AP: Sen. Feingold Faults Bush's War Language ("Islamic fascists")

[Eugene]

Sen. Feingold Faults Bush's War Language

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER
The Associated Press
Tuesday, September 12, 2006; 10:43 AM

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold called on President
Bush to refrain from using the phrase "Islamic fascists," saying
it was offensive to Muslims and has nothing to do with global
terrorists fighting the United States.

"We must avoid using misleading and offensive terms that link Islam
with those who subvert this great religion or who distort its teachings
to justify terrorist activities," Feingold said Tuesday in a speech
to the Arab American Institute on Capitol Hill.

The Wisconsin senator, a potential 2008 presidential candidate, said
the label "Islamic fascists" makes no sense and doesn't help the U.S.
effort to combat terrorism.

"Fascist ideology doesn't have anything to do with the way global
terrorist networks think or operate, and it doesn't have anything to do
with the overwhelming majority of Muslims around the world who practice
the peaceful teachings of Islam," Feingold said.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR2006091200618.html

[blm]

1. Good deal, Russ.

Kerry made similar remarks in his speech Saturday. I hope more Democratic leaders join in pointing out the negative aspects of this language.

The time is NOW to get on the same page and expose this BS for what it is.

[whistle]

2. Islamic fascists and Christian fascists two sides of the same coin

[RaleighNCDUer]

6. And that coin is theocratic,

not fascistic.

[bdamomma]

10. would it be too simple just to say "my god is better than your god"

what a childish remark.

[Missy M]

3. Thank you Senator Feingold...

"Islamic fascists" sounds so stupid. Most everything that comes out of Bush's mouth is just plain stupid.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

4. It's about time someone said something about this.

Even radical Islam has nothing to do with fascism. I think the right wing has put this label into use so they won't be labeled as fascist, which they in fact are.

[Sugarcoated]

5. Russ keeps it simple and to the point

so my praise is simple and to the point - Senator Feingold, you ROCK

[OregonDem]

7. We need to define Fascism for what it really is.

Fascists...

are aggressive invaders
stifle dissent
are nationalistic
use torture
have secret prisons
hate civil rights
are power mad
etc.

[gulliver]

9. Am I paranoid?

It seems fishy to me that the Bushies have adopted "fascism" into their talking points vocabulary. It's almost like they are worried that the term "fascism" is being rehabilitated to its original meaning (authoritarianism, aggressive nationalism, etc.). That's bad for them, obviously, because the New Coke Republicanism brought to us by Bush, Cheney, and the compliant Republican Congress has unnerving parallels to fascism.

Then, it was also interesting to hear in Bush's speech yesterday how the Islamic radicals "despise dissent." I don't believe I have heard him exactly defending dissent. Quite the contrary. Is this another case of Bush adopting a dangerous (to Bush) term to frame its meaning?

[whistle]

11. Hey, that's the Bush administration you are describing there

[RethugAssKicker]

8. How about.... it's just plain incorrect...

call them theocrats, nuts, whatever... but they're not facists!

They are using this word, because Rove thinks it will make America think of that glorious war: WWII... and that we are once again the GOOD GUYS fighting the evil FACISTS... and saving the world !