Re: Similarities: Contemporary US and WWII Germany

What do you mean when you write that “I throw things out as facts without substantiating anything and without so much as a reasoned line of thinking”?! 

There is a difference in studying WWII from the distance and the New World and growing up in the “Old Europe”, namely Germany, where we have learned about the German history most likely more than any other students in the world.  It is very, no too easy to say that “the” Germans “have a tendency to go with the flow which often means listening to the voice of authority.”  Given that you asked for a substantiated discussion, may I suggest you start so by differentiating your statements about “the” Germans. 

I agree with most of your points stated and I enjoy reading your statements and pieces of analysis.  However, referring to a people as “the” Germans, Americans, etc. is simplistic.  For example, you may have noticed in previous emails of mine that I was referring to the Bush administration rather than “the” Americans. Why? Because it is my observation that more and more Americans realize the true nature of G.W. Bush and do not necessarily support his policies any more.  Ok, granted once there is a new war or catastrophe this will change.   This is a normal scenario and can be witnessed around the world.

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: KenRichard2002@aol.com [mailto:KenRichard2002@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 5:31 PM
To: tjuli2001@yahoo.de
Cc: wsn@csf.colorado.edu
Subject: Re: Similarities: Contemporary US and WWII Germany

 

       Hitler was an hated tyrant and a dictator precisely because he lost the game. Much of the reasoning in this world is akin to this kind of thinking:   If I take your wallet from you without your knowledge,  then you're a fool who has demonstrated your incompetence and inability to retain your money; however, if you take my wallet without my knowledge then you are a thief and your actions demand your punishment.

       A system of political patronage trumps democracy in a great many instances in this *democratic* country.    

       If Hitler is reviled today,  millions came to see him parade through the streets during his lifetime.   Even Carl Jung couldn't resist the temptation to goose step a few feet behind Hitler and Mussolini.   You must not realize how seductive power is to *the masses*.   But then,  you may have noticed how people seem to thrive on their personal and all too petty power plays.

       The majority of Germans who joined the NAZI party did so to thrive and not merely survive.  Where do you get the notion that the majority of German men were "forced" to join the German armed forces?  You throw things out as facts without substantiating anything and without so much as a reasoned line of thinking.  I would argue that the World Jewish Congress served the Nazi regime in order to survive, to assist family and friends to the best of their ability to survive and, to gather whatever personal perks their offices provided.   But as far as the Germans went,  people have a tendency to go with the flow  which often means listening to the voice of authority. After all, who wants to be a kill joy?