Keith Olbermann on the emperor’s new fascism
August 31st, 2006
MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann directly takes on Donald Rumsfeld and all the other “leaders” who argue that the public’s role is solely to listen and to obey.
Excerpt:
In what country was Mr. Rumsfeld raised? As a child, of whose heroism did he read? On what side of the battle for freedom did he dream one day to fight? With what country has he confused the United States of America?
The confusion we — as its citizens— must now address, is stark and forbidding.
But variations of it have faced our forefathers, when men like Nixon and McCarthy and Curtis LeMay have darkened our skies and obscured our flag. Note — with hope in your heart — that those earlier Americans always found their way to the light, and we can, too.
The confusion is about whether this Secretary of Defense, and this administration, are in fact now accomplishing what they claim the terrorists seek: The destruction of our freedoms, the very ones for which the same veterans Mr. Rumsfeld addressed yesterday in Salt Lake City, so valiantly fought.
And about Mr. Rumsfeld’s other main assertion, that this country faces a “new type of fascism.”
As he was correct to remind us how a government that knew everything could get everything wrong, so too was he right when he said that — though probably not in the way he thought he meant it.
This country faces a new type of fascism – indeed.
These comments will be widely quoted in the years to come. The fact that this can come from a commentator on a “major” TV station raises hope that democracy just might survive the monsters who now seek to destroy it.
Make sure to watch the entire seven minute commentary. Only if you can’t watch, read the transcript.
Entry Filed under: Iraq,Politics,Rights and Liberties,Social Issues,Terrorism,War and Peace