About the Hitler comparisons

[quinnox]

CNN just showed a Time magazine cover of a red X covering bin laden's face, and showed a similar cover from the past with Hitler.

I think the Hitler comparison is absurd. Hitler started a WORLD WAR involving the major military forces of all the super powers, he killed millions of people, and was an actual leader/president of a country.

Bin Laden is just some terrorist who pulled off one spectacular attack. He is not in the same league as a Hitler in terms of impact and noteworthiness as a historical figure, or if just talking about levels of evil.

Hitler was an intelligent if devious individual, I don't think bin Laden was all that bright. The mastermind of 9/11 was the Khalid Shiek Muhammaded guy, ?bin Laden's minions were the brains and he was more of a spiritual leader figure.

Anyone else think the Hitler comparisons are way way off base?

[Kurovski]

1. It just doesn't seem to matter.

Both are universally despised. The fine points are lost for today. You did say CNN, right?

[demwing]

2. I think the best comparison between the two is in their "boogey man" status

Both represent incredibly iconic images of human evil - the Nazi and the Terrorist.

[CTyankee]

3. Well, I sure as hell wish we could have eliminated Hitler before he got started with WWII.

The hideous grief of that war could have been avoided.

[coalition_unwilling]

4. The comparisons are ludicrous but they serve a rhetorical purpose to

marginalize dissent. If OBL amd Hitler are the same, then anyone expressing dissent at the GWOT must actually also be a covert supporter of Hitler.

I'm frankly sick of it. Fortunately, there are many on DU like yourself who see through the cant and demystify it. Keep it up!

[RandomThoughts]

5. They are talking about the loaded concepts in the name.

Many people have that very loaded concept in the macro, and that is reinforcing the loading of that macro.

If we have ended the Hitler programs, how we doing on the Patriot act, how we doing on prosecutions of financial sectors that steal, and those that torture.

What about war crime prosecutions, and unjust war.


As I said many use Hitler's loaded macro to support concepts Hitler supports, it is Orwellian.


Don't get me wrong on that, Osama, was a problem, the radicalization of the area to fight Soviet invasion, then its shift to attack the financial sectors with violence, does not solve problems.

But most of the loaded meaning of Osama is to create a security state in the USA, making USA ma, as said by fox to be an ally of Osama, while those that fight against forever war, and submission by fear, are against both the concept of how Osama is loaded, and those that load those concepts for other reasons.


But honestly we need to move to the next actions of dissembling the security state, and forever wars constructed by the Osama fear concepts. While making things more just for many people.

And sending me the beer and travel money that is due.

[PATRICK]

6. Other historical comparisons

are hard because of the odd nature of the modern globe today. Hannibal lost the war against Rome and was on the run. When he got a job from an enemy of Rome they tracked him down, did blackmail, bribes whatever and sent in a team to assassinate him. Obama is a pipsqueak compared to a lot of enemies and threats but then being some miles away from a nuclear program perhaps shielded by a military sympathetic to his ideas makes him more than an obscure, irrelevant washout.

The more sobering thought is did we really end fascism with the death of Hitler?

[kestrel91316]

7. I happen to think Bin Ladin WANTED to provoke a World War with the west

against Islamic nations. He failed. Reminds me of Charles Manson more than anything.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

8. He is the most reviled human being SINCE Hitler

That's the best way to put it.

[Dennis Donovan]

9. One attack? You should read up...

[Demoiselle]

10. I think that comparisons with Hitler are almost always way off base...

Not that there aren't equally evil characters in history...it's just that Adolf was unique. A crazy clown who managed to manipulate the ruling population of a highly educated country to the point of no return. The timing of his insanity....a world already weary from one terrible war, tremendous social upheaval everywhere, his own country prostrate and humiliated.... His luck ran out when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
I do see alarming Fascist tendencies in our country these days....and I think we always have to worry about evil bastards. But Adolf was one of a kind.