Why is it that people trust Bush and let him get away with certain - well - lies? Why did people focus on Bill Clinton's moral issues (which are common to many of the powerful caste - Kennedy, Johnson, Reagan, Gingrich and many others had serious fidelity problems), why do they focus on Martha Stewart rather than bigger game?
Salon has a interesting piece by Louise Witt (paid membership or a daypass required) that focuses on the creation of enemies and acceptable lies.
Of particular interest is a a mention of Gustave Gilbert's conversation with Hermann Goering
Nazi leader Hermann Goering, interviewed by Gustave Gilbert during the Easter recess of the Nuremberg trials, 1946 April 18, quoted in Gilbert's book "Nuremberg Diary."Goering: Why, of course, the people don't want war. 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.
Gilbert: There is one difference. 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.
Goering: 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 in any country.
Has the US become a nation of frightened sheep...
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