2003-2-19 06:59:00
Normally, on this list, I stay away from political topics but when something surfaces that we can use as a teaching mechanism then I may be drawn to talk about it.
The illusion in question is the comparison being made of George W. Bush to Hitler. This comparison is so far removed from reality that it produces an illusion that should be easy to dispel from the plane of the mind.
One of the main reasons that this comparison is made is an ignorance of history by this generation for if one has made even a cursory study of Hitler and World War II then one must conclude that such a comparison has to arise from deep seated reactionary lower emotions.
It is popular in this age of political activists to call anyone they disagree with a Hitler or any group they do not like Nazis. These terms are brandied about with such whimsicalness that if a real Hitler were to arise he would not be recognized and probably even embraced by those who claim to abhor such a man.
Comparisons
(1) Hitler had visions of world conquest from his youth.
Bush was more interested in partying and having a good time. He showed little interest in politics, let alone world conquest.
(2) Shortly after Hitler joined the Nazi Party he tried to take over the German government by force and was sentenced to five years in prison, but only served nine months.
After Bush became active in politics he sought office and power through established legal methods.
(3) While in jail, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf where he laid out his plans for world conquest.
Bush has never said or written anything that hints at plans for world conquest.
(4) After Hitler came to power he had his political enemies killed.
Bush attempted to makes friends and work with his political enemies.
Example: He invited Ted Kennedy to the White house to watch the movie "Thirteen Days" which highlighted the best of the Kennedy Presidency. Later he worked with him on an education package that went against the advice of his own party.
Example: After a member of the Noble Peace committee bragged that they gave Jimmy Carter the Prize as a slap in the face to Bush and Carter used his acceptance speech to criticize the President's actions you would think that Bush would have looked for an opportunity to put Carter down. Instead, he called Carter the next day with congratulations and praise. Carter was later invited to the White House and praised again by Bush. Since that time, Carter has broken protocol many times and openly criticized Bush, but Bush has said nothing negative about him.
(5) Hitler considered those who were not of his race to be inferior and not worthy of leadership or government positions.
Bush has taken more interest in working with minorities than any Republican President in a hundred years and has placed more minorities in key positions than democratic presidents such as Bill Clinton. He has two blacks in his cabinet - Powell and Paige, and of course Condoleeza Rice as National Security Advisor. In addition, three women are in his cabinet as well as a Cuban and an Asian. He has appointed numerous minorities as judges and an afro American Woman is the top of his list for the next Supreme Court Justice.
Bush appears to be totally opposite to Hitler in the area of prejudice.
(6) Hitler sought conquest, even though none of those he attacked posed any threat to him or their neighbors. Austria and Czechoslovakia were virtually given to Hitler by Europe to keep the peace. This was not enough so he attacked Poland, a nation that was a threat to no one, thinking he has world conquest within his grasp.
There is no record of Bush having any thoughts of conquest or even giving a lot of thought to war before becoming President. His goal was to concentrate on domestic concerns and become the "compassionate conservative" President.
911 forced the war on terror upon him. Without this event he probably would have erred on the side of peace rather than war. This event awoke a responsibility in him. He expresses this as stating that he does not want to leave the terrible threats we face for a future President to solve when the situation will be even more difficult.
(7) When Hitler conquered a country, the voice of the people was suppressed and the government was completely placed into Nazi hands. Those who did not cooperate were killed. The people mourned and prayed for freedom.
Bush has fought one war so far in Afghanistan. When this war was fought many of the Afghan people joined in and when victory was won there was rejoicing in the streets by the common people. Instead of less freedom, they have more freedom. This is most conspicuous among the women who were suppressed, raped and often butchered. Now they are going to school and have jobs again. The situation there is not perfect but much better than it was.
In addition, Bush did not send Americans to rule the country and is doing all in his power to see they develop a stable self government with free elections.
Hitler didn't believe in free elections.
(8) Hitler ruled with such an iron hand that everyone within his sphere of influence who had any disagreement with him was afraid of him. And with good reason. Those who disagreed were either imprisoned or killed.
This last weekend (Feb 15) when millions marched against Bush, his only comment was "I respectfully disagree." No SS troops or brownshirts were dispatched to subdue the dissenting voice of the people.
Most dictators surround themselves with weak willed yes men. In this area Bush is also different. Instead of setting up an atmosphere of only getting the information he wants to hear, he will encourage different points of view to be expressed at cabinet meetings. Even his choice of staff shows his lack of fear of talent and outspoken people. For instance, both Rumsfield and Colin Powell are powerful intelligent personalities who often have conflicting points of view. Bush chose this contrast on purpose so he could have presented to him two sides of important issues by individuals who were not afraid to speak their mind.
Bob Woodward who was partially responsible for bringing Nixon down in Watergate wanted to write a book about Bush. Instead of being afraid of being "discovered," he invited Woodward to spend some time with him and see how he handles things. As a result, Woodward gained a newfound respect for this Republican and his book was so favorable that his liberal friends accused him of selling out.
(9) Hitler was very serious in his demeanor; meetings were often full of tension and serious in tone.
Off camera Bush is often very lighthearted, cracking jokes and, though serious topics are discussed, there is always room for lighthearted moments in his meetings.
(10) Hitler was a vegetarian and was always preaching about diet to his staff. Even so, his health was not that good and took many drugs administered to him by his personal physician. He exercised very little.
Bush is a big believer in Texas beef, never preaches about diet, exercises daily. He is in great health and has a heartbeat of 35-45 beats a minute when resting.
He was quite confident of his physical condition when he told Jay Leno that he would bet the entire Presidency on a footrace with Al Gore.
(11) Hitler couldn't hold down a stable relationship with the opposite sex and was single until the last day of his life.
Bush is happily married and even gave up drinking to insure the stability of his relationship.
(12) Hitler wanted to exterminate every Jew from the face of the earth
Bush has shown no signs of having this type of animosity.
(13) Hitler was a big believer in relying on his own strength.
Since 911, when Bush arises he reads from the scriptures and then gets on his knees and asks God for guidance in making the right decisions. One has to admit that based on his belief system, this is the highest he knows.
(14) Hitler was recognized as a genius by friend and foe alike.
On the other hand the enemies of Bush love to make fun of his intelligence and even circulate lies about his IQ far and wide. Ironically, many of these same people claim he is a mastermind of a great conspiracy to control the world, even to the planning and execution of 911. To pull this off he would have to be a greater genus than Hitler.
There was another President who had these same types of accusations, namely Abraham, Lincoln. The New York Times and other papers often ridiculed him for having low intelligence and even compared him to an ape. Then out of the other side of their mouths his enemies would accuse him of being a mastermind of a conspiracy to overthrow the Constitution. John Wilkes Booth bought into this. When he shot Lincoln he shouted to the crowd - "Death to Tyrants."
A dumb ape of a tyrant? Lincoln's generation did not know what to make of him. It took the next generation to see him correctly.
Even so, it may take a hundred years before the people of the world can step back, remove their bias and accurately judge George W. Bush.
Copyright 2003 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved