PROMETHEAN ANTAGONIST

For all their references to "Fascists" "Nazis," and "right-wing extremists," did you ever notice that the neocomm left never really gets too worked up over real Fascists, Nazis, or right wing extremists? Their ultimate boogeyman (or women) are the likes of George Bush, Rush Limbaugh, or Sarah Palin et.al. People who believe in the founders establishment of limited constitutional government are "like the Nazis." I sometimes think that real Nazis aren't or weren't of much concern to the Jacobin left. After all, during the rise of Mussolini and Hitler, sympathetic voices could be found among many intellectuals on the far left (prior to WWII). To them, fascism and Nazism were just other philosophies that, although flawed, saw the evils of unbridled bourgeois thinking.Their main concern -- fear -- has always been free markets and free ideas. Looking at party platforms and anti-capitalist rhetoric of the time, one would be hard pressed to discern real differences between National Socialists, Black Shirts, and garden variety Marxian "worker" parties. Oh, they all disagreed on the fine points; nationalism vs. internationalism, racism vs. classism...red vs. brown. But, nothing heats up a statist's hatred more than run-of-the-mill centrists who believe in such antiquated institutions like family and a quaint abode beyond the reach of the local party official. It was the consevative "war-mongers" that looked with the greatest suspicion at communism's kindered spirits in statism.

So it is today; the Chomskys, Howard Zinns, and Michael Moores reserve their most fervent vitriol for...Republicans (the horror). You'd think Bill O'Reilly was Heinrich Himmler. No doubt, the left today doesn't really like Nazis (real ones) or fascists (unless they're Chinese or soft-sell corporatist like the current far left/right...who knows what, statist in chief). But, again, you'll seldom hear real concern about any state or group that really is Nazi or fascist in temperament. Cut people's heads off to scare acceptance of a theological police state - one free pass. Rig elections, seize private property, turn schools into indoctrination centers - nothing to see here. Demand that the state and regulation be confined to reasonable constitutional limits and, "what, are you some kind of Nazi or something!?"

It's not the Nazis they hate, it's only if you're, "like a Nazi." - go figure.

# posted by Promethean Antagonist @ 5:06 PM