What is a fascist?

I prefer Miriam Websters less wordy interpretation of Fascist [img]smile.gif[/img]


Main Entry: fas·cism
Pronunciation: 'fa-"shi-z&m also 'fa-"si-
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian fascismo, from fascio bundle, fasces, group, from Latin fascis bundle & fasces fasces
Date: 1921
1 often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2 : a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control (early instances of army fascism and brutality -- J. W. Aldridge)

I do tend to like short simple answers the best [img]smile.gif[/img]

Originally posted by Rokenn: The US Right is famous for using it to dismiss and belittle liberal causes as well. Notably EcoFacists and FemNazis

actually it is the Liberal left that is fond of calling right wingers fascists Rokenn....the right wingers call the libs Commie pinko's (or worse..socialists) you need to watch Archie Bunker more

[ 05-27-2003, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

[Faceman]

Originally posted by Drake: fascist aye? Funny As Somebodys Cat I Saw Tuesday The drake is confused as to why people want to put such stock into the definition of a 7 letter word....just seams logical to me that if the word is use and not ment offensively then it shouldn't be taken as such....and if it is ment to be offensive then the problem is not with the definition of the word but with the relationship of the person using it and the person being called it....but thats just the way I see things...I suppose I tend to see things a bit oddly...

Because this word as other offensive description for certain groups may they be of a common ethnic origin or political background bears a lot of historical baggage.
Keep in mind that words are like swords!
Insults like fascist, commy, Paki, {insulting expression for people of African origin}, {inappropriate description for Native Americans}, {inapp. desc. for Israelis}, ... are sometimes that strong that they can make people cry (people ho are for certain reasons rather sensitive to that kind of language) or burst into rage. Especially in public forums you never know who listens and therefore who you might hurt with your wording which was of no evil intent whatsoever. I wouldn't mind my friends calling me a Paki (not that they would as we are speaking German), because I know their intent and as I'm not very much connected to my father's country, where I didn't even grow up. Yet I know people who get easily upset on this or on similar insults.
It's like emptying a 9mm into the blue. Not aiming does not mean you can't hit.

P.S.: worked around some ugly words with {} to make use of my own point

[ 05-27-2003, 08:46 PM: Message edited by: Faceman ]

[Yorick]

Originally posted by MagiK: quote: Originally posted by Rokenn: The US Right is famous for using it to dismiss and belittle liberal causes as well. Notably EcoFacists and FemNazis

actually it is the Liberal left that is fond of calling right wingers fascists Rokenn....the right wingers call the libs Commie pinko's (or worse..socialists) you need to watch Archie Bunker more [/QUOTE]Well you guys called a left leaner a fascist earlier.

[Talthyr Malkaviel]

Originally posted by Faceman: It's like emptying a 9mm into the blue. Not aiming does not mean you can't hit.

That's the best analogy I've heard in an age.

[Azred]

Why are so many people so childishly sensitive these days? Words hurt your feelings only if you choose to let them hurt you; any reasonably-skilled councellor/therapist/psychiatrist can tell you that.

If someone uses a "hurtful" or "negative" or "emotionally charged" name/term in your direction and you want to be a victim, then by all means be a victim.

If someone calls you a name and you ignore that person's feeble attempt at an insult, then you are a better person than the name-caller. Simple.

Finally..."Facism" is a political ideology supported by "Facists". Nazism was simply a form of Facism.

Timber Loftis, why not call those who refuse to listen a "stubborn mule?"

World War II ended 58 years ago...get over it!

[Attalus]

Good point, Azred, and one I was trying to supply. The last Fascist government fell after WWII (Franco). All your words won't resuscitate it, because no one wants it alive again. We on the Right least of all. Yorick isn't a fascist, and no one I have talked to has come close.

[Grojlach]

Originally posted by Azred: Why are so many people so childishly sensitive these days? Words hurt your feelings only if you choose to let them hurt you; any reasonably-skilled councellor/therapist/psychiatrist can tell you that. If someone uses a "hurtful" or "negative" or "emotionally charged" name/term in your direction and you want to be a victim, then by all means be a victim. If someone calls you a name and you ignore that person's feeble attempt at an insult, then you are a better person than the name-caller. Simple. Finally..."Facism" is a political ideology supported by "Facists". Nazism was simply a form of Facism. Timber Loftis, why not call those who refuse to listen a "stubborn mule?" World War II ended 58 years ago...get over it!

Hmm. So now according to you those who think using "fascist" as an insult is inappropriate are the ones who are childish? How about the ones using it in the first place, then?
It's not that I'm particularly hurt myself if someone uses insults to back up their statements; I just think it may hurt their otherwise possibly well-made points and I even dare to say that the first one to resort to name-calling simply *loses* the debate, period. Blame etiquette, or blame the effects of Internet "Codes Of Honour" similar to Godwin's Law, for example.
It's not a matter of whether *I* think it's insulting, it's a matter of why I think it's inappropriate and not done during debates, and of why "fascist" is by its associative context one of the more extreme insults to hurl at someone. You don't have to let it get to you, but that doesn't make it less reprehensible that someone uses it in the first place. If I start accompanying my posts with petty namecalling like "racist", "yankee" or "redneck", they would hurt the points made just the same and people will lose respect for me over it. And heck, when you resort to name-calling while you were actually *winning* the debate, you're in theory handing your debating partner an escape-route with gift wrapping and a colourful ribbon around it.

If you're so angry or frustrated over something that you think the only way to express yourself involves name-calling, why not just step away from your computer, cool down a bit and then respond when most of the anger has disappeared; your posts will appear to be a lot more balanced in result, and people may even praise your patience with the other person.

[Shaide]

Dictadors like Francisco Franco in Spain. They hated the comunist, moreover, the franco's people killed a lot of people for their ideas, and inocent people. In Spain the fascist is for assesins. The fascist dont like the persons who help to other persons, the different persons, they love catholicism, and they hate other religions, and they use the guns and force to get their objective.
Bush is fascist I think.

[Charlie]

I think you blokes have just got the word fascist confused. Like in the UK it's a bonnet, in the USA it's a hood, that kind of thing.

Question = What is a fascist?
Fascist = A device that controls the flow of liquid, especially water, from a pipe.