The Double Orwellian

Conservatives have been energetically condemning the social media and publishing censure of Josh Hawley, Donald Trump and others as Orwellian.  Their use of the term is amusing, as George Orwell would most likely view their Trumpian antics as an excellent example for the formative stages of the dystopian future that he envisioned in 1984. 

Orwell was a passionate opponent of totalitarianism, but he was not at all a conservative.  Indeed, he was a lifelong advocate for the poor and embraced democratic socialism as the ideal political and economic structure for a state.  He detested the British colonial system, spent significant time living a pauper’s life to understand the poor, and fought for the republican side in the Spanish Civil War, nearly losing his life.  The negative impact of the Stalinist-led communists on the overall republican efforts in Spain contributed to his distaste for any form of totalitarianism.

 The true definition of Orwellian is, according to Webster: 'suggestive of George Orwell or his writings, especially relating to or suggestive of the dystopian reality depicted in the novel 1984.'  It is a situation, idea, or societal condition that George Orwell identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free and open society. It imagines a society defined by propaganda, surveillance, disinformation, denial of truth (doublethink), and manipulation of the past.  The Trump era lies, fabrications and incivility are perfect examples. 

I am pretty certain that a private social media or publishing company deciding to censure a divisive public figure who is promoting political lies that have clearly led to mass conspiracy theories and violence is not a short step away from 1984.  There are, admittedly, the classic questions of free speech involved, but no one has actually stopped these idiots from talking. And they certainly have large numbers of outlets for their delusions – Fox, OAN, Newsmax, Epoch Times, and the many dark, teeming Internet sites that commercially benefit from fomenting outrage and paranoia.

In fact, by whining about their Orwellian treatment, these politicians have actually performed a double Orwellian.  Like others who accuse liberals of employing Nazi or fascist tactics, they have embraced the kind of doublespeak that is truly Orwellian.  As they rally the most dangerously anti-democratic and ultra-religious nutcases throughout the land for an assault on congress and our election process, they have the audacity to accuse liberals of being fascist and Orwellian and controlled by communists.

Now that is Orwellian.