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> Why should I not react a little strongly when people make the comparison
> that Bush is a Nazi?  What can I do to debate this characterization
> politely?

You're looking at the wrong timeframe; the correct timing of
modern-day-Bush to ?-day-Hitler isn't 1945, but closer to 1934.

People are not concerned about what Bush has done; these comparisons are
because what the Bushites are saying sounds a lot like what Hitler said
before he did what he is now reviled for.

Naturally, the comparisons are more popular than accurate, but they may
yet prove to house a grain of truth.  (If you're honest with yourself, you
already know this.)  Consider the phrase, "those who do not study history
are doomed to repeat it".

Hope that clears up some confusion.
--Sil


Jeremy wrote:
>
> I just got in a major doghouse with a friend because I overreacted to
> her characterization of Bush as a "Nazi pretending to be President".
> This was not the first time I've heard something like that.  I'm curious
> to know how this comparison has entered common parlance.  It seems to me
> that it's gone beyond the throwaway "Godwin's Law" level of discussion.
>
> I haven't yet seen Farenheight 9/11 (not sure if I will or not), but
> most reviews I've read imply that even Michael Moore doesn't stoop to
> this level.
>
> Personally, I sympathize with the strong critics of Bush despite having
> been a supporter of his in the past.  But even if you absolutely hate
> the man, and his policies at home and abroad, is it fair to make this
> comparison to the Nazis?  Here are some basic facts I came up with, even
> leaning towards the worst as far as Bush's deeds:
>
> Nazis:  exterminated 6 million Jews and thousands more handicapped,
> Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholic clergy, homosexuals, etc.
> Bush:  exterminated no one based on religion or origin; executed about
> 100 convicted murders while Gov. of Texas
>
> Nazis:  actions killed 19 million Russian soldiers, 7 million Russian
> civilians, 3 million Germans, approx. 50 million deaths total in WWII
> Bush: actions killed >750 American soldiers, and estimated 10,000
> Iraqis.
>
> Nazis:  took over most of Europe in order to build an empire
> Bush: took over two countries, to make them friendly to the U.S. (is
> this an "empire"?)
>
> Nazis:  stated goal is to build a socialist empire with a "master race"
> Bush: stated goal is to stamp out terrorism and expand democracy
>
> Why should I not react a little strongly when people make the comparison
> that Bush is a Nazi?  What can I do to debate this characterization
> politely?
>
> Thanks for any comments.
>
> --
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> | Jeremy Portzer        jeremyp AT pobox.com      trilug.org/~jeremy     |
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