It is bizarre to see Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly denying that pundits from her network compare people to Nazis—contrasting this reticence to Rep. Steve Cohen (D.-Tenn.), who said calling healthcare reform a “government takeover of healthcare” was “a big lie. Just like Goebbels.”
In fact, such comparisons are common currency on Fox News and in much of right-wing media, as FAIR has documented (Action Alert, 1/16/04; FAIR Blog, 4/2/09, 8/9/09, 4/28/10; Extra!, 3/10). Fox‘s Glenn Beck, a leader in this trend, compared the auto bailout to “the early days of Adolf Hitler” (4/1/09), said that Barack Obama’s plans to expand the programs like the Peace Corps were “what Hitler did with the SS” (8/27/09) and, when Obama said he was looking for “empathy” in a Supreme Court nominee, claimed that Hitler’s empathy “led to genocide everywhere” (5/26/09).
The Washington Post‘s Dana Milbank (10/3/10), who wrote a surprisingly good book on Beck, did a count of how many times the Fox host had made various Nazi allusions:
In his first 18 months on Fox News, from early 2009 through the middle of this year, he and his guests invoked Hitler 147 times. Nazis, an additional 202 times. Fascism or fascists, 193 times. The Holocaust got 76 mentions, and Joseph Goebbels got 24.
Yep, the particular comparison that was so outrageous it merited in-depth examination on Fox News has been made on Fox‘s top-rated show at least two dozen times—along with hundreds of other Third Reich references.
For an added dose of hypocrisy: Bill O’Reilly (1/20/11) had right-wing talker Laura Ingraham on last night to weigh in on, among other things, the outrageous Nazi analogies coming from the left. Ingraham has a record of—you guessed it—playing the Nazi card while criticizing the Obama administration.
How does Fox get away with such shamelessness? It’s hard to explain—if I’m not allowed to mention the Big Lie theory.
If you call someone a Nazi for fomenting racism and hatred of “the other”, it may not be a perfect analogy, but there’s a viable connection, don’t you think?
If you call someone a Nazi for working for justice – which has nothing to do with the current administration, of course – you’re just engaged in duplicitous agitprop, not unlike certain historical antecedents, aren’t you?
The point being that all “Nazis” aren’t created equal.
The epithet should be used circumspectly, but if the jackboot fits …
“The epithet should be used circumspectly, but if the jackboot fits â┚¬Ã‚¦”
An excellent guideline. I think it’s a crime that such analogies have become so commonplace as to be regarded as meaningless, but I strongly disagree with those who argue that any comparison to German fascism is automatically out-of-line, that it cheapens the horror of the actual historical experience, etc. The soundness of such an analogy should be judged in the same way as any other: does the shoe fit? Very rarely is this the case–the comparisons are just too depressingly commonplace–but if you hold any such analogies inherently inappropriate, you deny the ability to learn anything at all from that history.
Before the election last year, I wrote a little blog about the question of liberals comparing the contemporary American right, to Nazis:
http://lefthooktheblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/republicans-are-nazis.html
It’s certainly a much closer fit than anything offered by the Fox News clowns. And, with them, you also have to contend with comparisons of liberals to “socialists” (in fact, the words “liberal” and “socialist” have been made a synonym in the American conservative elite’s narrative), and, more overtly to Stalin and Mao.
CL2, I’m fine with being labeled a “socialist” – if by that you mean someone who sees that true equality and dignity can never arise from a system based on profit and competition. Personally, I prefer the term “empirical humanist”.
(Okay, that’s a little busy. Back to the drawing board.)
Given that, it is insane for Tea Baggers and their ilk to call Dear Misleader’s policies “socialist”, since they seek to preserve a structure that’s inimical to those goals, isn’t it?
There’s nothing wrong with being called a Socialist, Doug L. I mean, for the record, it’s actually less offensive to the Rightists than the awful “humanist” tag–that really gets their blood boiling. Just ask the next well-meaning (or not) person who starts frothing at the mouth when you say you have socialist tendencies to consider Social Security. It’s truly “socialist,” and it’s wildly popular and successful. And it’s about to be torpedoed by our “socialist” president. The Tea-Flakers just don’t get it, do they? Our President bends over backwards to please Wall Street, the rich, and various haters of the old Democratic (socialist-leaning) order, and they still hate him. Bunch of dumb ingrates.
In the right’s narrative, a “socialist” is a Bolshevik, a would-be totalitarian, an enemy of mankind. It’s intended as a smear. They frequently use “fascist” and “Nazi” the same way–a part of the right’s narrative focusing on historical revisionism has, as a part of it, a campaign to rebrand fascism as a left-wing movement, specifically, a “socialist” one.
Part of fixing this definitely includes imparting a much better understanding of “socialism.”
Not being in or from the US, I find a great number of these ‘word games’ hugely entertaining. This is because I have observed that many US pundits actually have poor word power as part of their own personal skill set. All use ‘speech writers’ because they actually can’t string a sentence together on their own. This inevitably results in great rabble rousing speeches, but appalling TV interviews laced with mixed metaphors, poor analogies, invented words and tactless and poorly constructed arguments.
In all cases, doyens of so called Fox ‘News’ foolishly attempt to denigrate others by trading what is thought to be an insult e.g. “socialist” ,”liberal”, “Nazi” and the like. This tells us more about the lack of education, lack of character and ignorance of the speaker rather than meeting the intention of the supposed ‘interview’.
We who are not in the US are not fooled or conned by these idiots. We just watch helplessly as these fools are encouraged to incite division and hatred and trade insults as if this is somehow a ‘God approved right and duty.’
Well as long as its about protecting freedom!
I’m not conned, are you?
Tim, I guess the most accurate description would be “an aspiring mensch”. -g- I try to treat folks right, which to my mind logically leads to questioning a system based on the principle of big-dog-eat-little-dog.
Regarding SS – y’know, it’s really not socialist, is it? It’s an insurance program that you pay into, and it’s not based on your needs, else you’d be guaranteed an adequate income, and wealthier folks wouldn’t get benefits.
That said, it’s been a lifeline, if a limited one, for working folks for over 75 years. It remains to be seen just how much longer that will hold true, given the forces arrayed against it.
CL2, it’s true the term is often meant to conjure images of gulags and parades of military might through Red Square, but it’s also designed to denigrate anyone who allies themselves with the victims of the plutocracy, who have consigned themselves to their fate through deficient strength of character, as we all know.
A little bit of charity’s fine – it’s good PR, in fact. But, as the song goes …
I’m all right, Jack
Keep your hands off of my stack
And they’ll do whatever it takes to keep that stack from slacking, won’t they?
“Nazi.”Used as an example…Indicating an advanced country. Diverse, and multi cultural.A leader in the world of science and industry.A country(Germany) that dug its own grave by handing over power to government -resulting in a complete meltdown of social morality. Resulting in a despot using that power to gain control that led to the death of a nation ,and of millions the world over.It is the man in the road with a warning sign lest government gain too much power.In that usage we may certainly say the word “Nazi”(National socialist) in regard to Bush or Obama.It is a word that stands at the top of the list.The ultimate failure. Genocide was the end result of that seminal failure once.Handing Power to one man.One government.One savior.We are not there yet.With people like the TEA Party about,hopefully we will be forwarned of any such beginnings.
Well, Doug L., I think your right about the insuance program aspects to it, but it is a socialist-like program, isn’t it? Most of us pay in to support a large percentage of people who’ve paid in before us. Beautiful, really; government doing good for an enormous amount of people, and that’s exactly what’s got the libertarians and Rightists so worked up. They’ve hated SS for decades, and finally they’re positioned to put the hammer down on it–with the help of our beloved “Socialist” president. Yes, B. Obama is actually going to grab the third rail, and feel no shock–no shock of horror, or guilt, or historical responsibility to those who fought so hard before him. His main concern—indeed, apparently his only concern–is to get re-elected and act as the Great Mediator. He’s happiest and most fulfilled when he’s engaged in “bipartisanship”–which means selling liberal and old Democratic ideals to the lowest bidder, in this case, Wall Street. From the sell-out of the public option to the outrage of the tax-breaks for the super-rich (two broken campaign promises right there, big ones), the President has made it very clear which side he’s on, and it’s not mine, or yours, or the vast majority of Americans. The next move? Several, actually. Look for those damnable, business and “job-killing” regulations to be chucked out the window. He just hired a CEO (naturally) to knuckle down on the Federal bureaucrats. (You know, the ones whose pay he froze for a couple of years.) Then, the big one: Social Security. We’ll see, won’t we? Hopefully, those millions of people who depend upon SS will make their voices heard, and our tin-eared President (and most members of Congress) will listen, for once. Don’t bet on it, though.
P.S.: By golly, you’re so right, TIm. You noticed that many of the FOX “news” team are simpletons. One doesn’t need to be smart in our fledgling democracy to make a successs of an American Right-wing life, you know? Unfortunately, many here are conned, daily: the FOX newshounds aren’t the only dopes out here in this great land called Ameriker (G.W. Bush’s pronunciation). But be nice, World, or we’ll kill you: we’ve got the bombs, and the murderous, ignorant temperament to use them.
The most entertaining presentation of this issue is probably Lewis Black’s claim that Glenn Beck has “Hitler Tourette’s.” I’ve seen it many times, and it’s still funny.
Little Joseph Goebbels had several (19) rules of propaganda. Anyone can recognize the following rules being followed by Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, and other Nazi Propaganda Leaders:
“Propaganda must facilitate the displacement of aggression by specifying the targets for hatred” (Pres Obama)
“A propaganda theme must be repeated, but not beyond some point of diminishing effectiveness” (Obama is a Muslim…not an American)
“Black rather than white propaganda may be employed when the latter is less credible or produces undesirable effects” (Hateful, duplicity, fear mongering)
“Propaganda must label events and people with distinctive phrases or slogans” (Obama is a Muslim, not a US citizen, bla, bla)
cmstombach….
Goebbels always claimed his techniques(a good amount of those 19 rules) for propaganda were learned from the styles of certain American progressive leaders of the time.That is something of a dark shadow in our history you seldom hear about.Looking at the political landscape it is easy to see why.
.I don’t think that Rush(lets say)daily pointing out the lies of the left is in any way propaganda.If he were telling lies(and of course it is your right to your opinion about that)it would go to the strength of his message.But remember Goebbels effected every aspect of German life.His dictums were not opinion ,they were law.There was no turning off the radio with a click and moving on to other things.People pointing to every contrary opinion to there own(you)as being the beginning of a move toward total mind control is a divergence in an understanding of our model of free speech.And is in itself the true fear mongering that has always proved groundless in this land.Propaganda without power is in itself simply opinion.Rush has no real power no matter what your boogie man fear would tell you.Sarah..Ann…Hannity…Beck…Just Rockstars with a big audience.Kieth Olbermann quit this week.Sad.I hated his show.Thought him wrong most of the time and an angry annoyance of a man.But his viewpoint must be valued.He was all the things you mentioned and more.As is Stewart ,and Bill from mars..Jean Garafalo.Gore ,Rosie Odonell…and so many more.But we need them to articulate their beliefs.It helps Americans to see the lines clearly.The real danger is now.Now as Obama submerges and vanishes into smoke and mirrors that people will not see that difference and instead vote for his winning smile.So dont be so willing to kill the messenger.Even when they are being successful at killing your belief system.In the end that freedom is more important than all else.
I think Cohen got a raw deal, even liberals were on his case. He didn’t use it the way FOX and the right does. He made a good connection between what the Republicans are doing, which is lying and Geobbels methods, which can be seen in the right’s behavior. The right is fraught with memes, memes are all they know. You find the use of memes in conservative think tanks. It is like trying out a lie, just keep repeating it to yourself and it will sound more like the truth the more you repeat it.
Eric, thanks for the reminder about Lewis Black and Beck having Hitler’s Tourettes. It was so funny to hear that routine.
When the left criticizes the right it is usually to correct a lie or some inaccuracy while the right tries to make the left into an evil being through demonizing and exaggeration. It is rarely a point of fact about an issue that someone on the right wants to address. The left tackles the truth of the matter head on. In response, the right plays the poor victim always. Even though the right has their boot on your neck, they are the injured party is their position.
There was an article in The Hill about how the Democrats before the midterms were making the election about villifying the Tea Party using the technique of a possible victim as is illustrated the book by Jennifer J. Freyd, “Feminism and Psychology.” Freyd was describing the technique(DARVO) in a different situation involving abuse victims and the writers of the Hill article made a leap in drawing their conclusions, because I don’t think the Democrats ever see themselves as victims. And they were correct in their warnings about a Tea Party Congress, already these no nothings called the Tea Party are stirring up an austerity plan to cut $2.5 trillion from the budget.
But I’m getting off point here. The technique Freyd referenced was DARVO, which is actually more typical of FOX noise personalities when confronted, than the way the Hill article implied about the Democrats. It means to Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim, Offender. If you don’t believe me, just check it out sometime. It is more appropo to the right than the left. The right is always a victim, they are just like the evangelical religious right, enemies everywhere, the gays, the environmentalists, the humanists, the feminists, the socialists, illegals, Muslims, Sharia Law, and so on.
michael
I read that Olberman was fired; he didn’t quit. I hope you think more clearly than you interpret recent events.
The big mouths on teevee have no power????
Beck has been credited by the perpetrator as the one instigating a planned attack on the Tides Foundation. There others, but I don’t keep rigid track……
Yes, there is power there, and, since Reagan shut down mental health facilities, plenty of people on the loose willing to do Beck’s bidding, given opportunity and the brains to make the plans.
Limbaugh and his ilk twist, turn, bend, shuffle, and mangle the facts to create false ‘truths’ that send those without critical thinking skills off the edge, willing to vote/kill against their own best interests based on half-truths, right wing mythology, and irrational twists of the language.
It’s excruciating to see Mr. Obama give in to the right-wing. He might get some benefits for the commonweal, but has sold his soul-and ours- for a piddling return and a potential collapse of our country into anarchy, when enough citizens realize they have been sold out. They won’t care if it’s by the Oval Office or the offices on Wall Street. The anger will be general and widespread, including against blameless neighbors who sounded the alarm and were ignored, as well as those on the “right” who share the anger of the rest of us betrayed citizens..
There will be no discrimination among victims unless Beck and company pull a 24/7 propaganda radio directed coup, instructing the angry people when to be angry, when to strike, and who to murder. It sure worked in Africa, and it will work here. Americans think they are exceptional, but they are no more exceptional than than the folk groups from whom they are descended, German, Austrian, Irish, Italian, African, Russian. whatever national stock. 90% of Americans are open to evil, given the right circumstances and direction. The other ten percent will die rather than betray their inner nature.
We already have indications of americans willingness to torture to the edge of death and then beyond that vile goal. Thank you Bush and company for your contribution to our national downfall.
It’s almost as if fauxnews “personalities” never watch fauxnews….
As for this: “How does Fox get away with such shamelessness?”
Easy: The corporate media won’t call them on it.
The state capitalist Stalin preferred to be called â┚¬Ã…“socialistâ┚¬Ã‚ domestically because of the popular sentiments of the Russian public for socialism and against the evils of capitalism.
U.S. politicians referred to Stalin as a socialist because this allowed the easy demonization of socialism for the sins of Stalin’s cruel state capitalism.
Congratulations to the socialist Green Bay Packers. The Packers can’t leave Green Bay. Where all other NFL teams are subject to extortion in the form of public subsidies, tax breaks, and new stadiums built at public expense for private profit in exchange for easily broken promises not to leave their cities, the Packers have accomplished a city’s equivalent of nationalization.
The associated jobs, tourist revenue, and trophies will keep Green Bay a viable city while the auto industry, after their defection to capitalist China, has left Detroit a ghost town.
Should have read:
“…stadiums built at public expense for private profit in exchange for easily broken promises not to leave their cities, Green Bay has accomplished a city’s equivalent of nationalization of the Packers. “
Helen
Rather, the corporate media sponsor and encourage shamelessness……as long as they can profit from it, they will keep on the same course……our country and its people be damned………
Em Hoop .Have not spoken to you before.If Kieth O was fired i can only say i am not surprised.I watched his show and it was a hard thing to do.His figures were horrible.Just an angry disagreeable guy.How long can you carry that crap?
So you don’t like right wing talk shows?They don’t sing your tune?Click it off.Dont waste thought or breath trying to come up with ways to control freedom of speech.It is a flawed ideal but wonderful by and large.YYou said americans are not exceptional and that marks you a liberal.It is the heart and core of liberalism.Americans….. constitution in hand, are indeed exceptional.As the tea party sweeps in you will not see anything but a return to constitutional principles.Smaller government and government involvement in your lives.America allows itself to be governed.We do not need rulers.So put aside your fear of the potential evil in the hearts of man when released from the benevolent government leash.We will be fine.Americas rugged individualism will shine again.And Yes Obama is realizing too little too late the errors of his ways.We do not give second chance to a man who believed in remaking America in a progressive model.He says he loves America.He says he loves his wife.I look forward to him being a private citizen spending his days remaking his wife.Isnt that what one does with the things he loves?
It seems so easy to sit back and be an armchair judge of President Obama. President Obama has been opposed by the House and Senate republicans every step of the way. He, just like Clinton, is getting nothing but opposition for every good and just policy he and other Democrats want to do for the country. Sure he has done things that did not please me and did not make me proud. But I am proud of President Obama because he has continued to do what is right. He has made compromises that though not great, did make it possible for much to be accomplished in the lame duck session of Congress. It was wonderful that so much finally was done in that short amount of time for the New York 9/11 first responders, for the unemployed benefits and for the end of DADT. President Obama has accomplished so much. The Health Care Reform is going to help a lot of people. Once the truth shines through the right wing lies more and more Americans are going to want the Affordable Care Act and will want the benefits.
Em, I am not the most optimistic person and I have a more hopeful way of thinking than you. We have republicans or we have Democrats. I will stand with Democrats every time and I will stand with President Obama because he is trying to do the right things. When the tea party extremists, Fox liars, republican billionaires and the republican Congress are all against a President it is not a good job to have. We have great people like Bernie Sanders and a lot of really good Congressional Democrats who will stand with us and will fight with us for the truth, for justice and for fairness for more people. You can let President Obama know how you feel. I get tweets from the President, from the Whitehouse and lots of other Democratic organizations that keep me more optimistic for America. I am only worried that republicans will regain power and do a lot more harm to the country. I don’t trust a word they say and I don’t trust that they have the best interests of Americans ever in their plans. Just more war with Iran and more spending spending spending with none of it in America.