In this week’s Chicago Reader - letters - is a reference to a quote attributed to Hermann Goring, at the Nuremberg trials. If it can be verified, it makes a powerful statement about what’s going on today in the U.S. To wit:
“The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
I would only disagree by saying that it might be a powerful statement. Just because some leaders may try to lead their people into war through deception it does not follow that every time a leader tries to lead his people to war he is being deceitful.
For an interseting read on the Nuremberg trials, and a book that devotes considerable time to Goring and his actions at the trial, try J. Persico.
Maybe we’re getting into debate now, but the fact is that it’s a bit of a stretch to suggest that America is under attack - even taking Sept. 11 into account. However, since the moment that Mr. Bush began talking about a War against Terrorism, the country has seemed quite a bit more disposed to get involved in warlike activities, including “war” against Iraq. This is what I meant by connecting Goring’s words to recent conditions, and the growing war sentiments.
Sorry, CC I did not intend to start a debate. It is an interesting quote, and perhaps is further confimration that history really is doomed to repeat itself.