"Look how the Germans believed in Hitler . They were ready to move mountains for him in 1939."

Why the poster wants to bring Hitler into this discussion is known only to him. Perhaps it's since he sees himself as an iconoclast.

But at any rate, this is completely misleading--in fact at base it's wrong.

In 1939 the German population in general was not in fact eager to "move mountains" for Hitler. His popularity was due to the fact that up to that time, Germany's aims had been attained without any "moving mountains"--specifically without war. Though he himself had planned to push the Czechs into war, he was forced to back down--and was not happy about it.   Ironically enough, the avoidance of war was what propelled his popularity--and there was no desire in the general population to sacrifice for him. As 1939 progressed and war became more likely, the hope of the Germans in general was that if there was a war, it would be localized--mainly just with Poland.   There was no desire at all among the general population for a general war--in stark contrast with 1914.


I recently read Goebbels Diaries 1939-1941.   Excellent, though I would have preferred it auf Deutsch. It makes the point over and over that Goebbels had to manufacture excitement--and control the news as much as he could--and that there was still a lot of discontent in Germany with the regime. The idea that the Germans in general were primarily happy with Hitler since goals were being attained "on the cheap" is confirmed by other sources also.

If we're going to cite historical precedents, let's try to be accurate in our pontificating.


And Doug, as usual, lets his ideological tunnel vision get in the way of his brain. He cites Kathleen Parker. She is a former writer for the National Review--now most famous for dissing Sarah. Maybe she wants to win her old friends back.   Her views, by the way, do not reflect those of the Washington Post. Aside from opinions on Sarah, Kathleen Parker's views are more likely to match......Doug R's.   Surprise. surprise.

I heard a good portion of the press conference. And found myself marveling, not only that Obama could think on his feet and seemed to have his priorities right, but that he even had no problem pronouncing the name of the Russian president. I had fun speculating on just how GWB would have butchered it.