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February 7, 2007Is fascism like porn? You know it when you see it?Buster and I had a lengthy drive yesterday and the subject of free speech, or, rather, suppression of speech, came up. We were talking specifically about his school environment, which has been becoming slowly but inexorably more Politically Correct in the past few years. “The thing about being politically correct,” Buster said, “is that you have to be so damn careful about what you say, how you phrase a thing, because if you don’t get it just right, you’re immediately labled some sort of “ist” - racist, sexist, age-ist, size-ist. It leaves no room at all for normal human observation, and it discourages both thinking about a thing or even talking about a thing. And what worries me is - all these kids taking their regents and SAT’s - do they risk lowered grades if they dare express a thought that travels off the PC reservation? I have friends who will write a paper for Economics or Social Studies and the paper isn’t really about what they think, because they’re afraid of being penalized for thinking, or for exploring an idea. So, instead they just listen in class, gauge the teacher’s politics and then just parrot back what the teacher says to get the ‘A.’ I’m glad I’m graduating soon,” he mused, “but I expect it’s even worse in college, this sense of free speech and free thought being disallowed in favor of conformity to whatever the hell power this is ruling the roost.” I agreed with Buster that he will encounter more of this nonsense - and a more virulent strain of it - in college. “But it’s not just students who endure this,” I said. “Teachers also find themselves constricted by the demand that they conform to the politically correct (let’s just say it, ‘leftist’) orthodoxy if they want tenure. I told him about a long-time friend of ours, a high school social studies teacher who - before she got tenure - dared not offer an opinion outside of the (at that time) “Bush=evil, Kerry=genius” official line. She did get tenure. She still tries not to opine very much among her fellow teachers who, because she remains silent rather than jumping into the “Bash-all-things-not-like-us” pool, have dubbed her “the token conservative,” and condescendingly allow that she is a fairly decent person, mostly, just very, very misguided. To some of them, she is an exotic creature - almost human! “And, it’s not just teachers,” I told Buster. “In almost every job, now, even in the medical professions, you can find little orthodoxies that must not be trampled on at the cost of one’s livelihood or influence.” “Well, I know we’re not supposed to use the word,” Buster said, “except, of course, when describing Conservatives in 21st Century America, but really, Ma, isn’t this sort of lock-step mentality, this obey-the-party or be-suspected-obey-the party or lose-your-job stuff what the Nazi’s did? Isn’t this fascism? Didn’t ordinary German’s find that if they did not conform to the demands of the Third Reich they’d be suspect, hounded from their jobs and all that?” “Fascism is a very strong word, Buster,” I warned. It’s been thrown around way too loosely in the past few years. There are people who throw that word out anytime they encounter something with which they disagree. But…yes, your working definition of fascism is correct, and nowhere are we seeing that definition being played out more overtly than in the issue of ‘global warming.’ Now, I’m not saying that the earth isn’t warming up a bit, but I have serious disagreement with the “finding” that it’s all humanity’s fault, and on this subject, you’re expected to accept the whole narrative, or you’re a bad person. Did you know that a Weather Channel climatologist has said that any meteorologist who does not conform to the global warming narrative should be decertified?” “You mean they should lose their jobs for dissenting?” “Yes. Never mind that there is no consensus on global warming, or that plenty of scientists say it’s junk science. Since the hoo-hah global warming folks cannot convince everyone with hard facts and logic, they’re simply going to impose their will, and their myth, on the rest of the world. It’s sort of like Christians imposing Christianity on the world, which would be a bad thing…only these folks would impose the theology of their environmental religion on everyone, instead. And yes, that’s a kind of fascism.” “So, other scientists should speak out,” said Buster. “Not that easy, Grasshopper,” I replied. “When a formerly well-respected environmentalist like Bjorn Lomborg dared to dissent and wrote The Skeptical Environmentalist, he was sneered at and was suddenly considered less-than-credible. When Lomborg was invited by a newspaper to sit for an interview along with Al Gore - as a sort of balanced debate on the issue - Al Gore backed out because he could not control the debate. In that way, Lomborg did not get heard. It was a way to silence him. Michael Chrichton was a media darling until he took the time to seriously debunk global warming at which point he became something unclean.” Buster stared out the window for a while, annoyed and pensive. “Look,” he said eventually, “you and Dad have always told us that we have to stand up and make an argument, that if our ideas are built on strong foundations they can stand up to poking and prodding and questions. This sounds to me like these folks don’t trust the foundation of their story and don’t want it looked at too closely. That’s troubling.” “You mean,” I smiled, “they just want us to shut up and obey?” “Yes…and that’s pretty funny when you think about it, because these people want us to shut up and obey, and yet they’re mostly the same folks who think ‘obedience’ to something like the Deity is a laughable idea. They’re the same people who think the president is too unilateral. So, they’re hypocrites. And who came up with the notion of global warming, anyway? Who coined that phrase? Do we even have a name we can link this to, some scientist, like Einstein, who founded this theory?” Oh, kid, I thought to myself…you’re going to have a hell of a time in college…. “Well, yeah, there is a stench of hypocrisy to all of this,” I agreed. Nancy Pelosi, the very rich and the very powerful may use private jets with impunity because they’re very important people with some sort of moral superiority, so they’re allowed to - for example - burn 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per hour to get to their very important and morally unimpeachable events. You, however, may be told you’re a greedy resource pig if you decide to drive an SUV or use the wrong sorts of lightbulbs.” Today when he comes home, Buster will learn that: The Democrat frontrunner for the White House in ‘08 wants the government to seize an entire industry - the oil industry - and take control of it. Governor Ted Kulongoski, D, of Oregon wants to essentially silence a state-employed climatologist who does not agree with the global warming narrative. A Delaware climatologist who dissents is being accused, of course of working for Exxon, because no one can actually disagree with “global warming” science unless they’re being paid off. (No one ever asks who is paying Al Gore, btw. I will make sure Buster understands that the tactic of accusing someone to be mentally unfit or “paid off” is not new to the practice of either fascism or - for that matter - communism.) The European Union - which is having trouble dealing with its own CO2 emissions allowances - is considering environmental crime statutes which will, let me go out on a limb, here and make a prediction, be aimed at the United States. Interestingly enough, nowhere in the newspapers or on news broadcasts will Buster hear that President Clinton, faced with the Kyoto protocols in 1997, did not even bother submitting it to congress because he knew it was garbage. And the congress made a point of unanimously rejecting it, anyway. No, Buster will never hear that. He will hear, instead, that President Bush killed Kyoto and therefore killed Planet Earth. There are lots of cold, hard facts about global warming that Buster can read, but he has to look for them on his own, because the press has completely bought into the narrative. Why? Well…that’s a really good question. In the late sixties and early seventies, the press bought into the “Zero Population Growth” movement because Planet Earth was going to die in 20 years if people didn’t stop multiplying like some disease. Then they bought into the “Coming Ice Age” movement (all the same people, I think) because the earth was going to die in 20 years if people didn’t get serious about the global cooling. As I wrote here: < em>If the people promoting the hysteria on warming were serious - if the issue were a real one and not simply a political tool, then the hyper-concerned folks would be welcoming and heralding thoughtful environmental programs and helpful policies from any-and-all quarters, even - gasp - from the right. Even - gaspgasp - from George W. Bush. (You know, the guy…who keeps an eco-friendly ranch and is restoring the destroyed wetlands of Iraq and is hated by the enviros.) http://theanchoressonline.com/2007/02/07/is-fascism-like-porn-you-know-it-when-you-see-it/trackback/ 19 Responses to “Is fascism like porn? You know it when you see it?” |
February 7th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
It is my firm belief that far too many of these theorists are unhinged and completely out of touch with reality - which is why they need to shut down the voices of anyone who doesn’t agree with them. Those who disagree might make too much sense and then the underlying vapidity of the global warming crowd would be way too obvious!
I blogged today on Al Gore’s contention that the Bush administration is PAYING some scientists to dispute his beliefs! Now there is some who is seriously gaga!
February 7th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Bless you for blogging Anchoress. It’s posts like this that make me thank God that you keep it up. Blogs are hungry beasts. Thanks for feeding yours the rich food that you do.
I wouldn’t be surprised that there are those out there who would like to see “One nation under God” changed to “One nation under Global Warming”.
February 7th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
By the way - congratulations on your magnificent sons! Clearing a case of brilliant parenting.
February 7th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I have been reading you since the last Presidential election season but this is the first time I knew I had to add a comment. I admire your work.
My daughter is student teaching right now. She is not allowed to express an opinion about any subject without clearing it with the teacher in charge. She is required to tell the children that if the President and all the other Republicans keep stopping the fight on global warming, all humans and other animals will die. This is a first grade class. My duaghter can do nothing, this is the person who will approve my daughter for teaching… or not.
How will the facts on global bologna ever be allowed to surface if children are “taught” this way? This is not the only “subject” twisted out of shape. You should hear what they call history.
I never thought my daughter would give up her dream of teaching, but when she graduates this spring there is a good possiblity her teaching certificate will never be used. As she puts it, “I want to be a teacher, not a brainwasher.”
February 7th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
#4 - that is a horrifying story. Seems to be rather common, too, from what my teacher freinds are saying. Thank you for telling it.
February 7th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Anchoress, this is an AWESOME post, thanks so much. It’s a keeper for one of my “Anchroess Top 10.” I appreicated the info on Michael C. That lecture was great, but as you pointed out, they silenced him long ago, which was one of my first clues, having been a forever fan of his and knowing how smart he is (MD and Harvard grad).
Like ESC, the other big cruel deception, a lot of this is “follow the money” but I fear even worse motives. One short term that wouldn’t surpise me is this:
After Al Gore wins his nobel prize and Oscar he will feel, gosh darn, “obligated” to go for another presidental race. It’s BRILLIANT, at least for the sheep crowd that’s buying all of this crap. Talk about wag the dog. I would love to know who the money guys (& marketing genius) are/is behind Gore, but George Soros would be my first guess for the cha ching. Certainly I could be wrong, but I will be shocked if this isn’t Gore’s “warm up” for the big 08.
Kia
February 7th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Besides “The Population Bomb” and “Global Cooling” there was also “Silent Spring” and “Future Shock.”
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What amazes me is the contradictions in scenarios these people accept. For example, SF Bay is silting up faster than normal and will be half its current size–but Global Warming will raise the sea level of the Bay by 36 inches and much of the surrounding lowlands will be flooded.
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Some people get very upset when I point out these contradictions…
February 7th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Greetings Anchoress,
Lovely post - enough that you got this long-time reader to finally register for comment ability - but this isn’t so much for you as for Buster. I’m a recent college grad, and yes, he’s going to have a rough time of it, being a clear-thinking young man… but there are good schools out there that may be less of a trial. If he’s still got a chance to consider where he’s applying, check out Claremont McKenna College. It’s my alma mater, and… well, I went in an unthinking liberal, and came out a moderate conservative who loves reading blogs like yours, even when we disagree on things. Not that there’s any sort of brainwashing or agenda - the school actually divides down 1/3 liberal, 1/3 conservative, and 1/3 independent - I just think it’s one of the few schools out there that still values independent thought and a true exchange of ideas. Just thought I’d put that out there, and say thanks for blogging. God bless.
February 8th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Great article Anchoress! I am a recent college graduate and know exactly what you are talking about. Some of my friends experienced lower grades on written exams and papers because it went contrary to the professor’s worldviews. It was apparent to them when reading other student work that were badly written and inadequately cited, but favored the professor’s views. Sadly it is the student’s word against a tenured professor so college students in general conform and produce work that may not necessarily represent their real ideas (but over time students do adopt the profossor’s ideas as their own because they aren’t encouraged to think for themselves). The best way to make my point is Hillary Clinton was a Goldwater Girl when she went to college, but by the time she left she was more or less a socialist.
There is a website that recently launched that takes jabs at this political correctness called OURcountry.com. It might be something worth checking out.
February 8th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Another brilliant piece Miss A. Came to me especially as I just broke up with my girlfriend because I was a Republican. She actually said, “Imagine how humiliating it would be for me if someone found out I was sleeping with a Republican!”
About 30 years ago I actually met and talked to/argued with David Duke for about 15 minutes. He was a paragon of tolerance and open mindedness compared with your basic liberal feminist/lesbian of today.
(Yeah. I’m a libertarian/conservative/fundamentalist Christian, who likes other women. I can’t explain it either.)
Regards,
Sarah
February 11th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Anchoress, you wrote “Yes…and that’s pretty funny when you think about it, because these people want us to shut up and obey, and yet they’re mostly the same folks who think ‘obedience’ to something like the Deity is a laughable idea.”
With all due respect, these people simply worship a different deity, Gaia, or whatever hive-mind thing it is collectivists worship.
Some religions take a dim view of some other religions. I have argued elsewhere that tactics of the climate inquisition demonstrate that their agenda is religious, not scientific. I wish it actually were funny.
February 13th, 2007 at 9:28 am
[...] that post, Is Fascism Like Porn? You Know It When You See It?, The Anchoress’ mood is solemn: When a formerly well-respected environmentalist like Bjorn [...]
February 26th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
[...] not destroy economies like the Kyoto treaty, you hear rather too much about all the preening and moralizing going on by Green Al Gore…except when he cancels interviews that might make him [...]
March 1st, 2007 at 3:21 pm
[...] global warming, there are only people who won’t allow the other side to be heard and then TELL you there is a consensus. And you’re supposed to just believe it. Take it “on [...]
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:19 am
[...] complexity theory. I haven’t finished it, but it’s a good read so far. Check it out. Her article is pretty good, too. It gets even better if you follow the links and see how deep the rabbit hole [...]
March 6th, 2007 at 8:52 am
[...] warming, or its causes, there are only people who won’t allow the other side to be heard and then TELL you there is a consensus. And you’re supposed to just believe it. Take it “on [...]
March 19th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
[...] science” and “squandering resources.” Pay no attention to the secularists who are silencing heretical scientists (and the journalists who cover them) if they dare to disagree and dissent from the emerging Dogma, [...]
May 16th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
I’d recommend everyone read (or re-read) Eric Hoffer’s classic “The True Believer” to understand the origins of the current global warming hysteria. In fact, if “An Inconvenient Truth” is to be distributed in our schools, sane people should ensure his tome accompanies it!
December 17th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
[...] still hoo-ha front: Another big-carbon-using ‘true believer’. And another reason why I distrust these [...]