Odious Comparisons
Godwin’s Law is a
very famous adage of the Internet. It asserts that:
“If an online discussion (regardless of
topic or scope) goes on long enough, sooner or later someone will compare
someone or something to Hitler.”
When it comes to
using such (or similar) terms about politicians, most people in democracies go
overboard. People tend to forget what the blogger Regie said:
“There’s a difference between an abrasive
leader who makes you uncomfortable …and a despot.”
Critics would do
well to remember that line the next time they criticize a politician they
dislike.
And what if a real
despot was doing it for the best of reasons, says Regie:
“The American president who could’ve
actually been likened to Hitler (before Hitler) in some of his methods was
…wait for it …Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln broke more constitutional law than any
other president in U.S history. He imprisoned political opponents without due
process. He suspended habeas corpus. He was personally responsible for the
deaths of six hundred thousand people. He invaded countries that had declared
their own sovereignty and forced them back into a union they didn’t want to be
a part of. He unilaterally annexed Nevada, without 60 thousand residents, (a
pre-requisite for becoming a state) in order to carry it and win the 1864
election. In other words, he pretty much rigged it… Lincoln did all of those
things to end and win the Civil War… In the end, his vision was right …even
though his methods were suspect in the heat of the moment.”
And so he says
this about Trump:
“If we keep looking for Hitler in every
United States president we disagree with, we’re not going to recognize the real
one when he actually shows up …in a different country.”
Or a different
religion. But ok, that’s not a recognition problem; that’s a case of political
correctness and denial…
I had not imagined all these possibilities with Abe (who else, Abraham Lincoln)! I had thought of him on very benign terms all along. Usually very few politicians get my benign glance, mind you.
ReplyDeleteIf this is the story of Abraham, I should experience a lot less cynicism about our own politicians too. Who knows, some of the good intentions of Modi may vindicate his actions in the long run. See, I would also pointed fingers about Modi's unilateralism! For example, I was unhappy with the extent of upheaval caused by the demonetization, which in essence I always admitted has a good intent. Maybe the long term effect would be beneficial. Black money has to be checked but no politician would bell the cat, ever. At lease Modi tries. Let's pray he is our Abe, not Germany's Hitler!