Timely Quote

I am sure someone here will be able to identify the speaker of this quote.
I'd like to hear comments on how this applies to world events today.

“Naturally the common people don’t want war. But after all, it is the
leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it’s always a
simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy or 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. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are
being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and
for exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every
country.”

Originally posted by Suzianne
I am sure someone here will be able to identify the speaker of this quote.
I'd like to hear comments on how this applies to world events today.

“Naturally the common people don’t want war. But after all, it is the
leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it’s always a
simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy or a
fascist ...[text shortened]... ck of patriotism and
for exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every
country.”

Leaders if they are leading will do what they want, otherwise they wouldn't be leaders they
be over thrown. Have you ever wondered why God judged nations by its leadership's
actions?

Originally posted by Suzianne
I am sure someone here will be able to identify the speaker of this quote.
I'd like to hear comments on how this applies to world events today.

“Naturally the common people don’t want war. But after all, it is the
leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it’s always a
simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy or a
fascist ...[text shortened]... ck of patriotism and
for exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every
country.”

Well it can't be Hillary who said it, she voted to go to war in Iraq.

It can't be Bernie Sanders, Mr. "everything will be free" just is not that smart.

It can't be any of the GOP nominees, they all want to go to war in Syria except maybe Rand Paul.

Well that just leaves those in the past. Who cares about the past? They were all slave owners. 😛 Wait a second, isn't this quote from that Nazi dude Herman Goering? If so, how many points do I get?

I really enjoyed Obama convincing the country that the war in Libya was not really a war so that Mr. Unilateral could avoid Congress. Funny stuff. As for the quote, those in power can do pretty much anything they please, like locking up Japanese Americans during WW2. That's why the Founders established Federalism and a balance of power that was long ago destroyed by the Progressive movement.

Originally posted by whodey
Well it can't be Hillary who said it, she voted to go to war in Iraq.

It can't be Bernie Sanders, Mr. "everything will be free" just is not that smart.

It can't be any of the GOP nominees, they all want to go to war in Syria except maybe Rand Paul.

Well that just leaves those in the past. Who cares about the past? They were all slave owners. 😛 ...[text shortened]... ished Federalism and a balance of power that was long ago destroyed by the Progressive movement.

When did Bernie Sanders say "everything will be free"?

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
When did Bernie Sanders say "everything will be free"?

Free college, free health care, free everything!

Unless you are a capitalist fascist and insist taxes don't pay for something. 😠

Originally posted by whodey
Free college, free health care, free everything!

Unless you are a capitalist fascist and insist taxes don't pay for something. 😠

Is this your way of saying he did not, in fact, say "everything will be free"?

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
Is this your way of saying he did not, in fact, say "everything will be free"?

None of which answers her question, who made the quote. The answer:

--- Hermann Goering, Hitler’s Reich Marshall, at the Nuremberg
Trials after World War II.

Originally posted by Suzianne
I am sure someone here will be able to identify the speaker of this quote.
I'd like to hear comments on how this applies to world events today.

“Naturally the common people don’t want war. But after all, it is the
leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it’s always a
simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy or a
fascist ...[text shortened]... ck of patriotism and
for exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every
country.”

That'll be The luftwaffe buttmunch during the Nuremberg trials.

Ok, so far so good.

So what about it, is he right?

Specifically, I'm looking at this:
"All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and for exposing the country to danger."

Isn't this what happened after 9/11?

Isn't this what's happening today with Islam, and those who would claim that we are "at war" with Islam??

How many times do we have to make the mistakes of the past?

Originally posted by KellyJay
Leaders if they are leading will do what they want, otherwise they wouldn't be leaders they
be over thrown. Have you ever wondered why God judged nations by its leadership's
actions?

The bible has God judging nations by their leadership's actions because those nations were not democratic. The people were not to blame for a situation they did not control.

A comparison can be made to the rhetoric and actions of terrorism against democracies, in which terrorism against non-combatant civilians is justified on the basis that the democratic civilian population is complicit in the actions of the leadership because they choose the leadership. Goering is actually in disagreement with this; he says the people are so easily manipulated by the leadership that they will vote against their own interests. This is the broader issue for US democracy, it's not just about war.

Originally posted by Suzianne
Ok, so far so good.

So what about it, is he right?

Specifically, I'm looking at this:
"All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and for exposing the country to danger."

Isn't this what happened after 9/11?

Isn't this what's happening today with Islam, and those who would claim that we are "at war" with Islam??

How many times do we have to make the mistakes of the past?

He's right. Leaders lead, and the people usually follow their leaders.

It is quite common in the US today, for loyalty to elected leaders to be very much partisan. The attitude seems to be "I voted for the guy, so I support him."

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
Is this your way of saying he did not, in fact, say "everything will be free"?

Incidentally, Hermann Goering also would agree that health care and education should be free. He was a socialist as well.

And that's what happens when you empower government to do everything for you. They get all the wealth and create world conquering war machines. assuming the economy of the said country is capable.

Originally posted by whodey
Incidentally, Hermann Goering also would agree that health care and education should be free. He was a socialist as well.

And that's what happens when you empower government to do everything for you. They get all the wealth and create world conquering war machines. assuming the economy of the said country is capable.

A government like that can also take everything from you.