Back in the 1960s, everybody used to point and laugh at the John Birch Society for being hopelessly deluded right-wing fringe extremist nutcases. No conservative in public life could take them seriously and retain any modicum of respect.
Nowadays, the Bush administration is going in directions that make the John Birchers look mild and reasonable. The Birchers were determined to undo all the social progress made in the '60s and return America to an era of intolerance, authoritarianism, and fear. Bob Jones of Bob Jones University was around during the Bircher times, and was lauded by them, and wouldn’t you know, he’s still around, lending support to George W. Bush. I don’t know if the original John Birch Society still exists even in name, but it sure looks as though the Bircher mentality has taken over the government.
The difference is that in the 1960s they were powerless so everybody could mock them. Now they have excess power and sycophants are tempted to suck up to them.
Speaking of sycophants, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” is one of the most subversive texts ever written, and I hope kids today are still reading it. Those in power who hold onto it by deceit should read it to remind themselves what a shaky foundation their power is built on.
The Wikipedia link says the John Birch society advocated eliminating the income tax, repeal of civil rights legislation, and contended that flouridated water was a commie plot. I don’t think anyone in the Bush administration advocates any of that.
Gee, why wouldn’t every American support the John Birch Society? Don’t you want to…
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After all, the JBS has
All of this is propoganda from one of their current websites. Such pretty words.
Not everyone was pointing and laughing in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Citizens were frightened out of our wits at the mention of Communists and the JBS took full advantage of that. Republican Presidential Candidate Barry Goldwater’s acceptance speech in 1964 included the famous motto: “Extremeism in the Defense of Liberty is NO VICE! Compromise in the name of sensitivity is NO VIRTUE!” Many understood that to be a defense of extreme right wing groups such as the JBS.
As a former Bircher (1980-82, 1990) who left because I drifted leftward while it drifted rightward (I’m still far right to you buncah pinkos, tho! ), let me suggest you google up The John Birch Society & its The New American magazine, and you will find that the JBS lambasts W as a phony conservative Big-Gov’t Internationalist Skull & Bones Insider with lots of CFR members around him.
The OP gives both W & the JBS too much credit by half.
Btw, I supported Reagan & George HW even while in the JBS tho the JBS was highly suspicious of RWR & downright hostile to GHWB. There was only so much right-wing looniness I could support
), let me suggest you google up The John Birch Society & its The New American magazine, and you will find that the JBS lambasts W as a phony conservative Big-Gov’t Internationalist Skull & Bones Insider with lots of CFR members around him.