"Why, of course, the people don't want war," Goering shrugged. "Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship.""There is one difference," I pointed out. "In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."
"Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." - Hermann Goering 1946
sponsor: sevitzdotcom uses vzaar for all his video needs
vzaar: powering video
Add Video to your Website or blog today!
sign up for free!
1. Jack
Yeah, a quote that abounded in the last months of 2001, as I recall…
2. annie
Fair point, Andrew.
3. Adrian
Goddammit.
I’m an Adrian not an Andrew. I don’t even look like an Andrew.
Sigh. /stomps off to sulk
4. Gordon
Although hopefully we won’t see the likes of Goering again…
Timely post Andrew.
5. Adrian
Seriously, what’s with the fricking Andrews?
6. The B
Adrian, I’m really sorry if I started something - I never got your name confused I promise! I was replying to this comment, from someone called Matthew. (Also apologies to Matthew). I don’t know WHY by the time I got to the bottom of the page that I thought his name was Andrew (Andrew - damn, also sorry Andrew, if there is an Andrew) but I did.
Other than that I do NOT understand what is going on.
7. Destructor
I think Andrew is over-reacting.
8. matthew
Apology accepted.
9. annie
The B, we were just teasing. Because he’s kind of cute when he’s angry.
10. Gert
Ain’t that the worst thing about blogging, when you write a serious post of gravitas expecting commenters to say “That is profound and thought provoking, Andrew” and all people do is go off a meta-thread of trivia
11. Adrian
Yes I totally agree.
And any more of this Andrew nonsense and I’ll amend the comments policy and bar the lot of you. I’ll do it, I swear (no I won’t, I love you all to much)
12. The B
phew… IS there an andrew? You know, a real one?
13. Adrian
I have two friends called Andrew. Actually one is more of an Andy.
The comments on the hamper blog for form an actual Andrew.
14. The B
Oh good. Glad I covered him in my apology then. I think that’s the most apologising I may have ever done.
15. Destructor
Spamdrew.
16. Gordon
Of course if we were being REALLY “sevitz”, it’d be Anderw, or Anedrw. Maybe Ranwed?