America! What’s this got to do with me?

For those (hopefully few) people turning a blind eye to events happening across the Pond in the US at the moment; for those hiding behind the “democratic will”,  take a pause. Stop. Look to history.

It starts with a wall, a ban on a people and religion perceived to be a threat to the nation. It starts with the infringement of established civil liberties such as the right to an abortion, and the removal of anyone who challenged the validity of his actions. But, where will it end?

Have we learnt any lessons from history? Let’s hope so….

Hitler was a powerful and compelling speaker who used the media channels of his day to attract a wide following to a nation that was feeling forgotten and a people clambering for change. He promised a better life and a return to greatness for Germany. Hitler’s message appealed particularly to the poor, the unemployed and members of the lower middle class.

Once in power Hitler’s Germany soon became a police state. Individuals and protesters were subject to arbitrary arrest and imprisonment. Hitler’s Government moved quickly to control the media and the PR around its policies, forcing federal state governments and other political organisations to “toe the line” by putting prominent Nazis into positions of power. This was particularly true for seats of power in the legal sphere, the economy, education and culture. Government effectively became a rubber stamp for Hitler’s dictates. Authority was imposed from above and absolute obedience towards one’s superior was expected, demanded and enforced.

Having established himself as dictator, Adolf Hitler turned his attention to the driving force which had propelled him into politics in the first place, his hatred of the Jews. It began with a simple boycott of Jewish professional and businesses on April 1st, 1933, and ended in holocaust. It took a world war to stop him.

Remind you of anyone?

Hitler was allowed to get away with it because other nations turned a blind eye in those early days. Appeasement. Governments ignored Hitler’s politics in return for assurances that their national interests would be protected. While he shook their hands and smiled for the cameras, Hitler picked their pockets and planned world domination.

Just sayin ‘

Do not be quiet. Resist. Do not be stupid. Resist. Do not appease. Resist. Do not turn a blind eye. Resist. Do not let him get away with it…..