Granted the term 'Fascist' does not have widespread application in the US
today -- skinheads and other overt racist-based groups are not the the
mainstream of the Republican / Conservative movement today.
But I will not accept the double-speak that says that Fascism is liberalism.
As for as the term 'far-right,' just where would you classify the Christian
Identity movement, the Militia movement, the Tri-Lateral Commission
conspiracy believers, the UN-has-taken-over-the-US adherents, the
Holocost-never-happened-advocates, and other such paranoid extremist groups?
Are these part of the "tree-hugging" far left that Rush likes to lampoon?
As far as I can see, it is the "Conservative" Republican Party (not the
"Liberal" Democratic Party) that actively solicits the support of these
people.
And please don't forget that the worst of the German Holocost would not have
occured without the complicity of "the non-governmental institutions such as
churches, schools, and families."
Finally, in my opinion, the American experience has been that gay-bashing,
anti-Semitism, racism, and similar assaults on individual freedom have been
more effectively addressed by our publicly-accountable governmental
institutions than by our individual churches and other social institutions.
Peace.
Lou S.
At 02:01 PM 4/8/98 PDT, you wrote:
>To the Editor:
>
>In yesterday's lead story about WSU's visting self-described "mild
>fascist," your reporter notes David Irving "has made frequent appearances
>before far-right groups."
>
>What does the reporter mean? Those of us over here on the right would
>describe ourselves as conservatives, and conservatism respects individual
>freedoms while realizing those freedoms are best held in check by
>non-governmental institutions such as churches, schools, and families, so
>we can all live together somewhat peaceably.
>
>What on earth would a fascist have to say to conservatives? Fascism and
>Nazism (originally the National SOCIALIST German Worker's party) believe in
>(among other things) collectivism, which is surely a leftist principle.
>Would it not be more accurate to describe groups who share Irving's
>collectivist principles as "far-left"?
>
>I suspect the reporter didn't think about what he was writing, because the
>term "far-right" is one of those empty, meaningless terms that gets thrown
>about carelessly. In the national consciousness, however, right-wingers
>get associated with fascists, Nazis, and other racists.
>
>Please be more careful about your terminology in the future; words have
>consequences.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Briana LeClaire
>Moscow, ID
>
>
>
Lou Sternberg, Ph.D. (208)343-0555
5017 Bel Air loustern@primenet.com
Boise ID 83705-2777