Letters to the Editor
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I know I'm crazy to say this...
...but "constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia" is first on the list of the 14 defining characteristics of fascism, according to Dr. Lawrence Britt. He says: "Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays."
Take a deep breath. Just pretend I didn't say the f-word. Pretend it's "authoritarian." Pretend it's "antidisestablishmentarianism." Distinguish between your emotions and your thoughts. Try it for a second, you might be surprised.
Now you've taken a deep breath, consider: I did not say "America is fascist." I merely pointed out one similarity America is currently exhibiting with fascist regimes, according to a particular scholar, whom you may or may not agree with.
If that's not a good reason to be deeply suspicious of knee-jerk patriotism, and of people who make a big fucking deal out of whether a person wears a flag pin, I don't know what is.
Ye gods... thanks a lot, Jonah Goldberg, for making that post needlessly tedious.