#fascism's influence in society

[wiisagi-maiingan]

Again, I strongly encourage people to do research on how the Nazi party explicitly attacked modern art as being pointless and a threat to "Western civilization" as a way to discredit Jewish artists and any artist who spoke against the regime and to push them out of society. Modern artists lost their jobs, were ostracized by the art community, and the few pieces that were kept on display in museums were often targeted in fascist and antisemitic attacks.

This isn't a conspuracy theory, it's a very well recorded fact and it had a huge influence on the development of modern art and society's view of it. You can't separate the current hatred of modern art from its origins in fascism and trying to just inevitably means that you're going to end up falling into that mindset.

#nazi mention #antisemitism mention

[metamatar]

What is fascist about astrology? It feels like you're demeaning what fascism is by using it so loosely?

astrology seeks to explain all human behaviour as inborn and predetermined by stars that humans have no influence on. this is identical to fascist deployment of racial categories: unchangeable, essential and given primary explanatory power while rejecting socioeconomic explanations. modern astrology is also often used quite transparently to justify prejudice as rational, aligning itself directly with the ongoing fascist reaction.

fascism and its use of the occult to whip up reactionary fervor have been documented by nicholas clarke in the occult roots of nazism. here's a more recent piece drawing out the the popularity of new age mysticism and the far right.

in vedic astrology, which has immense amounts of social power and legitimacy in hindu society unlike in the west – all interpretation of the stars is done by unverifiable statements delivered by priests whose social power cannot be challenged. this tends to happen in any field of study that is basically obscurantism. godmen often then become centres of fascist reaction. these patterns are reflected in the way astrology gurus create local cults of personality around themselves.

sure, astrology and mysticism predate fascism. my claim is that their revival in modernity is often because their ideological and philosophical commitments align so obviously with fascism that it is inevitable they will end up laundering fascist ideology even when their practitioners are not fascist.

i am a godless communist in a country where there is little mysticism and religious practice that is not put to fascist use. i know i am very harsh on this stuff, but little is changing my mind atm.

eta: probably the more accurate term would be to say astrology is protofascist.

#asks #anon #anti astrology

[headspace-hotel]

Y'all want postcards from my visit to Twitter? Full disclosure all of these people are Nazis so be aware that I mock them without the slightest minuscule grain of good humor

Normal things to type with your hands huh

Anyway I'm hit so hard these days by how contemporary fascism shares like 90% DNA with Conservative Evangelicalism.

And that's really what frustrates and frightens me about contemporary Christianity, because there are people in it whose political beliefs uncertainly approach "liberal," who want to grapple with racism and sexism in the Church, but a lot of the writers and thinkers that were foundational to their worldview are now viewed by them as good-naturedly misguided, when their ideas were Very Much Fascism. Being a philosopher or theologian with a mild mannered affect doesn't make them not a fascist. Being well-intentioned in a twisted way doesn't make them not a fascist. Failing to realize that what they were supporting and proposing is fascism doesn't make them not a fascist.

There is just not a sufficient recognition of the horrible seriousness of the "culture war" and how the topics that were battlegrounds in the "culture war" were selected for monstrous political purposes.

There is a continued effort to "save" or "salvage" things like being pro-life and supporting abstinence until marriage, and this, to me, reflects a continued failure to seize the fascist abomination Evangelicalism has become and truly tear it up by the roots. Can you be personally uncomfortable with abortion or personally in favor of sex within a committed relationship? Of course. But these things would not be political issues without the influence of fascism in culture and politics. They would not occupy your head like this. They would not be the main subjects of your moral universe without the consuming sense of anxiety that your society is increasingly descending into moral degeneracy, partly to the increased visibility and dominance of groups that are culturally "other," posing an existential threat to the integrity and stability of your culture—which is an INTEGRAL CHARACTERISTIC OF FASCISM

It's at the point where exchanging ideas with conservative Christians, as a more progressive Christian, drags you down more than it could ever lift them up. It's like you're trying to carry a backpack attached to a chain and the other end of the chain is attached to a rabid wolf.

It doesn't matter how important the stuff in the backpack is to you. You cannot go back for it. And if your buddy insists on going no further unless the backpack can come with you, you'll have to make a decision, because that wolf's eyes are lit up with sightless sickly fire and his jaws are foaming and snapping.

#nazi tw #fascism tw #christianity tw #evangelical christianity

[writingraven]

World Building

Types of Government

♛

⤷ anarchy

➝ society without enforced government

⤷ aristocracy

➝ small, elite ruling class holds power over lower socioeconomic strata ; members chosen based on wealth

⤷ autocracy

➝ controlled by one singular person of power without restraints

⤷ communism

➝ state owns and operates industry on behalf of the people ; citizens are apart of a classless society that distributes goods & services as needed

⤷ democracy

➝ power held by the people through voting in order to ensure fair representation and prevention of abuse of power

⤷ dictatorship

➝ power held by one person or a group of people who control the masses

⤷ fascism

➝ control of the people by promoting ancestral/cultural values & eradicating foreign influences

⤷ federalism

➝ union of smaller states which are self-governed yet united under a central government

⤷ junta

➝ militaristic rule after taking over by force

⤷ monarchy

➝ authority is vested in a single figure for life and passed down hereditarily ; level of power may vary from absolution to nonexistent

➝ constitutional monarchy: limited power as outlined in a constitution // absolute monarchy: unlimited power

⤷ oligarchy

➝ authoritative power rests with a small faction of people or families who are deemed worthy due to wealth, education, and/or family history

⤷ plutocracy

➝ ruled by the wealthy

⤷ republic

➝ democratic model in which the people elect representatives

⤷ socialism

➝ collective and cooperative ownership of production, opposed to private

⤷ stratocracy

➝ ruled by the military following wars and expansion

⤷ technocracy

➝ scientists are decision makers ; rulers are chosen based on experience/knowledge/skill

⤷ theocracy

➝ power rests with religious figures ; scriptural laws and legal codes are coincided

⤷ totalitarian

➝ total control by government including the prohibition of opposition & extreme regulation of public/private life

⤷ tyranny

➝ absolute control by ruler with an oppressive power

#writing #writing tips #story ideas #reference #knowledge #writing reference #world building #government

[venussaidso]

Rahu Dominant Themes — 𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 (part 1 of) 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟕

warning ⚠️: movie spoilers

Lord Rudra is an angry manifestation of Shiva who is the god that destroys the universe in order to re-create it. Rudra is the version which emphasizes the destruction of illusions, imperfections, diseases etc. before change can take place. Rudra means "one who eradicates problems from their roots", which rules Ardra, where we see the shadow planet Rahu being at it's potent height. Rahu is always dissatisfied and filled with illusions. With Rudra here, we see the strong conviction to break all things illusory, that are a stain or disease. Ardra, being Gemini and Rahu together, chooses to face the cold, harsh truth by deconstructing it (Mercury). There comes an intense anger and urge to destroy the root of all problems.

The best piece of media by far to embody the potency of Ardra, especially Rudra, is MR. ROBOT.

Ardra is quite contradictory, as it aims to expose truth by ruthlessly shining light on it ("control is an illusion") and therefore breaking the illusion, despite literally being ruled by the most illusory planet, Rahu. Rami Malek is an Ardra Ascendent and in the series Mr. Robot, he plays a cybersecurity engineer who uses his rare intelligence (Gemini/Mercury) to take down an evil conglomerate that controls the world & gets away with terrible world crimes that are swept under the rug. The Ardra character is already established as not a truth seeker, but someone who is already aware of everything and has been long disillusioned. The other important main characters also seem to be played by Rudra influenced actors which I found so incredible. These key characters show different dysfunctional aspects of society, almost critiquing them. Though Rudra is more potent through Ardra, Rudra has incarnated in different forms. Aja Ekapanda, Ahir Bhudhanya - Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada. And Goddess Kali has associations with Rudra, and it rules the nakshatra Mula - which forms the axis with Ardra (being Sagittarius-Gemini). All the Rudra nakshatras are scattered across the main cast of Mr. Robot.

Another similar piece of media that is linked with Ardra and anarchist/political themes that expose heavy truths of society and elite powers of the world is the film V FOR VENDETTA, which leans more into anti-fascism. Starring an Ardra native.

Ardra faces the reality of things that is usually harsh and too overwhelming for others to bare, the kind of truth that is often not thought of. The series The Boys shows what would realistically happen if superheroes were a thing — none of that Marvel sugarcoating shit. Just like Rami Malek's character in Mr. Robot, the character Billy Butcher played by Karl Urban is already established as one who knows the harsh reality of superheroes (being monsters and corporate puppets) and is portrayed as an angry, disgruntled, dissatisfied person. And of course there is Rahu/Ardra influence.

Ardra is not always about dethroning corrupt powers. It can simply manifest into meaningless chaos, purposeless anarchy as seen in Heath Ledger's Joker who only makes chaos to prove the hypocrisy in people and society. This critical nature is always within Ardra, no matter how chaotic and senseless it manifests.

Yes he's an Ardra Moon.

It's always interesting how nakshatras with the same planetary rulership can share the same themes, despite the differences in their ruling deities. The film, Joker (2019), criticizes how society treats its ostracized members. And the character Arthur Fleck, being played by Swati Sun Joaquin Phoenix, unintentionally (and unknowingly) drives pure anarchy in the streets. Becoming the face of a movement spawned around him, called 'Jokerism'. And these masks, just like in MR. ROBOT (fsociety), V For VENDETTA, make the symbol of the movement.

I also find it interesting that Zoro is a masked vigilante who fights against the injustice and victimization of the lower class and indigenous people. Shatabhisha can act as a saviour in this case, more than what is seen from Ardra and Swati.

The character Hobie Brown being voiced by Shatabhisha Sun Daniel Kaluuya in the new Spiderverse film. Interesting enough, Shatabhisha being Aquarius can also have chaotic, rebellious and even anarchist tendencies. Aquarius emphasizes individualism, roots for the underdog and can absolutely despise authority – especially the corrupt kind (but mostly it's fuck all authority).

The nakshatra also being co-ruled by Rahu, they can see through illusions and have a simple yet realistic approach to things (Saturn). There is defiance there in Shatabhisha, but rarely ever as erratic or angry as Ardra. In fact, Shatabhisha is more on what's morally right and wrong compared to Ardra where a dualistic nature is conveyed. Shatabhisha has a tougher framework, can be very virtuous.

Shatabhisha is ruled by the deity Lord Varuna who is the personification of divine authority and moral law. The theme of authority can manifest in several ways for Shatabhisha. Rebellion against authority can go to the extreme ends of violence and unlawfulness. Or it can go into activism. Critiquing the many issues in the world that are glaringly wrong and unfair (what the modern internet now calls 'wokeism'). Themes of rebellion or exposure in a political and societal context can be linked with Swati. This can somewhat be seen in the following medias:

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗪𝗢:

#ardra #rahu #gemini #uttara bhadrapada #purva bhadrapada #mula #swati #libra #shatabhisha #aquarius #vedic astrology #sidereal astrology #vedic observations #sidereal observations #nakshatra series

[yourtongzhihazel]

comrade hazel! ive had some people in my branch reccomend I read trotsky but I'm reading him and I think both theoretically and practically he doesnt hold up. and he's petty. am I missing something?

Petty would be a great way to describe trotsky's later work. But, that's not to say the man is entirely ideologically bankrupt. A good example of this is his essay on fascism, which is a concise quick read with a Marxist analysis on the origins of fascism while it seized power across europe. trotsky was also a prudent military leader during the revolution and civil war and here his theories and practical work can also be studied.

However, trotsky's main thesis, that is, permanent revolution is flawed and doesn't hold much water, especially today. The primary problem with permanent revolution is its dogmatism and undialetical materialism. Socialism in one country arose as a necessary though non-ideal solution to the need for both development and the lack of proper productive forces to continue waging international revolution. The success of the socialist state in the Soviet Union is very much proof that you can and must have socialism in one country before you can properly "export revolution". Continuity of the revolution, another central tenant of permanent revolution, might make more sense in a semi-feudal society like tsarist russia, but makes little sense in developed bourgeois nations like the united states.

Trotsky, as a former menshevik, also has a "middle-ground" type ideological grounds which separated him from bolsheviks such as his distrust of the peasantry. Trotsky's work is very much of his time and (attempt to) address the concerns and problems existing from the messy period between the October Revolution and the construction of the Soviet state. Indeed, both Lenin and Stalin thoroughly criticized Trotsky's theoretical work on application to their conditions (you don't get the "p.s. trotsky sent in a silly letter" quip from nothing).

Trotsky and trotskyists today don't play a large role in political-economy (funnily enough, trotsky, due to his proximity and time spent in Latin America after exile, influenced many Latin Americans socialists). In the united states, trotskyism essentially fizzled out after the dissolution of the USSR. The reason is simple: trotskyism was a left-wing deviation to attack the the USSR on, just as maoism/maoists (im specifically not referring to MZT, but things like the former "austin red guards") are used as a left-wing attack on the PRC.

Walter Rodney, The Russian Revolution: A View From The Third World

#hazel's press releases

[anarchopuppy]

I'm glad people are starting to bring attention to how the vast majority of stories we're exposed to in mass media involve heroes trying either to prevent villains from changing things or to revert the changes already made by successful villains and return to a better past, but I feel like this is an even bigger issue than we let on

Stories are how humans practice understanding the world, and the fact that from childhood we're constantly bombarded with the idea that "villains change things, heroes maintain/restore the status quo" inevitably colors our view of society. It's a means to prevent us from imagining a better world*

Like, to vastly oversimplify things for the purpose of illustration, the worldview that any change is bad and evil and must be fought is called "conservatism", and the worldview that things were better in an imagined prelapsarian past that "they" "took" from "us" and that we must return to by any means necessary, well that my friends is what we call "fascism". We need to learn how to tell more stories where bold steps are taken towards a new and better world which is meaningfully different from both the present and the past or a lot of people won't have the creativity to take those necessary steps in the real world

(*I don't mean to imply that this is an active, malicious decision made by everyone who's ever written anything like this. There is nothing new under the sun - most people are just retelling variations of the stories they've been exposed to. But over millennia of history, people who are intentionally planting these ideas, and people in positions of power who decide which stories get created and distributed, have had a consistent influence that has entrenched these concepts in our culture. This isn't some kind of conspiracy, it's just a natural result of concentrating power within a small subset of people throughout most of human civilization)

#even the stories that try to depict a struggle against entrenched systems of power #star wars wall-e lotr etc #usually end up falling for the trap of depicting a 'return' to a 'better past' #there are PRECIOUS FEW popular stories about people imagining and fighting for something actually new #and most of the ones i can think of right now are historical (like les mis)

[grey-sorcery]

Title: Dimensions & Planes: A Comprehensive Look

Related Reading:

The Energetic Senses Visualization, Reiki, & Fascism Astral Projection Basics Conceptualization Vs. Visualization Bias in Witchcraft Basics of Warding Introduction to Gnosis

Important note: A lot of information in this post has its origins from Theosophy (The core of New Age ideology) and is an integral part of a fascist pipeline. All high-risk concepts will be highlighted in red. Please use discretion when researching further into these topics. Researching for this article myself was very difficult and time consuming. The last thing I want to do is misinform others or provide sources that will lead my readers into a fascist pipeline.

The exploration of dimensions and spiritual planes has captivated human curiosity for centuries. From scientific inquiries into the nature of space and time to metaphysical explorations of unseen realms, these topics invite us to contemplate the mysteries that lie beyond our ordinary perception. In this comprehensive study, we delve into the intricate concepts and implications of dimensions and spiritual planes, transcending the boundaries of conventional knowledge and venturing into the realm of the unknown.

Understanding Dimensions

Dimensions, in scientific parlance, are fundamental parameters that define the structure and geometry of the universe. They serve as coordinates within the framework of space and time, facilitating the measurement and description of physical phenomena. Dimensions provide the framework through which the spatial and temporal extents of objects and events can be comprehended and quantified. It is important to distinguish between physical dimensions and their metaphysical, spiritual, & energetic counterparts. Physical dimensions relate to observable spatial and temporal extents that can be directly perceived and measured.  Beyond the dimensions that our senses can apprehend, there are postulated higher dimensions that transcend our perceptual limitations. These higher dimensions are hypothesized to exist based on various scientific theories. While we can't directly perceive these dimensions, their existence is inferred through mathematical models and theoretical frameworks such as string theory and M-theory. These dimensions can become intuitive with study and regular exposure to conceptualizations of their behavior and properties.

String theory postulates the existence of additional compactified dimensions that are curled up and imperceptible at macroscopic scales. These dimensions are believed to influence the behavior of subatomic particles and underlie the fundamental forces of nature. M-theory extends this notion by encompassing multiple possible geometries and allowing for a broader range of dimensions. Multidimensional models, built upon principles of topology, provide mathematical frameworks to explore the complex structures and dynamics of higher-dimensional realms.

It is important to note that String and M-theory has been mostly dismissed in the scientific community as a purely mathematical experiment rather than an operable model.

Exploring Spiritual Planes

It is so important to discern genuine information from the influence of the Theosophical Society, which has at times distorted and popularized certain aspects. The society's appropriation and misrepresentation of spiritual concepts, such as the astral plane, have led to a bastardization of authentic beliefs. For example, the Theosophical Society popularized the notion of the astral plane as a realm inhabited by disembodied entities, deviating from its original context within esoteric traditions.

The concept of spiritual planes spans across diverse belief systems and religions, each offering unique perspectives and interpretations. For instance, in Hinduism, the concept of "lokas" refers to different realms or planes of existence, such as the physical realm (Bhuloka), the celestial realm (Svarloka), and the abode of the divine (Brahmaloka). Similarly, in Buddhism, the notion of "Buddhafields" represents different realms where enlightened beings reside, such as the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha. Throughout history, spiritual planes have played a significant role in the practices and rituals of various cultures. Ancient Egyptian civilization, for instance, held a strong belief in the existence of the Duat, an underworld realm where the souls of the deceased traversed. Indigenous cultures worldwide have embraced the concept of otherworldly realms, such as the Aboriginal Dreamtime in Australia, which encompasses the spiritual dimension of creation and ancestral connection.

While the specific characteristics of spiritual planes may vary, some common elements emerge across different belief systems. These include the presence of heightened consciousness, divine energies or entities, transformative experiences, and access to higher knowledge. Spiritual planes are often described as existing beyond the physical realm, serving as realms of expanded awareness and connection to the divine or transcendent forces.

Spiritual planes encompass a range of realms beyond our immediate sensory perception. The astral plane, often discussed in esoteric traditions, is considered a realm of psychic and emotional energies. The ethereal plane is described as a realm of subtle energies and spiritual beings. Beyond these, the celestial planes are associated with realms of higher consciousness and divine presence. It is important to note that the categorization of these planes can vary across different belief systems.

The interactions between dimensions and spiritual planes are subjects of great interest and contemplation. While dimensions pertain to the structure of space and time, spiritual planes exist beyond these physical dimensions, yet are intricately connected to them. Spiritual planes are often described as existing in parallel or interpenetrating dimensions, coexisting alongside the physical realm. They are accessed through altered states of consciousness, deep meditation, prayer, mastery of energetic practices, or ritual practices. These interactions enable communication, guidance, and spiritual experiences, providing opportunities for personal growth, enlightenment, and union with the divine.

The Astral Plane

The astral plane is believed to exist parallel to the physical realm. It is often described as an interconnected network of subtle energies and vibrational frequencies that permeate the universe. However, it is important to note that the astral plane does not occupy a specific location in physical space as we understand it. Rather, it is a realm of consciousness and energy that can be accessed through altered states of awareness.

The history of the astral Plane is closely intertwined with esoteric and mystical traditions from various cultures (*1a) throughout human history. However, it is crucial to distinguish between genuine esoteric teachings and the popularization of the astral plane in certain New Age and Christofascist movements. Some individuals and groups have appropriated and distorted the concept of the astral plane, aligning it with their own ideologies and personal narratives.

A prevalent misconception surrounding the astral plane is the belief that it is inhabited by spiritual entities or beings. However, it is important to note that the astral plane itself is not a dwelling place for independent entities. Rather, it is a realm of energy and consciousness that reflects the thoughts, emotions, and intentions of individuals who access it. The perception of entities in the astral plane often arises from personal narratives, personal beliefs, or symbolic representations rather than the existence of actual separate beings. These narratives often stem from individuals who do not genuinely access the astral plane.

Perception and interaction with the astral plane vary among individuals and spiritual practitioners. It is commonly experienced through altered states of consciousness, such as deep meditation or astral projection. (*2a) However, it is important to note that the astral plane is not accessed through visualizing or imagining specific entities or landscapes. In fact, relying heavily on visualization during astral experiences can be a sign of failing to enter the authentic astral plane, as it indicates a reliance on mental constructs rather than a true connection. In order to enter the astral plane, one must break away from their physical body and move into their subtle body (astral form). Visualization is a mental and physical process and will keep a practitioner locked in their body.

For witches, the astral plane can serve as a valuable tool for spiritual exploration (*3a), self-discovery, and magical practice. By accessing the astral plane, witches can tap into aspects of their own being, gain insights, and work with potent subtle energies that they normally have difficulty accessing. They may engage in astral travel to gain knowledge, receive guidance (*4a), or create complex and sprawling energetic constructs. The astral plane can also be a space for ritual work, spellcasting, and experimentation.

1a: When trying to research the history of the astral plane, nearly all the information originates from the Theosophy Society.

2a: Many of the altered states and meditations (often guided) that are online or are in texts are mostly, if not entirely, based in New Age practices. 3a: Spiritual exploration, if not done responsible can very easily lead to cognitive bias. 4a: Seeking knowledge or guidance from the astral plane without experience and critical thinking leads to logical fallacy.

The Dream Plane

The dream plane is a fascinating realm of consciousness that exists parallel to our waking reality. It is a domain where dreams unfold and where the mind explores and experiences a multitude of scenarios and emotions. Unlike physical locations, the dream plane is not bound by conventional notions of space and time. It transcends the limitations of the physical realm, offering a platform for profound exploration of the subconscious mind.

Throughout history, dreams have held significant cultural and spiritual importance in various societies. Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Native Americans, recognized the profound insights and messages that dreams could convey. Dream interpretation was considered an art, with dreams being seen as portals to hidden truths, divine messages, or glimpses into the future. These cultural perspectives highlight the belief in the dream plane as a gateway to the mystical and the profound.

One common misconception regarding the dream plane involves the belief in the existence of entities or supernatural beings within dreams. However, it is important to understand that dreams primarily originate from the depths of the dreamer's own mind. The various characters, events, and environments encountered in dreams are often representations of personal experiences, emotions, and subconscious processes, rather than external entities or supernatural phenomena.

As far as science understands, the dream experience is a complex interplay of psychological and physiological processes. While dreams are commonly associated with the processing of subconscious thoughts and emotions, they offer more than mere symbolic representations. Dreams can provide profound insights, creative inspiration, and problem-solving abilities. They offer a unique window into the mind's inner workings, allowing for personal growth, self-reflection, and a deeper understanding of one's own psyche.

The dream plane is a realm of limitless possibilities, where the dreamer can navigate and interact with a rich tapestry of dream environments and experiences. Within this realm, the dreamer's thoughts, emotions, and beliefs shape the dream landscape, influencing the unfolding events and the overall dream experience. The dream plane becomes a canvas upon which the dreamer's subconscious and conscious mind converge, creating a personalized and dynamic dream narrative. During a dream, the dreamer becomes the space and is capable of experiencing any and every aspect of the space from any and every vantage point. While the dream plane is technically a zero dimensional space, the mind and subtle body generate as many dimensions as necessary in order to facilitate the dream. Small pocket spaces are generated that house aspects of the dreamer’s subconscious which are pulled from during the generation process. Time within the dream plane often behaves in a nonlinear and fluid manner, defying the constraints of our waking reality. Dreams can compress or expand time since they exist outside of time and space, enabling the dreamer to experience a significant passage of time within a brief dream episode or to condense extended periods into a fleeting moment. This time dilation and distortion within the dream plane add to the surreal and immersive nature of dream experiences. Furthermore, due to the method dreams are generated here, the dreamer moves through areas of the space that are dedicated to their subconscious. This is typically where the “vibe” of the dream is ingrained. Most of the dream is actually in these areas.

Dreamwalking is a unique phenomenon that involves consciously traversing the dream plane while in a state of lucidity. It differs from regular lucid dreaming as it encompasses the intentional exploration of other dreamers' dreams or venturing beyond the confines of the dream plane itself. Dreamwalkers possess an extraordinary ability to navigate and interact with dreams beyond their personal realm, connecting with other dreamers or accessing extradimensional realms within the dream space or beyond. This practice opens up a realm of possibilities for expanded consciousness, interconnectivity, and multidimensional perceptions. Think of the dream plane as a nexus where all planes and spatial dimensions connect. From this nexus, Dreamwalkers may leave and traverse anywhere. Due to the lack of time in the dream plane, a Dreamwalker may also traverse through any point in time when they leave the dream plane. 

It is important to note that Dreamwalking is not an easy or common practice. The improper practice of Dreamwalking (or the narrative that one is doing so when they aren’t) can lead to cognitive bias. Some of the best ways to identify Dreamwalking are: Waking not feeling rested at all, remembering 100% of the dream- even the subconscious areas, waking with bloodshot eyes, feelings of being disconnected from the body for several hours after waking.

The Mental & Causal Planes

These planes originate 100% from Theosophy. Please use discretion when reading about or researching them. 

The mental plane represents a realm of consciousness that transcends the physical and material dimensions. It encompasses the vast landscape of thoughts, ideas, and cognitive processes (*1b) that shape human experience. Within the mental plane, the mind operates on a heightened level of awareness, exploring the depths of intellectual inquiry, analysis, and creativity. It is a realm where abstract concepts, mathematical principles, and philosophical musings come to life (*2b). Examples of the mental plane's characteristics can be found in the insights and intellectual breakthroughs experienced by scholars, scientists, and artists (*3b). It is a domain where the mind's potential is unleashed, offering glimpses of universal truths and the interconnectedness of knowledge.

The causal plane resides beyond the realm of thoughts and ideas, diving deeper into the essence of existence itself. It represents the underlying causes and fundamental principles that shape the physical reality (*4b). The causal plane is the realm of pure potentiality, where the seeds of manifestation are sown. It transcends linear time and holds the blueprint for the unfolding of events and experiences in the physical world. Understanding the significance of the causal plane allows for a deeper comprehension of the interplay between cause and effect, and the power of intention to shape reality.

Consciousness plays a pivotal role in accessing and navigating the mental and causal planes. It is through consciousness that individuals can transcend the limitations of the physical world and tap into the higher realms of existence. Higher awareness enables a deeper understanding of the workings of the mind and the interconnected nature of all things. It allows individuals to transcend the confines of ego and tap into the collective consciousness, accessing profound wisdom and insights that surpass individual intellect (*5b).

Various practices can facilitate the exploration of the mental and causal planes, enabling individuals to expand their consciousness and delve into the depths of their inner being. Meditation serves as a powerful tool for quieting the mind, enhancing focus, and cultivating a state of heightened awareness. Through meditation, individuals can access deeper levels of consciousness and explore the realms of thought and intuition. Additionally, practices such as mindfulness, self-reflection, and introspection provide opportunities for self-discovery and accessing the wisdom of the mental and causal planes.

The mental and causal planes hold immense potential for practitioners of witchcraft. By tapping into these realms of consciousness, witches can enhance their magical practices and expand their understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. The mental plane provides a platform for the formulation of spells, rituals, and intentions, allowing for the cultivation of focused and directed thought energy. The causal plane, on the other hand, holds the keys to the underlying causes and forces that shape magical manifestations. By aligning with the energies of the causal plane, witches can amplify their intentions and manifest desired outcomes in the physical world (*6b).

1b: I have found zero support for these concepts that can’t be explained by imagination or visualization. 2b: Nearly all descriptions I’ve come across are all misunderstandings or misinterpretations of concepts found in science and math. 3b: I found zero first hand testimonies from qualifying individuals. 4b: This can easily be used to justify biases and elitism. 5b: See cognitive and confirmation biases. 6b: While alone, this idea isn’t inherently an issue, in the context of the rest of the topic, could easily lead witches to ineffective practices.

Intuitional Plane

This plane originates 100% from Theosophy. Please use discretion when reading about or researching it.

The intuitional plane represents a realm of consciousness that taps into the depths of inner knowing and wisdom. It transcends the limitations of rational thought and linear logic, allowing individuals to access insights, truths, and guidance that arise from a deeper, intuitive understanding (*1c). The intuitional plane is a gateway to the realm of instinct, gut feelings, and subtle perceptions that reside within each individual (*2c). It is a realm where knowledge arises effortlessly, bypassing the need for conscious analysis or external validation. The intuitional plane invites individuals to trust their inner guidance and connect with the wisdom that lies beyond the realm of ordinary perception (*3c).

The intuitional plane operates beyond the realm of visualization, offering a profound experience of direct knowing. It is not dependent on mental imagery or pictorial representation but rather arises as a deep inner resonance and understanding. Perceiving the intuitional plane involves a heightened sensitivity to subtle energies, a receptivity to inner nudges and whispers, and an openness to the spontaneous flow of intuitive insights. It is a realm that can be accessed through stillness and quieting of the mind, allowing the intuitive faculty to arise naturally and effortlessly.

Within the intuitional plane, individuals can explore a wide range of uses and applications. It serves as a wellspring of creativity, enabling artists, writers, and innovators to tap into new ideas and inspirations. It offers guidance and insights for decision-making (*4c), helping individuals navigate life's challenges and make choices aligned with their deepest values and purpose. The intuitional plane also provides access to spiritual insights and transcendent experiences (*5c), offering glimpses into the interconnectedness of all things and the nature of the divine.

Cultivating a receptive and open mindset is key to expanding intuitive capacities. This involves letting go of preconceived notions, suspending judgment (*6c), and embracing a sense of curiosity and wonder. Engaging in practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and self-reflection can help quiet the chatter of the mind and create space for intuitive insights to emerge. Developing self-awareness and attuning to one's inner sensations and feelings can also enhance intuitive abilities, as it allows individuals to discern the subtle cues and signals that arise from the intuitional plane.

There are various techniques that can be employed to access and utilize intuitive guidance from the intuitional plane. Journaling and reflective writing can serve as powerful tools for tapping into intuitive insights. By engaging in free-flowing writing and allowing thoughts and impressions to emerge without judgment, individuals can access the intuitive wisdom that arises from within. Engaging in creative practices such as art, music, or dance can also facilitate the expression of intuitive insights and enhance the connection with the intuitional plane. Additionally, practicing active listening and deepening one's capacity for empathy can help individuals attune to the intuitive messages that arise through interpersonal interactions and subtle energetic cues.

1c: This mentality can very quickly lead to cognitive bias.

2c: I found no supporting arguments for this plane’s existence outside of personal narratives and visualization.

3c: Giving too much trust to spiritual means of acquiring information will lead to multiple logical fallacy.

4c: No one should ever rely on magical or mystical means when making life changing or major decisions.

5c: This concept can easily be used to enforce personal narratives.

6c: Letting go of judgement when dealing with concepts and practices within a new age practice is asking to fall into fascism. See new age conspiracy theories and fascist propaganda.

Other Esoteric Planes

Beyond the realms of the astral, mental, causal, and intuitional planes, there exist a myriad of other esoteric planes waiting to be explored. While the exact number and nature of these planes may vary across different spiritual traditions and belief systems, they collectively contribute to a lot of esoteric knowledge and offer diverse avenues for spiritual exploration. Each of the following planes either originate from or were heavily influenced by Theosophy. Please use discretion.

The Ethereal Plane: a realm of subtle energies that underlie the physical universe. It is often described as a bridge between the physical and spiritual dimensions (*1d), serving as a conduit for the flow of life force energy. In this plane, one can explore the interconnectedness of all things and gain insights into the energetic dynamics that shape our reality. This plane is also inhabited by spiritual entities.

The Celestial Plane: The Celestial Plane represents realms of heightened spiritual consciousness and divine presence (*2d). It is often associated with celestial beings, transcendent states of bliss, and profound spiritual insights. Exploring the celestial plane offers seekers the opportunity to connect with divine wisdom (*3d), experience states of unity and oneness, and deepen their understanding of the cosmic order.

The Akashic Plane*: The Akashic Plane, also known as the Akashic Records, is described as a vast reservoir of collective knowledge and information. It is said to contain the records of all past, present, and future events, as well as the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of all beings. Accessing the Akashic Plane allows individuals to tap into this expansive library of wisdom and gain insights into their soul's journey and the interconnectedness of all life (*4d).

The Transcendent Plane: The Transcendent Plane represents the highest realms of spiritual realization and non-dual awareness. It transcends the limitations of form and duality, offering seekers a direct experience of the timeless and formless nature of existence. Exploring the Transcendent Plane involves surrendering the individual ego and merging with the infinite consciousness that underlies all creation (*5d).

1d: As far as I could find, the type of spiritual entities aren’t ever really specified beyond “angels”.

2d: Typically anything that heightens spiritual consciousness and connections with the divine or anything along those lines is a set up for bias and godphoning/manipulation.

3d: Given the context of this practice, “divine wisdom” is a means of spiritual elitism and gatekeeping.

4d: See cognitive bias. This practice can be used and manipulated to justify nearly any action, ideology, prejudice, or preference. Creates an environment perfect for elitism.

5d: A bastardization of the concept of enlightenment found in some Buddhist and Hindu practices.

Navigating the Spiritual Planes

Embarking on a journey to explore the vast realms of the spiritual planes requires the utilization of various tools and practices. These tools serve as gateways to higher states of consciousness and facilitate the exploration of multidimensional realities. By engaging in specific practices, seekers can enhance their capacity to navigate the spiritual planes and connect with the profound wisdom and transformative experiences they offer. 

Meditation stands as one of the foundational practices for navigating the spiritual planes. Through focused attention and mindfulness, individuals can quiet the mind, transcend the limitations of the physical body, and tap into higher states of awareness. By cultivating a deep sense of presence and inner stillness, practitioners can access expanded states of consciousness and explore the depths of their being.

Lucid dreaming serves as another powerful avenue for multidimensional exploration. This practice involves becoming aware within the dream state, enabling individuals to consciously interact with and navigate the dream environment. By honing the skill of lucidity, seekers can harness the potential of the dream plane as a platform for spiritual growth, self-discovery, and even interaction with non-physical entities or aspects of their own psyche.

Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) offer yet another avenue for traversing the spiritual planes. During an OBE, individuals perceive themselves as existing outside their physical bodies, allowing them to explore different dimensions, realms, or even visit other states of existence. Through various techniques such as astral projection or remote viewing, seekers can expand their consciousness beyond the constraints of the physical body and venture into uncharted territories.

Gnosis is one of the most reliable methods for entering a spiritual plane. Through a state of gnosis, a practitioner may become so engulfed in the conceptualization of the plane that their physical body almost seems to melt away. 

Shamanic practices, deeply rooted in various indigenous traditions, provide profound methods for navigating the spiritual planes. Shamanic journeying involves entering an altered state of consciousness through rhythmic drumming or other techniques, enabling individuals to connect with spirit guides, ancestors, and the energetic realms beyond the ordinary perception. Through the use of sacred rituals, plant medicines, and spiritual ceremonies, practitioners can access profound states of consciousness and engage in transformative experiences within the spiritual planes. Be very conscious when trying shamanic practices as a lot of them are either closed or appropriations of closed cultures. Remember to be respectful and aware.

Seeking guidance from spiritual teachers and traditions can provide valuable insights and support in navigating the spiritual planes. These teachers, who have often dedicated their lives to spiritual exploration and practice, offer wisdom, techniques, and guidance based on their own experiences. By studying under the tutelage of these teachers, individuals can receive guidance on the practices, rituals, and approaches that facilitate safe and transformative journeys through the spiritual planes. However, please bear in mind that a lot of these concepts have their root in New Age practices and ideologies. Due to this, many “guides” and “teachers” actually commodify their services, which will likely not even be genuine. Many predatory capitalist practices exist within the New Age community. Reiki is an excellent example.

Spatial Dimensions & Witchcraft

Spatial dimensions play a significant role in the practice of witchcraft, offering a framework through which magical energies can be understood and harnessed. By exploring the connection between spatial dimensions and witchcraft, practitioners can deepen their understanding of the metaphysical realms they work with and enhance their magical abilities.

Incorporating dimensional concepts into magical practices allows witches to tap into the vastness and complexity of the multiverse. It involves recognizing that the physical world we perceive is just a small subset of a larger reality encompassing multiple dimensions. This expanded awareness enables witches to navigate and interact with different energetic planes and dimensions, facilitating more profound connections with spiritual forces. Rituals and spells focused on exploring and harnessing spatial dimensions serve as gateways for witches to access properties of space that most typically do not consider. For example, by perceiving and working with higher dimensions of space, witches can expand their perception and influence beyond the limitations of three-dimensional reality. This expanded awareness can enable them to sense subtle energies, communicate with spirits, and navigate intricate energetic networks.

Incorporating higher dimensions into the creation and maintenance of wards significantly enhances their potency and effectiveness. Wards, which are protective barriers or enchantments, can be fortified by utilizing the spatial dimensions to create complex and multi-layered structures. By extending the wards into higher dimensions, witches create a more intricate and resilient defense against negative energies, malicious entities, or unwanted intrusions. The incorporation of higher dimensions allows for a broader scope of protection, encompassing not only the physical realm, but also the spiritual and energetic planes. Furthermore, the utilization of higher dimensions in spirit and energy work opens up new avenues for witches to connect with and channel divine forces. By aligning their energy with the higher-dimensional aspects of the spiritual realms, witches can access heightened states of consciousness and tap into the abundant energies present in these dimensions. This can enhance their ability to communicate with spirits and manifest their intentions with greater clarity and potency. A lot of spirits exist across a multitude of higher and lower dimensions. Becoming aware of and working within these dimensions can give a practitioner a better understanding of how these entities experience their realities, granting the practitioner a sense of empathy for the spirits they interact with.

It is essential to note that incorporating dimensional concepts into witchcraft requires a balanced approach, grounded in knowledge and discernment. While working with spatial dimensions can be empowering and transformative, it is crucial to maintain an awareness of cognitive bias due to the lack of methods of confirmation. Practitioners should be mindful of the interconnectedness of all dimensions and the potential consequences of their actions. This includes practicing consent and respect when working with spirits or other entities from different realms and being aware of the potential impact on workings.

The Limitations and Challenges of Understanding Dimensions and Spiritual Planes

The study of dimensions and spiritual planes is not without its limitations and challenges. Skepticism and criticism from scientific and religious communities often arise when discussing these topics, as they may be perceived as esoteric or outside the realm of empirical observation. Scientific rigor demands empirical evidence and reproducibility, which can pose challenges when investigating phenomena associated with dimensions and spiritual planes that may transcend the physical world.

Subjectivity and interpretation also play a significant role in the understanding of spiritual experiences. Each individual's perception and interpretation of these experiences can vary, making it challenging to establish objective criteria for evaluating or measuring spiritual dimensions. Personal beliefs, cultural background, and individual experiences all contribute to the subjective nature of spiritual exploration.

Moreover, spiritual exploration is not without its potential dangers and pitfalls. It is essential for individuals to approach these realms with caution and discernment. Without proper guidance and understanding, one may become susceptible to misinformation, manipulation, or falling into the trap of self-deception. In the quest for spiritual enlightenment, individuals must exercise critical thinking and discernment to avoid being led astray by misleading ideologies or dogmas.

Furthermore, the quest for knowledge and further research is an ongoing process in the study of dimensions and spiritual planes. As our understanding of the universe and consciousness evolves, new insights and theories may emerge, challenging existing frameworks and expanding our understanding of these phenomena. The scientific community continues to explore and investigate these topics, utilizing diverse methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches to shed light on the nature of dimensions and spiritual planes.

However, it is crucial to be aware of the potential dangers of encountering fascist propaganda while researching spiritual planes. Theosophy, with its historical associations with white supremacy and fascist ideologies, has left a lasting impact on spiritual communities. Therefore, it is necessary to approach information originating from theosophical sources with caution, critically evaluating its content and context to avoid inadvertently perpetuating harmful ideologies or misinformation.

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#astral realm #astral travel #energy work #akashic records #beginner witch #spirit work #spirituality #spiritual awakening #informational post

[queersatanic]

Hindutva's Foreign Tie-up in the 1930s

Archival Evidence

To understand militant Hinduism, one must examine its domestic roots as well as foreign influence. In the 1930s Hindu nationalism borrowed from European fascism to transform 'different' people into 'enemies'. Leaders of militant Hinduism repeatedly expressed their admiration for authoritarian leaders such as Mussolini and Hitler and for the fascist model of society. This influence continues to the present day. This paper presents archival evidence on the would-be collaborators.

By Marzia Casolari

Source: Economic and Political Weekly, Jan. 22-28, 2000, Vol. 35, No. 4 (Jan. 22-28, 2000), pp. 218-228

'Fascist' was in Sumit Sarkar's words, "till the other day a mere epithet" ('The Fascism of the Sangh Parivar', Economic and Political Weekly, January 30, 1993, p 163). It has come to define the ideology and practice of the Hindu militant organisations. It is a common place, accepted by their opponents, as well as by those who have a critical, but not necessarily negative, view of Hindu fundamentalism. Defining the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and, in general, the organisations of militant Hinduism I as undemocratic, with authoritarian, paramilitary, radical, violent tendencies and a sympathy for fascist ideology and practice, has been a major concern for many politically oriented scholars and writers. This has been the case with the literature which started with Gandhi's assassination and continues up to the present day with works such as Amartya Sen's India at Risk (The New York Review of Books, April 1993) and Christophe Jaffrelot's The Hindu Nationalist Movement in India (Viking, New Delhi, 1996), the latest book published on the subject, or the well known Khaki Shorts and Saffron Flags (Orient Longman, New Delhi, 1993), which came out soon after the destruction of the Babri masjid. As a result, the fascist ideological background of Hindu fundamentalism is taken for granted, never proved by systematic analysis. This is an outcome that is, to a certain extent, explained by the fact that most of the above-mentioned authors are political scientists and not historians.

It is a fact that many of those who witnessed the growth of Hindu radical forces in the years around the second world war were already convinced of the Sangh's fascist outlook. Particularly acute was the perception that the Congress had of these organisations and their character. There is no need to mention the already well known opinion of Nehru, who, right from the beginning, had pointed at these organisations as communalist and fascist.

Less well known is the fact that, as shown by a confidential report circulated within the Congress most probably at the time of the first ban of the RSS, after Gandhi's assassination, the similarity between the character of the RSS and that of fascist organisations was already taken for granted. In fact, the report itself states that the RSS

...Started in Nagpur some sort of Hindu Boys Scout movement. Gradually it developed into a communal militarist organisation with violent tendencies.

The RSS has been purely Maharashtrian brahmin organisation. The non-brahmin Maharashtrians who constitute the bulk of C P and Maharashtra have no sympathy with it.

Even in the other provinces the chief organisers and whole-time workers will be found to be inevitably Maharashtrian brahmins.

Through the RSS the Maharashtrian brahmins have been dreaming of establishing in India 'a Peshwa Raj' after the withdrawal of Britishers. The RSS flag is the Bhagwa Flag of the Peshwas - Maharashtrian rulers [who] were the last to be conquered by the British - and after the termination of British rule in India, the Maharashtrians should be vested with political powers.

The RSS practises secret and violent methods which promote 'fascism'. No regard is paid to truthful means and constitutional methods.

There is no constitution of the organisation; its aims and objects have never been clearly defined. The general public is usually told that its aim is only physical training, but the real aims are not conveyed even to the rank and file of the RSS members. Only its 'inner circle' is taken into a confidence.

There are no records or proceedings of the RSS organisation, no membership registers are maintained. There are also no records of its income and the expenditure. The RSS is thus strictly secret as regards its organisation. It has consequently... (National Archives of India (NAI), Sardar Patel Correspondence, microfilm, reel no 3, 'A Note on the RSS', undated). Unfortunately the document stops abruptly here, but it contains enough evidence of the reputation the RSS already had by the late 1940s.

This document, however, is by no means exceptional. An accurate search of the primary sources produced by the organisations of Hindu nationalism, as well as by their opponents and by the police, is bound to show the extent and the importance of the connections between such organisations and Italian fascism. In fact the most important organisations of Hindu nationalism not only adopted fascist ideas in a conscious and deliberate way, but this happened also because of the existence of direct contacts between the representatives of the main Hindu organisations and fascist Italy.

To demonstrate this, I will reconstruct the context from which arose the interest of Hindu radicalism in Italian fascism right from the early 1920s. This interest was commonly shared in Maharashtra, and must have inspired B S Moonje's trip to Italy in 1931. The next step will be to examine the effects of that trip, namely how B S Moonje tried to transfer fascist models to Hindu society and to organise it militarily, according to fascist patterns. An additional aim of this paper is to show how, about the end of the 1930s, the admiration for the Italian regime was commonly shared by the different streams of Hindu nationalism and the main Hindu leaders.

Particular attention will be devoted to the attitude adopted by the main Hindu organisations during the second world war. During those crucial years, Hindu nationalism seemed to uneasily oscillate between a conciliatory attitude towards the British, and a sympathy for the dictators. This is in fact far from surprising because - as will be shown - in those years, militant Hindu organisations were preparing and arming themselves to fight the so-called internal enemies, rather than the British.

More generally, the aim of this paper is to disprove Christophe Jaffrelot's thesis that there is a sharp distinction between nazi and fascist ideology on one side and RSS on the other as far as the concept of race and the centrality of the leader are concerned.^2

I Hindu Nationalists and Italian Fascism

None of the works mentioned above, Jaffrelot's included, deals with what I consider a most important problem, namely, the existence of direct contacts between the representatives of the fascist regime, including Mussolini and Hindu nationalists. These contacts demonstrate that Hindu nationalism had much more than an abstract interest in the ideology and practice of fascism.

The interest of Indian Hindu nationalists in fascism and Mussolini must not be considered as dictated by an occasional curiosity, confined to a few individuals, rather, it should be considered as the culminating result of the attention that Hindu nationalists, especially in Maharashtra, focused on Italian dictatorship and its leader. To them, fascism appeared to be an example of conservative revolution. This concept was discussed at length by the Marathi press, right from the early phase of the Italian regime.

From 1924 to 1935 Kesari regularly published editorials and articles about Italy, fascism and Mussolini. What impressed the Marathi journalists was the socialist origin of fascism and the fact that the new regime seemed to have transformed Italy from a backward country to a first class power. Indians could not know, then, that, behind the demagogic rhetoric of the regime, there was very little substance.

Moreover, the Indian observers were convinced that fascism had restored order in a country previously upset by political tensions. In a series of editorials, Kesari described the passage from liberal government to dictatorship as a shift from anarchy to an orderly situation, where social struggles had no more reason to exist.^3 The Marathi newspaper gave considerable space to the political reforms carried out by Mussolini, in particular the substitution of the election of the members of parliament with their nomination (ibid, January 17, 1928) and the replacement of parliament itself with the Great Council of Fascism. Mussolini's idea was the opposite of that of democracy and it was expressed by the dictator's principle, according to which 'one man's government is more useful and more binding' for the nation than the democratic institutions (ibid, July 17, 1928).%4 Is all this not reminiscent of the principle of 'obedience to one leader' ('ek chalak anuvartitva') followed by the RSS?

Finally, a long article of August 13, 1929, 'Italy and the Young Generations', stated that the Italian young generation had succeeded the old one to lead the country. That had resulted in the 'fast ascent of Italy in every field'. The article went on to describe at length the organisation of the Italian society according to fascist models. The principal reasons of the discipline of the Italian youths were strong religious feelings, widespread among the population, attachment to the family, and the respect of traditional values: no divorce, no singles, no right to vote for women, whose only duty was to sit at home, by the fireplace. The article focused then on the fascist youth organisations, the Balilla and the Avanguardisti.

One may wonder how the Indian journalists could be so well informed about what was going on in Italy. Very possibly, among their sources there was a pamphlet in English, published by an Italian editor in 1928, entitled The Recent Laws for the Defence of the State (copy in NAI, Foreign and Political Department, 647G, 1927). Emphasised, right from the beginning, was the importance of the National Militia, defined as "the bodyguard of the revolution". The booklet continued with the description of the restrictive measures adopted by the regime: a ban on the "subversive parties", limitations to the press, expulsion of "disaffected persons" from public posts, and, finally, the death sentence.

Significantly, the shift from the liberal phase to fascism is described by the pamphlet in strikingly similar terms to those employed by the above-mentioned articles:

This step [the shift to fascism] has struck a death blow to the thread-bare theories of Italian liberalism, according to which the sovereign state must observe strict neutrality towards all political associations and parties. This theory explains why in Italy the ship of state was drifting before the wind, ready to sink in the vortex of social dissolution or to be wrecked on the rocks of financial disaster.

Another inspiring source of the literature published in Kesari must have been the work by D V Tahmankar, the correspondent of the Marathi newspaper from London and admirer of the Italian dictator. In 1927 Tahmankar published a book entitled Muslini ani Fashismo, (Mussolini and Fascism), a biography of the dictator, with several references to the organisation of the fascist state, to the fascist social system, to the fascist ideology, and to Italy's recent past. An entire chapter, the last, was devoted to description of fascist society and its institutions, especially the youth organisations.

One can easily come to the conclusion that, by the late 1920s, the fascist regime and Mussolini had considerable popularity in Maharashtra. The aspects of fascism which appealed most to Hindu nationalists were, of course, both the militarisation of society and what was seen as the real transformation of society, exemplified by the shift from chaos to order. The anti-democratic system was considered as a positive alternative to democracy which was seen as a typically British value.

Such literature made an implicit comparison between fascism and the Italian Risorgimento. The latter's influence on Indian nationalism, both moderate and radical, is well known.^5 However, whereas the Risorgimento appealed to both moderates and extremists, fascism appealed only to the radicals, who considered it as the continuation of the Risorgimento and a phase of the rational organisation of the state.

The first Hindu nationalist who came in contact with the fascist regime and its dictator was B S Moonje, a politician strictly related to the RSS. In fact, Moonje had been Hedgewar's mentor, the two men were related by an intimate friendship. Moonje's declared intention to strengthen the RSS and to extend it as a nationwide organisation is well known. Between February and March 1931, on his return from the round table conference, Moonje made a tour of Europe, which included a long stop-over in Italy. There he visited some important military schools and educational institutions. The highlight of the visit was the meeting with Mussolini. An interesting account of the trip and the meeting is given in Moonje's diary, and takes 13 pages (Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML), Moonje papers, microfilm, m 1).^6

The Indian leader was in Rome during March 15 to 24, 1931. On March 19, in Rome, he visited, among others, the Military College, the Central Military School of Physical Education, the Fascist Academy of Physical Education, and, most important, the Balilla and Avanguardisti organisations. These two organisations, which he describes in more than two pages of his diary, were the keystone of the fascist system of indoctrination - rather than education - of the youths. Their structure is strikingly similar to that of the RSS. They recruited boys from the age of six, up to 18: the youths had to attend weekly meetings, where they practised physical exercises, received paramilitary training and performed drills and parades.

According to the literature promoted by the RSS and other Hindu fundamentalist organisations and parties, the structure of the RSS was the result of Hedgewar's vision and work. However Moonje played a crucial role in moulding the RSS along Italian (fascist) lines. The deep impression left on Moonje by the vision of the fascist organisation is confirmed by his diary:

The Balilla institutions and the conception of the whole organisation have appealed to me most, though there is still not discipline and organisation of high order. The whole idea is conceived by Mussolini for the military regeneration of Italy. Italians, by nature, appear ease-loving and non-martial like the Indians generally. They have cultivated, like Indians, the work of peace and neglected the cultivation of the art of war. Mussolini saw the essential weakness of his country and conceived the idea of the Balilla organisation...Nothing better could have been conceived for the military organisation of Italy...The idea of fascism vividly brings out the conception of unity amongst people...India and particularly Hindu India need some such institution for the military regeneration of the Hindus: so that the artificial distinction so much emphasised by the British of martial and non-martial classes amongst the Hindus may disappear. Our institution of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh of Nagpur under Dr Hedgewar is of this kind, though quite independently conceived. I will spend the rest of my life in developing and extending this Institution of Dr Hedgewar all throughout the Maharashtra and other provinces.

He continues describing drills and uniforms:

I was charmed to see boys and girls well dressed in their naval and military uniforms undergoing simple exercises of physical training and forms of drill.

Definitely more meaningful is the report of the meeting with Mussolini. On the same day, March 19, 1931 at 3 pm, in Palazzo Venezia, the headquarters of the fascist government, he met the Italian dictator. The meeting is recorded in the diary on March 20, and it is worth reproducing the complete report.

...As soon as I was announced at the door, he got up and walked up to receive me. I shook hands with him saying that I am Dr Moonje. He knew everything about me and appeared to be closely following the events of the Indian struggle for freedom. He seemed to have great respect for Gandhi. He sat down in front of me on another chair in front of his table and was conversing with me for quite half an hour. He asked me about Gandhi and his movement and pointedly asked me a question "If the Round Table Conference will bring about peace between India and England". I said that if the British would honestly desire to give us equal status with other dominions of the Empire, we shall have no objection to remain peacefully and loyally within the Empire; otherwise the struggle will be renewed and continued. Britain will gain and be able to maintain her premier position amongst the European Nation (sic) if India is friendly and peaceful towards her and India cannot be so unless she is given Dominion Status on equal terms with other Dominions. Signor Mussolini appeared impressed by this remark of mine. Then he asked me if I have visited the University. I said I am interested in the military training of boys and have been visiting the Military Schools of England, France and Germany. I have now come to Italy for the same purpose and I am very grateful to say that the Foreign Office and the War Office have made good arrangements for my visiting these schools. I just saw this morning and afternoon the Balilla and the Fascist Organisations and I was much impressed. Italy needs them for her development and prosperity. I do not see anything objectionable though I have been frequently reading in the newspapers not very friendly criticisms about them and about your Excellency also. Signor Mussolini: What is your opinion about them? Dr Moonje: Your Excellency, I am much impressed. Every aspiring and growing Nation needs such organisations. India needs them most for her military regeneration. During the British Domination of the last 150 years Indians have been waved away from the military profession but India now desires to prepare herself for undertaking the responsibility for her own defence and I am working for it. I have already started an organisation of my own, conceived independently with similar objectives. I shall have no hesitation to raise my voice from the public platform both in India and England when occasion may arise in praise of your Balilla and Fascist organisations. I wish them good luck and every success. Signor Mussolini - who appeared very pleased - said - Thanks but yours is an uphill task. However I wish you every success in return. Saying this he got up and I also got up to take his leave.

The description of the Italian journey includes information regarding fascism, its history, the fascist 'revolution', etc, and continues for two more pages. One can wonder at the association between B S Moonje and the RSS, but if we think that Moonje had been Hedgewar' s mentor, the association will be much clearer.^7 The intimate friendship between Moonje and Hedgewar and the former's declared intention to strengthen the RSS and to extend it as a nationwide organisation prove a strict connection between Moonje and the RSS. Moreover, it makes sense to think that the entire circle of militant Hinduism must have been influenced by Moonje's Italian experience.

II Moonje’s Plans for Militarising Hindus

III Eve of Second World War

IV Savarkar and Nazism

V Waiting for the Right Enemy

VI Conclusions

Notes

#hindutva #Hindutva's Foreign Tie-Up in the 1930s #Marzia Casolari

[ukulelegodparent]

hey i just wanted to send an ask as someone who has been like really struggling with this for a while. it was your tag on post about white south africans that went something like people acting like having ancestors in europe gives them some magical tie to that place. i see a lot of posts telling people like me to reclaim their european roots rather than appropriate stuff that doesn't belong to me. is that really the answer? i just feel like i don't l have another option. seeing people with cultural ties that they can draw pride, inspiration, wisdom from and then looking at my own lack of any of that just kind of opened like a deep pit of dread in me as i thought about it more and more. idk even know if you have the answers necessarily its just been eating away at me and that tag kinda just kinda made me really wanna ask on the off chance you had any sort of answer.

Hey, I mean I'm no expert on the topic and can only really speak from my own experience which is mostly as a European interacting with Americans. This won't necessarily match your situation, but I just know more about the situation in the US bc of well. The everything of it.

I mean embrace your roots all you want and look at the culture of your ancestors and keep what you want and leave the rest. It's yours. But let's take someone who is German-American. Their ancestors came there in the mid 19th century and that is their latest direct cultural tie to Germany. Or German lands or whatever. It's the middle of the 19th century. It's complicated. Point is those ancestors left a society where their specific culture (whatever region they were living in) was the majority and went into a culture where it was the minority. So either they assimilate or they form a smaller community with other Germans. Either way at that point they are cut off from the main bulk of what they consider their culture. They themselves will have strong cultural influences from the culture that surrounds them and even without that the culture on it's own will slowly warp and change. So too will their language. Maybe they stop speaking German in the first generation, maybe during one of the world wars, maybe there are still parts of the adult population of that community that speak a form of German. What that German-American person would consider the traditions and culture that were passed down to them from the German side of the family might have very little to do with anything that was part of the culture of those initial immigrants to the US. Now while all that was happening German culture in Germany also changed a lot. Between Unification, a world war, the establishment of a democratic system, the absolute turmoil of the 20s, female emancipation, fascism, another world war, a refugee crisis, another dictatorship, a lot of immigration from Turkey and Italy, the establishment of the EU, reunification etc etc. German culture in Germany is also drastically different from what it was in the mid 19th century when those ancestors left.

So that is the one slightly odd thing that like. People talk about their what they consider their own culture and they call it eg "German" or "Polish" or whatever, but the culture they have has just been through a lot of washes. Which is fine, but it is a bit silly when people post pictures of two old women on a cemetery and they want to call them 'sweet ladies' but end up calling them 'old hags'. But also by calling it like a culture that has a whole country attached to it it's a bit like they're declaring themselves experts which. I mean it leads to miscommunication is all I'm saying. And also there's the point that ethnicity just doesn't work like that in Europe. It's just not carried down that far through the family. I might have had Polish or Dutch or Danish ancestors in the early 19th century but I literally would never know. So it's odd to us here for people to build their identity around something that lies so far in their past. Again. This is the part that is just a little odd, will get people made fun of etc. Maybe a little annoying at times but whatever. 'you have yours over there and we have ours over here' is the name of the game.

The frustrating thing is when people with this history act like they have any sort authority on these things. And especially the frequent (Especially American) 'Bull in a China shop' moments you get where people then base their entire personality around stereotypes and come here and act like they belong. And just. There is sometimes this deep unawareness with especially Americans that they are foreigners here. Of course with Americans the cultural imperialism plays into the frustration here but I see it even with my cousin who grew up in Aotearoa and who also just. I mean both of her parents are German, a lot of their friends are and they've visited almost every year she's been alive and yet, when she says she wants to study here all I can think is 'Girl you will have the biggest culture shock of your life' and her parents literally barely have Kiwi citizenship.

And it might also be from the European side an attempt to remove oneself from colonialism, though I don't think that's the case. There is a huge cultural divide, especially between continental Europe and the Anglosphere. But mostly I mean culture is a living breathing thing that people have to actively participate in to be a part of it. And wherever in Europe your roots may lie, by nature of living on the other side of the world you cannot participate in those traditions and you will be part of a different culture. Like my culture to me is Easter Fires just as much as getting a Döner after a long night out and getting fresh bread rolls from a bakery on a Sunday morning and not being able to go shopping on a Sunday and terrible terrible Apres-Ski music (that I must admit I indulge in sometimes) and the stellar parody dubs of 2010 German Youtube and hearing church bells, and the architecture and the language omg the language, the beautiful poems, having to suffer through Faust in school, the supermarkets, the way towns work here, the way winter smells, the way my grandfather talks and the way my great-grand aunt talks, the forests, the mountains, the fields, not going to the Oktoberfest, not because I don't have the means to but because growing up I was taught to despise it and all things Munich with it, good Brezen, amazing lentil stew (from the can of course), the list goes on and on and on. And some of these are really specific to me and some are more general. And like if you want to connect with your roots, I'm genuinely happy for you, have fun! But for our hypothetical German American, whatever sits at the heart of German and European culture (bread and a certain grumpiness seem to be a big component of both) it will probably never be truly hers. Even if she were to move here. And that's fine. I mean. Idk which post you saw bc there actually were two where I left comments like that in the tags, but one of them listed a lot of examples of what culture can be and of why the 'haha white people have no culture' thing is inaccurate. Maybe it's just that it's hard to see sometimes when your culture is so squarely the majority you never ever have to think about it. Idk. I look around me and even between the regions I've lived in there are such stark cultural differences. Culture can be the songs you sing for children to fall asleep, what the most prominent mode of transport is, where you go to eat, what you eat, what you cook, whether you cook at all, whether you go to church, whether there are crosses hanging everywhere despite rarely anyone ever going to church, what you wear, especially outside of traditional clothing. Maybe at the core of this discomfort I expressed in those tags is also the big question of 'why are you looking here for guidance? You are so different.'

#this is chaotic but I hope it was at least a little helpful? #it's also very long #feel free to add to it or whatever #I will go get groceries now #ask #anon

[republicansaredomesticterrorists]

Republicans lie about everything.

There is no way to counter the vast right wing network of propaganda outlets, think tanks, political foundations, and political action committees. They have unlimited dark money from right-wing oligarchs and are working as a cohesive unit 24/7/365. They’ve been influencing politics and re-shaping American society since the 1960’s.

Democrats have no national level counterpart to tackle this. For Democrats it’s just individual charismatic candidates on their own with bare minimum guidance and support from an old school Democratic National Committee that begs and hopes for donations from individuals. The battle between left and right is so lopsided it’s almost comical.

We’re likely to lose our democracy and slide into full blown fascism before someone with significant resources and a national presence steps up and organizes a network to match what the right-wing oligarchs have. There’s only so much we can do from the grassroots.

Keep shouting until you are heard.

#immigration #southern border #republican propaganda #republican assholes #Trump’s anti-immigrant messaging #vast right-wing political network #traitor trump #crooked donald #republicans want chaos at the border #traitor #republican values #maga morons #never trump #resist

[communist-ojou-sama]

Since this is really on my mind let me expand a bit. Most critiques of the lack of overt romance in yuri ultimately seek to deny the Japaneseness of these narratives. That is to say, while Japan has no shortage of brilliant feminist intellectuals, a consequence of the rapid and violent transition from feudalism to capitalism and the continued dominance of fascism at the top of Japanese society for the entirety of the 20th century up until the present is that Japan has lacked a really vigorous grassroots womens' liberation movement, and a consequence of that is that life as an unmarried woman is far more difficult in Japan than it is in the US. The structure of the economy and society at large makes lesbian existence far more difficult in ways overt and subtle than it is in the West; pressure to marry a man here is still Enormous. Meanwhile, for all the same reasons there was never exactly a gay liberation movement either. A large part of moving the needle in japanese society on attitudes toward homosexuality has been geopoltiical influences from the West, but also Japan doesn't have the same history of violent repression of homosexuality that the West does, so expecting the kind of actively combative gay art in Japan that we're used to in the west is, well, above all silly.

#it turns out in different countries things are different!

[queercorewhore]

folks, I vote.

(firstly I'm not American. please stop pretending that everyone who has a problem with electoralism is trying to influence American politics because they're not. some of us have lives outside of your Most Important Country In The World.)

(Secondly I can't believe I have to preface my opinion with that, because otherwise people who literally don't understand or care about the electoral system in my country will pile into my inbox and harass me about being a Russian psyop.)

but I have gotten out there and voted in every election I have been eligible to vote in (every election since I turned 18, excepting the one I didn't have enough ID in my new name to register to vote). I have voted for harm reduction in right-wing seats and for progressive parties in leftist seats. I have voted in person, I have queued at polling stations, I have voted by post, I have voted in regional elections and national ones. I have ruined ballots and I have ranked candidates and I have seen the margins by which we won and lost, sometimes margins of a few hundred votes.

but no, I don't advocate for harassing people about voting. I don't advocate for blaming the most oppressed people in society, the people for whom nothing fundamentally changes no matter who wins, for not going and ticking boxes when they could be doing any of the things they actually need to do to survive or to help their communities. I don't advocate for harassing leftists on the internet for not promising to vote for Genocide Joe no matter what else he does between now and the next election, no. matter how many brown people he kills because you're so scared that the other alternative will kill you.

I do advocate for, if you can and if you have the time, showing up to the polling station. Go there and ruin a ballot. Go there and vote for the far-left candidate who is never going to win. Go there and vote for the harm-reduction party that doesn't care if you live or die, because they might implement changes that help your friends. Go there and vote for your "anyone but the outright fascism" candidate. Go there because your activist ancestors couldn't, because people fought and died for your right to show up and draw a dick on that specific piece of paper. But don't let that be the limit of your activism. Don't let that be the limit of your hopes or your ambitions.

And for FUCKS sake stop harassing people for refusing to participate in a system that wants them dead. Some of us are just trying to survive.

#on voting (or not) #please actually click the readmore and read my whole opinion if you're going to say anything #voting #trouble talks #uk politics

[sarenth]

Reflecting on some of the posts that I have made and seen in the last couple of weeks, both here on Tumblr and on TikTok, I am increasingly suspicious of anybody that insists that voting is a useless or misdirected effort of energy. Not only have I seen innumerable cases in my state where this is simply not the case, entire sections of the federal government are effectively locked into right-wing positions because Trump won his election. He has entire sections of the appeals system and federal government more broadly aligned with him precisely because of how many nominations he's successfully put forward. Now, this does not mean that Biden or even the Democratic party more generally is going to ride to the rescue, however it speaks to the power that voting results wield.

Not voting is not an effective protest. All you are doing by not voting is saying hey someone else make this decision for me. By not voting you are not actually saying to the system "Hey I'm protesting against you!" At that point you have given the government system cart blanche to fucking ignore you.

I don't know who told you that not voting was anything other than giving up what little power you have to influence your government and therefore how your tax money and society operates on an everyday level. They lied to you. After a certain point there's no nice way to put this.

If you choose not to vote, that is a choice. I view it as an incredibly poor one. I also look at voting third party outside of elections where you know the candidate has no honest to the Gods shot to be a waste of time. You can vote however you want. If you want your vote to be effective then you're going to have to play with the system we've got until we can make a better one. These things take time. If we are being realistic, it is likely more than a few election cycles.

Another thing I have found intensely distasteful this entire election cycle has been from some leftists to sneer at harm reduction, as though opposing Republicans with Democratic candidates is just caving to fascism. Democrats and my State backed up unions and secured a woman's right to choose and secured bodily autonomy not only for women but forLGBTQIA+ folks. Republicans have fought against that.

"Oh but Manchin-" "Oh, but Sinema-"

Are not the whole of the Democratic Party. They were conservative holdouts in a largely center to center right coalition party whose younger constituents are far more left that the old guard. They fucked up some excellent legislation (or at least excellent opportunities) to put us in far better positions through helping to kill the Democrats' Build Back Better Plan and similar legislation.

Trying to punish the Democrats retroactively for not pushing Roe v Wade into law or not fulfilling all their campaign promises, by withholding your vote come the elections is short sighted, retrograde, and ultimately, harmful. It hands power to the Republicans without a fight, and allows them to set the boards for zoning, schools, city council, and so much more. It actively shoots your fellow citizens in the foot so you can feel moral superiority.

It reminds me of folks saying "Well I'm not filing because I am not gonna pay my taxes!" Unless your income is entirely under the table or illegal, or you intentionally changed your contributions, chances are that you were paying taxes this entire time and the only thing you're doing by not filing is potentially fucking yourself.

I get being angry, desperate, and despairing at the state of things, whether the political system, the world more broadly, or whatever issue you hold most dear to your heart. I'm not saying don't be angry, sad, depressed, or raging. I'm saying use it well. If you cannot summon up the give-a-shit on your own case, do it for those around you. Every bit we can do helps, and voting can make a lot of difference in our neighborhoods, and from there, the greater world.

Whether you are reading the missives from various pulpits or you're looking at project 2025, Christofascism is here. Folks have been warning about this for quite a long time, and it is here and it is in full swing. We cannot afford for the Republicans to take over. Heathens, Pagans, magical folks, none of us can afford a Republican victory at this point. Republicans have shown a deep willingness to use the apparatus of the state to harm queer and non-Christian people. They have shown a disdain for the separation of church and state. If you are on the right in this country you should be concerned if you're in any marginalized group. You will not be spared because you're "one of the good ones ".

Did you not see how they treated the Log Cabin Republicans? Did you not see that? Voting red will not save you, it will not make you more palatable. If the Republicans take power and get what they really want through their Christofascism and Project 2025, it does not matter how long you've been a Republican; if you are queer or Pagan you may as well not exist.

Believe me, I am not for a moment stating that Democrats are our saviors. They are a coalition center right political party that we can influence through our lobbying and votes. We can influence them through a variety of other means, including direct action is some have done. Some of you have failed to notice that your direct actions actually were useful! Kamala Harris came right out and said that they were pushing for a ceasefire, after so long of just leaving it off the table entirely. It is not that the narrative cannot be pushed, it is not that we cannot be heard, but you all need to recognize when you are heard and act accordingly without moving the fucking goal posts.

You demanded the administration work on a ceasefire and now they are. That is a victory! However, the Democrats cannot make the Israeli government and the Palestinian government come to a ceasefire. There is also only so much that we can do given the treaties and the alliances that we have. Yes, I know that America has a history of breaking it's treaties and why couldn't we just break this one? Well, because we're just not going to because it's been policy for almost the last 80 years. I just fervently wish the left more generally understood the political process better than it does and realize that we are doing quite a lot to move things along from where they could have been.

If you think for a second that Trump presidency would be better on any of these things you're wrong. That there are some leftists want to sink this project of American democracy simply because they didn't get what they want reminds me a lot of screaming fucking children who want a toy and are going to scream and shout when they don't get it. There's a sincere lack of understanding of the political process that I am seeing right now, especially given what I saw during the primary elections, and is sincere lack of understanding the political process with regards to our position with Israel. Again, I am not saying for a fucking moment don't be angry and don't do everything that you can't tell lobby for the Palestinian people. Engage in whatever diversity of tactics appeals the most to you. Part of having a diversity of tactics is including voting and on the ground diplomatic work. It isn't fun, it isn't sexy, but it's absolutely necessary in the meantime to get us to a place where we can be more effective. I would rather be more effective than being morally pure. I would rather be more effective and do what is possible than see everything around me fucking burn because it isn't just right.

I really do not hold with deontology. As a heathen my ethics are more centered in consequentialism. I care about how the tapestry looks after it's been woven, more than I care about how it has been woven. I will take an imperfect way of getting to the end of a tapestry then the tapestry never getting finished or being finished poor due to constantly unraveling it. There is no way that burning everything down is going to be helpful or effective for most folks. In any case, burning everything down with nothing to replace it leaves folks like me who rely on regular medications like insulin completely fucked. To be sure, the system fucks me and those in my position. It fucks the poor, the disabled, the marginalized. However, not having anything to replace it and just burning everything down, having no complex systems in place to slot into place will do immense, untold amounts of damage. Reforms are not sexy, and but they are how we can continue to live while we do the work needed to make things more equitable, more fair, more just.

I want change. We need to change as a society to become more just, equitable, fair, and to survive in the face of the challenges that we are facing. However, stepping away from the system as a whole, as though you're not going to be wrapped up in it as things go forward, that, to me, is giving up. It's not revolutionary. I would far rather see leftists and left-leaning Heathens and Pagans to flex their vote and their activism locally, to make the changes on the ground that we can where we live, how we live, with the Ginnreginn we live alongside.

#polytheism #animism #polytheist #animist #heathen #politics #us #us politics

[truthdogg]

Once we recognize that libertarianism is essentially neo-feudalism, and that it is now the dominant conservative philosophy of the Republican Party, it’s not hard to understand Republican priorities.

The basic idea of neo-feudalism, at least as I discuss it here, is that power is properly derived from wealth and the willingness to seize it, and not from votes. Power is held by employers and investors, who use it to build loyalty among the less fortunate, by means of patronage or bullying, without being hindered by popular elected officials.

While this aligns somewhat with fascism, neo-feudalism has different reasons for many of the same priorities. Yet it’s still a a weaponization of the state’s power for the use of wealthy individuals, the church, and corporations—specifically away from traditionally marginalized or non-wealthy groups. (I’d call it more of a “semi-fascism,” although perhaps it’s just another example of how fascism localizes itself wherever it rises.) Shrinking the size and power of democratic government is therefore essential to this philosophy, because it moves power away from the majority and their votes, and toward individual wealth and existing power.

Those with the most capital tend to have a small check on their activities in a democracy already, because they aren’t elected officials and their power can’t be voted away. They also have a built-in barrier to being elected, despite their ability to spend more on their races, because in a democracy the policies they promote will be unpopular with most citizens.

So instead, they build fear and distrust of any government by and for the people by targeting marginal groups, and then point to the weakened and/or untrusted state to create a power vacuum that they themselves can fill. Trump himself is a good example of how this works in action, and the continuing election of extremely wealthy fraudsters like Rick Scott show just how popular this anti-democratic movement has become.

Here are some the tools being used:

Citizens United & unlimited campaign contributions to PACs, including from foreign sources, to ensure higher influence of wealth in votes

Deliberate shift away from democracy and voting by limiting who can vote

Push for any assistance to be church- or corporate-based, creating reliance on generosity of individuals and not society as a safety net for poor

Intense opposition to any government assistance, as it lessens employer dominance; this includes govt-funded healthcare, unemployment assistance, social security, etc.

Pumping money into military budgets at expense of everything else, for this system will require massive enforcement AND because a weak government makes foreign takeover a real concern

Privatize everything, even the military, to link corporate control to all of society’s functions - and enables massive profit-taking for the well-connected (look at the immense fortunes built by decades of ineffective “training” in Afghanistan)

With this “neo-feudalist” lens, it becomes fairly straightforward to predict where the GOP will land on any given issue. Despite their lack of a policy platform, we don’t actually need to read it. After all, it would only expose their most unpopular beliefs, and we can ascertain those simply by looking at what keeps power in the hands of the powerful.

From their opposition to social security, to universal healthcare (harder to exploit people when they aren’t desperate), to FEMA (can’t funnel money through their own organizations that way), to women’s rights, to contraception (same issue on exploitation), to military privatization, to private prisons, to taxes (especially to taxes), it’s all predictable if you see what shifts power to the already-powerful.

It’s what conservatism has always done. It’s simply more brazenly authoritarian now, because it’s fighting back against real power from an engaged and evolving nation.

#us politics #republicans #conservatives #originalism

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by David Litman

Consider how the Middle East Studies center responded to the last Israel-Hamas war in 2021: with a ‘teach-in’ entitled ‘A Third Intifada? Palestinians and the Struggle for Jerusalem.’ As Hamas rockets were still raining down on Israeli civilians, Brown professor Adi Ophir glorified the terrorist organisation, proclaiming that ‘Hamas is fighting for the residents of Jerusalem and those who pray in al-Aqsa [mosque]…’ The quote might as well have come from Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.

Rana Barakat, a Palestinian professor invited to lecture Brown students, glorified the May 2021 violence by comparing it to a series of massacres, which she called ‘uprisings,’ carried out in 1929 by Arab mobs that left over 130 Jews dead (19 years before the State of Israel even existed).

At the same event, Professor Doumani approvingly spoke of the ‘amazingly wide range of forms of resistance’ over ‘the past two weeks.’ Another invited Palestinian speaker, Birzeit University professor Weeam Hammoudeh, rhetorically asked: ‘Is the bad form of resistance the unacceptable form, this violent form of resistance?’ Not a word of condemnation was issued for Hamas’s targeting of Israeli civilians. It should go without saying that if you’re not sure whether the intentional targeting of innocent civilians is bad or not, you don’t belong anywhere near civilised society, let alone in a position of influence over impressionable young minds.

Yet these are academics influencing young minds, and that is what they were telling students the last time Hamas tried to murder Jews en masse.

And it didn’t stop after 10/7.

At an October 20, 2023 ‘teach-in,’ co-organised by the Brown Center for Middle East Studies, nearly a dozen speakers addressed the ongoing events. Only one of them had anything negative to say about the 10/7 massacre, which she still managed to blame on Israel. One speaker, Noura Erakat, even proclaimed that it is a ‘dehumanising, crude, very racist talking point’ to say ‘that this is about Hamas.’ It’s another common theme one finds in Brown events and syllabi: there is no Palestinian responsibility for the lack of peace or their lack of statehood. Another speaker, University of Chicago professor Lisa Wedeen, similarly claimed, ‘Israel is a machine for the conversion of grief into power; it transmutes grief into violence,’ and ‘we see that grief machine hard at work in the coverage of major newspapers…’

Jews aren’t even allowed to grieve, let alone defend themselves.

Of course, no such event could pass without glorifying the brutal massacre. Barakat – a regular guest at Brown University events – proclaimed that ‘2023 will be recorded historically as the year that Palestinians stood boldly in the face of colonial fascism.’

The hideous irony of claiming that burning innocent Jews alive was an act of standing against fascism apparently never dawned on any of the other speakers.

#middle east studies #brown university #campus antisemitism