Quote Originally Posted by Thorne View Post
Yes, you're absolutely correct. My apologies to the German people. It was the Nazi leadership which imposed the brutal occupations. And in Eastern Europe, at least, it was primarily SS and Gestapo units which enforced them.

But turning this back to the current situation, as a soldier how do you keep from implementing the leadership's policies if you believe they are faulty? We are seeing military leaders either voluntarily or forcefully resigning over the situation in Iraq. How does the common soldier, who certainly knows more about it than some general sitting in Washington, pull himself out of it? The Wehrmacht couldn't do it in WW2. Our soldiers can't do it now.
Hitler was a master at national psychology. He had the whole German nation worked up into a frenzy perpetuated by total fear of ridicule and punishment for rejecting any part of his party plan. Any military officer who disagreed with the party line could not resign in protest but he could be shot. Can you imagine Hitler saying to his citizens that the army would be a volunteer army and only those who felt patriotic enough had to join? That is one reason GW does not have to worry about disloyalty among the troops now. The troops are in Iraq because they want to implement the national policy and that is why so many sign up for a second and third term.

Today it is not the military that believes the policies of war are faulty but rather many of the political leaders and citizens that remained at home. There can be no doubt that many politicians withhold support for the war without being shot or thrown into prison. Can you imagine a German politician saying to Hitler that his national policy was unpatriotic? Yet, Americans are allowed to stand up to the President during war time and call him a liar, a traitor, as thief, and a cheap thug. Many use the war as an effort to overthrow the President and make political hay out of the President's abuse. Try that with Hitler.

One thing we learn from comparing the situation today to the German society of WWII is the fact America really won WWII. All Americans be proud that President Bush allows the freedoms that our soldiers fought and died for in WWII. Although I am opening myself up for criticism, sarcasm. and personal attack, I am honored to stand up for a man that will go down in history as a great President, a man who stood by his principles and left office while leaving our country with a history.

God bless America and thank God for our great leaders.