Why is it that when anyone is even a little bad in some way, his/her opponents will play the Hitler card? I think one guy even compared Terri Shaivo's husband to Adolf Hitler.

Do you think that comparing ANYONE to Hitler is appropriate?

:think:

The Rev

It's the same as the term "vegan nazi" people sometimes throw around...or for that matter how about the "Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld?

I don't know - I think people use extremes and exaggeration all the time to get their point across. When I do something special for my husband he tells me I'm an "angel" - and I don't think that would offend a devout Christian. Hitler and Nazis are just the most extreme examples people can think of when they want to say someone is dispicable.

Unless they have commited mass genocide no I don't really think it's necessary.Generally if all they can come up with about why some one is guilty,shouldn't be trusted,etc. I know they are most likely full of crap.So maybe saddam hussein with his history of how he has treated his subjects,but that's about it.

I've never understood why so many panties get bunched over Soup Nazi or Thread Nazi or Vegan Nazi but not a lot of stuff bothers me I guess.

My grandfather and two uncles were in WW2. One of my uncles was a ball turret gunner and killed over Belgium. Mouse was born in Germany and her family suffered much at the hands of the Nazi's. It's painful for her to see the vegan nazi references and such. IMO these kind of references will lose there sting in a few more generations but untill then they are'nt very humorus to those of us old enough to have a connection.

My grandfather and two uncles were in WW2. One of my uncles was a ball turret gunner and killed over Belgium. Mouse was born in Germany and her family suffered much at the hands of the Nazi's. It's painful for her to see the vegan nazi references and such. IMO these kind of references will lose there sting in a few more generations but untill then they are'nt very humorus to those of us old enough to have a connection.

That's more than reason enough for me to not say it...although I don't know if I ever even have said it. :)

It is odd. Hitler seems to have aquired a certain symbolism. Obviously he was at the centre of some pretty gastly ideals towards other humans but on a similar note , Stalin has as bad a record as Hitler did. Was it the fact that Hitler , being the enemy in WWII was the focal point of much allied propaganda in the public media and that this has remained a part of the social media pool. Obviously the post-war imagery of the concentration camps would create a powerful label on Hitler, Nazis and the previously innocent and benevolent swastika.

However, to be honest, many Emperors, Kings, Queens and leaders of the past did equally nasty things to other humans. All of the conflicts between European nations over control of North America is a good example. Giving out gifts containing deadly diseases to native north americans is something that was done too ...not to mention all the other horribe things (yes in a way , we all are living in locations created by acts done to others as equally horribe as what Hitler was responsible for.)

Oh and I am one who believes the victorious allies after World War I helped spawn the social climate in Germany for the eventual coming to power of someone like Hitler and the occurance of World War II so in my opinion Hitler and WWII were partially created by the victorious allies after World War I.

Anyway, using the Hitler reference is generally a short-sighted thing to call someone (even when labelling Bush hehe) so I don't find it very intelligent or useful (oh except with the 'soup nazi' ..that was funny).

It's usually used as the next weapon after the 'correcting bad spelling' on messageboard debates hehehe

It's usually used as the next weapon after the 'correcting bad spelling' on messageboard debates hehehe

:rockon: ..nice to see you DK..yes the spelling pseudo smarttases :moonpie:

John Stewart just discussed this on The Daily Show! He was of the mindset that it's really not necessary and said that not only does it lower the validity of the arguer, it's degrading to Hitler as well - because only Hitler could be Hitler. :)

I agree. It just seems to be the worst label people can think of, so they start applying to everyone who disagrees with them.

It's the same as the term "vegan nazi" people sometimes throw around...or for that matter how about the "Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld?

I don't know - I think people use extremes and exaggeration all the time to get their point across. When I do something special for my husband he tells me I'm an "angel" - and I don't think that would offend a devout Christian. Hitler and Nazis are just the most extreme examples people can think of when they want to say someone is dispicable.

I would agree with your analogy when people call someone a "vegan nazi" or "soup nazi". If someone calls someone hitler or a nazi in passing, I agree that it is just using an extreme. However, when a logical comparison is made, that is when this is no longer a valid comparison. Now it isn't an extreme, but a true attempt at equating the two (or at least part of them). This is an Ad Hominem 99.999% of the time, and usually a bad one at that.

All of that aside, I agree with a previous comment that too many people were seriously scarred by the Nazi's and Hitler in the recent past to throw the term around as an insult. Maybe a generation or two, but right now it isn't in good taste.

i get called a 'yoga nazi' quite frequently because i'm so specific about alignment and i make my classes do poses over and over and over until they get it right. In my challenge classes, which are supposed to only last two hours, most people know to clear their schedules for the rest of the evening, because we'll practice one pose until everyone gets it absolutely right--which may take four or five hours. So, i'm pretty extreme about it (but, that's why people like me).

I think it's ok to compare things to hitler, if the association makes sense--similar ideologies such as fascism or if the argument seems to mirror certain nazi agendas.

"because we'll practice one pose until everyone gets it absolutely right--which may take four or five hours."
-------------------------

Holy cow ......you are the 'Yoga Nazi' ....hehe :lol:

i get called a 'yoga nazi' quite frequently because i'm so specific about alignment and i make my classes do poses over and over and over until they get it right. In my challenge classes, which are supposed to only last two hours, most people know to clear their schedules for the rest of the evening, because we'll practice one pose until everyone gets it absolutely right--which may take four or five hours. So, i'm pretty extreme about it (but, that's why people like me).

I think it's ok to compare things to hitler, if the association makes sense--similar ideologies such as fascism or if the argument seems to mirror certain nazi agendas.
I want to take one of your classes!! :wayne:

I don't think people should really call people Nazis or Hitler-esque, simply because no one deserves to be compared to some crazy SOB mass-murderer. It also pisses me off because people don't even use it in the right context.

Long, OT, but sorta funny story: When I was in high school I used to hang out in the library (I was soooo cool) and there were always teachers in there making sure everyone kept pretty quiet. My Alegra II teacher must've had some vendetta against our table because she would always come and tell us to shut up and like, kick us out even when other people were just as loud. Anyway, one day she came over and threatened to kick us out and this skinny guy who was always so quiet and studious did that little 'Hail Hitler!' arm thing as she walked away. Of course it made us all laugh which only made her come back and kick half the table out of the library but it was SO funny at the time.

Well, in regards to the use of such terms in a joking manner (ie soup nazi), it's a matter of who you say it to. I don't see a problem with using it infront of like-minded people/friends who would find it funny. But ya, it's probably not the best idea to use it infront of someone who lived through those days. Like anything you talk about or any joke you make, try to use your better judgement. However, my grandmother, who lived through WWII, grew up dirt poor in Poland, left home on her own as a teenager and slaved away on a farm in Germany at one point, working for bread and water, and she has the ability to joke about Nazis and Hitler. It's just her sense of humour. :-/

i think, for most people in these times, hitler and nazis are the most hideous things that we can think of that we can relate to, so we unthinkingly use these references to try and describe things we find very hard to believe are happening. but i also think that it can, and does, belittle what all of those who suffered under the oppressive regime of hitler and nazi gernmany went through. for that reason, i will never use these terms, even in company of people who wouldn't find offense in them. i don't want them to be a part of our "popular comedic lexicon" knowing as i do the very visceral and terrible memories and feelings they can evoke, even when used in a lighthearted manner. i also ask people who use that type of humour around me to stop, the same way i don't tolerate use of the "n" word, or other slurs based on racism, homophobia, sexism, or sizism. it is perfectly easy to express yourself, get your point across, make people laugh, without using terms or refering to people/events that could potentially hurt someone or evoke horrific memories.

I think that someone can be seriously compared with Hitler's dictatorship characteristics, but it's hard to compare what he did to anyone else (unless it's Stalin or another ruthless dictator like that). When you're jokingly comparing people to Hitler or Nazis, it is unreasonable and can really offend some people (especially those who have experienced the wrath of Hitler).

I just finished writing an essay concerning Lord Of The Flies and I compared the character Jack to Hitler because he represented the dictator qualities that could possibly be found in any society. However, that was a reasonable comparison, so it's different.

It's appropriate to compare Scratch to Hitler.

I kind of like the joking nazi comparisons, like "soup nazi." I think it signifies that nazis are the example of ultimate evil or dictatorship, as colorful said "angel" is for good. and that's a happy thing, right? after all, there was a time and place when "nazi" didn't mean bad, and that sucked.

However, I think the serious comparisons, like Schiavo or Bush to Hitler, are ridiculous and rude.

buddhadragon -

wow, a ball turret gunner. that's a tough job.

My grandfather and two uncles were in WW2.
Buddhadragon, both my grandfathers were in WW2 as well. One in the British Army and one in the Australian Army.

I find comparing anyone to Nazis the sign that someone is running out of genuine arguments and is resorting to the ridiculous. As many posters already pointed out, WW2 was a horrific time in human history and by throwing around the word "nazi" as a joke, we are belittling the suffering and sacrifice millions of people went through.

Hitler was a vegetarian

Hitler was a vegetarian
NOT................thats a myth.

Hitler was a vegetarian
http://www.micahbooks.com/readingroom/Hitlerveg.html

buddhadragon -

wow, a ball turret gunner. that's a tough job.
Interesting story goes with that....He was shotdown and killed over Begium. The story is ironic on two points..He wasnt with his regular crew. He volunteered to replace an ill gunner. His crew made all there missions with out injury. The second part is a bit sad. I have my grandfathers diary, he was a Lt. Col. in the Army Corps of Engineers. In 1945 while going through Belgium on a re-building mission he by accident heard of a site where a crew had been shot down. After a few days of investigation he found the shallow grave of my uncle (his son) and had it sent back to the states and buried properly. We were in Ohio a few weeks ago and visited his grave and my grandfathers and put flowers on them. I never met my uncle but I feel I knew him somehow...I guess through my grandfathers diary and the stories about him from my Dad.

Man! My grandfather was in WWI. Now, I'm seriously starting to feel old.

:(

The Rev