[SpyGuy]

Here's a good thumbnail synopsis (I picked this up off the Web some time ago):

If a leader were to arise -- a man who was a vegetarian; a radical environmentalist; a tea-drinking, nature worshiping, anti-smoking fanatic; a socialist; a proponent of abortion and of medical research utilizing fetal tissue; a man who would outlaw speech and ideas that he didn't approve of; an animal rights activist; a controversial artist and writer; a pagan who's harshest rhetoric was directed against Jews and Christians -- he could rise quickly to the leadership of the Green Party. Indeed, such a man would find few critics among Democrats, and would be welcomed by the faculty of most colleges. Such a man did once exist, and did become the leader of a modern nation only a few decades ago. That man was Adolph Hitler.

[stylin_geek]

I'm going to have to register at DU just to post that on their site.

[Old Sarge]

Frightening. Could it happen?

Thank you, I'll save that one.

[Gorjus]

The problem with that sort of list is that the items NOT on the list may be as important. That Hitler was a socialist should be recognized by all. That 'such a man would find few critics among Democrats' ignores the issue of the characteristics not listed. Saying, 'That man was Adolph Hitler' denies those unlisted characteristics even exist. Those are false arguments in the same way that pointing at some wheels and a muffler and saying, 'that is a Mercedes 500SL' is false.

On the other hand, it's enough in my mind to recognize that he was indeed a socialist. Though a simple list begs the question, it is still a fact - as Hayek showed - that socialists inevitably become the monsters that Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao became. So the rest of the list - all of it, including the things not in your excerpt - follows from that one characteristic of being a socialist.

[Enterprise]

Great synopsis, a keeper. Thanks!

[keithtoo]

Yes, it really is shocking to tell a Lefty that. They just don't believe it.

Another neat thing about this paragraph that I've used with preachy vegetarians before when they try to beat you over the head with the morality of vegetarianism. I tell them "Hitler was a vegetarian and Jesus Christ ate meat". It kinda ruins their day.

[jcb8199]

Great post!