EDITOR’S NOTE: Following are recent postings from Pete Kaliner’s blog regarding the governor’s “disinvite” controversy. Kaliner hosts a talk show from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday on WWNC-AM (570).
By PETE KALINER
On April 21, Kaliner posted:
Moogfest cowards and the fascist left
What an embarrassment for Asheville at what is billed as a new signature event for the city.
Organizers of the newly revamped Moogfest reportedly asked North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory to not attend the opening day celebration out of fear of protests from the local intolerant left.
Moogfest had previously celebrated McCrory’s participation in a 90-minute discussion called ‘WIRING SILICON MOUNTAIN: Technology & Innovation As A Tool For Economic Development.’
In their arrogant infantilism, the local liberal fascists believe their perpetual outrage at Republican policies trumps a state representative’s participation in what is billed as a regional attraction.
From the Citizen-Times:
Andrew LaFiosca, a local Ashevillian and protest organizer had this to say, “Over the past week, we’ve seen our collective community rise in solidarity confronting an administration that threatens our environment, our right to equality, and our future.
“While some speculation remains on the reasoning behind McCrory’s sudden absence, especially in light of all the press releases, articles and posts in Moog’s official schedule, I think we can all be happy that a man so mired in corruption, and so out of touch with the citizens who pay his salary will no longer falsely represent our town in it’s biggest festival of the year. Whether or not someone at Moog, or through the city made a positive decision in regards to the community remains to be seen.”
Hey, Andrew, the “collective community” is more than your 200 or so band of merry malcontents. The level of narcissism necessary for these local leftists to think their views are held by everyone — let alone a majority — is astounding.
In 2012, Gov. McCrory beat Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton in a landslide.
His presence at Moogfest isn’t to represent Asheville, Andrew. It’s to represent the state.
The state that elected him.
Yes, yes... we know. Y’all don’t like Pat McCrory, the GOP, or conservatives. You are all very mad that you have no power in Raleigh anymore. We get it. But does your tantrum ever end?
Do we ever get to a point when you’re not standing on a street corner screaming “You suck!” at every Republican?
Are Republicans ever allowed to attend a local conference without your stolen 1960s chants as background noise?
Or should they just ignore Asheville from now on? Just pretend it doesn’t exist?
On April 22, Kaliner posted:
Sorry if I’ve offended
Yesterday, I wrote about the Moogfest dis-invitation of the North Carolina Governor, based on the fear of a protest organized by local leftists.
Some progressives were mad, sad, and offended at the way I characterized them as fascists.
The label comes from Jonah Goldberg’s book “Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, from Mussolini to the Politics of Change.”
The introduction of a novel term like “liberal fascism” obviously requires an explanation. Many critics will undoubtedly regard it as a crass oxymoron. Actually, however, I am not the first to use the term. That honor falls to H.G. Wells, one of the greatest influences on the progressive mind in the 20th century (and, it turns out, the inspiration for Huxley’s “Brave New World”). Wells didn’t coin the phrase as an indictment, but as a badge of honor. Progressives must become “liberal fascists” and “enlightened Nazis,” he told the Young Liberals at Oxford in a speech in July 1932.
Why are these protesters exhibiting liberal fascism?
Fascism is a religion of the state. It assumes the organic unity of the body politic and longs for a national leader attuned to the will of the people. It is totalitarian in that it views everything as political and holds that any action by the state is justified to achieve the common good. It takes responsibility for all aspects of life, including our health and well-being, and seeks to impose uniformity of thought and action, whether by force or through regulation and social pressure. Everything, including the economy and religion, must be aligned with its objectives. Any rival identity is part of the “problem” and therefore defined as the enemy. I will argue that contemporary American liberalism embodies all of these aspects of fascism.
But if you’re still sad about my use of the term... come on over and let’s hug it out....
On April 24, Kaliner posted:
Uninvited McCrory attends Moogfest anyway
So look who showed up to Moogfest in Asheville after all...
You’ll recall, Governor Pat McCrory was dis-invited to a Moogfest panel discussion about economic development earlier in the day.
His public schedule did not include his appearance at a rooftop VIP party at the Aloft Hotel in downtown.
The dis-invitation was an embarrassment. It sent the message that people could bully an event like Moogfest into shunning a sitting Governor who is offering support because of un-related political issues.
It unnecessarily politicized the event.
Party crasher or invited guest
So, did the Governor crash the party?
He was scheduled to attend an event Thursday morning at the Grove Park Inn and a source tells me that McCrory was in contact with Mayor Esther Manheimer who suggested he attend the VIP party.
Protesters were declaring victory about an hour prior to McCrory’s arrival, and it makes me wonder if they’re going to feel they were deceived by organizers, if there was an invite extended to the VIP party.”
Rally organizer Andrew Lafiosca said McCrory’s removal from the next door panel discussion was a “victory.”
“Because of our efforts, the governor was told to stay home,” he declared. “The reality is we can make a difference.”
The protestors, Lafiosca said, were “not against growing the economy.” But he alleged that McCrory is corrupt and that protestors didn’t want the governor to “use our city as a PR rest stop.”
From the WLOS story:
“Well, I was always going to come to be on the panel,” McCrory told News 13 seconds after he arrived at Asheville’s Aloft hotel. “But they thought it might add to the security costs due to the protesters and I didn’t want anything to disturb this event.”
After local activists threatened to protest if McCrory attended the panel last week, Moog organizers asked the governor not to attend.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A response to Kaliner will appear in June’s Daily Planet.
