[Zheka]

Let's think for a minute.
Basic directions of German Nazi policy:
1. Military expansion
2. Aggressive intervention into the internal policy of weaker countries
3. Knowing of own oneness, "peculiarity"
4. Availability of enemy by the race or religion indication (Jewry and the Slavs)

Is the polisy of USA government similar? Undoubtedly yes.

1. Military expansion
Vietnam, Korea, Africa,
Balkan Mountain, Iraq.... Iran soon....

2. Aggressive intervention into the internal policy of weaker countries
US congress gives hundreds millions dollars every year for it

3. Knowing of own oneness, "peculiarity"
Read this forum..... This "peculiarity" knowing in the half of messages

4. Availability of enemy by the race or religion indication (Jewry and the Slavs)
Jewry and the Slavs for Hitler, The Moslems for Bush....

Ex- country of freedom, you are Great Nazi Empire now.
You soldiers are raping and killing the unarmed people
You CIA torment to death not guilty men
You phones are under the tap...

[CultureGeek]

It's hard to say which side of the discussion on this thread is behaving more childishly. The thread was clearly posted just to shock people and get attention. The responses were not rebuttals but childish outbursts that hark back to the dark days of McCarthy.

I do think that there are some alarming parallels. I am very concerned about the current administration's behavior. I believe that the executive is overreaching to an alarming degree. This administration's attacks on civil liberties are profoundly unAmerican and I am disgusted with Congress's failure to perform its oversight duties. The current military policy is unconscionable and Congress's cowardice in refusing to check it strikes me as despicable cowardice. My senators and representative hear about it from me on a regular basis. I also regularly tell my representative that it is time for the legislative to check the executive, and that, even if Bush runs out the clock, impeachment is necessary in order to restore America's good name.

I believe that it is my civic duty as a citizen to do so. Our system of government depends upon a well-informed and actively involved electorate.

Furthermore, I absolutely believe that you have the right to say what you think. You should not be censored*, although you are about to be criticized, (a distinction that is lost on far too many people). I really question the effectiveness and taste of your message.

I would refer you to: Godwin's Law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Yes, we need to remember history in order to avoid repeating it. Yes, I do believe that there are some alarming historical parallels. However, I really think that your histrionics are counterproductive. People will just write you off as a nut or a troll if you post a thread called "The Fourth Reich."

I am at least as critical of the people responding with Cyrrilic characters. The attitude that citizens who criticize the current regime are "Communist" is reminiscent of one of the worst mistakes our government has ever made (i.e. the House UnAmerican Activities Commission, which was ironically well named, given its UnAmerican attacks on freedom of thought). Their childish behavior clearly indicates either unwillingness or inability to post a considered, intelligent rebuttal.

*although the moderators here may or may not want to host your message on their servers. That isn't censorship either; you are still free to say it on your own webspace. If they asked me, I would advise them against removal but (why would they ask me? and) I hope that you recognize the difference.

[CultureGeek]

I don't know which side is behaving more childishly.

----------
I do feel very strongly that the executive is overreaching and I do see some very alarming historical parallels. I wonder if invoking Godwin's law is appropriate, but I certainly don't feel that histrionics threads with titles chosen purely for shock value. I share your concern about this administration but I question the effectiveness and taste of your post.

I do think that we must remember history in order to avoid repeating it and that it is always important for Americans to look at the actions of the current administration (whatever it is at the time) in light of historical events, and to be able to frankly discuss their opinions.

However, that does not mean that every way of doing that is guaranteed to get you taken seriously. If we are to look at those parallels, and I think we should, we should approach the subject in a calm and dignified manner. Otherwise, we will get written off as nuts and trolls.

----------
On the other hand, posting cyrillic characters is not a rebuttal. It is childish and disruptive. The implication that any critic of the current administration must be a Communist reminds me of one of the worst mistakes our government has ever made (The House UnAmerican Activities Commission was ironically well-named. I can think of nothing more unAmerican than prosecuting people for thought crimes) .

Criticism, even strongly-worded criticism, is not treason, it is the lifeblood of democracy. I think that Bush has gone much too far and I think that, even if he runs out the clock without getting removed from office, impeachment is essential in order to restore America's good name. Is it treason to tell my representative this? No, it is my civic duty! I believe it was Carl Schurz who said "My country right or wrong-- when right to be kept right, when wrong to be put right."

-----------
To both sides, I would say: Your inappropriate and childish outbursts seem to indicate an unwillingness, or inability, to engage in rational debate.

[currierp3]

CultureGeek:
Although your articulate, detailed explanation is in the great tradition of our democracy, and the freedom of speech enshrined in our constitution, it is unlikely that your efforts will be able to sway those who seek only to criticize, degrade and condemn our country. I have a simpler, more direct rebuttal that I feel is appropriate in these circumstances:

MY COUNTRY RIGHT OR WRONG

AMERICA, LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT

[CultureGeek]

MY COUNTRY RIGHT OR WRONG

AMERICA, LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT

I do love my country. I do not love the actions of the current administration. Those two attitudes are not incompatible.