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Some of the Things Hitler Taught Us
NMB, Florida February 8, 2002 A.H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.
SOME OF THE THINGS HITLER TAUGHT US
I got to go out on my bike this morning. I have just finished listening to
lecture number 6 of the History of Hitler's Empire. The teacher made a
number of points that I want to pass along.
First, it is good to have some kind of military background if you want to
go into politics. Germany's greatest military hero, Von Hindenburg, became
President of his country and was opposed by a "Bohemian Corporal" who led
one of the many opposing parties. This is what the hero called Hitler who
just happened to build on the terrible unrest following World War I. Hitler
used old soldiers as the core of his NAZI party and unlike the old parties
used new tactics. Bush I and Bush II have been military men. We respect
that.
Second, it is good to have great organizational skills. Hitler had this in
being lucky to gather around him people who were able to seize the moment
and get things done. As soon as they got into power they began to seize the
people who opposed them and put them in a new thing called "concentration
camps".
Third, it is good to have instant communication. In those days it was
posters, placards and phone calls. An interesting point was made in that the
telephone books of that time not only listed the name but the occupation of
the owner. This was a holdover from the ancient practice of rulers forcing
their subjects to follow in the craft of the father. This was done in order
to know where to go for taxes. This occupation list enabled the NAZIS to
direct their propaganda directly to specific groups and design it to please
them.
Fourth, you have to be seen often and in as many places as you can. Hitler
flew from point to point to give speeches. He could be heard and actually
seen by crowds gathered to see the great man in perhaps as many as four
cities in one day. You had to wait for him, but there were performers who
would warm you up. Speech makers had to get close up to the crowds who were
packed into small spaces to make the attendance look bigger.
Fifth, it is good to be able to be flexible in order to take advantage of
opportunities that do not appear often. Hitler's aides gave him good advice
in those early days and the apparatus worked to put him into power.
Last, it is good to be able to point out enemies of the state that will be
put down if you but elect the new savior and "Fuhrer", Adolf Hitler.
Scapegoats are good, too. Hitler scapegoated the German people to satisfy
his Austrian soul. He scapegoated the Bonn Democracy. He scapegoated the
Jews and Communists. He scapegoated all who opposed him. He taught us a
lot. Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10.
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