Tuesday, August 31, 2004

Interesting/Sad Quotation

I saw this quote from Hermann Goering today and thought it particulary germane now that the GOP convention is rolling:

Goering: "Why, of course, the people don't want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

Gilbert (his interviewer): "There is one difference. In a democracy, the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."

Goering: "Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, 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 pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

Oh well.

1 Comments:

Blogger Cameron said...

Fuckin's A, man.

Unfortunately, I get the impression that the majority of folks who think themselves anti-war are no less simple. Evidence Ralph Nader. Evidence confrontational protest in NYC.

Nice to hear from Reid. Hope you're well.

1:57 PM  

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