Reply #127: worse here and now

[Two Americas]

By many measurements, it is worse here and now although I will get attacked for saying that. We are not supposed to talk about historical precedents until we can look back with the benefit of hindsight, as we do when we discuss the rise of the right wing authoritarian and fascist governments in Europe in the 30's, after it will be far too late. Then I suppose people will say "huh. How about that? I guess the alarmists were right after all."

We look at episodes from history such as the notorious Kristal Nacht raids and arrests with horror, yet that pales by comparison with what is going on here today, in many significant ways, and in Iraq and in the various detention centers. This is just going by what we do know is happening, which I can promise you is only a fraction of what is actually happening. We have the most secretive government ever in American history, and tyrants don't keep secrets unless there are things they are doing that they do not want us to know about.

The same debates that went on in many countries in Europe in the 30's are going on right here on this board every day, with the same arguments, the same apathy and ignorance, the same stubborn refusal to look the truth square in the face, the same denials, the same short-sightedness and the same attempts to discredit, marginalize and dismiss critics as alarmists. We have far more evidence today that justifies being alarmed than people in Europe did in the 30's. Far more. That does not mean that the situations are identical - although who is waiting for that to happen and what difference would that make? - and of course we cannot know with certainty that the results will be the same - but in the 30's people had no way to know with certainty what would happen either until it was far too late.