(cough)

Carl Sagan, when responding in detail to the obvious lunacy in Velikovsky’s WORLDS IN COLLISION thesis, responded by saying that doing so “sharpened the mind for useful work."

I don’t really have the time to do this correctly, but just as something to do over a milk and cookie before bed:

Secular Humanist, have you considered the possibility you might be a fucking idiot?

1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism. During WWII, “Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism” were indeed common in Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan. They were identically common in the United States, Great Britain and the Soviet Union. If patriotic displays are the sign of fascism and anti-fascism equally, then it seems to me you have proven nothing.

2. Disdain for the importance of human rights. Nowhere on the planet is there greater legal protection of individual rights than in ignorant redneck hillbilly fascist America. The Bill of Rights, with its iron-clad protections against self-incrimination, double-jeopardy, habeas corpus, and the presumption of innocence have never been matched in human history. And these protections are being strengthened, rather than weakened over time, as confessional protections and Miranda rights clearly show. Point two is self-mockingly inappropriate and stupid.

3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause. Two concepts; let’s take them separately. Identification of Enemies: Al Qaeda was identified – rather slyly on our part – by the fact that they flew airplanes into Manhattan and Washington and then took credit for it. If that does not clear your bar as a realistic and accurate measure of a real – not imaginary – enemy, then you fail the Reasonable Man test. This will comes as more of a shock to you than it does to us. Second, a “scapegoat” is used to focus the rage of a group or individual on another to make up for slights and humiliations. It is the refuge of a loser… such as humiliated Germany in the 20’s and 30’s. The United States, you museum-grade idiot, is the most successful society in history: not just economically and militarily (as if that wasn’t enough) but also as the undisputed leader in science and technology, the arts, music, film and overall cultural influence. If there was ever a people in history less in need of a scapegoat it is Americans. YOU, however, are a loser. And your search for a scapegoat is rather pathetically unraveling.

4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism. Look at photos of genuinely fascist regimes: everyone is in uniform in 1930’s Germany. How many military uniforms do you see, today, in an American shopping mall, sporting event, or simple drive down the street? You’re an idiot. And you’re not an American, clearly… Socky McPuppet.

5. Rampant sexism. You describe Fascist societies as “male-dominant.” Watch American TV – which is the cultural pulse – and tell me where you have EVER seen a less ‘male-dominant’ paradigm: men are portrayed as idiots, louts, well-meaning dofuses, crybabies or rapists. This is the least ‘male-dominant’ society on record. Please elaborate on the “draconian laws” that keep women in their place in this country. I have four bosses, and three of them are women.

6. A controlled mass media. You must be referring to those vast right-wing juggernauts of CBS, CNN, MSNBC: all in lockstep with the “ruling elite.” Not a word of criticism of those in power is ever heard there!

7. Obsession with national security. I am obsessed with national security to the extent that I think that’s where the threats are. But I am not a member of the ‘secret national security apparatus.’ Protesters march every weekend in this country and mouth the most vile personal attacks against elected officials without any repercussions. Now what is the difference between a Secret National Security Apparatus that never takes any action, and no ‘apparatus’ at all? That’s right. None. Idiot.

8. Religion and ruling elite tied together. President Bush appears to be a genuinely religious man. He has that right, you moron. Please show me where Bush (or anyone) has forced religious convictions, training, attendance or philosophy on anyone. Hello? Idiot? Are you still there?

9. Power of corporations protected. The next sentence has within it, “although the personal life of ordinary citizens was under strict control…”Hahahahahaha!!! Hilarious! You’re a comedy genius. As to corporations, it is true they do not obey the same laws as ordinary citizens. The rules corporations must follow – environmental, regulatory, etc. – are many orders of magnitude more restrictive than those people must follow. Those that fail to obey the laws are put in jail. Google KENNETH LAY, you nitwit. Furthermore, you make the common leftist pinhead assumption that a corporation is a titanium BattleMech dropped from orbit. A Corporation, moron, is nothing more than a group of people banding together for a common goal. I am myself a corporation, and a part of many others. I guess that means I’m responsible (as management) for my own strict control (as a shuffling prole.) Douchebag.

10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated. No, you can’t turn on any of the government-controlled news outlets without seeing daily the shooting and arrest of union leaders trying to organize workers. You are a tool. Whatever decline in Union power in the USA is related to the fact that more people have taken control of their lives in the information economy and function as freelancers. People are free-er. (But not you. You’re still chained to idiot ideologies. They suit you. You wear them very well.)

11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts. I work in show biz, you magnificent imbecile. We are about to enter ‘kudos season’ – a three month orgy of no less than 20 nationally televised award shows for artists. Poor actors, their voices are soooo suppressed in this fascist culture. As for ‘intellectuals,” they do not need to mocked or suppressed. They beclown themselves with such regularity that the word “intellectual” generates peals of laughter. There is no one as stupid as Ward Churchill. I didn’t ‘suppress’ him. He suppresses himself every time he opens his mouth.

12. Obsession with crime and punishment. As for the “draconian law enforcement state” see 2, above. Regarding the “glorified” police forces…. How many actors can you name? How many sporting figures? How many singers? Hundreds? Thousands? Now, how many policemen can you name? How can they stand all that glory? Moving on: Name a political prisoner in the US. No fair including guys like Mumia who parenthetically happened to kill a few policemen. Name a person held in US prisons who is there charged for political views only, without any accompanying criminal charge. Putz.

13. Rampant cronyism and corruption. Had you been living on Earth, and not en route across the light-years from distant Asshatia, you would have noticed that in 2006 the incumbent party was thrown out of office for levels of corruption remarkably below that of most every other country on the planet. There are indeed a very few countries with less corruption than the US, but they don’t make a damn thing or contribute a particle to human advancement. To say that corruption is rampant and unchecked is to swear on a stack of Bibles that you have no idea what you are talking about.

14. Fraudulent elections. Thank you, “Secular Humanist,” from the bottom of my heart, for saving this for last. The Miami Herald did a very, very in-depth study of the 2000 election in Florida. Here are the facts: Bush won the first mechanical count. Bush won the subsequent mechanical recount. That is all constitutional law required. But Bush then went on the win the third mechanical count. Bush then won the hand recount, where election officials read tea leaves and chicken entrails to determine a voter’s ‘intent.’ As far as ‘judicial selection’ goes, the Constitution requires that electors be present in Washington at a certain date. The Supreme Court merely told the Florida court that it is not allowed to continue to recount and recount and recount and recount until it gets the result they desire. The Supreme Court did NOT “select” Bush. They told Florida to have their electors on time. This is the essence of a lawful and orderly society. Tanks did not roll. Gunfire was not heard in the halls of the Congress, as they are no doubt in whatever little shithole you are writing from. I voted for Gore in 2000, to my everlasting shame, and I was immediately convinced that he had lost and was deeply embarrassed by the showboating. NIXON, evil EVIL Nixon conceded the 1960 election with far, far stronger case because he new what was good for the country.

“Secular Humanist,” I went to some small trouble to show you that you will be better served returning to Daily Kos and Democratic Underground, realms where fact and logic – not to mention a wee bit of eduction – have never impeded the adulation due to a flimsy, pathetic rant like yours. You’re a little out of your league here, I think.

Also, you're a fucking jerk.

Bill Whittle via Transterrestrial Musings