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This is yet another indication that authoritarianism always has two faces. One is plainly shown to its enemies, who are subjected to the worst possible torture: their thoughts are criminalized. The other is shown to its allies, justifying the torture as protection of "normal" people from "abnormal and dangerous" lies. Acceptance of the characterization of these thoughts is to be accepted on faith, just as the basis of a religion is to be accepted on faith. It is ironic how authoritarians proclaim to be objective truth-followers, unlike religions, who are superstitious mystics, when their basis for existence relies on the same blind faith.

The difference, of course, is that the authoritarians' basis is true. If you don't believe them, just ask them.

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