The Power Of The Nazi Metaphor! Recall Bush's 2003 Speech

[Median Democrat]

Many of us are ridculing Bush's reference to Nazi appeasement and Obama. However, in truth, there is no defense to it. If Hillary was the nominee, she would also be devastated by it. Indeed, Bush' s comments are almost a word for word copy of a speech he gave five years ago to justify invading Iran. These words are so powerful that it made Hillary Clinton vote to support the war, and intimidiated the media into silence. Now, they are being used to get Americans to vote for McCain.

Try it at home. Take out the word "Iraq" and use it to refer to anyone you dislike, like your mother-in-law or an ex-boyfriend. It is absolutely devastating and effective each time. It avoids the need for analysis or discussion. Just say these magic words, and whatever action you take is magically deemed appropriate and reasonable, and any the stronger the opposition to your position, the weaker your opponents appear.

http://media.www.usforacle.com/media/storage/paper880/news/2003/03/18/News/Is.Saddam.Hussein.A.ModernDay.Hitler-1682306.shtml

George W. Bush wants the American public to think of Saddam Hussein as the modern Adolf Hitler.

The president never actually invoked Hitler's name Monday during his 15-minute speech. But he did compare the United States' current dilemma to a situation it and European nations faced more than 60 years ago.

Bush pointed out that as Nazi Germany's power increased, and as it committed numerous treaty violations by building its military and expanding its territory, other nations chose to appease it and its dictator instead of declaring war. Many historians have speculated that had a military solution come sooner, World War II may not have been the long and bloody conflict it became.

Bush, recalling that history, said Hussein should not be appeased in the same way.

"We choose to meet that threat now," Bush said. "A policy of appeasement could bring (devastation) of the kind never seen on the face of the earth."

Bush said if Hussein is allowed to build his power during the next five years, he could be able to unleash devastating military force. And, therefore, Bush wants Americans to believe that attacking now would keep history from repeating itself.

Bush's apparent comparison of Hussein to Hitler was just one of several notable moments in a speech marked by strong language and strong promises.

Bush's address was in many ways a departure from previous statements he's made on a possible war with Iraq. Gone were the lengthy explanations as to the reason for a war and discussion about the U.N. and allied nations' responses.

Bush now seemed resolved. Critics would say he is stubborn. If Hussein and his sons do not leave Iraq in the next 48 hours, he will order a war no matter the climate internationally or within the United States. Bush said he will not settle for anything less than the destruction of Hussein's regime.

"All the decades of deceit and cruelty are at an end," Bush said.

Bush said the United States has been "patient and honorable," but that peaceful efforts have "failed again and again, because we are not dealing with peaceful men." Therefore, he said, Hussein must be taken by force.

Bush also cited Hussein's connections to terrorists. Some critics have attacked such conclusions, pointing out that Osama bin Laden believes Hussein is an unholy man and has little respect for him.

After Bush's strong talk, a sobering reality now remains, one that many in America may not take seriously enough. There will now, unless Hussein shocks the world and gives up his reign and walks away, be a war. And it will not be the Nintendo war of a decade ago. Americans will fight in the streets of Baghdad, and some will probably die.