Thread: Sochi Olympics and the Law against Gays in Russia +

Originally Posted by Throbert McGee

The notice explains that "propaganda of homosexuality" can take many forms -- among them, the wearing of яркая одежда, "bright clothing"! Also note the filled-in blank with the precise number of homosexuals in the building (1)!

That reminds me of the kinds of scare tactics the McCarthyists used during America's "red scare" - when they were persecuting supposed "communists."





Here is the text of the now-infamous "How to Spot a Communist" pamphlet which was circulated in the 1950's.

How to Spot a Communist

Events of recent years have made it obvious that there is no fool-proof way of detecting a Communist. The Communist individual is no longer a "type" exemplified by the bearded and coarse revolutionary with time bomb in briefcase. U.S. Communists come from all walks of life, profess all faiths, and exercise all trades and professions. In addition, the Communist Party, USA, has made concerted efforts to go underground for the purpose of infiltration.

If there is no fool-proof system in spotting a Communist, there are, fortunately, indications that may give him away. These indications are often subtle but always present, for the Communist, by reason of his "faith" must act and talk along certain lines.

While a preference for long sentences is common to most Communist writing, a distinct vocabulary provides the more easily recognized feature of the "Communist Language."

Even a superficial reading of an article written by a Communist or a conversation with one will probably reveal the use of some of the following expressions: integrative thinking, vanguard, comrade, hootenanny, chauvinism, book-burning, syncretistic faith, bourgeois-nationalism, jingoism, colonialism, hooliganism, ruling class, progressive, demagogy, dialectical, witch-hunt, reactionary, exploitation, oppressive, materialist. This list, selected at random, could be extended almost indefinitely.

While all of the above expressions are part of the English language, their use by Communists is infinitely more frequent than by the general public.

In addition to these very general principles common to Communist tactics, a number of specific issues have been part of the Communist arsenal for a long period of time. These issues are raised not only by Communist appeals to the public, but also by the individual Party member or sympathizer who is a product of his Communist environment. They include: "McCarthyism," violation of civil rights, racial or religious discrimination, immigration laws, anti-subversive legislation, any legislation concerning labor unions, the military budget, "peace."

While showing standard opposition to certain standard issues, the U.S. Communist has traditionally identified himself with certain activities in the hope of furthering his ultimate purposes. Such hobbies as "folk dancing" and "folk music" have been traditionally allied with the Communist movement in the United States.

A study such as this can lead to only one certain conclusion: There is no sure-fire way of spotting a Communist. The principle difficulty involved is the distinction between the person who merely dissents in the good old American tradition and the one who condemns for the purpose of abolishing that tradition.

In attempting to find the answer to the question: "Is this man a Communist?" a checklist such as this can prove helpful, although in itself it cannot provide the answer:
Does the individual use unusual language? ("Communist Language")
Does he stubbornly cling to Marxist ideals without being willing to question them?
Does he condemn our American institutions and praise those of Communist countries?
Does he pick on any event, even the most insignificant occurrences in this country for his criticism?
Is he secretive about certain of his contacts?
Does he belong to groups exploiting controversial subjects?

Above all, the approach to the problem of discovering Communists must be detached and completely free from prejudice. Using some of the clues mentioned in this study in connection with a factual approach provides the best system at present of spotting a Communist.

And, as Lampada alludes - it's the same tactics used during the middle ages when "witches" were the ones being persecuted.

Humankind has always had a penchant for scapegoating those who are "different." And the best way to do that, is to spread terrifying lies about them: Witches can place curses on you! Communists will brainwash you! Gay people will turn you into a homosexual!

I wish we would just evolve already. But, I am not holding my breath.

Originally Posted by Deborski

That reminds me of the kinds of scare tactics the McCarthyists used during America's "red scare" - when they were persecuting supposed "communists."





Here is the text of the now-infamous "How to Spot a Communist" pamphlet which was circulated in the 1950's.



And, as Lampada alludes - it's the same tactics used during the middle ages when "witches" were the ones being persecuted.

Humankind has always had a penchant for scapegoating those who are "different." And the best way to do that, is to spread terrifying lies about them. Witches can place curses on you! Communists will brainwash you! Gay people will turn you into a homosexual!

I wish we would just evolve already. But, I am not holding my breath.

Deb, commies are a different story. One is not born commie. One can willingly stop being a commie. Commies are particularly responsible for certain crimes against humanity in the past. Doesn't sound like gay people, does it?

Originally Posted by Eric C.

Deb, commies are a different story. One is not born commie. One can willingly stop being a commie. Commies are particularly responsible for certain crimes against humanity in the past. Doesn't sound like gay people, does it?

The point of my post was actually that the scare tactics are similar. I wasn't saying that gay people are just like commies, or that commies are just like witches, for that matter...

And as far as that goes, most of the so-called "commies" persecuted during the McCarthyist era were not really communists anyway! Or didn't you watch "The Majestic"?

Originally Posted by Deborski

And, as Lampada alludes - it's the same tactics used during the middle ages when "witches" were the ones being persecuted.

I wish we would just evolve already. But, I am not holding my breath.

This really looks like mediaevalism, right.

Originally Posted by Deborski

Communists will brainwash you! Gay people will turn you into a homosexual!

Speaking of gays AND communists, here in the States we've just observed the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. And it's worth remembering that one of the main organizers of King's 1963 "March On Washington" was a guy named Bayard Rustin -- who was black, gay, and (at one time) a card-carrying member of the КПСША.

Shortly before the march in August 1963, ultra-right-wing Senator Strom Thurmond denounced Rustin as a "homosexual and Communist". In actual fact, Rustin had become disenchanted with Stalin and left the Communist Party in 1941 -- and by the 1960s, he was strongly anti-Soviet, arguing that the USSR's policies in Africa were imperialist, and no better than the imperialism of the West. But he never made any secret of his homosexuality (and he had been arrested for a "gay three-way" with two other men, in a parked car at night, back in 1953). For which reason many in the black civil rights movement tried to keep him out of public view, and probably 90% of Americans don't know his name, despite his distinguished career in the civil-rights movement.