What (if anything) is wrong with this statement...aside from the fact a Nazi leader said it?

Question

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. 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 greater danger."

-- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials


Can we not see these types of transparent lies spammed over the American landscape today by our "elected" administration? Are we not becoming a completely Fascist nation (if not already there)??

frankie59....he made these remark at the Nuremburg Trials...after WWII.

The media in this country is dominated by the Republicans, have no doubt. Recently Bush denied the press core's expansion.

Answer 1

I see it a lot more in the underground movements in the Arab world.

I might even consider your last paragraph if it weren't for things like the embassy bombing in Lebanon, and the two other embassy bombings I don't remember exactly where in Afirca, the PanAm bombing, The USS Cole, the hijacking of the Achile Laeru, the two Bombings of the WTC, the bombing of -- you getting the picture?

Now don't try and tell me ALL those were just made up stories. I was on the ship (USS Iwo Jima LPH-2) that carried 241 dead UN peacekeepers home. It was the hospital ship for the badly wounded.

And look up the definition of fascist before you use the term. My Uncle fought them during WWII. I know what a fascist is and it's not the US.

Answer 2

When Goering made that statement the Nazi's had complete control of all media, which was radios and the distribution of newspapers. No dissent was permitted or possible. In our culture the dissent begins almost before the action. The difficulty then lies with being able to fight a necessary war of defense when at least 1/2 the media outlets denounce any such action. If we were truly a fascist nation we would not have that problem. Now how do we defend against fascist nations who are attempting to obtain nukes and who will deploy them against the West as soon as the weapons are obtained?

Answer 3

The part that's wrong with it is where Hermann says "it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along"...

That's completely false. Certainly the leaders set some policy, but in a working democracy, the people often force the leaders to take a popular stand on some policy.

Right now, in the United States for example, the public outcry is forcing President Bush to make some sort of a policy to deal with illegal immigrants...the type of policy which he personally abhors.

Have you ever seen the Queen of England read her speech during the opening of Parliament. Some of the things she says are laughable. Many of the items she says her "government must do" go against every instinct in her being...but she's constitutionally required to utter those things written on a paper that's thrust into her hands from the mandate of the masses.

Answer 4

You must be in college, or a professor.
If you are trying to equate the US and our war on terror/radical Islam, with the Nazi party, you are totally off base.
radical Islam HAS declared war against the western world, most specifically the US & Israel. There HAVE been repeated unprovoked attacks against us for the last 25+ years. What should we do, file a lawsuit, hide our heads in the sand, or try to placate an evil terrorist group like Al Qaida or Hezbollah?
The US is not trying to conquer and rule other sovereign countries, like the Nazi party did. You should do more research on what fascism is, then try to compare that to the US. Moreover, you should consider the behavior of radical Islamo-fascists. They are undoubtedly the most racist, intollerant people on earth and I am 100% positive that if Iran, or Nazi Germany were the dominant superpower like the US is, you would see an aggressive campaign to dominate the world with no regard for their enemies.
Wake up, look at things from all perspectives & dont be so biased against the US because we are stronger.

Answer 5

I only answered this question because Zulu ! is my double and it's freaking me out!!!

PS Now that I'm here though, I suppose that manipulation into a war is always possible. Read the quote again, about being attacked, dissent being unpatriotic, etc. I'm sure FDR said the same things, as has every leader in war. So just because someone says it doesn't make it a lie. It's like saying many bank robbers when arrested deny the crime - that doesn't make everyone who denies robbing a bank guilty of soing so.

So in the end the quote is not much help.

Answer 6

Nothing is wrong with the statement. It is perfectly obvious to me that Hier Rove studies the Nazi/fascist doctrine.

People tend to turn their faces the other way when confronted with something as serious as what is really going on in this country. The Neocons are using every fascist tactic that they can get away with in taking power away from the people and putting it in their hands.

It's so obvious, it's discusting.

RIGHT NOW Sen Arlen Spector is formulating a bill to allow the Administration to get away with virtually any kind of domestic spying that W wants to do, with absolutely no oversite!!!

And the people are asleep!!!

We're cowards that would let any government take away our civil rights in the name of fighting a foriegn enemy, COWARDS! What ever happened to "Give me liberty or give me death" ?

Answer 7

The statement can be true but we must find out the facts for our selves in determining wether or not we are being manipulated. I do believe that we are in danger of terrorist attacks and they would not leave us alone if we leave them alone. The fact is that the Exteremist Islam leaders are practicing the very statement you have presented to there people. They are telling them they are being attacked and that true Islam can not survive unless they take out the Infadels. Kind of Ironic yes.

Answer 8

That we have been dragged into a war on false pretense, yes you are right, but that our country is becoming a fascist country, No, not yet, we still have a chance to stop that from happening, if we wake up now to that fact.

Answer 9

Aww..have you been reading Chomsky again? are you going to start spouting how the global media serves to control and guide the public because it is the sword of democracies. Please, ourgovernment is only as good as the people who are elected to it. To expect a perfect governemnt means that you think the people are perfect. Take democracy off the pedastle and realise that it is a falloable institution like any other.

Answer 10

What is wrong with the statement is that it is saying that as leaders, they can do whatever they want and scam the entire country. It is definately a dictatorship comment.

Unfortunately: the comment is probably true.