Pondering Il Duce

This impending debate over calling someone a fascist, which has yet to get underway for want of an agreed upon definition, has led me to writings about the practices of Benito Mussolini, and those who followed after him. In attempting to define just what fascism is, I have come across some uncomfortable observations.

I'm not one who likes to throw around labels like fascist, communist, running dog wierdo, or even that most negative of slanderous terms, compassionate conservative. Part of my objection is that in most cases, the terms are without widely held understanding of their definitions. Nevertheless, in the proper circumstances, labels are useful, even essential. People recognize other people, places, things, ideas by comparing them with their own experiences and by categorizing what they see into similar groups. (Yes, Virginia, I can document that.) Translated into everyday terms, if it walks, talks, eats, defecates, and otherwise behaves like a duck, one may as well treat is as a duck, regardless of DNA.

That's why it troubles me to see these little bits of willow fluff piling up like calories at a party. "The White House and eager Republicans", says the NY Times, are attempting to extend the Patriot Act. That, in itself, isn't necessarily bad. Some of that act is useful and valid. It didn't invent secret courts, for example; they had been around a long time. But the enhancers are meeting in secret. It seems that a lot of our legislative actions are happening in secret at both the federal and state levels. I understand the security issues. But there are ways to desensitize that information.

I dislike secret government. I dislike one sided arrangements, where the minority isn't even consulted. I don't care which side practices government in hiding; I dislike it either way.

I'm just getting started. Maybe I'll calm down. Maybe I'll continue. We'll see.