Frank Zappa was more than a rock musician.
He was a prophet
I’ve published this piece before, but I feel that it is still relevant. So for those of you who missed it last time, here it is again.
In 1986, when he was interviewed on CNN, rock star Frank Zappa (1940 - 1993) said “The biggest threat to America today is not communism, it’s moving America toward a fascist theocracy, and everything that’s happened during the Regan administration is steering us right down that pipe.”
His words are still true in 2023. Why should Canadians care about it? Because the USA is the elephant living next door. If it rolls over, we’ll be crushed.
Republican representatives have recently drawn attention to the danger of immigration from Canada to the USA? Why would masses of Canadians want to move from the country that is regularly rated as one of the five best places on earth to live to the country that rates 21st? Why would we want to leave a place where we can read anything we want to go to a country that is censoring reading materials in schools; where we might get shot if we go to a mall; where we are routinely called “socialists” because we believe in helping our fellow citizens?
What worries me most is that this new Republican country, which I hope never comes into existence, is adopting a corrupt version of Christianity and plans to impose it on everyone. The Christianity I grew up with taught that Jesus preached only love and fellowship with others of all religions. Remember, American “Christians”, that Jesus was not a Christian. He was Jew. He would not be happy to see you figuratively burning books in his name, promoting gun violence, hating anyone with a darker skin than yours, or scorning knowledge because it is beyond your understanding or refusing help to those of a different sexual orientation. If Christ were to return to Earth today, you would ignore him, or perhaps lock him up.
Yes, Frank Zappa was right about the danger of a fascist theocracy. It is of concern to all of us who would like to see a world of peace and happiness. If you doubt that it’s a serious threat, look at it through today’s lens - the war between Ukraine and Russia. The struggle for freedom and democracy versus the iron grip of fascism.
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The US gets more and more scary. I don’t go over the river to shop any more. Last time I was in the US it was in Alaska in 2018. Those folks thought the inhabitants of ‘the lower 48’ are downright insane. On the cruise ship a MAGA hat wearing pot bellied man from somewhere in the midwest upon my answering him that no, I was not American, I was Canadian, said he could never live in a socialist country.
I suggested that we all of us have a duty to care for the sick, clothe and house the poor, educate the young, comfort the widows, respect and protect everyone’s human rights.
‘Where do you get that idea?’
‘It’s in the Bible.’
‘Not in any Bible I ever heard of.’ said he.
Shudder. We are far from perfect here in Canada, but I’m not ashamed of being Canadian.
Thanks for posting that Frank Zappa quote, Dorothy.
Chris MacN
thanks for reposting this. We must be more vigilant here in Canada. We see the conservative governments using tactics of division, now going after LGBTQ rights.