[Right Wing Professor]

That was why I explained the definition of fascism. I was not calling you a fascist to be insulting, but to demonstrate that your desire to have government control over private business was fascist. I am not calling you a Nazi or anything like that. Yes, the term 'fascist' has negative connotations and is the refuge of those without reason. However, that was not my intent. I was using the term in its dictionary definition to describe you desires in this one particular issue.

Before I call you a liar (which would not, of course, be insulting), please refer me to a single published dictionary that defines 'fascist' as 'advocating government regulation of private business'.

Every governemnt in the world, bar none, regulates private business to some degree. Ergo, according to your mythical dictionary, every government in the world is fascist.

Which lets Mussolini and Hitler off the hook, doesn't it?

[Just another Joe]

See Post# 309 for the dictionary definition.

[tnlibertarian]

according to your mythical dictionary

From MSN Encarta online dictionary:

fas•cism or Fas•cism noun dictatorial movement: any movement, tendency, or ideology that favors dictatorial government, centralized control of private enterprise, repression of all opposition, and extreme nationalism

Are you going to tell me that a government that dictates what one can or can't do with his private business regarding a legal activity is not 'dictatorial'? 'Centralized control' does not refer strictly to the monetary aspects of a business. Control exerted over a private enterprise's ability to make its own decisions regarding a legal activity sure sounds like it fits the above definition. I grant you that you aren't desirous of repressing all opposition to your nonsmoking bars, so maybe your views are just slightly fascist. Once again, I am not calling you a fascist, just your opinion in this matter.