Krugman: What's Going On? (Don't let Repugs escape their fundies)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/29/opinion/29krugman.html?hp=&pagewanted=print&position=

Democratic societies have a hard time dealing with extremists in their midst. The desire to show respect for other people's beliefs all too easily turns into denial: nobody wants to talk about the threat posed by those whose beliefs include contempt for democracy itself.

We can see this failing clearly in other countries. In the Netherlands, for example, a culture of tolerance led the nation to ignore the growing influence of Islamic extremists until they turned murderous.

But it's also true of the United States, where dangerous extremists belong to the majority religion and the majority ethnic group, and wield great political influence.

Before he saw the polls, Tom DeLay declared that "one thing that God has brought to us is Terri Schiavo, to help elevate the visibility of what is going on in America." Now he and his party, shocked by the public's negative reaction to their meddling, want to move on. But we shouldn't let them. The Schiavo case is, indeed, a chance to highlight what's going on in America.

One thing that's going on is a climate of fear for those who try to enforce laws that religious extremists oppose. Randall Terry, a spokesman for Terri Schiavo's parents, hasn't killed anyone, but one of his former close associates in the anti-abortion movement is serving time for murdering a doctor. George Greer, the judge in the Schiavo case, needs armed bodyguards.

[eleny]

1. It's chilling

[SensibleCenterist]

2. Does this Help or Hurt?

PK is right on as usual, but I think that the Bushbots are going to seize on this column to try to paint him as a whackjob, and to leverage more print space for their whackjobs.

After all, they have succeeded in establishing that the only "fair and balanced" journalism means that you give 50% of media to one side, then 50% of media to the other side, right?

[Memekiller]

10. Krugman did right thing...

The fear of not standing up to extremism is what led to the examples he gives in the Netherlands and Israel. These people the Bush bros have been using for a bit of political theater have been calling for the death of Michael Schiavo and the judge in this case.

[necso]

3. Great piece, glad he's back. /nt

[GetTheRightVote]

4. With Bush's help I do see a future w/ the fear assassination of leaders

So many weirdos are popping up into the main stream of American and threaten to kill/murder those who do not agree with them that this will be an answer to many in the not so distance future. Oh look at what * and his posse have begun in this once great nation .... what an ugly legacy to leave behind you after you pass on.

:kick:

[GetTheRightVote]

5. With Bush's help I do see a future w/ the fear assassination of leaders

So many weirdos are popping up into the main stream of American and threaten to kill/murder those who do not agree with them that this will be an answer to many in the not so distance future. Oh look at what * and his posse have begun in this once great nation .... what an ugly legacy to leave behind you after you pass on.

:kick:

[Memekiller]

11. Kaus at Slate thought LIBERALS would be prone to violence

http://slate.msn.com/id/2067592/

It's been several years since he wrote that, and it's still the right wing that's resorting to violence.

[NewHampshireDem]

6. Is PK giving a shout out to Sinclair Lewis?

"America isn't yet a place where liberal politicians, and even conservatives who aren't sufficiently hard-line, fear assassination. But unless moderates take a stand against the growing power of domestic extremists, it can happen here."

Let me be clear (yes, lurking freeps, I'm talking to you)--I ask if this was Krugman's intent. I don't know, since I'm not him--so try not to confuse my speculation with his intentions.

Here is Sinclair Lewis's book, "It Can't Happen Here," about the rise of an American Fascist:
http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301001h.html

Here is Mauren Farrell's article about the same:
http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/04/09/far04030.html

This is a great article by Thom Hartmann about VP Henry Wallace's assessment of the dangers of 'American Fascism':
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0719-15.htm

These were floating around a lot back in October and November, when the threat of a 2nd * term was equated with the rise of fascism. Well, now that we are seeing fascism's rise, I'd lot to raise them again.

[Demit]

9. Maybe he's shouting out to Marvin Gaye, too (What's Going On?")

I don't know if headline writers write headlines for essayists as well as reporters, but it's an appropriate evocation in any event.

[scarletlib]

7. Krugman deserves a Medal of Freedom

This man's articles week after week consistently tell the truth to the American people.

So just wondering how do you get a Medal of Freedom. Should we contact Hillary? or some Congressman?

Wouldn't it be a delicious irony if gw had to award this medal to Krugman?

[Jensen]

8. I would love that

:9

[SensibleCenterist]

13. Would never happen

You would be amazed at how many pages around the net shriek about how "partisan" and "corrupted" Krugman has become. I swear if his editors misplace a comma to them it is worse than 10 years of Hannity lies.

Hillary keeps as low profile as possible for very good reasons. She knows how any appearance by her would totally inflame and incite the fundie base. She wouldn't get involved in something like this unless there was a very good reason to.

[Sacajawea]

12. Excellent column!

:thumbsup: