The right-wing demonization of George Soros really has to be seen to be believed. Bill O’Reilly is a master of it. It comes up all the time in drug policy debates, with some drug warriors inventing quite astounding conspiracy theories. (“George Soros supports drug legalization because he hopes to make billions trading cocaine as a commodity.” No, really.)
You’d think that Soros’s strong anti-Communism would at least somewhat blunt the force of the wingnut attacks, but no such luck. Here’s the Washington Times:
He has poured hundreds of millions into the former communist bloc. The former Soviet empire has thus become the Soros empire. Mr. Soros has worked behind the scenes to destabilize and influence governments such as Croatia, Slovakia, Serbia, Georgia, Kosovo and Ukraine.
Beck makes the same “charge” in his latest ravings. That’s right: Beck and his friends regret that Soros helped liberate Eastern Europe, and then helped build the institutions that have so far kept it free.
It’s an old observation that Leninists, while accusing liberals of being soft on fascism, actually hate liberals far more than they do fascists, since the liberal viewpoint is far more alien than fascism to the Leninist viewpoint. The same seems to be true of some of the wingnuts who accuse liberals of Communist sympathies.
David Horowitz and other Leninists-turned-wingnut help illustrate the point; while swinging from left to right, they remain constant in their hatred for fair-mindedness, reasoned discourse, the rule of law, and individual liberty.
It’s true: they hate us for our freedom.
In the case of the Washington Times writer, the antipathy toward Soros may also reflect his origins in a radical-rightist milieu within the Croatian exile community of Montreal. Not to put too fine a point on it, the teaching would've been that there are older enemies than the communists. Such is the melting pot of the American right that such views are now tidied up and repackaged for dissemination to corn-fed middle Americans.
"David Horowitz and other Leninists-turned-wingnut help illustrate the point; while swinging from left to right, they remain constant in their hatred for fair-mindedness, reasoned discourse, the rule of law, and individual liberty."
Perfect pitch on this observation, Mark.
I must've imagined that Beck lavished praise on Soros-backed Georgian President Saakashvili just a few years ago. youtube.com/watch?v=_TjjdOyh0sc
The problem with what George Soros did to liberate the listed Eastern European countries is that he is using those same tactics to destabilize the United States. He is an avowed anti-Capitalist, which means he is NOT for the little guy, no matter what he says. The American Dream has always been to own your own business and make a profit. George's tactics will make it too expensive for the businessman to open shop, if Soros gets his way. Get a grip guys, Soros is NOT our friend.
I've always admired Soros for his commitment to liberty and decency.
I am a communist looking to destroy the american dream, by bankrupting the u.s. and lining my pockets with billions like I have done 4 times before. You americans are so gullible!!!!
Billionaires don't promote democracy. Sad that so many people that freedom is the choice of Soros over Murdoch.
Long live Catholic Croatia! Soros and other communists stay out/away.
Long live Yugoslavia 😉