1 Boring Old Man

Like many people who write about the current political world as a way of not having it pull the soul right out of the body, I’m having difficulty responding to Donald Rumsfeld’s recent remarks at the American Legion gathering. It makes me feel weary, but a fellow has to do what he has to do:

"I recount this history [Nazi Germany] because once again we face similar challenges in efforts to confront the rising threat of a new type of fascism," he said.

"Can we truly afford to believe that somehow, some way, vicious extremists can be appeased?" he asked.

"Can we truly afford to return to the destructive view that America — not the enemy — is the real source of the world’s troubles?"

At least they’re consistent [sigh]. Rumsfeld is on the same kick Cheney was on, "appeasing extremists." It took me a while to understand what Cheney was talking about. He [they] are working a new line, the liberals want to pull out of Iraq because they think it will appease the Terrorists and they’ll make nice. I’ve said what I think about this absurd reframing of why most of us want to pull out of Iraq as have just about everyone. But Rumsfeld is taking it to new heights. His analogy to Nazi Germany suggests that pulling out of Iraq = giving in to Hitler [sigh].

Then there’s the fascism analogy, hooking up with Bush’s new favorite term – islamofascism. I wonder who came up with that one? Fascism is the rule of the powerful, a particular favorite of Nicolo Machiavelli [hero of A.E.I.’s Michael Ledeen]. The anaolgy of the Islamic Jihadists to fascism is remote at best. Fascism is a much better adjective to describe our Administration [or, for that matter, the rest of Rumsfeld’s remarks – things about media pessimism and so on]. Okay, that’s all I can take of Rumsfeld today.

"Okay, we got to come out strong on Iraq and tie it to Terrorism and 911.
We’ve gotten all we can get out of ‘cut and run.’
I know, how about ‘fascism?’ I know! Islamofascism!
Make sure he [Bush] can pronounce it.
…
I know he won’t know what it means.
Just tell him it’s a bad thing – you know, like Hitler.
…
Adolph Hilter, that German guy.
…
Tell him to ask his dad."