"10 steps... to close down a democracy...we are seeing...these 10 steps taking hold in US today"

Ed Tant's blog
Book says U.S. on its way out
by Ed Tant | January 19, 2008 - 9:19am
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/12258

"There are 10 steps that are taken in order to close down a democracy or crush a pro-democratic movement ... Impossible as it may seem, we are seeing each of these 10 steps taking hold in the United States today," warns writer Naomi Wolf in her frightening new book, "The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot."

As the Bush/Cheney White House enters its last and possibly most dangerous year in office, Wolf's book is a chilling civics lesson for all Americans.

Wolf's book devotes a chapter to each of the 10 civil liberties transgressions she details. Whether pushed by fascists, communists or American capitalists, police states come into being through 10 steps (or goosesteps), says Wolf.

Step one on the road to an authoritarian state, she writes, is to instill fear in a nation's populace by invoking internal and external threats. Step two involves the establishment of secret prisons in the mold of Russia's infamous Gulag jail system. Step three calls for the development of an armed paramilitary force, the private security firms the United States has deployed in Iraq. Steps four and five are the surveillance of ordinary citizens and the infiltration of citizens' organizations by government agents.

Arbitrary detention and the targeting of key dissident individuals are steps six and seven down the road to fascism. Restricting the watchdog role of the media is Wolf's step eight, a step made easier by media that are more often lapdogs than watchdogs. Casting the American traditions of dissent and criticism of government policies as treason or espionage, while subverting the rule of law, round out the recipe for repression.

Wolf builds the case that the Bush administration has used the horror of 9/11 to push police state policies. Throughout "The End of America," Wolf uses the term "fascist shift" to describe the political climate in Bush's America today. "Both Italian and German fascisms came to power legally and incrementally in functioning democracies; both used legislation, cultural pressure, and baseless imprisonment and torture to progressively consolidate power," Wolf reminds her readers.

During a fascist shift from democracy to dictatorship, daily life often seems normal and even pleasant, Wolf said. She warns us not to be fooled, saying, "We must roll back the laws that are associated with the opening of the door into darkness. If we fail to act, we could face an America in which we still have Friday night football games and Fourth of July fireworks ... but an America in which people who publish classified documents might go to jail, and people who go to jail might not come out the same; an America with the same TV shows and even the same schedule of elections - but one in which you can lose your job if you say to a colleague that you voted against the grain; an America that looks much the same on the surface - but in which we no longer have real freedom."

"The End of America" is a perfect companion volume with "You Have No Rights: Stories of America in an Age of Repression" by Matthew Rothschild, editor of The Progressive magazine. Both Wolf and Rothschild issue needed words of warning to their fellow Americans, reminding them that, as Wolf says, "we must stand up directly to confront those who have committed crimes against the Constitution - and hold them accountable, as the Founders trusted us to do."

Links:
http://www.911truthstore.com/911truth/catalog/End-of-America-p-11340.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjALf12PAWc

http://www.amazon.com/End-America-Letter-Warning-Patriot/dp/1933392797

"we must stand up directly to confront those who have committed crimes against the Constitution - and hold them accountable, as the Founders trusted us to do."

But which one of our candidates will take the steps to hold the current administration accountable?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3928195
Hillary Signals Free Pass for Bush; Secrets Stay Secret; Two Dynastic Families Look to Future, Again
Robert Parry's blog
Hillary Signals Free Pass for Bush
by Robert Parry | January 2, 2008 - 8:08am
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/node/11854

Hillary Clinton’s campaign is signaling that a second Clinton presidency will follow the look-to-the-future, don’t-worry-about-accountability approach toward Republican wrongdoing that marked Bill Clinton’s years in office.

That was the significance of former President Clinton’s remarkable Dec. 17 comment that his wife’s first act in the White House would be to send Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush on an around-the-world mission to repair America’s damaged image.

“The first thing she intends to do is to send me and former President Bush and a number of other people around the world to tell them that America is open for business and cooperation again,” said Bill Clinton, who has accompanied the senior Bush on international humanitarian missions over the past several years.

What was perhaps most stunning about the remark was its assumption that Americans would be impressed that the country’s two dominant political dynasties would team up in early 2009 to tidy up some of the mess created by the headstrong son of the senior dynasty, the Bush Family.

The Bushes and the Clintons – who have held pieces of the nation’s executive power for more than a quarter century dating back to George H.W. Bush’s election as Vice President in 1980 – essentially would be keeping matters within the board rooms of the Washington Establishment.

In responding to Bill Clinton’s remark, George H.W. Bush issued a statement making clear he would not join in any slap at his son’s foreign policy. That also means Hillary Clinton’s “first thing” is unthinkable if her new administration were trying to exact any accountability from George W. Bush for his wrongdoing.

So, to get the senior Bush’s cooperation on the worldwide tour, there would have to be an implicit understanding that the second Clinton administration wouldn’t investigate the younger Bush’s crimes – from authorizing torture, ordering warrantless wiretaps, exposing CIA officer Valerie Plame’s identity, waging war under false pretenses and other abuses of executive powers.

If Hillary Clinton does get elected, you can expect to hear lots of talk about “leaving that one for the historians” or about the danger of increased partisanship if the Democrats were viewed as trying to “get even” by exposing Bush’s offenses.

Well, here's another. :kick:

I couldn't figure that out either.

:kick:

and thanks, I would like to keep this going awhile.

but how do you kick? :shrug:

Like this.

Thanks, I see.

There are no dumb questions!! That is how we all learn, by asking questions.

You Have No Rights: Stories of America in an Age of Repression
by Matthew Rothschild
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?r=1&ean=9781595581648#TABS

Synopsis
Chilling true stories of ordinary Americans whose everyday liberties have been violated since September 11.

"I'm very liberal and sometimes my friends say I'm giving them some kind of paranoid, nutty stuff, and I agree, but then the FBI show up."—Marc Schultz, reported to the FBI for reading an article called "Weapons of Mass Stupidity: Fox News hits a new lowest common denominator" while he stood in line at a coffee shop

In West Virginia, Renee Jensen put up a yard sign saying "Mr. Bush: You're Fired." She's questioned by the Secret Service. In Alabama, Lynne Gobbell put a Kerry/Edwards bumper sticker on her car. She's fired from her job. In Vermont, Tom Treece had his high school students write essays and make posters either defending or criticizing the Iraq War. After midnight, the police entered his classroom and took photos of the student artwork.

The heated debates about the Patriot Act, about extensive registration and arrest programs for immigrants, and about domestic spying by the FBI, Pentagon, and National Security Agency have all been front-page news. But less understood are the effects of ramped-up national security policies on ordinary people across the country.

In this hard-to-put-down book, Matthew Rothschild, editor of The Progressive magazine, shows that post-9/11 America has entered a repressive age. Through dozens of engrossing and disturbing individual stories, You Have No Rights makes clear that America is now a country that is both less safe and less free.

From You Have No Rights: Near Albany, New York, Stephen Downs went to a mall with his son Roger, and the two of them boughtshirts in a T-shirt shop. Downs put his shirt on, went to eat in the food court—and was arrested. The T-shirt's message? "Peace on Earth.

other links:
http://indy.liberationmedia.com/news/2007/aug/09/journalist-matthew-rothschild-discusses-his-new-bo/
Journalist Matthew Rothschild Discusses His New Book
A Constitution Under Threat

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/hartmann/016

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1595581642?filterBy=addFiveStar

:kick:

Perfect fit for this thread.

All you need to do is read this one sentence to make you sit up and take notice. As the Bush/Cheney White House enters its last and possibly most dangerous year in office, Wolf's book is a chilling civics lesson for all Americans. I believe this is truly THE most dangerous time that faces us now. Just look at the recent non incident with the Iranian ships, they are desperately searching for something to allow them to hold onto power. Just google "Directive 51" and you will see how they can implement this plan.

http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2007/08/12/bush-declares-himself-dictator-presidential-directive-51-may-2007-video-link/
Presidential Directive 51
The President has, right now, the ability in the case of a “National Emergency” (declared by him, entirely at his discretion) to take direct control of ALL branches of government. This would very literally make him, by definition, a dictator. Not only would congress loose all power, but they could be dismissed by the president, and all decisions would be made directly by the president, with no oversight and no checks on powers. There is not limit… no limit… to what the presidential powers would include.

A “National Emergency” could include a terrorist attack, a blackout, a hurricane or other natural disaster, or anything else the president says is a natural disaster, regardless of what state it occurs in, and would be enough for the president to take over the government.

This is a law. It is now on the books.

The president could decide to cancel elections, he could decide whatever he wants.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Directive_51

Also, here are Dr. Lawrence Britt's 14 steps (for comparison).


Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each. Sound like anyplace you know today?

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism -
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans,
symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are
flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights -
Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist
regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases
because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of
torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of
prisoners, etc.



on edit: took at my youtube link to her interview, realizing (duh) that there was already one in the OP.
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause -
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to
eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious
minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military -
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a
disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is
neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism -
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively
male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made
more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state
is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

6. Controlled Mass Media -
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other
cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or
sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war
time, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security -
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined -
Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the
nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and
terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of
the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or
actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected -
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the
ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually
beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed -
Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist
government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely
suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts -
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher
education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other
academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and
letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment -
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to
enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and
even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a
national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption -
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and
associates who appoint each other to government positions and use
governmental power and authority to protect their friends from
accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources
and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government
leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections -
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times
elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination
of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or
political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist
nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control
elections.

Thanks for the thread, dajoki.

I will be heading to the bookstore tomorrow myself.

I've ordered this one and the "Shock Doctrine".

belated happy birthday to you, sicksicksick_N_tired.:party:

Thanks! :bounce:

what is going on.

always has been a step to taking total control.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Weapons_Law

http://constitutionalistnc.tripod.com/hitler-leftist/id14.html

of course to be fair:

http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcnazimyth.html

Way too many people on the left actually think it's a good idea, obviously they don't weigh the pros and cons.

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions"

I've been watching in horror as our country is slowly stolen from us, and most don't seem to notice!

Congress (our safeguard) is complicit, the masses are oh so helpful, the regime is more than prepared for revolt, and it seems all we can do is ride it out to the bitter end.

about this issue? Here's the link in case you missed it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjALf12PAWc

And about the regime being prepared for revolt, this link.
http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2007/08/12/bush-dec... /

This and the 9/11 false flag have been my obsessions.
Depressing days indeed.

or Maoist China or Stalinist Russia or today's North Korea, where the image of The Great Leader is in your face all the time and people have to modify their everyday behavior drastically and walk around like smiling robots to stay out of trouble.

In fact, there are and have been dictatorships throughout history where most people live pretty normal-looking lives, as long as they don't make waves. It is actually the more typical pattern. Taiwan in the 1980s was a military dictatorship, but on the surface, it looked no more repressed than Japan.

When I was in China in 1990, the Maoist years were long over, and people seemed to be living very normal lives, but there were things that they hesitated to say to us visitors in the presence of other Chinese people. It was only a year after Tiananmen, but when we asked about it, the typical answer was, "It's too early to talk about it." Only when we actually visited Tiananmen Square did one of our student guides pull a few of us aside and whisper, "The Goddess of Liberty was over there." Otherwise, we just saw people going to work, shopping, playing cards under street lights on the sidewalks, hanging out in the city park that was near where we stayed, in many cases enjoying new affluence. A casual visitor could assume that everything was cool.

The poster above is correct. We could have an America that was an out-and-out dictatorship, and people would still go skiing in the winter, send Valentines, give their kids Easter baskets, plant gardens in the spring, go to prom and graduate from high school, go to the beach in the summer, have picnics, celebrate "freedom" on Fourth of July, buy back-to-school clothes, celebrate Columbus Day, live in comfortable houses, buy a new car every two years, have turkey at Thanksgiving, play sports, watch TV, even vote, attend any religious group that doesn't criticize the government, nearly everything you do now except have an opinion that varies too widely from the official one.

That was true in the South American dictatorships of the 1970s and 1980s.

Note also, that even dictators who end up with notoriously evil regimes don't usually start out that way. The Pol Pot approach to dictatorship is fortunately rare.

If tyranny comes to the U.S., it's unlikely that it will come in the form of armed soldiers forcing everyone to the countryside to work on the corn harvest. Instead, it will happen mostly to individuals, one at a time.

I think it has, because it has arrived under the radar, exactly as you describe. Americans are going about their normal daily routines completely oblivious to the fact that we are now living in a country with fewer individual rights than anytime in our history, IMO. We weren't taken over by stormtroopers or the like, it just happened; right under our noses; we never had a chance; we, for the most didn't see it coming; but without a doubt, here we are under the thumb of our rulers.

She really has it nailed down and I wish I could buy millions of copies and distribute them to everyone hoping that at least one in ten recipients will read it and have their eyes opened.

and can't wait to get started. Really that good, Huh?

I had my suspicions but her insight overwhelmed me for a couple days.

That must not be overlooked. What we can do about it, I don't know, but at least be prepared and be aware.