20 Comments

Rachel Maddow's Prequel was an eye opener for me too. I knew isolationism was a force in American politics, but I had no idea just how many Americans were actually pro Hitler.

Over the years I have had a difficult time tolerating neo-cons. But now in my 76th year I have developed a good deal of respect for the likes of Robert Kagan whose latest book: Rebellion: How Antiliberalism is Tearing America Apart - Again. We should all, also, read this book, and learn that being a conservative has nothing to do with being a fascist.

No David, your analogies have been prophetic rather than extreme.

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Fat Nixon (I refuse to ever type his name, so he is Fat Nixon, Mango Mussolini or 'TFG') said it all OUT LOUD to Time magazine in an interview; read the entire transcript.: https://time.com/6972022/donald-trump-transcript-2024-election/

If you ever wondered what you would do if you lived in Germany in 1932...that time is now.

This is nothing less than a determined plan to turn the United states into a theocratic fascist state. One that's been decades in the making by the likes of the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation, or even back further, with the plutocrats opposition to who they considered "the great class traitor", FDR.

Defeating the fascists in November is only the first step to de-nazification of the United States. It will be a long struggle but the first victory is most crucial.

They WILL keep coming back again and again.

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A little too close for comfort… Vote like your life depends on it, it probably does!

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Did you ever see the Netflix show "Hitler's Circle of Evil"? Wow. It is a docudrama that tells the stories of how Hitler connected with his infamous inner circle and documents how he went from a beer hall orator to a world leader. I had to stop watching it because it was too real -- the same reason I stopped watching "A Handmaid's Tale."

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You are correct, FITZ! No worries! --- I, too, am addicted to history, but to U.S. History in particular. IMHO: A large part of today's problem in our country is a shocking ignorance of what has gone before, or of any appreciation of why that might be needed! Lay the blame at the feet of EDUCATION who have "dropped the ball." I'm now 93. In PUBLIC school (NJ), back in the 1930s -'40s, we were taught tabout the people, the reasons, and the sacrifices of the American Revolution. We understood the thousands of lives lost, over years of wars, of citizens' defense of "A More Perfect Union." We were taught that as adults born in this 'Self-Governing Republic 'we had a duty ... an obligation ... to maintain the creative gift of our Founders. The education of a generation or two has been lost and we are left with many who could care less. Sad and dangerous. --- Kudos for citing Rachel Maddow, my personal hero journalist. Her research is relentless, her creative explanations of news are impeccable, her dedication to truth unmatched. Maddow is the perfect reflection of George Washington's belief that a FREE PRESS was critical for the "information and protection" of citizens of our then-new country. (Read WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL, The Founding Father's Warning to Future Generations, by John Avlon, a contemporary journalist.)

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Those memes of yours are truly scary for those of us that read and know history. Brings to mind - can history repeat itself? For some things I sure hope not! Thank goodness I can balance the present day history we are making today with history books that are more enlightening like Walter Isaacson’s Benjamin Franklin. I always enjoy and appreciate your talent.

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For anyone who thinks your framing of Trump and his minions is too extreme, I invite them to read the interview with Trump that was just published by Time magazine. https://time.com/6972022/donald-trump-transcript-2024-election/ We are hearing about Trump in the courtroom but not what he is saying in his campaign. He is even scarier than you describe. You are right, David: 2024 is our 1944!

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WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT

the United States of America is being monopolized by one man with an amoral and unethical character, who lies, cheats and betrays all the many folks who think this is great. He sucks the oxygen out of everything, the media both print and television. He single underhandedly has undermined our legal system and the legal profession. Everyday we are reminded on TV how weak our legal system is and manipulated by money. He has no respect for other human beings with their misfortunes and is determined to eradicate them. He used to call other countries sh… holes and is now in the process to put that label on the USA. What happened to the million of Americans who think this is preferable to our democracy and kiss his feet. He controls one of our political parties to create havoc in our government. His influence already has started the persecution of women, trans folks and others following shortly. It is time to read Martin Niemoellers poem “First they came for the …..”

This man is replicating the Third Reich, I know I grew up under this dictator. Children were forcefully indoctrinated by joining the female and male youth organizations. Even elementary schools had daily assemblies to listen to propaganda.

How come the USA cannot stop this insanity?

Helga Ackermann-Russell

520-297-4030

Casas Adobes

born Frankfurt/Main

age 88

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Keep writing, never stop speaking the truth!!!

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Wonderful! Thank you for reminding us again what cannot be said too often. I've been watching, with increasing horror, the downward spiral of both Trump since 2016 and the GOP since the "Moral Majority" took it over in the '80s. What angers me most is what has been done to this country - the divisiveness, the intolerance, the incitement of hatred against anyone who doesn't agree with what one says. Keep using those analogies!

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DING DING DING DING DING! History Nerd here. You are spot on, sir!

Rachel's book is excellent as it is the more detailed version of her podcast "Ultra" which I HIGHLY recommend.

I also just finished re-reading "No Ordinary Time" by Doris Kearns Goodwin, the Pulitzer Prize winner about the Roosevelts and the Home Front in WWII. It took the horror and carnage of Pearl Harbor to snap the back of the America First/ Nazi sympathizer/isolationist movement. Until now, of course.

Also highly recommend "Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin" by Timothy Snyder to open a few eyes as to the brutality not only embraced by the Nazis and Stalinists, but currently running amok with Putin in Ukraine. It shows that Hitler studied US History -- including the deportation of Bisbee in 1918 on how to efficiently use cattle cars to dump people you don't like -- and incorporate the worst ideas in his "Eastern Frontier" expansion: first dehumanize the existing population (via eugenics), then wipe them out through genocide [Can you say Manifest Destiny? I knew you could!] for the Aryan Nation to have more room.

In regard to the blindness of the US State Department and many of its ambassadors to the evil of the Nazis as they rose to power, try "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson. Scarier than anything by Stephen King.

I'm tired of MAGATS spewing garbage. I can't bite my tongue to be civil anymore. Yeah, they get a lecture on history from me, but I also cite my sources so they can "Do their own research". (roll eyes)

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Also, FITZ, love your memes!!!

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Rachel Maddow’s book is a must read! Like the person before me below, was NOT totally aware of these issues and movements in the 30’s in the US. It is identical to what’s happening now. I’m the same age as Fitz and should know this but I only knew “some” facts of this time. History in my high school was a sleepy period. If you can, read this book!

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Thank you for bringing Sophie Scholl to mind, David. "Sophie Scholl and the White Rose"- their story should be taught at length to our children and their children and so on as long as our democracy endures.

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Somewhat more terrifying is to read more of the story of Fascism and it's organized creation through Mussolini, which Hitler them took, ramped up, and created the monstrosity of the Nazis and the even more extreme factions within (SS, Gestopo, etc) This created a comfortable home fore the slightly reduced Sociopaths, Psychopaths, Sadists, and other abhorrent who joined under Hitler's umbrella. Think about it - the World doesn't know or remember the #1, #2, #3, etc person under Mussolini, yet we still know Himmler, Goebbles Eichmann,, Mengele, Goring, etc., etc....

Will we one day remember Steve Bannon, Stephanie Miller, Eastman, Gillian, etc. Etc in the same way.....?

My family is truly SCARED.

Scotty Dean

Mid-Town

Small Business Owner

U of A - BS and MPA...

!

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They don't detract from them, the clarify and give them credence.

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