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lastlib

(27,653 posts) Tue Jan 20, 2026, 11:58 AM Tuesday

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I had a discussion with a right-winger last night about The Felon [View all]

Last edited Tue Jan 20, 2026, 01:07 PM - Edit history (1)

When I made a statement that the Jan 6 Traitor was a fascist, this guy said, "Well, you shouldn't call him a fascist just because you don't like him."

I looked at him and responded, "I was a Political Science major in college, I've *studied* fascism. I've read Hannah Arendt; I've read Ernst Nolte; I've read Robert Paxton, Lawrence Britt, and Ruth Ben-Ghiat. If it walks like a duck, flies like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's a duck. Donald. tRump. is a. F'ing. Fascist. Pee-Ree-Odd." He shook his head and walked away. IDK if I convinced him, or just made him mad, and really don't care. I used the term in an academic sense, not just as a pejorative. IOW, I stated a provable fact; he couldn't deal with it.

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I had a discussion with a right-winger last night about The Felon [View all] lastlib Tuesday OP

But when I call him a fascist, I'm also doing it because I don't like him! biophile Tuesday #1

To be more accurate TexLaProgressive Yesterday #41

We need a new word - maybe "fasc-hole"... 3catwoman3 22 hrs ago #47

You're one of those "elitists" like Hillary, you read & think on purpose SheltieLover Tuesday #2

...I haven't done this yet... thomski64 Tuesday #3

I think that Jonathan Swift said it best. markodochartaigh Tuesday #4

You used big words The Blue Flower Tuesday #5

You likely lost him at "I've read ..." Metaphorical Tuesday #6

Wish I could give this a couple dozen recs! lastlib Tuesday #7

"Trump does not appeal to deep thinkers" area51 Tuesday #36

Shouldn't have bothered. Aristus Tuesday #8

I wasn't going to waste any more time or energy on him.... lastlib Tuesday #9

You lost him at the word college! They resent all educated beings. Hope22 Tuesday #10

Good on you for trying but specifics would have been nice. This guy probably never even heard of the people you Fil1957 Tuesday #11

I have always loved to look up the origins of words. Zackzzzz Tuesday #16

It's actually not a joke. Anglo-Saxon rooted words are typically shorter and simpler. Norman French words on the other Fil1957 Tuesday #18

Yes. And Thank you for your examples. Zackzzzz Tuesday #27

no satisfaction....... Celerity Tuesday #30

mutton, sheep.... reACTIONary Tuesday #35

They don't know the definition of fascism. Puppyjive Tuesday #12

I would have asked him if he knew the definition of fascism kimbutgar Tuesday #13

My method is now to engage them; ask them to explain themselves. maxsolomon Tuesday #14

Evidence you had an impact BaronChocula Tuesday #15

Creator of Godwin's Law Says the Hitler Comparison [to the POS] Is Apt Stargleamer Tuesday #17

I've heard of one way that sometimes works is to ask the Maga why they voted for him and listen as best you can without Fil1957 Tuesday #19

If he had replied, I can only imagine... Grokenstein Tuesday #20

Can they ever deal with it? Their brains are thoroughly washed. live love laugh Tuesday #21

For a long time I avoided using the word fascist or Nazi. But if it walks, quacks, and flies like a Nazi, it's a Nazi. flashman13 Tuesday #22

I can almost LilElf70 Tuesday #23

I have a Republican relative who's more and more unhappy with Trump. Another Trumper in the family highplainsdem Tuesday #24

No fair!!! Facts and truth have a liberal bias! Montauk6 Tuesday #25

My question is always how did so many Americans get brainwashed enough to support Trump in the first place. PatrickforB Tuesday #26

This message was self-deleted by its author 3Hotdogs Tuesday #32

I gotta disagree with you on Obama had the votes. He did until Ted Kennedy died. 3Hotdogs Tuesday #33

I hear you and you are not wrong. But why didn't Obama do what he did AND ALSO say ACA was a half measure until PatrickforB Yesterday #43

All of us popsdenver Tuesday #28

They avoid the truth like it's death coming for them. Buddyzbuddy Tuesday #29

While I lack your erudition, madamesilverspurs Tuesday #31

I believe the beginning of fascism in the country was in the 1820's, with the gub'mint subsidizing the building of 3Hotdogs Tuesday #34

"fascist" is a hard thing to pin down rampartd Yesterday #37

Better? "All right. - prove me wrong!" Grins Yesterday #38

And this is where we are... Joinfortmill Yesterday #39

Well, nobody likes to have to admit they were wrong. calimary 23 hrs ago #45

It doesn't matter D_Master81 Yesterday #40

Trump Normalization Syndrome Zambero 23 hrs ago #46

Short answer to the moron. House of Roberts Yesterday #42

One of the biggest flaws in Democracy... LPBBEAR Yesterday #44