We think we are so sophisticated and safe from the horrors of the past, but. . .

[intheknow]

Consider that the Communist takeover and revolution in Russia happened in 1917 and had been brewing since 1905. Only 92 years ago. World War 1 ended in 1918. Only 91 years ago. Mussolini became Prime Minister of Italy in 1922 and then proclaimed himself Il Duce in 1925. Only 84 years ago. Hitler swept into power in Germany, becoming Chancellor in 1933. Only 76 years ago. Stalin's reign of Terror was from 1922 until his death in 1953. Only 87 to 56 years ago. Nazi Germany swept into Poland with their blietzkrieg in 1939. Only 70 years ago. The Japanese bomber Pearl Harbor, devastating our navy killing thousands of sailorers and marines in 1941. Only 68 years ago. Truman had atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, killing tens of thousands of people (and thus ending the war and saving the lives of hundreds of thousands, I might add). Only 64 years ago.

The Korean War, (1950–1953)
Viet Nam, (1953-1975)
Israeli War against Terrorism, (1948-today)

These may seem like ancient history, but they are not.

Then we have contemporary conflicts where governments are trampling over the people and their liberty. We have Putin trying to reestablish totalitarian rule in Russia, Zelaya attempting to become a dictator in Honduras, Ortega now a dictator for life in Nicaragua, and the list goes on and on. The history of the world shows that governments and people in power strive for more power and to enslave people, take their property and reign with the steel boot of authoritarianism every chance they get. In the world's history there has been only ONE example of a real and lasting attempt of true liberty and freedom. Just one. And now we see how they are trying to strip us of what liberty and freedom we have left.

So all this is a prelude to this: What makes us think that we are so special and sophisticated that the evils of the past are not waiting around the corner? Are Americans so special, and are we so enlightened now that the horrors of Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Hitler, Mohamed Farrah Aidid, Tojo, Lenin, Stalin, Mussolini or Saddam Hussein will never happen here? How can you be so sure? Are we that special? What are we doing to fight EVERY little assault on our liberty and freedoms?

I would say that considering the history of the world, we ought to be very frightened.

[RobinL]

I was very frightened for 8 years...

[intheknow]

Originally Posted by RobinL

I was very frightened for 8 years...

But you're OK now?

[Pearls]

Are Americans so special, and are we so enlightened now that the horrors of Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Hitler, Mohamed Farrah Aidid, Tojo, Lenin, Stalin, Mussolini or Saddam Hussein will never happen here?

Special? Well, I do think we are educated enough to have those things never happen here. I really do.

Obama's tide has turned very quickly, his polls are low. This gives me hope that people are paying attention to his actions, not just his pretty words.

[intheknow]

Originally Posted by Pearls

Special? Well, I do think we are educated enough to have those things never happen here. I really do.

Obama's tide has turned very quickly, his polls are low. This gives me hope that people are paying attention to his actions, not just his pretty words.

Germany was an incredibly educated country in 1933, more so than the US then. Italy was educated AND cultured! Look at France: Educated, cultured and snooty, and still they capitulated to tyranny in 1940. Do you really think America is that special? Our educational status is constantly being referred to as bordering on third world. We have massive amounts of immigration of unlettered people.

[RobinL]

Originally Posted by intheknow

But you're OK now?

Pretty much, yeah. I'm not worried about Obama becoming a dictator, taking over the world, or becoming a puppet of someone else.

[intheknow]

Originally Posted by RobinL

Pretty much, yeah. I'm not worried about Obama becoming a dictator, taking over the world, or becoming a puppet of someone else.

But you were worried George Bush might have become a dictator, take over the world or be a puppet of someone else?

Are you OK with Obama's desire to form a National Police Force?

[rae]

Originally Posted by RobinL

Pretty much, yeah. I'm not worried about Obama becoming a dictator, taking over the world, or becoming a puppet of someone else.

Am I reading this correctly? Are you saying that you spent the last 8 years very frightened that Bush would become a dictator, with an aim to take over the world? Either that, or he would be so easily manipulated, that he would become somebody else's puppet? Did you have this fear about one person, at the same time, for 8 years? Aren't those two fears suggestive of two very divergent mindsets? Either somebody is so powerful they could take over the world, or they are so easily duped that they aren't even capable of having a thought for themself?

[RobinL]

Originally Posted by rae

Am I reading this correctly? Are you saying that you spent the last 8 years very frightened that Bush would become a dictator, with an aim to take over the world?

No, I'm not saying that exactly, but I certainly didn't feel very free under his reign.

[intheknow]

Originally Posted by RobinL

No, I'm not saying that exactly, but I certainly didn't feel very free under his reign.

Please expound: This is worthy of debate; Especially since I am feeling very frustrated with the current level of governance and especially the proposed level of governance and stifling regulation. Not to mention lack of a coherent foreign policy short of "I'm sorry". Oh yes, and the obvious assault on the Bill of Rights.