March 26, 2003
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And Now a Message from Hermann Goering....
BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
This is a confirmed quote from Hermann Goering as he was interviewed in his jail cell by a German speaking U.S. Army intelligence officer, Gustave Gilbert, during the Nuremberg trials. The following conversation is from Gilbert's journal:
"Why, of course, the people don't want war," Goering shrugged. "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."
"There is one difference," I pointed out. "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."
"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."
We aren't big on tossing around comparisons to the Third Reich, but let's just say this statement could have just as easily been said by Herr Rove or Herr Rumsfeld, Nein?
BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
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Snopes.com Verification of Goering Quote: http://www.snopes.com/quotes/goering.htm.
