thursday, November 29, 2007
New Look
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Political Illiteracy
In his December 1990 report Right Woos Left, Chip Berlet of Political Research Associates examined neo-fascist overtures to antiwar activists, and the need to confront rightist ideologies and bigotry by discussing the dilemmas posed by the transfusion of right-wing theories and research into progressive circles. Based on these discussions, Mr. Berlet wrote the book Right-Wing Populism in America, which focuses on the roots of scapegoating conspiracism in the U.S. and how it is used to mobilize social and political movements. In November of 1993, he developed an analysis of the relationship between various forms of populism and fascism and the relevance of these movements to the candidacies of Buchanan, Perot & Le Pen.
A decade later, these same problems resurfaced in American antiwar circles whose academic discussions had been penetrated by poisonous ideas promulgated by LaRouchians and other anti-Jewish groups. More recently, organizations like Sierra Club went through soul-searching shakedowns as a result of White Christian Nationalist infiltration attempting to subvert their board into supporting anti-immigrant legislation. All of which points up the need for greater academic rigor and integrity in the face of the ongoing onslaught of fascist propositions promoted by nativists such as Pat Buchanan and the bastions of pseudo scholars that support him.
As author Sara Diamond observed, “After years of living as an anti-administration anti-establishment subculture, many in the progressive movement know what they are against, but have lost sight of what they stand for. This leaves persons susceptible to allying with anyone else that attacks the government. This happened against a backdrop of political illiteracy."
By exposing irrationalist philosophies, racialist aesthetics, and anti-capitalist demagogy, writers like Berlet and Diamond assert we can have this discussion without uncritically circulating the conspiratorial scapegoating fantasies of the far right. As Monique Doryland of the Bay Area Pledge of Resistance noted, “We have to be clear as progressive people that fascists, no matter what their camouflage, are not our friends."
“The dilemma for left activists,” says Berlet, “is to sort out the various strains of fascist ideology circulating in the United States and the world. It is a dangerous folly to ignore the threat to democracy posed by critics of the current administration who also promote fascism.”
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Warming Hearts
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Gift of Fellowship
Friday, November 16, 2007
Winter Soldier
For those who wish to help these young people heal from these horrible psychic wounds, Winter Soldier is an occasion for us all to support.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Act Two
As we wrote in our initial coverage of this dramatic enactment on the corrupt campus of Western Washington University, Professor Mills would come out firing with both barrels. On November 21, 2007, the renowned professor will have his day in court. We expect the trial to be every bit as interesting as the administrative procedures that led there.
Supporters of Perry Mills' triumphant return and fight for truth, justice, and the American way have established this blog for those wishing to follow along. We certainly will be.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Revolution and Revelation
-- Itinerary by Octavio Paz
Monday, November 05, 2007
Process of Governance
As such, voting is neither good nor bad; it all depends on the process of governance that determines who gets what and how we participate. Given that criteria, we're slightly more democratic than Russia, which isn't saying much.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Ventilation
