'WHY DO AUSTINITES OVERUSE THE TERM "FASCIST!" IN CRITICIZING ME?', I ASK IN MY MOST RECENT CRAIGSLIST 'AUSTIN RANTS AND RAVES' ITEM, WRITTEN BY ME AND THEN POSTED BY ME AT 1:37 A.M. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017

Why Do Austinites Overuse the Term 'Fascist!' in Criticizing Me? (Austin)

I still vividly recall the day in 1997 when I was speaking with a male adult neighbor of mine several blocks west of the University of Texas at Austin campus, and that neighbor of mine told me that any support for reporting noteworthy illicit drug activities to the Austin Police Department---a subject I had broached with him---comprised "Fascism!", he stated with indignation.

It is possible, as I recall that moment, that the male adult neighbor of mine near the UT-Austin campus may have instead verbalized the term "Nazi!" to angrily label anyone and everyone, including myself, who reports suspected illicit drug activities to the Austin Police Department.

In any case, I personally question the use of the term "Fascist!" or "Nazi!" in that type of context. The term "Fascist" or "Nazi", in my opinion, refers to someone with a tendency toward spontaneous and reckless violence, and a flagrant defiance of the legal rights and human rights of individuals.

I maintain that if I happen to smell the scent of marijuana emanating from a neighbor's home in Austin, and if I then call 911 or 311 to report that possible crime evidence to the Austin Police Department, this shows full respect on my part toward the legal rights of anyone arrested by APD in connection with that tentative crime report from me.

Here in Austin---as distinct from Fascist Italy or Nazi Germany of the 1930s and 1940s, for instance---anyone and everyone accused of illicit-drug activities such as possession or trafficking of marijuana is of course granted the legal right to an attorney. That attorney would then diligently represent that defendant, such as during any trial by jury that results from the arrest of a crime suspect in connection with alleged illicit-drug activities in Austin. The defendant in that jury trial is, of course, presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If the defendant is found guilty of the crime he is accused of, state law in Texas--unlike Fascist Italy or Nazi Germany of the 1930s and 1940s--would then set fair and reasonable limits through our state penal code on the punishment of that particular convict, such as the number of months or years he can be incarcerated in a state prison for that offense.

I guess my basic question is this: Does anyone else here in the Austin area believe that far too many Central Texans incorrectly use the term "Fascist!" when they ridicule someone for allegedly fitting that description?

I would also appreciate any thoughts that anyone might have on what might explain why so many Central Texans of today recklessly and in an injurious manner use the term "Fascist!" or "Nazi!" in angrily labeling Austin residents whose lawfully-expressed political or religious beliefs or law-abiding conduct are disliked by the former individuals here in this multi-county region of Texas?