The Shining Spotlight of History

The Eagle and Fasces (bundle of sticks) Icon of Mussolini's Fascist movement.

History offers us a guiding lamp, often a brilliant spotlight, a tool with which to acknowledge the past.  For example, throughout history authoritarian regimes have taken certain actions to control their citizens.  These actions bear out a remarkably similar pattern.  By allowing the lamp of the past to shine on actions of the present, we may be able to prepare for the future.  If we turn a blind eye to what history illuminates, we remain in the darkness of ignorance.  Remembering the deeds of some of the darkest chapters in human history can be uncomfortable, but this remembrance can be vitally important as well.  Comparing the deeds of the present to those of the Nazis, or Italy's Fascists, can be seen as harsh.  When the comparison is valid, however, the truth must win out.  If it does not, we are lost.

As an authoritarian regime rises to power, whether through legitimate elections or a coup d'etat, there seems to be a commonality of action and message.  When one thinks of Hitler's Nazis, or Mussolini's Fascists, there are common actions that resonate with readings of history.  Looking at the political makeup of the present day, one can see these commonalities borne out.  A list these actions and messages might run thus:

• Muzzle the Free Press such as to gain control of the flow of information to the populace.
• Create and vilify an "Other" and then blame that "Other" for the the nation's troubles.
• Create a false crisis or threat, usually perpetrated, or about to be perpetrated, by the "Other."
• Sell the populace fear.  Fear of the "Other," fear of the outside, fear of each other.
• Require those cast as the "Other" to have to register or submit to an identifying symbol.
• Lie and lie again, wearing the people down through repetition of methodical propaganda. 

In 1929, Mussolini created his High Commission for the Press.  The sole purpose of this governmental body was to control the press.  In 1934, Hitler created the Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda.  Impressed by his Nazi allies, Mussolini then created the Ministry for Popular Culture.  The aim of these repressive instruments of state was the complete suppression of any voice other than that of the the leaders of the respective states. 

One need not look far to find modern examples of suppression of the press.  The current administration in the United States is making strong and coordinated efforts to muzzle the freedom of the press.  The same so-called leaders are attempting to clamp down on any scientific information that might conflict with their policy views.  Shining the lamp of history of these ill-concealed efforts clearly illuminates the intent.  Again, a basic tenet of authoritarianism is the control of information to the populace.  Control the flow of information and thus control and isolate the population.

 NSDAP Parteiadler Eagle

The Nazis vilified the Jewish people as the "Other," those responsible for all the ills of the Volk.  Mussolini cast Bolsheviks, Socialist and Liberals as the "Other."  He also painted "Americanism" as a great evil, a grease stain spreading across Europe.  In the light of history, we can see that the first step towards the persecution of a class of citizens is demonizing that class.  When the state controls the flow of information, it can then promulgate the message that a certain group, class, or race, are the cause of all troubles in the state.  Once a group of people have been demonized as the "Other," it is a much smaller step to initiate the persecution of that class or group. 

When there exists a class, race, or group of people who are the "Other," those deemed the evil outsiders, the next step is to create a crisis or threat that is being, or is about to be, perpetrated by that vilified class.  Whether it is the usurpation of wealth, the dilution of the sacred master race, or the threat of direct attack, the authoritarian state will attempt to focus the attention of the populace on the threat of the "Other."  This manufactured threat, once set into place, becomes the means by which a given group are persecuted.  In short, this is the formula that can, and has, led to genocide.

The process of isolating the perceived "Other" from the "Good Citizens" is tactic that is in active practice today.  One only needs a light with which to see the process.  When the leader of any nation is openly speaking about a registry of a particular group of citizens, such as a "Muslim Registry," that leader is engaged in an act of repression.  There are too many historical precedents to see acts of this nature as anything other than what they really are.  Likewise, proposing lists or registries of activists, such as citizens working for the rights of Trans-Gender citizens, is an act of repression.  When we utilize the lamp of history, we see that the Nazis imprisoned and murdered homosexual citizens, as well as Gypsies, Jews, and other citizens of the Reich.

Whether in the pages of George Orwell's seminal work "1984," in the reality of Nazi Germany or Mussolini's Fascist Italy, or in the present time, authoritarian leaders thrive when and where they are able to sell fear to the populace.  Fear is a very powerful tool, serving to both isolate citizens as well as motivating them to acts that would not be possible otherwise.  Fear of the outside, fear of the "Other," economic fear, nationalistic fear, all of these are the tools of the authoritarian.  Time and again throughout the course of history, fear has been used to control and cow a ruled population.  When we hear the voice that is selling fear, we should be able to discern the motivation lurking behind the siren's call. 

Today, the gospel of fear is being preached, and preached loudly, from the very heart of the government of the land that is purported to be the sanctuary for the huddled masses yearning to be free.  Viewed in the shining light, one can discern a simple message.  If the people are afraid, they will look for security.  An authoritarian power will use this fear to offer security to the people.  The price of that false security is an abrogation of the liberty of the people.  This simple ruse has been used in the past and it is being used today.  In the United States, a very palpable example of this is the so-called Patriot Act.  The purported benefit of this law is the security of the people and the very real cost of this law is the diminishment of the the people's civil liberty.  Another example is the proposal to build a wall across the entire southern border of the United States, a structure that would serve as a colossal monument to fear.

Another tactic of an authoritarian "leader" is the use of the lie.  Once the press has been effectively muzzled, the state can disseminate lies.  Lies, repeatedly told, forcefully told, can wield a great power unless there exists the counterbalancing force of a free press.  At a certain level of power, a repressive group can, and has, discarded the truth altogether.  Again, one need not look far to see examples of this in the present day.  When a person in power speaks of "Alternative Facts," they are employing the use of Double-Speak, an Orwellian term, and a chilling one.  Turning lies into "Alternative Facts" is a singularly telling example of discarding the truth in its entirety. 

It is of paramount importance for the free citizens of the world to make use of the perspective that history offers us all.  We are only doomed to repeat history insomuch as we ignore history.  When we misguidedly utter phrases such as "It won't happen this time," or "It cannot happen here," we are engaged in burying our heads in the collective sands of ignorance.  Tyrants do, in fact, rise to control their own citizens.  They may do so without at first resorting to force.  Both Hitler and Mussolini rose to power by means of elections.  History clearly illuminates this cold fact for us if we will only open our eyes.

In conclusion, when the bright lamp of history shows us the way, it is incumbent on all of us to follow that light.  To do otherwise is to suffer in darkness and curse our self-made fate.  When the light shows a tyrant to be a tyrant, it is the moment to utter the words Sic Semper Tyrannis, and to resist that tyranny. 


Sources:

Wikipedia for Fascist Icons

George Talbot  "Censorship is Fascist Italy 1922-1943"  (2007)

David Gilmour  "The Pursuit of Italy"

David S. D'Amato  Article of January 28, 2016

Spending Wisely

While we call for a boycott, here is one Trump product we wholeheartedly endorse.

Hi Ho Friends and Neighbors!  The Reverend Squeaky-Eye here, coming at you from the good land of Austria.  Our fine Brethren of this European nation have just seen fit to inaugurate their new president, Alexander Van der Bellen, a member of the Green Party.  It's grand to be able to start off a post with a bit of positive news during these trying times.

While Marco is busy with the harsh world of publishing, he has handed over the blog reins to Yours Truly, and happy I am to have the chance of a friendly palaver with all of you good Sisters and Brothers.

Now I know, I know people, times are hard and times seem dark.  We can feel the heavy hand of the Down-Pressor Man all around us.  The blows rain hard and heavy during these first days of the administration of that rich man, that friend of the rich man, Donald Trump.  With less than one week in the Oval Office, this agent of the Down-Pressor has slashed at health care for the people, reproductive rights of women around the world, and tried to muzzle both the free press and scientists paid with pubic tax dollars.  Worse yet, he has authorized the building of a wall between our great nation and the great nation of Mexico, a wall that, if built, would be a lasting monument to the policies of fear and bigotry.  Maybe this man will throw a giant bronze hood over the Statue of Liberty as well, such that we will not have to see the tears that the great lady will be shedding.

"But Reverend, what can we do?"  I hear your lament, Brothers and Sisters, I hear it loud and clear, echoing across this great land of ours.  The first thing all of us can do is lift up our hearts.  Woe to them that give into despair.  No!  When dark times are upon us, it is our duty to raise a ruckus, make some noise, and fight back.  The Down-Pressor, he never sleeps, and Bretheren and Sisteren, he ain't sleeping now.  He's wide awake and coming for us.  What he wants, what he always wants, is darkness where he can do his nefarious deeds all quiet-like.  So I say this:  Don't give it to him and don't give in to him!  That's right!  Shed some light and make some noise! 

"We hear you Reverend, and those are some fine sounding words, but words won't get it done."  Again, I hear you and right you are.  So here are some things that we can do, concrete things that make a difference.  First off, we all need to exercise our rights as free citizens of this grand nation.  Contact your Representatives and your Senators.  Write them, call them, email them, and comment on their websites.  When we do this we all need to be specific.  Just saying "I don't agree with this Mr. Trump and what he's doing" is not going to get the job done.  When we write to our elected leaders, we need to be polite, firm, and specific.  I believe the best approach is to clearly state the single issue that we are objecting to, why we are objecting to it, and what we want that elected leader to do about the issue.  If there are ten issues (and Lord knows there will be) then write or call ten separate times.  Let me say it again Friends, be polite, firm, and specific.  We can all do this!

When we aren't barraging our leaders with messages, we can take it to the streets, emulating our wonderful Sisters (and their beloved men-folk) who stuck those beautiful pink pussy hats on their heads and marched across the land.  Raise the standard and raise it high.  This fellow Trump, he's got an ego on him that defies scientific efforts at measurement.  He doesn't like it when folks don't show up at his little inauguration party and go marching off to make noise about him, noises he doesn't care for.  Keep it up, that's what we have to do.  This is going to be a long haul, make no mistake.

Now there's another thing we can all do, a thing that has served us well in the past.  The Down-Pressor, he doesn't like it when folks tamper with his pocket book.  It agitates the hell out of him.  One of the truly effective ways to send a message to some fat-cat corporate swell is to take a dollar or two out of his wallet.  Drives 'em crazy.  My Friends, it is simply as pie to spend your dollars wisely.  Heck, it don't take no effort at all.  If we don't agree with some action that a company is taking, why, we just don't spend our hard-earned dollars at their store.

Boycott, Brethren!  Boycott, Sisteren!  That's what I'm preaching here today.  Now this fellow Trump, he makes it pretty easy.  Like we were saying, he's got him an ego the size of one of his ugly towers.  Heck, he sticks his name all over everything he owns.  So to send him a message about what we think of his doings, we make double-damn sure we don't put a single dollar in his pocket.  Here is a list of businesses and products that this fellow has his greedy fingers into:

• Vorando Realty Trust  (NYSE:  VNO S&P 500 Component)
• Merchandise Mart (Chicago -- Just don't step foot in the building)
• Toy's R Us (30% + share)
• Trump Turnberry Golf Course (Scotland -- The PGA already smelled how bad this was)
• Trump Hotels (DC, Florida, Hawaii, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, Virginia, Vancouver, Toronto, Panama, Ireland, and Scotland)
• Trump eau de Toilette  (ewwww!  Macy's pulled the plug on this and so should you)
• Trump Books LLC

This is just a short list, but you see how easy this can be.  Don't spend a dime at, or on, any of these businesses, resorts, or products.  Our fine friends at Quartz have developed a comprehensive list of businesses owned or controlled by Trump.  Just peruse the list and spend your money elsewhere.


The Big List from out friends at Quartz (with a tip o' the Rev Lid)

Remember Friends and neighbors, we are all in this for the long haul.  Don't despair, take action, and remember that you are not alone.  And when you are feeling down-in-the-dumps, or need to take a dump, here is one product that will lighten your load:

Trumpster Butt Wipe (Thanks Amazon!)

 

Cold Feet for the New Year

 The last night of the year.  It always feels like the last night on Earth.

I have a healthy remuda of well-broken excuses for not writing.  Every writer needs them and the smart writer keeps the excuses close to hand.  For example, I could say that I have not been working at the blog because I am suffering the ill effects of banging against the ramparts of traditional publishing.  (True)  Or, if I saddle up that trusty old sorrel over there, I could trot out the excuse that I have been shocked to inactivity by the misfortunes in my native land.  (Not so true)  There is nothing to be done but to strain this metaphor to the death, pull the pickets and hobbles, and the let the ponies run where they will. 

All of that strained metaphor and the lovely references to a remuda ('fess up, you had to Google that one, right?) cannot hide the fact that this is a fluff piece, an easy pony to climb back up on.  As KV would say, "HI Ho."

Yes, it is Silvesternacht in Wien, New Year's Eve Viennese Style.

Despite the bone-chilling cold we set out for another Silvesternacht celebration.  650,000 people made their way down to the Alt Stadt to sip hot punsch out of silly mugs, smoke like chimneys, and waltz in the streets.  This last is not an exaggeration.  Folks really do waltz in the streets during Silvesternacht.  The old city is lit up like a faerie land, all the bars and cafes turn into punsch stands, and everyone freezes their asses off to welcome the new year.

The Rathaus, Groundzero for the fireworks.

How much to you like your fellow human?

We squeezed into the confines of the Rathaus area, past the security and fencing.  The crowd was literally seething shoulder-to-shoulder.  Tourist hint:  Unless you are stout of heart, staying outside the Rathaus is a better way to see the fireworks and not have a panic attack.  The press of humanity was tight as the band banged through a steady covering of the Beatles, the Stones, and then more Beatles.  The punsch was luke-warm, the crowd was hot, and the smoke thick.  

Happy 2017

I believe that it will be an interesting year, both personally and at a community level.  The calamities of recent political events will continue to take their course.  But this is a fluff piece, so the machinations of the Fascists will have to wait for a later post.  But not much later.  

 Merry-Makers Transported.  The after-crowd on the U-Bahn.  I love the U-Bahn.

For myself, the New Year brings the promise of life as a card-carrying resident of Austria, out from under the shadow of limited visas.  I will continue to throw myself against the ramparts of traditional publishing, re-writes, and revisions.  When I have bloodied myself enough to satisfy my infantile pride, I will move on to more sensible means of publishing.  That accomplished, it is back to the looming novel projects, of which three have magically appeared as folders on my laptop.  

So, it is now 2017.  Happy-happy, Joy-Joy.  Personally, the last year was an adventure and a challenge, a wonderment of love and travel and creativity.  For the world, I think 2016 was more of a sharp kick in the face.  I guess the world will have to answer that one.  It is a New Year and what will happen is yet to be seen.  And so the end of a fluff piece and a forced return to real blogging.  Stay tuned for the Death of Absurdity and the Perils of Reading Les Miserables.