A bundle of sticks and fascism

[Cassius23]

Did you know that the basis of fascism is a bundle of sticks? The word fascism has as its root in the Latin word “Fasces” or a bundle of sticks. The individual sticks represent citizens and the bundle overall represents the state. So, when considering if any country is becoming more and more fascist, think of the bundle of sticks. Which is more important in the society, the individual or the state? Or maybe the individual or the corporation? To elaborate further on this theme, here are 14 points that past fascist governments have had in common, brought to us by Dr. Lawrence Britt in his essay, “Fascism Anyone?” Let me know if these criteria look at all familiar.

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause

4. Supremacy of the Military

5. Rampant Sexism

6. Controlled Mass Media

7. Obsession with National Security

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined

9. Corporate Power is Protected

10. Labor Power is Suppressed

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption

14. Fraudulent Elections

[RandiFan1290]

1. These are fasces, right?

[McKenzie]

4. yes - those symbols are fasci n/t

[leveymg]

5. Fasci are all over the place in Washington, DC.

They're on practically all public buildings and monuments erected between 1925 and 1941. I've also seen them here on some restaurants, office buildings, and even the fascade of St. Mathews Cathedral, where Rehnquist's funeral mass was celebrated a few weeks ago.

All these Fascists in Washington are very troubling.

[Kailassa]

15. The dangling ropey things

from those fasci
turn the bundles of sticks
to a dozen cruel whips.

And one has the eerie feeling
that clock is doomed to face us
wordlessly,
arms akimbo,
forever.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Sadly, very familiar

and some of Shrub's poses remind me of Mussalini.

[McKenzie]

3. the term is "facsio" - pl - "fasci" - I believe

the symbol turns up again and again in coats of arms across the world. It's adoption by the fascists apparently derives from the binding of the rods (I think there are nine) that are ruled over by the axe head that is part of the symbol.

You will find it in surprising locations if you know where to look. Quite what that means I am not qualified to say. All I would say is that humankind is big on symbolism - Jung wrote about it.

regards

[HereSince1628]

6. Did you know it is a symbol used by the US government?

Check the reverse side of the Mercury head dime, and the decorations in the Senate chamber.

[leveymg]

8. Along with the Masonic Pyramid - what weird signals we send out!

No wonder the rest of the word views us with dread and amusement.

[Cassius23]

9. I will believe until the day I die..

that that was some Robert Anton Wilson/Illuminatus!/Discordian type's idea of a joke. I can see it now. "Yes, sir Mr General Sir, that shows a sense of history and purpose. Wouldn't it be even better if we modeled it after the dollar bill?" Either that or my literary tastes are just that obscure, which is possible too.

[leveymg]

11. Of course, the decision-maker didn't get the joke

So, Poindexter got hired and they used the logo. Stupidity.

[Cassius23]

12. It's called the SNAFU principle...

Which, in case you are wondering, is basically why no President no matter how bright or inquisitive will be more likely to get accurate information than we will be.

SNAFU Principle=“True communication is possible only between equals, because inferiors are more consistently rewarded for telling their superiors pleasant lies than for telling the truth.”

Taken from http://catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/S/SNAFU-principle.html.

[leveymg]

13. Powerful conspiracies always eventually destroy themselves n/t

[Cassius23]

14. Such is the way of things in the Region of Thud n/t

n/t

[evermind]

16. Not to mention the Crowleyan initials...!

http://www.sacred-texts.com/oto/aba/chap5.htm

[lectrobyte]

17. Could very well be. R.A.W. was pretty popular around college campuses

in the 70's. Is there a golden apple in there? Any K's? All Hail Discordia!

[Cassius23]

7. The symbolism of the bunch of sticks.

The idea is that the individuals united are more potent than the individuals themselves. It is also a fable by Aesop. Keep in mind that the bunches of sticks you see in many of the buildings/coins/etc in the US predates fascism as we know it today by several hundreds of years(fascism was originally pioneered by Hitler and Mussolini, with precursors in the late 19th century). Mussolini adopted the symbol and name as it fit well with his idea that the individual was subordinate to the state(MANY quotes to that effect available upon request).

***Edited because I'm a grammar nazi. My apologies. ***

[leveymg]

10. Lots of references to Mystery Cults

Including this odd cultist:

[ochazuke]

18. My junior high classmates must have thought I was a fascist!!

They always yelled FAGGOT! FAGGOT!

That's a bundle of sticks, too, isn't it??