Summer CE Week #1: “Please, leave Hitler out of it” Aug. 23rd
Midway through the month’s town hall meetings on health care, it seems the shark has jumped the shark – and even Hitler must be sick of himself.
The terrible tyrant can’t get a rest these days. For eight years, he was George W. Bush. Now he’s Barack H. Obama. We just can’t quit the monster with the fur lip.
His latest appearance is on a poster of Obama with the iconic mustache, which looks more like a missed crumb than a manly punctuation mark. The poster has become a favored accessory among some of America’s squeakier wheels.
There is some debate about whether the Hitler resurrectionists are haters or faux haters – i.e., Democratic Party plants aimed at making Republicans seem crazed.
Whatever the truth – and Truth morphs by the moment – it seems increasingly clear that the erstwhile shining city upon a hill has become ’Toon Town, a circus of media acrobats, political clowns and street-corner barkers.
Step right up and get your cotton candy, it’s only a dollar and the show is free!
One recent sideshow, a town hall in Las Vegas available for viewing on YouTube, features an Israeli-American man railing to cameras when a woman nearby yells, “Heil Hitler.”
What?! The man turns to berate her: “You’re telling me, ‘Heil Hitler’? Shame of you!”
The camera rolls; the man continues shouting about the high cost of a recent hospital visit; the woman dabs her eyes to clear away fake crocodile tears. It’s a wrap.
Next up, zoom to Dartmouth, Mass., where Rep. Barney Frank addresses a town hall at the Dartmouth Council on Aging. A woman holding an Obama-as-Hitler poster asks the congressman why he supports a Nazi policy.
To the apparent delight of many, Frank says he will revert to his ethnic heritage and respond to the question with a question:
“On what planet do you spend most of your time?”
Next he says that comparing the president’s attempts to expand health care to Hitler is a tribute to the First Amendment and that trying to have a conversation with this woman would be like trying to argue with his dining room table. He chooses not to.
Hear, hear. Invocations of Hitler usually mean two things: one, a poverty of imagination, and two, a paucity of good arguments. It is nearly axiomatic that any protest against government action will feature Hitler in some form. Left and right are equally guilty.
Trivializing such evil is an insult to the memory of millions who suffered and died by his order, as well as to the intelligence of all sentient beings.
It may no longer be possible in this country to have a serious debate about anything. Inevitably, substance devolves into silliness. Even the most dignified of statesmen become caricatures when juxtaposed with the ridiculous.
While it’s easy to blame “the media,” there’s no longer any single entity to indict. In a world where everyone has video – and distribution is both free and easy – every little thing is a “story.” And so the exercised Israeli-American and his mocking nemesis become stars on the world stage. The Obama-Hitler woman may be only infamous, but she is a celebrity of sorts.
One may reasonably oppose Frank’s and the Democrats’ views on health care on the merits – and plenty of informed people do. But when Frank is tossed into the ring with a Hitler-wielding instigator, he looks the sage from Vesuvius and his opponents escapees from the asylum.
Given the choice of company, which would you prefer?
Never mind whether any of the rabble-rousers would be known were it not for the ever-present cameras and microphones. Would they have performed as they did – yelling and aping – had there been no one on hand to record their antics?
Alas, we can’t even critique the phenomenon known as Heisenberg’s Principle of Observation without circling back to Herr Hitler. Physicist Werner Heisenberg, leader of Hitler’s atomic bomb project, came up with an “uncertainty principle” that has been used – some say misused – to suggest that things observed are altered by the fact of observation.
Translation: When you turn on the camera, the presence of the camera alters whatever transpires.
There isn’t much we can do about the convergence of technology and the persistent plague of narcissism, but there is something we can do about Hitler. The moment he shows up in any form, turn off the cameras. Consider it an act of nonviolent protest – and self-respect.
Kathleen Parker is a columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group. Her e-mail address is kathleenparker@ washpost.com.
Comparing any act, in terms of severity, to the Holocaust seems to me like a last resort claim. To have tried and tried to bring a man down, to show the world what they don’t see, and come up with nothing makes a person go to extremes. And then they start comparing Obama to Hitler. It comes out infantile, flat out immature, and completely disrespectful. It doesn’t matter who says it or why. I disregard everything someone says if they pull the Hitler card, and I urge you to do the same.
-Nick Stewart
The study of how governments operate is interesting; politics are petty and frustrating. The fact that running countries has become a competition between two opposing sides is embarassing. We choose intelligent men to represent “the people” and they turn it into a mud-slinging frenzy. How long will it take to get back to the hard-working, dedicated country we were 200 years ago? I agree with this author in that both sides are guilty of misusing Hitler’s regime and the horrors he created. The people who faced that nightmare deserve more respect than that. Also, I agree that cameras need to be used with more discretion. One moment recorded on film can have hundreds of fabricated meanings that are not worth destroying another individual’s name.
This article brings up several excellent points. I know a great deal about World War II and I HATE it when uninformed protestors (from either political entity) compare a leader to Hitler. Bottom line, if he wasn’t responsible for the death of 12 million or more people, he isn’t Hitler. George Bush was no more Hitler than Barack Obama, and frankly, I am tired of hearing the comparisons. I disagree with the health care plan “as many informed people do”, for a plethora of reasons to complex to discuss here. That being said, have a little respect for the office! You don’t have to agree with everything a man says, but to compare him to the most famous mass murderer in human history far crosses the line. The argument about whether or not the “Nazi haters” are plants become moot when seen in this light: both parties unnecessarily and unkindly compare members of the other party to horrible people. I myself have been called a racist, Nazi, Red, intolerant, and Hater because I didn’t want Obama to become president and because I have a Christian bend.
The only thing that I want to learn is where this horrible idea of mud slinging began. Anyone who compares a non-evil human being to Satan, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, or fill-in-the-blank deserves to experience first hand what these people were really like. Stop calling us haters, and see to the hate inside of YOU!
Comment on Kathleen Parker:
What I Know: These horrendous advertisements are circulating around the internet and on posters around the country. Created by extremists such as Lyndon LaRouche this type of propaganda is currently aimed at President Obama and his healthcare reform. There have been less extreme versions of the posters such as Obama as the Joker from Batman and as leaders of terrorist movements but this present ad is by far the worst. Not many people put much merit in it (just the radicals, extremists, and morons) but it still puts yet another unpatriotic piece of trash out there for our country to deal with.
My Opinion: My thoughts on this situation closely mirror the democrats cited in this article and probably many republicans that do not support the making and distributing of this horrific propaganda. It is wrong, it belittles actual victims of the Holocaust, and that the cameras should be shut off whenever he is mentioned. When Hitler is brought up we think of the devil or some equally evil adaptation of him, and when we look to our leading politicians the thought of “America: the new hell” should never pop into our minds.
Questions: This was the first time I had heard of the “faux haters” and it shocked me that people would actually do that. Not only does it misrepresent the party that the culprit belongs to (republican in regards to Bush or democrat in regards to Obama) but it also is condescending to the fellow strong believers in that particular party. I guess my question is do these faux haters exist or are they just that, faux?
I myself would never compare the two like they do in the article. I find it disrespectful to the millions of lives Hitler and his Nazi regimes took. I find it ridiculous to think the two are even similar. For one Hitler was a military dictator and Obama won through democracy. It does upset me to see that people are comparing Obama (even though I may despise him) to Hitler. It is simply uncalled for.
What if we had compared Reagan to Hitler? Or if we compared Bush to Hitler? Surely that would not be acceptable either and it shouldn’t be. I find the utter ignorance of some people to be very disgraceful, considering all the evil Hitler accomplished.
Why do some people have the nerve to do so such things?
In response To Nick Stewart
I completely agree with the disregarding whatever someone says after they compare Obama to Hitler because it is clear they are misinformed already and probably will be on other issues.
I was utterly surprised to read this issue knowing a crazy lady was comparing Obama to Hitler. Agree, she is probably misinformed on many, many issues if she can even begin to make this comparison.
Umm, Hitler began because Germany was in such bad economical shape, and he wanted Germany to be a world power. He had crazy dreams and ideals. Plus, his childhood had a negative impact on him as an adult,
Now, look at Obama. Yes, America has a terrible economy right now, but Obama in no way is trying to get the USA to take over and attack everyone. Obama wants to help America, even if he’s not doing it how everyone wants. He’s trying, when Hitler didn’t want Obama does.
Simply stateed, the comparison is ridiculous.
In Response to Christy Houk:
Your post was simply and nicely put.
The people affected by Hitler Do deserve more respect than that.
How our country is now compared to how it was first founded, so completely different. It may never be the same. And I think it is largely because of technology, which you also commented on. The way technology can change things is incredible, and not always in the best way. Sometimes in the worst way. Completely agree, “Cameras need to be used with more discretion.”
Obama and Hitler, seem to be two men so opposite from each other it’s like north and south. I have never heard the comparison of any of our presidents to Hitler before reading this article. And it seems that many people have made our government into a circus with who knows how many side shows to entertain the public. People get stuck in their ways and don’t like to change how they think so I agree that any comment about Hitler in connection with our government should be protested whether it’s to turn off the cameras and not give a person the five minutes of fame they wanted or to just end the story before it gets out. People should at least find good reasons to get their five minutes and stop making ridiculous connections, what’s the use? Most smart people know better anyway.
In response to Christy Houk:
I agree when will we get back to the country of 200 years ago when hard work and dedication was what it took to be the leader. Not the man with more money or supporters. And both sides deserve more respect those who faced the horrors and those who are facing the name calling, mudslinging antics of misinformed people.
In response to Justin Fritz:
I like how you posed the question: “Why do some people have the nerve to do such things?” It just kind of summed up the entire ridiculous situation; who thinks they are even a big enough authority to say such disgusting remarks?
And in response to your question I have come to the conclusion that the only people who wouldn’t be completely embarassed and especially ashamed for voicing or spreading these beliefs would be extremists. Radical people who just do not have the capacity to respond to others beliefs with the “agree to disagree” ideolgy.
I agree with this article 100%. Why would anyone want to compare how the world is today as to how it was 200 years ago? It is immature how Hitler is being brought up and compared to Obama. I have never heard of a president be compared to Hitler. He was a horrible man and Obama is no where near what he was like. I agree that “cameras need to be used with more discretion” because what people want to believe they will believe. It doesn’t matter if anyone tells them different.
Okay, first off, I just have to say I’m shocked that Obama was even remotely compared to Hitler! That is outrageous and uncalled for. I’ve seen Obama compared to Franklin D. Roosevelt who is a respectable figure in history but never someone with such a demented background.
Now that I have that off my chest, I agree with Kristina that our country is nowhere near to how it was 200 years ago and times have changed drastically and for the better. Now that we have Barack Obama as our president, he is trying his hardest with what he was left with to piece this country back together. People should be thankful with what he has done so far. Now about the camera quote that states, “When you turn on the camera, the presence of the camera alters whatever transpires.” is completely true. Everybody has heard the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words” and every person’s “words” will differ on their opinion on the topic. But directing this at our president is stupid and childish.
I really found this article interesting. I thought what Barney Frank told that crazy women was about the funniest thing I have ever heard a politician say. I really do not think it is fair to compare Hilter, a power-crazed and discriminatory dictator, to Obama. They only thing that is similar is that I quote from the Colbert Report is that “they both had mothers who are white.” And that’s it! I guess my main question is where do people come up with an idea of comparing the two? I understand that times right now are tough and people what their voices heard, but they need to calm down. The government is doing the best they can.
When walking around Seattle, I have seen the posters that display Obama sporting a Hitler mustache. I have to admit, I laughed at first (mostly because it just looks hilarious), and I saw that the caption stated “Obama needs parental supervision”. I understand that this view derives from the issue that the majority of the government is Democrats and therefore it is seen that Obama has full reins to the country with no checks and balances. I can even see how his healthcare reform is leaning towards a socialist agenda. However, I am sure many people agree that it is totally wrong to compare Obama to one as radical as Hitler (think Mein Kampf, Heil Hitler, Mein Fuhrer and all that). Some of Obama’s seemingly socialist tendencies would cloud judgment, but who has the right to compare a man that is attempting to help a country to a deranged man? I agree specifically with Parker’s statement that “substance devolves into silliness. Even the most dignified of statesmen become caricatures when juxtaposed with the ridiculous.” People take what is hardly there, stretch it as far as it can go, and draw it out until it looks utterly ridiculous and the result cannot even compare to the original argument. On the other hand, I do not understand what Parker means when she states that “every little thing is a story.” I understand that there are so many links to the media now, but what specifically does she mean?
Just because Hitler did some horrible things as a leader doesn’t mean that everything he did was bad. Socialized healthcare is a good idea in many people’s opinion. Obama, and other supporters of socialized healthcare, might share a like idea with Hitler, but this by no means makes them similar leaders. It is obvious that these comparisons are just propaganda, and like the author said; they should be ignored. Propaganda is just a childish act. If anyone is curious about the socialized healthcare plan they should take it into their own hands and research it. Make your own opinion, don’t take other people’s. As for questions, I would like to know if our government will ever become adult enough to handle issues through democracy and discussion rather than scare tactics.
Prior Knowledge: I have seen various posters throughout the media and the internet that depict everyone from news anchors to President’s as Hitler, and although many of them are just made as jokes, I still think it’s wrong and childish. I’ve heard of these ‘faux haters’ as they usually come in political campaigns to make the other party look radical and unstable.
Opinion: I think that placing Hitler’s features on a person as influential and important as Obama is wrong and immature. Obama’s plans are nothing like Hitler’s plans, and his health care plan is not even close to being ’socialized’ (even though that would be an improvement). I think that Parker’s article was enlightening and showed the ugly truth of our political system and the lengths people will go to in order to bring other people’s ideals down.
Question: Where do all these crazies come from?
In response to Jenna:
Yes these ‘faux haters’ do exist, as they inevitably do in political games where people want to promote their ideals. I think we don’t hear as much of it because most people just write off these people as crazy or we really don’t know of their true party.
In no terms or in no way should it be deemed an acceptable argument to compare the leader of our country, the man whom we elected, to the once powerful tyrant of Nazi Germany. Now I do not in any way support Obama’s health care bill, but as for anyone to call him Hitler for proposing it, seems to be a bit rash. In my opinion the health care bill is a worm in the apple, but Hitler created the holocaust. This argument simply reeks of desperation, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that this was the work of some of the faux haters.
In response to Justin Fritz:
I completely agree with what you have said. In all reality where do people get the idea to say such things, what gives them the right? The point made about Hitler asserting himself as a Military dictator and Obama winning his position through democracy and the people was also quite good.
Megan Erickson: On the other hand, I do not understand what Parker means when she states that “every little thing is a story.” I understand that there are so many links to the media now, but what specifically does she mean?
Response: She’s saying that in this century, everything is documented. No matter what just happened, if you missed it, you can find it on youtube, google, or msn. But this includes everything. I was watching the news early this summer, there was a story on Obama walking his dog Bo. Possibly the most insignificant and ordinary part of Obama’s life. It was disturbing. If someone said Obama was the next Hitler, then it would be online in a instant… because everything is.
Just for the heck of it. Here’s Obama and Bo.. and the 20 or so cameras.
If that doesn’t work try this website
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YAVP7JseLQ
I have never before heard of someone attempting to compare Barak Obama to Hitler, but the thought is enough to make me laugh, and more than enough to make me cry. Oh, how our country has disintegrated into a bubbling mass of misinformed, and, fankly, stupid people who revel in the chance to bring anyone down in the public eye. I am not a democrat, I do not follow the movements of our president, but I DO respect him for what he is doing for our country! Whether or not he makes good choices for the USA, he is only trying to do what is RIGHT. He is doing his best for our country, can we ask more?
Hitler was a psychotic, violent bigot. Can anyone HONESTLY but any of those adjectives in front of Obama’s name? The answer is no, they can’t.
In response to Justin Fritz. Though your question was probably meant for ‘food for thought’, I felt the need to answer.
People tend to want to create something if something is not there, to put their agendas forward. Most times such a person uses harmful tactics so that they or their topic will be noticed, or to get an emotions out of individuals as to harmonize them with others to give a topic meaning. Case in point the ‘Obama-Hitler’ posters, or countless other propaganda.
I have never seen any of these posters with Hitler’s iconic mustache placed on Obama, but I am surprised to hear that people are relating the two. In no way would I ever compare anyone to Hitler or the atrocities he took part in, especially the president of the United States. I can’t believe that anyone would do that. I strongly believe that even if we don’t agree with our president’s policies or the way he is dealing with things that we should still respect him because he is our President and we are Americans.
The article had a lot of strong points. First off, I find it interesting how the “Obama-Hitler” woman is now infamous and even Parker describes her as a “celebrity of sorts.” It makes me wonder if some of these ridiculous statements are made because people think they will get attention or stardom. I also agree with Parker’s translation of the “uncertainty principle.” She says, “when you turn on the camera, the presence of the camera alters whatever transpires.” This is so true, not only when it comes to politics but also with school and reality television. People are always looking for their fifteen minutes of fame.
Once more I am surprised that anyone would compare Obama with Hitler. People are crazy sometimes and I don’t know how it can even get this far. My question is: Where did this comparison originate? I still don’t even understand where the Hitler/Obama idea came from.
In response to Alex Price:
I completely agree with what you said. It’s so crazy to compare Obama with Hitler. I also like how you say that you don’t have to agree with someone but you shouldn’t compare him to a mass murderer. It seems as if people do this sort of mudslinging to make their ideas appear far greater and not a radical as the opposing opinion. Who knows where it began, but it sure takes a front row seat to politics.
In response to Katie Preston:
Just to clarify, I do not support people associating Obama with Hitler and I agree with your post. But, to address your question of what the basis of the accusations are, people think the US is turning socialist. I am not saying I necessarily agree or disagree with these remarks, but people think they see parallels with the Nazi regime. The government now has a broad hand in insurance companies and the auto industry because they seem to be controlling them with the loans they give out. They also are starting to take control of the banks with their loans as well because they assign stipulations with the money given. This is all not the mention healthcare reform. Anyways, it is Obama’s POLICIES they should question instead of him personally. He is indeed not an imperialistic maniac looking for a world takeover.
First question: Did anyone else dig Barney Frank’s glasses on Fox this morning as much as I did?
On a more serious note, I am not so shocked that such remarks were spoken of Obama. I certainly do not see them fit, but I know that politics is a circus. It’s a competition for attention, if you will.
I would like to know, do you think the media sometimes draws attention to idiotic happenings? I wouldn’t say it is necessary for these pictures to be posted on every channel. If the media stopped exploiting persuasive commercials, photoshopped trash, and ignorant remarks, would our news be more informative?
This article is outrageous. Comparing Obama to Hitler is a slap in the face. It’s totally uncalled for. It’s completely disrespectful, and hope people don’t buy into it. Hitler is the worst person ever. The dude was fit for a straight jacket. Obama hasn’t done anything to deserve this. Obama is trying to do what he thinks is best America, so people need to back off. Comparing Obama to Hitler is as bad as comparing Ryan Leaf to Peyton Manning. I just wanna know why people go through so much trouble to try to bring someone down? I mean don’t they have lives?
In Response to Fritz:
Well like you said in your autobiography. You speak your mind even if it isn’t asked or appropriate. That’s what these people are doing. It doesn’t make it right to compare Obama to Hitler. They shouldn’t go that far, but they’re just speaking what they believe.
Comparing anything in today’s society, short of genocide, to the Holocaust is absolutely infantile. To be honest I have a hard time deciding whether these people would react the same way had there not been a camera present or not. Obviously they are strongly opposed to Obama and/or his health care plan and I haven’t the faintest clue whether they planned to make the Hitler-Obama poster public then but I don’t doubt these protestors would have found another event or topic to show how opposed they are to our new president. I think that some of this is partly due to the media and the need for media attention as many Americans seem to be starved to attain. Such extremist actions aren’t necessary to make a point proven or an opinion heard but it seems that is the only way to be heard thanks to our propaganda-driven media system. While I think being up-to-date with the world’s events is important, the instantaneous relief media provides us with has a huge negative and I disagree with that entire system honestly.
Wow! It seems ridiculous that people in our country would stoop as low as comparing our president to an infamous dictator. Will people do anything for five seconds of fame? I honestly believe this type of behavior would not have been so extreme if cameras had not been rolling. Comparing Obama to Hitler seems like a rather childish thing to do. I agree that making such comparisons is an insult to all those who were killed in the genocide. It was inappropriate, even if they were that upset about Obama’s new policies. Show the poor guy some respect. I mean, think about it, what else has the man been compared to recently? It just isn’t right.
Megan Erickson: She is saying that it used to be the News or the media that made the story. But now that everyone has cameras and youtube that everything is a story now instead of just the big things.
I can say that my family and I have experienced socialized healthcare firsthand, and we hope to never see it again. But a strong opposition gives one no right to speak the trash these protestors are broadcasting. Not only has the media wasted time with these impetuous protesters, technology has given them unbridled range for self-promotion.
Relating anyone who has not slaughtered millions to Hitler is truly a sign of “poverty of imagination, and a paucity of good arguments.” The people shouting and promoting these comparisons are not there to productively support their cause; therefore no time should be wasted on them. And if these bad reality TV stars saw a decline in their ratings, we could only hope they would find somewhere else to waste their talents.
And as President Obama’s approval rates decline, I wonder, how will this nonsense escalate? If this behavior spread like wildfire, is it possible the citizens of the US could impeach the president?
I totally agree with what Nick said.
When at a loss, pull the Hitler card, cause I mean really its a pretty big card. If you can’t bring a guy down on your own compare him to malicious dictator who was solely responsible for a mass genocide….yep that should do the trick.
I know quite a bit about what happened in WWII with the Holocaust and what Hitler did, but I don’t think that it is right to refer to leaders or anyone as “Hitler.” People referring to President Obama as Hitler is absolutely ridiculous because he did nothing near as bad a killing 12 million Jews. So isn’t it a little overkill to call him Hitler? Obama and Hitler are far from being similar. If we compared Clinton to Hitler would that be right? No! The economy may not be in the best position right now but Obama isn’t trying to kill people to make it better!
In response to Kristina Nielsen-
I agree with you on everything that you said! Nobody should compare the world today to what it was 200 years ago. Hitler killed so many people to try and make things better and had Obama killed anybody? Nope! Cameras should be used with discretion because of course people want to believe what they want to believe!
In response to Christy Houk-
I think that your opinion is very well put! It is very embarrassing that running countries have become a competition between two opposing sides. We chose Obama to run our county and people should respect him! Our country may never be the same and I agree with what Katie said about your article that it might be because of technology. The people who had to go through the Holocaust deserve a lot more respect!
I don’t watch the news that often, so i didn’t realize people are saying, and doing things like this. It is not right to compare someone like Obama to Hitler. Hitler killed millions of innocent people, just because he didn’t like them. I don’t think Obama has killed anything. Obama is trying to help America with his plans, not destroy us. I don’t agree with alot of the things Obama is doing, but I still respect him as a person, and our leader. People do have the right to their own opinion, but they shouldn’t take it so far. He is our president and whether or not you like him doesn’t matter, you should respect him as our leader.
Who came up with the Obama comparision?
If posters and protests are the beginning, how much farther will people go?
What did Obama say to the Hitler comparision?
Americans are making comparisons of Obama to Hitler because they disagree with the government reforms. They use the media and cameras to get these extreme accusations broadcasted to the nation. Little insignificant opinions are then blown out to become a “story” encouraging more people to do the same. They think by making wild accusations they can have their opinions heard.
American sound greedy and selfish when they compare the suffering of 12 million people to government reforms. There is absolutely no comparison their and anyone who thinks there is is simple minded. While everyone is entitled to disagree with the government, extremists point of views like that are ridiculous and uncredible. The best way to stop this is to turn off the cameras and ignore them.
These people seem unknowledgeable in politics and therefore unreliable yet why does the media focus on them and bring them to attention?
In response to Kaylie Madsen:
I have never seen the poster before either. And I think it’s taking it too far to make posters. To try and answer your question, some people say that Obama is good at giving speeches and so was Hitler. They don’t relate that much at all and I think it’s pretty ridiculous to make posters of Obama with a Hitler mustache. He’s our president and we need to give him some sort of respect for that. It seems like a hard job.
Alyson Nicol:
Obama has been compared to the following:
-Bill Clinton and his failing health care efforts
-George W. Bush, and how much of Americas money he spent, without results
-Nixon’s administration, but in a different era and style.
It is a little childish, but most of the people who are protesting against Obama truly feel strong about what they protest against. Alot don’t care if they get on TV or not, they just want to get the point through.
Carley Ross:
People are just going to get worse, and hate Obama even more, unless he shows us other wise. Look what happened with Bush. People loved Bush and thought he was going to be a great president, but after alot of his mistakes, America turned against him. Only a handful liked him as our president.
Citizens can not impeach a president, even if we get the entire population of the US to help. It is congress who impeaches the president.
Kara Contabile
Knowledge: I have seen the advertisements comparing Obama, and other public figures, to Hitler and to other negative images (like the devil). I had not ever heard of the faux protestors, but I am not surprised whatsoever that people would create images like this to stir up other people.
Opinion: This is outrageous! Like most everyone that has commented, I too feel that comparing anyone to Hitler (especially our president) is uncalled for and just plain rude to everyone involved. Even if you don’t agree with our elected president, no one can rightly say that he is comparable to Hitler. I also think that it is just sad that someone would feel they have no other argument viable to voice their opinion other than comparing our president to Hitler. I don’t think that the people that protest in this manner actual think that Obama is evil like Hitler; I think they are just too lazy or lame to make an actual argument for their cause. This way of confronting the opposing views is not actually effective in hurting the other party, but it is most offensive to the victims of Hitler’s violence, which is not right on any level, faux or not.
Questions: In her article Parker makes it seem like there is a problem with the media and being able to view these Hitler comparing encounters on the Internet. I am wondering why it is a problem? The media informs us about what has happened, without it many people would be lost. Yes it creates some problems, but we are already past that point, the media is there and as long as it is available people will utilize it. I just watched the youtube video that she described in her article and I’m glad it was there for me to watch. So what if every little thing is a story?
This is in response to Alyson Nicol:
I don’t know if you were meaning this to be your question: “I mean, think about it, what else has the man been compared to recently?” but I have a response. Sometimes presidents are compared to the devil, other times they are compared to gods. In Obama’s case, I believe that he is being compared to both. Some people consider him on the same level as god (or a like deity) and the devil or Hitler, but both ways are wrong. He is a man who has been elected to lead our country and should be treated like so.
I had not heard of anyone comparing Hitler to Obama before reading this article. I assume this type of thing happens often with most administrations that enter the Whitehouse. People are always looking for someone to blame when things don’t happen in their favor. Although I do not agree with everything that Obama has done so far I think that as our country’s leader he deserves respect. Regardless of his policies and plans for the future, he should not be compared to Hitler. Hitler was a brute who murdered countless innocent lives, for his own selfish plans and desires. He tore his country apart and it has taken many years for its people to recover. My opinion is that unless Obama, or anyone for that matter, murders millions of people anytime soon they are not deserving of that title. Those who don’t agree with his healthcare reform should keep it to themselves or find other ways to protest it. Do they really think that bashing the President and the Democratic Party is going to make headway in stopping the current plans for socialized healthcare? I like what the article says here, “When you turn on the camera, the presence of the camera alters whatever transpires.” I think that it so true in our society. A person’s actions change when a camera is around or when they think they can pull a stunt like this one to score their “five minutes of fame.” Also, the media today has the power to make a story into whatever they want. I agree that cameras need to be used with more discretion.
My questions are: Do these faux haters really exist? And why is there always an out of control competition between political parties? Can’t they just agree to disagree?
This is the first time I’ve heard of the country’s president being compared to Hitler. I haven’t followed politics much in the last six years, so I don’t know Obama’s political agenda. If someone was worth comparing to Hitler, they would either make sure that no one would hear that comparison, or agree to it in public. Videos that sling dirt on politicians are using huge hyperboles; those people are either being paid, or just want more views on YouTube. I’d like to know why is it Hitler that Obama is being compared to; why not Stalin? That would make more sense in my opinion.
What I know:
Well I don’t know much about these posters. And everybody knows that there are crazies out there so frankly I’m not surprised that people would try and use the “hitler card”,as Nick called it, to try and put down individuals who don’t necessarily agree with their personal ideologies.
My opinion:
Obama is no Hitler and regardless of whether or not you support Obama, you shouldn’t want your nation’s leader to be protrayed as Hitler. Hitler’s goals were to “purify” the “aryan race” and expand Germany into an ideal location in which his “aryan race” could thrive. Obama is President of a very diverse nation and there is no way that one of his goals is to exterminate anyone who doesn’t have blond hair and blue eyes, he wouldn’t have a country when he was finished. People who pull the “Hitler card” have simply run out of ways to attack politicians and people who oppose their beliefs and ideas.
My Questions:
I don’t really have any questions, I’m just appalled that people would actually think they could convince others that their leaders are modern day Hitlers. In what way is that ok?
In response to Larae Stotts
I think you’re on to sosmething there. The media focuses on uninformative, unneccessary news that sheds light on things better left in the dark. If we cut the “crap” and focused more on real life issues that every American should be concerned about we’d all be more informed citizens and get a lot more out of our news than we currently do.
It’s surprising that people would stoop so low that they would compare one of our presidents to one of the worst tyrants in history, but honestly, if they are going to do something like that they should at least make themselves look like idiots correctly. Obama hasn’t been responsible for the deaths of millions of people while Hitler has. Obama proposes socialized medicine while Hitler opposed anything that had to do with socialism. What’s the point of comparing two people who are polar opposites, not saying that a comparison between Hitler and anybody else isn’t wrong in the first place? And yet, people go around parading this kind of thing, not really looking to be acknowledged for any legitimate opinion they might have, but for opportunity to be on the news for their shocking and disgusting behavior. If this kind of thing continues, what, if anything, will have to be done to prevent people like this from making a mockery of our leaders, our country, and themselves?
Okay, first off… Why would somebody even want to compare a respected figure in society to psychotic man whom annihilated millions of a race for his own guilty pleasure?! It is just insane, Obama is doing his best for our country with what he was left with after Bush was president. Obama is trying to put our country back together instead of ending it. People who have opinions like this are out of their minds and need help, I’m sure they wouldn’t be too fond of being compared to some horrible figure in history…
Carley Ross – Unless Obama does something that would affect the country, people mocking him wouldn’t drop his approval rating much, if any, especially if it’s something like the ridiculous comparisons between him and Hitler. Also, if it got bad enough, it wouldn’t be an impeachment we would have to worry about; it would be something along the lines of a limiting of our freedom of speech.
What I Know: Comparing anything less than genocide to what Hitler orchestrated in Germany is outright ridiculous. Obama is getting compared to Hitler for proposing a Health Care Plan! I think some people just live to complain and disagree, and when they get those “15 minutes of fame”, they go insane. This is yet another act to belittle the power and respect that our President should receive.
My Opinion: I do think that the uncertainty principle does make people act in certain ways other than what they would without being observed, but I also think that censoring what the American public gets to see is not a good decision either. I see how it would discourage anyone form making the comparison, but also I think that being selective of what is shown on TV is leaning toward censorship.
Questions: I guess I don’t really know anything about Obama’s Health Care Plan other than he wants to make it socialistic. So my question is why are so many people saying that this plan is a bad thing? The health care companies are already being run by big corporations, why would those being run by the government be any different?
In Response to Megan Erickson:
“I do not understand what Parker means when she states that “every little thing is a story.” I understand that there are so many links to the media now, but what specifically does she mean?”
I think simply it has to do with what the media think people in America will be interested in and listen to. When she says “And so the exercised Israeli-American and his mocking nemesis become stars on the world stage”, I believe she means that something which wasn’t an important news story, gets blown out of proportion and hyped up, just like these posters, because it’s what the people respond to.
Well people are just speaking their mind. I think that they have every right to and also agree that nationalized health care is a bad idea. There is something not right about it. I’m not saying people don’t deserve healthcare but you have to take care of yourself. What the Obama administration is proposing is a bandage to an arterial wound. Things are bad yes, but this isn’t going to do a lot to help. It might even make matters worse. And I have seen this advertising first hand in Chicago, where Obama is from, and it is getting a response. They are using something that probably shouldn’t be used and they may be found a little extreme but it is just an opposing view. What is wrong with that? They are the brave ones saying something about it. There are others that aren’t saying anything. It isn’t like people are doing this for fun, there is a purpose, people just have to be open to it.
I think I’ll just go with the crowd on this one…Comparing Obama to Hitler is Outrageous! I could see an ill-humored relation between our President and Marx, Lenin, and Stalin having an ounce of reason (emphasis on ill-humored and in regards to Obama’s Health Care Plan) but not to Hitler. There are obviously several differences between the iconic Nazi Germany leader and Obama, or any President for that matter, that I feel no need to go in-depth with. These protestors are simply looking to create a new subject of public opinion which could result in several conversations amongst high school students in a designated blog for their Advanced Placement Government and Politics class…weird. My question is: Why do we let these events strike up enraged and dissapointed responses when we should be focused on the events that determine how we live our lives. America has became so entertained with the reactions to these events that the basis of the reactions become less important. Reality TV Drama works in a similar process.
Response to Larae’s Post:
The news seems to put what will cause controversy in the spotlight and then water-down the more important government actions. It’s what the majority of America wants to see now and what the news wants: emotional responses to keep people entertained. Even from the time of the Roman Empire, people are more interested in entertainment then political issues at hand. Let’s just hope we aren’t conquered by several European empires.
Jenna!:
Good question about these “faux haters”. I tried googling some stuff to see if I oculd dig anything up to no avail.I don’t think we’d know if faux haters did or did not exist cause there is no way to prove that someone doesn’t believe in what they’re fighting for. But I do think that their existance is a possibility, if parties are willing to compare politicians to Hitler why wouldn’t parties be willing to hire people to deface their opponents in anyway.
In Response to Justin Fritz:
Why do some people have the nerve to do so such things?
When people are not smart enough to use accurate facts and base their opinions on events or solid statements, they tend to compare their opposers to someone that they know is bad. This is probably what went through their mind, “Hmm i don’t like Obama (for whatever reason), how can I express this? Obama=bad…Hitler=bad…Obama=Hitler” Although this is completely ridiculous, some people are just set in what they already claim to know or believe and it prevents them from using discretion or have any sort of acknowledgement for the feelings of others.
I agree with the author of the article. Comparing popular figures of today, especially political ones, with Hitler and his Nazi regime has become too popular and far overused. I wonder if those who accuse Obama of having Nazi policies are actually familiar with the far more extreme policies that Hitler implemented in Nazi Germany?
In response to Carley Ross:
I see what you’re saying when you ask if the people might impeach the president. However, the president can only be impeached for some sort of crime or misdemeanor, so unless Obama commits one, the chances are low.
I was dissapointed to read that many have associated our own president to the likings of Adolf Hitler. I consider this kind of comparison to be very immature. But then again, when it comes to most political standards, it does not surprise me that people come up with this. I mean sure, Presidents may have some or very little traits of other leaders from the other parts of the world, but to me, it does not make sense to be calling Obama “Hitler” if he does not have any of the main intentions and goals that the real Adolf had.
Oh yeah, and to be associating our own president to someone who grew the deaths of many Jewish families makes me want to puke.
This article just makes me lose faith in people as a whole. I know not everyone thinks in this way that the article states, but it is just dissapointing to me.
However, the last portion of the article did intrest me. With the camera altering what is percieved, can anyone tell me more about it? I would like to know more about how that would work. (Physicist Werner Heisenberg)
-Jeremy Wales