by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has a guest editorial in today's New York Times which delves into the subject of fascism. It is ominously entitled "Will We Stop Trump Before It's Too Late?"
Secretary Albright begins her opinion piece with a quick recap of the deaths of Benito Mussolini and Adolph Hitler in April of 1945 - two days apart - which she describes as the apparent death of fascism. (Although some purists might point out that Generalissimo Francisco Franco held on for thirty more years until his death from old age - and, as Chevy Case would remind us - he is still dead today!) This long period of anti-fascism which followed the end of World War II witnessed an advancement in human rights and a spreading of democracy.
But, as we are all aware, human rights and democratic tendencies are beginning to be tamped down and extinguished around the globe. Secretary Albright catalogues a list of countries where leaders are openly focused on amassing more power and control over their people, and, not surprisingly, she ends her litany by focusing on Donald Trump
That said, Secretary Albright pivots to the real purpose of her editorial - to posit some suggestions which a responsible citizenry can employ to fight the rise of fascism here in America. Her three-pronged approach includes:
Trump is a person focused on material things that, to him, magnify his magnificence - things like luxurious hotels that bear his name and endless photo-ops standing and reviewing troops who have been compelled to perform for the P.T. Barnum of the Potomac. His presidency is the greatest show on earth - and he's the greatest showman.
It's a bit of pomp, a dollop of pageantry, and a whole lot of Berlin circa 1933. Secretary Albright urges us to recognize the Trump reign for what it is, an unapologetic drift, or perhaps march, into fascism, and to get busy and derail this movement while we still have the democratic machinery available to get that job done.
To paraphrase an old right-wing bumper sticker: Fight fascism until hell freezes over, and then fight on the ice.
Defend democracy by registering to vote - and then voting!
The power of the ballot must reign supreme.
Citizen Journalist
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has a guest editorial in today's New York Times which delves into the subject of fascism. It is ominously entitled "Will We Stop Trump Before It's Too Late?"
Secretary Albright begins her opinion piece with a quick recap of the deaths of Benito Mussolini and Adolph Hitler in April of 1945 - two days apart - which she describes as the apparent death of fascism. (Although some purists might point out that Generalissimo Francisco Franco held on for thirty more years until his death from old age - and, as Chevy Case would remind us - he is still dead today!) This long period of anti-fascism which followed the end of World War II witnessed an advancement in human rights and a spreading of democracy.
But, as we are all aware, human rights and democratic tendencies are beginning to be tamped down and extinguished around the globe. Secretary Albright catalogues a list of countries where leaders are openly focused on amassing more power and control over their people, and, not surprisingly, she ends her litany by focusing on Donald Trump
"with his oft-vented scorn for democracy’s building blocks, (he) has strengthened the hands of dictators. No longer need they fear United States criticism regarding human rights or civil liberties. On the contrary, they can and do point to Mr. Trump’s own words to justify their repressive actions."
That said, Secretary Albright pivots to the real purpose of her editorial - to posit some suggestions which a responsible citizenry can employ to fight the rise of fascism here in America. Her three-pronged approach includes:
- defending the truth by standing up for a free press;
- emphasizing the fact that no one - even the president - is above the law; and,
- energizing the democratic process by registering voters, listening respectfully to people with whom we disagree, knocking on doors for favored candidates, and ignoring cynics who downplay the effectiveness of voting.
"To me, greatness goes a little deeper than how much marble we put in our hotel lobbies and whether we have a Soviet-style military parade. America at its best is a place where people from a multitude of backgrounds work together to safeguard the rights and enrich the lives of all. That’s the example we have always aspired to set and the model people around the world hunger to see. And no politician, not even one in the Oval Office, should be allowed to tarnish that dream."
Trump is a person focused on material things that, to him, magnify his magnificence - things like luxurious hotels that bear his name and endless photo-ops standing and reviewing troops who have been compelled to perform for the P.T. Barnum of the Potomac. His presidency is the greatest show on earth - and he's the greatest showman.
It's a bit of pomp, a dollop of pageantry, and a whole lot of Berlin circa 1933. Secretary Albright urges us to recognize the Trump reign for what it is, an unapologetic drift, or perhaps march, into fascism, and to get busy and derail this movement while we still have the democratic machinery available to get that job done.
To paraphrase an old right-wing bumper sticker: Fight fascism until hell freezes over, and then fight on the ice.
Defend democracy by registering to vote - and then voting!
The power of the ballot must reign supreme.
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