"Fascist America, in 10 Easy Steps"

[mr blur]

From Hitler to Pinochet and beyond, history shows there are certain steps that any would-be dictator must take to destroy constitutional freedoms. And, argues Naomi Wolf, George Bush and his administration seem to be taking them all

<snip>

As Americans turn away quite leisurely, keeping tuned to internet shopping and American Idol, the foundations of democracy are being fatally corroded. Something has changed profoundly that weakens us unprecedentedly: our democratic traditions, independent judiciary and free press do their work today in a context in which we are "at war" in a "long war" - a war without end, on a battlefield described as the globe, in a context that gives the president - without US citizens realising it yet - the power over US citizens of freedom or long solitary incarceration, on his say-so alone.

That means a hollowness has been expanding under the foundation of all these still- free-looking institutions - and this foundation can give way under certain kinds of pressure. To prevent such an outcome, we have to think about the "what ifs".

<snip>

This is by an American, in an English newspaper. Be interesting to see if it turns up in a paper in the U.S.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2064157,00.html

[lady lib]

1. Excellent article.

I've got it bookmarked and will read it thoroughly tomorrow.

K & R

[dorkulon]

2. 10 signs of US police state

Reminded me of this alarming piece from a while ago:

http://www.alternet.org/rights/36553/

[lady lib]

3. Kick