Ok.
Nobody go nuts. But I think the average American is more guilty of attrocious apathy and "turning away" than any German in 1940... at least the majority who never had to experience the "Shindler's List type direct exposure" that we all mistakingly imagine was happening.
Let's look at it rationally. In 1940 there was no t.v. There was no internet. There was radio and newspaper... both just as easily manipulated and controlled as today's MSM; even moreso in fact.
But I've known some Germans. I've known French people and Italians, and Spanish people too... Brits, and Dutch, Belgians, and Polish as well.
And from what I understand, there were a large majority of Germans who certainly had no idea about concentration camps when the war started. Certainly most eventually heard through the grapevine that weird things might be going on, but you have to recognize that no one actually saw a camp... no photos... not t.v... and heck; this was WAR.
And no Iraqi War... this was a World War. Who was the average German shmoe to complain about the Army's strategies? They didn't know exactly what was going on and probably most didn't believe the concentration camps even were being used as "death camps" until closer to 1945.
So, which is easier to explain away... unsubstantiated rumors about "wild atrocities" being commited in some far away village during a WORLD WAR? Or explaining away actual torture and executions that we've all seen with our own eyes on the evening news?
Which is worse? I think the question isn't whether our prison camps are WORSE than Nazi ones. I think the important question is HOW HAS OUR SOCIETY REACTED? Did we do something? Or did we turn away?
The answer is sad... and clear for the whole world to see.
I submit to everyone that while the CRIMES that have been committed by our government (and therefore by us all) in Cuban and Iraqi prison camps are not really at the same "level of evil" as those committed in Nazi Germany (debatable of course),
BUT...
and here's the kicker.... the CRIMES of the American people in ignoring what they know to be going on far surpases the crimes of the average German in WWII.
Anyone disagree? I would assume so... Let's try to have a nice, calm, reasonable discussion. Because if we can all just look at the facts, I think that sadly, there is something important to understand here.
Because this kind of apathy and "turning away" is the same thing we saw with Americans and whites in general wrt Rwanda. It's the same thing Americans have been doing all over the world for 50 years.
Half of the globe lives in "informal housing." That's 3 billion. Suburbs in most countries don't look like they do in the U.S. In China and India, a suburb is where you pay a ganglord so you can build your own house on a mudslide prone slope out of found 2x4's, mud bricks, and some plastic. There aren't any sidewalks or toilets. You get the picture.
Americans "turn away" every day... to a degree that I think the average 1940 German citizen would be appalled at.