Some folks just love a good 'Goose Step.'

[Tyler Durden]

Another poster was asking the question of why and how someone could actually BELIEVE and SUPPORT the Neocons in their quest. Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3649788

Admittedly, it IS a tough concept for the people who have bothered to think INDEPENDENTLY once in a while, but as far as I can tell, that's the key. It's not only far easier to let someone else tell you what is right and wrong, but it can be FUN.

EVERYONE loves a neato parade. And MARCH MUSIC??? Cripes, I'm the next thing to a COMMIE, and the "Washington Post March" ALWAYS gets my toes a tappin'. Something in the Human Psyche just reacts positively to that primal beat in 2/2 time thingy. Add snappy uniforms, armbands, and somebody to look down on, and you've got yourself a Nazi Party, OOPS, I mean, Republican Party rally.

Add to that Human Nature (which is usually NOTHING to be proud of), and it's hard to see why ALL of us aren't Neocons. Face facts, as a species we're pretty reprehensible. Shit, look at me and the wife: we watch the "bloodsport" shows on basic cable where people get horribly mangled doing what we view as silly things and we laugh our asses off; it's better than South Park and the Daily Show COMBINED. And what are we REALLY doing: looking down on people we consider stupid. We aren't any better than the Fundies damning the rest of us to Hell if you look at it in the extreme.

Nazis didn't just HATE Jews. Smashing windows, burning synagogues AND people, they were having a LAUGH RIOT while reinforcing a cultural imperative that stated that they were BETTER than everyone else. The seduction of this sort of behaviour should be perfectly obvious; this is the extreme endpoint of some amatuer juvenile delinquent soaping the car windows on a vehicle belonging to the local curmudgeon. Schadenfreude is part of the new religion: don't you think that it makes one of the Neocon fundies cream in their jeans to exclaim how "YOU ARE DAMNED TO HELL!!", or when some rePuke bastard like DeLay starts pissing all over Liberals/Democrats/his personal enemies? This is how they have FUN. They are ENJOYING THEMSELVES.

How do you get a completely Self Righteous Fundamentalist or a Fascist (either one bent on ideologically remaking the world in their image) to STOP doing what they think is RIGHT or what they ENJOY or even worse, BOTH? You can't. Taking morally courageous action and points of view involves self sacrifice and work. It's hard and it's seldom pleasant except for the feeling that you've done something morally correct that benefits others, and that makes delayed gratification look like hoping for a better deal when you get re-incarnated. That is a very hard sell indeed.

Face the possibility that we will not win. Face the likelihood that when the asteroid hits the earth and makes us extinct, we will likely still be arguing about basic human needs and responsibilities. We are not the Universe's Favorite Pets, no matter what the Fundies say, and the United States is not the pinacle of human expression, no matter what the Republicans say. This isn't PESSIMISM, it's LIBERATION. If you don't have to make perfection; you can only get close, and then you can try again.

Revolutions happen, and will likely happen again in the near future; it's not probable that we can stop this. We as Progressives can continue to work, guide, persuade, and advocate; but it's ok to fail. The trying is what makes us better people, and if the efforts of the opposition work toward making us extinct and they prevail, so be it.

Maybe the Rats will do a better job when we vacate our niche.

[Tyler Durden]

1. It's really OK if I just write this stuff for myself.

I used to say that I abuse my position to write other stuff as therapy, and it's pretty close to the truth.

That, and as I think I'm RIGHT, or CORRECT if you will, frankly sometimes I don't give a good GOD DAMN what anyone else thinks anyway, which was exactly my point for writing it.

[mogster]

2. According to your nick, you're not even yourself

;-) Or maybe you're double yourself? Uh, that movie was confusing..

No, I thought your post was great. And there IS something about marching/parades that gets the old foot going.

To sad it always have to be soldiers with guns.

[Tyler Durden]

7. I am a legend in my own mind.

GAWD what a trite cliche.

[JHB]

3. Woim Syndrome...

...(named for the toady to the Little Rascals/Our Gang resident bully, Butch).

Some people just get a vicarious thrill from the exercising of raw power (as long as it's not directed at them). Especially if it "sticks it" to someone or some group they're nursing a grudge against (or just plain don't like).

[Tyler Durden]

5. OOO, I like it!

I may steal that one.

[JHB]

8. No need to steal, I give it freely

It's like schadenfreude, only a touch nastier and more saditic.

Actually, I've been using that term for about three years now. Anytime I try to promote it, it goes nowhere. May you have better luck.

[SmokingJacket]

4. I don't think we'll ever, ever "win."

Fascism/fundamentalism/cruelty will never go away. You'd think, for example, that after the solid trouncing the Nazis got they'd change tactics, change their names, something! But no; there are still Nazis trying to hold parades in Germany right this very moment.

It's a long, long, unending battle. They gain ground sometimes, they lose ground sometimes. But though we may never win, we're never going away, either.

When I was watching Hotel Rwanda I realized that -- even in the face or horrible, horrendous, overwhelming evil -- you have to fight and do what you can, no matter how little that might seem. They were chopping people apart in the streets, no one was stopping them, but the Don Cheadle character focused on saving the small handful of people he could. And every person he saved was a VICTORY.


Interesting post! But it's complex and hard to respond to -- don't take it personally!

[Tyler Durden]

6. Oh I never take it personally.

Quite frankly I view most of what I write as Monologue, answering its own issues and questions.

Or not.

As with everyone else, I too am guilty of thinking that I'm right.

[Tyler Durden]

9. one kick for the effort.

Hey I know you might take it to be depressing, but it's not....

well maybe a little.

[undergroundpanther]

10. Power

Being addictive.. If you keep upping the ante with more abuses getting more sadistic and more sarcastic to get that thrill of the barb could it be you are addicted ?? Hmmm? Well try this: don't do it. Turn off the violent TV, shut up your mouth and try not to Ya YA,go cold turkey,Stop being an ass and scapegoating people because it gives you a buzz. See what happens.. Quit looking away and getting off on other's suffering vicariously.. Give it up... quit looking to be jazzed. Is being a bully or sadistic verbally abusive troll on line a rush for you? Than maybe could it be you are an addict to your own asshole..??

The only way to tell if you get off too much on this sort of thing is to is to see if you feel withdrawl..Do you feel down if you don't crack on people? How long can you go until you say something mean?

I think this is something to consider..Just entertain the idea.. I wonder....I ask because I think it is the bully asshole elements in our societyy that can also cause and excuse racism,bad religion, fascism,sexism, theocracy,child abuse,abuse in general,gay bashing,theocracy, all for this shit is maybe for getting a thrill some get of putting others down,or watching others get skewered or seeing others obey or hurt and look like fools..Stealing,risking,scamming,pranks.. This kind of socially destructive mean behavior very well could be for some, an addiction to a kind of misuse of power and control.. It is this kind of misuse of power and authority in the worst sense that is currently destroying our nation.

A list of addiictions...

http://www.addictionz.com/addictions.htm