Hermann Goering, accused Nazi, sat in his cell talking to Gustave Gilbert, while on trial at Nuremberg for crimes against humanity. Gilbert was a German-speaking intelligence officer and psychologist who had been granted free access by the Allies to all prisoners held in the Nuremberg jail. He recorded the conversations in his journal.
In one of their conversations, Gilbert mentioned to Goering his belief that the common people were not very thankful for leaders who take them to war.
Goering said...
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 replied...
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 answered...
Oh, that is all well and good, but, 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 way in any country.
Sound familiar?
(tip of the hat to steve in arizona)
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