22 - 28 November 2001
Issue No.561
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 22 - 28 November 2001 Issue No.561 |
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American fascism
Fascist tendencies in the United States rose significantly after the September attacks, with hundreds of people arrested simply because they are Muslims or Middle Easterners. Subjects who refused to confess to the crimes with which they were charged have been subjected to abuse, and the authorities are contemplating sending some to countries (like France, for instance) reputed to be less squeamish about resorting to outright torture, so that they can extract confessions while keeping America's hands clean.
Anti-terrorism legislation is turning the US into a police state, giving the security apparatus unprecedented access to people's private lives. Military courts have been set up, and non-Americans can be deported legally, with no right to appeal the order. In a poll conducted in November, 54 per cent of Americans said they thought nuclear power would be effective in the war against terrorism. Vast amounts of money are being spent on the manufacture of arms. Some $400 billion have been earmarked for the production of 6,000 Stealth bombers alone.
It is worth noting, too, that the right-wing members of the current administration, who support and profit from the manufacture and sale of arms, are not exactly displeased with the wars that have broken out in the Gulf, the Balkans and now Afghanistan.
Apart from employing direct military force to serve its interests, American fascism will be used to control the oil industry, too. Along these and other lines, it can be surmised safely, the new, fascist America is leading our world to a terribly tragic end.
* This week's Soapbox speaker is editor of Strategic Economic Directions, issued by Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.
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