During the Nuremberg Trials, Hermann Göring explained to psychologist Gustave Gilbert how leaders persuade ordinary people to support wars they never wanted:
“Of course the people don’t want war… But in the end, it’s the leaders of a country who determine policy.”
Gilbert reminded him that democracies were different because people had a voice. Göring’s response was chilling:
“All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and for exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.” — Nuremberg Diary, April 18, 1946 Sound familiar? “We are being attacked.” “We had no choice.” “We are defending ourselves.” “The enemy is at the gates.” “Anyone who opposes the war is a traitor.”
Different century. Different television screens. Different flags. Same mechanism. Convince people they are the victims. Manufacture an existential threat. Turn fear into patriotism. Turn dissent into treason.
Then send ordinary people to kill and die for decisions made by men sitting safely behind enormous desks.
Göring wasn’t offering a warning. He was explaining the recipe. And 80 years later, humanity is still falling for it.
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 