As a lifelong reader of history books, nonfiction, textbooks, “popular” history books and historical fiction, I have learned much, but there are two lessons I continue to encounter: One, there is always more to be added about a history of anything, and two, I can look back into history to compare and contrast with current events. That’s a most useful practice, especially in some particularly troubling circumstances in today’s world.

And I see much to think about with regard to Adolf Hitler’s and Donald Trump’s rise to power.

There are so many similarities, but here are a couple. Both had core support of 30%-plus, regardless of the most outrageous, immoral, mendacious statements and orations. Both liked to ridicule their opponents, pretending to be speaking “tongue-in-cheek” but if truly understood is precisely truthful hatred for their particular target. A quick example was Hitler mocking President Roosevelt by pronouncing his name with Hitler’s perceived Yiddish accent.

Wake up, America. Hitler achieved absolute power with a minority of legitimate support, and many Nazis were “good people,” to paraphrase Trump describing the neo-Nazis at the Charlottesville rally.

How did Hitler do it? To paraphrase another historical quote, “when good people do nothing.”

D’Anthony Kennedy

Plum

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