POLITICAL STYLE
Dictator Fashion Show
Military uniforms really make a statement.

By Mack White
mackwhite.com

Our first model this evening is Adolf.
He's wearing a cream-colored shirt, brown
tie, and a beautiful brown jacket ornamented
with an Iron Cross. The red swastika armband
on his sleeve gives a festive splash of color to the ensemble.

It's Party time! And for this formal occasion
Party leader Joe has wisely chosen a stunning
white jacket accented with gold buttons and
black epaulets, and tasteful black pants.

Next up is Mao. He's wearing a simple but eye-
catching outfit consisting of white shirt,
comfortable green jacket with red-trimmed
collar, and a matching green cap with a Red Star.

Our next model Kim has chosen the classic
lines of the Orient to ornament his cap,
lapels, and epaulets; the red-and-gold color
scheme contrasts nicely with his brown uniform
and is accented by a golden star necktie-pin.

* * * * *

In December 2004, President George W. Bush wore a military jacket while addressing the troops in Camp Pendleton.

This is the first time in U.S. history that a president has chosen to wear a uniform while in office. Eisenhower did not wear one, nor did Grant. When those men assumed the office of Commander-in-Chief, they ceased to be generals, and thenceforth wore civilian clothes, as befits the leaders of a free country. Only where people are not free, only in dictatorships, do leaders wear uniforms.

But now, at last, it has happened in America.

This should not surprise us. On at least three separate occasions, Bush expressed his desire to be a dictator:

"You don't get everything you want. A dictatorship would be a lot easier." Describing what it's like to be governor of Texas. (Governing Magazine 7/98)
-- From Paul Begala's "Is Our Children Learning?"

"I told all four that there are going to be some times where we don't agree with each other, but that's okay. If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator," Bush joked.
-- CNN.com, December 18, 2000

"A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it, " [Bush] said.
-- Business Week, July 30, 2001

Bush's jacket caused controversy upon its debut, and some defended it by pointing out that his jacket was not without precedent; other presidents, they noted, have worn jackets bearing the presidential seal. This is true; however, those were civilian jackets, unlike Bush's uniform regulation tanker jacket, which is quite military. Also, those jackets bore the presidential seal and nothing more; they were not festooned with additional emblems, like Bush's jacket. JFK (see picture) looks like a civilian leader of the military. Bush, on the other hand, looks military -- and not unlike the imperial officers in Star Wars (also of Austin Powers' nemesis Dr. Evil).

* * * * *

A leader in uniform is not the only sign of dictatorship. Consider the following …

The Bush billboard in the photo shown appeared mysteriously in Orlando, Florida, shortly after the 2004 election. It was later learned to be sponsored by Clear Channel Communication. One month later Bush was sporting his new dictator duds.

Also in November 2004, not to be outdone …

Yes, it's California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Tokyo. Not only is he standing in front of a huge iconic propaganda portrait, he is also wearing a jacket similar to Bush's; it is not quite a military jacket, but the excessive ornamentation (seal, flag, monogram) is certainly suggestive of the military.

And there's something else disturbing about this photo: Since when do state governors wear jackets of any kind bearing official seals? What's going on here?

It would appear that the Bush-Rove-Nazi-Schwarzenegger nexus is test marketing these dictatorial trappings to gauge the reaction of the public: What percentage of the population finds them offensive? What percentage does not care? What percentage approves?

I would not be surprised to learn that only a minority is offended, and that the vast majority sees nothing wrong at all with a president in full uniform or with gigantic, iconic propaganda posters of said "leaders." And yet, there is something wrong with it. For these are the visual cues that, historically, have always signified a military dictatorship.

A uniform worn by a leader makes a fashion statement, as it were, that says, "This is a military government, not the civilian government intended by our Founding Fathers." And, as for those larger-than-life, iconic portraits of leaders, more typical of Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Russia, or Mao's China, those images say, "We are gods. Our authority is not to be questioned."

So what's happening? What's up with Bush and Schwarzenegger's uniforms and billboards?

It would appear that their handlers are not only test marketing these visual cues of dictatorship, they are also conditioning the public to accept them. Gradually, leaders-in-uniform and leaders-on-billboards will be seen with greater frequency, until finally no one questions it -- or, at least, none dare question it. Perhaps, too, the president, like Hitler, will at some point announce that he will dress only in uniform as long as the war lasts. Which, of course, will be forever.

And, should that day arrive, the president will not be the only one in uniform.

For some time, there has been talk in public school districts all over the country to require students to wear uniforms. As we all know, public schools are by definition government schools; thus public school uniforms would amount to de facto government uniforms for children. Also, should a military draft be instituted, and should other kinds of government service be instituted for all the rest of us who are not fit for combat, then there could come a time when all of us, at one time or another, might be required to wear some sort of uniform.

And, looming over this unrecognizable, heavily militarized, collectivist, and Godless America, would be giant billboards over every freeway bearing the iconic image of our leader, Arnold Schwarzenegger. In uniform, of course.

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