Sunday, December 30, 2007

The origin of an anti-choice scare story

The wonkier parts of the blogosphere are all alight with the story of one Ed Snell, a veteran harasser of pregnant women at abortion clinics, who was allegedly thrown off a car from which perch he was "counselling" women, and seriously injured. "He got what he deserved!" a clinic receptionist was alleged to have screamed.

There's no trace of this incident in Google News, other than a second-hand report from a Catholic house organ and another from the far-right Newsbusters.org, proving once again, of course, the existence of a widespread anti-anti-abortion conspiracy. A web search turns up several such second- and third-hand reports, all of which can be traced back to one source: the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property.


Who?

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) was born of a group of Catholic Americans concerned about the multiple crises shaking every aspect of American life. Founded in 1973, the American TFP was formed to resist, in the realm of ideas, the liberal, socialist and communist trends of the times and proudly affirm the positive values of tradition, family and property.

This is the American chapter of an organization concocted by the Brazilian extremist Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira in 1960. Given that we have been discussing fascism in a previous thread, it seems opportune to take a closer look at this organization. Indeed, one can learn more than one might want to know about this sordid outfit by reading Penny Lernoux. Readers will forgive, I hope, this lengthy quotation, exposing the vicious activities of TFP in Latin America:

Though dangerous, the Fatherland and Liberty fanatics were less influential than their counterparts in the Chilean branch of a right-wing Catholic movement known as Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP), principally because TFP's militants had an intellectual base that appealed to a large number of officers in the armed forces. Founded in the early 1960s by the Brazilian philosopher Plinio Correa de Oliveira, TFP has followers in most Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and l Brazil. While akin in some respects to twentieth-century fascism, particularly to Mussolini's corporate state, TFP is really a throwback to eighteenth-century Europe, as yet untouched by the French Revolution, when the Catholic Church defended aristocratic privilege as a divine right. Indeed, TFP's insignia is a medieval lion. Most of its members are from the wealthy, propertied classes and yearn for an earlier time when the Latin-American Church upheld the right of a few patrones to rule a mass of peons.

TFP's first commandment is the utter sanctity of private property, and in countries with progressive bishops, such as Chile and Brazil, this has forced it into repeated clashes with the hierarchy on the issue of agrarian reform. The movement's members tend to be narrow-minded nationalists with a xenophobic reaction to any suggestion by foreigners that there might be something wrong with their country, particularly if the government is running the country for the benefit of the wealthy, as in Pinochet's Chile. They are also blindly anti-communist, seeing subversion in anything remotely resembling reform, and are convinced that reds lurk everywhere in Latin America's new, socially conscious Church. Thus TFP divides the Catholic Church into "our" Church, which is a class Church, rooted in another century, and "their" Church, which is a classless Church and therefore subversive.

While the organization exists primarily to maintain the privileges of the rich, that goal has been disguised by jargon about "degenerate political systems," which TFP claims have caused the Western countries to succumb to Marxist penetration. Society is to be purified, along the lines of Mussolini's corporate state, by replacing traditional political parties with special-interest groups, to which people are assigned according to job and social class. This is supposed to produce a society in which everyone knows his place and is happy to keep it. What TFP doesn't say is that its model of government effectively nullifies any social or economic gains made by Latin America's middle and lower classes.

TFP's activities in Chile, Brazil, and elsewhere are an important part of the CIA story in Latin America, because its members were the intellectual and financial backers of military coups supported by the agency. After the military took over, TFP members and fellow travelers were active in these regimes' persecution of the Catholic Church, as in the case of police agent Adolfo Centeno and the smear campaign against priests and bishops in Uruguay. In some countries-Brazil, for example, where TFP established a series of training camps near Rio de Janeiro- members were instructed by the Army and the police, who, in turn, received military training and political orientation from the CIA, the Pentagon, and AID. But there were still closer ties: in Chile and Brazil the evidence points to both financial and political links between TFP and the CIA in plotting the overthrow of the Allende and Goulart governments.

When it supported right-wing Catholic groups, the CIA had principally in mind the political objective of removing left-wing governments by military intervention, but one result of the collaboration was to strengthen such organizations as TFP, which emerged as religious vigilante squads for the military regimes. Thus the CIA could be accused-and was accused by a number of prominent Catholic leaders, including Brazil's Archbishop Helder Camara-of inciting one sector of the Church to attack another. Moreover, in some countries, Bolivia being one, this collaboration extended to persecution of U.S. citizens when the CIA provided military governments and right-wing Catholic organizations with confidential dossiers on American priests and nuns.

A good example of TFP's connections with both the CIA and the military is the branch in Chile, which supplied the Chilean armed forces with a social philosophy-the generals had none - and a religious basis for the regime's political witch-hunts.

In the last months of the Allende government, TFP, the gremios, Fatherland and Liberty, and other right-wing opposition groups merged in a common front. The National Agriculture Society, for example, was controlled by Fatherland and Liberty and received CIA funds through an organization called the Congress for Cultural Liberty. The society, in turn, worked with the Association of Manufacturers, whose president, Orlando Saenz, was one of the directors of the TFP-backed gremios as well as a secret leader of Fatherland and Liberty. A month before the coup Saenz publicly thanked the president of the Agriculture Society for "the services lent earlier by you to our cause." Both groups had close ties with El Mercurio, Santiago's largest newspaper, which was financed by the CIA and used as an outlet for anti-Allende propaganda, according to U. S. Senate investigations. They also shared important Brazilian connections. Fatherland and Liberty obtained arms from Brazil through a Chilean coffee-importing firm which brought in, via the port of Valparaiso, crates of guns disguised as raw material for the manufacture of instant coffee. Saenz was in close touch with the financial and ideological backers of Brazil's TFP, which had been in at the kill of Goulart's regime. (Several of the tactics used in Chile were tested by TFP in Brazil. With CIA help, TFP sponsored in Sao Paulo a march of several thousand middle- and upper-class women that was psychologically crucial to the coup ten days later. Similarly, women's groups sponsored by TFP and Fatherland and Liberty held their largest demonstration five days before Allende's overthrow.

I have blogged before about the dalliance that elements of the conservative movement are presently having with neo-Nazis and their assorted kindred. This marks the first time that I am aware of, however, that a fascist organization has actually planted a news story, retailed, as it turns out, by its very own assistant web editor, and had it picked up uncritically by various extreme elements in the conservative blogosphere to attack the pro-choice movement. Useful idiots--or willing collaborators?

Further discussion on the invisible wall that supposedly separates fascism from conservatism is welcome, as always.

UPDATE: (January1)

Something did happen in front of the clinic, it seems. At last one of the "MSM" has broken their collective vow of silence and reported. Left unexplained is how the young man managed to "scale" an eight-foot fence, land on the car roof and push the right-to-lifer to the ground. (Why didn't he just use the door?) As the facts come out, perhaps at the young man's trial if there is one, I suspect we'll be hearing another side or two of this story.

None of this contradicts my earlier point: that a lurid tale of alleged pro-choice violence from a suspect source was leaped upon in an utterly uncritical fashion by people who are looking for anything, anything at all, to distract our attention from the killings, arsons, bombings and assorted vandalism perpetrated by the, uh, "pro-life" movement. Moral equivalence? I don't think so.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've always liked things like sand clocks, lava lamps, and the like to well-wishing of rightful dish out space staring at it as a form of catharsis. In a opportunity, it helps me with meditation, to free stress and just assume fro nothing. That's why since I was a kid, instead of dolls and cars I've eternally sedate more of such pieces like sand clocks, lava lamps, tuneful boxes etc. So I was most delighted when I start the[url=http://www.dealtoworld.com/goods-1260-2-Laser++LED+Light+Show+Laser+Top+Gyroscope+with+Music+Effects.html] 2-Laser + LED Spry Appear Laser Top Gyroscope with Music Effects[/url] from DealtoWorld.com under the aegis the Toys section. It's like a melodic caddy, a spinning top, and a moonlight show all rolled into one. Which is prodigious relaxation! The gyroscope transfer spin after in the air a minute. The laser explanation display with accompanying music makes this gyroscope a measure unequalled toy that my friends be subjected to also been most amused with.

My dogs are also beautiful eccentric nearly the laser gyroscope I got from DealtoWorld.com. They each cleave to the gyroscope as it spins, although at earliest they kept barking at the laser light show, and also because it produces music. But after they got worn it, they've stopped barking but due maintain following the gyroscope whenever I start spinning it. Kids are also bonny amused next to it. Off it's proper to take diverting toys about the lineage so that you can leave the toy on while the kids are being amused or playing with it while you count provide for viands or get changed. The gyroscope is unified such fool with with this purpose.

The gyroscope I bought from DealtoWorld.com has a dragon as a design on it, and produces a light accompany with red, dispirited, and green colours. Take a look at the pictures I've uploaded of the gyroscope with laser incandescence show. The music produced from the gyroscope is not that enormous but facts enough to accommodate any redone roomer to the house. The gyroscope is red and black, making it look extraordinarily cold, and somewhat macho with that dragon imprint.

The music dismount attack inform gyroscope runs on 6 LR44 batteries, which are replaceable anyway. I've also utilized this gyroscope to their heels my girlfriend during our anniversary celebration. I did the cheesy terror of decorating the hotel cell with roses and when I led her in, I started up the gyroscope as correctly so that the laser torchlight show produces a ideal effect. I also had some battery operated candles so all the light effects created a degree romanticist atmosphere. She loved it, not later than the custom, to my relief. I also bought the candles from DealtoWorld.com. These days it seems to be my non-performance shopping site suitable all gifts and ideas for romantic occasions.

Since Christmas is coming, this laser radiance playing gyroscope can maybe be a talented Christmas contribution in behalf of the toddler or in spite of the pet! Alternatively, the gyroscope can simply be a gracious reckoning to the ordinary Christmas decorations. I can take it as given placing it near the Christmas tree and maybe spinning it when guests reach in the house. Looks like [url=http://www.dealtoworld.com]DealtoWorld.com[/url] is getting my function still again!

Anonymous said...

Hola a todos, hace tiempo visito el foro pero nunca habia participado.

Basicamente solo queria presentarme!


Nos vemos

Anonymous said...

Hello. Facebook takes a [url=http://www.onlineslots.gd]no deposit bonus[/url] lash on 888 casino deal: Facebook is expanding its efforts to push aside speed up real-money gaming to millions of British users after announcing a apportion with the online gambling companions 888 Holdings.And Bye.

Anonymous said...

Suρeгb post howеѵer ӏ was ωοndегіng
if you could ωritе a lіtte more оn this
toρic? I'd be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Cheers!

my blog post: nyireland.com

Anonymous said...

It is approprіate time to maκe sοme plans foг the future anԁ it is tіme tο
bе happy. I've read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read more things about it!

Also visit my homepage: conductive deafness

Anonymous said...

Greаt post but I ωas wonderіng іf you
cοuld write a litte more оn thiѕ ѕubјect?
I'd be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Bless you!

Here is my web site 20 inch girls bike reviews
Also see my page: bike for girls 20 inch

Anonymous said...

A huge dick in my pussy,the warm wet tounge up our arse and cum along with
pussy juice all over me. Fuck, ozzy

Also visit my web-site: hcg injections

Anonymous said...

I'm gone to tell my little brother, that he should also go to see this webpage on regular basis to obtain updated from most up-to-date news.

Feel free to surf to my webpage Air Max Femme Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Whether you are searching for specialty styling products or specific
Loreal hair products,
you are sure to find what you need. s Therapy Treatment line, which
is a lightweight replenishing treatment that protects and
maintains hair condition. It is designed for professionals so you know you're getting top performance.

Anonymous said...

Thanks in support of sharing such a pleasant thinking, piece of writing is pleasant,
thats why i have read it fully

Also visit my web-site :: Gucci Sito Ufficiale

Anonymous said...

This is a topic that's close to my heart... Take care! Where are your contact details though?

my web-site ... continue reading

Anonymous said...

Ι�m nοt that much οf a оnline reaԁer to be hοnest but your blogs гeаlly nice, keep it
up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. Many thanks

My blog post ... lose belly fat

Anonymous said...

Todaу, while І was at work, my cοusin stole my iPаd and tested to see if it can surviѵe
а 40 foot ԁгop, just ѕo ѕhe can be a youtube ѕensation.
Mу aρplе ipad іѕ now broken and ѕhe has 83 views.
I know this is totally off topic but I hаd to shaге
іt with someоne!

Heгe is my web page natural breast enlargement

Anonymous said...

Hi! This iѕ kind οf off topic but І neеd some help from an established blog.
Iѕ іt very hard to set up your own blog? I'm not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I'm thinking
about setting up my own but I'm not sure where to start. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Many thanks

Also visit my page :: simple wood projects

Anonymous said...

Hellо! Wοulԁ you mind if I share your
blоg with my twitter group? Τherе's a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

Here is my web site 24 hr Emergency Plumber Solihull

Anonymous said...

Ѕοmeboԁy essentiallу аssіst to mаke severеly pοsts I might statе.

This is the first time I frеquented yоur website page and to this ροint?
I аmazed ωith the reѕеarch you
made to makе this аctual publish extrаordinarу.
Fantаstic job!

Here is my pagе :: locksmith solihull

Anonymous said...

I'm really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A few of my blog readers have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?

Feel free to surf to my weblog ... quiz machines

Anonymous said...

Amazіng! Thiѕ blog looks јust likе my
οld onе! It's on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Great choice of colors!

My web site :: Locksmiths Solihull

Anonymous said...

Wonderful іtemѕ frοm you, man.
I've be mindful your stuff previous to and you're sіmply extremely excellent.

I actually lіke whаt yοu havе аcquіrеd гight here,
гeallу like what you are saying аnd the waу in which yоu say it.

Υou make it entertaining and you still take сare of to keep it
smaгt. I сant wait to read far more
from you. That iѕ aсtually a tremendous
ωеbsite.

Fеel free to surf to my web pаge:
spa in birmingham

Anonymous said...

Good day I am so thrilled I fοund youг site, I reаllу found you
by асcіdent, while I ωas searchіng on Dіgg fοr somеthing elѕе, Rеgardlеss I am
herе now and woulԁ just like to ѕay
thank you for a tгemendous post and a all round іnteгesting blog (I also love the theme/dеѕign), I don�t havе time to go thгough іt all at the minute but I hаνe book-mаrked it аnd also
аԁԁed your RSS feeds, so whеn І have time ӏ will be bаck
to read much morе, Pleaѕe dо keep up the great jo.


Here iѕ my sіte; bigger boobs naturally