Chris Hedges, who served at the Times as a reporter and Middle East bureau chief for a total of 15 years, appeared last Thursday on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," hosted by Stephen Colbert, to discuss his new book, "American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America."
You may remember Hedges for being booed off a college commencement stage in the middle of an anti-war rant in May 2003.
Here's a selection of the transcript from the second half of the interview with host Stephen Colbert, who kept up his act as conservative Christian straightman, setting up the dour Hedges to make cracks at Christianity:
Colbert: "What would be the harm if we became a Christian nation that obeyed the laws of God as these quote, unquote, 'American Fascists' want? You haven't made a case for the badness of it."
Chris Hedges, author of "American Fascists": "Well, because what they have done is pervert, destroy, and hollow out the actual heart of the Christian religion. I mean look at the little empires that people like James Dobson or Pat Robertson run. They are despotic, Third World fiefdoms where these guys fly around with bodyguards and Leer Jets and amass hundreds of millions of dollars taken from -- people who live on the margins of American society."
Colbert: "Their success is evidenced that they are blessed by God. God wants you to be rich, sir."
Hedges: "--and it sells, to people in despair. And they run that cut line, you know, with the 800 number for the love offering, and tell people to mail in their rent checks."
Colbert: "They are all full of love and you sound very angry, so who's the Christian here?"
Hedges: "I don't think anger's a bad thing. I mean, Augustine said: Hope has two children, anger and courage. Anger at the way things are and courage to make them better. And I look at this movement as a movement that is destroying a faith that I care deeply about. I mean these people don't speak about compassion. They don't speak about the poor. They have turned, they have perverted the religion into this gospel of prosperity where Jesus will make us all rich and powerful and bless us."
Colbert: "Do you think Jesus wants you to be poor? I think Jesus wants me to be rich."
Hedges: "Well then, you are following the right movement because –"
Colbert: "Well good to each his own, you follow your Jesus and I follow mine. We'll see who wins. We should have our Jesuses fight it out."
Hedges: "I think so. I mean the image that they present of Jesus and of the Christian is essentially a warrior cult. I mean, it is that obsession with violence, it's that notion that America can use its imperial power and use its violence to create a Christian society. They condemn other ways of being other religion as satanic, I mean, they're constantly blasting Islam, nominal Christians, liberals, it is a message that's deeply anti-Christian and I think filled with a lot of bigotry and a lot of intolerance."
For more New York Times bias, visit Times Watch.
(Also see the recent Newbuster piece, on Chris Hedges by Warner Todd Huston - Chicago Sun-Times Warning About 'Christian Fascists')
—Clay Waters is the director of Times Watch, an MRC project tracking the New York Times.
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Booed in 2003, given an awa
February 13, 2007 - 18:07 ET by awffp1890Booed in 2003, given an award in 2007.
"Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity. But in simple obedience to duty." - From the barracks at Ft. Benning
...this damn fascist Robertso
February 13, 2007 - 18:08 ET by TruthMonger...this damn fascist Robertson...
http://www.ob.org/
truthmonger....thanks for the
February 13, 2007 - 19:22 ET by ww thumpertruthmonger....thanks for the link....everyone at NBs should go to this link and see what the OB organization really does... :-) ww v I AM PRO AMERICAN !=
PRO LIFE!= & PRO VICTORY ! v ww
I second that thumper!Great l
February 13, 2007 - 19:27 ET by bigtimerI second that thumper!
Great link and info. tm!
...I just can't understand wh
February 13, 2007 - 21:14 ET by TruthMonger...I just can't understand why you never hear about it in the MSM : ) ! ! !
...that ding-dang pro-family
February 13, 2007 - 18:10 ET by TruthMonger...that ding-dang pro-family Dobson fella...grrr....
http://www.family.org/
Earth to Hedges... We here ar
February 13, 2007 - 18:21 ET by bigtimerEarth to Hedges...
We here are a Christian society.
We are not trying to force anyone else to become a Christian society.
You are in aTwilight zone...along with your other loony evil ilk.
You are my enemy.
When are these liberal media
February 13, 2007 - 18:23 ET by InfomanOhioWhen are these liberal media idiots going to realize that Pat Robertson and the rest of the TV evangelists do not represent the majority of Christians? I question the people who donate to these guys, but true Christians donate to their own churches, which turn around and help millions of people in need.
Also, you do not have to be poor to be a Christian. It is not a requirement that I am aware of.
The truth may be ugly, but it is still the truth.
Okay, I'll buy into this gu
February 13, 2007 - 19:10 ET by ckc1227Okay, I'll buy into this guy's argument, on one condition: he gives me one example of Robertson or Dobson either telling folks to mail in their rent check, or of them taking money against anyone's will.
Hedges: "They are despot
February 13, 2007 - 19:48 ET by GalvanicHedges: "They are despotic, Third World fiefdoms where these guys fly around with bodyguards and Leer Jets and amass hundreds of millions of dollars taken from -- people who live on the margins of American society."
It sounds like he's describing elite, multi-millionaire Democrats, no?
The left hate Robertson.
February 13, 2007 - 19:57 ET by acaiguanaThe left hate Robertson especially, due to his success in fund raising and political influence through a lot of NGOs.
They are despotic, Third World fiefdoms where these guys fly around with bodyguards and Leer Jets and amass hundreds of millions of dollars taken from -- people who live on the margins of American society."
This sounds like a blogger working for John Edwards, does it not? And where is the Third World he is talking about? Fiefdoms?
OK...
Sounds a little over the top to me.
Is there any way we could ever get one of these Leftists to talk about Islamic Terrorists?
That's right, I forgot. Don't hit me again. Here's the rent.
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
I wonder if donations that po
February 13, 2007 - 21:32 ET by NeoConfirmedI wonder if donations that pour in for other religous organizations also lead to fascism in this guy's warped mind. Oh, and he worked for the New York Times, that's a shocker. In fact, I don't see how this is a problem for Hedges, I thought that all of his MSM buddies were longing for America to be run in the compasionate manner of fascism and socialism. He should be celebrating.
...Scientology anyone..? Rev.
February 13, 2007 - 21:36 ET by TruthMonger...Scientology anyone..? Rev. Moon, perhaps...?
Facism - what is it?
February 13, 2007 - 21:36 ET by Eric TurnerI would encourage anyone who uses the term "fascist" so liberally to watch the movie "Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tagen" It's in German with English subtitles. If nothing else, watch the parts where she is being interrogated and her responses. These are based on actual transcriptions of the interrogation apparently.
Excellent movie about the true story of Sophie Scholl, a 21 year old girl in Munich during 1944 who, with her brother and a few others, were part of the White Rose movement.
They encountered facism and know what it means. Liberals in today's America don't have a clue what facism is and would come running to conservatives if it was ever actively pursued, because conservatives are the only ones who actually have the courage and spirit to actually fight for personal freedoms.
(as a side note - I was stationed right across from the prison where she was executed. Supposedly, the Gestapo HQ where she was interrogated was part of McGraw Kaserne in Munich (closed in '92-'94. While I was there, those buildings were used as Univ of Maryland residential buildings and a German Kantina.)
..libs know fascism - as form
February 13, 2007 - 21:41 ET by TruthMonger..libs know fascism - as formeost univeristy practitioners...
I went and looked up the de
February 13, 2007 - 21:45 ET by liberal_bug_zapperI went and looked up the definition of fascist:
Noun
(n) fascism (a political theory advocating an authoritarian hierarchical government (as opposed to democracy or liberalism))
Noun
(n) fascist (an adherent of fascism or other right-wing authoritarian views)
Now I think that this description is a little weak, especially considering that it is coming from Princeton's website.
I've always seen any group that wanted more governmental control as being leftist. Authoritarian to me is always leftist. And right wing nutjob is just another term that has been muddied by all the (amazingly enough) mudslinging.
But will anyone here claim they are a 'right-winger'? Or do you believe that you are first and foremost, a conservative? To me, I'm a conservative, and I have very conservative values. I think that if we let the argument become so one dimensional as to start labeling only left or right, we begin to convince the more stupid of our species that there needs to be a balance between left and right, hence we get the spineless moderate. No balance is needed as there is no one dimensional framework....
Let's do a little compare and contrast on this matter...
The socialists want to enslave you and the conservatives want to set you free. The socialists think you are stupid peons with no potential and the conservatives think you are just bursting with potential and just need encouragement.
The argument is quite simple actually, it is us who espouse freedom for all on one side, and the authoritarians and control freaks on the other side, and in that group, I put Communists, Socialists, Fascists, Despots and Dictators... they're all the same when you break it down to end results. Freedom vs Subjugation. You pick!
____________________________________________________
"These are the times that try men's souls." ~ Thomas Paine
It really is funny that Liberals always have to throw in 'right-
February 13, 2007 - 22:13 ET by acaiguanaIt really is funny that Liberals always have to throw in 'right-wing when discussing fascism. I notice in your definition post that Princton source had to add that little tidbit.
In reality all the truly serious fascist governments have been socialist and Left-Wing in nature. Even Hitler's Germany was Left-Wing when it came to social management.
This can be seen in the simple comparison of Hitler's Germany and Liberal movements here.
Germany used Jews as the foil to rally people around their government.
Liberals use Jews and the US support of Israel to blame the problems in the Middle East on us.
Germany stifled speech that was disagreeable with their propaganda and their rule over the minds of their citizenry.
Liberals stifle speech that they don't agree with and which objects to their desire to rule over the minds of the citizenry.
Germany took the 'profits' from industry even though they allowed the sham of private ownership to the 'Germans' who weren't Jewish. If you were Jewish, well, you simply had your business seized if not burned down.
Germany burned symbolic books by intellectuals who happened to be Jews but also those intellectuals who wrote about ideas that differed from the propaganda aims of the country.
Liberals burn symbolic items of 'right-wing' ideas, such as flags, bras, draft cards, etc.
Germany passed laws forbidding certain behaviors in public and in private that might encourage Germans to question the absolute rightness of the State.
Liberals have incrementally passed laws to attack a myriad of behaviors in public and in private that might question the absolute rightness of the State.
So, I don't see the problem with calling Liberals fascists. I think that when Ellen Goodman calls me a Holocaust Denier for questioning the herd mentality of the Global Warming frenzy; then I am living in Hitler's Germany.
So, no I'm not happy with this type of thinking getting a lot of press. However, maybe it will actually cause some folks to see Liberals as they really are when cut down to the bone.
They hate a very large segment of America. They want to disenfranchise all Christians who associate with lobby NGO groups that might be able to give them a political voice.
If one is a follower of a religion that is a minority in America, then the Liberals either ignore it or cozy up to it because, after all, it doesn't really count.
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
Aca,Libs don't know a thing a
February 13, 2007 - 22:22 ET by NeoConfirmedAca,
Libs don't know a thing about Hitler's Germany. Nor do they care. You see, they would actually have to watch the History Channel (or God forbid, read a book) to learn the facts. And remember Lib Rule #1: Feelings overide Facts every time.
Here's a rule developing NeoConfirmed
February 13, 2007 - 22:45 ET by SportPoliticsHere's a rule I'm developing NeoConfirmed:
Liberals religious belief system is government. That means the good and evil in their religion is encased within the government.
This leads to the psychotic flip-flopping of liberals, who on the one hand, have a desperate need to stick it to "the government man", in the recent sense, the "republicans" and their "neocon religious ziozealouts", and on the other hand have a need to be closer to the government, and to become one with it, and make it become all. That is the liberals proselytizing.
It shows when they are making dependents who rely on their falsegod. When they are being a "witness" by instituting government plans and dictums, all with the declaration of benevolent love for the "created" citizen. All are welcome into this heathen heaven, one only need to believe in it, and ask, hence the lack of border control, and demand for full rights for all who desire to enter the gates, even the Al Qaeda, who can repent and make it to heathen when god's extension ( the liberal talking as diplomat apostle of government) moves to bring one to faith.
The devil, more commonly known as George Bush, and his thousands of VRWC minions must be cast out therfore, and the faith restored.
Any statement, thought, fact or fiction that goes against their religion above must be denied, crushed, cast asunder, and eliminated, and any action taken to do so is to be considered glorious and faithful, by that very standard. This is the never changing "morality" that the democrats embrace.
Thank you Ann Coulter
Here is a great paper on th
February 13, 2007 - 23:05 ET by liberal_bug_zapperHere is a great paper on the subject basically saying the same thing that I said. There basically is no substantive difference between Socialists and Fascists.
____________________________________________________
"These are the times that try men's souls." ~ Thomas Paine
Liberals write Dictionaries
February 14, 2007 - 11:20 ET by exLibI laugh when I looked up Facism the first time and it said "right-wing". So you know....
One thing i am learning recently is that liberals write dictionaries.
Look up Marriage.
The first definition is usually the standard one, a union of a man and a woman.
Now many of the more well-established dictionaries like Webster's or others will add, " or that of two of the same sex".
Now I use Apple Computers and the first definition in the Apple dictionary for marriage is much more general.
The NY Slimes is a fascist ne
February 13, 2007 - 22:35 ET by sembyThe NY Slimes is a fascist newspaper; never tells the truth.
I'm sure those that work at the Slimes; make a lot of money lying to their readers every single day; and then they have to write book that are full of angry lies!
This person is disturbed!
Another disturbed brought you to by MSM.
Hedges: "I think so. I m
February 14, 2007 - 01:38 ET by Chicago RepublicanHedges: "I think so. I mean the image that they present of Jesus and of the Christian is essentially a warrior cult. I mean, it is that obsession with violence, it's that notion that America can use its imperial power and use its violence to create a Christian society. They condemn other ways of being other religion as satanic, I mean, they're constantly blasting Islam, nominal Christians, liberals, it is a message that's deeply anti-Christian and I think filled with a lot of bigotry and a lot of intolerance."
This guy is a flaming dumbass.
it is that obsession with violence
huh?
it's that notion that America can use its imperial power and use its violence to create a Christian society
what the hell is he talking about? Iraq? the removal of Saddam Hussein and his repressive regime from power was not about "creating a Christian Society." Saddam was in flagrant violations of 17 UN resolutions, so much so that UN Resolutions were on the verge of becoming as worthless as a promise from Bill Clinton for a tax cut. In a post 9/11 world thank God we finally have a President, with many faults, that sees that playing paddy cake with third world Islamic despots leads to more 9/11s and the appearance of weakness. GWB has NEVER talked about 'Christianizing' the Middle East.
They condemn other ways of being other religion as satanic, I mean, they're constantly blasting Islam
How many Christian Americans in uniform have died/given their treasure to free/defend Mulslims, in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait? What we blast is ISLAMIC FASCISM. A group of people that agree with you that the West is the root of all evil, and still want to cut your throat because you don't bow to Mecca.
nominal Christians
What? They disagree theologically with people who have extra-biblical teachings. When have these 'psycho Christians' that Hedges detests attempted to employ the tactics of Fascist leaders like Saddam Hussein in confronting those who disagree with them? Meanwhile, the kooks of the 'religion of peace' have no problem killing those Moderate Muslims that happen to be in blasting distance of an Al Qaeda car bomb.
liberals
Fundamentalist Christians disagree with people who try to ramrod Secular Humanism down the throats of Americans through the court system.
it is a message that's deeply anti-Christian and I think filled with a lot of bigotry and a lot of intolerance
What happened, Hedges? Did that chick in youth group when you were 14 not give you the attention that you felt you deserved? American Christians are American Citizens with the same rights to engage in the political process as you.
As to "God wants you to be rich", I.E. the Positive Confession/Prosperity Gospel, that is Colbert being a complete clown. That is a borderline cult that is pure psychobabble and completely inconsistent with Christian Theology. Jesus in the gospels NEVER promised a life of comfort - only of persecution. "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials." (James 1:2-4)
Many posts by many NBers
February 14, 2007 - 01:45 ET by misterbillMany posts by many NBers, since I have been a member, discuss the attitude of people like Hedges is caused by self-loathing. It seems to me that is correct. I do not and never have believed that there was any religious part to our struggle in Iraq. I do believe and it is evident every day, that Sunnis do not like Shiites and vice versa. All Muslims hate Jews.
Remember Rosie's famous statement that Christian fanatics were causing as much harm as Islamofascists.? (Or words to that effect.) Again, a form of self-loathing. Well, get over it. The majority of us do not feel that way.
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.