This quote was introduced to me by my grandmother, of all people. I've shown it to quite a few others, and everyone has something to say about it. So, even if you think it's worthless, the ramblings of a "homosexual sociopath" which should not be "even considered" (my very conservative father said in an email), or if you think it's quite the comment on current events (my thoughts), it, at least, may give birth to discussion.

"Naturally, the common people don't want war, but after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country."

--Herman Goring, Nazi leader, recorded by psychologist Gustave Gilbert, who interviewed German defendants at the Nuremburg Trials, published in his book Nuremburg Diary (1947)

Tell me what you think, eh?
Pretty well clean-cut?

Come on you Jingoist's! Bring on the irrational justfication and doublethink!

Double-think and group-think makes the world go 'round, la la la la.

Makes sense to me. We're all sheep.

spinkick666,

So you think its somehow relevant to the situation today?

Explain

I didn't really say anything...just leaving the quote open to discussion. Would you like me to say that what Goering said is what our American government is doing to us? If so, and if it will spur discussion, then I will say yes and await opposition.

B/S

You said that you thought it was somehow relevant today.

This "discussion" is your rather crude attempt at defamation. You should explain why you are being such an ass.

Reason; The T is invisible and silent . . .

Thank you, Sixgun, for sticking to the subject. Even though you would rather attack me, personally, than attack my subject (even if you disagree with it, which I understand and respect), I will explain why I am being such an ass.
The German war machine was all about propaganda. The propaganda program, led by Goering if I remember correctly (please correct me if I'm wrong), vomitted half-truths and many many lies to their country, a people struggling to survive after WWI. They implanted ideas of enemies from within and abroad trying to hurt Germany as a whole, and eventually these ideas became so *prevalent* that it propelled Germany into a state to wipe out races of people and to conquer without empathy.
What I'm trying to say is, is it not worthwhile to take into consideration the means with which a bad, bad man says he helped enslave a nation, so we do not become enslaved ourselves? Propaganda has reached new heights lately because our country has been attacked. True, this enemy is real and not imagined. But it is very easy to lead people astray who are full of patriotism. Gotta be careful.
My apologies for being an ass.
Btw, I'm a vegetarian.

It just goes to show how much hatred that you people have for this country when you defame US by comparing America to National Socialist Germany.


BTW, Hitler was a vegetarian too.

Qoji,

So you trust Goering?

Study up on WWII and read about the anti-war movement that was active then. The pacifists were saying that the USA should stay out of Europe's incessant wars. The pacifists wanted to appease National Socialist Germany by letting them have the smaller countries in central Europe.

Go read up on Neville Chamberlin, a prime minister of Britain who tried a policy of appeasement.

Alot of the "peace groups" back then were tied in with fascist groups like the German-American Bund. Not so different from the modern "peace groups" are also tied in with extremist organizations.

Nice juxtaposition, Qoji...hehe...

Sixgun, it looks like your proving the point for him.

It really is a very simple philosophy.

First, you convince the people that their lives can be irrepairably damaged by some sort of enemy, who operates both within and without. (Terrorists)

Next, you utilize different methods to create fear, at the same time tightening your grip upon the populace. Any detriments to the propaganda machine are ostrocized (sp?). (Color-coded warning levels, Patriot Act, Freedom Fries)

Continue to promote intense nationalism while also labeling any dissidents as enemies of the country. (See many conversations upon this forum, likewise Bush's "You're either 100% with us or against us" quote)

Keep in mind that he wasn't comparing America to Nazi Germany - he was comparing the methods used by our government to those used by, among others, Nazi Germany's government. They are not the same. If you stepped back and looked with an unbiased eye, you'd see the same situation as described:

TheFinalWord,

This thread is pure defamation. Of course you people have been calling the US a fascist country for some time now.

You guys have made it very clear that you don't see the muslim terrorists as being the enemy. You people see the US as being your enemy.

If one really wants to know what is going on here. Let them go to any Leftist street demonstration where they can watch the US flag being dragged on the ground and then burned while the Red banners are flying high.

Wouldn't trust him with my airforce, but yeah, when he says shit like that, I trust that he's telling the truth. Same as if Hitler said 'Damn, I got this country whipped!', I'd believe him.

I just might do that.

I agree, appeasement is too high a cost for peace, and usually doesn't bring peace anyway. Doesn't mean all pacifists wanted to appease Hitler, does it?

You've been proving them right, Six.

You know, i was watching tv the other day like a moron and flipped to the History Channel. And there was a program about how JFK's father was pro-Germany during WWII, and was decisive in keeping the U.S. out of the war until Pearl Harbor. You know, I'm never pro-violence...but the U.S. certainly should have been in that war sooner.
Sometimes there isn't a place for pascifists, and those of us who are should go hide under a rock somewhere and do our paintings, theatre, whatever until bullets aren't whizzing past anymore.
But sometimes...sometimes....
It's great when both sides have valid points, and invalid points.
Learning comes from this.
I definitely want to read up on WWII more now.

Anyone who has an opinion opposing yours and those like you are defaming.

Truth can be relative without a doubt, yet given the extent of "openness" one has in the world today, i.e. the media, one is able to see a lot more than those in bygone years. What is fed to Americans via propaganda today is unmistakable and a reality, the fact that certain truths/news were deliberately kept hidden during the war in Iraq proves what to you exactly? That those who are in "Power" only speak the truth? That they really value integrity? And know "what's best"?

War is premeditated, men play their games, and it’s about money. It takes a lot of planning and a lot of bullshit. The fact that you eat this bullshit without so much as a question in your mind is sad, but also representative of the majority of humanity= Ignorant.

That is unfortunately the norm around here! But please, I fail to see why you would consider yourself an ass for posting what you did! Besides the fact that you write brilliantly and actually have a command over the English language, your thread (and posts) are coherent, and the initial point of this thread, that being the quote, is something that is food for thought. Certainly is something I firmly believe, the content of that quote and its suggestions.

Bullshit,

The USA was attacked on September 11, 2001 and those muslim terrorists had previously been hiding in the USA and other Western countries.

The USA fights back against its enemies after being attacked, so you cretins defame the USA by making comparasins to National Socialist Germany.