"Liberal fascism" and the record

It was only a matter of time before some nutty conservative "pundit," eager to smear the trail, wrote a book that claimed that liberalism and fascism were the same. Let's examine the current and historical record and see for ourselves. By the way, I'm not a liberal. (Perhaps this allows me to see the obvious more clearly.)

Recently we have none other than Little Green Footballs, a conservative website of no little renown, discovering that fascists and unreconstructed Nazis have made a snug home on the right.

More than one Canadian conservative blogger has made sympathy for the Nazis nothing less than a priority. The poor dears are being persecuted. Let's weep a tear, shall we?

Then there's always the conservative pin-up girl Ann Coulter. Any liberals or further-to-the-lefts support this sort of thing?

[Since 9/11] I am often asked if I still think we should invade their countries, kill their leaders, and convert them to Christianity. The answer is: Now more than ever!

Then we have David Duke, former KKK leader. Sure, he's against the war in Iraq. But here's what he stands for. Sound familiar?

Finally, here's Adolf Hitler, doing his Ayn Rand thing:

Therefore not only does the organization possess no right to prevent men of brains from rising above the multitude but, on the contrary, it must use its organizing powers to enable and promote that ascension as far as it possibly can. It must start out from the principle that the blessings of mankind never came from the masses but from the creative brains of individuals, who are therefore the real benefactors of humanity. It is in the interest of all to assure men of creative brains a decisive influence and facilitate their work. This common interest is surely not served by allowing the multitude to rule, for they are not capable of thinking nor are they efficient and in no case whatsoever can they be said to be gifted. Only those should rule who have the natural temperament and gifts of leadership.

I love it when these crypto-fascists try to cover their tracks. But can't they be...less obvious about it? Fascism, in fact, is just conservatism with the gloves off. It's been that way from the beginning. But we knew that.

UPDATE: (December 28)

Praise pours in for Liberal Fascism:

Goldberg has produced a scattershot comic book history of liberal manias, fast food for the faithful, perhaps, but pages that will quickly yellow and flake. No surprise, really. Goldberg's lightweight mind is incapable of heavy lifting, too dull for sharp satirical swipes. Of course his book is a laughable mess. That the guy enjoys a professional writing career in this diseased environment is all one needs to know. --Dennis Perrin

Liberal Fascism is such a transparently sloppy, shifty, intellectually rinky-dink endeavor that a show of anger would be a larger expenditure of emotion than a book this second-rate deserves. --James Wolcott

It’s like Jonah’s never talked to a liberal in his entire life. He reminds me of Steve Carell in the 40-Year-Old Virgin describing a woman’s breast as a bag of sand. --Sadly, No

Shorter National Review: “Charles Murray, who proved that Blacks are born stupid, likes this book so I just can’t wait to go out and buy it, ‘cos it must be really good." --Jack Fowler

I can't wait to read the book (and I'm already feeling less guilty about my Godwin's Law violations.) --Commenter "Eric" at Dr. Helen's place

Apparently, Goldberg unearths for the first time shocking similarities between Nazis and liberals. For example, Nazis wanted to clean up the environment. So do liberals! Nazis wanted to cure cancer. So do liberals! Nazis liked organic food and many were vegetarians. So are many liberals! A lot of Nazis were gay and a lot of liberals are, too! Nazis made Volkswagens and liberals love to drive them! Hitler loved dogs and so do many liberals! --Jon Swift