If I watched the clip right, she just meant the quote: "you fight your wars, I'll fight mine." And demonstrated that it's possible and perhaps legitimate to overthrow a government. Since Mao overthrew Chang Kai Shek. It must mean that the government is merely someone's opinion and not holy writ.
I kind of like that this can be said. And I think people, indeed, shouldn't see it as a promotion of communism. She did, afterall, mention Mother Theresa.
I get the feeling that Glenn Beck is just afraid of radicalism just for fear of radicalism's sake. He did afterall think Ron Paul was way over the top. Of course, in some ways he is: opposition to war, the Fed, tax theft, and so forth. But in some ways, RP is just traditionalism and more consistently the libertarian people claim to want. Beck is part of a controlled opposition and an annoying one at that. Of course, he is going to denigrate, regardless, anyone on the margins.
It's interesting to note that Thomas Sowell blew Alan Colmes mind a few years ago when he said on Fox News that the government is so highly corrupt today that it may require a coup. That in the Bush years; when all thought so, but were afraid to say so. Except for us. Except for people who have souls like Sowell.
The only thing disturbing about the quote is that it is equating political and private power. And since this cabinet member is currently promoting a literal war or two overseas. It may seem she is attempting to divert the kiddies' attention away from "our wars" and towards whatever metaphorical war is ahead in their lives. And of course, most of them won't be fighting wars, thank god, but hopefully participating in productive, non-violent, peaceful work and trade. (Which isn't a war at all.) Rather than maniacal and hegemonic imperialism.
The war, if any occurs, will be against them. The regime.
Interesting, I didn't see the clip so I don't know the context.
John Ess: I get the feeling that Glenn Beck is just afraid of radicalism just for fear of radicalism's sake.
I get the feeling that Glenn Beck is just afraid of radicalism just for fear of radicalism's sake.
Yeah. I get the feeling that Glenn Beck is OK with "radicalism" as long as it's his particular brand of radical, that is, he doesn't advocate radicalism in principle.
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David Z
"The issue is always the same, the government or the market. There is no third solution."
And I think people, indeed, shouldn't see it as a promotion of communism.
Seriously? She praised Mao, for cryin' out loud! The Chinese Hitler. And no, it was not "taken out of context" or "meant to be ironic."
To her credit, at least she never claimed to be an anarchist--unlike Chomsky, Zinn and other anarcho-leftoids sympatheitc to Mao (give Tremblay sometime and he'll probably warm up as well).
I absolute disagree with OP.
It's not that she agreed with a small part of Mao's political philosophy or worldview - which is perfectly OK.
She made is ABSOLUTELY CLEAR that she reveres Mao.
She explained that she liked Mao's political philosophy for his technique of gaining power - just do it no matter what, don't give in, believe in yourself, etc.
She said something like "They said he couldn't do it, his opposition had the army, the cities..."
It was clear that she thought Mao taking power in the way that he did was a GOOD THING.
Exact quote: "In 1947, when Mao Tse Tung was being challenged within his own party on his plan to basically take China over, Chiang Kai-Shek and the nationalist Chinese held the cities, they had the army. They had the air force. They had everything on their side, and people said how can you win? How can you do this? How can you do this? Against all the odds against you, and Mao Tse Tung said, you know, you fight your war, and I'll fight mine, and think about that for a second."
She presents Mao as the good guy who overcame a great challenge.
It's pretty obvious what the general gist of the speech is about.
- "Why not? - There isn't usually a good reason."
- "Here's the deal, they are you choices, no-one elses."
- "Fight your own wars."
= "Why care if you have to use aggression to redistribute the wealth? WHY NOT? There isn't a good reason. Fight your own battles. Who cares if that person doesn't want to be subject to aggression and violence. They are fighting their own battle, you fight yours."
In case you didn't realise, Ron is against the initiation of violence. Mao fails.
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