Here's a good quote I've just read ...
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 ... 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
Herman Goering, 1946
6 comments:
My favourite Goering quote is
"Everytime I hear the word culture, I reach for my pistol."
"[I advocate] using poisoned gas against uncivilised tribes [and] against recalcitrant Arabs as an experiment. [I do not understand] the squeamishness about the use of gas [...] We cannot in any circumstamstances acquiesce in the non-utilisation of any weapons which are available to procure a speedy termination of the disorder which prevails on the frontier."
Winston Churchill, then Secretary of State at the British War Office, authorising RAF Middle East Command to attack rebelling Iraqis with chemical weapons, 1919
This was quoted extensively in the US as it became clear to many that the Bush administration meant to go to war regardless of anything that was actually happening in Iraq.
Lot of good it did us.
Funny, I blogged this same quote recently.
It didn't help.
Oh it's an oldie alright but it's always worth digging out every now and again
and Big Frank, you obviously didn't try hard enough
That is such a horrible picture, too.
“Mine is the first generation able to contemplate the possibility that we may live our entire lives without going to war or sending our children to war.”
Blair 1997
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