Bush = Hitler ???
Sitting in my HIST 4381 (History of the Third Reich) class the other day, I got bored. As I sat there I recalled something that someone had said to me earlier that day, namely, that Bush is equivalent to Hitler. While I don't agree with this on a prima facie basis, I decided I should use my knowledge of the Third Reich and my knowledge of the Bush administration to draw some parallels. So here goes:
Both Bush and Hitler were strongly Anti-intellectual. Bush was a "C" student in University, and Hitler couldn't even get accepted to Art school. However, this is exactly what their supporters like about them. The modern comments of "He's like us" or "He's a normal guy" that are so often heard about President Bush were heard a little over half a century ago as well. Hitler (in a recurring way) was more extreme than the modern-day Republicans, however, the theme was still present. Hitler rejected intellectualism and education in general. He praised physical fitness, outdoor activities, and denial of the "Jewish" intelligensia. One of Bush's main criticisms of Kerry in the past election was the implication that he was a Northern elitist intellectual (Bush being the normal, hometown, regular guy). I remember a photo montage that was passed around via email before the election. On one hand: Bush throwing a football. On the other: Kerry fumbling a catch.
Another interesting insight, while not dealing directly with Hitler or Bush, does deal with their respective groups. Both the National Socialists and the Republican Party have contradictions inherent in their basic ideologies. For the National Socialists, there are numerous, and I'm not going to start presenting my term paper here. However, for the Republicans, the most obvious contradiction is their emphasis on both faith and war. Many Neo-cons love to emphasize the Old Testament (which is just as facetious as it appears), however, they tend to neglect the parts they don't like. Sure, let's bring in Leviticus to justify our hatred of homosexuals, but when we're ordered to give sacrifices to God, or to stone adulterers, we tend to flake out. Jesus was a hippy: "Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also"(Matthew 5:39). Make love, not war, all of that. When concerned with war, I really don't think Jesus would ever justify it (and yes, I've read all of the Christian justifications of war such as Johnson, Aquinas, Augustine, etc...). But the Republican Party is strongly in favor or war at almost any time (see as examples the current war and Vietnam). I'm now decrying the need for a strong military (I think everyone knows I'm very pro-military), however, hypocrisy simply will not do.
Another parallel is the ideological call for a return to "old-fashioned ideals." One of the main issues that got the Nazis elected was their strong "traditional" standpoint. People looked back on earlier times through rose glasses and wanted to return to that. Bush and his supporters are making the same mistake. We often hear talk of returning to "the way things were." Sometimes I think the Republicans would like to build a time machine to transport all of us back to the 1950s. One of the main components of "traditionalism" is the role of woman. Hitler made laws restricting women from the workplace and strongly advocated the role of woman as mother, wife, and housekeeper. The Republican party also largely believes in these ideals. A woman should stay at home and take care of the children.
I'll take a break from this now...expect more.
Both Bush and Hitler were strongly Anti-intellectual. Bush was a "C" student in University, and Hitler couldn't even get accepted to Art school. However, this is exactly what their supporters like about them. The modern comments of "He's like us" or "He's a normal guy" that are so often heard about President Bush were heard a little over half a century ago as well. Hitler (in a recurring way) was more extreme than the modern-day Republicans, however, the theme was still present. Hitler rejected intellectualism and education in general. He praised physical fitness, outdoor activities, and denial of the "Jewish" intelligensia. One of Bush's main criticisms of Kerry in the past election was the implication that he was a Northern elitist intellectual (Bush being the normal, hometown, regular guy). I remember a photo montage that was passed around via email before the election. On one hand: Bush throwing a football. On the other: Kerry fumbling a catch.
Another interesting insight, while not dealing directly with Hitler or Bush, does deal with their respective groups. Both the National Socialists and the Republican Party have contradictions inherent in their basic ideologies. For the National Socialists, there are numerous, and I'm not going to start presenting my term paper here. However, for the Republicans, the most obvious contradiction is their emphasis on both faith and war. Many Neo-cons love to emphasize the Old Testament (which is just as facetious as it appears), however, they tend to neglect the parts they don't like. Sure, let's bring in Leviticus to justify our hatred of homosexuals, but when we're ordered to give sacrifices to God, or to stone adulterers, we tend to flake out. Jesus was a hippy: "Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also"(Matthew 5:39). Make love, not war, all of that. When concerned with war, I really don't think Jesus would ever justify it (and yes, I've read all of the Christian justifications of war such as Johnson, Aquinas, Augustine, etc...). But the Republican Party is strongly in favor or war at almost any time (see as examples the current war and Vietnam). I'm now decrying the need for a strong military (I think everyone knows I'm very pro-military), however, hypocrisy simply will not do.
Another parallel is the ideological call for a return to "old-fashioned ideals." One of the main issues that got the Nazis elected was their strong "traditional" standpoint. People looked back on earlier times through rose glasses and wanted to return to that. Bush and his supporters are making the same mistake. We often hear talk of returning to "the way things were." Sometimes I think the Republicans would like to build a time machine to transport all of us back to the 1950s. One of the main components of "traditionalism" is the role of woman. Hitler made laws restricting women from the workplace and strongly advocated the role of woman as mother, wife, and housekeeper. The Republican party also largely believes in these ideals. A woman should stay at home and take care of the children.
I'll take a break from this now...expect more.
