Randi just said: why Dean wrote the book?

[shireen]

It's all here. Very very interesting. And chilling.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_john_dea_060710_how_conservatives_ha.htm

[originalpckelly]

1. I know poor John Dean...

G. Gordon Liddy is a fucking nut. Literally.

[Kire]

12. Are you sure he's not a fucking seed?

literally?

[annabanana]

2. an old saying:

ve grow too soon old, und too late smart...

[soothsayer]

44. That was written on our old ceramic tape dispenser. Amish looking

red thing with yellow flowers and maybe dutch shoes or something, or maybe ducks.

[skooooo]

3. I'm glad she's covering this....

Olbermann's interview with Dean was indeed chilling. It's a must see - if you have to look it up on Can o' Fun, or whereever they have video clips.

Dean's interview, and Colbert's address to the press at the WH dinner have been to two most significant television moments I've seen in a long time -- and they took place within a month or two of each other. Amazing - and scary.

[longship]

4. Olbermann/Dean interview on BitTorrent.

I've put up a tracker and am hosting this segment.

Here's the torrent file: Countdown-060710-JohnDean.torrent
Right click and "Save as..."
Then load it into your BitTorrent client.
Azureus is a good client which works with any operating system, including Windows (HowTo), Linux (HowTo), and OSX (HowTo).

[mod mom]

13. It's also on Crooks and Liars for those of us to inept to figure this out.

but thanks for your efforts!

:hi:

[longship]

21. C & L

If you want it in Windows Media or Quicktime, C&L do a good job. My version is straight MPEG4 AVI which should be playable anywhere. It is also of high quality than you'll find on C & L.

But basically, when I put it up shortly after the broadcast, there was nothing else up.

[mod mom]

24. I absolutley thank you for your efforts, but as someone who hasn't the

vaguest idea what MPEG4 AVI is and must rely on quicktime (which is somewhat limited), I thought I would comment where those like me could watch.

:blush:

[longship]

26. ROFL.

That's okay. MPEG4 AVI is an open video codec, a standard of the industry, unlike the proprietary Windows Media and Quicktime which are both top secret codecs owned by their developers (Micro$loth and Apple, respectively).

Unlike Windows Media and Quicktime, MPEG4 AVI is viewable on any computer with video capability. For people like me, who run only Linux, these things are important. (Yes, I can view Windows Media and Quicktime, but not all content, only that media which is encoded with the few codecs which have been ported to Linux.)

Does that splain everything? ;-) I know.... Clear as mud, eh?
:evilgrin:

Regardless, I will be hosting some video on BitTorrent from now on. For those who are interested, you can PM me if you want to explore BitTorrent.

[DURHAM D]

5. You are so right - a must see. After Olberman last night two of

my friends called me long distance to discuss same.

We are all older folk and have been having this fascist ramp-up conversation since Reagan.

One of my friends reminded me this might not do any good because during the Vietnam war when the younger generations figured out how fucked up the political system was we "Dropped Out". Hope he is wrong.

[shireen]

6. we all have limits to what we can endure

I hope he's wrong too but he's probably being more realistic about it.

Lately, I've had to cut back substantially in reading newspapers, watching tv news, and listening to AAR. It was making me seriously upset and I reached a mental breaking point of what I could handle without imploding. Empathy is a good quality, but in Bush's America, it also becomes a horrible burden to bear. Paying less attention to what's going on has become a survival strategy, something I feel guilty and ashamed of ....

Neocon freaks know it, and they exploit it to their advantage.

[DURHAM D]

11. Do what you can - Peace. eom

[patricia92243]

27. I had to do this after the election, and amstill not back to my old viewin

habits. I understand the need for a "vacation" occassionally from it all. Just hang in there and do what you can do - and don't do what you can't - and don't worry about it!

Regards! :)

[bdamomma]

31. it may be all to much too handle

but I think (just my opinion) is that we may have to step up to the plate, we are the only ones to do something.

these neo cons are playing mind games with us all.

[RagAss]

7. This is the most important book in America in the last 20 years...

...a must read...the future playbook of identifying fascism and isolating those who promote it.....

We need to get this out there...I am doing my part with fliers and mailings to local Dem friends.....

[FUGW]

17. This is what we have been waiting for.

When I heard Dean explain authoritarianism I felt like my eyes were finally opened. I could not understand how a "Conservative" could possibly believe warrant less wire taping and all the other B.S. these fascists have unleashed on us could be not just legal but necessary and good for America. I now see that these people are not Conservatives they are Authoritarians, if we can put that message out we can turn the tide on these frightened little losers.
No one wants to be called an Authoritarian, it sounds weak and brainless.

[Tansy_Gold]

23. Some take pride in being authoritarian

There's a website -- I found it yesterday, can't find it now -- that has both the original 1950 "test" to determine whether one is an "authoritarian" personality or not AND a discussion list for those who have taken the test. The discussion list was clearly very rightwing, with people either taking pride in having scored (high) in the "Have trouble keeping the lint off your black shirts?" category or apologizing/making excuses for scoring low ("Liberal airhead").

http://www.anesi.com/fscale.htm
(website with the test, and some background, but I can't find the discussion)

"The Authoritarian Personality" was an essay by Theodor Adorno, one of the founders of the Frankfurt School of social sciences and philosophy.


Tansy Gold

[FUGW]

37. Does this surprise you?

We are fighting for the soul of the country, most Americans will be repulsed by just the thought of Authoritarianism. Let those idiots try to tell them it's not so bad.

[blogslut]

42. I'm a whining rotter!

Awesome :)

[RagAss]

39. and we need to laugh at them...portray them as the ASSCLOWNS

that they are....

[ProgressiveEconomist]

47. Are you sure you won't regret that statement during the next few months or years?

[alfredo]

25. Republicans have a sense of entitlement. They feel they

are somehow better than us, closer to God, and more morally fit to rule.

[bdamomma]

32. yes, that is why they feel people who need help and all those

programs they cut for the needy, elderly and children, handicapped are to blame for their own situation, and that those with money are privleged and feel that they are entitled to what they have. They are just hateful mean spirited people.

[alfredo]

36. Spoiled brats

[notadmblnd]

8. He's dead on with his description of what they have become

Conservatism has noticeably evolved from its so-called modern phase (1950‐94) into what might be called a postmodern period (1994 to the present), and in doing so it has regressed to its earliest authoritarian roots. Authoritarianism is not well understood and seldom discussed in the context of American government and politics, yet it now constitutes the prevailing thinking and behavior among conservatives. Regrettably, empirical studies reveal, however, that authoritarians are frequently enemies of freedom, antidemocratic, antiequality, highly prejudiced, mean-spirited, power hungry, Machiavellian, and amoral. They are also often conservatives without conscience who are capable of plunging this nation into disasters the likes of which we have never known.

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. THAT was a GREAT read! Thanks for posting it!

"authoritarian conservatism" describes them perfectly. I can't wait to read his book!

[me b zola]

10. The article is well worth the long read

In the article, Dean tells of the early '90's smear campaign against him and his wife. He then goes on to tell of how the new republicans were hell bent on destroying Clinton and drive him from office as pay-back for Nixon. Outlining how the idea for the book Conservatives Without Conscience came about, he then shares some of what we can expect to find within the book.

Here's a portion of the article:

Conservatives without conscience do not have horns and tails; if they did they would be easier to identify. Many of them can be quite pleasant, but at heart they are tough, cold-blooded, ruthless authoritarians. They are limited in their ability to see the world from any point of view other than their own, and they are narrow in their outlook. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are prototypical conservative leaders without conscience. The excessive secrecy of the Bush administration, in particular, was apparent even before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but because the mainstream media ignored this issue, I wrote about it myself in Worse Than Watergate: The Secret Presidency of George W. Bush. Unlike the consequences of Nixon’s secrecy, those of Bush and Cheney have been lethal. Realizing that only a partisan would remain silent, I wanted to make people aware of what was happening, for I recognized that this was a dangerous presidency. In Worse Than Watergate I did not analyze Bush and Cheney’s behavior, because I was not sure then what was driving them. However, after studying the matter, I believe that one can reasonably conclude that how they think, their policies, and their style of governing are based to an alarming extent on their own authoritarian personalities, which tolerate no dissent, use dissembling as their standard modus operandi, and have pushed their governing authority beyond the law and the Constitution.

~snip~

How do people�"particularly those who have never put their life on the line for their country�"engage in, or condone, attacks on Senator John McCain’s life-defining experiences as a Vietnam POW or question Senator Max Cleland’s courage in building a new life after his loss of three limbs in Vietnam? What causes them to dispute Senator John Kerry’s valor during voluntary combat duty in Vietnam or to contest Representative Jack Murtha’s war record in Vietnam? Do they believe that by belittling the competence of White House counsel Harriet Miers, by forcing her to withdraw as a nominee for the Supreme Court, they are engaged in legitimate political debate? Why do they remain silent, or even defend, a president who has shamed the nation forever by endorsing an unprecedented and unnecessary use of torture against our enemies? These questions have clear answers. My aim is to explain how and why these conservatives operate as they do, with the thought that others may realize that this current breed of authoritarian conservatism, the behavior of both authoritarian leaders and their credulous followers, constitute a hazardous way for politics and governing. In fact, these people cannot be trusted to exercise the powers of government responsibly.

[starroute]

14. Is Dean on tonight's Daily Show?

I thought I heard Jon Stewart say that last night -- wasn't sure though. Does anybody know?

[shireen]

15. yes.

be sure to watch Reno 911 that airs before it, great therapy for depressed liberals!

[Connie_Corleone]

18. Reno 911 is definitely good therapy. LOL

I love their public service announcements. They are a trip.

I'll have to stay up to watch John Dean. I can't wait to get his book.

[Just Me]

16. I'll definitely get his book,....even though I prolly already know,...

,...much of what it will contain.

The present lot of neocons are pushing a revolt. Basturds!!!

[Sapere aude]

19. Are the conservatives going to give up power in 2006 and 2008 if the

people want to elect Democrats? Will the Democrats, if elected, turn this around? I just can't see all this coming to an end in 2006 or 2008. My gut feeling is that the conservatives have the next two elections already locked up and that the campaigning will be all for naught.

It doesn't seem reasonable that they will go quietly into the night in a couple of years or a few months having built up what they have and having gained the power they have.

I am not hopeful for the future.

[femrap]

29. It's darkest before dawn....

I'm ready to fight for some light. I just can't believe that Americans will give up their Democracy without a fight.

[bdamomma]

33. I keep on thinking we are the only ones

to change this around. If it was between us and them, would you risk your life for these dangerous people. One thing comes to mind if anyone saw Tankman on PBS, remember how those students revolted against their government and they went up against the chinese army, well the government gave the people all the materialistic things they wanted as long as they didn't criticize their government and they didn't, but one thing China grew up financially and in prosperity, and we right now are having everything taken away from us, so, all the more reason why we have to do something/anything to stop these people. Or are we going to give up everything that we believed in for so long?

[FUGW]

35. Keep the faith brother, we have a long way to go before we have to stand

in front of a tank for our disapproval to matter.

[FUGW]

34. The Conservatives have already given up power.

Get rid of the word conservative and call them Authoritarians.
"My gut feeling is that the conservatives have the next two elections already locked up and that the campaigning will be all for naught." In this statement you are giving them the cover of Conservatism.
"My gut feeling is that the Authoritarians have the next two elections already locked up and that the campaigning will be all for naught." In this statement you are exposing what they do.

[lostnfound]

20. Name it authoritarianism & force libertarians to see their deal with devil

It's a good perspective to drive home and to spread widely.
Libertarian ideology has padded the ranks of the GOP for a while. Force them to recognize that the wagontrain they joined is headed up by authoritarians, and they will realize they need to find a new direction.

[many a good man]

22. Its the Authoritarianism, Stupid !

We'll get 77% of the vote.

[Jazzgirl]

28. The article should be read by everybody.

It really explains authoritarianism and how it came about in the Republican party. Its quite chilling. I am definitely buying his book. I have WTW and was completely wrapped up in that. I am very impressed with John Dean's take on how politics have evolved since the Nixon era.

JG

[eridani]

30. If anybody in 1973 had told me that 30 years later I'd be eagerly--

--anticipating anything with John Dean's byline on it, I'd have asked for some of what they were smoking.

[DemonFighterLives]

38. Very Interesting!

Thanks for the link.
:dem:

[Pachamama]

40. When I saw Dean on KO, & then heard him on Randi, I was blown away! His

description is right on and I was so relieved to hear someone explaining it so clearly.

Meanwhile, (in my world) as I made dinner this evening, my right-wing long-time Republican father who is visiting and staying with us for a few weeks, was sitting nearby and I told him about the impressive interviews I heard. I mentioned to my Dad how Barry Goldwater and his son were people that Dean knew well and I described for him what he talked about. I confess my hope had been to spur a conversation with my father in hopes that he would see the truth in what Dean was talking about related to the changes that have occurred in the "conservative movement".

What happened next was quite frightening...after saying John Dean's name, my father started calling him a traitor to his nation and a rat. Confused and dazed, I asked him to explain. He continued on that he wouldn't believe a thing that John Dean said and that he only did things to gain personally and that he didn't care about our country. I started to disagree and tell him that its quite the contrary, that John Dean loves his country and the Constitution and had more loyalty to those than to the Nixon Administration that was breaking the law. My Dad started getting angry and said that John Dean should have been shot for Treason. He said "what kind of lawyer would rat out his clients (ie. Nixon et al)" and I said an American patriot would if asked under oath to answer questions. He then said that a real American Patriot is G. Gordon Liddy. He continued on that if he had to have someone have his back, it would be Liddy, not a snake like Dean. I then baffled asked my Dad why he would prefer to have a convicted felon like Liddy "have his back" then Dean and he said because Liddy is a protector of this country and scum like Dean want to destroy it. I told him that I consider the likes of Liddy and people like him to be hate-spewing and self-serving who are exactly the opposite of what my father professes them to be. Somehow the conversation quickly disintegrated from there with on the one hand my Dad talking about "the real defenders of the Constitution" to the fact that its okay for the Executive Branch to have the authority to bypass Congress with signing statements, spy on Americans without warrants and to declare Americans enemy combatants without charges and being held indefinitely.

The amazing thing, is that in all this as he spoke, there was such venom in his voice about Dean and somehow he even managed to throw something about Clinton, Kerry and JFK (!!!) calling them socialists and dangerous. By this time, I was starting to shake and feel like I was in the twilight zone. But it also suddenly hit me that exactly the group of people that Dean was trying to explain to Randi Rhodes and Keith Olbermann and in his new book "Conservatives without Conscience" and talking about the Authoritarianism and the enablers, that it was ironic that my Dad started talking about Liddy the way he did and even mentioned Ann Coulter as being a hero of his! I realized that my own father is one of those enablers! And I also realized he is so far gone and so beyond reaching any space in his conscience, brain or heart to show him what is going on. It was truly frightening. Its one thing to see these people on Free Republic or see them driving around in their cars with their "God Bless George Bush" stickers. But to realize that your own flesh and blood, someone who you even love and care about could be so angry and be a part of that group of people is beyond anything I can describe. It also made me realize that they can't be changed or helped. And their blind loyalty really is cult like....I just hope that we can outnumber them and take back our country before it is truly destroyed.

Dean hit the nail on the head and little does John Dean realize that even the mere mention of his name was able to demonstrate it to someone....

[grasswire]

41. wow, thanks for sharing your experience

I know that the same thing would happen between me and my sister if I mentioned Dean's name. She listens to Rush every day and is a true ditto head. And she's definitely authoritarian. Scary, scary. I hope you find some peace in the midst of such an upsetting event.

[Pachamama]

43. It is sadly an experience that many of us in this country are experiencing

Scary, sad and depressing. I'm okay now, but it really had me shook up. I think though that the more frightening thought that crossed my mind is that this Administration has so effectively used fear to control these people and the Bush Administration loves dividing this country. My biggest fear is that if things erupt in this country related to the political situation, that people like my Dad or sister would literally consider us the "enemy". A vision that comes to mind is "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". Remember the scene with Donald Sutherland (the original) where in the end he points and screams? I have this nightmare vision that this "cult" of Authoritarian enablers will start screaming and pointing at us and would "turn on us".

Sigh....Atleast my Dad and I can watch the Daily Show together and still "laugh"....speaking of which - how is Dad going to react when he sees John Dean on the Daily Show tonite? :eyes:

[Jim Sagle]

45. You should let us know. It would be interesting.

[Pachamama]

46. Dad got angry when Stewart announced Dean as his guest...

....and stomped out of the room while muttering something indistinguishable....

Meanwhile, I thought the interview between Stewart and Dean was really good...I look forward to reading the book!

And regarding dear old Dad - he's a lost cause...I'll just love him because he's Dad, but have to accept that he is literally a member of that 23% that are Authoritarian Enablers....sigh....