Cut the bulls**t! Putin invaded and annexed territory Russia used to control. Unless he starts calling for the extermination of the Jews and other ethnic groups, stop hinting at or calling him Hitler. A more accurate depiction would be Stalin (without the paranoid delusions and killing 20 million of his own people, of course).
I think there were probably deeper roots for his hatred than that. For instance, I read that his father was virulently anti-Semitic. All of Europe has always had suspicion of Jews, witness the frequent pogroms in several countries. And then, too, Germany was made to suffer, perhaps excessively, after World War One. And who to blame? The Jews, again. It is said that Hitler even got encouragement from the ideas expressed by Henry Ford..I just finished reading BERLIN DIARY, by William L. Shirer, wherein he discussed disgust at MEIN KAMPF and his bewilderment that Germans would take it seriously. The world was to some extent deceived by the book, because Hitler didn’t allow certain revealing parts of it to be printed in editions in other countries..A less serious note: Did you see the latest incarnation of “The Twilight Zone” that had an episode portraying the attempt by a time traveler to kill Hitler as a baby?.I suspect every despot — and Putin is one, make no mistake — has used most of Machiavelli’s sinister techniques, if not exactly those of Hitler. Eastern Europe and Russia are blood-soaked regions, and dark forces rise occasionally in vengeance and prideful ambition.
It’s interesting to read ancient Roman accounts of the Germanic and neighboring tribes. The Germans apparently endured immense slaughters but in the end were incorporated uneasily into the Empire. Then they gradually took over. They went from primitive, then bloodthirsty, then crafty, then quarrelsome among themselves. Eventually they split into regions to simmer for centuries..A simplistic history lesson: As they later consolidated into kingdoms, they became skilled in political affairs. Then religion was used to unite them against the last influences of Rome. Then in tune with the times, they solidified a German cultural identity through a combination of Literature, Science, and Philosophy. And finally, as with many Europeans at the end of the nineteenth century, there came Nationalism and militarism. . It’s amazing that after two world wars the Germans are back, and this time as an Economic and Industrial force. It’s inspiring and even in a way fearful..When I was young all kinds of war movies about World War Two portrayed Hitler and the Nazis. I didn’t know how to take that. On the one hand, Hitler was supposed to be Satan personified; on the other hand, he was a juicy role for an actor to play.. Nazis wore colorful uniforms, had an interesting insignia that I often saw as graffiti on sidewalks and walls. Some kids felt no compunction against giving the “Heil, Hitler” salute while playing soldiers. Nazis were “known to be” tough and efficient. Eventually, they were even portrayed in comedies such as in “Hogan’s Heroes” and “The Producers.” So how should I feel about them, then? (By the way, we never considering including Fascist Italians in the games. It was always Americans vs. Germans.). I think the Japanese were hated and despised longer than the Germans. Then the “Japs” started to manufacture “inferior” products Made in Japan – then we just laughed at them. I think these days they laugh more at us..Anyway, back to Putin. I notice that my recent comments about Putin are different than many posted on these sites. I see much of Hitler and Stalin in his statements and actions. I am descended from several nationalities under Russian influence before, during, and after The Iron Curtain (that phrase from Churchill still gives me a shiver). And while I understand the general reluctance to engage Russia in a ground war possibly involving nuclear weaponry, I don’t think enough people realize the danger of letting the Russian evil genie out of the bottle. .It must irritate the Russians that they are once again below the respect level of Germans. Putin and his generation were raised in the latter part of the hard-core Communism era and for about the last 25 years have stewed in relative humiliation. Now he and those that long for the glory of the past Soviet empire — and the larger concept of a Russian Empire — have risen and are ready to go forth again under the banner of what – Oligarchy, Plutocracy, neo-Autocracy, Populist Authoritarianism? Whatever it is, it is not a good thing for us, especially as we deal with population and energy problems.
I think The Prince by Machiavelli would be more appropriate. I don’t see where Putin is into blatant racism, and genocide or making his “empire” into a 19th Century agrarian peasant utopia…
ConserveGov about 10 years ago
He sees no reason not to continue conquering.Red Lines are easy to skip over.
Jason Allen about 10 years ago
Cut the bulls**t! Putin invaded and annexed territory Russia used to control. Unless he starts calling for the extermination of the Jews and other ethnic groups, stop hinting at or calling him Hitler. A more accurate depiction would be Stalin (without the paranoid delusions and killing 20 million of his own people, of course).
emptc12 about 10 years ago
I think there were probably deeper roots for his hatred than that. For instance, I read that his father was virulently anti-Semitic. All of Europe has always had suspicion of Jews, witness the frequent pogroms in several countries. And then, too, Germany was made to suffer, perhaps excessively, after World War One. And who to blame? The Jews, again. It is said that Hitler even got encouragement from the ideas expressed by Henry Ford..I just finished reading BERLIN DIARY, by William L. Shirer, wherein he discussed disgust at MEIN KAMPF and his bewilderment that Germans would take it seriously. The world was to some extent deceived by the book, because Hitler didn’t allow certain revealing parts of it to be printed in editions in other countries..A less serious note: Did you see the latest incarnation of “The Twilight Zone” that had an episode portraying the attempt by a time traveler to kill Hitler as a baby?.I suspect every despot — and Putin is one, make no mistake — has used most of Machiavelli’s sinister techniques, if not exactly those of Hitler. Eastern Europe and Russia are blood-soaked regions, and dark forces rise occasionally in vengeance and prideful ambition.
emptc12 about 10 years ago
It’s interesting to read ancient Roman accounts of the Germanic and neighboring tribes. The Germans apparently endured immense slaughters but in the end were incorporated uneasily into the Empire. Then they gradually took over. They went from primitive, then bloodthirsty, then crafty, then quarrelsome among themselves. Eventually they split into regions to simmer for centuries..A simplistic history lesson: As they later consolidated into kingdoms, they became skilled in political affairs. Then religion was used to unite them against the last influences of Rome. Then in tune with the times, they solidified a German cultural identity through a combination of Literature, Science, and Philosophy. And finally, as with many Europeans at the end of the nineteenth century, there came Nationalism and militarism. . It’s amazing that after two world wars the Germans are back, and this time as an Economic and Industrial force. It’s inspiring and even in a way fearful..When I was young all kinds of war movies about World War Two portrayed Hitler and the Nazis. I didn’t know how to take that. On the one hand, Hitler was supposed to be Satan personified; on the other hand, he was a juicy role for an actor to play.. Nazis wore colorful uniforms, had an interesting insignia that I often saw as graffiti on sidewalks and walls. Some kids felt no compunction against giving the “Heil, Hitler” salute while playing soldiers. Nazis were “known to be” tough and efficient. Eventually, they were even portrayed in comedies such as in “Hogan’s Heroes” and “The Producers.” So how should I feel about them, then? (By the way, we never considering including Fascist Italians in the games. It was always Americans vs. Germans.). I think the Japanese were hated and despised longer than the Germans. Then the “Japs” started to manufacture “inferior” products Made in Japan – then we just laughed at them. I think these days they laugh more at us..Anyway, back to Putin. I notice that my recent comments about Putin are different than many posted on these sites. I see much of Hitler and Stalin in his statements and actions. I am descended from several nationalities under Russian influence before, during, and after The Iron Curtain (that phrase from Churchill still gives me a shiver). And while I understand the general reluctance to engage Russia in a ground war possibly involving nuclear weaponry, I don’t think enough people realize the danger of letting the Russian evil genie out of the bottle. .It must irritate the Russians that they are once again below the respect level of Germans. Putin and his generation were raised in the latter part of the hard-core Communism era and for about the last 25 years have stewed in relative humiliation. Now he and those that long for the glory of the past Soviet empire — and the larger concept of a Russian Empire — have risen and are ready to go forth again under the banner of what – Oligarchy, Plutocracy, neo-Autocracy, Populist Authoritarianism? Whatever it is, it is not a good thing for us, especially as we deal with population and energy problems.
Enoki about 10 years ago
I think The Prince by Machiavelli would be more appropriate. I don’t see where Putin is into blatant racism, and genocide or making his “empire” into a 19th Century agrarian peasant utopia…