On a recent mailing list, someone was discussing the recent comments by

Germany’s Minister of Justice Hertha Daeubler-Gmelin, who uttered the following

commentary on Bush’s politics: “it is a classical tactic that was used by

Hitler.” is one version of the quote reported.

You can find some info on that story here:

• Pravda.RU Bush vs. Hitler

• BBC NEWS

  World Europe Schroeder apologises for Hitler row

• U.S. Slams German Minister for Bush-Hitler Comment

• Ananova – Bush-Hitler comparison is ‘outrageous’ – US

In any case, the tone of the comments onlist were that this characterization

was accurate, and that it was too bad so many of us Americans were "falling for

it".

Here is my response slightly edited to correct typing errors…

-_-_–_-_–_-_-_-_-

Ummm… no.

The words may superficially seem similar, but the very real context is

fundamentally different.

For instance, a core component of Hitler’s rise to power and the justification

for the second world war was German dissatisfaction and distress over the

restrictions placed on them after the FIRST world war.

A fundamental component of Hitler’s call to war was the regaining of German

pride and "place in the world" at a time when they felt oppressed by the entire

world.

There is absolutely no way to draw a parallel to any of this with the current

state of the American stance, either governmental or of the population as a

whole.

It is impossible for us to feel oppressed in the world because quite simply

there is no single nation or group of nations that can match us militarily -

certainly not in any way that would threaten our ability to determine our own

actions.

Personally, this makes me VERY happy. Global politics is a game with one – and only one – goal:

• Become effectively invincible, and prevent the formation of anyone who may

  threaten your existence.

Almost all OTHER considerations must come secondary to that. This is not a drill,

and it sure as heck isn’t something you get to "do over". If your nation falls,

or significantly falls from power (Think England here) then it is all over – you

are a spectator in determining the shape of the world we live in.

That being said, I find it difficult to imagine where the current US policies

bear anything but the most simplistic resemblance to the Nazi positions:

• Our opponents (plural) absolutely have shown aggression. This is not

  rhetoric in the way it was for Hitler… it is historical reality.

• Our opponents have openly declared their intentions to hit us whenever and

  however they can… and their fundamental belief system requires our eradication

  at any cost. This is not rhetoric; this is also a literal reality.

• Nothing in our policy speaks of racial superiority, nor does it require

  genocide to come to fruition.

• There is no question but that our opponents have struck us on our home

  soil. That attack can be seen as a wake up call for our worldview, and we have

  responded.

The German penchant for apologizing and self castigation for the Hitler years

is a fine hobby for them – but not one that grants them any special insight or

moral ground to make judgments. The use of that reference was a political move -

deliberately chosen to be one that will seem self effacing while putting out

there a nice juicy sound bite.

If Germany doesn’t like our policy of global intervention they are more than

welcome to spend a few months rebuilding their wall and find some nice

oppressive empire who want to go back to running their lives.

The Germans seemed more than happy to have the USA intervene when it was

saving their ass. For that matter, most of the world seemed happy about it to.

Well guess what, we get to act to protect ourselves… and the rest of the

planet doesn’t have to like it.

I doubt we have to ask their permission.

[ the comment about "falling for it" was made here, and the below is my

response ]

"falling for it"? Yeah, cause it such a deception; it’s amazing we could be

this naïve I mean:

• A dictator dedicated to our eradication
• A probable possession of the weapons to strike at us, and a clear

  willingness to do so

• Vivid and recent experience that we are vulnerable to exactly the type of

  attack this person would be in a position to launch.

How could we be so stupid as to not realize that all that should add up to :

"Do nothing".

A large bioterror weapon, or a nuclear blast will NTO happen in London, or

Sweden, or Australia or France… it will happen right here, on our soil because

we are the number one target around for a number of reasons:

• Everyone seems to hate the guys who are most successful.
• We made a number of enemies covering everyone else’s ass.
• Any person or movement who would aspire to world control needs to go

  through us first.

THAT all means that since it’s OUR ass on the line, the other nations can

make their opinions known but in the end WE will decide what is in OUR best

national interest.

So while it superficially seems that the Bush call for strikes on Iraq is

intended as a "tactic" to divert public attention from domestic issues… the

context and lack of hateful rhetoric marks it more as a response to geopolitical

realities and national defense needs.

While one may disagree with the need for war, the context is such that it is

difficult to dismiss the discussion of military action as simply a needless

fabrication for political purposes.

On the other hand, the comments of the German minister – on an election night

in Germany – are easily dismissed.