Friday, August 28, 2020

Fourteen Characteristics Of Fascism - A repost from 2012




Fourteen Defining Characteristics Of Fascism

By Dr. Lawrence Britt

Source Free Inquiry.co    5-28-3

Dr. Lawrence Britt has examined the fascist regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin American regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to each:

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread
domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

From Liberty Forum

http://www.libertyforum.org/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=news_constitution&Number=642
109&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1&t=-1

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Mirepoix Bistro

Eat Local!

The Covid19 pandemic has devastated the restaurant and hospitality industry in Niagara and elsewhere. I was relieved to find that Mirepoix is once again serving it's delicious food to the patrons who love it. 

Mirepoix Bistro is one of my favourite restaurants anywhere and I have been around the world. Having eaten there often and always having been pleased with the entire experience, I am delighted to see that it is again open.

Mirepoix is a tiny place with a big attitude and quality food. This is a family owned place and you'll doubtless meet at least one of the owners when you go visit.  



Watch your step when entering and especially when exiting the Bistro.


I see that as a nod to Covid19 re-opening requirements that they have installed several tables on the property. I think that there is now more seating capacity out of doors than indoors. The Bistro is facing East. There is generous free parking available across the street.

To be on the safe side, call for a reservation. Once the regular clientele is aware that the Bistro is once again open, reservations will be required as they were in pre-Covid days.

Can you tell that I love this place? Do yourself a favour, give it a try. You really will be glad that you did.

Eat Local!

Go and get your Breakfast/Lunch/Brunch on:
Wed – Sun from 8am – 2pm (ish)

Mirepoix Bistro is located at:
64 Court St.
St. Catharines, On
L2R4S2

Contact them at:
Phone: 289-968-8772
maddy@bistromirepoix.com

www.BistroMirepoix.com

This is an unsolicited review, the owners aren't aware that I am posting it, nor am I receiving any remuneration. It just deserves a great review.

Sunday, August 09, 2020

Unsanitary Conditions in Niagara on the Lake - today at 13:30

Historically, I am a big supporter of Niagara on the Lake.

My experience today has caused me to rethink that. I had to make use of the NOTL public men's washroom this afternoon. Upon walking up to the entrance the two mobile screen mesmerized zombies, who I assumed were supposed to be sentinels and ambassadors of hygienic practices, didn't even notice me.


I was wearing a quality mask and it was a good thing as the men's washroom was disgusting. A woman mentioned to me outside how disgusted she was with the women's facilities.

I made use of the less than hygienic facilities, washed my hands and exited without the aforementioned sentinels noticing. I wonder if the two sub functioning humans were the product of some practice of favouritism or some such. They would rank in the minus digits for awareness or attentiveness to duty in my book.

The current Lord Mayor of Niagara on the Lake is Betty Disero. Those of us who lived in Toronto during the Art Eggleton era should remember her. Were the two dysfunctional manikins hired by Betty or one of her obviously less than competent staff?

NOTLs petty tyrants were pretty quick to heavily fine people during the lock-down for minor transgressions. Lord Mayor Betty, what can we do to fine your wastrels and their questionable managers for endangering the health of NOTL's inhabitants and visitors?

Perhaps it is time for for an across the board municipal pay cut in NOTL. Maybe that will get the ball rolling in the right direction.

It is a sad day for what was a really wonderful Town. NOTL deserves better management and the Burghers of NOTL deserve better treatment from their employees.