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Mubarak Steps Down and Fox News Calls the American People Marxist
On America’s News HQ today Fox News set the stage for their reaction to Mubarak’s decision to step down by proclaiming by supporting freedom, that American people have gone Marxist. Fox contributor, Michael Scheuer said, “Americans seem to be increasingly Marxist in their absolute faith in democracy for people who have never had any experience with the process.”
Here is the video from Media Matters:
After playing a clip of Newt Gingrich calling Obama’s handling of Egypt a Jimmy Carteresque disaster, Fox News contributor Michael Scheuer said, “Oh, I think the Speaker was right, and what’s very interesting about the Egypt situation is both parties, the President, and the American people are cheering on a disaster for America. There’s no chance for a secular democracy in Egypt. That congressman that was on previously is really not a very intelligent fellow. What follows Mubarak if he goes, and if Suleiman goes, will be a government much less friendly to the United States, and much influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood.”
Scheuer then claimed that supporting democracy and freedom is Marxist, so the American people are now Marxist because they support freedom for the Egyptian people, “So it’s just a very funny situation, Mike, Americans seem to be increasingly Marxist in their absolute faith in democracy for people who have never had any experience with the process, so I think you know Panetta made a little mistake yesterday, but generally speaking, the whole tenor of both parties is causing the destruction of American interests in Egypt.”
According to Fox News, the American people have now gone Marxist because they want the Egyptian people to be out from under the thumb of a dictator. Democratic freedom is now Marxism. It doesn’t matter to them that America only wants the Egyptian people to have the same freedoms that we enjoy here, and that democracy is the political system that best allows for individual and collective liberty and freedom.
If cheering for democracy in a country that has no experience with it makes one a Marxist, then before there was even a Marx, the founding fathers were Marxist, because America didn’t have any experience with democracy either when our country began. Does Fox News think that the Declaration of Independence is a Marxist document? If so, Tea Party hero Thomas Jefferson authored the Declaration, so he must be a Marxist too.
No can be certain what the future holds for Egypt, but celebrating freedom is not an act of Marxism. What’s happening here is Fox News is so desperate to frame the departure of Mubarak as a loss for Obama that they have made the foolish argument that supporting the desire for freedom and self-determination is Marxism. This is not a disaster for Obama. Instead, he events in Egypt are a repudiation of the Bush Doctrine. This is an historic victory for freedom and popular will, and no invasion or military force was required.
The nations that made up the former USSR had little experience with democracy when the Cold War ended but Fox doesn’t refer the Republican support for freedom there as Marxist. This is all about partisan politics, and selling the false premise that by supporting the protesters in Egypt, Obama has jeopardized the safety of the American people.
A more rational look at future Egypt/US relations should consider that US aid makes up 25% of Egypt’s military budget, and that aid is predicated on peace with Israel, so America’s interests in Egypt are likely to be maintained. However, you won’t hear this little bit of logic on Fox News. They are too busy trying to slander a Democratic president by equating freedom to Marxism to be bothered with facts.
Image from ChuckyPita.Com
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89 Responses to Mubarak Steps Down and Fox News Calls the American People Marxist
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Reynardine
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
For FOX, democracy is only OK when it is forcibly imposed by an invading plutocracy. We can’t have the little people, especially icky brown ones, deciding how to run their own lives!
Anonymous
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
At least “icky brown people” know how to fend for themselves, unlike people like you, who rely on their corrupt government to rule for them and make terrible decisions courtesy of the society that can’t do anything about it (except complain)… America is slowly becoming Marxist. The countries democratic views are being forced upon everyone in the world, and those who oppose it, well, look at the middle east… And everyone blindly supports the “do gooders” because they believe everything that is told to them… DON’T BE A CHOOCH!
Swift
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Yes. Clearly, the people of Egypt have been forced by America to stand their ground and demand a better government for more than two weeks. Reluctantly laying down their lives for something they don’t really believe in.
That’s why they all look so sad and despondent today.
Sky
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Do you even know what the definition of marxism is…and apparently you missed the sarcasm in the racial statement
America is not becoming marxist, its becoming plutocratic…a very different situation. Please consult a dictionary before
posting again.
mario
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
wow, so we need to notice sarcasim, when you speak or soemthignis wrong with us….actaully I heard no sarcasim…and you are re explaining what has already been said. to give clearance for the dumbness fothe statement…….
stifle..edith…I talking here.OK
Reynardine
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
“Anonymous”, since you neither know me, what I believe in, or how I live, I can only put down your outburst to dysphoric oligophrenia. At least Fox News doesn’t make my decisions.
Eli Jenkins
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
Great, now you made me look up oligophrenia. Thanks!
Maxine
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
www.anu.edu.au/polsci/mar...
readit. The tea party is the bourgeoisie/free market.
The bourgeoisie, wherever it has got the upper hand, has put an end to all feudal, patriarchal, idyllic relations. It has pitilessly torn asunder the motley feudal ties that bound man to his “natural superiors”, and has left no other nexus between people than naked self-interest, than callous “cash payment”. It has drowned out the most heavenly ecstacies of religious fervor, of chivalrous enthusiasm, of philistine sentimentalism, in the icy water of egotistical calculation. It has resolved personal worth into exchange value, and in place of the numberless indefeasible chartered freedoms, has set up that single, unconscionable freedom — Free Trade. In one word, for exploitation, veiled by religious and political illusions, it has substituted naked, shameless, direct, brutal exploitation.
The bourgeoisie has stripped of its halo every occupation hitherto honored and looked up to with reverent awe. It has converted the physician, the lawyer, the priest, the poet, the man of science, into its paid wage laborers.
The bourgeoisie has torn away from the family its sentimental veil, and has reduced the family relation into a mere money relation.
The bourgeoisie has disclosed how it came to pass that the brutal display of vigor in the Middle Ages, which reactionaries so much admire, found its fitting complement in the most slothful indolence. It has been the first to show what man’s activity can bring about. It has accomplished wonders far surpassing Egyptian pyramids, Roman aqueducts, and Gothic cathedrals; it has conducted expeditions that put in the shade all former exoduses of nations and crusades.
The bourgeoisie cannot exist without constantly revolutionizing the instruments of production, and thereby the relations of production, and with them the whole relations of society. Conservation of the old modes of production in unaltered form, was, on the contrary, the first condition of existence for all earlier industrial classes. Constant revolutionizing of production, uninterrupted disturbance of all social conditions, everlasting uncertainty and agitation distinguish the bourgeois epoch from all earlier ones. All fixed, fast frozen relations, with their train of ancient and venerable prejudices and opinions, are swept away, all new-formed ones become antiquated before they can ossify. All that is solid melts into air, all that is holy is profaned, and man is at last compelled to face with sober senses his real condition of life and his relations with his kind.
The need of a constantly expanding market for its products chases the bourgeoisie over the entire surface of the globe. It must nestle everywhere, settle everywhere, establish connections everywhere.
The bourgeoisie has, through its exploitation of the world market, given a cosmopolitan character to production and consumption in every country. To the great chagrin of reactionaries, it has drawn from under the feet of industry the national ground on which it stood. All old-established national industries have been destroyed or are daily being destroyed. They are dislodged by new industries, whose introduction becomes a life and death question for all civilized nations, by industries that no longer work up indigenous raw material, but raw material drawn from the remotest zones; industries whose products are consumed, not only at home, but in every quarter of the globe. In place of the old wants, satisfied by the production of the country, we find new wants, requiring for their satisfaction the products of distant lands and climes. In place of the old local and national seclusion and self-sufficiency, we have intercourse in every direction, universal inter-dependence of nations. And as in material, so also in intellectual production. The intellectual creations of individual nations become common property. National one-sidedness and narrow-mindedness become more and more impossible, and from the numerous national and local literatures, there arises a world literature.
mike list
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 12:51 am
self-determination is not a marxist idea. it should be everyone’s idea, it is the idea of the tea party (though i am pretty blanketly opposed to them, i don’t think they have everything wrong), it’s how we came to be an independent nation. and that applies to the people of egypt, and, although i’m doubtful of the egyptian military, that’s apparently an acceptable option at the moment.
ravosava
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 5:46 am
Lol. Did you even read past the “icky brown” comment? He’s satirizing Fox. He’s in agreeance with the writer of the article. He’s on your side. DON’T BE A CHOOCH!
Larry Allen Brown
Feb. 22nd, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Do you realize how absolutely stupid that sounds? You make some broad sweeping generalized statement about corrupt government ruling (we have democratic elections in this country if you hadn’t noticed) and how America is slowly becoming Marxist. Ok..demonstrate how that is true, and when exactly do you predict that we will become an all out communist country like the Soviet Union? Can you answer that? It ain’t gonna happen Chump. You people actually hate democracy don’t you? At the present time we aren’t forcing our democratic views on anybody. That was the former administration. We haven’t invaded anybody on bogus claims lately. That would be something we’d expect from the GOP.
Scott Rose
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
To me it seems problematic that a widely-watched political station in the United States is promulgating gibberish.
Hrafnkell
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
I agree. Gibberish. My first thought was, “that doesn’t even make any sense.”
jlt
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Gibberrish..wish it was as childlike but this is protracted contorted propaganda …Aimed at the heart of the low information angry fearful violent gaggle!
Most do not know the definitions of fascist -marxist- socialist – or democracy but feel it must be bad! Therefore to be feared and railed against and protected from! See the cycle…scary- bad – loss of rights- violence- guns!
Skewing history for the purpose of herding lemmings is the goal and they have captured that market ….Exposure and pointing out the humor in their lack of knowledge is the only answer!
C.
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Now little old ladies are going to say to each other that President Obama is a marxist AND a muslim, we need to be afraid of him.
What Fox news does is pathetic and inhumane.
Maxine
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Hey! Most old ladies aren’t stupid! remember we fought for Roe v Wade to pass and the right to work at a job whether or not it may someday affect our reproductive capability.
Honest – 1980s, women were banned fro high paying jobs in battery factories because somehow, someday, they might want a child.
Reynardine
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
And you, Maxine, have reminded me of the second most noxious propensity of Robert Bork, after his knack for disappearing constitutional amendments he didn’t like. In the Union Carbide case, he ruled that a manufacturer had the right to require its female employees to be spayed in order to qualify for more highly paid positions, rather than abate the chemical pollution that could cause birth defects. No, lady, you can’t make the decision not to have children, but your employer can make it for you.
Ryan
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
I’m not sure promulgating is the right word but i get what you mean
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
this absolutely goes beyond the pale. This has to be brought out and exposed in every piece of media in America.
here we are in a country that is based on a democracy with an entertainment network the same the Egyptian people have no chance for democracy simply because they had never had one. I think there are enough democratic nations on this Earth to give support and examples to the people of Egypt in order to create their more perfect union. The solidarity that was shown in Egypt is obviously the start of a democracy, possibly in its broadest sense, but still the people are sure of what they want.
Fox news just stepped out on a short thin limb calling people Marxist who want freedom. These comments were absolutely absurd. It’s bad enough when Rush Limbaugh does it, but now we have a network doing it. there is no Marxism in the United States. There is no communism and all the rest of the crap that Fox news puts out. This statement of theirs has to be the defining moment when the American people take a good look at themselves. Even though listeners a fox who were supporting democracy in Egypt now have to face the fact that their favorite network thinks they are Marxists. If they can or if they are allowed to
Ryan
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
Fox news and Rush Limbaugh have been sharing a bed for years now.
Jose Alvarez
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Thank you Mr Easley for the excellent article. I hope in time people will grow more tired with this kind of insanity from FOX News, but something tells me that the infestation is communicable and inheritable. It’s going to take more time before they finally crush themselves under their own delusional lies. If Bush had stayed in Afghanistan and not invaded Iraq, I wouldn’t have been so against him. On the other hand, Republicans are doing this out of spite because they are still reeling from the embarassment of Bush – so they strike out at Obama. The cycle won’t end because they can’t stand having someone who breaks all the molds that they held so dear.
Now if we can only re-assert our influence here in America and take back our country from the REAL domestic tyrants who are using their corporate connections to influence our national laws and endanger our health and safety – maybe we will after the rest of the world shows us how!
Today is a beautful day for Freedom!
Joohahn
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
I find the knee jerk reaction to Fox to be laughable. Every media outlet has their faux pas, and some are just as rhetorical as any other – only excused or dismissed depending on the amount of protectionist stance coupled with political prejudice.
Are they being Marxist? To a Marxist, they are. Are they being Communist? To a Communist they are. Democracy is not straightly aligned with American Democratic function, which is primarily and fundamentally structured as a representative republic. A pure democracy is simply stated as the majority rules the minority; mob rules in some cases.
What is ironic is that anyone makes a stab at their assumption that a movement toward democracy is guaranteed as the same as a movement toward true freedom. Many democracies have destroyed freedom in eventuality in exchange for monolithic governments. Yes, I did intend to use “monolithic” for the reason that once established, the people usually cannot escape the insatiable need for the elected to rule, and rule with an iron fist.
What’s even more ironic about the assumption of “democracy” is that the lesser agitated but equally motivated group in our own country was called anti-democratic and labeled with shameful stereotyping and lambasted with unnecessary heated rhetoric for their very existence. Why is that ironic? Because of the fact that the potential for a fascistic control in the hands of the Egyptian Military is largely possible in this so-called and celebrated victory for “democracy.”
How do you know? Because you oppose Fox News? Because if you oppose your own neighbor who you disagree with, that guarantees that your position is the only correct position? And because of your position that lends privilege to stereotyping and rhetorical and ad hominem attacks? That’s bordering on prejudice (if not plain application), and we all know prejudice is illogical when based on such superficial aspect.
What’s interesting, is most of Fox has been upbeat about the possibility, but concerned about who will actually gain control. That is a legitimate concern. One that seems to be dismissed by those that harbor illogical prejudice against Fox and their viewers. How absurd. How un-democratic in the sense so popularly applied.
None of us know the outcome, and we’ll see if democracy takes hold, and we’ll see how democracy – if it takes hold, will treat it’s people in that region.
Until then, it’s deeply flawed logic that can assume any definiteness of any outcome – whether Fox, Media Matters, or any other media or social outlet; whether or not labeled as a stereotype from any side.
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
“Every media outlet has their faux pas”
Someone has been hooked, reeled in and filleted.
Accusing people of being Marxist because they approve of the possibility of a democracy in another country is just incredibly stupid no matter who does it. To defend it is even dumber. To not understand the relationship between the Egyptian military and the United States military and then talk about it isn’t all that bright either. While it is wrong to make assumptions about what type of government they will end up with it is obvious the people want democracy. To support those people in wanting democracy and be called a Marxist is typically Fox news and their total lack of lucidity
Joohahn
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
How ignorant. It always amazes me how people will label an entire organization of people and organizations based on one or two comments of someone giving an opinion – typically on a commentary; even worse, taken out of context in most cases. Yet, they refuse to use the same standard upon themselves, especially when the same criticized problem exists en masse for their own.
Additionally (and factually), there are very few on the right decrying the will and the plight of the people of Egypt. To assume otherwise is just being purely ignorant. If only more would pay more attention to the overall context and do so objectively, then they wouldn’t present themselves to be just as ignorant as any self-righteous, self-avowed, and self-aggrandizing supremecy group of any other kind – that turns a blind eye for their own, but has a default assumption of the others to which is viewed an excuse attack the fabricated monster. Sound bites and targeted hype of a scant few incidences provides the ignorant with the ammunition for which to conclude justifications of their superficial stereotypes of that monster – much like the tactics of the most despised of supremecy groups.
Where any group assumes it’s existence is purely more advanced than another as a contrast – especially by mere labels (race, politics, religion, etc), you find the attitudes and justifications that are typically aligned with any illogical sense of superiority; attitudes and justifications that lead to attacks based on stereotypes and falsifications.
A wise judge considers the facts and listens to boths sides, weighing testimony and the facts fairly. How about you?
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
I base my thoughts on every day Fox. Not on the talk of 1 or 2 people.
jonjen
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
“…an entire organization of people and organizations…”
“..it’s existence is purely more advanced than another as a contrast…” Dude, you need to work on your writing before you can get people to follow your reasoning.
Brenda
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 11:11 am
You seriously defend Fox News and then say “A wise judge considers the facts and listens to boths sides, weighing testimony and the facts fairly”?
Are you aware that scientists actually do research into different news sources’ effects on public knowledge, and that Fox News has the worst record of any major news outlet in its portrayal of documented facts? It is a propaganda machine, pure and simple, and its commentators are paid liars. The mere act of turning to Fox is a decision on behalf of the watcher that they would rather be presented with news that is convenient for them rather than the facts.
Our founding fathers gave us a democracy on the assumption that we were smart enough and intelligent enough to make informed and rational decisions. Seeking out politically convenient disinformation instead of actual facts is a disservice to democracy and a betrayal of our founders’ trust.
Tara
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
This is just more proof positive that Fox & Co. haven’t the slightest clue what these different political ideologies actually represent. To assign Marxism to a support of democracy is so laughable that it doesn’t deserve comment, except to ridicule the imbecile who decided to draw such a parallel. If nothing else, Fox & Co. is handy for a very reliable laugh.
Jeanine
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Tara, you couldn’t have said it better. It’s so absurd, one must laugh. The problem is we can’t let these people continue to spread ignorance…let’s not forget how the Third Reich started…
Christopher Parker
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Oddly, I agree with Michael Scheuer in that these events will spell the destruction of American interests in Egypt.
What I don’t understand is why he’s saying it like it’s a bad thing. The only thing that matters in Egypt right now is the interests of the Egyptian people.
Power to the People!
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
why would a democracy in Egypt destroy American interests in Egypt? Egypt has extremely strong ties militarily with the United States, we send them great amounts of money and we also trade with them. And they know that. Both depend on each other and just because the current government is been tossed out on their heels doesn’t mean that our relationships with them will change.
Anonymous
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
I’m glad that Mubarak stepped down first off. But just to clarify why American intrest decreases. US supported mubarack for years, even a couple days ago Hilary Clinton was saying that the people should stop protesting. The egyptian people have good reason not to be bffs with America.
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
I see your point, but the people of Egypt are fully aware that Obama was not taking sides against them. And watching what the people in the square were saying today on a couple of different news sources they really don’t have any problem with president Obama or that United States has supported a dictator for the last 30 years. I’m sure that’s a relatively small sampling of opinion I admit. But I don’t think that they’re going to hold that against him if they get help going forward
ravosava
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 6:04 am
I agree whole-heartedly. Today, I was listening to NPR and they were talking about what the military rule in Egypt means for the U.S. Most experts agree that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Egypt. The Egyptian people understand that, while the U.S. has been supporting their dictator for 30 years, it has also been an invaluable resource for keeping the peace between them and Israel, and they don’t see Egypt breaking the treaty. Sure, Egyptians might not be so happy with the fact that we’ve been supplying their government with tear gas, but they are not dumb enough to pick a fight about it. They know that we have political relevance to them. I think that the people who are crying “The terrorists will take over” are just trying to promote their sensationalist agendas and trying to stir the pot. Sadly, they are quite successful. It never ceases to amaze me at the amount of otherwise reasonable people who buy into Fox’s bull.
Anonymous
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
The Marxist comment was simply an analogy …
Probably a difficult concept to grasp when one obsessively salivates over Fox News reports in eager anticipation of exploiting truth into hyperbole.
Eli Jenkins
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Don’t you get tired having to apologize for those guys again and again? How often do you use the excuse, “Oh, that stupid thing I just said. It was an analogy.” Probably not often. Or never? So, why should a “news” organization that features the crazy or mendacious get more of a break than you or me?
Dino
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Huh?
Dino
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
That was in response to Anonymous, not Eli.
Eli Jenkins
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 11:22 am
Noted.
Brian
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
The USA is not a democracy. Why is everyone trying spread tyranny by the majority to Egypt and other countries?
Joohahn
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Many people don’t even know for sure. They assume because the word is hyped so often. But the literal sense of full “democracy” is in fact the larger mob wins against the smaller mob. Mob rules.
Obviously, people too easily confuse the democratic function of elections with the republican form of government. Most of them are caught up in the elevated prejudice of “republican vs. democrat,” yet don’t know that Jefferson’s term “Democrat” was originally “Democrat-Republican” and was never intended as a separation from the Republican form of government. They also get caught up in the differences between philosophies, forgetting that there is far more in common than in difference, but their prejudice prevents them from seeing this fact. Of course, they are following those who are leading them to this trough and based on the prejudices deeply held, they believe that there must be an absolute rejection, separation and elimination of what is now considered their “enemy.”
That’s what happens when prejudice leads your heart and consequently your mind. That’s also why you rarely hear them attack policy, but rather the people – because the stereotype is aimed squarely at the people.
Oldsun
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
We are called a democracy because we the USA are derived from the people, by consensus by means of elected representatives of the people or representative democracy or a democratic republic. Many people use the term democracy as shorthand for liberal democracy, which may include additional elements such as political pluralism; equality before the law; the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances; due process; civil liberties; human rights; and elements of civil society outside the government(what a democracy is answers.com). It is these simple factually mistakes, which, makes it hard to take you seriously on anything, let alone policy matters. Please for the love of GOD fact check first then come and talk policy.
demgirl
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
I think that the US did exactly what they should have done. They stayed out of it. They didn’t try to force anything on the people or the government. They had their opinions, like we all do, but they let it run it’s course! Good for us.
And, the Egyptians started the demonstrations. I didn’t see any Americans over there pushing them spend weeks in the street!
Rev. Ron Willis Ed. D
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
I was an antiwar activist during the 60′s and pastored a church a couple of miles from the UC Berkely Campus and what I saw today was the same kind of celebration in the streets of the US when LBJ said he would not run for re-election. It was a beginning of a major change to end the war. The right still doesn’t get it, its not in their genes…
Filiagape
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
But wait, didn’t Pres. Bush justify, in part, his war in Iraq as bringing DEMOCRACY to the people of Iraq that would then start a spread of DEMOCRACY across the region like dominoes falling? So are Pres. Bush et al. Marxist too?
Simon
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
If Bush was still in office Fox would be crowing about this being the greatest moment in history. They would be saying that in spite of the fact that the military industrial complex failed to make a profit from it.
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
there were several interviews last night with the Muslims in America on the Muslim brotherhood in Egypt. The Muslim brotherhood in Egypt is against Al Qaeda and does not support the Taliban and in any shape or form. They are not an extremist group in any way. Fox news is just using them to spread fear.
According to the Google executive who helped organize this rebellion the Muslim brotherhood said that it would not take part as a group, but that it would also not stop its people from taking part in the rebellion. So basically it cooperated fully with the rebellion of the last week. The Muslim brotherhood has also not requested or demanded that sharia law be part of the government
Simon
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
You could call something the Muslim Soft and Cuddly Puppies and 20% of the U.S. population would be afraid of it.
LeftyBhoy
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Some ‘Marxists’ talk about ‘objective conditions’ for revolution. And don’t support revolutions that meet this criteria. So in a perverted way, such Marxists are in fact closer to Beck himself. Both talking as if oppressed peoples need to wait for some green light to come on before its legitimate to free themselves. No one should dictate this to you – regardless of whether its Beck, Obama, or a self-appointed intellectual vanguard in a so-called ‘revolutionary socialist’ party.
Reynardine
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
It looks as if Fox is hiring now, anyway… trolls, lots and lots of them. I hope they are paying them better than they think we should be paid, anyhow.
Lee
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Fox says key word “Marxists” and zombies throughout FoxWorld open their eyes and say “Marxist”. Then, go out and begin polluting the political landscape.
Dino
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
On a completely unrelated note, has anyone noticed how talking heads of both the left and right have flocked to initiating their points by declaring “Look,”?
it’s spreading like wildfire. Once rude and ill mannered, now de rigueur.
The herd mentality of these people is amazing. They parrot any meme they hear, including ‘meme’.
daniel
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
While I agree the Fox comments are ridiculous, it is simply not true Americans had “no experience with democracy” before 1776. Parliament had existed for 500 years. The Colonial governments were in the main representative democracies (for white men, anyway). So almost all the founding brothers had experience in a way no Egyptian does.
Not that it makes a difference at the bottom line, but your statement was simply inaccurate.
Eliot
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 12:32 am
Egypt has had a parliament since 1923 if not 1880′s at the end of their rule by the ottoman empire. That’s only 100 years less then the USA and has had a functioning government for most of the time in the last 5000 years that about twelve time longer the 13 colonies in north eastern america. Also remember half of the USA population wasn’t allowed to vote in 1920, yes the USA was ruled by the minority 91 years ago.
Eliot
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 12:37 am
Correction, suffrage was state by state in 1920, so it a few years off. Also I have a few typos, but I love typos.
Anon
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
One of the biggest myths that is assumed is that democracy = freedom. Democracy itself is EXACTLY this: mob rule. There is no freedom in mob rule where the majority control the lives of the minority or anybody else for that matter. If you think the US is a free nation, you’re fooling yourself, because freedom is not possible within the confines of a monetary system. We may have an artificial “freedom of speech”, however, your speech is free whether it is legal or not. The press is free whether legally permitted or not. Freedom is nobody having control over you and you having no control over anybody else.
Let’s get rid of this fiat, debt based, and obsolete monetary system that stifles progress and true freedom, and base our economy not on anti-economic consumerism and profit. Let’s base our world economy on available resources instead, and enable true freedom. www.thevenusproject.com/ www.thezeitgeistmovement.... The time to end slavery is NOW.
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Well said
Jason
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
You are confusing freedom and anarchy, freedom is a relative term, be that as it may ur an idiot, and I guess u will capt the uss enterprise through space.
Ikebod
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
This kind of idiocy is nothing new coming from Fox News, but the author should be aware that the British colonies that became the United States were fully self-governing democracies. Democratic traditions of freedom of speech, equality before the law and other foundations of a free society were gifted to the US by Britain, a fact often forgotten by people who also erroneously believe that the US is the world’s oldest democracy. The great challenge for Egyptians is to create a democratic society from scratch. The best contribution that the world community can offer is to commit long term support to assist the people of Egypt in this very difficult project that will redoubtably take decades to accomplish.
Jason
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 8:05 pm
People please think before you blast a comment just because its on Fox. The comment is a valid opinion. His use of “Marxist” is referring to the Marxist belief that if your govt is becoming inequitable that the people should revolt, and overthrow the govt. Now Marx thought that this should be done continually until everyone was equal (no social classes) which is communisim. This commentator is saying that more and more Americans believe that people should revolt until their is Democracy. No 1. the US supported this dictator for 30 years, and most Egyptians hate us for that, No 2 the Egyptian people have no plan to replace this person, so a totalitarian govt will most likely replace it, further destabilizing the region and since we supported this guy making us the bad guy. Fox is certainly a Republican news center, just as msnbc is Democratic. Don’t be a media drone and simply highlight controversial words and turn it into something else…thats exactly what everyone blames Fox for doing
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
I think you may wish to listen to the people who are doing the revolting. The talk is not against the US. They know we supported the dick, but they dont care about that now. Its up to the military now to set up a government that will be elected down the line.
I dont think the Fox announcers had any idea of the definition of Marxist. I think they threw the word out for propaganda purposes period.
Jason
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
According to Pew Global Attitudes project, as of 2010, Egyptians with a favorable opinion of the US was 17 percent, tied with Turkey and Pakistan for the most unfavorable view of the US. Just because u want it to be true does not it make.
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
I think the game has changed. They were oppressed and while revolting they were concerned if we were with the government or them.
I also think at this time, that poll is not relevant any longer. We will have to wait and see
Tristan
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
So…. when WE founded America back 1776, and had no experience with Democracy, it was okay? Why? Because we’re white?
Jack
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Actually, there was a history of local representative government in the colonies prior to the revolution. There were legislatures and everything.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Col...
Kevin
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
this absolutely goes beyond the pale. To accuse Americans who supported democracy in Egypt of being Marxist should show even the followers of Fox news that that network is absolutely insane.
Mark
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
Im not saying you have to be a Marxist to get universal healthcare, but if we were Marxists we would have it.
Maybe the word doesnt exist, but the ideas still do. Its a question of who should be in charge of the resources of the planet earth. I think it is those who work, not own, that should rule the land and resources.
Though consumer markets are a powerful tool, and should be used alongside socialism. Just not in the same industries. Some ventures should not make a profit. Like brain surgery, or diabetest treatment. There is a conflict of interest there between care and profit often. This is not justice. We came together as societies not so we could all be wage slaves, but so that we could strive.
We have the technology to do that. To change the relation of humans to work and to earth.
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Just to ask, are we confusing socialism with universal healthcare? Socialism is far more than healthcare, its owning the corporations etc. This is just my opinion but just because a country has universal healthcare does not make it a socialist country. Britian is hardly socialist, the Netherlands certainly isn’t and they have the best healthcare in the world. Im not refuting your post, just trying to make that point about socialism
Tiera
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Michael Scheuer is a frequent guest on Fox News channel. He’s been on several times over the past few years to give his perspective on events.
I worked for a TV station for two years. Whenever you have a persistent go-to for analysis of something, you consider them a contributor.
Is the man knowledgeable? No doubt, there’s a reason they keep calling him.
Too bad for such a smart guy he doesn’t know what ‘Marxism’ means in relation to the American people.
Gabriel
Feb. 11th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Fine article, but I have to say the proofers at politicususa have to read this over again with a red pen in hand. I don’t mean for content, but there is more to proofreading than spell check. There are quite a few mistakes in this article.
But then, anything that points out the idiocy of Fox is still worth reading.
ravosava
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 6:12 am
I think the First Lady said it best. “The fight for democracy is a hard one, but completely worth it. I wish the people of Egypt the best.”
The point is not whether or not U.S. interests in Egypt will be preserved or whether or not some new dictator regime will take over. The point is that Egypt’s protests have been successful. They might make some mistakes along the way, but the road to Democracy is a long one. We had and still have our struggles here. This was not only a momentous occasion for Egypt, but the entire Middle East. It serves as an example of what people–PEOPLE–can do. It scares the king of Saudi Arabia and it scares President Ahmadinejad. People are talking. Not whispering, but talking. This is awesome.
So, while we can worry that they might get it wrong, our energy would better be put into hoping that they get it right. While ours is not perfect, democracy in and of itself is a beautiful thing, and the fact that these people, our brothers and sisters, have overthrown a dictator through largely peaceful protests is one of the greatest successes of our history. Everyone has an interest here.
Brenda
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 11:15 am
Amen. If my gas prices have to go up a dime because eighty million people now have the ability to determine their own destinies, I will pay the dime. Lest we forget, we Americans are a nation that was founded on the idea that democracy was a fundamental human right for all people. That does not stop at our borders just because it’s inconvenient for us.
Jonah Johansen
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 11:21 am
I saw this story linked on DIGG-
I am confused is this a parody site, like “The Onion”?
How exactly does a what a commentator on FOX News says become Fox News says? Fox has liberal commnetators also. So logically if Bill Bekel says “Sara Palin is (Fill in the Blank)” therefopre this site would feel it is accurate and informative to say “Fox News thinks (fill in the blank)”?
What is particularly sad is all the comments from readers. Evidently as long as you are attacking the “Great Satan” FOX News, logic and common sense are secondary.
Please I am not advocating for Fox News, I am advocating for logical thinking.
If I am missing something please educate me at imjonah@gmail.com.
Shiva (Moderator)
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 11:50 am
“Please I am not advocating for Fox News,”
And John Boehner isnt orange
ravosava
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
I’m not sure how “some liberal commentators” make up for the fact that Fox News is a fear mongerer and propagator of hate. They pay these folks millions of dollars to spew skewed “facts” and make unfounded attacks on anyone whose ideology doesn’t align with theirs. It’s like being a racist and saying, well, I’m not a racist I have some black friends, and those black friends are really just co-workers that you’re forced to be civil with. Don’t be a pin head.
ravosava
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
And to be clear, I’m not advocating the bashing of Fox News, I’m advocating using critical thinking skills.
Anonymous
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
this isn’t communism, it’s fascism. The idea that a dictatorship, that a strong central state does not have legitimacy, that the state cannot decide for itself its style of government, is fascism
JQP
Feb. 13th, 2011 at 8:18 am
Then I guess these guys were fascists too:
www.ushistory.org/declara...
centerist cynic
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Could it be that Fox believes the democracy is only for “corporate personhood”?
Anonymous
Feb. 12th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
I may not be the most informed person here, but I think the “Marxist” comment is being blown out of proportion. The context that I understood is that Democracy is not the only government in the world that works or exists, that Americans think it is, and that blind faith/ belief and desire to spread it is, to go out on a limb, somewhat “Marxist”. He went on to say that true democracy in that country is unlikely to work given all the current variables.
That is not my opinion, just what I understood.
[/End 2 cents]
lil mort
Feb. 13th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Wnhy is anyone even bothering to comment on this as if anything Fox people says is worthy of comment. Thanks to a whistle blower, we have proof of what we all “knew”: that Murdoch and Ailes long ago gave marching orders that Obama and Dems are to be opposed and criticized by any means necessary no matter what they say or do and that they do simply make stuff up. This is their mission and their sole raison d’etre.
Eric
Feb. 14th, 2011 at 12:53 am
Im not saying you have to be a Marxist to get universal healthcare, but if we were Marxists we would have it.
Maybe the word doesnt exist, but the ideas still do. Its a question of who should be in charge of the resources of the planet earth. I think it is those who work, not own, that should rule the land and resources.
Though consumer markets are a powerful tool, and should be used alongside socialism. Just not in the same industries. Some ventures should not make a profit. Like brain surgery, or diabetest treatment. There is a conflict of interest there between care and profit often. This is not justice. We came together as societies not so we could all be wage slaves, but so that we could strive.
We have the technology to do that. To change the relation of humans to work and to earth.
ravosava
Feb. 14th, 2011 at 5:36 am
@anonymous
How do you get that context from the definition of Marxist and the context they use it? If that’s what they were meaning by it, it is a gross misapplication of the word.
Also, no one can have a true and pure functioning democracy, who are the hell are we to say that they shouldn’t at least try? Maybe they’ll actually get it right, not that us Americans would even pay attention.
*shakes head*