From Los Angeles…
Rethinking Heroes: Why Some Americans Love Authoritarianism
Well, today we embark on a journey through the annals of what I shall refer to as the "Traitor's Path." A meandering trek that some Americans seem alarmingly eager to undertake, often driven by the irresistible allure of authoritarianism. As we wade through these murky waters, let us marvel at the sheer caprice of human nature and the fallacies that lead men to betray their kind in pursuit of what can only be described as fleeting illusions.
Picture it: our nation, envisioned as a beacon of liberty and justice, has its very fabric tested by the temptations of despotism. Indeed, my own family's lineage contains within it the dichotomy that represents our national struggle. On my mother's side, an illustrious connection to Abraham Lincoln, the liberator and emancipator. On my father's side, a sordid history of slavers, bound to the whims of English royalty dating back to 1640. Another illustrious figure, one shrouded in infamy—Benedict Arnold—lies nestled in my maternal genealogy, a man whose treachery is both famous and instructive.
Arnold fought initially on the side of George Washington, striving, as did many colonialists, against the perceived tyranny of British rule. Yet, financial woes and an unpaid Congress nudged him into the debtor's prison that England so gleefully maintained. Abruptly, Arnold shifted allegiances, his motivations quintessentially mercenary, to save his own neck. This man was branded a villain for generations, and deservedly so.
Oh, the ease with which necessity transforms into treachery! But let us not conflate necessity with the whimsy and malevolent desires that fuel today's traitors. Enter the modern-day fluffer—an individual steeped in opportunistic duplicity. The betrayal here reeks more pungently than any historical turncoat could muster. Think of the gay individual, once an advocate for Joe Biden, now espousing the bizarre assertions of Bobby Kennedy Jr., only to later supplicate before the altars of Trumpism.
What greets him? Not the inclusivity and humane progressive stance one might expect—but rather a perilous flirtation with far-right dogma. For Trump has promised, openly, to enact the largest deportation in American history—a cantankerous echo of authoritarian regimes past.
So, why do ordinary people with ordinary lives embrace fascist ideologies? The answer lies deep within the complexities of human nature, manipulated by those who prey on fears and desires. The promise of stability amid chaos, the allure of simple solutions to intricate problems—these are the serpent's whispers that lead men astray. The nostalgic rhapsody of "Make America Great Again!" offers not a concrete temporal vision but a mirage, a fantastical past where systemic oppression reigned unchallenged.
Yet, herein lies the most terrifying transformation. The ordinary man, seeking security, sacrificing individuality, autonomy, and freedom—evokes memories of the post-9/11 panic that birthed the Patriot Act, a legislation that stripped away fundamental liberties in the name of safety. The creeping return to monarchical rule, replete with overbearing surveillance—Ashcroft’s vile concoction.
Stooping lower yet, consider the self-deluded—those who genuinely drink from the cauldron of fascist ideology, believers in the false promises of tomorrow. They are oblivious to the harm they incur, the lives they dismantle, for their joy is short-lived, and the infamy eternal. The essence of their actions is driven by fear—fear of the unknown, of change, of being left behind.
But fear shall not prevail, not today. Not here. Not now.
Stand firm against the fascists, reclaim empathy and compassion. Understand that the traitor's path is one of self-deception that can indeed be halted. America's educational erosion since the early 1900s, a deliberate manipulation designed to keep the populace quiescent and non-questioning, has only exacerbated this plight.
Contrary to the divisive narratives, we must offer a different vision—a narrative that is compassionate and humane. Remember that the framing of our Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are not relics of 1776 but alive and pertinent today.
In our media-driven world, now more than ever, we must ensure that the airwaves serve us—the people—and not the corporate overlords. Let us recapture the media as a force for good, as a tool for enlightenment, rendering not empty noise but informed and insightful discourse.
So, dear reader, I call on you to join this conversation, to share your thoughts, to participate actively in shaping a media landscape that serves democracy, justice, and truth.
As we ponder this broad spectrum of betrayal and attraction to authoritarianism, remember our charge is eternal—to fight for a world that values liberty and equity, where the media is ours, and the future is worth fighting for.
Join us, call in, share, and be heard.
Here’s to rethinking heroes, rethinking America.
—Cary Harrison
00:00 Introduction and Open Phones
00:02 The Traitor's Path: Historical Context
00:55 Benedict Arnold: A Case Study
02:52 Modern Turncoats and Political Fluffers
05:28 Fascist Ideologies and Human Vulnerabilities
10:17 The Role of Fear in Fascist Politics
13:30 Declaration of Independence: Then and Now
20:35 Call to Action: Reclaiming Media and Democracy
23:04 Listener Participation and Final Thoughts
29:15 Listener Call-In: Global Perspectives
30:18 Introducing the 'We' Concept
32:42 Debating Religion and Unity
35:25 Media Control and Public Perception
40:11 The Israel-Palestine Conflict
43:12 Listener Reactions and Final Thoughts
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Ep. 61: Why Some Americans Love Authoritarianism & Open Phones