What does fascism look like?

We’ve seen it in Stalin’s and Putin’s Russia; we’ve seen it in the theocracy in Iran; we saw it in Hitler’s Germany; we saw it under Mao; we see it in Kim Jung Un’s North Korea and we saw it in South Africa.

It is a totalitarian tyranny.

The ruling junta set up a regime and take control of the political system to prevent opposition. They use masked goons (Gestapo, Stasi, KGB, OVRA, Kempeitai, Hisbah, morality police, Taliban, security branch). Every tyrant and fascist regime has its masked goons employed to beat, torture, kill and terrify.

Trump has ICE.

What does fascism look like? It looks like Trump, the GOP and MAGA to me!

Should Humans be Preserved or Eradicated?

If an alien race was weighing up the good and bad in mankind with a view to preservation or extermination what might they be weighing up?

ProsCons
Creativity – art, dance, music, architecture, literature, poetry, fashion, photography, sculpture, design
Spirituality – nature, sunsets, stones, beauty, seas, harmony, peace, yoga, meditation
Caring– hospital, care homes, welfare, hospices, community support, youth clubs, crèches, selflessness, altruism, heroism, rescue, gentle hands, hugs, comfort
Education – schools, universities, curiosity, pleasure of learning, seeking knowledge and understanding
Science/Technology  – research, curiosity, scientific advances, technology developments, modern society, machines, gadgets, labour saving, expansion of knowledge
Health – hospitals, doctors, dentists, mental health, psychiatrists, nurses, carers
Cuisine – foods, flavours, textures, aromas, chefs, cooking
Wines – nose, taste, nuance, sharing, harmony Culture – vitality, differences, history, stories, beliefs
Leisure – teams, sports, competition, camaraderie, support, teamwork, pleasure.
Love – partner, family, friends, pets, nature, sex and sharing.
Travel – appreciation of geology, architecture, cultures, nature, wonders and awe.
Awe and Wonder – ability to be in awe of the heavens, infinity, nature, beauty, life.
Tribalism – nations, nationalism, patriotism, racism,
War – cities torn, civilians killed, indiscriminate bombing, hospitals, terrible weapons designed to maim and create terror, gas, nuclear
Torture ­– horrendous instruments designed to inflict pain, use of electricity, drilling, cutting, crushing, beatings, floggings, rape, sexual mutilation, psychological
Violence – guns, knives, razors, fists, boots, bats, Misogyny – roles, dress code, subservience, sexual exploitation, 2nd class citizens, careers, education, pay.
Inequality – sexism, elitism, old boy network, clubs, control of system, gross earnings, extreme poverty, exploitation, control of media, manipulation of democracy, authoritarian,
Cruelty – dog fighting, bear baiting, abuse of animals, enjoyment of pain, sadism,
Drugs – addiction, death, illness, gangs, pushing Greed – billionaires, millionaires, exploitation, price hikes, excessive profits, ignoring human misery, workers’ conditions, sweat shops.
Crime – theft, murder, revenge, prostitution, slavery, drugs
Selfishness – thoughtlessness, ignoring others, taking more than others, more than needed Pollution – cutting corners for profit, lack of care for the effects on health of others, impact on ecology, deliberate
Environmental destruction – short-term gain, long-term loss. Forests, lakes, seas, air, land Politics – careerists lining own pockets, lust for power and wealth, sociopaths and psychopaths, lies and manipulation
Religion – intolerance, separation, fear, hatred, violence – crusades, Jihads, torture, wars, pogroms, indoctrination, burning at stake, inquisitions, politics, wealth and power, stifling progress, denying science, spreading conspiracy Internet – control, manipulation, misinformation, addiction, lies, algorithms reinforcing views Mental Illness – Psychopathy, sociopathy, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, addiction, obsession, trauma, fragile minds easily damaged.

Are humans worth saving or are our fragile minds too hard-wired to greed, power and violence? Are we too destructive?

What have I not considered?

What would your verdict be?

Positive vibes – The Day We Saved The World.

I just thought this needed another airing because it has such a positivity!

The Day We Saved The World

The day we saved the world

There was cheering in Kabul

Girls in their summer dresses

Free with their noblesses,

Smiles and laughter

In the rubble of Ukraine

Hugs and handshakes in the rain.

Milkshakes and ice cream in Sudan

Not a sign of desperate Dan.

All the Ayatollahs threw off their robes

Shaved their beards and danced.

The Pope sold art from the Vatican

A billion lives enhanced.

Trump destroyed his missiles

Threw a party at the Capitol.

Putin dismantled all his submarines

And that was not all.

The day we saved the world.

The day we saved the world

Musk and Gates fed all the little kids

And moved into a semi

Starmer kissed Thera May

And danced all night with Kemi.

ISIS fighters drank and sang

And everyone was pissed.

Evangelists embraced

Not a soul was missed.

The Ku Klux Klan cuddled babies

A new vaccine against rabies.

No-one ever caught the scabies

The day we saved the world.

There was love-making in the streets

Laughter in the bible belt

Waves of ecstasy were felt.

Sharing all across the planet

No-one had to plan it.

Every creature was revered

Every eye was teared.

All nature no longer alarmed.

As not a hair was harmed.

Every tree was sacred.

Everyone a star.

Nobody tried to make a killing.

Everyone was willing.

Playing tunes on their guitar.

The day we saved the world.

The day we saved the world.

The dawning of a new era.

Nothing could be clearer.

Everybody reborn.

Everybody happy

Nobody left forlorn.

No shit in any nappy.

Plenty food to eat

New friends to meet.

Joy and laughter in the air

All one lovely people

With everything to share.

We disinvented politics.

Unimagined all religion

Worshipped every type of life

From spider to pigeon.

From there on it was perfect

No family subject to neglect.

The day we saved the world.

Opher – 6.1.2024

I stole the title from Ian Dury. I’m reading one of his biographies. He was talking about the rhythm of words and had this as a starting title. I like to think there are shades of Dury in my words. It’s a kind of reasons to be cheerful.

You know, things could have been so much different. If only the gentle and kind ruled the world instead of the violent and greedy.

Just think.