Germany 1945-1946 United States of America 2006-2007

[gordianot]

Germany 1945-1946
World judgment: How could a civilization the home of many philosophers and artists allowed this to happen?
When faced with the results shock and revulsion. Common response "We did not know" or "We were following orders".
Many did know or suspected.

United States of America 2006-2007
World judgment: How could a civilization, home of modern Democracy allow this to happen?
Many of us know or suspect what is happening. Granted we do not run mass extermination camps, but allow torture, surveillance and have embraced preemptive war.
Common response "9-11 changed everything".

2006-2007 is a nexus in our history or is it too late? How will history judge us?

[Sammy Pepys]

1. Not according to the 1945-1946 Germany model n/t

...

[abluelady]

2. Don't forget fear

Hitler and Bush had/have convinced people to act in response to fears. It is sad to see how cowardly people actually are. To follow an evil leader as a result of fears is very telling.

[AllegroRondo]

3. This is worth reading.

http://www.toddstrasser.com/html/thewave2.htm

"The Third Wave"

A true story. In the late 60s, a Jr High history teacher was asked by his students how the Germans could allow the atrocities of WW2 to happen. It turned into a social experiment about how easy it is to follow leaders and not question authority.
It later became a book and TV movie.

[gordianot]

4. I read that some time ago it is scary.

[Minnesota Libra]

6. I read this and it is scary as hell!! Exactly what's going on today nt

[IndyOp]

7. Very Scary - Thanks. (n/t)

[Bonhomme Richard]

5. More like Germany in the 30's

Before the mass killings. A great book to read is "The Coming of the Third Reich". It's very scary when you see it all repeated today and yes, fear was the key. Back then it was fear of communism.

[gordianot]

8. A little different today than the thirties.

We are invading other countries now, no mass killing are apparent but we have spread a lot of depleted uranium. Depleted uranium is a little more discreet than Zyclon. It may be as effective in the long run.