By Harold Riley
If I used the word “fascist” to describe some of the people who shout down speakers that they disagree with, and at times actually threatening them, I would be called other uncomplimentary names. But in essence, any familiarity with Mussolini”s government in the thirties, or Hitler”s special group of people who broke up meetings using these same tactics, the similarity is more than apt.
Another method used by Hitler was something called “the big lie” ? repeating scurrilous charges so often that uninformed citizens would soon believe them. We are bombarded with such expressions as “socialism” and the questioning of President Obama”s citizenship. There are three books out that not only criticize the Obama administration, but damn the administration, although he has barely been in office eight months. These books are not the big best sellers our right-wing friends would have you believe, but the right-wing book clubs buy them in bulk to boost their sales. Just another trick, another deception and another ploy to undermine public confidence and destroy what they cannot and will not accept.
For those who use the Bible to show how Christian they are and at the same time as a weapon of hatred, instead of a book of compassion and love, had better check out a couple of passages they seem to have missed.
Matthew 19 verse 21, in which Jesus tells his disciples “to go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor;” and in another verse shortly following Jesus says “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Doesn”t that sound socialistic? If Jesus were alive today I”m quite certain that all those who use the good book to rationalize their prejudices and political agenda would shout him down, and no doubt threaten him.
Harold Riley
Clearlake
