Fascism and Islam

You may say Bush should know about fascism, which in its most generic form means a totalitarian consolidation of state and corporate power. But really, why indeed did he say:

this nation is at war with Islamic fascists

I mean really, are we even at war? And are our opponents Islamic fascists?

Using the reductional adjective Islamic to describe terrorists (or fascists) would be fair if the phrase oil-based were used to similarly preface any mention of U.S. mideast policy. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out the connection between the two.

I think fascism was deliberately introduced in his speech. Not only does it mollify the talk-show mullahs and the Fox News clerics who have for a while referred to terrorists -- and for that matter insurgents and probably everyone who opposes the U.S. -- as "islamo-fascists," it has a more sinister connotation. Timed during Israel's invasion of Lebanon, it draws a giant circle around Hezbollah, Hamas, Iraqi insurgents, the states of Iran and Syria and probably all suspicious-looking Muslim men and draws the Fuhrer's mustache on every one of their upper lips, as if to say,

Be afraid, very afraid and let us take the strong measures needed to protect you.