> I kind of feel like people here are not reading what I'm actually writing.
Perhaps. I think I did read what you wrote. Let me look (again) at your top-level flagged post. I've now vouched for it, by the way.
> It's a pity that some on the left in the past have been so ready with the word 'fascism'. It's a serious word describing a serious problem, and it should not be used casually for "people on the right I disagree with". I believe that the word is appropriate to describe this administration.
Let me dissect this a little further.
> It's a pity that some on the left in the past have been so ready with the word 'fascism'
Now after our discussion, it's clear that you're not meaning "past today but in the context of Trump in general". I'd assumed that meaning since in general that's the context I've seen the word used. And indeed, Trumps election is in the past.
> I believe that the word is appropriate to describe this administration.
I don't remember this part being in your comment in my first reply. HN doesn't let me see edits or edit history or that a comment was edited. I'd like to think my memory's good enough to remember what I replied to, and there's also in general a netiquette of calling out substantial edits to messages. If you didn't edit your top level post then you are right; I didn't read it and I'm sorry for the confusion!
Edit to add:
> In the past. Say, GHWB, people would call him a fascist because they didn't like some bit of policy. I didn't care for his policies by and large, but I also do not think he was a fascist.
I was under ten for the entire duration of GHWB's presidency so I don't have that experience to draw upon. My experience is almost solely on reading history books and following politics since around Bush Jr's election with the "hanging chads of Florida" being the most prominent political memory I have other than being in polling lines waiting for my mom to vote.
Indeed, I can see how use of the slur during previous presidencies has significantly watered down its meaning today such that people skip over its use thinking it's political rhetoric.
I most certainly did include the bit about this administration and the word 'fascist' - that was the whole point! I included the other stuff as a prelude because I feel that the accusation needed a sense of gravity. It's a serious one, but accurate in my opinion.
Perhaps. I think I did read what you wrote. Let me look (again) at your top-level flagged post. I've now vouched for it, by the way.
> It's a pity that some on the left in the past have been so ready with the word 'fascism'. It's a serious word describing a serious problem, and it should not be used casually for "people on the right I disagree with". I believe that the word is appropriate to describe this administration.
Let me dissect this a little further.
> It's a pity that some on the left in the past have been so ready with the word 'fascism'
Now after our discussion, it's clear that you're not meaning "past today but in the context of Trump in general". I'd assumed that meaning since in general that's the context I've seen the word used. And indeed, Trumps election is in the past.
> I believe that the word is appropriate to describe this administration.
I don't remember this part being in your comment in my first reply. HN doesn't let me see edits or edit history or that a comment was edited. I'd like to think my memory's good enough to remember what I replied to, and there's also in general a netiquette of calling out substantial edits to messages. If you didn't edit your top level post then you are right; I didn't read it and I'm sorry for the confusion!
Edit to add:
> In the past. Say, GHWB, people would call him a fascist because they didn't like some bit of policy. I didn't care for his policies by and large, but I also do not think he was a fascist.
I was under ten for the entire duration of GHWB's presidency so I don't have that experience to draw upon. My experience is almost solely on reading history books and following politics since around Bush Jr's election with the "hanging chads of Florida" being the most prominent political memory I have other than being in polling lines waiting for my mom to vote.
Indeed, I can see how use of the slur during previous presidencies has significantly watered down its meaning today such that people skip over its use thinking it's political rhetoric.
> Is that clearer?
Yes, thank you!