The Owl of Minerva

It may be true that while we are subjects in the throes of history, we do not know what is happening around us. It may be very difficult to develop an overview in the midst of the details and confusion of daily events. Ideology, tradional sentiments and propaganda all contribute to make the movements of history, as they occur, to seem to be mysterious or reasonable reactions to events. As a socialist, I may be considered like many socialists, to be akin to the boy that cried wolf when I write the sequence of letters, f-a-s-c-i-s-m. I have to admit that I've called people fascists that are clearly not. So I must plead guily to the charge.

But socialists are also like mine canaries when it comes to fascism. As our political nemesis, fascism is something we can smell like a dog smells fear.

Over the past three years, America has made changes that may fundamentally alter it's course through history. A free society must necessarily live with the insecurity of ensuring that the criminal commits the crime before he is arrested. This is fundamental to a free society. We have endured living in the midst of dangerous psychopaths, molesters and criminals of all sorts to live in a free society. This is the sacrifice we have to make. A secure society like Saudi Arabia does not have to live with these risks. They are secure - and as far as I'm concerned, they can have it. I don't want it.

Here is an article by Justin Riamondo on the rise of fascism in America:

http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=5070