The USA fascist! What makes them fascist?

Fair enough Chelys - too sweeping a statement from me. However, let me list some core aspects of what the US currently is and see if you can spot any fascist parallels:

National rebirth through projection of power
Glorification of national symbols
Glorification of the armed forces
Positive views of violence
Scapegoating of "inferior" races
Populist nationalism
Mass surveillance of the population

You're right - calling the US a fascist state is OTT. However, everything I've listed just there is current and happening there now. Any country that compels all it's children to pledge allegiance to the state every weekday and has intelligence agency advisors (and money) embedded in its film industry doesn't sound like my idea of a free democracy.

Your mileage, of course, may vary.

Well I think Simon's head is large; always involved in espionage. (Name that tune)

There are probably 200 countries worse than the US in the world (most people from there would want to live in the States). Applying your logic, there would be no UK visits from any world leader at all.

Thanks for picking me up on that Dan. I'm glad you're back posting more.

There are actually 193 member states of the United Nations. See:

[Link]

Then there are two "observers," Palestine and The Vatican. The UN considers the Republic of China (Taiwan) to be a province of the People's Republic of China by resolution of the General Assembly. Then you have "sporting" nations who are wither part of recognised nations or colonies/territories/commenwealths. See England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Island, Gibralter, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, etc. So, 200 may be a low figure depending on your definition of a country/nation. Also, let's not forget either Palace Nation or Red Sox Nation.

Divorced...And LOVING it!
VJRAM Rev.
CPFC since Boxing Day 1989 CPFC 2-2 CFC
Gregg Berhalter, US International & USMNT Head Coach
Jill Ellis, England International & Retired USWNT Head Coach
Trevor Francis, International PRAT

The winners of the 2017 Fake News Awards. Hilarious by Trump [Link]

Trump's lies

[Link]

I have prepared one of my own time capsules. I have placed some rather large samples of dynamite, gunpowder and nitroglycerin. My time capsule is set to go off in the year 3000. It will show them what we are really like.

Quite happy for news outlets to be outed for getting things wrong, more often than not the correction and apology is minuscule compared to the original error.

I would say the likes of CNN and MSNBC have actually stepped up their anti-Trump agenda in the face of this.

I think Trump and the GOP are right to call out bad journalism. Some of the stories have been shocking. The general public is also losing trust in the credibility of mainstream media – and a lot of polls indicate this.

Edited by Penge Eagle (18 Jan 2018 5.28pm)

Seriously, the lack of editors, copy staff & researchers has meant standards have dropped overall. Whereas Woodward & Bernstein of Watergate fame wouldn't publish without 2 independent sources confirming anything they were told, especially from Deep Throat (Mark Felt of the FBI), today it's get it first, get it fast, get it now. Get it right, not so much. See Fox & CNN getting the SCOTUS Obamacare decision wrong, in CNN's case for a full ten minutes.

Divorced...And LOVING it!
VJRAM Rev.
CPFC since Boxing Day 1989 CPFC 2-2 CFC
Gregg Berhalter, US International & USMNT Head Coach
Jill Ellis, England International & Retired USWNT Head Coach
Trevor Francis, International PRAT