Free Republic

While Hitler and Mussolini both expressed their opposition to and hatred of “Marxists,” they nevertheless embraced a leftism that was only marginally different from that embraced by Lenin and Stalin. In light of recent events and discussions attempting to rehabilitate the historical reputation of Germany’s Nazis, it might be worthwhile to re-examine the foundations of the ideology that underpinned National Socialism and its close cousin fascism. Those who embrace the revisionism that excuses the Nazis’ crimes appear to believe that by doing so, they are defending themselves and their ideological brethren from unfair and ahistorical attacks by the broader left....

A French politician who hopes to run for president next year has come up with an original idea of how the country can combat the “culture of fear” in the wake of recent terror attacks. Compulsory martial arts classes in France’s schools would help children respond to the fear of attacks in a productive but safe way, centrist politician Jean Lassalle believes. “There is fear everywhere,” Lassalle said to Le Figaro newspaper. “That leads some people to go around with a knife. But with martial arts, you develop self-control and learn to defend yourself peacefully.” …