Hmmm...here a fascist, there a fascist, everywhere a flippin' fascist...! Funny how everyone thinks it's the OTHER guy who's the fascist.

Or maybe it's not so funny. I think there is a little fascist in all of us. Yes I do.

Here's my definition of "fascist":

The fascist is one who is absolutely CERTAIN that he is right and those who see it any other way are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. He is also certain that his way is the BEST way, if not the ONLY way worth considering.

Now there are no doubt moments when all of us think that way, aren't there? Unbalanced personalities like Archie Bunker do it almost constantly, thus making themselves a nuisance to others. By this definition pretty well all religious zealots, political zealots, or zealots of any stripe whatever are in danger of becoming fascists as an occupational hazard...and they more than frequently do.

A seriously dangerous fascist, however, is one who is willing to use unscrupulous or violent methods to suppress, convert, or destroy those who don't agree with him on the issues which he considers paramount. He becomes REALLY dangerous when he has the force of a government behind him or under his personal control. He will then use methods such as slander, false show trials (as in the McCarthy era or in various communist systems, etc.), character assassination, actual physical assassination, imprisonment, pogroms, ethnic "cleansing" (what a godawful term that is...), invasion, torture, brainwashing, concentration camps and even mass execution...all in his efforts to make a "better" world, as he envisions it.

No fascist thinks of himself as evil, he thinks of himself as fighting for truth, justice, and a better way...HIS way. He figures it's the other guys who are evil, and he behaves accordingly, with righteous fervor.

So...let's all take a deep breath...and try taking on the little fascist that rails inside our own breast...and speaks out of our own mouth when we get overly excited over issues...in the heat of the moment.

We all want a better world, don't we? See if you can beat the "little man within" first.

- LH

p.s. I know this stuff is obvious, but that doesn't mean it ain't worth sayin'...a little good will goes a long way.