Adolph Hitler, "Mein Kampf"

[zaj]

"… in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because the broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods. It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation. For the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in the art of lying. These people know only too well how to use falsehood for the basest purposes."

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2003_04_27_digbysblog_archive.html#93627125

[Hoping4Change]

1. What an illuminating quote. Thanks for posting it.

I never had the stomach to read Mein Kampf but I think it high time to read it now.

[zaj]

2. Scary thought how many Nazi quotes apply to this administration.

I'm not going to suggest that these guys are as evil as hitler, but they certainly don't shy away from applying his political tactics.

[Jack_DeLeon]

3. Funny isnt it...

had more people actually read it in his day perhaps the people would have known what Hitler was really about.

Now at days right wingers keep all thier info and tactics in thier secret memos instead of publishing them in books for all to see.

[DivinBreuvage]

7. Plenty of people read it, they just chose to believe one of the following:

a) It's impossible that this extremist rabble-rouser will ever come to power;

b) He doesn't really mean it (or perhaps he's just exaggerating to stir up his "core constituency");

c) If he does come to power, the traditional German conservative powers will keep him in line.

[napkinz]

6. hmmm ...

[funkybutt]

4. damn! i'm gonna have to use that one

please excuse me but this needs to be passed on

[JohnOneillsMemory]

5. Hitler on physical abuse and terror. Also incredibly applicable. Dig this:

"The masses of the people prefer the ruler to the suppliant and are filled with a stronger sense of mental security by a teaching that brooks no rival than by a teaching which offers them a liberal choice. They have very little idea of how to make such a choice and thus are prone to feel abandoned. Whereas they feel very little shame at being terrorized intellectually and are scarcely conscious of the fact that their freedom as human beings is impudently abused.

...physical intimidation has its significance for the mass as well as the individual...For the successes which are thus obtained are taken by the adherents as a triumphant symbol of the righteousness of their own cause; while the beaten opponent very often loses faith in the effectiveness of any further resistance."

-Adolph Hitler, 'Mein Kampf'

For reading I recommend 'Hitler: A Study in Tyranny' by Alan Bullock, Bantam Books, 1953. 726 pages in paperback and well worth the time.

The fucking neocons are using the old fascist's playbook to win. This has all been done before and it took FDR to stop it. Now what? JFK? I doubt it. Think Kerry will abolish Gitmo? Bring back the Bill of Rights? No, he will continue the program of global US hegemony in a 'kinder gentler' mode and all we can do is try to humanize the corporate dictatorship as much as possible before the internet is neutralized.

[Solon]

8. And of course, introducing his American Precursors and contemporaries...

Let's go with Henry Ford, that famous Anti-Semite and Fascist who wrote "The International Jew", the Book that inspired Hitler with his own. And of course the GM Vice President of the 1930's and traitor to the nation, Graeme K. Howard and his book, "America and the New World Order". Gee, where have we heard that term before, makes you wonder what type of material G. H. W. Bush has been reading over the years.