Naomi Wolf's "End of America"

[Larkin]

In her book, she lays out the ten steps towards dictatorship. according to her, we are half way there. compelling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjALf12PAWc

[sandwich]

I started watching this, but I've had enough lectures today. Summary?

Edit: Oh, that was the other Naomi thread. Guess I wasn't paying much attention. Same applies.

[erm]

Interesting. I certainly see where she's coming from. Though she's not clear on what has to be done to stop the road to fascism being taken again.

She's right though, in my opinion. What's going on now in the US is eerily similar to most, if not all, dictator's rise to power through democracy. None of the steps being taken to stop "terrorists" seem at all necesary, they're just one of the many options. Many less forceful routes are around.

Summary: Basically, she says there are ten steps any democracy in history has taken, before becoming a fascist dictatorship. She then shows how the USA has taken all those steps, with many facts and examples to back it up, leading to the conclusion that the US will be a dictatorship in not too long unless something is done.

1. Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy
2. Create a gulag (prison outside the law, torture and all that.)

3. Develop a thug caste

4. Set up an internal surveillance system

5. Harass citizens' groups

6. Engage in arbitrary detention and release

7. Target key individuals

8. Control the press

9. Dissent equals treason

10. Suspend the rule of law

The main problem I see, is that the US's economy is in such a state that it'll destroy them before, if not soon after fascism does so. I guess keeping democracy around is alot more important from the common viewpoint though, and dealing with both is gonna be a real challenge.

[charred_heart]

5. Harass citizens' groups

6. Engage in arbitrary detention and release

7. Target key individuals

8. Control the press

9. Dissent equals treason

10. Suspend the rule of lawtrust me, the US government hasn't done any of those, or at least the way they're supposed to be done.

[Ellipsis]

What I find depressing is that in the government this movement has accelerated since 9/11 instead of the expected offer of a temporary fix and going back to ignoring the problem.

[Shoot!]

Commenting on step 8, do you think that the government has FoxNews underneath their wing or is FoxNews just really "Republican party is the best no matter what"?

[Ferrus]

Commenting on step 8, do you think that the government has FoxNews underneath their wing or is FoxNews just really "Republican party is the best no matter what"?
Most papers and new sources are these days ideologically affiliated rather than party organs. Naturally the paper will align with a certain party that shares their ideology but it won't prevent them from criticising divergence from the ideological line. (C.f. New Labour and the left-wing British press)

[Lethal Sage]

we're too lazy to be prodded into servitude. the thought is entertaining, although i've seen better 10 step pogroms.