On American "Fascism"

Did anyone note that Hugo Chavez embellished his anti-American "Bush is the Devil" rant with quotes from Noam Chomsky while waving a copy of one of Chomsky's books? He also cited Aristotle and Alfred Hitchcock, but didn't have copies of their works on hand. [here]

World leaders and diplomats in the hall applauded his remarks, which included an appeal to read Noam Chomsky's book, ``Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance.''

Nothing could better illustrate the relationship between America's enemies abroad and those here at home. But note, Chomsky is free to travel our country, being lionized on campuses everywhere. His books are not proscribed, indeed they are required reading in many college courses. He regularly appears on "alternative" media outlets. And, rather than being stifled or ignored, Chavez' wild accusations were broadcast widely into all American homes as were those of the Iranian nutjob, President Ahmedinejad, who awaits the imminent end of the world and demands "death to Israel." Speech doesn't get any freer than that.

Yet everyday in the crackpot media we hear hysterical warnings that America is descending into "fascism." One suspects that these fools have no idea what real fascism is.

James Lileks, in today's "bleat," reminds us of just how foolish these domestic critics are and nicely vivisects Keith Olbermann. It is a longish piece, but it is priceless and it would be unfair to excerpt it here. Read the whole thing here and be reminded that whatever we are experiencing here in the United States, it bears no resemblance whatever to "fascism."

If you are unfamiliar with Chomsky arguments, read Keith Windschuttle's devastating review here.