Posted on 01/13/2008 8:15:00 AM PST by Delacon
Goldberg has marshaled a staggering amount of evidence to conclude, as the first chapter has it, that "everything you know about fascism is wrong." Mussolini was weaned on anarcho-socialism (his father Alessandro was a socialist and anarchist). Mussolini and the Italian Fascist party were, in the early years, not anti-Semitic—in fact, the party included Jews. As a young man, Mussolini had carried in his pocket a medallion of Karl Marx, whose influence—combined with the bizarre syndicalist philosophy of George Sorel and a Nietzschean contempt for Christianity—resulted in Italian fascism, a mix of myth-making, prophecy about the rise of the working class, and a relentless determination to aggrandize more and more power for the state. German fascism was not far different, which is why Hitler himself, as Goldberg puts it, was "a man of the left." In short, the very term "fascism" has been misused for decades now. Although on several occasions Goldberg openly invites criticism, admitting that he is not a professional historian, he has done the work of a historian; besides, he is a much better writer than most historians. And the case he makes is as persuasive as it is provocative. Consider Father Charles Coughlin, the "radio priest" of the 1930s, a touchstone of right-wing evil for liberals. It turns out that Coughlin actually advocated collectivist, anti-capitalist theories that were much closer to the left than to the right. Goldberg quotes leftists—among them the "New Deal Priest" Msgr. John Ryan—praising Coughlin. Coughlin became FDR's bitter foe because FDR's collectivist policies did not go far enough. Fascists have often called for the overturning of religious tradition, to be replaced by the dictatorship of the people; have engaged in a "cult of action" that sought to smash the bourgeoisie; and have relegated certain people...
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
This may be worth the time to read.
From the review, I know most about what Goldberg is talking about.
I’d also recommend Peikoff’s book “The Ominous Parallels.” ‘Pod.
As few may know, the full name of the German NAZI party was (in English) “National Socialist German Workers Party” (NSDAP: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei).
“Socialist”... clearly a Leftist organization.
It's simply incredible that so many of the hard core members and supporters of these various movements can turnaround and tell you "we are all different".
They're not.
There’s nothing about being right-of-center in regards to politics if you’re a Fascist.
It’s instructive to review the NSDAP’s platform (political platform?) of demands from 1923 and how similar it is to what the collectivists want today.
I called my local Barnes & Noble yesterday to see if Goldberg’s book was on the shelf yet. It was fun saying the phrase “liberal fascism” to the counter person.
I’m going to buy it.
Nice post.
LOL. You’ve changed my mind. I am not going to order it online at Amazon. There are two Borders located near me. One is near a college campus and the other isn’t. Which one do you think I should go to? Hee hee.
The one by the college campus to converse with the local Commies in training.
At least I would to get a few silent laughs.
Senator Clinton is not so much a progressive fascist but rather a true collectivist. Her stripes vary from town to town bending to the wishes of those in the ‘room’ - she will take from all, especially their successes...you can’t be too successful in the Clinton world......the Senator has done precious little herself in the 35 years she claims to have been ‘working’ for the American people. That is just lie #2,000 or self aggrandizement, more clearly, exploiting for self gain. The Senator has not in eight years in the White House and part of two terms in the US Senate, done diddly squat, what she claims is pure fabrication, egregious and mendacious self promotion with no merit what so ever.
Make sure you get the mousy wire rimmed glasses wearing girl clan in a plain skirt with a black turtle neck sweater so you can watch the steam vent through her ears.
CSPAN Book TV just played a tape of Jonah giving a talk about his book at the Heritage Foundation. It was terrific.
It will replay tonight at 1 AM EST. Might be a little late for those on the East Coast but West Coasters should consider tuning in. I think you will enjoy it.
http://www.booktv.org/program.aspx?ProgramId=9028&SectionName=Politics&PlayMedia=No
It played on CSPAN2 where I am.
I’ve read “The Road to Serfdom.”
Fascism is simply Socialism in the real world.
Socialism is logos; Fascism is praxis. ;^)
All “Socialism”s turn out to be National Socialisms - as Stalin pointed out, Socialism in One Country is at least practicable, even if still murderous and ultimately self-destructive.
I recorded it at 10am and am watching it as I type. Great stuff. Its what prompted me to post this review. I have since found a better review at Human Events here:
http://www.hebookservice.com/products/BookPage.asp?prod_cd=C7192&sour_cd=HAE075555
The primary reason the socialist idiocy of fascism became labeled as “right wing” was because the stalinst mouth breeders needed a clear and simple method of differentiating their particular brand of mass murdering idiocy from the competing forms for their snot gobblers.
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