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I have also been to Dachau. Sickeningly, it was not the worst of the camps, it was not a death factory like Auschwitz or Treblinka.

Interesting story connected to that. I visited it on my way back from my first visit to Israel. One of my good friends was in the Army and based nearby, and he and his wife had just had their first child, so it was a good chance to see them. He had been caught in traffic and was a bit late picking me up, and while waiting I observed the locals picking up their family or friends bringing dog after dog after dog into the airport. I asked my friend about it, and he merely said that the Germans are very attached to their dogs. OK, fine, I filed it in the memory banks. The next evening we went out for dinner, and at one point a family walked in and sat down - with their dog. I mentioned health codes to my friend (he is a doctor), and he said, “Remember, I told you that they’re attached to their dogs.” Ok, fine, it’s a different country, a different culture, etc. - but I am glad that we don’t let animals into our restaurants (some of the humans are bad enough). 2 days later I was leaving, but we left early to tour Dachau. What really got me , and still does, after seeing what was there is how German culture could be so kind to their animals that they can bring them into restaurants with them, but OTOH can torture and murder millions of their fellow human beings. My friend, whose father was Austrian by birth and who lived in Germany for 2 years, also cannot understand this aspect of German culture at all.

I would be gratified if anyone could enlighten me on this issue.

I can't, but I had the same observations.

Germans can be so kind to children--giving them candy in stores etc.--yet there was Josef Mengele, giving them chocolates before brutally killing them. Granted, he was a hideous psychopath and certainly not normal

I lived in Germany for three years and am also a physician. Some of the people I knew were as lovely and good as any people I have ever known--anywhere. That only deepened the mystery: How could something so hideous happen--ever--anywhere--to any people.

I conclude that the potential is in everyone--all of us. We are not a separate species.

I think eternal vigilance is our only protection against becoming a monster like Mengele--even those of us who are not psychopaths.

I personally have resolved NEVER to commit such evil. It is up to me to be eternally vigilant about myself--to make sure that I never do.

As for others: I don't know. All I can do it set an example myself and try to help reveal truth to other people.

I must add that the contempt for truth that is all pervasive today in the decadent phase of Western Civilisation sets a scenario very likely to produce a recrudescence of such hideous atrocities as occurred in Nazi Germany. Millions of good people apparently do not realise it and are resistant to the realisation.

Here on the internet we can try. Note tagline.