EP28 Superhumanly Inhuman
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hi everyone before we get to a very dark hi everyone before we get to a very dark and uh upsetting piece of subject matter and uh upsetting piece of subject matter and uh upsetting piece of subject matter how about a little good news I'm going how about a little good news I'm going how about a little good news I'm going to be doing some speaking engagements in to be doing some speaking engagements in to be doing some speaking engagements in uh March and April 2024 in a couple of uh March and April 2024 in a couple of uh March and April 2024 in a couple of different locations if one of them is different locations if one of them is different locations if one of them is near you and you'd like to go I'd love near you and you'd like to go I'd love near you and you'd like to go I'd love to see you uh we're going to be in Los to see you uh we're going to be in Los to see you uh we're going to be in Los Angeles on March 21st 2024 Salt Lake Angeles on March 21st 2024 Salt Lake Angeles on March 21st 2024 Salt Lake City March 23rd 2024 Portland Oregon City March 23rd 2024 Portland Oregon City March 23rd 2024 Portland Oregon March 28th 2024 in New York City April March 28th 2024 in New York City April March 28th 2024 in New York City April 9th 2024 you can go to the front page of 9th 2024 you can go to the front page of 9th 2024 you can go to the front page of our website at Dan car .c for more info our website at Dan car .c for more info our website at Dan car .c for more info on those venues and those dates and how on those venues and those dates and how on those venues and those dates and how to get tickets you can also sign up for to get tickets you can also sign up for to get tickets you can also sign up for our free substack page at dancarlin.com our free substack page at dancarlin.com our free substack page at dancarlin.com where we will try to provide updates where we will try to provide updates where we will try to provide updates regularly on this as well I'd love to regularly on this as well I'd love to regularly on this as well I'd love to see you out there if you have the time see you out there if you have the time see you out there if you have the time and um look if these go well we'll add and um look if these go well we'll add and um look if these go well we'll add some other cities down the some other cities down the some other cities down the road it's Hardcore History we're going to issue one of our History we're going to issue one of our rare pre-show warnings before the rare pre-show warnings before the rare pre-show warnings before the conversation we're about to have here conversation we're about to have here conversation we're about to have here concerning the nature of the material concerning the nature of the material concerning the nature of the material that's going to be discussed now that's going to be discussed now that's going to be discussed now obviously when you have a show entitled obviously when you have a show entitled obviously when you have a show entitled Hardcore History nobody should be Hardcore History nobody should be Hardcore History nobody should be expecting much in the way of rainbows expecting much in the way of rainbows expecting much in the way of rainbows and unicorns that is and unicorns that is and unicorns that is understood but sometimes the material understood but sometimes the material understood but sometimes the material gets even darker than normal and today gets even darker than normal and today gets even darker than normal and today is going to be one of those times I is going to be one of those times I is going to be one of those times I don't think it's as heavyduty or as um don't think it's as heavyduty or as um don't think it's as heavyduty or as um intense as as the painfotainment show we intense as as the painfotainment show we intense as as the painfotainment show we did on public executions and public
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did on public executions and public did on public executions and public violence and all that sort of stuff but violence and all that sort of stuff but violence and all that sort of stuff but maybe not because the material is any maybe not because the material is any maybe not because the material is any lighter because it isn't but perhaps lighter because it isn't but perhaps lighter because it isn't but perhaps because the show isn't quite as long and because the show isn't quite as long and because the show isn't quite as long and doesn't Hammer you um for quite doesn't Hammer you um for quite doesn't Hammer you um for quite as significant a duration maybe you as significant a duration maybe you as significant a duration maybe you could say but it's heavy duty stuff and could say but it's heavy duty stuff and could say but it's heavy duty stuff and I'm warning you now that maybe it's not I'm warning you now that maybe it's not I'm warning you now that maybe it's not for you you'll have to for you you'll have to for you you'll have to decide the show today came about as the decide the show today came about as the decide the show today came about as the result of a communication between the result of a communication between the result of a communication between the people who publish a book that's just uh people who publish a book that's just uh people who publish a book that's just uh about to come out in the United States about to come out in the United States about to come out in the United States and um Yours and um Yours and um Yours Truly the Publishers of Dan Stones Truly the Publishers of Dan Stones Truly the Publishers of Dan Stones historian Dan Stone's new book on the historian Dan Stone's new book on the historian Dan Stone's new book on the Holocaust got in touch with me and said Holocaust got in touch with me and said Holocaust got in touch with me and said would we like to talk to the professor would we like to talk to the professor would we like to talk to the professor about the book now stone for those who about the book now stone for those who about the book now stone for those who don't know is one of the foremost don't know is one of the foremost don't know is one of the foremost historians of the Holocaust uh in the historians of the Holocaust uh in the historians of the Holocaust uh in the second world war he's the director of second world war he's the director of second world war he's the director of the hust Research Institute at Royal the hust Research Institute at Royal the hust Research Institute at Royal Holloway at the University of London Holloway at the University of London Holloway at the University of London he's written a lot of books and articles he's written a lot of books and articles he's written a lot of books and articles on the subject and the new book believe on the subject and the new book believe on the subject and the new book believe it or not after all these years still it or not after all these years still it or not after all these years still breaks new ground and ties the Holocaust breaks new ground and ties the Holocaust breaks new ground and ties the Holocaust into modern times in a way that's into modern times in a way that's into modern times in a way that's valuable and important and when this valuable and important and when this valuable and important and when this offer was presented to me I thought to offer was presented to me I thought to offer was presented to me I thought to myself you know I don't think we've myself you know I don't think we've myself you know I don't think we've actually addressed the Holocaust actually addressed the Holocaust actually addressed the Holocaust straight on and so maybe having such an straight on and so maybe having such an straight on and so maybe having such an August um researcher and um Professor on August um researcher and um Professor on August um researcher and um Professor on the subject is a great idea the subject is a great idea the subject is a great idea but I did think that there was one thing but I did think that there was one thing but I did think that there was one thing missing in a discussion about this missing in a discussion about this missing in a discussion about this between a host and an interview subject
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between a host and an interview subject between a host and an interview subject and that is the emotional content to a and that is the emotional content to a and that is the emotional content to a degree because when you have an degree because when you have an degree because when you have an interview there is an educational slash interview there is an educational slash interview there is an educational slash classroom sort of feel sometimes to classroom sort of feel sometimes to classroom sort of feel sometimes to things a high-minded discussion on a things a high-minded discussion on a things a high-minded discussion on a subject that is much more bloody and subject that is much more bloody and subject that is much more bloody and muddy and horrifying and muddy and horrifying and muddy and horrifying and traumatizing than can often be brought traumatizing than can often be brought traumatizing than can often be brought out in a straight conversation no fault out in a straight conversation no fault out in a straight conversation no fault of the interview subject or the host of the interview subject or the host of the interview subject or the host it's just doesn't lend itself to the it's just doesn't lend itself to the it's just doesn't lend itself to the level of color that a conversation level of color that a conversation level of color that a conversation between myself and you where I can bring between myself and you where I can bring between myself and you where I can bring in things like eyewitness accounts and in things like eyewitness accounts and in things like eyewitness accounts and whatever can do and so the way I thought whatever can do and so the way I thought whatever can do and so the way I thought maybe we could have this is to try to maybe we could have this is to try to maybe we could have this is to try to re-inject the emotion back into the re-inject the emotion back into the re-inject the emotion back into the story before the interview starts and story before the interview starts and story before the interview starts and maybe sort of maybe sort of maybe sort of reconstitute if you will the dried blood reconstitute if you will the dried blood reconstitute if you will the dried blood a little bit and remind ourselves what a little bit and remind ourselves what a little bit and remind ourselves what we're talking about before we start we're talking about before we start we're talking about before we start talking about talking about talking about it I mean there's a legitimate point to it I mean there's a legitimate point to it I mean there's a legitimate point to be made about how long the memory of a be made about how long the memory of a be made about how long the memory of a terrible historical event remains fresh terrible historical event remains fresh terrible historical event remains fresh enough to emotionally impact us because enough to emotionally impact us because enough to emotionally impact us because we can think I'm sure you can I know I we can think I'm sure you can I know I we can think I'm sure you can I know I can of terrible Terri terrible can of terrible Terri terrible can of terrible Terri terrible historical tragedies from time historical tragedies from time historical tragedies from time immemorial and they don't all affect us immemorial and they don't all affect us immemorial and they don't all affect us with the same level of visceral
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with the same level of visceral with the same level of visceral reaction you know I mean we can talk reaction you know I mean we can talk reaction you know I mean we can talk about things if you will like the about things if you will like the about things if you will like the destruction of the Assyrians you know in destruction of the Assyrians you know in destruction of the Assyrians you know in 612 when Nineveh Falls which is a 612 when Nineveh Falls which is a 612 when Nineveh Falls which is a holocaust if you happen to be ayrian and holocaust if you happen to be ayrian and holocaust if you happen to be ayrian and living there doesn't really move the living there doesn't really move the living there doesn't really move the needle very much does it but if we talk needle very much does it but if we talk needle very much does it but if we talk about the genocide for example example about the genocide for example example about the genocide for example example in a place like Rwanda which is a recent in a place like Rwanda which is a recent in a place like Rwanda which is a recent event historically speaking it's a lot event historically speaking it's a lot event historically speaking it's a lot more likely to get your blood boiling more likely to get your blood boiling more likely to get your blood boiling and um maybe make you a little sick to and um maybe make you a little sick to and um maybe make you a little sick to your stomach so there's a question of your stomach so there's a question of your stomach so there's a question of how long these sorts of events bother us how long these sorts of events bother us how long these sorts of events bother us before they slip into a a category where before they slip into a a category where before they slip into a a category where they're more something they're more something they're more something we think about dispassionately you know we think about dispassionately you know we think about dispassionately you know the Mongol conquest was a long time ago the Mongol conquest was a long time ago the Mongol conquest was a long time ago right but once upon a time that was the right but once upon a time that was the right but once upon a time that was the worst thing that ever happened to worst thing that ever happened to worst thing that ever happened to anybody but we write books today about anybody but we write books today about anybody but we write books today about this subject and talk about the you know this subject and talk about the you know this subject and talk about the you know upsides of the Mongol Holocaust if you upsides of the Mongol Holocaust if you upsides of the Mongol Holocaust if you will so you know things change will so you know things change will so you know things change right so injecting a little bit of right so injecting a little bit of right so injecting a little bit of the original horror that comes with a the original horror that comes with a the original horror that comes with a subject like this before we talk about a subject like this before we talk about a subject like this before we talk about a subject like this seem to be a good way subject like this seem to be a good way subject like this seem to be a good way to set the conversation up before we to set the conversation up before we to set the conversation up before we talk to Professor Stone about his new talk to Professor Stone about his new talk to Professor Stone about his new book The Holocaust is an endless ly book The Holocaust is an endless ly book The Holocaust is an endless ly fascinating subject it's one of those fascinating subject it's one of those fascinating subject it's one of those sorts of occurrences where there's it sorts of occurrences where there's it sorts of occurrences where there's it holds a mirror up to humanity in a way holds a mirror up to humanity in a way holds a mirror up to humanity in a way that um well I don't know about you but
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that um well I don't know about you but that um well I don't know about you but that that bothers one and makes us ask that that bothers one and makes us ask that that bothers one and makes us ask fundamental questions about ourselves as fundamental questions about ourselves as fundamental questions about ourselves as a species and the sorts of structures we a species and the sorts of structures we a species and the sorts of structures we create for our you know arranging our create for our you know arranging our create for our you know arranging our societies if you will and what they're societies if you will and what they're societies if you will and what they're capable of doing to us if they fall into capable of doing to us if they fall into capable of doing to us if they fall into the wrong hands or they're not carefully managed the word genocide is important managed the word genocide is important here it's a word you see used all the here it's a word you see used all the here it's a word you see used all the time now but a lot of people don't know time now but a lot of people don't know time now but a lot of people don't know its origin genocide is not an old word its origin genocide is not an old word its origin genocide is not an old word it's an old practice but it's not an old it's an old practice but it's not an old it's an old practice but it's not an old word genocide was a term coined in the word genocide was a term coined in the word genocide was a term coined in the 1940s by a writer who was writing about 1940s by a writer who was writing about 1940s by a writer who was writing about what the Nazis were doing during a time what the Nazis were doing during a time what the Nazis were doing during a time per period when it wasn't altogether per period when it wasn't altogether per period when it wasn't altogether clear exactly what was going clear exactly what was going clear exactly what was going on the term itself essentially means I on the term itself essentially means I on the term itself essentially means I mean there's a very legalized formalized mean there's a very legalized formalized mean there's a very legalized formalized version of the term now but when it was version of the term now but when it was version of the term now but when it was originally coined it essentially means originally coined it essentially means originally coined it essentially means an attempt to destroy whole peoples an attempt to destroy whole peoples an attempt to destroy whole peoples right wipe them out exterminate right wipe them out exterminate right wipe them out exterminate them it was an attempt to come up with a them it was an attempt to come up with a them it was an attempt to come up with a term for what Winston Churchill in 1940 term for what Winston Churchill in 1940 term for what Winston Churchill in 1940 one when the Soviet Union was invaded by one when the Soviet Union was invaded by one when the Soviet Union was invaded by the Germans called a crime which has no the Germans called a crime which has no the Germans called a crime which has no name now he didn't know that this was a name now he didn't know that this was a name now he didn't know that this was a crime against Jews specifically at the
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crime against Jews specifically at the crime against Jews specifically at the time churcher was talking about what the time churcher was talking about what the time churcher was talking about what the German Army was doing in the Soviet German Army was doing in the Soviet German Army was doing in the Soviet Union where they were depopulating whole Union where they were depopulating whole Union where they were depopulating whole districts and it wasn't just Jews it was districts and it wasn't just Jews it was districts and it wasn't just Jews it was all kinds of people we had already seen all kinds of people we had already seen all kinds of people we had already seen this happen at the start of the war in this happen at the start of the war in this happen at the start of the war in Poland where what had happened to the Poland where what had happened to the Poland where what had happened to the polls if it wasn't genocide it was polls if it wasn't genocide it was polls if it wasn't genocide it was something damn near something damn near something damn near genocide and perhaps what's so shocking genocide and perhaps what's so shocking genocide and perhaps what's so shocking about it is not that it happened because about it is not that it happened because about it is not that it happened because as I said we all understand that the as I said we all understand that the as I said we all understand that the attempts to wipe out whole peoples is I attempts to wipe out whole peoples is I attempts to wipe out whole peoples is I mean you can go back to Biblical times mean you can go back to Biblical times mean you can go back to Biblical times and every time in between I mean it is and every time in between I mean it is and every time in between I mean it is not an uncommon occurrence but what not an uncommon occurrence but what not an uncommon occurrence but what seems so strange is when it happens in seems so strange is when it happens in seems so strange is when it happens in the modern world right it's one thing to the modern world right it's one thing to the modern world right it's one thing to say that once upon a time you know a say that once upon a time you know a say that once upon a time you know a people like the Huns or the Assyrians or people like the Huns or the Assyrians or people like the Huns or the Assyrians or I mean you just there you could fill in I mean you just there you could fill in I mean you just there you could fill in the blank right tons of peoples tried to the blank right tons of peoples tried to the blank right tons of peoples tried to wipe out peoples nearby them doesn't wipe out peoples nearby them doesn't wipe out peoples nearby them doesn't surprise us at all but at a certain surprise us at all but at a certain surprise us at all but at a certain point you think that societies and point you think that societies and point you think that societies and civilizations has moved past a point civilizations has moved past a point civilizations has moved past a point where you do that or where the um where you do that or where the um where you do that or where the um International structures the laws the um International structures the laws the um International structures the laws the um agreements the collective morality of us agreements the collective morality of us agreements the collective morality of us all has moved to a point where that sort all has moved to a point where that sort all has moved to a point where that sort of thing shouldn't happen anymore and of thing shouldn't happen anymore and of thing shouldn't happen anymore and instead of that occurring it in fact instead of that occurring it in fact instead of that occurring it in fact becomes somehow becomes somehow becomes somehow worse where the modern worse where the modern worse where the modern organization of sophisticated States
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organization of sophisticated States organization of sophisticated States right in the case of Nazi Germany 20th right in the case of Nazi Germany 20th right in the case of Nazi Germany 20th century century century States harnesses the organizational and States harnesses the organizational and States harnesses the organizational and Industrial power of these modern States Industrial power of these modern States Industrial power of these modern States and applies it to the job of trying to and applies it to the job of trying to and applies it to the job of trying to exterminate peoples exterminate peoples exterminate peoples this is part of the problem of trying to this is part of the problem of trying to this is part of the problem of trying to talk about the Holocaust in the context talk about the Holocaust in the context talk about the Holocaust in the context of when it happened because it happened of when it happened because it happened of when it happened because it happened during a time period where Mass during a time period where Mass during a time period where Mass industrial killing and death was going industrial killing and death was going industrial killing and death was going on at a pace that is probably on at a pace that is probably on at a pace that is probably unprecedented in humankind sometimes you unprecedented in humankind sometimes you unprecedented in humankind sometimes you can point to certain times and places um can point to certain times and places um can point to certain times and places um China for example had certain rebellions China for example had certain rebellions China for example had certain rebellions where if you actually look at the death where if you actually look at the death where if you actually look at the death rate and how many people died I mean it rate and how many people died I mean it rate and how many people died I mean it might be comparable to certain you know might be comparable to certain you know might be comparable to certain you know world wars but by and large what was world wars but by and large what was world wars but by and large what was going on in the second world war was on going on in the second world war was on going on in the second world war was on such a scale that when you talk about a such a scale that when you talk about a such a scale that when you talk about a particular people maybe losing five or particular people maybe losing five or particular people maybe losing five or six million of their six million of their six million of their members it this is a crazy thing to say members it this is a crazy thing to say members it this is a crazy thing to say but it might not even be that noticeable but it might not even be that noticeable but it might not even be that noticeable at the post-war war crimes trials where at the post-war war crimes trials where at the post-war war crimes trials where the Victorious Allied Powers were all the Victorious Allied Powers were all the Victorious Allied Powers were all involved the Soviet Union which of involved the Soviet Union which of involved the Soviet Union which of course was one of the victor ious allied course was one of the victor ious allied course was one of the victor ious allied powers and had suffered mightily maybe powers and had suffered mightily maybe powers and had suffered mightily maybe the worst of all if not them then China the worst of all if not them then China the worst of all if not them then China but probably them of any of the of the but probably them of any of the of the but probably them of any of the of the combatants in the war they some time combatants in the war they some time combatants in the war they some time sort of resented the idea that anyone sort of resented the idea that anyone sort of resented the idea that anyone would focus on a Jewish Holocaust
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would focus on a Jewish Holocaust would focus on a Jewish Holocaust specifically because their point was specifically because their point was specifically because their point was it's just entirely wrapped up in in the it's just entirely wrapped up in in the it's just entirely wrapped up in in the greater Holocaust entirely right the greater Holocaust entirely right the greater Holocaust entirely right the horrific things that Nazi Germany and horrific things that Nazi Germany and horrific things that Nazi Germany and their allies did to everyone that they their allies did to everyone that they their allies did to everyone that they fought right and 6 million Jews was the fought right and 6 million Jews was the fought right and 6 million Jews was the Jewish price that was paid but look at Jewish price that was paid but look at Jewish price that was paid but look at what happened to the poles look what what happened to the poles look what what happened to the poles look what happened to the Russians look what happened to the Russians look what happened to the Russians look what happened over and over and over again happened over and over and over again happened over and over and over again all these peoples that were all these peoples that were all these peoples that were devastated it was only after the second devastated it was only after the second devastated it was only after the second world war that it started to seep in world war that it started to seep in world war that it started to seep in exactly what the Holocaust meant and in exactly what the Holocaust meant and in exactly what the Holocaust meant and in the early the early the early 1960s um after the founding of the state 1960s um after the founding of the state 1960s um after the founding of the state of Israel when Israel was going out and of Israel when Israel was going out and of Israel when Israel was going out and finding war criminals right Nazis that finding war criminals right Nazis that finding war criminals right Nazis that had eluded capture and had gotten away had eluded capture and had gotten away had eluded capture and had gotten away and they got their hands for example on and they got their hands for example on and they got their hands for example on Adolf ikan in South America where he was Adolf ikan in South America where he was Adolf ikan in South America where he was hiding out and they brought him back I hiding out and they brought him back I hiding out and they brought him back I think they drugged him and they flew him think they drugged him and they flew him think they drugged him and they flew him back and they put him on trial in the back and they put him on trial in the back and they put him on trial in the early 1960s in Israel and so much of the early 1960s in Israel and so much of the early 1960s in Israel and so much of the world's attention was focused on this world's attention was focused on this world's attention was focused on this and by that time the world had sort of and by that time the world had sort of and by that time the world had sort of internalized some of the you know what internalized some of the you know what internalized some of the you know what the Soviets were talking about right the the Soviets were talking about right the the Soviets were talking about right the greater death that everybody had had had greater death that everybody had had had greater death that everybody had had had to suffer and brought out the specific to suffer and brought out the specific to suffer and brought out the specific attempts on the parts of the Nazis and attempts on the parts of the Nazis and attempts on the parts of the Nazis and their allies to wipe out Jews at least their allies to wipe out Jews at least their allies to wipe out Jews at least Jews in Europe but maybe Jews everywhere Jews in Europe but maybe Jews everywhere Jews in Europe but maybe Jews everywhere at a certain at a certain at a certain point and amman's testimony and what point and amman's testimony and what point and amman's testimony and what came out of that trial was so
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came out of that trial was so came out of that trial was so outrageous and had so many implications outrageous and had so many implications outrageous and had so many implications for modern Humanity as a whole that that for modern Humanity as a whole that that for modern Humanity as a whole that that began to build the knowledge and began to build the knowledge and began to build the knowledge and understanding and to some degree the understanding and to some degree the understanding and to some degree the fact fasination and um fact fasination and um fact fasination and um intense examination of the Holocaust in intense examination of the Holocaust in intense examination of the Holocaust in a way that had been building up till a way that had been building up till a way that had been building up till that time but really took off then and that time but really took off then and that time but really took off then and then in the 1970s there was quite a bit then in the 1970s there was quite a bit then in the 1970s there was quite a bit of um work in popular culture and of um work in popular culture and of um work in popular culture and everything and and of course now we have everything and and of course now we have everything and and of course now we have it where the Holocaust is um well you'd it where the Holocaust is um well you'd it where the Holocaust is um well you'd have to be obviously living under a rock have to be obviously living under a rock have to be obviously living under a rock and and not be particularly uh educated and and not be particularly uh educated and and not be particularly uh educated to not have heard or know about it but to not have heard or know about it but to not have heard or know about it but you might not know a lot about it and you might not know a lot about it and you might not know a lot about it and hopefully we can add a little bit hopefully we can add a little bit hopefully we can add a little bit of information to that today I imagine of information to that today I imagine of information to that today I imagine many of you know a great deal about it many of you know a great deal about it many of you know a great deal about it already though it's one of those modern already though it's one of those modern already though it's one of those modern sorts of occurrences that's hard to sorts of occurrences that's hard to sorts of occurrences that's hard to ignore it is one of the ultimate ignore it is one of the ultimate ignore it is one of the ultimate examples of the literary theme of man's examples of the literary theme of man's examples of the literary theme of man's inhumanity to man and just when you inhumanity to man and just when you inhumanity to man and just when you think it can't get any worse there's a think it can't get any worse there's a think it can't get any worse there's a story or a Rememberance or a document or story or a Rememberance or a document or story or a Rememberance or a document or something else maybe even sometimes film something else maybe even sometimes film something else maybe even sometimes film footage that comes into play where you footage that comes into play where you footage that comes into play where you just shake your head and can't believe just shake your head and can't believe just shake your head and can't believe that Humanity ever went that Humanity ever went that Humanity ever went there in Winston Churchill's history of there in Winston Churchill's history of there in Winston Churchill's history of the Second World War um and you if you the Second World War um and you if you the Second World War um and you if you really are interested in that series by really are interested in that series by really are interested in that series by the way don't buy one of The Abridged the way don't buy one of The Abridged the way don't buy one of The Abridged versions go get your hands on one of the versions go get your hands on one of the versions go get your hands on one of the original uh works because they include
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original uh works because they include original uh works because they include all the appendixes Churchill throws in a all the appendixes Churchill throws in a all the appendixes Churchill throws in a lot of letters that he wrote during the lot of letters that he wrote during the lot of letters that he wrote during the war itself and Communications that he war itself and Communications that he war itself and Communications that he had with other people for example in had with other people for example in had with other people for example in 1944 Churchill wrote a a letter 1944 Churchill wrote a a letter 1944 Churchill wrote a a letter or a or a or a communic and in it he talked about what communic and in it he talked about what communic and in it he talked about what was happening to the Jews in Hungary now was happening to the Jews in Hungary now was happening to the Jews in Hungary now in 1944 even though ever since the war in 1944 even though ever since the war in 1944 even though ever since the war people have been trying to figure out people have been trying to figure out people have been trying to figure out how much the Allies realized what was or how much the Allies realized what was or how much the Allies realized what was or wasn't going on in the occupied wasn't going on in the occupied wasn't going on in the occupied territories and in the places where Jews territories and in the places where Jews territories and in the places where Jews were being persecuted and killed and were being persecuted and killed and were being persecuted and killed and Churchill in 1944 in this communic shows Churchill in 1944 in this communic shows Churchill in 1944 in this communic shows that they know something's going on and that they know something's going on and that they know something's going on and listen to how he refers to it it's in listen to how he refers to it it's in listen to how he refers to it it's in the appendix of volume six of his the appendix of volume six of his the appendix of volume six of his history of the Second World history of the Second World history of the Second World War the volume entitled triumphant War the volume entitled triumphant War the volume entitled triumphant tragedy it is tragedy it is tragedy it is a communic from him to the foreign a communic from him to the foreign a communic from him to the foreign secretary in Britain dated July 11th secretary in Britain dated July 11th secretary in Britain dated July 11th 1944 and he writes quote there is no 1944 and he writes quote there is no 1944 and he writes quote there is no doubt that this persecution of the Jews doubt that this persecution of the Jews doubt that this persecution of the Jews in Hungary and their expulsion from in Hungary and their expulsion from in Hungary and their expulsion from enemy territory is probably the greatest enemy territory is probably the greatest enemy territory is probably the greatest and most horrible crime ever committed and most horrible crime ever committed and most horrible crime ever committed in the whole history of the world and it in the whole history of the world and it in the whole history of the world and it has been done by scientific Machinery by has been done by scientific Machinery by has been done by scientific Machinery by nominally civilized men in the name of a nominally civilized men in the name of a nominally civilized men in the name of a great state and one of the leading races great state and one of the leading races great state and one of the leading races of Europe it is quite clear that all of Europe it is quite clear that all of Europe it is quite clear that all concerned in this crime who may fall concerned in this crime who may fall concerned in this crime who may fall into our hands including the people who into our hands including the people who into our hands including the people who only obeyed orders by carrying out the
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only obeyed orders by carrying out the only obeyed orders by carrying out the butcheries should be put to death after butcheries should be put to death after butcheries should be put to death after their association with the murders has their association with the murders has their association with the murders has been proved I cannot therefore he writes been proved I cannot therefore he writes been proved I cannot therefore he writes feel that this is the kind of ordinary feel that this is the kind of ordinary feel that this is the kind of ordinary case which is put through the protecting case which is put through the protecting case which is put through the protecting power as for instance the lack of power as for instance the lack of power as for instance the lack of feeding or sanitary conditions in some feeding or sanitary conditions in some feeding or sanitary conditions in some particular prisoners Camp there should particular prisoners Camp there should particular prisoners Camp there should therefore be in my opinion no therefore be in my opinion no therefore be in my opinion no negotiations of any kind on this subject negotiations of any kind on this subject negotiations of any kind on this subject declarations should be made in public so declarations should be made in public so declarations should be made in public so that everyone connected with it will be that everyone connected with it will be that everyone connected with it will be hunted down and put to death end quote hunted down and put to death end quote hunted down and put to death end quote let's recall that this is before the let's recall that this is before the let's recall that this is before the finding of the concentration camps the finding of the concentration camps the finding of the concentration camps the death camps the camps that the Nazis death camps the camps that the Nazis death camps the camps that the Nazis themselves referred to as Annihilation themselves referred to as Annihilation themselves referred to as Annihilation camps I should probably address camps I should probably address camps I should probably address something right now that's already going something right now that's already going something right now that's already going to get me some feedback so that we uh to get me some feedback so that we uh to get me some feedback so that we uh make the distinction between Nazis and make the distinction between Nazis and make the distinction between Nazis and Germans and I've heard for example from Germans and I've heard for example from Germans and I've heard for example from Polish people over the years that they Polish people over the years that they Polish people over the years that they resent us referring to the Germans as resent us referring to the Germans as resent us referring to the Germans as Nazis as though that somehow exempts Nazis as though that somehow exempts Nazis as though that somehow exempts them from their crimes right that there them from their crimes right that there them from their crimes right that there are Nazis and Germans and that they're are Nazis and Germans and that they're are Nazis and Germans and that they're not the same but I think we should point not the same but I think we should point not the same but I think we should point out that this is the Nazi period of out that this is the Nazi period of out that this is the Nazi period of German history and that that is a unique German history and that that is a unique German history and that that is a unique period in German history and even if period in German history and even if period in German history and even if German troops for example in the first German troops for example in the first German troops for example in the first world war were exceedingly harsh with world war were exceedingly harsh with world war were exceedingly harsh with the civilian populations in some places the civilian populations in some places the civilian populations in some places right the Germans are famous for right the Germans are famous for right the Germans are famous for Collective punishment in the war if some Collective punishment in the war if some Collective punishment in the war if some um partisan shoots at a German soldier
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um partisan shoots at a German soldier um partisan shoots at a German soldier in the first world war it is not unusual in the first world war it is not unusual in the first world war it is not unusual for the Germans to line up a bunch of for the Germans to line up a bunch of for the Germans to line up a bunch of Civilian hostages and put them up Civilian hostages and put them up Civilian hostages and put them up against a wall and shoot them but that's against a wall and shoot them but that's against a wall and shoot them but that's not Nazi activity that's just well a lot not Nazi activity that's just well a lot not Nazi activity that's just well a lot of countries would do that but the of countries would do that but the of countries would do that but the Germans and before them the prussians Germans and before them the prussians Germans and before them the prussians specifically were very harsh about that specifically were very harsh about that specifically were very harsh about that kind of stuff but making a distinction kind of stuff but making a distinction kind of stuff but making a distinction about between that and putting people in about between that and putting people in about between that and putting people in concentration camps and gassing them is concentration camps and gassing them is concentration camps and gassing them is a very different thing that is the Nazi a very different thing that is the Nazi a very different thing that is the Nazi era specifically and what Dan Stone's era specifically and what Dan Stone's era specifically and what Dan Stone's book talks about and we'll get into it book talks about and we'll get into it book talks about and we'll get into it with Professor Stone himself is that you with Professor Stone himself is that you with Professor Stone himself is that you just can't write it off to Germans in just can't write it off to Germans in just can't write it off to Germans in any case because there were a lot of any case because there were a lot of any case because there were a lot of other Europeans whose anti-semitic ideas other Europeans whose anti-semitic ideas other Europeans whose anti-semitic ideas were tapped into and who became willing were tapped into and who became willing were tapped into and who became willing accomplices in all accomplices in all accomplices in all this but maybe we should talk for a this but maybe we should talk for a this but maybe we should talk for a second about who the Nazis were because second about who the Nazis were because second about who the Nazis were because the Holocaust becomes something the Holocaust becomes something the Holocaust becomes something difficult to imagine without difficult to imagine without difficult to imagine without them trying to describe the them trying to describe the them trying to describe the Nazis is difficult it's like a moving Nazis is difficult it's like a moving Nazis is difficult it's like a moving Target and there's a reason for for that Target and there's a reason for for that Target and there's a reason for for that but certainly they are fascinating to us but certainly they are fascinating to us but certainly they are fascinating to us even today I've heard it said that if even today I've heard it said that if even today I've heard it said that if you are a writer and you want to you are a writer and you want to you are a writer and you want to increase Book Sales all you need to do increase Book Sales all you need to do increase Book Sales all you need to do is figure out a justification for is figure out a justification for is figure out a justification for slapping a swastika on your book cover slapping a swastika on your book cover slapping a swastika on your book cover and you can be assured of increased Book and you can be assured of increased Book and you can be assured of increased Book Sales that says something doesn't it Sales that says something doesn't it Sales that says something doesn't it that's indicative of that's indicative of that's indicative of something the Nazis are a very strange
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something the Nazis are a very strange something the Nazis are a very strange group and you can contrast them with group and you can contrast them with group and you can contrast them with their great geopolitical and ideological their great geopolitical and ideological their great geopolitical and ideological opponents the Communists and in many opponents the Communists and in many opponents the Communists and in many ways they're opposites from each other ways they're opposites from each other ways they're opposites from each other the the the Communists of the Bolshevik movement the Communists of the Bolshevik movement the Communists of the Bolshevik movement the menik the maoists later all these groups menik the maoists later all these groups menik the maoists later all these groups were filled with communist intellectuals were filled with communist intellectuals were filled with communist intellectuals who killed bazillions of trees to use who killed bazillions of trees to use who killed bazillions of trees to use paper to make these arguments that even paper to make these arguments that even paper to make these arguments that even today make the heads of doctoral today make the heads of doctoral today make the heads of doctoral candidates in political science candidates in political science candidates in political science departments all over the world's departments all over the world's departments all over the world's headspin talking about the dict headspin talking about the dict headspin talking about the dict dictatorship of the proletariat and the dictatorship of the proletariat and the dictatorship of the proletariat and the historical dialectic and all these you historical dialectic and all these you historical dialectic and all these you know arguments that divide communism know arguments that divide communism know arguments that divide communism into all sorts of factions that disagree into all sorts of factions that disagree into all sorts of factions that disagree about that specific element of the about that specific element of the about that specific element of the ideology or not you didn't see this in ideology or not you didn't see this in ideology or not you didn't see this in Nazism because Nazism believed in Nazism because Nazism believed in Nazism because Nazism believed in something called the furer princip the something called the furer princip the something called the furer princip the leader principle and what that meant is leader principle and what that meant is leader principle and what that meant is these little discussions over you know these little discussions over you know these little discussions over you know what things like the word socialism what things like the word socialism what things like the word socialism meant didn't matter cuz all that meant didn't matter cuz all that meant didn't matter cuz all that mattered is what the leader said it m it mattered is what the leader said it m it mattered is what the leader said it m it said it meant and if it changed tomorrow said it meant and if it changed tomorrow said it meant and if it changed tomorrow that's okay too I mean when you listen that's okay too I mean when you listen that's okay too I mean when you listen to Hitler talk about socialism you get a to Hitler talk about socialism you get a to Hitler talk about socialism you get a really interesting glimpse into the idea really interesting glimpse into the idea really interesting glimpse into the idea that what he thinks socialism means that what he thinks socialism means that what he thinks socialism means doesn't sound anything like what doesn't sound anything like what doesn't sound anything like what somebody today would describe it as but somebody today would describe it as but somebody today would describe it as but he didn't have to be consistent and he he didn't have to be consistent and he he didn't have to be consistent and he didn't have to be accurate it didn't didn't have to be accurate it didn't didn't have to be accurate it didn't matter the Nazis are a strange group of matter the Nazis are a strange group of matter the Nazis are a strange group of what we would today call conspiracy
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what we would today call conspiracy what we would today call conspiracy theorists they are made possible by the theorists they are made possible by the theorists they are made possible by the disruption caused cused by the first disruption caused cused by the first disruption caused cused by the first world war and ironically the Communists world war and ironically the Communists world war and ironically the Communists in the Soviet Union were too it's not a in the Soviet Union were too it's not a in the Soviet Union were too it's not a movement that makes any sense without movement that makes any sense without movement that makes any sense without talking about the first world war and talking about the first world war and talking about the first world war and the loss in the first world war was the loss in the first world war was the loss in the first world war was something that Hitler and many people something that Hitler and many people something that Hitler and many people like him considered to be the greatest like him considered to be the greatest like him considered to be the greatest tragedy in German history and he blamed tragedy in German history and he blamed tragedy in German history and he blamed it on certain people people he called it on certain people people he called it on certain people people he called the November criminals the November the November criminals the November the November criminals the November criminals were socialists and Jews both criminals were socialists and Jews both criminals were socialists and Jews both of whom were almost the same in Hitler's of whom were almost the same in Hitler's of whom were almost the same in Hitler's mind mind mind sometimes the Nazis came to power in an sometimes the Nazis came to power in an sometimes the Nazis came to power in an era where the idea of radical extremes era where the idea of radical extremes era where the idea of radical extremes was particularly in Vogue because there was particularly in Vogue because there was particularly in Vogue because there wasn't a widely admired sort of moderate wasn't a widely admired sort of moderate wasn't a widely admired sort of moderate choice for the German people the choice for the German people the choice for the German people the government at the time the viar Republic government at the time the viar Republic government at the time the viar Republic was seen as corrupt it was seen as was seen as corrupt it was seen as was seen as corrupt it was seen as ineffectual it was seen as something ineffectual it was seen as something ineffectual it was seen as something that was installed by Germany's enemies that was installed by Germany's enemies that was installed by Germany's enemies and at the time that the viar Republic and at the time that the viar Republic and at the time that the viar Republic was falling apart the two extremes on was falling apart the two extremes on was falling apart the two extremes on the political Spectrum the farle with the political Spectrum the farle with the political Spectrum the farle with the Communists and the far right with the Communists and the far right with the Communists and the far right with the Nazis were at in open Warfare in the the Nazis were at in open Warfare in the the Nazis were at in open Warfare in the streets against each other and so if you streets against each other and so if you streets against each other and so if you were an average German voter your were an average German voter your were an average German voter your choices were the far left the far right choices were the far left the far right choices were the far left the far right or the discredited moderate government or the discredited moderate government or the discredited moderate government in the middle which many people saw as in the middle which many people saw as in the middle which many people saw as no choice at
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no choice at no choice at all there is an attitude in the United all there is an attitude in the United all there is an attitude in the United States especially today that the Germans States especially today that the Germans States especially today that the Germans were a left-wing Movement Like were a left-wing Movement Like were a left-wing Movement Like Communists and Communists and Communists and socialists this Bears a little bit of socialists this Bears a little bit of socialists this Bears a little bit of discussion although I've done a whole discussion although I've done a whole discussion although I've done a whole Hardcore History addendum show about it Hardcore History addendum show about it Hardcore History addendum show about it with danieli belli where we talked about with danieli belli where we talked about with danieli belli where we talked about why this isn't so but the bottom line is why this isn't so but the bottom line is why this isn't so but the bottom line is that when you talk about things like that when you talk about things like that when you talk about things like right-wing or left-wing and political right-wing or left-wing and political right-wing or left-wing and political spectrums these are all human constructs spectrums these are all human constructs spectrums these are all human constructs and if you change the criteria you're and if you change the criteria you're and if you change the criteria you're using you can put any sort of political using you can put any sort of political using you can put any sort of political system anywhere you want but if we're system anywhere you want but if we're system anywhere you want but if we're playing the game here comparing Apples playing the game here comparing Apples playing the game here comparing Apples to Apples well then you have to use the to Apples well then you have to use the to Apples well then you have to use the political spectrum that was in Vogue political spectrum that was in Vogue political spectrum that was in Vogue from the beginning which is like 18th from the beginning which is like 18th from the beginning which is like 18th century France up until about the 1980s century France up until about the 1980s century France up until about the 1980s when people started creating their own when people started creating their own when people started creating their own political spectrums with different political spectrums with different political spectrums with different criteria um if you want to say that the criteria um if you want to say that the criteria um if you want to say that the Nazis are a left-wing movement you have Nazis are a left-wing movement you have Nazis are a left-wing movement you have to use a criteria that only bases you to use a criteria that only bases you to use a criteria that only bases you know where you place systems on know where you place systems on know where you place systems on something like freedom in which case oh something like freedom in which case oh something like freedom in which case oh you can lump all totalitarian regimes on you can lump all totalitarian regimes on you can lump all totalitarian regimes on the left and all free regimes on the the left and all free regimes on the the left and all free regimes on the right and and call the Nazis anything right and and call the Nazis anything right and and call the Nazis anything you want but traditionally there's a you want but traditionally there's a you want but traditionally there's a list of criteria that's been used from list of criteria that's been used from list of criteria that's been used from time immemorial and if you use that one time immemorial and if you use that one time immemorial and if you use that one the Nazis fit firmly on the right let me the Nazis fit firmly on the right let me the Nazis fit firmly on the right let me show the differences very quickly show the differences very quickly show the differences very quickly between say the far left and the far between say the far left and the far between say the far left and the far right the far right is nationalistic right the far right is nationalistic right the far right is nationalistic right they're they believe in in a right they're they believe in in a right they're they believe in in a country a nation or a race they're not country a nation or a race they're not country a nation or a race they're not internationalist it's an Us and Them
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internationalist it's an Us and Them internationalist it's an Us and Them kind of philosophy the farle is kind of philosophy the farle is kind of philosophy the farle is internationalist their belief is internationalist their belief is internationalist their belief is class-based which means that people in class-based which means that people in class-based which means that people in other countries can be allies or other countries can be allies or other countries can be allies or countrymen just as much as people in countrymen just as much as people in countrymen just as much as people in your own country I mean the old your own country I mean the old your own country I mean the old communist line and socialist line was communist line and socialist line was communist line and socialist line was workers of the World Unite well that's workers of the World Unite well that's workers of the World Unite well that's not something people on the far right not something people on the far right not something people on the far right would say because they don't want people would say because they don't want people would say because they don't want people from other countries uniting with them from other countries uniting with them from other countries uniting with them generally they believe in their country generally they believe in their country generally they believe in their country workers of the World Unite is a national workers of the World Unite is a national workers of the World Unite is a national is an internationalis is an internationalis is an internationalis phrase the far-right regime often phrase the far-right regime often phrase the far-right regime often hearken back to a glorious past a hearken back to a glorious past a hearken back to a glorious past a mythological past a romanticized past mythological past a romanticized past mythological past a romanticized past that they want to take you know the that they want to take you know the that they want to take you know the people back to right whereas the farle people back to right whereas the farle people back to right whereas the farle are looking forward to some sort of are looking forward to some sort of are looking forward to some sort of Glorious future which has never happened Glorious future which has never happened Glorious future which has never happened before and is only made possible by before and is only made possible by before and is only made possible by things like the progression of systems things like the progression of systems things like the progression of systems right so the Communist believe that right so the Communist believe that right so the Communist believe that capitalism eventually would uh destroy capitalism eventually would uh destroy capitalism eventually would uh destroy itself from its internal contradictions itself from its internal contradictions itself from its internal contradictions and when it did it would it would and when it did it would it would and when it did it would it would naturally progressed to the next stage naturally progressed to the next stage naturally progressed to the next stage of economic human development communism of economic human development communism of economic human development communism so it looked forward to some sort of so it looked forward to some sort of so it looked forward to some sort of Glorious untested utopian Glorious untested utopian Glorious untested utopian future the Communists and the far left future the Communists and the far left future the Communists and the far left believed in the proletariat the working believed in the proletariat the working believed in the proletariat the working class the far right believed in the vulk class the far right believed in the vulk class the far right believed in the vulk or the folk the uh the racial society or the folk the uh the racial society or the folk the uh the racial society and and and Community the farle had an academic sort Community the farle had an academic sort Community the farle had an academic sort of patina on top of you know their
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of patina on top of you know their of patina on top of you know their systems in other words a whole bunch of systems in other words a whole bunch of systems in other words a whole bunch of intellectuals debating this aspect or intellectuals debating this aspect or intellectuals debating this aspect or that aspect guys like Lenin or trosy or that aspect guys like Lenin or trosy or that aspect guys like Lenin or trosy or cev or zenov or buaran and all these you cev or zenov or buaran and all these you cev or zenov or buaran and all these you know people that were economic theorists know people that were economic theorists know people that were economic theorists the far rights mystical and in the furer the far rights mystical and in the furer the far rights mystical and in the furer prin of believes in the idea that the prin of believes in the idea that the prin of believes in the idea that the charismatic leader can determine all charismatic leader can determine all charismatic leader can determine all this for this for this for himself both the far right and the far himself both the far right and the far himself both the far right and the far left can be considered populist at times left can be considered populist at times left can be considered populist at times and if you're somebody that thinks that and if you're somebody that thinks that and if you're somebody that thinks that the name uh the Nazi part party which is the name uh the Nazi part party which is the name uh the Nazi part party which is officially the national German Socialist officially the national German Socialist officially the national German Socialist Workers Party or the National Socialist Workers Party or the National Socialist Workers Party or the National Socialist German Workers Party uh proclaims that German Workers Party uh proclaims that German Workers Party uh proclaims that they are socialist you have to dig a they are socialist you have to dig a they are socialist you have to dig a little deeper into what that little deeper into what that little deeper into what that means first of all never take movements means first of all never take movements means first of all never take movements or the names of Nations at face value or the names of Nations at face value or the names of Nations at face value because there's always some marketing because there's always some marketing because there's always some marketing going on so for example if you look at a going on so for example if you look at a going on so for example if you look at a place like North Korea today North Korea place like North Korea today North Korea place like North Korea today North Korea is a hereditary dictatorship right a is a hereditary dictatorship right a is a hereditary dictatorship right a hereditary dictatorship they are an hereditary dictatorship they are an hereditary dictatorship they are an autocratic Society but what's their autocratic Society but what's their autocratic Society but what's their official name they are the Democratic official name they are the Democratic official name they are the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea so they People's Republic of North Korea so they People's Republic of North Korea so they have both the words Democratic and have both the words Democratic and have both the words Democratic and Republic in their name even though Republic in their name even though Republic in their name even though they're nothing like either one of those they're nothing like either one of those they're nothing like either one of those systems the Communist Chinese are the systems the Communist Chinese are the systems the Communist Chinese are the People's Republic of China the People's Republic of China the People's Republic of China the Islamic um dictatorship of Iran is the Islamic um dictatorship of Iran is the Islamic um dictatorship of Iran is the Islamic Republic of Iran officially so Islamic Republic of Iran officially so Islamic Republic of Iran officially so these are all marketing terms and Hitler
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these are all marketing terms and Hitler these are all marketing terms and Hitler made it very clear in mind comp that made it very clear in mind comp that made it very clear in mind comp that they would often laugh at the fact that they would often laugh at the fact that they would often laugh at the fact that they would choose these phrases that they would choose these phrases that they would choose these phrases that would confuse the German public about would confuse the German public about would confuse the German public about what they were all about so if you go what they were all about so if you go what they were all about so if you go read mine comp by the way which is read mine comp by the way which is read mine comp by the way which is Hitler's let's call it a Hitler's let's call it a Hitler's let's call it a Manifesto written when he was in prison Manifesto written when he was in prison Manifesto written when he was in prison and he was sentenced to prison because and he was sentenced to prison because and he was sentenced to prison because he was part of a failed coup and when he he was part of a failed coup and when he he was part of a failed coup and when he was in prison he dictated this book to was in prison he dictated this book to was in prison he dictated this book to his followers it was meant to be uh a his followers it was meant to be uh a his followers it was meant to be uh a political document it's it's propaganda political document it's it's propaganda political document it's it's propaganda but it does tell you quite a bit about but it does tell you quite a bit about but it does tell you quite a bit about his thinking and in it he talks about his thinking and in it he talks about his thinking and in it he talks about choosing symbols that are normally choosing symbols that are normally choosing symbols that are normally associated with the farle but doing it associated with the farle but doing it associated with the farle but doing it deliberately and in mind conf Hitler deliberately and in mind conf Hitler deliberately and in mind conf Hitler writes quote the red color of our writes quote the red color of our writes quote the red color of our posters in itself drew them meaning the posters in itself drew them meaning the posters in itself drew them meaning the Communists and socialists to our meeting Communists and socialists to our meeting Communists and socialists to our meeting Halls the run-of-the-mill Bourgeois were Halls the run-of-the-mill Bourgeois were Halls the run-of-the-mill Bourgeois were horrified that we had seized upon the horrified that we had seized upon the horrified that we had seized upon the red of the Bolsheviks and they regarded red of the Bolsheviks and they regarded red of the Bolsheviks and they regarded this as all very ambiguous the German this as all very ambiguous the German this as all very ambiguous the German national Souls kept privately whispering national Souls kept privately whispering national Souls kept privately whispering to each other the suspicion that to each other the suspicion that to each other the suspicion that basically we were nothing but a species basically we were nothing but a species basically we were nothing but a species of Marxism perhaps marxists or rather of Marxism perhaps marxists or rather of Marxism perhaps marxists or rather socialists in Disguise for to this very socialists in Disguise for to this very socialists in Disguise for to this very day these scatterbrains have not day these scatterbrains have not day these scatterbrains have not understood the difference between understood the difference between understood the difference between socialism and Marxism especially when socialism and Marxism especially when socialism and Marxism especially when they discovered that as a matter of they discovered that as a matter of they discovered that as a matter of principle we greeted in our meetings no principle we greeted in our meetings no principle we greeted in our meetings no ladies and gentlemen but only National ladies and gentlemen but only National ladies and gentlemen but only National comrades and among ourselves spoke only
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comrades and among ourselves spoke only comrades and among ourselves spoke only of party comrades let me stop for a of party comrades let me stop for a of party comrades let me stop for a minute and just say what he's basically minute and just say what he's basically minute and just say what he's basically saying is they were using even the saying is they were using even the saying is they were using even the terminology that Communists use when terminology that Communists use when terminology that Communists use when they greeted each other they comrades they greeted each other they comrades they greeted each other they comrades and they found this even more confusing and they found this even more confusing and they found this even more confusing he continues quote the Marxist spook he continues quote the Marxist spook he continues quote the Marxist spook seemed demonstrated for many of our seemed demonstrated for many of our seemed demonstrated for many of our enemies how often we shook with laughter enemies how often we shook with laughter enemies how often we shook with laughter at these simple Bourgeois scare cats at at these simple Bourgeois scare cats at at these simple Bourgeois scare cats at the sight of their ingenious witty the sight of their ingenious witty the sight of their ingenious witty gessing games about our origin our gessing games about our origin our gessing games about our origin our intentions and our goal which chose the intentions and our goal which chose the intentions and our goal which chose the red color of our posters he writes after red color of our posters he writes after red color of our posters he writes after careful and thorough reflection in order careful and thorough reflection in order careful and thorough reflection in order to provoke the left to drive them to to provoke the left to drive them to to provoke the left to drive them to indignation and lead them to attend our indignation and lead them to attend our indignation and lead them to attend our meetings if only to break them up in meetings if only to break them up in meetings if only to break them up in order to have some chance to speak to order to have some chance to speak to order to have some chance to speak to the people end quote when Hitler talks the people end quote when Hitler talks the people end quote when Hitler talks about Reds by the way he's talking about about Reds by the way he's talking about about Reds by the way he's talking about the Communists when he talks about using the Communists when he talks about using the Communists when he talks about using terms like he's not using ladies and terms like he's not using ladies and terms like he's not using ladies and gentlemen but he's using party comrades gentlemen but he's using party comrades gentlemen but he's using party comrades and all that that's all communist sort and all that that's all communist sort and all that that's all communist sort of terminology too of terminology too of terminology too but the Nazis were fanatically but the Nazis were fanatically but the Nazis were fanatically anti-communism enemies and they saw the anti-communism enemies and they saw the anti-communism enemies and they saw the Communists as being um a Jewish Communists as being um a Jewish Communists as being um a Jewish movement but being the conspiracy movement but being the conspiracy movement but being the conspiracy theories that they were and they're theories that they were and they're theories that they were and they're almost bipolar in their conspiracy almost bipolar in their conspiracy almost bipolar in their conspiracy theories because they could at the same theories because they could at the same theories because they could at the same time believe that the Jews were a time believe that the Jews were a time believe that the Jews were a subhuman species and yet they controlled subhuman species and yet they controlled subhuman species and yet they controlled the world right in the Nazi mind right the world right in the Nazi mind right the world right in the Nazi mind right they they control both the capitalistic they they control both the capitalistic they they control both the capitalistic societies the banking centers of London
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societies the banking centers of London societies the banking centers of London and New York and places like that by and New York and places like that by and New York and places like that by pulling the strings like Puppet Masters pulling the strings like Puppet Masters pulling the strings like Puppet Masters but they also controlled the most anti- but they also controlled the most anti- but they also controlled the most anti- capitalist most anti-democratic capitalist most anti-democratic capitalist most anti-democratic societies of the world too right the the societies of the world too right the the societies of the world too right the the Soviet Union and the Communist so they Soviet Union and the Communist so they Soviet Union and the Communist so they they were this subhuman group of people they were this subhuman group of people they were this subhuman group of people that controlled most of the world it's a that controlled most of the world it's a that controlled most of the world it's a strange sort of bipolar way of seeing strange sort of bipolar way of seeing strange sort of bipolar way of seeing these um individuals they the Nazis saw these um individuals they the Nazis saw these um individuals they the Nazis saw them as polluters of the blood and the them as polluters of the blood and the them as polluters of the blood and the blood was part of the Nazi philosophy blood was part of the Nazi philosophy blood was part of the Nazi philosophy that Al goes into the late 19th century that Al goes into the late 19th century that Al goes into the late 19th century mid 20th century ideas of things like mid 20th century ideas of things like mid 20th century ideas of things like social Darwinism and social Darwinism and social Darwinism and eugenics in his history of the second eugenics in his history of the second eugenics in his history of the second world war in the first edition of the world war in the first edition of the world war in the first edition of the series of books the Gathering storm series of books the Gathering storm series of books the Gathering storm Winston Churchill tried his hand at Winston Churchill tried his hand at Winston Churchill tried his hand at describing the philosophy of the Nazis describing the philosophy of the Nazis describing the philosophy of the Nazis as outlined in mine comp and Churchill as outlined in mine comp and Churchill as outlined in mine comp and Churchill wrote wrote wrote quote the main thesis of mine comp is quote the main thesis of mine comp is quote the main thesis of mine comp is Simple Man is a fighting animal Simple Man is a fighting animal Simple Man is a fighting animal therefore the nation being a community therefore the nation being a community therefore the nation being a community of Fighters is a fighting unit any of Fighters is a fighting unit any of Fighters is a fighting unit any living organism which ceases to fight living organism which ceases to fight living organism which ceases to fight for its existence is doomed to for its existence is doomed to for its existence is doomed to Extinction a country or race which Extinction a country or race which Extinction a country or race which ceases to fight is equally doomed the ceases to fight is equally doomed the ceases to fight is equally doomed the fighting capacity of a race church or fighting capacity of a race church or fighting capacity of a race church or rights about Mom depends upon its Purity rights about Mom depends upon its Purity rights about Mom depends upon its Purity hence the need for ridding it of foreign hence the need for ridding it of foreign hence the need for ridding it of foreign defilements the Jewish race owing to its defilements the Jewish race owing to its defilements the Jewish race owing to its universality is of necessity pacifist universality is of necessity pacifist universality is of necessity pacifist and internationalist and internationalist and internationalist pacifism is the deadliest sin for it
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pacifism is the deadliest sin for it pacifism is the deadliest sin for it means the surrender of the race in the means the surrender of the race in the means the surrender of the race in the fight for existence the first duty of fight for existence the first duty of fight for existence the first duty of every country is therefore to every country is therefore to every country is therefore to nationalize the masses intelligence in nationalize the masses intelligence in nationalize the masses intelligence in the case of individuals is not of first the case of individuals is not of first the case of individuals is not of first importance will and determination are importance will and determination are importance will and determination are the prime qualities the individual who the prime qualities the individual who the prime qualities the individual who is born to command is more valuable than is born to command is more valuable than is born to command is more valuable than countless thousands of subordinate countless thousands of subordinate countless thousands of subordinate Natures only brute force can ensure the Natures only brute force can ensure the Natures only brute force can ensure the survival of the race hence the necessity survival of the race hence the necessity survival of the race hence the necessity for mil military forms the race must for mil military forms the race must for mil military forms the race must fight a race that rests must rust and fight a race that rests must rust and fight a race that rests must rust and perish end quote he then points out that perish end quote he then points out that perish end quote he then points out that the aristocratic principle meaning you the aristocratic principle meaning you the aristocratic principle meaning you know the rule of a single individual know the rule of a single individual know the rule of a single individual like a king is fundamentally sound and like a king is fundamentally sound and like a king is fundamentally sound and intellectualism is undesirable then you get to the undesirable then you get to the socialism part when it comes to Hitler's socialism part when it comes to Hitler's socialism part when it comes to Hitler's view of the party now it should be view of the party now it should be view of the party now it should be pointed out that when people will talk pointed out that when people will talk pointed out that when people will talk about about the Nazis as a socialistic about about the Nazis as a socialistic about about the Nazis as a socialistic leftwing movement they often will quote leftwing movement they often will quote leftwing movement they often will quote things from the party very early on in things from the party very early on in things from the party very early on in the party's history like the early 1920s the party's history like the early 1920s the party's history like the early 1920s for example which is a decade before for example which is a decade before for example which is a decade before Hitler comes to power those sorts of Hitler comes to power those sorts of Hitler comes to power those sorts of ideas predated Hitler in a lot of ideas predated Hitler in a lot of ideas predated Hitler in a lot of respects and by the time he comes to respects and by the time he comes to respects and by the time he comes to power in the early 1930s he completely power in the early 1930s he completely power in the early 1930s he completely transformed the party and and exiled or transformed the party and and exiled or transformed the party and and exiled or often murdered the people who believed often murdered the people who believed often murdered the people who believed in socialism as a real thing I've heard in socialism as a real thing I've heard in socialism as a real thing I've heard it described the Nazi party when Hitler it described the Nazi party when Hitler it described the Nazi party when Hitler took over as a corporate shell or the took over as a corporate shell or the took over as a corporate shell or the equivalent of a corporate shell where he
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equivalent of a corporate shell where he equivalent of a corporate shell where he goes in and just takes the forms and goes in and just takes the forms and goes in and just takes the forms and then revamps it all you know to suit his then revamps it all you know to suit his then revamps it all you know to suit his Viewpoint if you want to hear Hitler Viewpoint if you want to hear Hitler Viewpoint if you want to hear Hitler describe socialism you have to decide describe socialism you have to decide describe socialism you have to decide which speech you want to try to pin him which speech you want to try to pin him which speech you want to try to pin him down on because he changes his mind all down on because he changes his mind all down on because he changes his mind all the time and again as part of the leader the time and again as part of the leader the time and again as part of the leader principle the furer princip that's just principle the furer princip that's just principle the furer princip that's just fine for example in 1922 uh American fine for example in 1922 uh American fine for example in 1922 uh American journalist William Shyer who was journalist William Shyer who was journalist William Shyer who was stationed in Germany uh as a news stationed in Germany uh as a news stationed in Germany uh as a news reporter dur the entire rise of the reporter dur the entire rise of the reporter dur the entire rise of the Nazis who went from speech to speech to Nazis who went from speech to speech to Nazis who went from speech to speech to speech watching Hitler talk uh and never speech watching Hitler talk uh and never speech watching Hitler talk uh and never got his mind around what the heck the got his mind around what the heck the got his mind around what the heck the Nazis were all about tried to understand Nazis were all about tried to understand Nazis were all about tried to understand it spoke German uh Shyer quoted Hitler it spoke German uh Shyer quoted Hitler it spoke German uh Shyer quoted Hitler in a speech describing what socialism in a speech describing what socialism in a speech describing what socialism was in was in was in 1922 and this is a definition that would 1922 and this is a definition that would 1922 and this is a definition that would apply to Americans who believe in the apply to Americans who believe in the apply to Americans who believe in the Second Amendment the flag God and the Second Amendment the flag God and the Second Amendment the flag God and the singing of America the Beautiful with singing of America the Beautiful with singing of America the Beautiful with your hand over your heart shyra says in your hand over your heart shyra says in your hand over your heart shyra says in 1922 this is Hitler's description of 1922 this is Hitler's description of 1922 this is Hitler's description of what a socialist is from a speech he what a socialist is from a speech he what a socialist is from a speech he gave and that shyra rended quote whoever gave and that shyra rended quote whoever gave and that shyra rended quote whoever is prepared to make the national cause is prepared to make the national cause is prepared to make the national cause his own to such an extent that he knows his own to such an extent that he knows his own to such an extent that he knows no higher ideal than the welfare of his no higher ideal than the welfare of his no higher ideal than the welfare of his Nation Whoever has understood our great Nation Whoever has understood our great Nation Whoever has understood our great national anthem deuts land Uber ales to national anthem deuts land Uber ales to national anthem deuts land Uber ales to mean that nothing in the wide world mean that nothing in the wide world mean that nothing in the wide world surpasses in his eyes this Germany surpasses in his eyes this Germany surpasses in his eyes this Germany people and land that man is a socialist people and land that man is a socialist people and land that man is a socialist and end and end and end quote then there's the Messianic leader quote then there's the Messianic leader quote then there's the Messianic leader side of this um there is a religious or
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side of this um there is a religious or side of this um there is a religious or pseudo religious um belief in the almost pseudo religious um belief in the almost pseudo religious um belief in the almost God chosen role of this furer figure in God chosen role of this furer figure in God chosen role of this furer figure in the country that the country that the country that defies rational analysis this is the defies rational analysis this is the defies rational analysis this is the mystical side of Nazism and it's mystical side of Nazism and it's mystical side of Nazism and it's discussed in historian Stephan discussed in historian Stephan discussed in historian Stephan melanowski who was born in Berlin by the melanowski who was born in Berlin by the melanowski who was born in Berlin by the way he's at the University of Edinburgh way he's at the University of Edinburgh way he's at the University of Edinburgh now um historian he describes it in his now um historian he describes it in his now um historian he describes it in his book Nazis and Nobles and this is an book Nazis and Nobles and this is an book Nazis and Nobles and this is an important thing to pay attention to important thing to pay attention to important thing to pay attention to because as one of my history professors because as one of my history professors because as one of my history professors said once when you're trying to nail said once when you're trying to nail said once when you're trying to nail down the political uh allies the place down the political uh allies the place down the political uh allies the place you would put someone on the political you would put someone on the political you would put someone on the political Spectrum right are the Communists far Spectrum right are the Communists far Spectrum right are the Communists far left or far right are the Nazis far left left or far right are the Nazis far left left or far right are the Nazis far left or far right he said don't listen to or far right he said don't listen to or far right he said don't listen to what they say look at who they associate what they say look at who they associate what they say look at who they associate with right judge them by the company with right judge them by the company with right judge them by the company they keep they keep they keep and malinowski writes about the weird and malinowski writes about the weird and malinowski writes about the weird Messianic uh charismatic rule of the Messianic uh charismatic rule of the Messianic uh charismatic rule of the furer and how that plays into the whole furer and how that plays into the whole furer and how that plays into the whole system this is something that was not a system this is something that was not a system this is something that was not a part of bolshevism at least not until part of bolshevism at least not until part of bolshevism at least not until Joseph Stalin's time uh when the cult of Joseph Stalin's time uh when the cult of Joseph Stalin's time uh when the cult of personality took over and malanowski personality took over and malanowski personality took over and malanowski writes quote although they certainly did writes quote although they certainly did writes quote although they certainly did not see eye to eye on every detail the not see eye to eye on every detail the not see eye to eye on every detail the general thrust of the furer follower general thrust of the furer follower general thrust of the furer follower ideal a concept that stood in in Stark ideal a concept that stood in in Stark ideal a concept that stood in in Stark opposition to the Democratic and opposition to the Democratic and opposition to the Democratic and egalitarian social models represented egalitarian social models represented egalitarian social models represented one of the most significant bridges that one of the most significant bridges that one of the most significant bridges that facilitated relationships between the
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facilitated relationships between the facilitated relationships between the different groups of the emergent new different groups of the emergent new different groups of the emergent new right there were two main reasons for right there were two main reasons for right there were two main reasons for this firstly the concept contained this firstly the concept contained this firstly the concept contained various diffus but eminently powerful various diffus but eminently powerful various diffus but eminently powerful blends of irrational Messianic pseudo blends of irrational Messianic pseudo blends of irrational Messianic pseudo religious elements that were religious elements that were religious elements that were comfortingly similar to the new rights comfortingly similar to the new rights comfortingly similar to the new rights typical rhetorical and symbolic idiom typical rhetorical and symbolic idiom typical rhetorical and symbolic idiom and secondly both both the ideal and the and secondly both both the ideal and the and secondly both both the ideal and the reality of National Socialist ferum came reality of National Socialist ferum came reality of National Socialist ferum came to signify a system of charismatic to signify a system of charismatic to signify a system of charismatic personal rule that was worlds apart from personal rule that was worlds apart from personal rule that was worlds apart from democracy's Anonymous elections and the democracy's Anonymous elections and the democracy's Anonymous elections and the cold mechanisms of modern bureaucracy cold mechanisms of modern bureaucracy cold mechanisms of modern bureaucracy indeed the Nazis ideal furer was a indeed the Nazis ideal furer was a indeed the Nazis ideal furer was a decisive Warrior who had been annealed decisive Warrior who had been annealed decisive Warrior who had been annealed by the staler literally the storm of by the staler literally the storm of by the staler literally the storm of Steel that was rained down by artillery Steel that was rained down by artillery Steel that was rained down by artillery fire and represented the antithesis of fire and represented the antithesis of fire and represented the antithesis of the feeble desk bound the feeble desk bound the feeble desk bound bureaucrat end quote he says that this bureaucrat end quote he says that this bureaucrat end quote he says that this ideal of charismatic rule was a ideal of charismatic rule was a ideal of charismatic rule was a phenomenon that was rooted in irrational phenomenon that was rooted in irrational phenomenon that was rooted in irrational religious and emotional religious and emotional religious and emotional forces and now based on this idea of forces and now based on this idea of forces and now based on this idea of judging a movement by the company it judging a movement by the company it judging a movement by the company it keeps right so if if the Nazis are keeps right so if if the Nazis are keeps right so if if the Nazis are socialists then you would think of socialists then you would think of socialists then you would think of people who would talk about you know people who would talk about you know people who would talk about you know labor unions and trade unions about the labor unions and trade unions about the labor unions and trade unions about the ownership of the means of production I ownership of the means of production I ownership of the means of production I mean there's a whole lot of things that mean there's a whole lot of things that mean there's a whole lot of things that go into what Socialism or communism is go into what Socialism or communism is go into what Socialism or communism is but the Nazis didn't work with workers but the Nazis didn't work with workers but the Nazis didn't work with workers they worked with management they worked they worked with management they worked they worked with management they worked with the giant corporate firms that made
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with the giant corporate firms that made with the giant corporate firms that made Germany the industrial Powerhouse that Germany the industrial Powerhouse that Germany the industrial Powerhouse that it was and there was a partnership it was and there was a partnership it was and there was a partnership between the two in his fantastic book between the two in his fantastic book between the two in his fantastic book economic historian Adam tw's in the economic historian Adam tw's in the economic historian Adam tw's in the wages of Destruction talks about a very wages of Destruction talks about a very wages of Destruction talks about a very famous meeting between the Nazis when famous meeting between the Nazis when famous meeting between the Nazis when they first come to power and the great they first come to power and the great they first come to power and the great industrial firms in Germany on February industrial firms in Germany on February industrial firms in Germany on February 20th 20th 20th 1933 he talks about the amount of money 1933 he talks about the amount of money 1933 he talks about the amount of money that these giant firms gave and what the that these giant firms gave and what the that these giant firms gave and what the promises of the Nazis to these groups promises of the Nazis to these groups promises of the Nazis to these groups were and T writes were and T writes were and T writes quote the meeting of 20th February and quote the meeting of 20th February and quote the meeting of 20th February and its aftermath are the most notorious its aftermath are the most notorious its aftermath are the most notorious instances of the willingness of German instances of the willingness of German instances of the willingness of German big business to assist Hitler in big business to assist Hitler in big business to assist Hitler in establishing his dictatorial regime the establishing his dictatorial regime the establishing his dictatorial regime the evidence cannot be dodged nothing evidence cannot be dodged nothing evidence cannot be dodged nothing suggest that the leaders of German big suggest that the leaders of German big suggest that the leaders of German big business were filled with ideological business were filled with ideological business were filled with ideological ardor for national socialism before or ardor for national socialism before or ardor for national socialism before or after February 1933 nor did Hitler ask after February 1933 nor did Hitler ask after February 1933 nor did Hitler ask krupen company to sign up to an agenda krupen company to sign up to an agenda krupen company to sign up to an agenda of violent anti-Semitism or a war of of violent anti-Semitism or a war of of violent anti-Semitism or a war of Conquest he continues but what Hitler Conquest he continues but what Hitler Conquest he continues but what Hitler and his government did promise was an and his government did promise was an and his government did promise was an end to parliamentary democracy and the end to parliamentary democracy and the end to parliamentary democracy and the destruction of the German left and for destruction of the German left and for destruction of the German left and for this most of German big business was this most of German big business was this most of German big business was willing to make a substantial down willing to make a substantial down willing to make a substantial down payment end quote how substantial are we payment end quote how substantial are we payment end quote how substantial are we talking about well Adam tws runs down talking about well Adam tws runs down talking about well Adam tws runs down some of the big contributions from the some of the big contributions from the some of the big contributions from the big industrial Giants of Germany to the big industrial Giants of Germany to the big industrial Giants of Germany to the Nazi party to give them the crucial
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Nazi party to give them the crucial Nazi party to give them the crucial early support that allowed them to early support that allowed them to early support that allowed them to solidify their position and he writes solidify their position and he writes solidify their position and he writes quote the largest individual donations quote the largest individual donations quote the largest individual donations came from IG farbin 400,000 reichs marks came from IG farbin 400,000 reichs marks came from IG farbin 400,000 reichs marks and the Deutsche Bank 200,000 reichs and the Deutsche Bank 200,000 reichs and the Deutsche Bank 200,000 reichs marks the association of the mining marks the association of the mining marks the association of the mining industry also made a generous deposit of industry also made a generous deposit of industry also made a generous deposit of 400,000 Reich marks other large donors 400,000 Reich marks other large donors 400,000 Reich marks other large donors included the organizers of the Berlin included the organizers of the Berlin included the organizers of the Berlin automobile exhibition 100,000 reiches automobile exhibition 100,000 reiches automobile exhibition 100,000 reiches marks and a cluster of electrical marks and a cluster of electrical marks and a cluster of electrical engineering corporations including tunen engineering corporations including tunen engineering corporations including tunen AEG and the accumulator in fabriek end AEG and the accumulator in fabriek end AEG and the accumulator in fabriek end quote again if we are judging a movement quote again if we are judging a movement quote again if we are judging a movement by the company it keeps the German Nazi by the company it keeps the German Nazi by the company it keeps the German Nazi party is aligned with groups of military party is aligned with groups of military party is aligned with groups of military par paramilitary by this time uh veteran par paramilitary by this time uh veteran par paramilitary by this time uh veteran soldiers like the stalh helm and the fry soldiers like the stalh helm and the fry soldiers like the stalh helm and the fry cor who go after socialists and cor who go after socialists and cor who go after socialists and Communists in the streets with their Communists in the streets with their Communists in the streets with their fists or fists or fists or Worse Hitler is appointed Chancellor Worse Hitler is appointed Chancellor Worse Hitler is appointed Chancellor initially the first time he gets in initially the first time he gets in initially the first time he gets in there by the old Field Marshal the there by the old Field Marshal the there by the old Field Marshal the Prussian Field Marshal Von Hindenberg Prussian Field Marshal Von Hindenberg Prussian Field Marshal Von Hindenberg who was himself a devote of the German who was himself a devote of the German who was himself a devote of the German Emperor and was a virtual military Emperor and was a virtual military Emperor and was a virtual military dictator of Germany in the last couple dictator of Germany in the last couple dictator of Germany in the last couple of years of the first world war no of years of the first world war no of years of the first world war no violent revolutionary he and if you look at the geopolitical he and if you look at the geopolitical allies of Germany in the second world
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allies of Germany in the second world allies of Germany in the second world war they're all right-wing regimes they war they're all right-wing regimes they war they're all right-wing regimes they all prosecute and persecute socialists all prosecute and persecute socialists all prosecute and persecute socialists and Communists I mean my goodness by the and Communists I mean my goodness by the and Communists I mean my goodness by the standards of the traditional political standards of the traditional political standards of the traditional political Spectrum it would be hard to find a more Spectrum it would be hard to find a more Spectrum it would be hard to find a more right-wing regime than the Imperial right-wing regime than the Imperial right-wing regime than the Imperial Japanese of the second World War era Japanese of the second World War era Japanese of the second World War era they worship a Divine Emperor for they worship a Divine Emperor for they worship a Divine Emperor for goodness sakes along with the goodness sakes along with the goodness sakes along with the persecution jailing and or worse of the persecution jailing and or worse of the persecution jailing and or worse of the Socialists and Communists in their Socialists and Communists in their Socialists and Communists in their midst trying to get your mind around midst trying to get your mind around midst trying to get your mind around what Hitler and the Nazis did believe what Hitler and the Nazis did believe what Hitler and the Nazis did believe though is really difficult because it is though is really difficult because it is though is really difficult because it is wrapped up in the mystical as we said I wrapped up in the mystical as we said I wrapped up in the mystical as we said I had a professor my favorite professor in had a professor my favorite professor in had a professor my favorite professor in college Robert po wrote a whole book on college Robert po wrote a whole book on college Robert po wrote a whole book on what he called the religion of nature what he called the religion of nature what he called the religion of nature which is how he described the Nazi which is how he described the Nazi which is how he described the Nazi belief belief belief system the main thing to focus on system the main thing to focus on system the main thing to focus on perhaps though is that it is not perhaps though is that it is not perhaps though is that it is not economic at all which is what's so weird economic at all which is what's so weird economic at all which is what's so weird about the way we think now because we about the way we think now because we about the way we think now because we tend to think of political systems as tend to think of political systems as tend to think of political systems as rooted in um economic questions right rooted in um economic questions right rooted in um economic questions right are you a a capitalist are you a are you a a capitalist are you a are you a a capitalist are you a socialist I mean what do you believe socialist I mean what do you believe socialist I mean what do you believe Hitler's belief system focused on blood Hitler's belief system focused on blood Hitler's belief system focused on blood and and and soil William Shyer in his book The Rise soil William Shyer in his book The Rise soil William Shyer in his book The Rise and Fall of the the Third Reich says and Fall of the the Third Reich says and Fall of the the Third Reich says that Hitler said on many occasions that that Hitler said on many occasions that that Hitler said on many occasions that his whole philosophy was rooted in his whole philosophy was rooted in his whole philosophy was rooted in something called The fola Mind shaft something called The fola Mind shaft something called The fola Mind shaft which is a certain kind of racial which is a certain kind of racial which is a certain kind of racial Community rooted in Blood and soil but Community rooted in Blood and soil but Community rooted in Blood and soil but shyra says you know he heard multiple
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shyra says you know he heard multiple shyra says you know he heard multiple Hitler speeches where Hitler said this Hitler speeches where Hitler said this Hitler speeches where Hitler said this is the whole key to understanding Nazism is the whole key to understanding Nazism is the whole key to understanding Nazism and it never once sounded the same and and it never once sounded the same and and it never once sounded the same and shyra never understood shyra never understood shyra never understood it he did quote Hitler as saying quote it he did quote Hitler as saying quote it he did quote Hitler as saying quote the state has nothing at all to do with the state has nothing at all to do with the state has nothing at all to do with any definite economic conception or any definite economic conception or any definite economic conception or development and then from later in the development and then from later in the development and then from later in the speech the state is a racial organism speech the state is a racial organism speech the state is a racial organism and not an economic and not an economic and not an economic organization end quote so perhaps this organization end quote so perhaps this organization end quote so perhaps this is where our problems develop as we try is where our problems develop as we try is where our problems develop as we try to understand a system using our modern to understand a system using our modern to understand a system using our modern lenses for how we evaluate things trying lenses for how we evaluate things trying lenses for how we evaluate things trying to you know get our mind around a system to you know get our mind around a system to you know get our mind around a system that's rooted in late 19th century ideas that's rooted in late 19th century ideas that's rooted in late 19th century ideas of eugenics and social Darwinism and of eugenics and social Darwinism and of eugenics and social Darwinism and blood and soil and folks M shaft and a blood and soil and folks M shaft and a blood and soil and folks M shaft and a whole bunch of Concepts that people whole bunch of Concepts that people whole bunch of Concepts that people don't talk about very much anymore don't talk about very much anymore don't talk about very much anymore because well in part they're pretty because well in part they're pretty because well in part they're pretty discredited because in part well we had discredited because in part well we had discredited because in part well we had things like the second world war and the things like the second world war and the things like the second world war and the Holocaust in a book uh written about Holocaust in a book uh written about Holocaust in a book uh written about genocide called why not kill them all genocide called why not kill them all genocide called why not kill them all the logic and prevention of mass the logic and prevention of mass the logic and prevention of mass political murder the authors Daniel political murder the authors Daniel political murder the authors Daniel cherro and Clark mccaulay run down the cherro and Clark mccaulay run down the cherro and Clark mccaulay run down the reasons for some of this reasons for some of this reasons for some of this idea connected to what the Nazis idea connected to what the Nazis idea connected to what the Nazis believed in about well what would make believed in about well what would make believed in about well what would make up the folks mind shaft right the idea up the folks mind shaft right the idea up the folks mind shaft right the idea of a racial Community because in the vks of a racial Community because in the vks of a racial Community because in the vks of Mind shaft you could be in it if you of Mind shaft you could be in it if you of Mind shaft you could be in it if you were part of you know the people that were part of you know the people that were part of you know the people that met the criteria and if you didn't you met the criteria and if you didn't you met the criteria and if you didn't you weren't a part of it the people that met
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weren't a part of it the people that met weren't a part of it the people that met the criteria weren't people who believed the criteria weren't people who believed the criteria weren't people who believed a certain things they were people who a certain things they were people who a certain things they were people who you know had a certain ethnicity and you know had a certain ethnicity and you know had a certain ethnicity and ancestry Hitler had this weird idea ancestry Hitler had this weird idea ancestry Hitler had this weird idea about what Aryans were um about what Aryans were um about what Aryans were um in his mind they were Nordic so you in his mind they were Nordic so you in his mind they were Nordic so you think Scandinavians right blonde hair think Scandinavians right blonde hair think Scandinavians right blonde hair blue eyes those kind of people never blue eyes those kind of people never blue eyes those kind of people never mind what the word Aryan really means in mind what the word Aryan really means in mind what the word Aryan really means in history and why not kill them all the history and why not kill them all the history and why not kill them all the authors point out that if you believe authors point out that if you believe authors point out that if you believe everything about a culture and people everything about a culture and people everything about a culture and people revolves around race then the biggest revolves around race then the biggest revolves around race then the biggest threat to that reality is people that threat to that reality is people that threat to that reality is people that would dilute or pollute or breathe the would dilute or pollute or breathe the would dilute or pollute or breathe the race out of existence the Nazis were race out of existence the Nazis were race out of existence the Nazis were worried about blood pollution and what worried about blood pollution and what worried about blood pollution and what they sometimes refer to as the Jewish they sometimes refer to as the Jewish they sometimes refer to as the Jewish disease and then why not kill them all disease and then why not kill them all disease and then why not kill them all they point out that that can be a they point out that that can be a they point out that that can be a trigger for things like genocide and the trigger for things like genocide and the trigger for things like genocide and the author's right author's right author's right quote the most powerful fear is fear of quote the most powerful fear is fear of quote the most powerful fear is fear of Extinction the fear that our in Extinction the fear that our in Extinction the fear that our in quotation marks people our cause our quotation marks people our cause our quotation marks people our cause our culture our history may not survive this culture our history may not survive this culture our history may not survive this fear will elicit the most violent and fear will elicit the most violent and fear will elicit the most violent and extreme reactions group identification extreme reactions group identification extreme reactions group identification caring about what happens to our group caring about what happens to our group caring about what happens to our group is what makes Intergroup conflict is what makes Intergroup conflict is what makes Intergroup conflict possible without such identification possible without such identification possible without such identification individuals would be loow to risk their individuals would be loow to risk their individuals would be loow to risk their own lives for the collective yet we know
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own lives for the collective yet we know own lives for the collective yet we know that people commonly do take risks and that people commonly do take risks and that people commonly do take risks and sometimes invite almost certain death on sometimes invite almost certain death on sometimes invite almost certain death on behalf of their families close friends behalf of their families close friends behalf of their families close friends Clans tribes religions and Nations those Clans tribes religions and Nations those Clans tribes religions and Nations those groups developing the most powerful groups developing the most powerful groups developing the most powerful common identification are those that common identification are those that common identification are those that promise some kind of immortality few are promise some kind of immortality few are promise some kind of immortality few are willing to die for their Tennis Club but willing to die for their Tennis Club but willing to die for their Tennis Club but many are willing to Die For A Cause many are willing to Die For A Cause many are willing to Die For A Cause religion ethnic group or nation in which religion ethnic group or nation in which religion ethnic group or nation in which the individual can continue after death the individual can continue after death the individual can continue after death through the survival and success of the through the survival and success of the through the survival and success of the group end group end group end quote they then point out this quote they then point out this quote they then point out this particular attitude that the Nazis had particular attitude that the Nazis had particular attitude that the Nazis had which is rooted in things like the folks which is rooted in things like the folks which is rooted in things like the folks Comm mind shaft this racial community Comm mind shaft this racial community Comm mind shaft this racial community and the fear that it might be polluted and the fear that it might be polluted and the fear that it might be polluted by inferior blood and they write quote by inferior blood and they write quote by inferior blood and they write quote fear of pollution or contamination is a fear of pollution or contamination is a fear of pollution or contamination is a particular kind of survival fear the particular kind of survival fear the particular kind of survival fear the fear that the group as we know it will fear that the group as we know it will fear that the group as we know it will not survive even if many of its members not survive even if many of its members not survive even if many of its members do the group will exist in the future do the group will exist in the future do the group will exist in the future only by losing what is most important only by losing what is most important only by losing what is most important and distinctive about it and being and distinctive about it and being and distinctive about it and being Amalgamated with some other group The Amalgamated with some other group The Amalgamated with some other group The relevant emotion for this kind of relevant emotion for this kind of relevant emotion for this kind of survival concern combines fear with survival concern combines fear with survival concern combines fear with disgust fear of pollution is not so much disgust fear of pollution is not so much disgust fear of pollution is not so much a threat to the physical continuation of a threat to the physical continuation of a threat to the physical continuation of the group as to the essence or nature of the group as to the essence or nature of the group as to the essence or nature of the group Hitler's Obsession they write the group Hitler's Obsession they write the group Hitler's Obsession they write with the Jewish disease and race mixing with the Jewish disease and race mixing with the Jewish disease and race mixing fantastic as it may seem to those who do fantastic as it may seem to those who do fantastic as it may seem to those who do not take such pseudo science seriously
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not take such pseudo science seriously not take such pseudo science seriously was a deep fear that his idealized was a deep fear that his idealized was a deep fear that his idealized Germanic race would not survive combined Germanic race would not survive combined Germanic race would not survive combined with disgust for what he perceived to be with disgust for what he perceived to be with disgust for what he perceived to be the increasing judaization of the world the increasing judaization of the world the increasing judaization of the world world end world end world end quote so if this is your number one fear quote so if this is your number one fear quote so if this is your number one fear and if you think Jews control the world and if you think Jews control the world and if you think Jews control the world and if you're giving speeches saying and if you're giving speeches saying and if you're giving speeches saying that if the Jews because they control that if the Jews because they control that if the Jews because they control the world plunge the world into another the world plunge the world into another the world plunge the world into another world war they're sort of going to reap world war they're sort of going to reap world war they're sort of going to reap the the the Whirlwind what do you do I mean what's Whirlwind what do you do I mean what's Whirlwind what do you do I mean what's the logical answer The Logical solution the logical answer The Logical solution the logical answer The Logical solution to that sort of problem well in Nazi to that sort of problem well in Nazi to that sort of problem well in Nazi Germany it starts almost immediately Germany it starts almost immediately Germany it starts almost immediately once the Nazis gain power Jews have to once the Nazis gain power Jews have to once the Nazis gain power Jews have to start wearing identifiable symbols so start wearing identifiable symbols so start wearing identifiable symbols so people know who they are they quickly people know who they are they quickly people know who they are they quickly get banned from multiple kinds of get banned from multiple kinds of get banned from multiple kinds of professions right we can't have them in professions right we can't have them in professions right we can't have them in positions of power then the persecution positions of power then the persecution positions of power then the persecution starts right the crystal knock type starts right the crystal knock type starts right the crystal knock type events the um pograms the Smashing of events the um pograms the Smashing of events the um pograms the Smashing of Windows the destruction and boycotting Windows the destruction and boycotting Windows the destruction and boycotting of of of businesses then all of a sudden it moves businesses then all of a sudden it moves businesses then all of a sudden it moves to something that would be recognized by to something that would be recognized by to something that would be recognized by people for example in the Americas people for example in the Americas people for example in the Americas because it's you know Hitler's reading because it's you know Hitler's reading because it's you know Hitler's reading about these sorts of things and he likes about these sorts of things and he likes about these sorts of things and he likes the approach that the Americas took to the approach that the Americas took to the approach that the Americas took to the native indigenous peoples right put the native indigenous peoples right put the native indigenous peoples right put them on reservations he has for a while them on reservations he has for a while them on reservations he has for a while his people think about putting Jews and his people think about putting Jews and his people think about putting Jews and subhumans on specific reservations and subhumans on specific reservations and subhumans on specific reservations and keeping them isolated keeping them isolated keeping them isolated there then they talk about things like
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there then they talk about things like there then they talk about things like Exile they look to places like Exile they look to places like Exile they look to places like Madagascar right the big island off the Madagascar right the big island off the Madagascar right the big island off the eastern coast of the African continent eastern coast of the African continent eastern coast of the African continent at one point as a place to maybe send at one point as a place to maybe send at one point as a place to maybe send all your Jews one can't help but think all your Jews one can't help but think all your Jews one can't help but think that if that had actually happened we that if that had actually happened we that if that had actually happened we would be talking about some of the same would be talking about some of the same would be talking about some of the same sorts of problems in Madagascar today sorts of problems in Madagascar today sorts of problems in Madagascar today that they're talking about in the Levant that they're talking about in the Levant that they're talking about in the Levant right right right now and then eventually it moves from now and then eventually it moves from now and then eventually it moves from the idea of exiling all the Jews to a the idea of exiling all the Jews to a the idea of exiling all the Jews to a far away place to Simply killing them far away place to Simply killing them far away place to Simply killing them where they are now we should point out that the are now we should point out that the idea of exiling the Jews was not about idea of exiling the Jews was not about idea of exiling the Jews was not about sending them away from their homes it sending them away from their homes it sending them away from their homes it was about sending them back to where was about sending them back to where was about sending them back to where they came from or getting them out of they came from or getting them out of they came from or getting them out of what was perceived to be a part of the what was perceived to be a part of the what was perceived to be a part of the world where they were the equivalent of world where they were the equivalent of world where they were the equivalent of an invasive species that had put down an invasive species that had put down an invasive species that had put down Roots this is fascinating to me because Roots this is fascinating to me because Roots this is fascinating to me because it's almost the exact opposite Viewpoint it's almost the exact opposite Viewpoint it's almost the exact opposite Viewpoint of one you'll hear from the Middle East of one you'll hear from the Middle East of one you'll hear from the Middle East sometimes today from Arab or Islamic sometimes today from Arab or Islamic sometimes today from Arab or Islamic societies who will say that the Jews in societies who will say that the Jews in societies who will say that the Jews in the Levant in in Western Asia in what's the Levant in in Western Asia in what's the Levant in in Western Asia in what's now the state of Israel that they're an now the state of Israel that they're an now the state of Israel that they're an invasive species from outside the region invasive species from outside the region invasive species from outside the region right so you can't be an invasive right so you can't be an invasive right so you can't be an invasive species in Europe and an invasive species in Europe and an invasive species in Europe and an invasive species you know in the middle you come species you know in the middle you come species you know in the middle you come from somewhere don't you so when the from somewhere don't you so when the from somewhere don't you so when the Germans are thinking about sending Jews Germans are thinking about sending Jews Germans are thinking about sending Jews back to where they belong the obvious back to where they belong the obvious back to where they belong the obvious question is where do they question is where do they question is where do they belong now to me the obvious answer is belong now to me the obvious answer is belong now to me the obvious answer is if you've been living there multiple if you've been living there multiple if you've been living there multiple Generations ever since the middle ages Generations ever since the middle ages Generations ever since the middle ages for example in a place like Europe well
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for example in a place like Europe well for example in a place like Europe well in my mind you belong there but you know in my mind you belong there but you know in my mind you belong there but you know the Jews are one of those peoples that the Jews are one of those peoples that the Jews are one of those peoples that because they're from a different because they're from a different because they're from a different religious group and because they have religious group and because they have religious group and because they have ideas about marrying within the religion ideas about marrying within the religion ideas about marrying within the religion and they're so persecuted and they're so persecuted and they're so persecuted and there's so much prejudice against and there's so much prejudice against and there's so much prejudice against them that other people don't want to them that other people don't want to them that other people don't want to marry them that a lot of times they stay marry them that a lot of times they stay marry them that a lot of times they stay sort of a group apart right it's tough sort of a group apart right it's tough sort of a group apart right it's tough to assimilate in a lot of these to assimilate in a lot of these to assimilate in a lot of these places so where do they come from is an places so where do they come from is an places so where do they come from is an interesting question I'm not going to go interesting question I'm not going to go interesting question I'm not going to go into a whole bunch of the history of the into a whole bunch of the history of the into a whole bunch of the history of the Jewish people but we should just point Jewish people but we should just point Jewish people but we should just point out that the Jews the Israelis the out that the Jews the Israelis the out that the Jews the Israelis the Hebrews whichever name you'd like to Hebrews whichever name you'd like to Hebrews whichever name you'd like to apply to are an ancient group of people apply to are an ancient group of people apply to are an ancient group of people despite the almost conspiracy theory despite the almost conspiracy theory despite the almost conspiracy theory that at least the ashkanazi Jews the that at least the ashkanazi Jews the that at least the ashkanazi Jews the ones in Europe um are actually European ones in Europe um are actually European ones in Europe um are actually European right there are some people that believe right there are some people that believe right there are some people that believe that they're uh the descendants of a that they're uh the descendants of a that they're uh the descendants of a Turkish step tribe called the kazars and Turkish step tribe called the kazars and Turkish step tribe called the kazars and we talked about this in the Viking show we talked about this in the Viking show we talked about this in the Viking show we did a while back uh because unlike we did a while back uh because unlike we did a while back uh because unlike most people around the world and to to most people around the world and to to most people around the world and to to convert to Judaism as a group is rare convert to Judaism as a group is rare convert to Judaism as a group is rare and the kazari nobility may have and the kazari nobility may have and the kazari nobility may have converted in the Middle Ages to Judaism converted in the Middle Ages to Judaism converted in the Middle Ages to Judaism it's still very controver verial but if it's still very controver verial but if it's still very controver verial but if they did they haven't really left their they did they haven't really left their they did they haven't really left their genetic markers on the ashkanazi because genetic markers on the ashkanazi because genetic markers on the ashkanazi because the Jews are one of the most studied the Jews are one of the most studied the Jews are one of the most studied people in terms of DNA and genetics and people in terms of DNA and genetics and people in terms of DNA and genetics and there's really no kazari markers found there's really no kazari markers found there's really no kazari markers found in Jewish genetics from Europe there are in Jewish genetics from Europe there are in Jewish genetics from Europe there are however from the patrilineal line as however from the patrilineal line as however from the patrilineal line as I've researched it and understand it in I've researched it and understand it in I've researched it and understand it in my you know very narrow and shallow way
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my you know very narrow and shallow way my you know very narrow and shallow way a patrilineal line that goes all the way a patrilineal line that goes all the way a patrilineal line that goes all the way back to the modern Middle East so the back to the modern Middle East so the back to the modern Middle East so the connection to the roots in the region connection to the roots in the region connection to the roots in the region where once upon a time there were where once upon a time there were where once upon a time there were kingdoms uh Jewish kingdoms with with kingdoms uh Jewish kingdoms with with kingdoms uh Jewish kingdoms with with Israeli and Jewish Kings right the Israeli and Jewish Kings right the Israeli and Jewish Kings right the Kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah right the Israeli Kingdom in the Judah right the Israeli Kingdom in the Judah right the Israeli Kingdom in the north Judah in the north Judah in the north Judah in the South if you know your history you know South if you know your history you know South if you know your history you know that those arose uh in the early early that those arose uh in the early early that those arose uh in the early early Iron Age so think the 900s BCE right Iron Age so think the 900s BCE right Iron Age so think the 900s BCE right approximately 3,000 years approximately 3,000 years approximately 3,000 years ago these are the um kingdoms that the ago these are the um kingdoms that the ago these are the um kingdoms that the well the Christians would call it the well the Christians would call it the well the Christians would call it the old Old Testament the Jews would refer old Old Testament the Jews would refer old Old Testament the Jews would refer to as the Tanakh that the Old Testament to as the Tanakh that the Old Testament to as the Tanakh that the Old Testament of the Bible talks about right King of the Bible talks about right King of the Bible talks about right King Solomon King Saul King David those Solomon King Saul King David those Solomon King Saul King David those people and historians are continuing people and historians are continuing people and historians are continuing trying to figure out whether these trying to figure out whether these trying to figure out whether these kingdoms are glittering Rich powerful kingdoms are glittering Rich powerful kingdoms are glittering Rich powerful almost Imperial type kingdoms or whether almost Imperial type kingdoms or whether almost Imperial type kingdoms or whether they're much more you know rudimentary they're much more you know rudimentary they're much more you know rudimentary small city states with you know clusters small city states with you know clusters small city states with you know clusters of villages that sort of have allegiance of villages that sort of have allegiance of villages that sort of have allegiance to to to them regardless the only reason that them regardless the only reason that them regardless the only reason that they can flourish in their golden age they can flourish in their golden age they can flourish in their golden age from about like 900 is to the 700s and from about like 900 is to the 700s and from about like 900 is to the 700s and in one case 600s uh cuz Israel fell in one case 600s uh cuz Israel fell in one case 600s uh cuz Israel fell before Judah fell is because the before Judah fell is because the before Judah fell is because the superpowers in the region are at a superpowers in the region are at a superpowers in the region are at a particularly low EB during that time particularly low EB during that time particularly low EB during that time period right the superpowers being Egypt period right the superpowers being Egypt period right the superpowers being Egypt uh in the north the Hittites in the east uh in the north the Hittites in the east uh in the north the Hittites in the east in what's now Iraq uh the Assyrians in in what's now Iraq uh the Assyrians in in what's now Iraq uh the Assyrians in the North and the Babylonians in the the North and the Babylonians in the the North and the Babylonians in the South normally all those guys are South normally all those guys are South normally all those guys are fighting over the territory that's now fighting over the territory that's now fighting over the territory that's now um
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um um Israel and as a matter of fact when the Israel and as a matter of fact when the Israel and as a matter of fact when the Egyptians run the place and they're the Egyptians run the place and they're the Egyptians run the place and they're the normal super power that controls the normal super power that controls the normal super power that controls the region this is going to be just an region this is going to be just an region this is going to be just an interesting aside but they rule it from interesting aside but they rule it from interesting aside but they rule it from their Command Center in the city of Gaza their Command Center in the city of Gaza their Command Center in the city of Gaza and yes it's the same place as the city and yes it's the same place as the city and yes it's the same place as the city of Gaza today Gaza has like a 4,000 year of Gaza today Gaza has like a 4,000 year of Gaza today Gaza has like a 4,000 year old history but during the time period old history but during the time period old history but during the time period when the Kingdom of Israel and the when the Kingdom of Israel and the when the Kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah Thrive they they're kingdom of Judah Thrive they they're kingdom of Judah Thrive they they're able to do so because the powers that able to do so because the powers that able to do so because the powers that would normally control them are you know would normally control them are you know would normally control them are you know at a lowb uh that is a temporary at a lowb uh that is a temporary at a lowb uh that is a temporary situation and when those powers uh situation and when those powers uh situation and when those powers uh regain their strength they take over regain their strength they take over regain their strength they take over those areas in the seven early 700s the those areas in the seven early 700s the those areas in the seven early 700s the Israelis um the Kingdom of Israel is Israelis um the Kingdom of Israel is Israelis um the Kingdom of Israel is destroyed by the Assyrians who go in destroyed by the Assyrians who go in destroyed by the Assyrians who go in there and level cities and take the there and level cities and take the there and level cities and take the Jewish people and move them around the Jewish people and move them around the Jewish people and move them around the the Assyrians are great population the Assyrians are great population the Assyrians are great population transfer people today we would call it transfer people today we would call it transfer people today we would call it ethnic cleansing and this becomes the ethnic cleansing and this becomes the ethnic cleansing and this becomes the first early time period where Jews are first early time period where Jews are first early time period where Jews are sent away from where they considered to sent away from where they considered to sent away from where they considered to be their Homeland and moved all around be their Homeland and moved all around be their Homeland and moved all around found in the late 500s I think the 580s found in the late 500s I think the 580s found in the late 500s I think the 580s the Babylonians who took over from the the Babylonians who took over from the the Babylonians who took over from the Assyrians as the big dog in what's now Assyrians as the big dog in what's now Assyrians as the big dog in what's now the country of Iraq they went in and the country of Iraq they went in and the country of Iraq they went in and destroyed the southern Kingdom the destroyed the southern Kingdom the destroyed the southern Kingdom the kingdom of Judah destroying Jerusalem uh kingdom of Judah destroying Jerusalem uh kingdom of Judah destroying Jerusalem uh leveling the sacred Temple of the Jews leveling the sacred Temple of the Jews leveling the sacred Temple of the Jews and doing the same things the Assyrians and doing the same things the Assyrians and doing the same things the Assyrians did you know scattering them all over did you know scattering them all over did you know scattering them all over removing them to babyon and it's in the
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removing them to babyon and it's in the removing them to babyon and it's in the early 500s like the 530s that Cyrus the early 500s like the 530s that Cyrus the early 500s like the 530s that Cyrus the Great right the guy who founds the ained Great right the guy who founds the ained Great right the guy who founds the ained Persian Empire gets such wonderful you Persian Empire gets such wonderful you Persian Empire gets such wonderful you know publicity in the Old Testament of know publicity in the Old Testament of know publicity in the Old Testament of the Bible the Tanakh when he supposedly the Bible the Tanakh when he supposedly the Bible the Tanakh when he supposedly or allegedly allows the Jews to return or allegedly allows the Jews to return or allegedly allows the Jews to return back to those areas rebuild the Temple back to those areas rebuild the Temple back to those areas rebuild the Temple and if not gain political control again and if not gain political control again and if not gain political control again because the Persians weren't going to because the Persians weren't going to because the Persians weren't going to let anybody rule that area but let anybody rule that area but let anybody rule that area but themselves then to sort of be the local themselves then to sort of be the local themselves then to sort of be the local governors in charge of their own destiny governors in charge of their own destiny governors in charge of their own destiny as long as you pay your taxes to the as long as you pay your taxes to the as long as you pay your taxes to the great King of great King of great King of Persia Persia Persia then of course as we all know right that then of course as we all know right that then of course as we all know right that Persian Empire is destroyed and Persian Empire is destroyed and Persian Empire is destroyed and overthrown by Alexander the Great in the overthrown by Alexander the Great in the overthrown by Alexander the Great in the 300s when Alexander dies in 323 bcee his 300s when Alexander dies in 323 bcee his 300s when Alexander dies in 323 bcee his many generals rip his Empire apart and many generals rip his Empire apart and many generals rip his Empire apart and all rule their individual pieces like all rule their individual pieces like all rule their individual pieces like hereditary Kings and the area that's now hereditary Kings and the area that's now hereditary Kings and the area that's now uh Israel and the West Bank and Gaza are uh Israel and the West Bank and Gaza are uh Israel and the West Bank and Gaza are all areas that are being fought over by all areas that are being fought over by all areas that are being fought over by two you know success they were called two you know success they were called two you know success they were called dynasties of Alexander's generals the dynasties of Alexander's generals the dynasties of Alexander's generals the tmes and the tmes and the tmes and the solids the Jews um are always one would solids the Jews um are always one would solids the Jews um are always one would say maybe a freedom loving people say maybe a freedom loving people say maybe a freedom loving people another might say an independence loving another might say an independence loving another might say an independence loving people if you happen to be the ones people if you happen to be the ones people if you happen to be the ones ruling them you might call them a ruling them you might call them a ruling them you might call them a Troublesome rebellious people but Troublesome rebellious people but Troublesome rebellious people but they're always rebelling against the they're always rebelling against the they're always rebelling against the local rulers in the 160s you have local rulers in the 160s you have local rulers in the 160s you have something called the maban Revolt where
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something called the maban Revolt where something called the maban Revolt where they revolt against the saluca they revolt against the saluca they revolt against the saluca government and they gain control of the government and they gain control of the government and they gain control of the region again for a while until the region again for a while until the region again for a while until the Romans come in in 64 BC and sort of Romans come in in 64 BC and sort of Romans come in in 64 BC and sort of conquer the place for good that doesn't conquer the place for good that doesn't conquer the place for good that doesn't mean that the uh the Jewish folks aren't mean that the uh the Jewish folks aren't mean that the uh the Jewish folks aren't rebelling against them because they have rebelling against them because they have rebelling against them because they have all kinds of problems the Romans with all kinds of problems the Romans with all kinds of problems the Romans with them and in 70 CE ad the Romans finally them and in 70 CE ad the Romans finally them and in 70 CE ad the Romans finally give the Jewish people in the region the give the Jewish people in the region the give the Jewish people in the region the Roman treatment which is one Roman Roman treatment which is one Roman Roman treatment which is one Roman writer once described it they create a writer once described it they create a writer once described it they create a wasteland and call it peace that's where wasteland and call it peace that's where wasteland and call it peace that's where you get things like The Saga of Mada and you get things like The Saga of Mada and you get things like The Saga of Mada and all that but nobody knows in all these all that but nobody knows in all these all that but nobody knows in all these conflicts how many Jews died but it's conflicts how many Jews died but it's conflicts how many Jews died but it's probably in the millions when you probably in the millions when you probably in the millions when you realize how many uh Kelts the Romans realize how many uh Kelts the Romans realize how many uh Kelts the Romans just under Julius Caesar killed it's not just under Julius Caesar killed it's not just under Julius Caesar killed it's not a hard thing to imagine but when the a hard thing to imagine but when the a hard thing to imagine but when the Romans give them the final you know Romans give them the final you know Romans give them the final you know treatment they created a genocide they treatment they created a genocide they treatment they created a genocide they kill tons of Jews the um the Banning of kill tons of Jews the um the Banning of kill tons of Jews the um the Banning of Jews from the region Begins the great Jews from the region Begins the great Jews from the region Begins the great Exodus and diaspora that sends Jews all Exodus and diaspora that sends Jews all Exodus and diaspora that sends Jews all over the known world uh if it hadn't over the known world uh if it hadn't over the known world uh if it hadn't already started it really takes hold and already started it really takes hold and already started it really takes hold and this is where if you look at history you this is where if you look at history you this is where if you look at history you can start to trace the movement of can start to trace the movement of can start to trace the movement of Jewish people up you know from Jewish people up you know from Jewish people up you know from originally this Ground Zero in the Holy originally this Ground Zero in the Holy originally this Ground Zero in the Holy Land to first of all the Roman Empire so Land to first of all the Roman Empire so Land to first of all the Roman Empire so you'll see them in Italy you'll see them you'll see them in Italy you'll see them you'll see them in Italy you'll see them in Spain all the areas around the in Spain all the areas around the in Spain all the areas around the Mediterranean and then you can almost Mediterranean and then you can almost Mediterranean and then you can almost trace the movements northwards over the trace the movements northwards over the trace the movements northwards over the generations and by the Middle Ages generations and by the Middle Ages generations and by the Middle Ages they're all over Europe but if you know
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they're all over Europe but if you know they're all over Europe but if you know your history you know that they are your history you know that they are your history you know that they are always a minority in all these countries always a minority in all these countries always a minority in all these countries they are often persecuted they are they are often persecuted they are they are often persecuted they are almost always discriminated against almost always discriminated against almost always discriminated against there are then occasional times where there are then occasional times where there are then occasional times where they're thrown out of countries England they're thrown out of countries England they're thrown out of countries England Spain pgrs and um and mass killing Spain pgrs and um and mass killing Spain pgrs and um and mass killing sprees are common uh in the First sprees are common uh in the First sprees are common uh in the First Crusade there's Mass killing of Jews Crusade there's Mass killing of Jews Crusade there's Mass killing of Jews anytime that there's sort of uh The anytime that there's sort of uh The anytime that there's sort of uh The Taking of cities the Jews in them are Taking of cities the Jews in them are Taking of cities the Jews in them are are often killed what's interesting is are often killed what's interesting is are often killed what's interesting is if you study the anti-semitic actions of if you study the anti-semitic actions of if you study the anti-semitic actions of for example Le European governments the for example Le European governments the for example Le European governments the Germans are not considered to be one of Germans are not considered to be one of Germans are not considered to be one of the particularly bad ones now take that the particularly bad ones now take that the particularly bad ones now take that with a grain of salt because there's with a grain of salt because there's with a grain of salt because there's anti-semitic activity everywhere but the anti-semitic activity everywhere but the anti-semitic activity everywhere but the Russians have maybe the worst reputation Russians have maybe the worst reputation Russians have maybe the worst reputation up until the second world war with tons up until the second world war with tons up until the second world war with tons of programs and many of the Jews that of programs and many of the Jews that of programs and many of the Jews that immigrated to the United States in the immigrated to the United States in the immigrated to the United States in the Golden Age of Jewish immigration did so Golden Age of Jewish immigration did so Golden Age of Jewish immigration did so coming from places like Russia due to coming from places like Russia due to coming from places like Russia due to the persecutions and pams but of course the persecutions and pams but of course the persecutions and pams but of course the Nazis take over the lead spot in the the Nazis take over the lead spot in the the Nazis take over the lead spot in the anti-Semitic of Europe when Hitler gains anti-Semitic of Europe when Hitler gains anti-Semitic of Europe when Hitler gains control and by the early control and by the early control and by the early 1930s um Germany is becoming a very 1930s um Germany is becoming a very 1930s um Germany is becoming a very dangerous place indeed to be dangerous place indeed to be dangerous place indeed to be Jewish we should point out that at no Jewish we should point out that at no Jewish we should point out that at no time were Jews not a part of the uh time were Jews not a part of the uh time were Jews not a part of the uh Middle Eastern population and because of Middle Eastern population and because of Middle Eastern population and because of that people like the Nazis and a lot of that people like the Nazis and a lot of that people like the Nazis and a lot of other European governments at times other European governments at times other European governments at times considered sending them back where they considered sending them back where they considered sending them back where they came from although if you're a Jewish came from although if you're a Jewish came from although if you're a Jewish person whose family's been in a place person whose family's been in a place person whose family's been in a place like Russia or
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like Russia or like Russia or for you know 10 Generations 12 for you know 10 Generations 12 for you know 10 Generations 12 Generations something like that does it Generations something like that does it Generations something like that does it really seem like you belong in a place really seem like you belong in a place really seem like you belong in a place thousands of miles from where your thousands of miles from where your thousands of miles from where your family's from where they speak a family's from where they speak a family's from where they speak a language you don't language you don't language you don't know well if that doesn't sound like a know well if that doesn't sound like a know well if that doesn't sound like a good idea to you now maybe after the good idea to you now maybe after the good idea to you now maybe after the Holocaust it might at the start of this show I felt might at the start of this show I felt the need to give a warning about what the need to give a warning about what the need to give a warning about what was to come was to come was to come and the warning was because there's a and the warning was because there's a and the warning was because there's a need when discussing something as need when discussing something as need when discussing something as horrific as horrific as horrific as genocide to step genocide to step genocide to step back and take emotional stock in the back and take emotional stock in the back and take emotional stock in the subject matter you can have an subject matter you can have an subject matter you can have an intellectual discussion and those are intellectual discussion and those are intellectual discussion and those are important engaging the mind and reason important engaging the mind and reason important engaging the mind and reason when discussing these things is key but when discussing these things is key but when discussing these things is key but if you do that without re-injecting the if you do that without re-injecting the if you do that without re-injecting the psychological trauma into the conver psychological trauma into the conver psychological trauma into the conver conversation then you run the risk of conversation then you run the risk of conversation then you run the risk of having a having a having a sterile dialogue or monologue which is sterile dialogue or monologue which is sterile dialogue or monologue which is not a whole lot different than what some not a whole lot different than what some not a whole lot different than what some of the perpetrators of a genocide like of the perpetrators of a genocide like of the perpetrators of a genocide like the Holocaust were having in conference the Holocaust were having in conference the Holocaust were having in conference rooms where people served coffee and rooms where people served coffee and rooms where people served coffee and showed documents and discussed Logistics showed documents and discussed Logistics showed documents and discussed Logistics and uh challenges and numbers and in and uh challenges and numbers and in and uh challenges and numbers and in other words one needs to fuse the other words one needs to fuse the other words one needs to fuse the intellectual with the emotional in order
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intellectual with the emotional in order intellectual with the emotional in order to be in the right frame of mind I mean when Heinrich himler as mind I mean when Heinrich himler as recounted in nor 11's book The Holocaust recounted in nor 11's book The Holocaust recounted in nor 11's book The Holocaust tells his underlings who are setting up tells his underlings who are setting up tells his underlings who are setting up these Annihilation camps that he expects these Annihilation camps that he expects these Annihilation camps that he expects them to act in a superhumanly inhuman them to act in a superhumanly inhuman them to act in a superhumanly inhuman way well that's easy to say in the way well that's easy to say in the way well that's easy to say in the conference room it's a whole different conference room it's a whole different conference room it's a whole different situation when you're actually on the situation when you're actually on the situation when you're actually on the ground acting in a superhumanly inhuman way we also need to understand that as I way we also need to understand that as I say about all of the past there's no way say about all of the past there's no way say about all of the past there's no way for us to understand it there's no way for us to understand it there's no way for us to understand it there's no way to put ourselves in the shoes of the to put ourselves in the shoes of the to put ourselves in the shoes of the people here all we can ever hope for by people here all we can ever hope for by people here all we can ever hope for by engaging the intellect And the emotions engaging the intellect And the emotions engaging the intellect And the emotions is to have a better view of this than we is to have a better view of this than we is to have a better view of this than we had beforehand right sometimes subtly had beforehand right sometimes subtly had beforehand right sometimes subtly better but better nonetheless and the better but better nonetheless and the better but better nonetheless and the real challenge was how to use the real challenge was how to use the real challenge was how to use the atrocious material in a way to atrocious material in a way to atrocious material in a way to accomplish that accomplish that accomplish that goal there is no lack of atrocious goal there is no lack of atrocious goal there is no lack of atrocious material there is no lack of eyewitness material there is no lack of eyewitness material there is no lack of eyewitness accounts there is no lack of accounts there is no lack of accounts there is no lack of documentation there were tons of this documentation there were tons of this documentation there were tons of this stuff when I was a kid and there's so stuff when I was a kid and there's so stuff when I was a kid and there's so much more now the fall of the Soviet much more now the fall of the Soviet much more now the fall of the Soviet Union uh multiple sorts of uh Union uh multiple sorts of uh Union uh multiple sorts of uh conferences and educational seminars and conferences and educational seminars and conferences and educational seminars and Museum exhibitions since then have Museum exhibitions since then have Museum exhibitions since then have exploded the amount of information we exploded the amount of information we exploded the amount of information we have have have about the Holocaust including tons more
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about the Holocaust including tons more about the Holocaust including tons more photographs and accounts and diary photographs and accounts and diary photographs and accounts and diary entries I mean if you're a holocaust entries I mean if you're a holocaust entries I mean if you're a holocaust denier you're work is a lot harder than denier you're work is a lot harder than denier you're work is a lot harder than it was in the past and it was difficult it was in the past and it was difficult it was in the past and it was difficult you know in the 1960s to deny the you know in the 1960s to deny the you know in the 1960s to deny the Holocaust especially when you Holocaust especially when you Holocaust especially when you had participants in it sometimes had participants in it sometimes had participants in it sometimes bragging about it I mean Adolf ikeman bragging about it I mean Adolf ikeman bragging about it I mean Adolf ikeman was not ashamed of his role in the was not ashamed of his role in the was not ashamed of his role in the Holocaust right so you have difficult to Holocaust right so you have difficult to Holocaust right so you have difficult to deny that this happened ever much more deny that this happened ever much more deny that this happened ever much more difficult now with so much more stuff difficult now with so much more stuff difficult now with so much more stuff but how to use that stuff in a way but how to use that stuff in a way but how to use that stuff in a way that's helpful in understanding is that's helpful in understanding is that's helpful in understanding is difficult and look I'm not a historian difficult and look I'm not a historian difficult and look I'm not a historian as I say all the time but this is a as I say all the time but this is a as I say all the time but this is a classic problem that historians have classic problem that historians have classic problem that historians have which is you have a ton of information which is you have a ton of information which is you have a ton of information how do you organize it and use it in a how do you organize it and use it in a how do you organize it and use it in a way to accomplish the goal of helping to way to accomplish the goal of helping to way to accomplish the goal of helping to illuminate the past even a little illuminate the past even a little illuminate the past even a little bit so the way I did it and I hope I did bit so the way I did it and I hope I did bit so the way I did it and I hope I did it well I mean or usefully anyway I it well I mean or usefully anyway I it well I mean or usefully anyway I tried to bear in mind what Dan Stone tried to bear in mind what Dan Stone tried to bear in mind what Dan Stone said said in his book talking about this said said in his book talking about this said said in his book talking about this a little bit and he wrote quote no doubt a little bit and he wrote quote no doubt a little bit and he wrote quote no doubt it is right to say that there is it is right to say that there is it is right to say that there is something numbing about recounting a something numbing about recounting a something numbing about recounting a seemingly endless sequence of atrocities seemingly endless sequence of atrocities seemingly endless sequence of atrocities it is also a reflection of what happened it is also a reflection of what happened it is also a reflection of what happened leaving the victims numb and sometimes leaving the victims numb and sometimes leaving the victims numb and sometimes he writes it is important to T with a he writes it is important to T with a he writes it is important to T with a tiny atrocity tiny in the grand scale of tiny atrocity tiny in the grand scale of tiny atrocity tiny in the grand scale of the murders but the whole world to those the murders but the whole world to those the murders but the whole world to those who were affected end quote that's sort of the annefrank quote that's sort of the annefrank approach to looking at the Holocaust I
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approach to looking at the Holocaust I approach to looking at the Holocaust I choose a single individual and show what choose a single individual and show what choose a single individual and show what the impact is on the impact is on the impact is on them so I did that also but I also chose them so I did that also but I also chose them so I did that also but I also chose some of these very large incidents where some of these very large incidents where some of these very large incidents where your mind almost explodes at the scope one of the things that gets lost scope one of the things that gets lost in uh conversations or portrayals of the in uh conversations or portrayals of the in uh conversations or portrayals of the Holocaust and something that Dan Stone's Holocaust and something that Dan Stone's Holocaust and something that Dan Stone's latest book uh tries really hard to latest book uh tries really hard to latest book uh tries really hard to reemphasize is how much of the Holocaust reemphasize is how much of the Holocaust reemphasize is how much of the Holocaust actually was done by hand with bullets actually was done by hand with bullets actually was done by hand with bullets and guns um and shooting as opposed to and guns um and shooting as opposed to and guns um and shooting as opposed to the image we the image we the image we more usually have anyway of gas and more usually have anyway of gas and more usually have anyway of gas and Annihilation camps and all this it was Annihilation camps and all this it was Annihilation camps and all this it was much more dirty and grimy and much more dirty and grimy and much more dirty and grimy and old-fashioned if you want to look at old-fashioned if you want to look at old-fashioned if you want to look at this as something that jenas Khan would this as something that jenas Khan would this as something that jenas Khan would have understand stood when he destroyed have understand stood when he destroyed have understand stood when he destroyed whole cities and executed whole whole cities and executed whole whole cities and executed whole populations it's very similar to that populations it's very similar to that populations it's very similar to that and a lot of people witnessed it so and a lot of people witnessed it so and a lot of people witnessed it so there are there are there are accounts years ago I marked one of these accounts years ago I marked one of these accounts years ago I marked one of these accounts that I go back to occasionally accounts that I go back to occasionally accounts that I go back to occasionally so I I just sometimes when I I feel like so I I just sometimes when I I feel like so I I just sometimes when I I feel like I need a refresher I need a refresher I need a refresher infusion of Soul crushing psychological infusion of Soul crushing psychological infusion of Soul crushing psychological trauma to remind me of exactly what trauma to remind me of exactly what trauma to remind me of exactly what we're talking about here I go back to we're talking about here I go back to we're talking about here I go back to this account I call it this account I call it this account I call it 23 and you'll understand why when you 23 and you'll understand why when you 23 and you'll understand why when you hear it I actually read it when I was a hear it I actually read it when I was a hear it I actually read it when I was a kid it was in a book called The
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kid it was in a book called The kid it was in a book called The Holocaust by nor 11 written in the late Holocaust by nor 11 written in the late Holocaust by nor 11 written in the late 1960s but it's an eyewitness account of 1960s but it's an eyewitness account of 1960s but it's an eyewitness account of one of these mass one of these mass one of these mass killings the eyewitness account came out killings the eyewitness account came out killings the eyewitness account came out in the nurburg in the nurburg in the nurburg trials where a German civilian trials where a German civilian trials where a German civilian construction construction construction engineer had watched the annihilation of engineer had watched the annihilation of engineer had watched the annihilation of a Jewish ghetto in a Jewish ghetto in a Jewish ghetto in Ukraine the man's name was Herman Ukraine the man's name was Herman Ukraine the man's name was Herman Friedrich Friedrich Friedrich graba and his affidavit nor 11 says graba and his affidavit nor 11 says graba and his affidavit nor 11 says froze the nurenberg court with pity and froze the nurenberg court with pity and froze the nurenberg court with pity and horror she writes that it is a document horror she writes that it is a document horror she writes that it is a document which must stand as one of the most which must stand as one of the most which must stand as one of the most terrifying in the literature of the terrifying in the literature of the terrifying in the literature of the Holocaust and it absolutely destroys me Holocaust and it absolutely destroys me Holocaust and it absolutely destroys me every time I read every time I read every time I read it it is an extensive one and I hope it it is an extensive one and I hope it it is an extensive one and I hope you'll pardon some of the long quotes in you'll pardon some of the long quotes in you'll pardon some of the long quotes in this but I feel like breaking them up is this but I feel like breaking them up is this but I feel like breaking them up is to lose some of the to lose some of the to lose some of the impact Herman Friedrich graba's impact Herman Friedrich graba's impact Herman Friedrich graba's eyewitness account of what he eyewitness account of what he eyewitness account of what he saw goes like this quote on 5th October saw goes like this quote on 5th October saw goes like this quote on 5th October 1942 when I visited the building office 1942 when I visited the building office 1942 when I visited the building office at duno monus and I went directly to the at duno monus and I went directly to the at duno monus and I went directly to the pits nobody bothered us now I heard pits nobody bothered us now I heard pits nobody bothered us now I heard rifle shots in quick succession from rifle shots in quick succession from rifle shots in quick succession from behind one of the earth Mounds behind one of the earth Mounds behind one of the earth Mounds the people who had got off the trucks the people who had got off the trucks the people who had got off the trucks men women and children of all ages had men women and children of all ages had men women and children of all ages had to undress upon the order of an SS man
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to undress upon the order of an SS man to undress upon the order of an SS man who carried a riding or dog whip they who carried a riding or dog whip they who carried a riding or dog whip they had to put down their clothes in fixed had to put down their clothes in fixed had to put down their clothes in fixed places sorted according to shoes top places sorted according to shoes top places sorted according to shoes top clothing and underclothing I saw a heap clothing and underclothing I saw a heap clothing and underclothing I saw a heap of shoes of about 800 to a th000 pairs of shoes of about 800 to a th000 pairs of shoes of about 800 to a th000 pairs great piles of underlinen and clothing great piles of underlinen and clothing great piles of underlinen and clothing without screaming or weeping these without screaming or weeping these without screaming or weeping these people undressed stood around around in people undressed stood around around in people undressed stood around around in family groups kissed each other said family groups kissed each other said family groups kissed each other said farewells and waited for a sign from farewells and waited for a sign from farewells and waited for a sign from another SS man who stood near the pit another SS man who stood near the pit another SS man who stood near the pit with a whip in his hand he continues with a whip in his hand he continues with a whip in his hand he continues during the 15 minutes that I stood near during the 15 minutes that I stood near during the 15 minutes that I stood near the pit I heard no complaint or plea for the pit I heard no complaint or plea for the pit I heard no complaint or plea for Mercy I watched a family of about eight Mercy I watched a family of about eight Mercy I watched a family of about eight persons a man and a woman both about 50 persons a man and a woman both about 50 persons a man and a woman both about 50 with their children of about 1 8 and 10 with their children of about 1 8 and 10 with their children of about 1 8 and 10 and two grown-up Daughters of about 20 and two grown-up Daughters of about 20 and two grown-up Daughters of about 20 to 24 and an old woman with Snow White to 24 and an old woman with Snow White to 24 and an old woman with Snow White hair was holding the one-year-old child hair was holding the one-year-old child hair was holding the one-year-old child in her arms and singing to it and in her arms and singing to it and in her arms and singing to it and tickling it the child was cing with tickling it the child was cing with tickling it the child was cing with delight the couple were looking on with delight the couple were looking on with delight the couple were looking on with tears in their eyes the father was tears in their eyes the father was tears in their eyes the father was holding the hand of a boy of about 10 holding the hand of a boy of about 10 holding the hand of a boy of about 10 years old and speaking to Him Softly the years old and speaking to Him Softly the years old and speaking to Him Softly the boy was fighting his tears the father boy was fighting his tears the father boy was fighting his tears the father pointed toward the sky stroked his head pointed toward the sky stroked his head pointed toward the sky stroked his head and seemed to explain something to him and seemed to explain something to him and seemed to explain something to him at that moment the SS man at the pit at that moment the SS man at the pit at that moment the SS man at the pit shouted something to his comrade the shouted something to his comrade the shouted something to his comrade the latter counted off about 20 persons and latter counted off about 20 persons and latter counted off about 20 persons and instructed them to go behind the Earth instructed them to go behind the Earth instructed them to go behind the Earth Mound among them was the family which I Mound among them was the family which I Mound among them was the family which I have mentioned I well remember a girl
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have mentioned I well remember a girl have mentioned I well remember a girl slim and with black hair who as she slim and with black hair who as she slim and with black hair who as she passed close to me pointed to herself passed close to me pointed to herself passed close to me pointed to herself and said and said and said 23 I walked around the mound and found 23 I walked around the mound and found 23 I walked around the mound and found myself confronted by a tremendous grave myself confronted by a tremendous grave myself confronted by a tremendous grave people were closely wedged together and people were closely wedged together and people were closely wedged together and lying on top of each other so that only lying on top of each other so that only lying on top of each other so that only their heads were visible their heads were visible their heads were visible ible nearly all had blood running over ible nearly all had blood running over ible nearly all had blood running over their shoulders from their heads some of their shoulders from their heads some of their shoulders from their heads some of the people shot were still moving some the people shot were still moving some the people shot were still moving some were lifting their arms and turning were lifting their arms and turning were lifting their arms and turning their heads to show that they were still their heads to show that they were still their heads to show that they were still alive the pit was already 2/3 full I alive the pit was already 2/3 full I alive the pit was already 2/3 full I estimated that it already contained estimated that it already contained estimated that it already contained about a thousand about a thousand about a thousand people I looked for the man who did the people I looked for the man who did the people I looked for the man who did the shooting he testified he was an SS man shooting he testified he was an SS man shooting he testified he was an SS man who sat at the edge of the narrow end of who sat at the edge of the narrow end of who sat at the edge of the narrow end of the pit his feet dangling into the pit the pit his feet dangling into the pit the pit his feet dangling into the pit he had a Tommy Gun on his knees and he he had a Tommy Gun on his knees and he he had a Tommy Gun on his knees and he was smoking a cigarette the people was smoking a cigarette the people was smoking a cigarette the people completely naked went down some steps completely naked went down some steps completely naked went down some steps which were cut in the clay wall of the which were cut in the clay wall of the which were cut in the clay wall of the pit and clamored over the heads of the pit and clamored over the heads of the pit and clamored over the heads of the people lying there to the place where people lying there to the place where people lying there to the place where the SS man directed them they lay down the SS man directed them they lay down the SS man directed them they lay down in front of the dead or injured people in front of the dead or injured people in front of the dead or injured people some caressed those who were still alive some caressed those who were still alive some caressed those who were still alive and spoke to them in a low voice then I and spoke to them in a low voice then I and spoke to them in a low voice then I heard a series of shots I looked into heard a series of shots I looked into heard a series of shots I looked into the pit and saw that the bodies were the pit and saw that the bodies were the pit and saw that the bodies were twitching or the heads l Ling already twitching or the heads l Ling already twitching or the heads l Ling already motionless on top of the bodies that lay motionless on top of the bodies that lay motionless on top of the bodies that lay before them blood was running from their before them blood was running from their before them blood was running from their necks I was surprised that I was not necks I was surprised that I was not necks I was surprised that I was not ordered away but I saw that there were ordered away but I saw that there were ordered away but I saw that there were two or three postmen in uniform nearby
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two or three postmen in uniform nearby two or three postmen in uniform nearby the next batch was approaching already the next batch was approaching already the next batch was approaching already they went down into the pit lined they went down into the pit lined they went down into the pit lined themselves up against the previous themselves up against the previous themselves up against the previous victims and were shot end victims and were shot end victims and were shot end quote when you read account after quote when you read account after quote when you read account after account of these incidents you know part account of these incidents you know part account of these incidents you know part of what was called the Hol Holocaust by of what was called the Hol Holocaust by of what was called the Hol Holocaust by bullets before the Holocaust by gas bullets before the Holocaust by gas bullets before the Holocaust by gas really got going it's just as organized really got going it's just as organized really got going it's just as organized sometimes and just as mechanized and sometimes and just as mechanized and sometimes and just as mechanized and institutionalized but there are crazy institutionalized but there are crazy institutionalized but there are crazy aspects to it and if you try to imagine aspects to it and if you try to imagine aspects to it and if you try to imagine being a victim in this case and living being a victim in this case and living being a victim in this case and living through it there are certain parts that through it there are certain parts that through it there are certain parts that and it's stupid but bother me more than and it's stupid but bother me more than and it's stupid but bother me more than others like for example there's an others like for example there's an others like for example there's an account by a German general who went to account by a German general who went to account by a German general who went to one of these Mass killing sites and he one of these Mass killing sites and he one of these Mass killing sites and he talked about all these people having to talked about all these people having to talked about all these people having to wait in long lines like up to a mile wait in long lines like up to a mile wait in long lines like up to a mile long as they inched their way towards long as they inched their way towards long as they inched their way towards the killing pits as the people in front the killing pits as the people in front the killing pits as the people in front of them slowly but surely were wiped out of them slowly but surely were wiped out of them slowly but surely were wiped out and then there were stops along the way and then there were stops along the way and then there were stops along the way and at this stop you take off your and at this stop you take off your and at this stop you take off your clothes at this stop you drop off your clothes at this stop you drop off your clothes at this stop you drop off your valuables and the people knew what was valuables and the people knew what was valuables and the people knew what was going going going on in the book sold Doon by Sanka nitel on in the book sold Doon by Sanka nitel on in the book sold Doon by Sanka nitel and Harold and Harold and Harold welzer they quote German Major General welzer they quote German Major General welzer they quote German Major General Walter Brun description his eyewitness Walter Brun description his eyewitness Walter Brun description his eyewitness account of one of these account of one of these account of one of these as he says lining up for death sort of as he says lining up for death sort of as he says lining up for death sort of incidences and the general says incidences and the general says incidences and the general says quote six men with tommy guns were quote six men with tommy guns were quote six men with tommy guns were posted at each pit the pits were 24 m in posted at each pit the pits were 24 m in posted at each pit the pits were 24 m in length and 3 m in bread they had to lie
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length and 3 m in bread they had to lie length and 3 m in bread they had to lie down like sardines in a tin with their down like sardines in a tin with their down like sardines in a tin with their heads in the center above them were six heads in the center above them were six heads in the center above them were six men with Tommy Guns who gave them the men with Tommy Guns who gave them the men with Tommy Guns who gave them the Cuda gr when I arrived those pits were Cuda gr when I arrived those pits were Cuda gr when I arrived those pits were so full that the living had to lie down so full that the living had to lie down so full that the living had to lie down on top of the dead then they were shot on top of the dead then they were shot on top of the dead then they were shot and in in order to save room they had to and in in order to save room they had to and in in order to save room they had to lie down neatly in layers before this lie down neatly in layers before this lie down neatly in layers before this however they were stripped of everything however they were stripped of everything however they were stripped of everything at one of the stations here at the edge at one of the stations here at the edge at one of the stations here at the edge of the wood were the three pits they of the wood were the three pits they of the wood were the three pits they used that Sunday and here they stood in used that Sunday and here they stood in used that Sunday and here they stood in a queue he says a a 1 and a 12 kilm long a queue he says a a 1 and a 12 kilm long a queue he says a a 1 and a 12 kilm long that's about a mile long which that's about a mile long which that's about a mile long which approached step by step aing up for approached step by step aing up for approached step by step aing up for death he says as they drew nearer they death he says as they drew nearer they death he says as they drew nearer they saw what was going on about here they saw what was going on about here they saw what was going on about here they had to hand over their jewelry and had to hand over their jewelry and had to hand over their jewelry and suitcases all good stuff was put into suitcases all good stuff was put into suitcases all good stuff was put into the suitcases and the remainder thrown the suitcases and the remainder thrown the suitcases and the remainder thrown on a heap this was to serve as clothing on a heap this was to serve as clothing on a heap this was to serve as clothing for our suffering population and then a for our suffering population and then a for our suffering population and then a little further on they had to undress little further on they had to undress little further on they had to undress and 500 MERS in front of the wood and 500 MERS in front of the wood and 500 MERS in front of the wood stripped completely they were only stripped completely they were only stripped completely they were only permitted to keep on a shammy or permitted to keep on a shammy or permitted to keep on a shammy or knickers they were all women and small knickers they were all women and small knickers they were all women and small 2-year-old children then all those 2-year-old children then all those 2-year-old children then all those cynical remarks if only I had seen those cynical remarks if only I had seen those cynical remarks if only I had seen those Tommy Gunners who were relieved every Tommy Gunners who were relieved every Tommy Gunners who were relieved every hour because of overexertion carry out hour because of overexertion carry out hour because of overexertion carry out their task with distaste but no nasty their task with distaste but no nasty their task with distaste but no nasty remarks like here comes a Jewish Beauty remarks like here comes a Jewish Beauty remarks like here comes a Jewish Beauty I can still see it in all my memory a I can still see it in all my memory a I can still see it in all my memory a pretty woman in a flame covered shammy pretty woman in a flame covered shammy pretty woman in a flame covered shammy talk about keeping the race pure at Ria
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talk about keeping the race pure at Ria talk about keeping the race pure at Ria they first slept with them and then they they first slept with them and then they they first slept with them and then they shot them to prevent them from Talking shot them to prevent them from Talking shot them to prevent them from Talking end quote so he says even at the end as end quote so he says even at the end as end quote so he says even at the end as these people are about to be shot as these people are about to be shot as these people are about to be shot as they've been waiting and lining up to be they've been waiting and lining up to be they've been waiting and lining up to be shot as they were approaching the gunman shot as they were approaching the gunman shot as they were approaching the gunman the gunman make comments like here comes the gunman make comments like here comes the gunman make comments like here comes a pretty Beauty and things I mean it's a pretty Beauty and things I mean it's a pretty Beauty and things I mean it's Humanity to quote Johnny Thunders in a Humanity to quote Johnny Thunders in a Humanity to quote Johnny Thunders in a song Once society makes me song Once society makes me song Once society makes me sad of course probably the most sad of course probably the most sad of course probably the most famous mass shooting of the war of Jews famous mass shooting of the war of Jews famous mass shooting of the war of Jews is the one that occurred in the famous is the one that occurred in the famous is the one that occurred in the famous babiar Ravine outside of Kiev in babiar Ravine outside of Kiev in babiar Ravine outside of Kiev in Ukraine on the 29th and 30th of Ukraine on the 29th and 30th of Ukraine on the 29th and 30th of September 1941 where September 1941 where September 1941 where between and 40,000 Jews were shot into between and 40,000 Jews were shot into between and 40,000 Jews were shot into the Ravine over a the Ravine over a the Ravine over a weekend the Ravine by the way continued weekend the Ravine by the way continued weekend the Ravine by the way continued to be used to kill people uh for the to be used to kill people uh for the to be used to kill people uh for the entire time that the Germans controlled entire time that the Germans controlled entire time that the Germans controlled that region and there may be as many as that region and there may be as many as that region and there may be as many as 100,000 bodies buried there or they were 100,000 bodies buried there or they were 100,000 bodies buried there or they were cremated eventually and and pounded into cremated eventually and and pounded into cremated eventually and and pounded into dust but the entire area is a dust but the entire area is a dust but the entire area is a giant charal house there was a horrible giant charal house there was a horrible giant charal house there was a horrible story nor 11 told in story nor 11 told in story nor 11 told in her book The her book The her book The Holocaust where the guy who was in Holocaust where the guy who was in Holocaust where the guy who was in charge of the killings was giving a tour charge of the killings was giving a tour charge of the killings was giving a tour in the spring right after Bobby yar's in the spring right after Bobby yar's in the spring right after Bobby yar's occurrence and the person who was with occurrence and the person who was with occurrence and the person who was with the architect of the killing said that
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the architect of the killing said that the architect of the killing said that he was shown the Ravine itself and he he was shown the Ravine itself and he he was shown the Ravine itself and he said during the Spring thaw small said during the Spring thaw small said during the Spring thaw small explosions explosions explosions were exploding the dirt up into the air were exploding the dirt up into the air were exploding the dirt up into the air and that was a result of the spring thaw and that was a result of the spring thaw and that was a result of the spring thaw bringing the gases in all of the bodies bringing the gases in all of the bodies bringing the gases in all of the bodies buried underground to the surface and buried underground to the surface and buried underground to the surface and the architect of the killing who was the architect of the killing who was the architect of the killing who was with him a man named Paul blobel said to with him a man named Paul blobel said to with him a man named Paul blobel said to him here my Jews are him here my Jews are him here my Jews are buried and bobar by the way is not even buried and bobar by the way is not even buried and bobar by the way is not even the worst of the mass killings of Jews the worst of the mass killings of Jews the worst of the mass killings of Jews during the war there are at least two during the war there are at least two during the war there are at least two that are thought to be larger than that that are thought to be larger than that that are thought to be larger than that but sometimes that what the mass but sometimes that what the mass but sometimes that what the mass killings do is overshadow the regular killings do is overshadow the regular killings do is overshadow the regular amounts of death that are occurring amounts of death that are occurring amounts of death that are occurring continually as the machine just grinds continually as the machine just grinds continually as the machine just grinds on it's not as overwhelmingly powerful on it's not as overwhelmingly powerful on it's not as overwhelmingly powerful as stadiums full of people being shot as stadiums full of people being shot as stadiums full of people being shot over a weekend but the numbers add up over a weekend but the numbers add up over a weekend but the numbers add up quickly and give a greater sense of the quickly and give a greater sense of the quickly and give a greater sense of the you know death machine as it operates you know death machine as it operates you know death machine as it operates for example there was an operation for example there was an operation for example there was an operation called operation je free it only lasted called operation je free it only lasted called operation je free it only lasted two months from October to December 1941 two months from October to December 1941 two months from October to December 1941 and it was only happening on one and it was only happening on one and it was only happening on one relatively small part of the relatively small part of the relatively small part of the front but when you look at the record front but when you look at the record front but when you look at the record of the numbers of Jews killed over this of the numbers of Jews killed over this of the numbers of Jews killed over this two-month period it's every day or every two-month period it's every day or every two-month period it's every day or every two days a thousand killed in this two days a thousand killed in this two days a thousand killed in this Village 3,000 killed in this Village Village 3,000 killed in this Village Village 3,000 killed in this Village 2,000 killed in this Village and within 2,000 killed in this Village and within 2,000 killed in this Village and within two months it's like 70 to 990,000 Jews two months it's like 70 to 990,000 Jews two months it's like 70 to 990,000 Jews it's a stadium of people but they're all
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it's a stadium of people but they're all it's a stadium of people but they're all killed as their towns or Villages or killed as their towns or Villages or killed as their towns or Villages or ghettos are overrun and taken over right ghettos are overrun and taken over right ghettos are overrun and taken over right wiped out as the machine continues to wiped out as the machine continues to wiped out as the machine continues to move move move forward and a lot of this stuff by the forward and a lot of this stuff by the forward and a lot of this stuff by the way is well cataly way is well cataly way is well cataly logged some of the most damning evidence logged some of the most damning evidence logged some of the most damning evidence as you might imagine are the official as you might imagine are the official as you might imagine are the official reports by German officers to their reports by German officers to their reports by German officers to their superiors about carrying out these mass superiors about carrying out these mass superiors about carrying out these mass killings during the 1990s there was a killings during the 1990s there was a killings during the 1990s there was a very important Museum exhibition which very important Museum exhibition which very important Museum exhibition which intended and succeeded in overthrowing intended and succeeded in overthrowing intended and succeeded in overthrowing what was called the myth of the clean what was called the myth of the clean what was called the myth of the clean Vermont this idea that the killings were Vermont this idea that the killings were Vermont this idea that the killings were all done by the SS and the azat group all done by the SS and the azat group all done by the SS and the azat group and in the Gestapo and allies of those and in the Gestapo and allies of those and in the Gestapo and allies of those people and not the you know proud German people and not the you know proud German people and not the you know proud German military but in this exhibition all military but in this exhibition all military but in this exhibition all kinds of reports and photographs that kinds of reports and photographs that kinds of reports and photographs that had been kept by soldiers that they had been kept by soldiers that they had been kept by soldiers that they either took themselves or bought and either took themselves or bought and either took themselves or bought and kept forever a lot of them found in kept forever a lot of them found in kept forever a lot of them found in atcts and places like that showed the atcts and places like that showed the atcts and places like that showed the reality of what was going on and that in reality of what was going on and that in reality of what was going on and that in a lot of cases these soldiers were a lot of cases these soldiers were a lot of cases these soldiers were willing participants in operations willing participants in operations willing participants in operations several books came out of these Museum several books came out of these Museum several books came out of these Museum exhibitions by the way one was called exhibitions by the way one was called exhibitions by the way one was called war of extermination war of extermination war of extermination the German military in World War II 1941 the German military in World War II 1941 the German military in World War II 1941 to to to 1944 with every chapter written by a 1944 with every chapter written by a 1944 with every chapter written by a different different different expert on the chapter of the killings expert on the chapter of the killings expert on the chapter of the killings that went on especially of Jews in that went on especially of Jews in that went on especially of Jews in occupied Yugoslavia University of Vienna occupied Yugoslavia University of Vienna occupied Yugoslavia University of Vienna Professor Walter manek writes quote the
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Professor Walter manek writes quote the Professor Walter manek writes quote the execution squads were comprised mainly execution squads were comprised mainly execution squads were comprised mainly of soldiers from units that had suffered of soldiers from units that had suffered of soldiers from units that had suffered losses in skirmishes with partisans the losses in skirmishes with partisans the losses in skirmishes with partisans the soldiers regarded the mass execu of Jews soldiers regarded the mass execu of Jews soldiers regarded the mass execu of Jews and gypsies as a legitimate tactic and gypsies as a legitimate tactic and gypsies as a legitimate tactic numerous eyewitnesses confirm that the numerous eyewitnesses confirm that the numerous eyewitnesses confirm that the execution squads consisted of volunteers execution squads consisted of volunteers execution squads consisted of volunteers when a native of Vienna who belonged to when a native of Vienna who belonged to when a native of Vienna who belonged to the 521st Army intelligence regiment the 521st Army intelligence regiment the 521st Army intelligence regiment returned from leave to Belgrade he was returned from leave to Belgrade he was returned from leave to Belgrade he was greeted by his comrades with the jovial greeted by his comrades with the jovial greeted by his comrades with the jovial challenge coming along to shoot some challenge coming along to shoot some challenge coming along to shoot some Jews two reports of the shootings of Jews two reports of the shootings of Jews two reports of the shootings of Jews and gypsies yield insight into the Jews and gypsies yield insight into the Jews and gypsies yield insight into the soldiers mentality end quote now he soldiers mentality end quote now he soldiers mentality end quote now he quotes a report labeled secret so that quotes a report labeled secret so that quotes a report labeled secret so that shows you the Nazis were trying to cover shows you the Nazis were trying to cover shows you the Nazis were trying to cover this stuff up uh the commander being an this stuff up uh the commander being an this stuff up uh the commander being an obber liutenant Walter dated the 1st of obber liutenant Walter dated the 1st of obber liutenant Walter dated the 1st of November 1941 the first part of the November 1941 the first part of the November 1941 the first part of the report lists all the things that he did report lists all the things that he did report lists all the things that he did to take precautions to keep the to take precautions to keep the to take precautions to keep the intentions of what they were about to do intentions of what they were about to do intentions of what they were about to do Secret but then he writes quote when we Secret but then he writes quote when we Secret but then he writes quote when we arrived at a spot some 1.5 to 2 km from arrived at a spot some 1.5 to 2 km from arrived at a spot some 1.5 to 2 km from The Chosen place the prisoners got out The Chosen place the prisoners got out The Chosen place the prisoners got out of the trucks and marched to the place of the trucks and marched to the place of the trucks and marched to the place while the trucks were being sent back at while the trucks were being sent back at while the trucks were being sent back at once in order to give the civilian once in order to give the civilian once in order to give the civilian drivers the least possible grounds for drivers the least possible grounds for drivers the least possible grounds for suspicion then I ordered the street suspicion then I ordered the street suspicion then I ordered the street blocked for reasons of security and blocked for reasons of security and blocked for reasons of security and secrecy the place of execution the secrecy the place of execution the secrecy the place of execution the report States was secured by one light report States was secured by one light report States was secured by one light machine gun and 12 Riflemen one to
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machine gun and 12 Riflemen one to machine gun and 12 Riflemen one to prevent Escape attempts by the prisoners prevent Escape attempts by the prisoners prevent Escape attempts by the prisoners two to guard against the possible two to guard against the possible two to guard against the possible attacks of Serbian gangs digging the attacks of Serbian gangs digging the attacks of Serbian gangs digging the graves the report says takes most of the graves the report says takes most of the graves the report says takes most of the time the shooting itself goes quickly time the shooting itself goes quickly time the shooting itself goes quickly 100 men in 40 minutes luggage inv 100 men in 40 minutes luggage inv 100 men in 40 minutes luggage inv valuables the report says were collected valuables the report says were collected valuables the report says were collected earlier and transported in my truck for earlier and transported in my truck for earlier and transported in my truck for turning over to the nsv shooting Jews is turning over to the nsv shooting Jews is turning over to the nsv shooting Jews is simpler than shooting gypsies one has to simpler than shooting gypsies one has to simpler than shooting gypsies one has to admit that the Jews die stoically admit that the Jews die stoically admit that the Jews die stoically standing quietly while the gypsies howl standing quietly while the gypsies howl standing quietly while the gypsies howl scream and are in constant motion even scream and are in constant motion even scream and are in constant motion even when they're already standing in place when they're already standing in place when they're already standing in place to be shot some even jumped into the to be shot some even jumped into the to be shot some even jumped into the grave before the Salvo and played dead grave before the Salvo and played dead grave before the Salvo and played dead initially he writes my soldiers were not initially he writes my soldiers were not initially he writes my soldiers were not impressed on the second day it was impressed on the second day it was impressed on the second day it was becoming apparent that some did not have becoming apparent that some did not have becoming apparent that some did not have the nerves required for carrying out the nerves required for carrying out the nerves required for carrying out extended shootings my personal extended shootings my personal extended shootings my personal impression is that one does not impression is that one does not impression is that one does not experience inhibitions during the experience inhibitions during the experience inhibitions during the shootings these first manifest shootings these first manifest shootings these first manifest themselves after several days when one themselves after several days when one themselves after several days when one thinks about things quietly in the thinks about things quietly in the thinks about things quietly in the evening end quote signed Walther overlo this is actually a part that I find this is actually a part that I find super interesting and I think I think super interesting and I think I think super interesting and I think I think about it more than even you know the about it more than even you know the about it more than even you know the position that the victims found position that the victims found position that the victims found themselves in I think it's natural to themselves in I think it's natural to themselves in I think it's natural to think what would happen if I was think what would happen if I was think what would happen if I was standing in line a mile long waiting to standing in line a mile long waiting to standing in line a mile long waiting to die with my die with my die with my family but there's something about being
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family but there's something about being family but there's something about being a perpetrator you know not the victim a perpetrator you know not the victim a perpetrator you know not the victim but the victimizer that makes one but the victimizer that makes one but the victimizer that makes one curious about Humanity because these curious about Humanity because these curious about Humanity because these people in the line waiting to Die the people in the line waiting to Die the people in the line waiting to Die the victims there's no choice in there victims there's no choice in there victims there's no choice in there there's no agency and there's no there's no agency and there's no there's no agency and there's no thinking about it for decades afterwards thinking about it for decades afterwards thinking about it for decades afterwards but what about the guy who has the but what about the guy who has the but what about the guy who has the submachine gun sitting on the edge of submachine gun sitting on the edge of submachine gun sitting on the edge of the pit with a cigarette in his mouth the pit with a cigarette in his mouth the pit with a cigarette in his mouth dangling his legs off the side of this dangling his legs off the side of this dangling his legs off the side of this horrific horrific horrific scene well it's interesting because it scene well it's interesting because it scene well it's interesting because it kind of goes both ways you have the kind of goes both ways you have the kind of goes both ways you have the people that are really bothered by it people that are really bothered by it people that are really bothered by it and the people that actively enjoyed it and the people that actively enjoyed it and the people that actively enjoyed it and it's it's really like two sides of and it's it's really like two sides of and it's it's really like two sides of Humanity's coin right let's start with Humanity's coin right let's start with Humanity's coin right let's start with the people who seem to enjoy the people who seem to enjoy the people who seem to enjoy it in his book The Holocaust and it in his book The Holocaust and it in his book The Holocaust and unfinished history Dan Stone talks about unfinished history Dan Stone talks about unfinished history Dan Stone talks about the Willing collaborators as he calls the Willing collaborators as he calls the Willing collaborators as he calls them and it is a sign that you did not them and it is a sign that you did not them and it is a sign that you did not have to be a Nazi to be have to be a Nazi to be have to be a Nazi to be anti-semitic and he talks about an anti-semitic and he talks about an anti-semitic and he talks about an incident that was recounted it's famous incident that was recounted it's famous incident that was recounted it's famous and there are photos I believe that and there are photos I believe that and there are photos I believe that happened in Kus in Lithuania and stone happened in Kus in Lithuania and stone happened in Kus in Lithuania and stone writes quote across the occupied areas writes quote across the occupied areas writes quote across the occupied areas of the western Soviet Union Local of the western Soviet Union Local of the western Soviet Union Local collaborators willingly took part some collaborators willingly took part some collaborators willingly took part some did so out of hatred for the Jews did so out of hatred for the Jews did so out of hatred for the Jews wrapped up in the anti-communist belief wrapped up in the anti-communist belief wrapped up in the anti-communist belief in so-called judeo bolshevism though in so-called judeo bolshevism though in so-called judeo bolshevism though again it should be stressed that this
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again it should be stressed that this again it should be stressed that this was a form of anti-Semitism first and was a form of anti-Semitism first and was a form of anti-Semitism first and foremost since one did not need to hate foremost since one did not need to hate foremost since one did not need to hate Jews to be anti-communist but the Jews to be anti-communist but the Jews to be anti-communist but the combination of these two hatreds made a combination of these two hatreds made a combination of these two hatreds made a ferocious synthesis one of the most ferocious synthesis one of the most ferocious synthesis one of the most famous examples he writes is the famous examples he writes is the famous examples he writes is the so-called death dealer of Kus who beat so-called death dealer of Kus who beat so-called death dealer of Kus who beat Jews with an iron rod in Kus as Jews with an iron rod in Kus as Jews with an iron rod in Kus as onlookers stood and watched the rivers onlookers stood and watched the rivers onlookers stood and watched the rivers of Blood Run higher the report of an of Blood Run higher the report of an of Blood Run higher the report of an astonished German Soldier who astonished German Soldier who astonished German Soldier who photographed the scene is instructive photographed the scene is instructive photographed the scene is instructive now P account from the German Soldier now P account from the German Soldier now P account from the German Soldier and as as I think I said photographs do and as as I think I said photographs do and as as I think I said photographs do exist quote a young man he must must exist quote a young man he must must exist quote a young man he must must have been a Lithuanian with rolled up have been a Lithuanian with rolled up have been a Lithuanian with rolled up sleeves was armed with an iron crowbar sleeves was armed with an iron crowbar sleeves was armed with an iron crowbar he dragged out one man at a time from a he dragged out one man at a time from a he dragged out one man at a time from a group and struck him with the Crowbar group and struck him with the Crowbar group and struck him with the Crowbar with one or more blows on the back of with one or more blows on the back of with one or more blows on the back of his head within 3/4 of an hour he had his head within 3/4 of an hour he had his head within 3/4 of an hour he had beaten to death the entire group of 45 beaten to death the entire group of 45 beaten to death the entire group of 45 to 50 people in this way the behavior of to 50 people in this way the behavior of to 50 people in this way the behavior of the civilians present women and children the civilians present women and children the civilians present women and children was unbelievable after each man had been was unbelievable after each man had been was unbelievable after each man had been killed they began to clap and when the killed they began to clap and when the killed they began to clap and when the national anthem started they joined in national anthem started they joined in national anthem started they joined in singing and clapping singing and clapping singing and clapping end end end quote and stone points out that quote and stone points out that quote and stone points out that sometimes this isn't even anti-Semitism sometimes this isn't even anti-Semitism sometimes this isn't even anti-Semitism sometimes it's just complete sometimes it's just complete sometimes it's just complete self-enrichment and he quotes a Polish self-enrichment and he quotes a Polish self-enrichment and he quotes a Polish journalist who says quote for the journalist who says quote for the journalist who says quote for the Germans 300 Jews are 300 enemies of Germans 300 Jews are 300 enemies of Germans 300 Jews are 300 enemies of humanity for the lithuanians they are humanity for the lithuanians they are humanity for the lithuanians they are 300 pairs of shoes trousers and the like 300 pairs of shoes trousers and the like 300 pairs of shoes trousers and the like end end end quote there are some weird psychological
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quote there are some weird psychological quote there are some weird psychological things going on in all this too and I things going on in all this too and I things going on in all this too and I don't attempt to speculate on what they don't attempt to speculate on what they don't attempt to speculate on what they were were were but when I was growing up there was this but when I was growing up there was this but when I was growing up there was this feeling because this was the sort of feeling because this was the sort of feeling because this was the sort of thing that was used as a defense at the thing that was used as a defense at the thing that was used as a defense at the nurburg war crime trials that a lot of nurburg war crime trials that a lot of nurburg war crime trials that a lot of these people found themselves in these people found themselves in these people found themselves in positions where they just had to follow positions where they just had to follow positions where they just had to follow orders and do distasteful things but orders and do distasteful things but orders and do distasteful things but there's enough evidence out there to there's enough evidence out there to there's enough evidence out there to show that a lot of people enjoyed this a show that a lot of people enjoyed this a show that a lot of people enjoyed this a lot of people wanted to watch um lot of people wanted to watch um lot of people wanted to watch um execution tourism was such a problem execution tourism was such a problem execution tourism was such a problem that the German leaders often had to that the German leaders often had to that the German leaders often had to issue uh severe reprimands warning that issue uh severe reprimands warning that issue uh severe reprimands warning that you know we can't have this happen again you know we can't have this happen again you know we can't have this happen again but it did people show up in their but it did people show up in their but it did people show up in their bathing suits women would show up bathing suits women would show up bathing suits women would show up there's one incident there's one incident there's one incident recounted in the book so doton by Sanka recounted in the book so doton by Sanka recounted in the book so doton by Sanka nitel and Harold welzer where they talk nitel and Harold welzer where they talk nitel and Harold welzer where they talk about a group of Berlin police officers about a group of Berlin police officers about a group of Berlin police officers who were who were who were musicians and performers so you think of musicians and performers so you think of musicians and performers so you think of like entertainers who asked if they like entertainers who asked if they like entertainers who asked if they could take part in the execution you could take part in the execution you could take part in the execution you know just for the experience and in the know just for the experience and in the know just for the experience and in the book The authors write quote Daniel book The authors write quote Daniel book The authors write quote Daniel goldhagen writing about one of the few goldhagen writing about one of the few goldhagen writing about one of the few known cases of this sort concluded that known cases of this sort concluded that known cases of this sort concluded that Germans in general were motivated by a Germans in general were motivated by a Germans in general were motivated by a kind of exterminatory kind of exterminatory kind of exterminatory anti-Semitism gold hogen focused on a anti-Semitism gold hogen focused on a anti-Semitism gold hogen focused on a Berlin Police Unit consisting of Berlin Police Unit consisting of Berlin Police Unit consisting of musicians and performers that was sent musicians and performers that was sent musicians and performers that was sent to the front to entertain troops in mid to the front to entertain troops in mid to the front to entertain troops in mid November November November 1942 they asked the commander of a 1942 they asked the commander of a 1942 they asked the commander of a reserve police Battalion in the German
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reserve police Battalion in the German reserve police Battalion in the German Town of lukau if they could take a turn Town of lukau if they could take a turn Town of lukau if they could take a turn shooting Jews at an upcoming execution shooting Jews at an upcoming execution shooting Jews at an upcoming execution their request was granted and the their request was granted and the their request was granted and the entertainers spent the following day entertainers spent the following day entertainers spent the following day amusing themselves by murdering people amusing themselves by murdering people amusing themselves by murdering people Holocaust historian Christopher Browning Holocaust historian Christopher Browning Holocaust historian Christopher Browning also mentions this incident but the also mentions this incident but the also mentions this incident but the question remains did the Germans in question remains did the Germans in question remains did the Germans in question need anti-semitic motivation to question need anti-semitic motivation to question need anti-semitic motivation to find killing fellow human beings and find killing fellow human beings and find killing fellow human beings and entertaining Pastime end quote and then entertaining Pastime end quote and then entertaining Pastime end quote and then one of the authors who's um trained in one of the authors who's um trained in one of the authors who's um trained in social psychology goes into all the social psychology goes into all the social psychology goes into all the reasons a human being might find this an reasons a human being might find this an reasons a human being might find this an interesting interesting interesting option he says quote the police officers option he says quote the police officers option he says quote the police officers in question enjoyed doing things they in question enjoyed doing things they in question enjoyed doing things they would never have been allowed to do would never have been allowed to do would never have been allowed to do under normal circumstances they wanted under normal circumstances they wanted under normal circumstances they wanted to experience what it felt like to kill to experience what it felt like to kill to experience what it felt like to kill without fear of consequences to exercise without fear of consequences to exercise without fear of consequences to exercise total power and do something total power and do something total power and do something extraordinary and monstrous free from extraordinary and monstrous free from extraordinary and monstrous free from the possibility of any negative the possibility of any negative the possibility of any negative consequences this is what sociologist consequences this is what sociologist consequences this is what sociologist Gunter Anders has called the quote Gunter Anders has called the quote Gunter Anders has called the quote chance for an unpunished inhumanity end chance for an unpunished inhumanity end chance for an unpunished inhumanity end quote for some people senseless murder quote for some people senseless murder quote for some people senseless murder was apparently a Temptation that could was apparently a Temptation that could was apparently a Temptation that could hardly be hardly be hardly be resisted violence of this nature needs resisted violence of this nature needs resisted violence of this nature needs neither a motive nor a reason it is its neither a motive nor a reason it is its neither a motive nor a reason it is its own motivation end own motivation end own motivation end quote well it's clear that there was quote well it's clear that there was quote well it's clear that there was enormous amounts of enormous amounts of enormous amounts of anti-Semitism in the German Army it's anti-Semitism in the German Army it's anti-Semitism in the German Army it's also clear by the accounts that a lot of also clear by the accounts that a lot of also clear by the accounts that a lot of people enjoyed killing Jews thought it
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people enjoyed killing Jews thought it people enjoyed killing Jews thought it was just right and proper to kill Jews was just right and proper to kill Jews was just right and proper to kill Jews um um um there's also a lot of evidence because there's also a lot of evidence because there's also a lot of evidence because the German government was very concerned the German government was very concerned the German government was very concerned about the effects on their soldiers of about the effects on their soldiers of about the effects on their soldiers of carrying out these Mass executions with carrying out these Mass executions with carrying out these Mass executions with guns one of the rationals for shifting guns one of the rationals for shifting guns one of the rationals for shifting from the What's called the Holocaust by from the What's called the Holocaust by from the What's called the Holocaust by bullets to the Holocaust by gas in bullets to the Holocaust by gas in bullets to the Holocaust by gas in places like the annihilation camps of places like the annihilation camps of places like the annihilation camps of owitz is to minimize not the effect on owitz is to minimize not the effect on owitz is to minimize not the effect on the victims but the effect on the the victims but the effect on the the victims but the effect on the victimizers and while it is almost s sa victimizers and while it is almost s sa victimizers and while it is almost s sa religious to have sympathy for the religious to have sympathy for the religious to have sympathy for the murderers of Jews and the perpetrators murderers of Jews and the perpetrators murderers of Jews and the perpetrators of the Holocaust I always try to put of the Holocaust I always try to put of the Holocaust I always try to put myself in the shoes of the people who myself in the shoes of the people who myself in the shoes of the people who may have been caught in the gears of may have been caught in the gears of may have been caught in the gears of History obviously the victims in the History obviously the victims in the History obviously the victims in the Holocaust are fatally caught in the Holocaust are fatally caught in the Holocaust are fatally caught in the gears of gears of gears of history but there were people that had history but there were people that had history but there were people that had to for the rest of their lives live with to for the rest of their lives live with to for the rest of their lives live with what they did in the Holocaust and I'm what they did in the Holocaust and I'm what they did in the Holocaust and I'm fascinated by that too and remember fascinated by that too and remember fascinated by that too and remember these are not armies where a person these are not armies where a person these are not armies where a person could have said you know uh if you make could have said you know uh if you make could have said you know uh if you make me do these terrible things I'm out I'm me do these terrible things I'm out I'm me do these terrible things I'm out I'm just not going to do them well you can just not going to do them well you can just not going to do them well you can do that but that may be a oneway ticket do that but that may be a oneway ticket do that but that may be a oneway ticket to a concentration camp for you so to a concentration camp for you so to a concentration camp for you so that's what I mean about being caught in that's what I mean about being caught in that's what I mean about being caught in the gears of the gears of the gears of History there's a fascinating list of History there's a fascinating list of History there's a fascinating list of remembrances at the back of the book remembrances at the back of the book remembrances at the back of the book called the German Army and genocide called the German Army and genocide called the German Army and genocide which is edited by the Hamburg Institute which is edited by the Hamburg Institute which is edited by the Hamburg Institute for social research it's one of the for social research it's one of the for social research it's one of the books that came out of that um
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books that came out of that um books that came out of that um groundbreaking exhibition in the 1990s groundbreaking exhibition in the 1990s groundbreaking exhibition in the 1990s that shattered the myth of the clean that shattered the myth of the clean that shattered the myth of the clean Vermont but by shattering the myth of Vermont but by shattering the myth of Vermont but by shattering the myth of the clean Vermont you denied all of the the clean Vermont you denied all of the the clean Vermont you denied all of the children and grandchildren of these children and grandchildren of these children and grandchildren of these German soldiers a an ethical place to German soldiers a an ethical place to German soldiers a an ethical place to hide for their loved ones because if you hide for their loved ones because if you hide for their loved ones because if you were able to claim that it was only the were able to claim that it was only the were able to claim that it was only the gestapo and the SD and the SS and the gestapo and the SD and the SS and the gestapo and the SD and the SS and the inets group and that did all these inets group and that did all these inets group and that did all these killings you could say that Granddad was killings you could say that Granddad was killings you could say that Granddad was clean that he just fought you know in a clean that he just fought you know in a clean that he just fought you know in a noble effort as part of the military to noble effort as part of the military to noble effort as part of the military to defend Germany or you could even say he defend Germany or you could even say he defend Germany or you could even say he didn't even want to do all these things didn't even want to do all these things didn't even want to do all these things he was just drafted he didn't take part he was just drafted he didn't take part he was just drafted he didn't take part in any of the bad stuff and this in any of the bad stuff and this in any of the bad stuff and this exhibition forced Germans to confront exhibition forced Germans to confront exhibition forced Germans to confront that and some people were angry about it that and some people were angry about it that and some people were angry about it and offended and took offense and and and offended and took offense and and and offended and took offense and and and were upset at the exhibition and and were upset at the exhibition and and were upset at the exhibition and what it said but others were chastened what it said but others were chastened what it said but others were chastened and it shocked them one of the accounts and it shocked them one of the accounts and it shocked them one of the accounts in the back of the book when they in the back of the book when they in the back of the book when they recorded the reactions of Germans to recorded the reactions of Germans to recorded the reactions of Germans to this this this exhibition involves a woman named exhibition involves a woman named exhibition involves a woman named Kristen Nichols Kristen Nichols Kristen Nichols who was in the government as a green who was in the government as a green who was in the government as a green party member but her father was in the party member but her father was in the party member but her father was in the war and she's recorded as telling the war and she's recorded as telling the war and she's recorded as telling the researchers her reaction to this researchers her reaction to this researchers her reaction to this exhibition and having to come to grips exhibition and having to come to grips exhibition and having to come to grips with what her father did and she says with what her father did and she says with what her father did and she says quote I want to say that my father was quote I want to say that my father was quote I want to say that my father was not young when he went to war he was not young when he went to war he was not young when he went to war he was born in 1908 and died in born in 1908 and died in born in 1908 and died in 1991 he was not a party member she 1991 he was not a party member she 1991 he was not a party member she continues later he was drafted my mother
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continues later he was drafted my mother continues later he was drafted my mother told me that in the 1950s told me that in the 1950s told me that in the 1950s my father never slept with the window my father never slept with the window my father never slept with the window open and screamed terribly in his sleep open and screamed terribly in his sleep open and screamed terribly in his sleep every night about fire and children she every night about fire and children she every night about fire and children she said it was simply horrible naturally said it was simply horrible naturally said it was simply horrible naturally she says I love my father very much he she says I love my father very much he she says I love my father very much he never told how it was when one shoots never told how it was when one shoots never told how it was when one shoots another person for the first time today another person for the first time today another person for the first time today that surprises that surprises that surprises me end me end me end quote she then mentions a famous if you quote she then mentions a famous if you quote she then mentions a famous if you were alive you remember in the 1980s a were alive you remember in the 1980s a were alive you remember in the 1980s a famous meeting where Ronald Reagan met famous meeting where Ronald Reagan met famous meeting where Ronald Reagan met the German Chancellor at a German the German Chancellor at a German the German Chancellor at a German Cemetery in bitburg and it became Cemetery in bitburg and it became Cemetery in bitburg and it became controversial because the press releases controversial because the press releases controversial because the press releases had said that they were just going to had said that they were just going to had said that they were just going to have sort of a Reconciliation meeting have sort of a Reconciliation meeting have sort of a Reconciliation meeting but then it was discovered that at the but then it was discovered that at the but then it was discovered that at the cemetery in bitburg some of the SS cemetery in bitburg some of the SS cemetery in bitburg some of the SS people were people were people were buried so in other words the people that buried so in other words the people that buried so in other words the people that at the time were thought to be the only at the time were thought to be the only at the time were thought to be the only people really guilty for the people really guilty for the people really guilty for the Holocaust and um Miss Nichols says quote Holocaust and um Miss Nichols says quote Holocaust and um Miss Nichols says quote back then I noticed for the first time back then I noticed for the first time back then I noticed for the first time that my father in the only photo of him that my father in the only photo of him that my father in the only photo of him that we have from that time is wearing a that we have from that time is wearing a that we have from that time is wearing a uniform that is black and has skulls on uniform that is black and has skulls on uniform that is black and has skulls on it at the time I was already a it at the time I was already a it at the time I was already a representative of the greens in the representative of the greens in the representative of the greens in the bundestag and didn't dare to ask my bundestag and didn't dare to ask my bundestag and didn't dare to ask my father it was incredibly difficult for father it was incredibly difficult for father it was incredibly difficult for me end quote she then says that in 1989 me end quote she then says that in 1989 me end quote she then says that in 1989 she traveled to Warsaw and went to one she traveled to Warsaw and went to one she traveled to Warsaw and went to one of the death camps she says that during of the death camps she says that during of the death camps she says that during the travel to the death camp she simply the travel to the death camp she simply the travel to the death camp she simply broke down because she was so shocked at broke down because she was so shocked at broke down because she was so shocked at what happened there but then she started
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what happened there but then she started what happened there but then she started to think as any of us might do about a to think as any of us might do about a to think as any of us might do about a loved one that found themselves caught loved one that found themselves caught loved one that found themselves caught in the gears of history as sacrilegious in the gears of history as sacrilegious in the gears of history as sacrilegious as it might be to think about them she as it might be to think about them she as it might be to think about them she says I was terribly shocked at what says I was terribly shocked at what says I was terribly shocked at what happened at the Concentration Camp quote happened at the Concentration Camp quote happened at the Concentration Camp quote but just as much about what they did to but just as much about what they did to but just as much about what they did to the men one of whom was my father they the men one of whom was my father they the men one of whom was my father they were for the most part Men Who Loved were for the most part Men Who Loved were for the most part Men Who Loved life and children it is horrible what life and children it is horrible what life and children it is horrible what they made out of men in this criminal they made out of men in this criminal they made out of men in this criminal War most of them didn't have the War most of them didn't have the War most of them didn't have the strength to extricate themselves from it strength to extricate themselves from it strength to extricate themselves from it all of them made themselves guilty of all of them made themselves guilty of all of them made themselves guilty of infinite atrocious wrongs the men women infinite atrocious wrongs the men women infinite atrocious wrongs the men women and children I am the daughter of such a and children I am the daughter of such a and children I am the daughter of such a German soldier are still marked by that German soldier are still marked by that German soldier are still marked by that today end today end today end quote what if you had found yourself in quote what if you had found yourself in quote what if you had found yourself in a position where you thought you were a position where you thought you were a position where you thought you were just a soldier and then one day you're just a soldier and then one day you're just a soldier and then one day you're standing on the edge of a pit where men standing on the edge of a pit where men standing on the edge of a pit where men women and children are stripped naked women and children are stripped naked women and children are stripped naked forced to lie down in the pit head to forced to lie down in the pit head to forced to lie down in the pit head to toe head to toe toe head to toe toe head to toe while you shoot them and then another while you shoot them and then another while you shoot them and then another batch comes in lays down on the dying batch comes in lays down on the dying batch comes in lays down on the dying people and forms another layer of human people and forms another layer of human people and forms another layer of human sardines for you to shoot sardines for you to shoot sardines for you to shoot them them them again I have a hard again I have a hard again I have a hard time trying to put myself in their shoes time trying to put myself in their shoes time trying to put myself in their shoes and yet at the same time I imagine that and yet at the same time I imagine that and yet at the same time I imagine that there must have been a lot of people in there must have been a lot of people in there must have been a lot of people in that position some of whom never thought that position some of whom never thought that position some of whom never thought twice about it some of whom bragged twice about it some of whom bragged twice about it some of whom bragged about it and enjoyed it and kept
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about it and enjoyed it and kept about it and enjoyed it and kept pictures in their wallets for the rest pictures in their wallets for the rest pictures in their wallets for the rest of their lives showing what they did and of their lives showing what they did and of their lives showing what they did and then others who woke up screaming every then others who woke up screaming every then others who woke up screaming every night ranting about fire and children there's an almost children there's an almost heretical sort of way to view the heretical sort of way to view the heretical sort of way to view the transition of the Holocaust from killing transition of the Holocaust from killing transition of the Holocaust from killing people at the sides of pits with bullets people at the sides of pits with bullets people at the sides of pits with bullets to gassing them in facilities and Mass to gassing them in facilities and Mass to gassing them in facilities and Mass and the heretical way to look at that is and the heretical way to look at that is and the heretical way to look at that is that you're trying to spare that you're trying to spare that you're trying to spare people the damage that this does to them people the damage that this does to them people the damage that this does to them and by the way not necessarily the and by the way not necessarily the and by the way not necessarily the victims but the victimizers I mean how victims but the victimizers I mean how victims but the victimizers I mean how many people especially women and many people especially women and many people especially women and children could you kill before it children could you kill before it children could you kill before it bothered you sounds like an obvious bothered you sounds like an obvious bothered you sounds like an obvious question doesn't it most of us are going question doesn't it most of us are going question doesn't it most of us are going to say any one right single to say any one right single to say any one right single person but I often wonder if the guy who person but I often wonder if the guy who person but I often wonder if the guy who clubbed those 45 or 5050 Jews in clubbed those 45 or 5050 Jews in clubbed those 45 or 5050 Jews in Lithuania on the back of the head one Lithuania on the back of the head one Lithuania on the back of the head one right after another ever woke up right after another ever woke up right after another ever woke up screaming about it screaming about it screaming about it later my dad used to say Different later my dad used to say Different later my dad used to say Different Strokes for different folks but that Strokes for different folks but that Strokes for different folks but that also applies to whether or not you can also applies to whether or not you can also applies to whether or not you can kill people easily and sleep well at kill people easily and sleep well at kill people easily and sleep well at night but there are plenty of clues that night but there are plenty of clues that night but there are plenty of clues that the transition to this sort of the transition to this sort of the transition to this sort of relatively relatively relatively dispassionate and insulated method of dispassionate and insulated method of dispassionate and insulated method of wiping out lots of people by using gas
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wiping out lots of people by using gas wiping out lots of people by using gas ass was meant to spare the people who ass was meant to spare the people who ass was meant to spare the people who had to shoot the people otherwise in the had to shoot the people otherwise in the had to shoot the people otherwise in the Holocaust by bullets take for example Holocaust by bullets take for example Holocaust by bullets take for example what the guy who ran a schwitz said um what the guy who ran a schwitz said um what the guy who ran a schwitz said um Rudolph hes was executed after the war Rudolph hes was executed after the war Rudolph hes was executed after the war he ran owitz for a couple of years um he ran owitz for a couple of years um he ran owitz for a couple of years um especially during the period where it especially during the period where it especially during the period where it really ramped up and got really ramped up and got really ramped up and got going hos made going hos made going hos made statements that he was statements that he was statements that he was relieved that they were finally going to relieved that they were finally going to relieved that they were finally going to figure out a way to save the Germans who figure out a way to save the Germans who figure out a way to save the Germans who had to execute all these people from the had to execute all these people from the had to execute all these people from the fate of waking up at night for years fate of waking up at night for years fate of waking up at night for years screaming you know about children in screaming you know about children in screaming you know about children in fires afterwards right not so worried fires afterwards right not so worried fires afterwards right not so worried about the victims but more the about the victims but more the about the victims but more the victimizers although sometimes they victimizers although sometimes they victimizers although sometimes they talked about it you know as somehow talked about it you know as somehow talked about it you know as somehow sparing the victims some of the you know sparing the victims some of the you know sparing the victims some of the you know psychological torment before they met psychological torment before they met psychological torment before they met their ends in the book German voices their ends in the book German voices their ends in the book German voices memories of life during Hitler's thirdd memories of life during Hitler's thirdd memories of life during Hitler's thirdd Reich Frederick C tuach quotes hus Reich Frederick C tuach quotes hus Reich Frederick C tuach quotes hus talking about this and just so you you talking about this and just so you you talking about this and just so you you know it's not a direct quote because know it's not a direct quote because know it's not a direct quote because there's three dots between some of the there's three dots between some of the there's three dots between some of the statements which means some of the statements which means some of the statements which means some of the intervening stuff maybe cross talk with intervening stuff maybe cross talk with intervening stuff maybe cross talk with an interviewer has been excised but I'm an interviewer has been excised but I'm an interviewer has been excised but I'm going to read it as though it's a single going to read it as though it's a single going to read it as though it's a single quote because it gives you an idea of quote because it gives you an idea of quote because it gives you an idea of how these people might somehow tell how these people might somehow tell how these people might somehow tell themselves that gassing large numbers of themselves that gassing large numbers of themselves that gassing large numbers of people was more merciful than shooting people was more merciful than shooting people was more merciful than shooting them at the sides of ditches and if not them at the sides of ditches and if not them at the sides of ditches and if not for the victims then for the people that for the victims then for the people that for the victims then for the people that had to do the had to do the had to do the shooting in the book describes his
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shooting in the book describes his shooting in the book describes his promotion to Commander at awit this way promotion to Commander at awit this way promotion to Commander at awit this way quote there was no turning back with quote there was no turning back with quote there was no turning back with strange feelings I entered my new range strange feelings I entered my new range strange feelings I entered my new range of activities a new world to which I was of activities a new world to which I was of activities a new world to which I was bound and chained I knew all about the bound and chained I knew all about the bound and chained I knew all about the life of prisoners but the Concentration life of prisoners but the Concentration life of prisoners but the Concentration Camp was something new to me end quote Camp was something new to me end quote Camp was something new to me end quote the author then says that with the the author then says that with the the author then says that with the impending arrival of the mass transports impending arrival of the mass transports impending arrival of the mass transports of Jews hos felt relieved that the of Jews hos felt relieved that the of Jews hos felt relieved that the efficient gas ovens were to be used efficient gas ovens were to be used efficient gas ovens were to be used rather than the traditional method of rather than the traditional method of rather than the traditional method of mass shootings now quoting hos again mass shootings now quoting hos again mass shootings now quoting hos again quote I was always appalled by shootings quote I was always appalled by shootings quote I was always appalled by shootings particularly when I thought of the women particularly when I thought of the women particularly when I thought of the women and children now I was relieved that we and children now I was relieved that we and children now I was relieved that we were going to be spared these bloodbaths were going to be spared these bloodbaths were going to be spared these bloodbaths gruesome scenes are said to have taken gruesome scenes are said to have taken gruesome scenes are said to have taken place the running away of the Wounded place the running away of the Wounded place the running away of the Wounded the killing of the Wounded above all the killing of the Wounded above all the killing of the Wounded above all women and children the frequent suicides women and children the frequent suicides women and children the frequent suicides in the ranks of the execution squads in the ranks of the execution squads in the ranks of the execution squads because they couldn't stand waiting because they couldn't stand waiting because they couldn't stand waiting Through Blood some became insane end Through Blood some became insane end Through Blood some became insane end quote well you kind of hope so don't you quote well you kind of hope so don't you quote well you kind of hope so don't you restores your faith in humanity a little restores your faith in humanity a little restores your faith in humanity a little to think that a cultured to think that a cultured to think that a cultured educated religious right seemingly uh educated religious right seemingly uh educated religious right seemingly uh moral people from a society that should moral people from a society that should moral people from a society that should know better were bothered by this at know better were bothered by this at know better were bothered by this at least some of them you would hope so least some of them you would hope so least some of them you would hope so right the annihilation camps though right the annihilation camps though right the annihilation camps though brought their own sorts of horrific of brought their own sorts of horrific of brought their own sorts of horrific of course to the scene I mean first of all course to the scene I mean first of all course to the scene I mean first of all of all that there was a big difference
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of all that there was a big difference of all that there was a big difference as pointed out in many sources between as pointed out in many sources between as pointed out in many sources between killing Jews where you found them right killing Jews where you found them right killing Jews where you found them right right right outside the towns or the right right outside the towns or the right right outside the towns or the cities or nearby where they lived and cities or nearby where they lived and cities or nearby where they lived and having to get them from one place to a having to get them from one place to a having to get them from one place to a centralized killing area where you could centralized killing area where you could centralized killing area where you could dispose of them cuz sometimes they dispose of them cuz sometimes they dispose of them cuz sometimes they started off a long way away from where started off a long way away from where started off a long way away from where they were supposed to end up and the they were supposed to end up and the they were supposed to end up and the trip itself could be a vision of trip itself could be a vision of trip itself could be a vision of hell in his book Dan Stone talks about hell in his book Dan Stone talks about hell in his book Dan Stone talks about and recounts the story of a bunch of and recounts the story of a bunch of and recounts the story of a bunch of Jews that were packed into Railway cars Jews that were packed into Railway cars Jews that were packed into Railway cars in Greece where they were from to be in Greece where they were from to be in Greece where they were from to be taken to the place where they would be taken to the place where they would be taken to the place where they would be annihilated turned annihilated turned annihilated turned out they weren't destined to die in the out they weren't destined to die in the out they weren't destined to die in the gas Chambers they died on the way and he gas Chambers they died on the way and he gas Chambers they died on the way and he writes an account a firsthand account by writes an account a firsthand account by writes an account a firsthand account by a vienes Jew named Simon umwe who whose a vienes Jew named Simon umwe who whose a vienes Jew named Simon umwe who whose job it was uh to work for the Nazis and job it was uh to work for the Nazis and job it was uh to work for the Nazis and unload these Railway cars transporting unload these Railway cars transporting unload these Railway cars transporting Jews to their death and he's the one Jews to their death and he's the one Jews to their death and he's the one that in the case of the Jews coming from that in the case of the Jews coming from that in the case of the Jews coming from Greece found them already deceased when Greece found them already deceased when Greece found them already deceased when they got there and he said quote the they got there and he said quote the they got there and he said quote the wagons meaning on the train were sealed wagons meaning on the train were sealed wagons meaning on the train were sealed and nailed shut as we opened them we and nailed shut as we opened them we and nailed shut as we opened them we were presented with a terrible image were presented with a terrible image were presented with a terrible image crammed in by The Hundreds the people crammed in by The Hundreds the people crammed in by The Hundreds the people squatted on their possessions since they squatted on their possessions since they squatted on their possessions since they were unable to get out their excr were unable to get out their excr were unable to get out their excr remained in the wagon everything was a
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remained in the wagon everything was a remained in the wagon everything was a stinking Heap there was no one alive the stinking Heap there was no one alive the stinking Heap there was no one alive the air was so poisoned that comrades in our air was so poisoned that comrades in our air was so poisoned that comrades in our Commando fainted we had to throw Commando fainted we had to throw Commando fainted we had to throw everything the corpses the possessions everything the corpses the possessions everything the corpses the possessions and the filth into huge pits which Burns and the filth into huge pits which Burns and the filth into huge pits which Burns Day and Night the pits were 8 m deep and Day and Night the pits were 8 m deep and Day and Night the pits were 8 m deep and 4 M Square children up to the age of 4 M Square children up to the age of 4 M Square children up to the age of four who had arrived on other transports four who had arrived on other transports four who had arrived on other transports were also thrown alive into these pits were also thrown alive into these pits were also thrown alive into these pits end end end quote if you look at the infrastructure quote if you look at the infrastructure quote if you look at the infrastructure and the logistics of killing and wiping and the logistics of killing and wiping and the logistics of killing and wiping out and causing a genocide amongst an out and causing a genocide amongst an out and causing a genocide amongst an entire people it's larger than we think entire people it's larger than we think entire people it's larger than we think it is and we should recall that even it is and we should recall that even it is and we should recall that even though people like to argue about how though people like to argue about how though people like to argue about how many Jews died in the Holocaust cuz 6 many Jews died in the Holocaust cuz 6 many Jews died in the Holocaust cuz 6 million was an estimate we should note million was an estimate we should note million was an estimate we should note that the Germans were planning for far that the Germans were planning for far that the Germans were planning for far more and had they won the war they were more and had they won the war they were more and had they won the war they were planning on having some 11 million Jews planning on having some 11 million Jews planning on having some 11 million Jews available for them to kill and the available for them to kill and the available for them to kill and the amount of INF structure that goes into amount of INF structure that goes into amount of INF structure that goes into those kinds of those kinds of those kinds of genocidal type Logistics is a lot larger genocidal type Logistics is a lot larger genocidal type Logistics is a lot larger than most people think and Dan Stone than most people think and Dan Stone than most people think and Dan Stone points out in his book that at the start points out in his book that at the start points out in his book that at the start of the war there were six main of the war there were six main of the war there were six main concentration camps in existence he says concentration camps in existence he says concentration camps in existence he says by the end of 1943 that had become 260 by the end of 1943 that had become 260 by the end of 1943 that had become 260 Main and satellite camps by July 1944 he Main and satellite camps by July 1944 he Main and satellite camps by July 1944 he said almost 600 camps and by January 19 said almost 600 camps and by January 19 said almost 600 camps and by January 19 45 more than 730 camps he says that
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45 more than 730 camps he says that 45 more than 730 camps he says that there was a list compiled by polish there was a list compiled by polish there was a list compiled by polish prosecutor Yan SE in 1950 that contain prosecutor Yan SE in 1950 that contain prosecutor Yan SE in 1950 that contain the names of more than a thousand the names of more than a thousand the names of more than a thousand camps Stone says that by some reckonings camps Stone says that by some reckonings camps Stone says that by some reckonings the number of subcamps was more than the number of subcamps was more than the number of subcamps was more than 1,00 so if you're going to try to kill 1,00 so if you're going to try to kill 1,00 so if you're going to try to kill 11 million people in your long-term 11 million people in your long-term 11 million people in your long-term plans you're going to need a lot of plans you're going to need a lot of plans you're going to need a lot of locations to do it Dan Stone gives us a sense of the it Dan Stone gives us a sense of the pace of the killings at times and says pace of the killings at times and says pace of the killings at times and says it was probably the fastest rate of it was probably the fastest rate of it was probably the fastest rate of genocidal killing in world history and genocidal killing in world history and genocidal killing in world history and he says quote in December 1941 and March he says quote in December 1941 and March he says quote in December 1941 and March 1942 gassings began at shelo and belac 1942 gassings began at shelo and belac 1942 gassings began at shelo and belac respectively in May and July soore and respectively in May and July soore and respectively in May and July soore and trinka also began operating the trinka also began operating the trinka also began operating the Operation Reinhard camps were built to Operation Reinhard camps were built to Operation Reinhard camps were built to kill the Jews of Poland Al although some kill the Jews of Poland Al although some kill the Jews of Poland Al although some Jews from the Netherlands Czechoslovakia Jews from the Netherlands Czechoslovakia Jews from the Netherlands Czechoslovakia and elsewhere were also murdered at soor and elsewhere were also murdered at soor and elsewhere were also murdered at soor and trinka by 1943 they had accomplished and trinka by 1943 they had accomplished and trinka by 1943 they had accomplished their task and trinka the last to be their task and trinka the last to be their task and trinka the last to be closed was dismantled in August in about closed was dismantled in August in about closed was dismantled in August in about 18 months somewhere in the region of 1.7 18 months somewhere in the region of 1.7 18 months somewhere in the region of 1.7 million Jews had been killed at these million Jews had been killed at these million Jews had been killed at these three camps with the rate of killing at three camps with the rate of killing at three camps with the rate of killing at its height in an extraordinary 3-month its height in an extraordinary 3-month its height in an extraordinary 3-month period from August to October period from August to October period from August to October 1942 in this period of intense killing 1942 in this period of intense killing 1942 in this period of intense killing over 1 million ion victims were murdered over 1 million ion victims were murdered over 1 million ion victims were murdered at the Reinhard camps and if one adds in at the Reinhard camps and if one adds in at the Reinhard camps and if one adds in those killed by the einot groupin and at
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those killed by the einot groupin and at those killed by the einot groupin and at aitz at the same time then these three aitz at the same time then these three aitz at the same time then these three months saw the murder of approximately months saw the murder of approximately months saw the murder of approximately 1.47 million Jews about one quarter of 1.47 million Jews about one quarter of 1.47 million Jews about one quarter of the total killed in the six years of the the total killed in the six years of the the total killed in the six years of the war this rate of murder he writes makes war this rate of murder he writes makes war this rate of murder he writes makes this period of the Holocaust probably this period of the Holocaust probably this period of the Holocaust probably the fastest rate of genocidal killing in the fastest rate of genocidal killing in the fastest rate of genocidal killing in history end history end history end quote we had mentioned earlier that quote we had mentioned earlier that quote we had mentioned earlier that great SE secrecy was employed to try to great SE secrecy was employed to try to great SE secrecy was employed to try to keep prying eyes from seeing what was keep prying eyes from seeing what was keep prying eyes from seeing what was going on here there's a reason the going on here there's a reason the going on here there's a reason the Allies did not know more about what was Allies did not know more about what was Allies did not know more about what was going on during the Holocaust and it's going on during the Holocaust and it's going on during the Holocaust and it's because great care was taken to prevent because great care was taken to prevent because great care was taken to prevent people from knowing what was going on people from knowing what was going on people from knowing what was going on during the Holocaust when Germans in during the Holocaust when Germans in during the Holocaust when Germans in Germany said they didn't know about it Germany said they didn't know about it Germany said they didn't know about it there's a reason that they might be able there's a reason that they might be able there's a reason that they might be able to claim that and mean to claim that and mean to claim that and mean it but it's kind of hard to keep the it but it's kind of hard to keep the it but it's kind of hard to keep the shootings of thousands and thousands of shootings of thousands and thousands of shootings of thousands and thousands of people in the open a secret even though people in the open a secret even though people in the open a secret even though as we read earlier the accounts from the as we read earlier the accounts from the as we read earlier the accounts from the commanders on the scene of these commanders on the scene of these commanders on the scene of these executions the first thing that they executions the first thing that they executions the first thing that they write is you know when they're writing write is you know when they're writing write is you know when they're writing to their commanding officers of the to their commanding officers of the to their commanding officers of the methods that they took to help maintain methods that they took to help maintain methods that they took to help maintain secrecy but it's a lot easier in some of secrecy but it's a lot easier in some of secrecy but it's a lot easier in some of these Annihilation camps to keep prying these Annihilation camps to keep prying these Annihilation camps to keep prying eyes from knowing what's going on eyes from knowing what's going on eyes from knowing what's going on because you can control access to them because you can control access to them because you can control access to them so the accounts of what was going on in so the accounts of what was going on in so the accounts of what was going on in them are them are them are rare the actual uh people whose job it rare the actual uh people whose job it rare the actual uh people whose job it was to handle the dead bodies and all was to handle the dead bodies and all was to handle the dead bodies and all those kinds of things uh often times
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those kinds of things uh often times those kinds of things uh often times were inmates themselves in these death were inmates themselves in these death were inmates themselves in these death camps and often times they were killed camps and often times they were killed camps and often times they were killed every three or four months to make sure every three or four months to make sure every three or four months to make sure that what they knew died with them but that what they knew died with them but that what they knew died with them but occasionally information leaked out occasionally information leaked out occasionally information leaked out there's a famous report called the there's a famous report called the there's a famous report called the gashin report and it was written by an gashin report and it was written by an gashin report and it was written by an SS soldier named Kurt gashin now gin's SS soldier named Kurt gashin now gin's SS soldier named Kurt gashin now gin's story is fascinating and it is hard to story is fascinating and it is hard to story is fascinating and it is hard to know what to know what to know what to believe he claimed to essentially be an believe he claimed to essentially be an believe he claimed to essentially be an infiltrator someone who lost a close infiltrator someone who lost a close infiltrator someone who lost a close relative killed in one of these camps relative killed in one of these camps relative killed in one of these camps because they were one of those people because they were one of those people because they were one of those people who was deemed by the Nazis to be unfit who was deemed by the Nazis to be unfit who was deemed by the Nazis to be unfit to live because they were disabled and to live because they were disabled and to live because they were disabled and he says that was the moment that as a he says that was the moment that as a he says that was the moment that as a very religious person he decided he was very religious person he decided he was very religious person he decided he was going to join the SS and find out going to join the SS and find out going to join the SS and find out exactly what was going on and expose it exactly what was going on and expose it exactly what was going on and expose it again I don't know if that's true or not again I don't know if that's true or not again I don't know if that's true or not but that's his story and after the war but that's his story and after the war but that's his story and after the war he wrote several different accounts in he wrote several different accounts in he wrote several different accounts in several different languages uh several different languages uh several different languages uh explaining what he saw and then he hung explaining what he saw and then he hung explaining what he saw and then he hung himself but gin's job was he was one of himself but gin's job was he was one of himself but gin's job was he was one of the people that was going to replace the the people that was going to replace the the people that was going to replace the way that they were killing people in way that they were killing people in way that they were killing people in these Annihilation camps with a new way these Annihilation camps with a new way these Annihilation camps with a new way because the way they started killing because the way they started killing because the way they started killing them was with the fumes from diesel them was with the fumes from diesel them was with the fumes from diesel engines right they would back a truck up engines right they would back a truck up engines right they would back a truck up or a tank up to the gas or a tank up to the gas or a tank up to the gas Chambers connect a tube or something Chambers connect a tube or something Chambers connect a tube or something like it to the exhaust of these engines like it to the exhaust of these engines like it to the exhaust of these engines and then pump in the diesel fuels into and then pump in the diesel fuels into and then pump in the diesel fuels into these enclosed rooms and kill everyone these enclosed rooms and kill everyone these enclosed rooms and kill everyone in them but it wasn't something that
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in them but it wasn't something that in them but it wasn't something that worked very well and gashin and others worked very well and gashin and others worked very well and gashin and others were part of the uh process of Shifting were part of the uh process of Shifting were part of the uh process of Shifting it to something more efficient that it to something more efficient that it to something more efficient that turned out to be the famous Cyclone B uh turned out to be the famous Cyclone B uh turned out to be the famous Cyclone B uh cyanide cyanide cyanide gas and because of this gashin was given gas and because of this gashin was given gas and because of this gashin was given a tour of one of these death camps a tour of one of these death camps a tour of one of these death camps belits in Poland and shown how the belits in Poland and shown how the belits in Poland and shown how the process worked it is process worked it is process worked it is horrifying he says he arrived there for horrifying he says he arrived there for horrifying he says he arrived there for his tour in a Hot August day he said he his tour in a Hot August day he said he his tour in a Hot August day he said he saw no corpses in the open but he said saw no corpses in the open but he said saw no corpses in the open but he said just the smell of the whole region was just the smell of the whole region was just the smell of the whole region was stinking to high heaven he says and stinking to high heaven he says and stinking to high heaven he says and millions of flies were everywhere so you millions of flies were everywhere so you millions of flies were everywhere so you got the gist of what was going got the gist of what was going got the gist of what was going on he describes the methods taken by the on he describes the methods taken by the on he describes the methods taken by the designers of the camp to sort of hide designers of the camp to sort of hide designers of the camp to sort of hide what the camp was all about and it's what the camp was all about and it's what the camp was all about and it's borderline diabolical I mean they have borderline diabolical I mean they have borderline diabolical I mean they have signs that say things like inhalation in signs that say things like inhalation in signs that say things like inhalation in bathrooms they have geraniums planted bathrooms they have geraniums planted bathrooms they have geraniums planted they have a star of David which he they have a star of David which he they have a star of David which he refers to as a clever little joke in refers to as a clever little joke in refers to as a clever little joke in front of one of the buildings and then front of one of the buildings and then front of one of the buildings and then there was an inscription on another there was an inscription on another there was an inscription on another building that said hacken Holt building that said hacken Holt building that said hacken Holt Foundation which he didn't know what Foundation which he didn't know what Foundation which he didn't know what that meant initially that meant initially that meant initially he found out later what a cruel joke he found out later what a cruel joke he found out later what a cruel joke that was when he found out that hacken that was when he found out that hacken that was when he found out that hacken halt was the name of the guy who started halt was the name of the guy who started halt was the name of the guy who started the diesel engine that pumped the
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the diesel engine that pumped the the diesel engine that pumped the noxious fumes into the gas noxious fumes into the gas noxious fumes into the gas chamber he describes the experience of chamber he describes the experience of chamber he describes the experience of the victims as they arrived in the the victims as they arrived in the the victims as they arrived in the trains all the way to when their bodies trains all the way to when their bodies trains all the way to when their bodies were pulled out of the gas chamber it is were pulled out of the gas chamber it is were pulled out of the gas chamber it is horrible but it is necessary to recount horrible but it is necessary to recount horrible but it is necessary to recount them it's a little long I'll break it up them it's a little long I'll break it up them it's a little long I'll break it up if I can but he writes and like I said if I can but he writes and like I said if I can but he writes and like I said there's a couple of different versions there's a couple of different versions there's a couple of different versions of this I got mine from the Jewish of this I got mine from the Jewish of this I got mine from the Jewish virtual library but there's several virtual library but there's several virtual library but there's several online and he writes online and he writes online and he writes quote the next morning shortly before 7: quote the next morning shortly before 7: quote the next morning shortly before 7: a.m. someone announced to me in 10 a.m. someone announced to me in 10 a.m. someone announced to me in 10 minutes the first transport will come in minutes the first transport will come in minutes the first transport will come in fact the first train arrived after some fact the first train arrived after some fact the first train arrived after some minutes from the direction of lenberg 45 minutes from the direction of lenberg 45 minutes from the direction of lenberg 45 wagons with 6700 people of whom 1450 wagons with 6700 people of whom 1450 wagons with 6700 people of whom 1450 were already Dead on Arrival behind the were already Dead on Arrival behind the were already Dead on Arrival behind the barred hatches children as well as men barred hatches children as well as men barred hatches children as well as men and women looked out terribly pale and and women looked out terribly pale and and women looked out terribly pale and nervous their eyes full of the fear of nervous their eyes full of the fear of nervous their eyes full of the fear of death the train comes in 200 ukrainians death the train comes in 200 ukrainians death the train comes in 200 ukrainians fling open the doors and whip the people fling open the doors and whip the people fling open the doors and whip the people out of the wagons with their leather out of the wagons with their leather out of the wagons with their leather whips he says a large loudspeaker then whips he says a large loudspeaker then whips he says a large loudspeaker then gave further orders and he quoted the gave further orders and he quoted the gave further orders and he quoted the loudspeaker as saying quote undress loudspeaker as saying quote undress loudspeaker as saying quote undress completely also remove artificial limbs completely also remove artificial limbs completely also remove artificial limbs spectacles Etc end spectacles Etc end spectacles Etc end quote he says that everyone undressed quote he says that everyone undressed quote he says that everyone undressed and then he continues by saying quote and then he continues by saying quote and then he continues by saying quote then the procession starts moving in then the procession starts moving in then the procession starts moving in front a very lovely young girl so all of
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front a very lovely young girl so all of front a very lovely young girl so all of them go along the alley all naked men them go along the alley all naked men them go along the alley all naked men women and children without artificial women and children without artificial women and children without artificial limbs I myself stand together with limbs I myself stand together with limbs I myself stand together with helpman verth which is the commander on helpman verth which is the commander on helpman verth which is the commander on top of the ramp between the gas Chambers top of the ramp between the gas Chambers top of the ramp between the gas Chambers mothers with babies at their breasts mothers with babies at their breasts mothers with babies at their breasts they come onward hesitate enter the they come onward hesitate enter the they come onward hesitate enter the death Chambers at the corner a strong SS death Chambers at the corner a strong SS death Chambers at the corner a strong SS man stands who with a voice like a man stands who with a voice like a man stands who with a voice like a pastor says to the poor people now pastor says to the poor people now pastor says to the poor people now quoting him there is not the least quoting him there is not the least quoting him there is not the least chance that something will happen to you chance that something will happen to you chance that something will happen to you you must only take a deep breath in the you must only take a deep breath in the you must only take a deep breath in the chamber that widens the lungs this chamber that widens the lungs this chamber that widens the lungs this inhalation is necessary because of the inhalation is necessary because of the inhalation is necessary because of the illnesses and illnesses and illnesses and epidemics he says on the question of epidemics he says on the question of epidemics he says on the question of what would happen to them he answered what would happen to them he answered what would happen to them he answered yes of course the men will have to work yes of course the men will have to work yes of course the men will have to work building houses and roads but the women building houses and roads but the women building houses and roads but the women don't need to work only if they wish don't need to work only if they wish don't need to work only if they wish they can help in housekeeping or in the they can help in housekeeping or in the they can help in housekeeping or in the kitchen he says quote for some of these kitchen he says quote for some of these kitchen he says quote for some of these poor people this gave a little glimmer poor people this gave a little glimmer poor people this gave a little glimmer of hope enough to go the first few steps of hope enough to go the first few steps of hope enough to go the first few steps to the chambers without resistance the to the chambers without resistance the to the chambers without resistance the majority he says though are aware the majority he says though are aware the majority he says though are aware the smell tells them of their fate so they smell tells them of their fate so they smell tells them of their fate so they climb the small staircase and then they climb the small staircase and then they climb the small staircase and then they see everything mothers with little see everything mothers with little see everything mothers with little children at the breast little naked children at the breast little naked children at the breast little naked children children adults men women all children children adults men women all children children adults men women all naked they hesitate but they enter the naked they hesitate but they enter the naked they hesitate but they enter the death Chambers pushed forward by those death Chambers pushed forward by those death Chambers pushed forward by those behind them or driven by the leather behind them or driven by the leather behind them or driven by the leather whips of the whips of the whips of the SS the majority he says without saying a
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SS the majority he says without saying a SS the majority he says without saying a word a Jewish of about 40 years of age word a Jewish of about 40 years of age word a Jewish of about 40 years of age with flaming eyes calls down Vengeance with flaming eyes calls down Vengeance with flaming eyes calls down Vengeance on the head of the murderers for the on the head of the murderers for the on the head of the murderers for the blood which is shed here she gets five blood which is shed here she gets five blood which is shed here she gets five or six slashes with the riding crop into or six slashes with the riding crop into or six slashes with the riding crop into her face from hman personally and then her face from hman personally and then her face from hman personally and then she also disappears into the chamber end she also disappears into the chamber end she also disappears into the chamber end quote he then says that the commander quote he then says that the commander quote he then says that the commander says to the people filling the chamber says to the people filling the chamber says to the people filling the chamber that they should pack well and he says that they should pack well and he says that they should pack well and he says people stand on each other's feet 7 to people stand on each other's feet 7 to people stand on each other's feet 7 to 800 people in 45 cubic meters he says 800 people in 45 cubic meters he says 800 people in 45 cubic meters he says the SS physically squeezes them together the SS physically squeezes them together the SS physically squeezes them together as far as possible and then he continues as far as possible and then he continues as far as possible and then he continues remember this man's watching 7 to 800 remember this man's watching 7 to 800 remember this man's watching 7 to 800 people being killed in front front of people being killed in front front of people being killed in front front of him through a small window with an him through a small window with an him through a small window with an electric light he continues the doors electric light he continues the doors electric light he continues the doors close at the same time the others close at the same time the others close at the same time the others meaning the next batch of people are meaning the next batch of people are meaning the next batch of people are waiting outside in the open air waiting outside in the open air waiting outside in the open air naked the people are brought to death naked the people are brought to death naked the people are brought to death with the diesel exhaust fumes but the with the diesel exhaust fumes but the with the diesel exhaust fumes but the Diesel doesn't work halman verth comes Diesel doesn't work halman verth comes Diesel doesn't work halman verth comes one can see that he feels embarrassed one can see that he feels embarrassed one can see that he feels embarrassed that this happens just today when I am that this happens just today when I am that this happens just today when I am here that's right I see everything and I here that's right I see everything and I here that's right I see everything and I wait my stopwatch has honestly wait my stopwatch has honestly wait my stopwatch has honestly registered everything 50 minutes 70 registered everything 50 minutes 70 registered everything 50 minutes 70 minutes the Diesel doesn't start the minutes the Diesel doesn't start the minutes the Diesel doesn't start the people are waiting in their gas Chambers people are waiting in their gas Chambers people are waiting in their gas Chambers in vain one can hear them crying in vain one can hear them crying in vain one can hear them crying sobbing he then sobbing he then sobbing he then continues quote after 2 hours and 49
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continues quote after 2 hours and 49 continues quote after 2 hours and 49 minutes the stopwatch has registered minutes the stopwatch has registered minutes the stopwatch has registered everything well the diesel starts until everything well the diesel starts until everything well the diesel starts until this moment the people live in these this moment the people live in these this moment the people live in these four chambers four times 750 people in four chambers four times 750 people in four chambers four times 750 people in four times 45 cubic M again 25 minutes four times 45 cubic M again 25 minutes four times 45 cubic M again 25 minutes pass right many are dead now one can see pass right many are dead now one can see pass right many are dead now one can see that through the small window in which that through the small window in which that through the small window in which the electric light illuminates the the electric light illuminates the the electric light illuminates the chambers for a moment after 28 minutes chambers for a moment after 28 minutes chambers for a moment after 28 minutes only a few are still alive finally after only a few are still alive finally after only a few are still alive finally after 32 minutes everyone is 32 minutes everyone is 32 minutes everyone is dead he then says the people from the dead he then says the people from the dead he then says the people from the work command open the doors these are um work command open the doors these are um work command open the doors these are um the s Commandos some of them uh Jews the s Commandos some of them uh Jews the s Commandos some of them uh Jews who've been promised their freedom but who've been promised their freedom but who've been promised their freedom but instead every 3 or four months they're instead every 3 or four months they're instead every 3 or four months they're killed too it helps keep everybody quiet killed too it helps keep everybody quiet killed too it helps keep everybody quiet and he describes the way the dead are and he describes the way the dead are and he describes the way the dead are situated in the gas Chambers which are situated in the gas Chambers which are situated in the gas Chambers which are so crammed with people nobody can even so crammed with people nobody can even so crammed with people nobody can even bend over and he writes quote like bend over and he writes quote like bend over and he writes quote like Basalt pillars the dead Stand Inside Basalt pillars the dead Stand Inside Basalt pillars the dead Stand Inside pressed together in the chambers in any pressed together in the chambers in any pressed together in the chambers in any event there was no space to fall down or event there was no space to fall down or event there was no space to fall down or even Bend forward even in death one can even Bend forward even in death one can even Bend forward even in death one can still tell the families they still hold still tell the families they still hold still tell the families they still hold hands tensed in death so that one can hands tensed in death so that one can hands tensed in death so that one can barely tear them apart in order to empty barely tear them apart in order to empty barely tear them apart in order to empty the chamber for the next batch the the chamber for the next batch the the chamber for the next batch the corpses are thrown out wet from sweat corpses are thrown out wet from sweat corpses are thrown out wet from sweat and urine soiled by excrement menstrual and urine soiled by excrement menstrual and urine soiled by excrement menstrual blood on their legs children's corpses
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blood on their legs children's corpses blood on their legs children's corpses fly through the air there is no time the fly through the air there is no time the fly through the air there is no time the riding crops of the ukrainians Lash down riding crops of the ukrainians Lash down riding crops of the ukrainians Lash down on the work commands two dozen dentists on the work commands two dozen dentists on the work commands two dozen dentists open mouths with hooks and look for open mouths with hooks and look for open mouths with hooks and look for gold gold to the gold gold to the gold gold to the left without gold to the right other left without gold to the right other left without gold to the right other dentists break gold teeth and crowns out dentists break gold teeth and crowns out dentists break gold teeth and crowns out of jaws with pliers and hammers end of jaws with pliers and hammers end of jaws with pliers and hammers end quote he then points out something that quote he then points out something that quote he then points out something that should remind us of why it is so hard to should remind us of why it is so hard to should remind us of why it is so hard to figure out exactly how many people died figure out exactly how many people died figure out exactly how many people died in the Holocaust he says neither at in the Holocaust he says neither at in the Holocaust he says neither at belitz or trinka was any trouble taken belitz or trinka was any trouble taken belitz or trinka was any trouble taken over registering or counting the dead he over registering or counting the dead he over registering or counting the dead he said the numbers were only estimates of said the numbers were only estimates of said the numbers were only estimates of a wagon's a wagon's a wagon's Content imagine this going on every day Content imagine this going on every day Content imagine this going on every day at lots of different at lots of different at lots of different facilities for years trying to imagine the reality of years trying to imagine the reality of that that that description is almost impossible I mean description is almost impossible I mean description is almost impossible I mean even trying to get your mind around what even trying to get your mind around what even trying to get your mind around what Smartphone highdef video with audio Smartphone highdef video with audio Smartphone highdef video with audio would be like would be like would be like is it boggles the mind to try to get is it boggles the mind to try to get is it boggles the mind to try to get yourself to a place where this makes any yourself to a place where this makes any yourself to a place where this makes any sort of logical sense and you can try to sort of logical sense and you can try to sort of logical sense and you can try to put yourself in the shoes of anyone put yourself in the shoes of anyone put yourself in the shoes of anyone looking at these sorts of events through
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looking at these sorts of events through looking at these sorts of events through their eyes hearing the sounds smelling their eyes hearing the sounds smelling their eyes hearing the sounds smelling the smells one of the things Dan Stone says smells one of the things Dan Stone says in his book is that in his book is that in his book is that you sometimes have to shrink this down you sometimes have to shrink this down you sometimes have to shrink this down to a level where we're talking about an to a level where we're talking about an to a level where we're talking about an individual individual individual experience of just one of the people in experience of just one of the people in experience of just one of the people in the story I often look at the pictures the story I often look at the pictures the story I often look at the pictures of the people who were killed by the of the people who were killed by the of the people who were killed by the communist kameha Rouge government in communist kameha Rouge government in communist kameha Rouge government in Cambodia and those people um the kameha Cambodia and those people um the kameha Cambodia and those people um the kameha Rouge took photographs of their victims Rouge took photographs of their victims Rouge took photographs of their victims before they killed them and you can see before they killed them and you can see before they killed them and you can see those photographs and you look into the those photographs and you look into the those photographs and you look into the eyes of these people and you think you eyes of these people and you think you eyes of these people and you think you know what are the stories of all these know what are the stories of all these know what are the stories of all these individuals right you don't see them as individuals right you don't see them as individuals right you don't see them as a giant um you know many millions of a giant um you know many millions of a giant um you know many millions of people as a mass of humanity with no people as a mass of humanity with no people as a mass of humanity with no names and no stories instead you sort of names and no stories instead you sort of names and no stories instead you sort of look at them and you think how did this look at them and you think how did this look at them and you think how did this person end up there what happened to person end up there what happened to person end up there what happened to their family did anybody miss them you their family did anybody miss them you their family did anybody miss them you know the stories of not five or six know the stories of not five or six know the stories of not five or six million people in the Holocaust but five million people in the Holocaust but five million people in the Holocaust but five or six million individuals who all had or six million individuals who all had or six million individuals who all had their own horrific tale that brought their own horrific tale that brought their own horrific tale that brought them to where they they were and stone them to where they they were and stone them to where they they were and stone has a story in his book that's a perfect has a story in his book that's a perfect has a story in his book that's a perfect example it's kind of the Anne Frank example it's kind of the Anne Frank example it's kind of the Anne Frank zooming in moment of the Holocaust where zooming in moment of the Holocaust where zooming in moment of the Holocaust where he talks about some Jews who are hiding he talks about some Jews who are hiding he talks about some Jews who are hiding out and a homeowner is hiding them but out and a homeowner is hiding them but out and a homeowner is hiding them but they're having a problem with a child in they're having a problem with a child in they're having a problem with a child in the group who can't control the fact the group who can't control the fact the group who can't control the fact that he's making noise CU he's terrified
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that he's making noise CU he's terrified that he's making noise CU he's terrified and at a certain point the homeowner and at a certain point the homeowner and at a certain point the homeowner says either that child gets quiet or says either that child gets quiet or says either that child gets quiet or you're going to get found out putting you're going to get found out putting you're going to get found out putting these Jews that are hiding in an these Jews that are hiding in an these Jews that are hiding in an absolutely unimaginable situation and absolutely unimaginable situation and absolutely unimaginable situation and remember we should think about this not remember we should think about this not remember we should think about this not as this specific story for these as this specific story for these as this specific story for these specific people but as an individual specific people but as an individual specific people but as an individual representation of the sorts of representation of the sorts of representation of the sorts of incredible conundrums and dilemas that incredible conundrums and dilemas that incredible conundrums and dilemas that all these people who found themselves in all these people who found themselves in all these people who found themselves in the Holocaust at one point or another in the Holocaust at one point or another in the Holocaust at one point or another in their lives had to face and stone writes their lives had to face and stone writes their lives had to face and stone writes quote in baroo milk's account of his quote in baroo milk's account of his quote in baroo milk's account of his time in hiding with his wife sister time in hiding with his wife sister time in hiding with his wife sister brother-in-law and the their son during brother-in-law and the their son during brother-in-law and the their son during the war he recounts how when the noise the war he recounts how when the noise the war he recounts how when the noise made by the 9-year-old boy lunic led to made by the 9-year-old boy lunic led to made by the 9-year-old boy lunic led to the group being threatened with the group being threatened with the group being threatened with expulsion by the man hiding them his expulsion by the man hiding them his expulsion by the man hiding them his father strangled him the description is father strangled him the description is father strangled him the description is matter of fact now the description quote matter of fact now the description quote matter of fact now the description quote we all sat down again withdrawn into we all sat down again withdrawn into we all sat down again withdrawn into ourselves and lunic went wild again ourselves and lunic went wild again ourselves and lunic went wild again unable to calm him we thought we would unable to calm him we thought we would unable to calm him we thought we would go mad suddenly as though struck by go mad suddenly as though struck by go mad suddenly as though struck by lightning my brother-in-law B Ed from lightning my brother-in-law B Ed from lightning my brother-in-law B Ed from his seat and wrapped a hand around his his seat and wrapped a hand around his his seat and wrapped a hand around his son's tender neck as if to stifle his son's tender neck as if to stifle his son's tender neck as if to stifle his cries instead the boy's eyes rolled in cries instead the boy's eyes rolled in cries instead the boy's eyes rolled in their sockets his tongue protruded and their sockets his tongue protruded and their sockets his tongue protruded and he fell silent his father knew exactly he fell silent his father knew exactly he fell silent his father knew exactly where to squeeze he like me was a doctor where to squeeze he like me was a doctor where to squeeze he like me was a doctor when he finally let go of his son's when he finally let go of his son's when he finally let go of his son's throat the boy was lifeless I took his throat the boy was lifeless I took his throat the boy was lifeless I took his hand and felt no pulse his father left
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hand and felt no pulse his father left hand and felt no pulse his father left him covered his son's face with a him covered his son's face with a him covered his son's face with a blanket seated himself in a corner and blanket seated himself in a corner and blanket seated himself in a corner and began to tear tear his hair I am forever began to tear tear his hair I am forever began to tear tear his hair I am forever a cursed as the murderer of my son he a cursed as the murderer of my son he a cursed as the murderer of my son he mumbled but I spared him much more mumbled but I spared him much more mumbled but I spared him much more suffering at least I didn't let him die suffering at least I didn't let him die suffering at least I didn't let him die at the hands of the at the hands of the at the hands of the murderers end murderers end murderers end quote that's a situation where if one quote that's a situation where if one quote that's a situation where if one can't get their mind around the enormity can't get their mind around the enormity can't get their mind around the enormity of the Holocaust in the macro sense we of the Holocaust in the macro sense we of the Holocaust in the macro sense we can all sort of sit there and just shake can all sort of sit there and just shake can all sort of sit there and just shake our heads and try to imagine what you our heads and try to imagine what you our heads and try to imagine what you know the individual story of simp one know the individual story of simp one know the individual story of simp one group of people in a micro sense found group of people in a micro sense found group of people in a micro sense found themselves confronted with and then for themselves confronted with and then for themselves confronted with and then for the rest of their lives living with I actually had quite a few more with I actually had quite a few more firsthand accounts and eyewitness firsthand accounts and eyewitness firsthand accounts and eyewitness accounts that I was going to use but accounts that I was going to use but accounts that I was going to use but after recording that last one I feel after recording that last one I feel after recording that last one I feel like that is enough horrific eyewitness like that is enough horrific eyewitness like that is enough horrific eyewitness accounts to make the accounts to make the accounts to make the point and we should point and we should point and we should also for the sake of also for the sake of also for the sake of completeness mentioned that these are completeness mentioned that these are completeness mentioned that these are hardly all the people that were the hardly all the people that were the hardly all the people that were the victims of Nazi Germany I mean part of victims of Nazi Germany I mean part of victims of Nazi Germany I mean part of the reason the Soviets uh weren't paying the reason the Soviets uh weren't paying the reason the Soviets uh weren't paying enough attention one knows now to the enough attention one knows now to the enough attention one knows now to the Holocaust after the war is because 6 Holocaust after the war is because 6 Holocaust after the war is because 6 million Jews was a drop in the bucket as million Jews was a drop in the bucket as million Jews was a drop in the bucket as crazy as that sounds compared to all the crazy as that sounds compared to all the crazy as that sounds compared to all the damage that was done and no one still damage that was done and no one still damage that was done and no one still knows how many people
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knows how many people knows how many people died but before the Jews became the died but before the Jews became the died but before the Jews became the people that were being eliminated disabled people people with eliminated disabled people people with all sorts of Developmental problems the all sorts of Developmental problems the all sorts of Developmental problems the sick I mean the Nazis killed you know something mean the Nazis killed you know something like 20 to 35 million people or like 20 to 35 million people or like 20 to 35 million people or thereabouts I mean the numbers again are thereabouts I mean the numbers again are thereabouts I mean the numbers again are not not not known but they killed men women priests known but they killed men women priests known but they killed men women priests handicapped aged sick PS forc laborers handicapped aged sick PS forc laborers handicapped aged sick PS forc laborers Camp inmates critics socialists gays Camp inmates critics socialists gays Camp inmates critics socialists gays Slavs serbs Czechs Slavs serbs Czechs Slavs serbs Czechs Italians the Dutch belgians Norwegians Italians the Dutch belgians Norwegians Italians the Dutch belgians Norwegians poles Frenchmen poles Frenchmen poles Frenchmen ukrainians killed more than a million ukrainians killed more than a million ukrainians killed more than a million children at least I mean that it's you children at least I mean that it's you children at least I mean that it's you can't get your mind around numbers like can't get your mind around numbers like can't get your mind around numbers like that and there was a phrase that popped that and there was a phrase that popped that and there was a phrase that popped up in the 1960s I think it was from a a up in the 1960s I think it was from a a up in the 1960s I think it was from a a Jewish group that said never again right Jewish group that said never again right Jewish group that said never again right never again you're the lesson here if never again you're the lesson here if never again you're the lesson here if there is a lesson is that this must there is a lesson is that this must there is a lesson is that this must never happen again but of course it never happen again but of course it never happen again but of course it has there's a quote that's been used has there's a quote that's been used has there's a quote that's been used many times about incidents like these in many times about incidents like these in many times about incidents like these in the past and the quote is those who do the past and the quote is those who do the past and the quote is those who do not learn from the past are doomed to not learn from the past are doomed to not learn from the past are doomed to repeat repeat repeat it but you know this is kind of a Trope it but you know this is kind of a Trope it but you know this is kind of a Trope and I think most historians would say and I think most historians would say and I think most historians would say that not being one myself but I've read that not being one myself but I've read that not being one myself but I've read enough to know that this is considered enough to know that this is considered enough to know that this is considered to be one of those truisms that's not
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to be one of those truisms that's not to be one of those truisms that's not really true for all sorts of reasons really true for all sorts of reasons really true for all sorts of reasons right do people really learn from right do people really learn from right do people really learn from history I mean can't the facts of the history I mean can't the facts of the history I mean can't the facts of the past for lack of a better word facts past for lack of a better word facts past for lack of a better word facts even being you know a word that can be even being you know a word that can be even being you know a word that can be argued but I mean can't those things be argued but I mean can't those things be argued but I mean can't those things be used like a tool like a like a sort of a used like a tool like a like a sort of a used like a tool like a like a sort of a plastic kind of tool for those who want plastic kind of tool for those who want plastic kind of tool for those who want us to come to sort of pre-arranged us to come to sort of pre-arranged us to come to sort of pre-arranged conclusions right they say even the conclusions right they say even the conclusions right they say even the devil can quote scripture for his devil can quote scripture for his devil can quote scripture for his purposes I feel the same way about using purposes I feel the same way about using purposes I feel the same way about using history right you can just rearrange history right you can just rearrange history right you can just rearrange whatever you consider facts to be to whatever you consider facts to be to whatever you consider facts to be to make a wonderful argument that leads to make a wonderful argument that leads to make a wonderful argument that leads to a conclusion you want people to come to a conclusion you want people to come to a conclusion you want people to come to but that if you rearranged all the facts but that if you rearranged all the facts but that if you rearranged all the facts differently you could come to a differently you could come to a differently you could come to a different conclusion it's it's a different conclusion it's it's a different conclusion it's it's a dangerous thing to put in the hands of dangerous thing to put in the hands of dangerous thing to put in the hands of people who are trying to convince us of people who are trying to convince us of people who are trying to convince us of something but even if we did learn from something but even if we did learn from something but even if we did learn from the past do the lessons stick I mean I the past do the lessons stick I mean I the past do the lessons stick I mean I get a feeling here that even when we are get a feeling here that even when we are get a feeling here that even when we are traumatized by things like the the traumatized by things like the the traumatized by things like the the Holocaust for example that there's an Holocaust for example that there's an Holocaust for example that there's an expiration date on expiration date on expiration date on that you there's an old line that time that you there's an old line that time that you there's an old line that time heals all heals all heals all wounds but when a wound is something wounds but when a wound is something wounds but when a wound is something like the Holocaust and there are like the Holocaust and there are like the Holocaust and there are important things that you need to pay important things that you need to pay important things that you need to pay attention to if you want to avoid attention to if you want to avoid attention to if you want to avoid another one is it a good thing that another one is it a good thing that another one is it a good thing that something like that might be you know something like that might be you know something like that might be you know healed healed healed up there's a line that I like better
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up there's a line that I like better up there's a line that I like better than the those who did not learn from than the those who did not learn from than the those who did not learn from the pastor doomed to repeat it it's a the pastor doomed to repeat it it's a the pastor doomed to repeat it it's a line from the Roman orator line from the Roman orator line from the Roman orator Cicero and I've seen it translated Cicero and I've seen it translated Cicero and I've seen it translated several different ways one translation several different ways one translation several different ways one translation is on the library at the University of is on the library at the University of is on the library at the University of Colorado where I went to school but the Colorado where I went to school but the Colorado where I went to school but the translation of the phrase that I pulled translation of the phrase that I pulled translation of the phrase that I pulled up I like the best I think and it says up I like the best I think and it says up I like the best I think and it says to be ignorant of what occurs before you to be ignorant of what occurs before you to be ignorant of what occurs before you were born is to remain always a were born is to remain always a were born is to remain always a child and what this sort of implies is child and what this sort of implies is child and what this sort of implies is that history doesn't teach you lessons that history doesn't teach you lessons that history doesn't teach you lessons that will that will that will stick it does seem to indicate though stick it does seem to indicate though stick it does seem to indicate though that if you study the past you will be that if you study the past you will be that if you study the past you will be more informed about the range of more informed about the range of more informed about the range of possibilities and the things that can possibilities and the things that can possibilities and the things that can tend to happen maybe sometimes it's just tend to happen maybe sometimes it's just tend to happen maybe sometimes it's just useful to know for example what a worst useful to know for example what a worst useful to know for example what a worst case scenario might look like right case scenario might look like right case scenario might look like right what's possible given the things that what's possible given the things that what's possible given the things that have already happened right it's not a have already happened right it's not a have already happened right it's not a theoretical argument that there could be theoretical argument that there could be theoretical argument that there could be a Hol if there has already been a a Hol if there has already been a a Hol if there has already been a holocaust holocaust holocaust right if you'll allow me to try right if you'll allow me to try right if you'll allow me to try to mention what strikes me after diving to mention what strikes me after diving to mention what strikes me after diving into this subject and reading all these into this subject and reading all these into this subject and reading all these eyewitness accounts and the thought that eyewitness accounts and the thought that eyewitness accounts and the thought that keeps popping into my head as I keeps popping into my head as I keeps popping into my head as I do is that this is a sort of warning do is that this is a sort of warning do is that this is a sort of warning about the about the about the dangers of political dangers of political dangers of political extremism and maybe that's a simplistic extremism and maybe that's a simplistic extremism and maybe that's a simplistic thing to come up with right CU it's sort
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thing to come up with right CU it's sort thing to come up with right CU it's sort of obvious right the dangers of you know of obvious right the dangers of you know of obvious right the dangers of you know murderous dictators I mean you don't murderous dictators I mean you don't murderous dictators I mean you don't have to be a genius to figure out that have to be a genius to figure out that have to be a genius to figure out that that's going to end that's going to end that's going to end badly but here's the thing if that was badly but here's the thing if that was badly but here's the thing if that was obvious in the decades after the second obvious in the decades after the second obvious in the decades after the second world war it's been a long time since world war it's been a long time since world war it's been a long time since the second world the second world the second world war if I touch a hot stove and burn war if I touch a hot stove and burn war if I touch a hot stove and burn myself I probably don't need to touch myself I probably don't need to touch myself I probably don't need to touch another hot stove to know that that's another hot stove to know that that's another hot stove to know that that's something I don't want to something I don't want to something I don't want to do if I teach my children what happened do if I teach my children what happened do if I teach my children what happened to me when I burned the hot stove maybe to me when I burned the hot stove maybe to me when I burned the hot stove maybe they learn that they learn that they learn that lesson and if they teach their children lesson and if they teach their children lesson and if they teach their children about what happened to Grandpa when he about what happened to Grandpa when he about what happened to Grandpa when he touched a hot stove maybe that sticks touched a hot stove maybe that sticks touched a hot stove maybe that sticks too but does there come a time when that too but does there come a time when that too but does there come a time when that lesson seems so far away and so many lesson seems so far away and so many lesson seems so far away and so many things have changed since Grandpa things have changed since Grandpa things have changed since Grandpa touched the hot stove that maybe you touched the hot stove that maybe you touched the hot stove that maybe you could question whether the stove is could question whether the stove is could question whether the stove is really that hot maybe you have to touch really that hot maybe you have to touch really that hot maybe you have to touch it for yourself to know again right time it for yourself to know again right time it for yourself to know again right time heals all wounds even the hand you heals all wounds even the hand you heals all wounds even the hand you burned on the hot stove the interesting thing about political the interesting thing about political extremism is there's enough examples in extremism is there's enough examples in extremism is there's enough examples in the past to look at that you would think the past to look at that you would think the past to look at that you would think people would know good and well the people would know good and well the people would know good and well the dangers involved and avoid it like the dangers involved and avoid it like the dangers involved and avoid it like the plague but there's always elements to plague but there's always elements to plague but there's always elements to extremism that make it enticing to human extremism that make it enticing to human extremism that make it enticing to human beings otherwise it wouldn't come around beings otherwise it wouldn't come around beings otherwise it wouldn't come around so often right there's something that we so often right there's something that we so often right there's something that we want from this sometimes so that we can want from this sometimes so that we can want from this sometimes so that we can write off past examples that nobody write off past examples that nobody write off past examples that nobody wants to go back back to a holocaust but
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wants to go back back to a holocaust but wants to go back back to a holocaust but maybe we'll you know think about the maybe we'll you know think about the maybe we'll you know think about the upsides of a little political extremism upsides of a little political extremism upsides of a little political extremism sometimes and assume you know that we've sometimes and assume you know that we've sometimes and assume you know that we've learned enough to avoid the downsides of learned enough to avoid the downsides of learned enough to avoid the downsides of the political extremism right the other the political extremism right the other the political extremism right the other thing that comes up too when you try to thing that comes up too when you try to thing that comes up too when you try to avoid another Holocaust is that avoid another Holocaust is that avoid another Holocaust is that political extremism when it shows up political extremism when it shows up political extremism when it shows up never quite looks like it did the last never quite looks like it did the last never quite looks like it did the last time or the time time or the time time or the time before I mean if we're on the lookout before I mean if we're on the lookout before I mean if we're on the lookout for political extremism to avoid worst for political extremism to avoid worst for political extremism to avoid worst case scenarios and we want to avoid a case scenarios and we want to avoid a case scenarios and we want to avoid a holocaust too many of us are looking for holocaust too many of us are looking for holocaust too many of us are looking for a person you know with a small little a person you know with a small little a person you know with a small little toothbrush mustache right we're looking toothbrush mustache right we're looking toothbrush mustache right we're looking for a redo of the way it looked last for a redo of the way it looked last for a redo of the way it looked last time without realizing that political time without realizing that political time without realizing that political extremism is going to disguise itself in extremism is going to disguise itself in extremism is going to disguise itself in a completely new form in order to make a completely new form in order to make a completely new form in order to make it something that we might consider a it something that we might consider a it something that we might consider a viable option viable option viable option again the other thing that's worth again the other thing that's worth again the other thing that's worth pointing out and this is where I think a pointing out and this is where I think a pointing out and this is where I think a lot of people can fall into a lot of people can fall into a lot of people can fall into a trap is political extremism doesn't trap is political extremism doesn't trap is political extremism doesn't always show up from the same side of the always show up from the same side of the always show up from the same side of the political Spectrum right extremist political Spectrum right extremist political Spectrum right extremist governments come in all forms right governments come in all forms right governments come in all forms right right-wing left-wing fundamentalist right-wing left-wing fundamentalist right-wing left-wing fundamentalist religion I mean a government like the religion I mean a government like the religion I mean a government like the Islamic Republic of Iran is neither Islamic Republic of Iran is neither Islamic Republic of Iran is neither really right-wing or leftwing it's its really right-wing or leftwing it's its really right-wing or leftwing it's its own kind of religious fundamentalism but own kind of religious fundamentalism but own kind of religious fundamentalism but it's an extremist government with it's an extremist government with it's an extremist government with intense EXE ex cutive intense EXE ex cutive intense EXE ex cutive power and you can see that it doesn't
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power and you can see that it doesn't power and you can see that it doesn't matter whether it's right-wing or matter whether it's right-wing or matter whether it's right-wing or leftwing sometimes I mean just take a leftwing sometimes I mean just take a leftwing sometimes I mean just take a look at an example from just a few years look at an example from just a few years look at an example from just a few years after the second world war ended right after the second world war ended right after the second world war ended right the the period where the bodies are the the period where the bodies are the the period where the bodies are still fresh from the still fresh from the still fresh from the Holocaust and yet one of the Allies on Holocaust and yet one of the Allies on Holocaust and yet one of the Allies on the Victorious side in the second world the Victorious side in the second world the Victorious side in the second world war the Soviet war the Soviet war the Soviet Union begins a program demonizing the Union begins a program demonizing the Union begins a program demonizing the Jews in the Soviet Union right calling Jews in the Soviet Union right calling Jews in the Soviet Union right calling them rootless cosmopolitans and them rootless cosmopolitans and them rootless cosmopolitans and beginning to implement things that are beginning to implement things that are beginning to implement things that are known to history as the doctor's plot known to history as the doctor's plot known to history as the doctor's plot looking at the potential for moving Jews looking at the potential for moving Jews looking at the potential for moving Jews to reservations I mean five years right to reservations I mean five years right to reservations I mean five years right so if you worry about touching the hot so if you worry about touching the hot so if you worry about touching the hot stove and that lesson being forgotten I stove and that lesson being forgotten I stove and that lesson being forgotten I mean five years the blisters are still mean five years the blisters are still mean five years the blisters are still on your hand and we're ready to deport on your hand and we're ready to deport on your hand and we're ready to deport Jews to reservations and that is a Jews to reservations and that is a Jews to reservations and that is a nominally left-wing extremist government nominally left-wing extremist government nominally left-wing extremist government right doing the exact same thing that right doing the exact same thing that right doing the exact same thing that the right-wing extremist government of the right-wing extremist government of the right-wing extremist government of Hitler Hitler Hitler did to the exact same people by the did to the exact same people by the did to the exact same people by the way the lesson is about the dangers of way the lesson is about the dangers of way the lesson is about the dangers of unchecked unchecked unchecked power on the old classic original power on the old classic original power on the old classic original political spectrum that people from my political spectrum that people from my political spectrum that people from my generation grew up with the one that generation grew up with the one that generation grew up with the one that dates back to the French dates back to the French dates back to the French Revolution the societies that emphasize Revolution the societies that emphasize Revolution the societies that emphasize the importance of things like human the importance of things like human the importance of things like human rights civil rights the rights of rights civil rights the rights of rights civil rights the rights of individuals over the collective diffused
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individuals over the collective diffused individuals over the collective diffused power right checks and balances those power right checks and balances those power right checks and balances those societies were in the general center of societies were in the general center of societies were in the general center of the political the political the political spectrum that includes things like the spectrum that includes things like the spectrum that includes things like the center left and the center right right center left and the center right right center left and the center right right so I mean you can have more conservative so I mean you can have more conservative so I mean you can have more conservative or more liberal governments but the or more liberal governments but the or more liberal governments but the so-called you know Overton window as so-called you know Overton window as so-called you know Overton window as it's known could move a bit in either it's known could move a bit in either it's known could move a bit in either direction sometimes you know you you'd direction sometimes you know you you'd direction sometimes you know you you'd move into a more conservative phase of move into a more conservative phase of move into a more conservative phase of your country's history sometimes you'd your country's history sometimes you'd your country's history sometimes you'd move into more liberal phases but what move into more liberal phases but what move into more liberal phases but what you're supposed to be protected from in you're supposed to be protected from in you're supposed to be protected from in these systems is the extremes of either these systems is the extremes of either these systems is the extremes of either side the extremes and the sorts of side the extremes and the sorts of side the extremes and the sorts of government that would throw out the government that would throw out the government that would throw out the Norms of behavior right the things that Norms of behavior right the things that Norms of behavior right the things that were considered okay and that keep were considered okay and that keep were considered okay and that keep societies within the ranges that were societies within the ranges that were societies within the ranges that were safe that kept us from going off the safe that kept us from going off the safe that kept us from going off the rails Germany under Nazism was off the rails Germany under Nazism was off the rails Germany under Nazism was off the rails but let's not fool rails but let's not fool rails but let's not fool ourselves that just because we live in a ourselves that just because we live in a ourselves that just because we live in a representative elected system that we representative elected system that we representative elected system that we somehow protected against extremism somehow protected against extremism somehow protected against extremism Hitler was a politician before he was an Hitler was a politician before he was an Hitler was a politician before he was an autocrat if you have a system where the autocrat if you have a system where the autocrat if you have a system where the people elect the people elect the people elect the government and the system is populated government and the system is populated government and the system is populated by people who have lost faith in by people who have lost faith in by people who have lost faith in non-extreme approaches I mean if they're non-extreme approaches I mean if they're non-extreme approaches I mean if they're made up of racists or anti-semites or made up of racists or anti-semites or made up of racists or anti-semites or utopianist or people that hate their utopianist or people that hate their utopianist or people that hate their nation's nation's nation's opposition well democracy has some opposition well democracy has some opposition well democracy has some safeguards against extremism but not if safeguards against extremism but not if safeguards against extremism but not if the voters themselves are demanding
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the voters themselves are demanding the voters themselves are demanding extremist Solutions right then then a extremist Solutions right then then a extremist Solutions right then then a government that responds to the will of government that responds to the will of government that responds to the will of the people is itself going to be extreme the people is itself going to be extreme the people is itself going to be extreme it's going to give the people what they it's going to give the people what they it's going to give the people what they want in that case the danger is that the want in that case the danger is that the want in that case the danger is that the people want something that's going to people want something that's going to people want something that's going to take them down a road that leads to take them down a road that leads to take them down a road that leads to outcomes that nobody wants I can't think outcomes that nobody wants I can't think outcomes that nobody wants I can't think of any extremist government in history of any extremist government in history of any extremist government in history where a decent number of people living where a decent number of people living where a decent number of people living in a modern-day representative system in a modern-day representative system in a modern-day representative system would go oh yeah that's what I would go oh yeah that's what I would go oh yeah that's what I want there are things that should be want there are things that should be want there are things that should be considered warning signs for us considered warning signs for us considered warning signs for us all when we begin on a wide ranging all when we begin on a wide ranging all when we begin on a wide ranging level right not just a few people here level right not just a few people here level right not just a few people here and there not just the C when we begin and there not just the C when we begin and there not just the C when we begin to dehumanize our fellow human beings to dehumanize our fellow human beings to dehumanize our fellow human beings when we begin to turn them into when we begin to turn them into when we begin to turn them into something that's not seen as a person something that's not seen as a person something that's not seen as a person when we refer to them as Vermin or when we refer to them as Vermin or when we refer to them as Vermin or subhuman or or animals or deplorables or subhuman or or animals or deplorables or subhuman or or animals or deplorables or enemies of the people or anything like enemies of the people or anything like enemies of the people or anything like that you begin to open the door to that you begin to open the door to that you begin to open the door to having these human beings treated as having these human beings treated as having these human beings treated as whatever you're referring to them as I whatever you're referring to them as I whatever you're referring to them as I mean if they're Vermin what do you do to mean if they're Vermin what do you do to mean if they're Vermin what do you do to Vermin the way we label our fellow human Vermin the way we label our fellow human Vermin the way we label our fellow human beings opens up the door to logical beings opens up the door to logical beings opens up the door to logical solutions that are only considered solutions that are only considered solutions that are only considered logical due to the way we've recast them logical due to the way we've recast them logical due to the way we've recast them things that would never be okay to do to things that would never be okay to do to things that would never be okay to do to another person become okay if they're another person become okay if they're another person become okay if they're not considered another person you saw
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not considered another person you saw not considered another person you saw that in the second world that in the second world that in the second world war there's a book that I bought in the war there's a book that I bought in the war there's a book that I bought in the 1980s I think it's still viable although 1980s I think it's still viable although 1980s I think it's still viable although the numbers are a little Wrong by a the numbers are a little Wrong by a the numbers are a little Wrong by a professor named RJ Rummel it's called professor named RJ Rummel it's called professor named RJ Rummel it's called Death by Death by Death by government and the shorthand explanation government and the shorthand explanation government and the shorthand explanation of what the book is about is the dangers of what the book is about is the dangers of what the book is about is the dangers of extreme governments right governments of extreme governments right governments of extreme governments right governments that do not have enough checks and that do not have enough checks and that do not have enough checks and balances governments with too much balances governments with too much balances governments with too much executive power and authority on the executive power and authority on the executive power and authority on the right or the left right whatever right or the left right whatever right or the left right whatever political label you want to use and political label you want to use and political label you want to use and professor rumel says over and over in professor rumel says over and over in professor rumel says over and over in the book power kills and absolute power the book power kills and absolute power the book power kills and absolute power kills kills kills absolutely now he has some interesting absolutely now he has some interesting absolutely now he has some interesting statistics about the different statistics about the different statistics about the different governments in the 20th century that governments in the 20th century that governments in the 20th century that killed large numbers of people genocidal killed large numbers of people genocidal killed large numbers of people genocidal numbers he calls them demoes right death numbers he calls them demoes right death numbers he calls them demoes right death by government um he says that the by government um he says that the by government um he says that the communist Chinese and the Soviet Union communist Chinese and the Soviet Union communist Chinese and the Soviet Union to name just two of the far-left to name just two of the far-left to name just two of the far-left governments killed more people than the governments killed more people than the governments killed more people than the Nazis or the Imperial Japanese before Nazis or the Imperial Japanese before Nazis or the Imperial Japanese before and during the second world war so the and during the second world war so the and during the second world war so the right-wing far right-wing governments right-wing far right-wing governments right-wing far right-wing governments but he says that they've had 75 years to but he says that they've had 75 years to but he says that they've had 75 years to do it right whereas you know the Third do it right whereas you know the Third do it right whereas you know the Third Reich famously only lasted like 12 years Reich famously only lasted like 12 years Reich famously only lasted like 12 years and Imperial Japan's reign of terror in and Imperial Japan's reign of terror in and Imperial Japan's reign of terror in Asia probably not much longer so the Asia probably not much longer so the Asia probably not much longer so the death rate was higher for the farri death rate was higher for the farri death rate was higher for the farri government but the farle governments government but the farle governments government but the farle governments have had 3/4 of a century to rack up an have had 3/4 of a century to rack up an have had 3/4 of a century to rack up an even higher death total the point is is even higher death total the point is is even higher death total the point is is that there's no Monopoly on which end of
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that there's no Monopoly on which end of that there's no Monopoly on which end of the political spectrum is more murderous the political spectrum is more murderous the political spectrum is more murderous when you get too far away from the when you get too far away from the when you get too far away from the middle uh and I had a professor that middle uh and I had a professor that middle uh and I had a professor that said that both ends of the political said that both ends of the political said that both ends of the political Spectrum shouldn't be seen as a line Spectrum shouldn't be seen as a line Spectrum shouldn't be seen as a line they should be seen as more of a they should be seen as more of a they should be seen as more of a horseshoe shape or maybe even a circle horseshoe shape or maybe even a circle horseshoe shape or maybe even a circle and then when you get to the very very and then when you get to the very very and then when you get to the very very far right it almost touches the very far right it almost touches the very far right it almost touches the very very far left and even though the very far left and even though the very far left and even though the rationals for why they're doing what rationals for why they're doing what rationals for why they're doing what they do right-wing rationals or leftwing they do right-wing rationals or leftwing they do right-wing rationals or leftwing rationals the rationals the rationals the actual experience of living in these actual experience of living in these actual experience of living in these totalitarian States might not be that totalitarian States might not be that totalitarian States might not be that different on the different on the different on the ground rumble's point though is that all ground rumble's point though is that all ground rumble's point though is that all these people were killed because these people were killed because these people were killed because governments came to power that saw the governments came to power that saw the governments came to power that saw the normal limitations that might prevent or normal limitations that might prevent or normal limitations that might prevent or Safeguard against these kind of actions Safeguard against these kind of actions Safeguard against these kind of actions thrown out the thrown out the thrown out the window and in a forever action there's window and in a forever action there's window and in a forever action there's an equal and opposite reaction way an equal and opposite reaction way an equal and opposite reaction way there's often a dynamic in play where there's often a dynamic in play where there's often a dynamic in play where extremists on one side are empowered by extremists on one side are empowered by extremists on one side are empowered by extremists on the other if the Nazis extremists on the other if the Nazis extremists on the other if the Nazis don't have the German Communists to use don't have the German Communists to use don't have the German Communists to use as Boogeyman and vice versa do they ever as Boogeyman and vice versa do they ever as Boogeyman and vice versa do they ever come to come to come to power I feel like you can see this power I feel like you can see this power I feel like you can see this dynamic in play among the one government dynamic in play among the one government dynamic in play among the one government in the world who should know better than in the world who should know better than in the world who should know better than any other the dangers of any other the dangers of any other the dangers of extremism the extremism the extremism the Israelis the Israelis have Regional Israelis the Israelis have Regional Israelis the Israelis have Regional enemies that use and often Revel in
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enemies that use and often Revel in enemies that use and often Revel in anti-semitic genocidal anti-semitic genocidal anti-semitic genocidal imagery and more than imagery imagery and more than imagery imagery and more than imagery actions extremist governments and actions extremist governments and actions extremist governments and extremist groups like Hamas and extremist groups like Hamas and extremist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and Iran who might not be Hezbollah and Iran who might not be Hezbollah and Iran who might not be dissatisfied with another Holocaust and dissatisfied with another Holocaust and dissatisfied with another Holocaust and who showed once again in in late 2023 who showed once again in in late 2023 who showed once again in in late 2023 that they will happily rape Jewish women that they will happily rape Jewish women that they will happily rape Jewish women and kill Jewish and kill Jewish and kill Jewish children the more this goes on the children the more this goes on the children the more this goes on the harder the electorate in Israel wants to harder the electorate in Israel wants to harder the electorate in Israel wants to push back and the harder they push back push back and the harder they push back push back and the harder they push back the more extreme the other side the more extreme the other side the more extreme the other side becomes and the more traditional becomes and the more traditional becomes and the more traditional safeguards and safeguards and safeguards and firewalls are firewalls are firewalls are breached It's Not breached It's Not breached It's Not Unusual to hear Jews in Israel Unusual to hear Jews in Israel Unusual to hear Jews in Israel dehumanized ized by their anti-israeli dehumanized ized by their anti-israeli dehumanized ized by their anti-israeli neighbors but when the Israeli neighbors but when the Israeli neighbors but when the Israeli government officials of the more extreme government officials of the more extreme government officials of the more extreme Wing begin to use terms like Wing begin to use terms like Wing begin to use terms like animals or amalekites to describe their animals or amalekites to describe their animals or amalekites to describe their enemies their enemies their enemies their adversaries one loses adversaries one loses adversaries one loses hope hope over the question about hope hope over the question about hope hope over the question about learning from history because no people learning from history because no people learning from history because no people on Earth knows what dangers lurk in on Earth knows what dangers lurk in on Earth knows what dangers lurk in extremist governments better than the extremist governments better than the extremist governments better than the victims of the worst genocide in world victims of the worst genocide in world victims of the worst genocide in world history and if they aren't immune from history and if they aren't immune from history and if they aren't immune from those traps and those pitfalls and those those traps and those pitfalls and those those traps and those pitfalls and those dangers then who
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is when you consider how dark the is when you consider how dark the subject that we just talked about was subject that we just talked about was subject that we just talked about was and how long it might take you and how and how long it might take you and how and how long it might take you and how long it might take me to recover from it long it might take me to recover from it long it might take me to recover from it imagine if this is what you did for a imagine if this is what you did for a imagine if this is what you did for a living you dove into the archives read living you dove into the archives read living you dove into the archives read The Original Stories you catalog the The Original Stories you catalog the The Original Stories you catalog the numbers and the accounts and all that numbers and the accounts and all that numbers and the accounts and all that sort of thing every day of your working sort of thing every day of your working sort of thing every day of your working life think about how much fortitude one life think about how much fortitude one life think about how much fortitude one would have to have to do that well our would have to have to do that well our would have to have to do that well our guest on the show today is Dan Stone guest on the show today is Dan Stone guest on the show today is Dan Stone who's a professor of modern history and who's a professor of modern history and who's a professor of modern history and the director of the Holocaust Research the director of the Holocaust Research the director of the Holocaust Research Institute at Royal hallay University of Institute at Royal hallay University of Institute at Royal hallay University of London this is what he does he's the London this is what he does he's the London this is what he does he's the author and editor of numerous articles author and editor of numerous articles author and editor of numerous articles and books he wrote histories of the and books he wrote histories of the and books he wrote histories of the Holocaust The Liberation of the camps Holocaust The Liberation of the camps Holocaust The Liberation of the camps the end of the Holocaust in its the end of the Holocaust in its the end of the Holocaust in its aftermath and concentration camps a very aftermath and concentration camps a very aftermath and concentration camps a very short history he is an expert on this short history he is an expert on this short history he is an expert on this subject and we brought him on to add subject and we brought him on to add subject and we brought him on to add some context and some depth uh and to some context and some depth uh and to some context and some depth uh and to talk about his new book in paperback the talk about his new book in paperback the talk about his new book in paperback the Holocaust and unfinished history where Holocaust and unfinished history where Holocaust and unfinished history where he points out something that has not he points out something that has not he points out something that has not been paid enough attention to the fact been paid enough attention to the fact been paid enough attention to the fact that this is not just a German thing the that this is not just a German thing the that this is not just a German thing the Germans get the Lion Share of the uh Germans get the Lion Share of the uh Germans get the Lion Share of the uh blame for the Holocaust traditionally blame for the Holocaust traditionally blame for the Holocaust traditionally but they couldn't have done what they but they couldn't have done what they but they couldn't have done what they did without a lot of other help and in did without a lot of other help and in did without a lot of other help and in this book The Holocaust and unfinished this book The Holocaust and unfinished this book The Holocaust and unfinished history Dan Stone helps us to understand history Dan Stone helps us to understand history Dan Stone helps us to understand you know the motivations the roots and you know the motivations the roots and you know the motivations the roots and the extent of that help so without the extent of that help so without the extent of that help so without further Ado Professor
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Danone all right so why don't we start Danone all right so why don't we start with the most obvious question which is with the most obvious question which is with the most obvious question which is you've spent a lot of time writing about you've spent a lot of time writing about you've spent a lot of time writing about this subject already how does one decide this subject already how does one decide this subject already how does one decide that there is a need for a new book and that there is a need for a new book and that there is a need for a new book and how does one find enough material that how does one find enough material that how does one find enough material that wasn't covered in the old books to make wasn't covered in the old books to make wasn't covered in the old books to make um to make something like this seem um to make something like this seem um to make something like this seem important to you and important for the important to you and important for the important to you and important for the reading audience M that's a very valid reading audience M that's a very valid reading audience M that's a very valid question I I mean there's there's a lot question I I mean there's there's a lot question I I mean there's there's a lot of books right I mean that's uh of books right I mean that's uh of books right I mean that's uh perfectly clear and and you're right I perfectly clear and and you're right I perfectly clear and and you're right I think to emphasize that but it seems to think to emphasize that but it seems to think to emphasize that but it seems to me and it seemed to me before I wrote me and it seemed to me before I wrote me and it seemed to me before I wrote this book that there was a need for a this book that there was a need for a this book that there was a need for a mid-length study that did more than mid-length study that did more than mid-length study that did more than simply narrate simply narrate simply narrate the sequence of events in other words the sequence of events in other words the sequence of events in other words there's a there's a lot of academic there's a there's a lot of academic there's a there's a lot of academic studies there are a number of very large studies there are a number of very large studies there are a number of very large histories of the Holocaust most of which histories of the Holocaust most of which histories of the Holocaust most of which are uh event-based history one thing are uh event-based history one thing are uh event-based history one thing after another um they're very good books after another um they're very good books after another um they're very good books but they're hard I think often to retain but they're hard I think often to retain but they're hard I think often to retain the information that you're reading as the information that you're reading as the information that you're reading as you turn the page you kind of forget uh you turn the page you kind of forget uh you turn the page you kind of forget uh much of what you've read on the on the much of what you've read on the on the much of what you've read on the on the previous page uh and then there are some previous page uh and then there are some previous page uh and then there are some very short introductions but they tend very short introductions but they tend very short introductions but they tend to treat the reader as to treat the reader as to treat the reader as um ill informed knowing nothing and I um ill informed knowing nothing and I um ill informed knowing nothing and I think you know there's enough literature think you know there's enough literature think you know there's enough literature out there now for there to be a out there now for there to be a out there now for there to be a readership that is already quite well readership that is already quite well readership that is already quite well informed about the history of the informed about the history of the informed about the history of the Holocaust but that wants more than Holocaust but that wants more than Holocaust but that wants more than simply A Narrative of events but wants simply A Narrative of events but wants simply A Narrative of events but wants also something that is more analytical also something that is more analytical also something that is more analytical at the same time and so I set out to to at the same time and so I set out to to at the same time and so I set out to to write a book that took into account the
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write a book that took into account the write a book that took into account the uh very rapidly changing and developing uh very rapidly changing and developing uh very rapidly changing and developing uh body of scholarship on the literature uh body of scholarship on the literature uh body of scholarship on the literature uh on the topic but to then weave that uh on the topic but to then weave that uh on the topic but to then weave that into a narrative that didn't lay on the into a narrative that didn't lay on the into a narrative that didn't lay on the academic stuff in a kind of heavy way academic stuff in a kind of heavy way academic stuff in a kind of heavy way but is there in the architecture of the but is there in the architecture of the but is there in the architecture of the book so that readers can follow the the book so that readers can follow the the book so that readers can follow the the footnotes if they want and they can see footnotes if they want and they can see footnotes if they want and they can see that that what I've written is based on that that what I've written is based on that that what I've written is based on the most recent scholarship uh but it the most recent scholarship uh but it the most recent scholarship uh but it tries to combine A Narrative of the tries to combine A Narrative of the tries to combine A Narrative of the events in so far as uh I I've been able events in so far as uh I I've been able events in so far as uh I I've been able to choose what I wanted to emphasize to choose what I wanted to emphasize to choose what I wanted to emphasize with also a kind of explanatory with also a kind of explanatory with also a kind of explanatory framework at the same framework at the same framework at the same time as I was going over some of the time as I was going over some of the time as I was going over some of the books that I have that date back all the books that I have that date back all the books that I have that date back all the way to the early 60s about this it it way to the early 60s about this it it way to the early 60s about this it it occurred to me that you and and people occurred to me that you and and people occurred to me that you and and people writing about the Holocaust like you in writing about the Holocaust like you in writing about the Holocaust like you in the modern world have a sort of a the modern world have a sort of a the modern world have a sort of a different and certainly more complex different and certainly more complex different and certainly more complex task because those ones in the early 60s task because those ones in the early 60s task because those ones in the early 60s and late 60s are not writing for an and late 60s are not writing for an and late 60s are not writing for an audience for example in Eastern Europe audience for example in Eastern Europe audience for example in Eastern Europe or places like that you've got to deal or places like that you've got to deal or places like that you've got to deal with people whose countries sometimes with people whose countries sometimes with people whose countries sometimes prohibit even talking about this in the prohibit even talking about this in the prohibit even talking about this in the way that that your book discusses some way that that your book discusses some way that that your book discusses some of this right a sort of a of shared of this right a sort of a of shared of this right a sort of a of shared responsibility for some of these crimes responsibility for some of these crimes responsibility for some of these crimes against humanity how does that change against humanity how does that change against humanity how does that change what you have to do and how did you what you have to do and how did you what you have to do and how did you address something like that knowing that address something like that knowing that address something like that knowing that this is going to be read by people who this is going to be read by people who this is going to be read by people who are in countries that maybe deny that are in countries that maybe deny that are in countries that maybe deny that they had anything involved in this they had anything involved in this they had anything involved in this correct it's it's a very interesting correct it's it's a very interesting correct it's it's a very interesting observation because observation because observation because the before I even address the question the before I even address the question the before I even address the question of of that you directly asked me it it's of of that you directly asked me it it's of of that you directly asked me it it's also the case that now the scholarship
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also the case that now the scholarship also the case that now the scholarship on this topic is written by people from on this topic is written by people from on this topic is written by people from across Europe so where a up until the across Europe so where a up until the across Europe so where a up until the end of the Cold War there was only a end of the Cold War there was only a end of the Cold War there was only a very small number of internationally very small number of internationally very small number of internationally regarded historians who came from behind regarded historians who came from behind regarded historians who came from behind the Iron Curtain now much of the leading the Iron Curtain now much of the leading the Iron Curtain now much of the leading scholarship is written by Scholars who scholarship is written by Scholars who scholarship is written by Scholars who come from Eastern Europe who Al who come from Eastern Europe who Al who come from Eastern Europe who Al who often can speak five languages have often can speak five languages have often can speak five languages have access to local archives uh and so on access to local archives uh and so on access to local archives uh and so on and so there there's a very impressive and so there there's a very impressive and so there there's a very impressive and extremely rapidly growing and extremely rapidly growing and extremely rapidly growing historiography of the Holocaust in historiography of the Holocaust in historiography of the Holocaust in Hungary for example or Hungary for example or Hungary for example or Czechoslovakia um and and the rest of um Czechoslovakia um and and the rest of um Czechoslovakia um and and the rest of um of of Europe including parts of Europe of of Europe including parts of Europe of of Europe including parts of Europe like Gree that were neglected for like Gree that were neglected for like Gree that were neglected for similar reasons for for many decades I similar reasons for for many decades I similar reasons for for many decades I think the the question of how to think the the question of how to think the the question of how to approach this knowing that people in approach this knowing that people in approach this knowing that people in those countries will also be uh reading those countries will also be uh reading those countries will also be uh reading this is to behave like a historian and this is to behave like a historian and this is to behave like a historian and simply follow the evidence and uh of of simply follow the evidence and uh of of simply follow the evidence and uh of of course that um can sometimes be course that um can sometimes be course that um can sometimes be uncomfortable reading I think but that's uncomfortable reading I think but that's uncomfortable reading I think but that's true true true for places in Western Europe as well for places in Western Europe as well for places in Western Europe as well there are ongoing debates in France and there are ongoing debates in France and there are ongoing debates in France and in the Netherlands about collaboration in the Netherlands about collaboration in the Netherlands about collaboration about who knew what about who was about who knew what about who was about who knew what about who was responsible uh etc etc and uh the responsible uh etc etc and uh the responsible uh etc etc and uh the debates that are ongoing in Romania or debates that are ongoing in Romania or debates that are ongoing in Romania or Hungary or Poland for example are in in Hungary or Poland for example are in in Hungary or Poland for example are in in in essence no different in a sense no no in essence no different in a sense no no in essence no different in a sense no no country likes to face up to the darker country likes to face up to the darker country likes to face up to the darker side of its history uh we can say the side of its history uh we can say the side of its history uh we can say the same about uh the US and slavery or same about uh the US and slavery or same about uh the US and slavery or treatment of Native Americans or Britain treatment of Native Americans or Britain treatment of Native Americans or Britain and colonialism uh and so the the and colonialism uh and so the the and colonialism uh and so the the question of let's say um Romania's question of let's say um Romania's question of let's say um Romania's involvement in the Holocaust maybe
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involvement in the Holocaust maybe involvement in the Holocaust maybe something we'll come back to is is something we'll come back to is is something we'll come back to is is something that's something that's something that's many Romanians remain quite reluctant to many Romanians remain quite reluctant to many Romanians remain quite reluctant to face up to but you have I think as a face up to but you have I think as a face up to but you have I think as a historian simply to present the evidence historian simply to present the evidence historian simply to present the evidence it's not about bashing a particular it's not about bashing a particular it's not about bashing a particular group of people and saying oh you are group of people and saying oh you are group of people and saying oh you are somehow uniquely responsible for this somehow uniquely responsible for this somehow uniquely responsible for this but saying this also happened here and but saying this also happened here and but saying this also happened here and uh the evidence shows that and we need uh the evidence shows that and we need uh the evidence shows that and we need to think about what that means well then to think about what that means well then to think about what that means well then of course anti-Semitism uh pgrs of course anti-Semitism uh pgrs of course anti-Semitism uh pgrs persecution and discrimination against persecution and discrimination against persecution and discrimination against Jews has been going on basically from Jews has been going on basically from Jews has been going on basically from time immemorial in Europe how does time immemorial in Europe how does time immemorial in Europe how does something like you know we always taught something like you know we always taught something like you know we always taught when I was younger that the Nazis were a when I was younger that the Nazis were a when I was younger that the Nazis were a completely almost different sort of an completely almost different sort of an completely almost different sort of an event or phenomenon altogether but is event or phenomenon altogether but is event or phenomenon altogether but is there a sort of a throughput if you will there a sort of a throughput if you will there a sort of a throughput if you will like maybe we're talking about an like maybe we're talking about an like maybe we're talking about an amplitude rather than a completely amplitude rather than a completely amplitude rather than a completely different sort of event I mean how do different sort of event I mean how do different sort of event I mean how do you sort of see the the Holocaust as as you sort of see the the Holocaust as as you sort of see the the Holocaust as as it was carried out by Nazi Germany in it was carried out by Nazi Germany in it was carried out by Nazi Germany in connection to earlier prgrams and connection to earlier prgrams and connection to earlier prgrams and discrimination and and disasters during discrimination and and disasters during discrimination and and disasters during the First Crusade and all that kind of the First Crusade and all that kind of the First Crusade and all that kind of stuff there there is of course a stuff there there is of course a stuff there there is of course a throughput and and that's I think uh the throughput and and that's I think uh the throughput and and that's I think uh the notion of the Jews as the the other of notion of the Jews as the the other of notion of the Jews as the the other of Europe the the people that it it made Europe the the people that it it made Europe the the people that it it made sense for Nazism to focus on the Jews sense for Nazism to focus on the Jews sense for Nazism to focus on the Jews because this had a resonance and it has because this had a resonance and it has because this had a resonance and it has a very ancient resonance in in European a very ancient resonance in in European a very ancient resonance in in European history um but what's interesting I history um but what's interesting I history um but what's interesting I think about Nazism and you see this in think about Nazism and you see this in think about Nazism and you see this in the Nazi idealogues and particularly of the Nazi idealogues and particularly of the Nazi idealogues and particularly of course in in mine Camp is that there's course in in mine Camp is that there's course in in mine Camp is that there's this kind of mishmash of elements taken this kind of mishmash of elements taken this kind of mishmash of elements taken from most of the the modern um illiberal
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from most of the the modern um illiberal from most of the the modern um illiberal uh reservoir of ideas including racism uh reservoir of ideas including racism uh reservoir of ideas including racism anti-Semitism Eugenics anti-feminism etc anti-Semitism Eugenics anti-feminism etc anti-Semitism Eugenics anti-feminism etc etc but what Hitler does I think and and etc but what Hitler does I think and and etc but what Hitler does I think and and what's different from what's gone before what's different from what's gone before what's different from what's gone before is to make this not just one part let's is to make this not just one part let's is to make this not just one part let's say of the states functioning so in say of the states functioning so in say of the states functioning so in zaris Russia allowing pograms to take zaris Russia allowing pograms to take zaris Russia allowing pograms to take place against Jews at Easter for example place against Jews at Easter for example place against Jews at Easter for example but what Hitler does is to make uh Jew but what Hitler does is to make uh Jew but what Hitler does is to make uh Jew hatred the the very centerpiece of hatred the the very centerpiece of hatred the the very centerpiece of everything that he thinks about the everything that he thinks about the everything that he thinks about the world and so it's the lens through which world and so it's the lens through which world and so it's the lens through which he understands everything and and he understands everything and and he understands everything and and eventually becomes a kind of philosophy eventually becomes a kind of philosophy eventually becomes a kind of philosophy of History that's to say uh the Hitler of History that's to say uh the Hitler of History that's to say uh the Hitler and the leading Nazis understand the the and the leading Nazis understand the the and the leading Nazis understand the the essence of world history as the as the essence of world history as the as the essence of world history as the as the struggle between good and evil which struggle between good and evil which struggle between good and evil which means Aryan versus non- Arian which means Aryan versus non- Arian which means Aryan versus non- Arian which means essentially the the Aryan or means essentially the the Aryan or means essentially the the Aryan or German people against the Jews and and German people against the Jews and and German people against the Jews and and so whether you look at um School so whether you look at um School so whether you look at um School textbooks or debates in Nazi technology textbooks or debates in Nazi technology textbooks or debates in Nazi technology societies um or explicitly racist uh um societies um or explicitly racist uh um societies um or explicitly racist uh um Fields like biology or anthropology this Fields like biology or anthropology this Fields like biology or anthropology this Viewpoint becomes the centerpiece Viewpoint becomes the centerpiece Viewpoint becomes the centerpiece through which the whole world is through which the whole world is through which the whole world is understood that I think is what understood that I think is what understood that I think is what distinguishes Nazism from what's gone distinguishes Nazism from what's gone distinguishes Nazism from what's gone before in the history of anti-Semitism before in the history of anti-Semitism before in the history of anti-Semitism and what distinguishes it from uh most and what distinguishes it from uh most and what distinguishes it from uh most of the um countries and institutions of the um countries and institutions of the um countries and institutions that are Allied to the Nazis during that are Allied to the Nazis during that are Allied to the Nazis during World War II when you read mind CER when World War II when you read mind CER when World War II when you read mind CER when you read some of the you know Julius you read some of the you know Julius you read some of the you know Julius Striker type stuff it seems like these Striker type stuff it seems like these Striker type stuff it seems like these are crazy conspiracy theorists right are crazy conspiracy theorists right are crazy conspiracy theorists right it's as though crazy conspiracy
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it's as though crazy conspiracy it's as though crazy conspiracy theorists got a hold of a country and theorists got a hold of a country and theorists got a hold of a country and then built an ideology around their then built an ideology around their then built an ideology around their crazy conspiracy it's you know if you crazy conspiracy it's you know if you crazy conspiracy it's you know if you compare it to the to the people on the compare it to the to the people on the compare it to the to the people on the opposite side of the extreme political opposite side of the extreme political opposite side of the extreme political Spectrum the Communists and the Spectrum the Communists and the Spectrum the Communists and the Bolsheviks they had Reams and reams of Bolsheviks they had Reams and reams of Bolsheviks they had Reams and reams of philosophies and papers and arguments philosophies and papers and arguments philosophies and papers and arguments over the historical dialectic and the over the historical dialectic and the over the historical dialectic and the dictatorship of the proletarian they're dictatorship of the proletarian they're dictatorship of the proletarian they're bashing it out and the Nazis don't seem bashing it out and the Nazis don't seem bashing it out and the Nazis don't seem to have any of that at all can you can to have any of that at all can you can to have any of that at all can you can you kind of explain to me how we have an you kind of explain to me how we have an you kind of explain to me how we have an almost anti-intellectual conspiracy almost anti-intellectual conspiracy almost anti-intellectual conspiracy movement going on on here that one of movement going on on here that one of movement going on on here that one of the most intellectual culturally the most intellectual culturally the most intellectual culturally oriented countries in Europe buys oriented countries in Europe buys oriented countries in Europe buys into it's also very complicated into it's also very complicated into it's also very complicated the you're right uh obviously the the you're right uh obviously the the you're right uh obviously the history of Communism is is one from an history of Communism is is one from an history of Communism is is one from an from a history of ideas perspective is from a history of ideas perspective is from a history of ideas perspective is one of uh minute debates about the one of uh minute debates about the one of uh minute debates about the negation of the negation and dialectical negation of the negation and dialectical negation of the negation and dialectical materialism and all of those things that materialism and all of those things that materialism and all of those things that that we know about um struggles between that we know about um struggles between that we know about um struggles between different uh sects of Communists within different uh sects of Communists within different uh sects of Communists within the Nazi ideology that what the first the Nazi ideology that what the first the Nazi ideology that what the first thing to say I think is that the Third thing to say I think is that the Third thing to say I think is that the Third Reich existed for 12 years Nazi ideology Reich existed for 12 years Nazi ideology Reich existed for 12 years Nazi ideology for let's say another 15 years before for let's say another 15 years before for let's say another 15 years before 1933 or so um and yet the amount of uh 1933 or so um and yet the amount of uh 1933 or so um and yet the amount of uh material written material that the the material written material that the the material written material that the the Nazis and their ideologues produced was Nazis and their ideologues produced was Nazis and their ideologues produced was absolutely vast and so was in a in a way absolutely vast and so was in a in a way absolutely vast and so was in a in a way we're still discovering it so it's it's we're still discovering it so it's it's we're still discovering it so it's it's not true to say that there was nothing not true to say that there was nothing not true to say that there was nothing written but but the difference is that
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written but but the difference is that written but but the difference is that um where communism claimed at least to um where communism claimed at least to um where communism claimed at least to be evidence-based you know the history be evidence-based you know the history be evidence-based you know the history of Marxism based on statistics and of Marxism based on statistics and of Marxism based on statistics and economics and and readings of the of the economics and and readings of the of the economics and and readings of the of the the working class and its working the working class and its working the working class and its working conditions and so on and and who owned conditions and so on and and who owned conditions and so on and and who owned the means of production and and all of the means of production and and all of the means of production and and all of those things Nazism was before any those things Nazism was before any those things Nazism was before any evidence uh came into the debate Nazism evidence uh came into the debate Nazism evidence uh came into the debate Nazism was based on a belief system which is as was based on a belief system which is as was based on a belief system which is as as I've described this notion that race as I've described this notion that race as I've described this notion that race first of all existed that race was the first of all existed that race was the first of all existed that race was the essence through which world history essence through which world history essence through which world history should be understood and that the enemy should be understood and that the enemy should be understood and that the enemy of the U the German race was the Jews of the U the German race was the Jews of the U the German race was the Jews and everything else followed from that and everything else followed from that and everything else followed from that so then you have all sorts of so then you have all sorts of so then you have all sorts of anthropological debates let's say about anthropological debates let's say about anthropological debates let's say about the constitution of the of the German the constitution of the of the German the constitution of the of the German race what percentage of uh of the of the race what percentage of uh of the of the race what percentage of uh of the of the of the German race is made up of nordics of the German race is made up of nordics of the German race is made up of nordics alpines dinics uh Mediterraneans etc etc alpines dinics uh Mediterraneans etc etc alpines dinics uh Mediterraneans etc etc these kinds of Arcane uh intellectual these kinds of Arcane uh intellectual these kinds of Arcane uh intellectual debates debates about whether whether debates debates about whether whether debates debates about whether whether whether it's necessary to go out into whether it's necessary to go out into whether it's necessary to go out into the field and measure people through the field and measure people through the field and measure people through taking physical measurements to taking physical measurements to taking physical measurements to determine who is and who is not Arian determine who is and who is not Arian determine who is and who is not Arian all of these kinds of things um took all of these kinds of things um took all of these kinds of things um took place and there is a vast literature on place and there is a vast literature on place and there is a vast literature on on this stuff but it's all uh you're on this stuff but it's all uh you're on this stuff but it's all uh you're right to say that this is fundamentally right to say that this is fundamentally right to say that this is fundamentally a paranoid conspiracy theory that the a paranoid conspiracy theory that the a paranoid conspiracy theory that the the Nazis didn't view the Jews simply as the Nazis didn't view the Jews simply as the Nazis didn't view the Jews simply as um unmention as subhumans they also in um unmention as subhumans they also in um unmention as subhumans they also in I'm talking about a small stratum now of I'm talking about a small stratum now of I'm talking about a small stratum now of the leading um of the leaders Nazi the leading um of the leaders Nazi the leading um of the leaders Nazi leadership they understood the Jews also leadership they understood the Jews also leadership they understood the Jews also as uh the wire pullers behind world
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as uh the wire pullers behind world as uh the wire pullers behind world events so they were dangerous they were events so they were dangerous they were events so they were dangerous they were a threat to the to the Arian race in a a threat to the to the Arian race in a a threat to the to the Arian race in a way let's say that the disabled or uh way let's say that the disabled or uh way let's say that the disabled or uh romanes were not these were people that romanes were not these were people that romanes were not these were people that were unesthetic that were physically were unesthetic that were physically were unesthetic that were physically threatening to the health of the race threatening to the health of the race threatening to the health of the race but they didn't uh in a way undermine but they didn't uh in a way undermine but they didn't uh in a way undermine the very existence of the Arian Race by the very existence of the Arian Race by the very existence of the Arian Race by virtue of their machinations whereas the virtue of their machinations whereas the virtue of their machinations whereas the the Jew particularly the international the Jew particularly the international the Jew particularly the international Jew as Hitler put it uh was behind Jew as Hitler put it uh was behind Jew as Hitler put it uh was behind Churchill and Roosevelt and Stalin and Churchill and Roosevelt and Stalin and Churchill and Roosevelt and Stalin and all of the great events of of world all of the great events of of world all of the great events of of world history Were Somehow driven by uh this history Were Somehow driven by uh this history Were Somehow driven by uh this hidden cabal of Jewish interests and in hidden cabal of Jewish interests and in hidden cabal of Jewish interests and in that sense it's absolutely correct I that sense it's absolutely correct I that sense it's absolutely correct I think to talk about Nazism as a as a think to talk about Nazism as a as a think to talk about Nazism as a as a conspiracy theory well then let's talk conspiracy theory well then let's talk conspiracy theory well then let's talk about the lead conspiracist for a minute about the lead conspiracist for a minute about the lead conspiracist for a minute um I read one historian who said that um I read one historian who said that um I read one historian who said that that this is a a conversation about the that this is a a conversation about the that this is a a conversation about the use of bureaucratic measures to enforce use of bureaucratic measures to enforce use of bureaucratic measures to enforce magical beliefs right and the Magical magical beliefs right and the Magical magical beliefs right and the Magical beliefs are are the heart are Hitler and beliefs are are the heart are Hitler and beliefs are are the heart are Hitler and and you look at this and wonder no and you look at this and wonder no and you look at this and wonder no Hitler no Holocaust no Hitler no Nazism Hitler no Holocaust no Hitler no Nazism Hitler no Holocaust no Hitler no Nazism uh if if Hitler dies or one of those uh if if Hitler dies or one of those uh if if Hitler dies or one of those assassination attempts Midway through assassination attempts Midway through assassination attempts Midway through the war are successful how do you think the war are successful how do you think the war are successful how do you think and I realize we're off in fantasy land and I realize we're off in fantasy land and I realize we're off in fantasy land now but this is partly trying to now but this is partly trying to now but this is partly trying to determine the old line about whether you determine the old line about whether you determine the old line about whether you get any of this without a Hitler if get any of this without a Hitler if get any of this without a Hitler if Hitler dies Midway through the war do Hitler dies Midway through the war do Hitler dies Midway through the war do you think this changes how this whole you think this changes how this whole you think this changes how this whole thing plays out in terms of the number thing plays out in terms of the number thing plays out in terms of the number of Jews who end up dying at the end of of Jews who end up dying at the end of of Jews who end up dying at the end of the war or any of of those sorts of the war or any of of those sorts of the war or any of of those sorts of things it's a very hard question um I
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things it's a very hard question um I things it's a very hard question um I think at the early in the early stages think at the early in the early stages think at the early in the early stages of the rise of the Nazi movement without of the rise of the Nazi movement without of the rise of the Nazi movement without the coming to prominence of Hitler you the coming to prominence of Hitler you the coming to prominence of Hitler you would have had a small movement driven would have had a small movement driven would have had a small movement driven by crazy theorists like Anton Drexler by crazy theorists like Anton Drexler by crazy theorists like Anton Drexler and julus Striker uh and himler I and julus Striker uh and himler I and julus Striker uh and himler I suppose in his early stages uh these suppose in his early stages uh these suppose in his early stages uh these were people who were on the extreme were people who were on the extreme were people who were on the extreme fringes of German politics and probably fringes of German politics and probably fringes of German politics and probably the National Socialist Workers Party the National Socialist Workers Party the National Socialist Workers Party would have remained on those fringes um would have remained on those fringes um would have remained on those fringes um when it comes to halfway through the war when it comes to halfway through the war when it comes to halfway through the war that's very difficult to say because that's very difficult to say because that's very difficult to say because once the final solution to the Jewish once the final solution to the Jewish once the final solution to the Jewish question was in place as a question was in place as a question was in place as a continent-wide crime let's say by the continent-wide crime let's say by the continent-wide crime let's say by the spring of 1942 it was it was then spring of 1942 it was it was then spring of 1942 it was it was then functioning and it had its own functioning and it had its own functioning and it had its own bureaucracy and and offices in the Gusto bureaucracy and and offices in the Gusto bureaucracy and and offices in the Gusto and the SS and so on who were carrying and the SS and so on who were carrying and the SS and so on who were carrying out this program had Hitler been killed out this program had Hitler been killed out this program had Hitler been killed I mean of course I'm guessing now but I I mean of course I'm guessing now but I I mean of course I'm guessing now but I I would I would guess that the number of I would I would guess that the number of I would I would guess that the number of Jews killed would have been smaller that Jews killed would have been smaller that Jews killed would have been smaller that the number of people willing to speak the number of people willing to speak the number of people willing to speak out and say this is not going to end out and say this is not going to end out and say this is not going to end well for us would have been higher uh well for us would have been higher uh well for us would have been higher uh nevertheless the program was in train nevertheless the program was in train nevertheless the program was in train and it wouldn't have come immediately and it wouldn't have come immediately and it wouldn't have come immediately crashing to a halt it would have taken crashing to a halt it would have taken crashing to a halt it would have taken some time I think I was um you know and some time I think I was um you know and some time I think I was um you know and I've read a lot about this and and and I I've read a lot about this and and and I I've read a lot about this and and and I still was being shocked by some of the still was being shocked by some of the still was being shocked by some of the things that I read in your book in terms things that I read in your book in terms things that I read in your book in terms of them being novel ideas that I had of them being novel ideas that I had of them being novel ideas that I had heard one was that uh you said quote in heard one was that uh you said quote in heard one was that uh you said quote in March 1942 75 to 80% of Holocaust
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March 1942 75 to 80% of Holocaust March 1942 75 to 80% of Holocaust victims were still alive 11 months later victims were still alive 11 months later victims were still alive 11 months later 80% of the victims of the Holocaust were 80% of the victims of the Holocaust were 80% of the victims of the Holocaust were dead that is an incredible statistic dead that is an incredible statistic dead that is an incredible statistic what should we think about a statistic what should we think about a statistic what should we think about a statistic like that I should I should say first of like that I should I should say first of like that I should I should say first of all that that comes from Christopher all that that comes from Christopher all that that comes from Christopher Browning that okay all right he he Browning that okay all right he he Browning that okay all right he he actually uses that statistic in the um actually uses that statistic in the um actually uses that statistic in the um preface I think to ordinary men so so I preface I think to ordinary men so so I preface I think to ordinary men so so I borrowed that from him but it's it's borrowed that from him but it's it's borrowed that from him but it's it's still I think a startling statistic I still I think a startling statistic I still I think a startling statistic I mean it tells us that you we think about mean it tells us that you we think about mean it tells us that you we think about however you define the Holocaust so we however you define the Holocaust so we however you define the Holocaust so we we can think about it as being purely we can think about it as being purely we can think about it as being purely The Killing process 1941 to 1945 or The Killing process 1941 to 1945 or The Killing process 1941 to 1945 or there are historians who who defined the there are historians who who defined the there are historians who who defined the Holocaust as uh the whole Nazi period Holocaust as uh the whole Nazi period Holocaust as uh the whole Nazi period 1933 to 1945 to take into account the 1933 to 1945 to take into account the 1933 to 1945 to take into account the years of the persecution um before the years of the persecution um before the years of the persecution um before the war what it tells us is that war what it tells us is that war what it tells us is that 1942 is the absolute height of uh The 1942 is the absolute height of uh The 1942 is the absolute height of uh The Killing process and within 1942 actually Killing process and within 1942 actually Killing process and within 1942 actually there's a 3-month period in the Summer there's a 3-month period in the Summer there's a 3-month period in the Summer where which is probably the fastest where which is probably the fastest where which is probably the fastest killing rate of any genocide in history killing rate of any genocide in history killing rate of any genocide in history so that the uh the Operation Reinhard so that the uh the Operation Reinhard so that the uh the Operation Reinhard death camps are working in full swing death camps are working in full swing death camps are working in full swing that's belet soore and trinka uh the uh that's belet soore and trinka uh the uh that's belet soore and trinka uh the uh gas Chambers in aitz have just started gas Chambers in aitz have just started gas Chambers in aitz have just started to operate and the um the Holocaust by to operate and the um the Holocaust by to operate and the um the Holocaust by bullets the murders the face to- face bullets the murders the face to- face bullets the murders the face to- face shooting by the group and and their um shooting by the group and and their um shooting by the group and and their um helpers in Eastern Europe are also not helpers in Eastern Europe are also not helpers in Eastern Europe are also not yet finished so you have this coming yet finished so you have this coming yet finished so you have this coming together of a number of different ways together of a number of different ways together of a number of different ways of of killing uh Jews across Europe that
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of of killing uh Jews across Europe that of of killing uh Jews across Europe that is really at its height in in the summer is really at its height in in the summer is really at its height in in the summer of 1942 and that's no coincidence of 1942 and that's no coincidence of 1942 and that's no coincidence because that's also the point at which because that's also the point at which because that's also the point at which the Nazi Empire is at its height where the Nazi Empire is at its height where the Nazi Empire is at its height where uh with the exception of Hungary which uh with the exception of Hungary which uh with the exception of Hungary which comes later the the the Germans have comes later the the the Germans have comes later the the the Germans have access to huge numbers of Jews that they access to huge numbers of Jews that they access to huge numbers of Jews that they haven't had access to before they still haven't had access to before they still haven't had access to before they still in this stage of thinking that they will in this stage of thinking that they will in this stage of thinking that they will win the war and winning the war also uh win the war and winning the war also uh win the war and winning the war also uh from a military perspective even means from a military perspective even means from a military perspective even means eradicating the Jews because this the eradicating the Jews because this the eradicating the Jews because this the the the murder of the Jews is uh one of the the murder of the Jews is uh one of the the murder of the Jews is uh one of the key War aims of uh of the Germans I the key War aims of uh of the Germans I the key War aims of uh of the Germans I had a Polish listener take me to task had a Polish listener take me to task had a Polish listener take me to task once because I used the word constantly once because I used the word constantly once because I used the word constantly Nazis when I was talking about the Nazis when I was talking about the Nazis when I was talking about the Germans in the second world war and he Germans in the second world war and he Germans in the second world war and he said don't don't call them Nazis he said said don't don't call them Nazis he said said don't don't call them Nazis he said call them Germans you're you're excusing call them Germans you're you're excusing call them Germans you're you're excusing uh uh uh the German people but it occurs uh uh uh the German people but it occurs uh uh uh the German people but it occurs to me after reading your book that all to me after reading your book that all to me after reading your book that all these people in Europe had anti-semitic these people in Europe had anti-semitic these people in Europe had anti-semitic backgrounds in their histories and that backgrounds in their histories and that backgrounds in their histories and that these things were harnessed by the Nazis these things were harnessed by the Nazis these things were harnessed by the Nazis in their Endeavor I think that's one of in their Endeavor I think that's one of in their Endeavor I think that's one of the main takeaways from your book too the main takeaways from your book too the main takeaways from your book too can you talk a little about the fact can you talk a little about the fact can you talk a little about the fact that six million or however many Jews that six million or however many Jews that six million or however many Jews probably don't die in this whole thing probably don't die in this whole thing probably don't die in this whole thing without a bunch of willing collaborators without a bunch of willing collaborators without a bunch of willing collaborators in other countries with long histories in other countries with long histories in other countries with long histories of antipathy towards that particular of antipathy towards that particular of antipathy towards that particular minority group I I think that's correct minority group I I think that's correct minority group I I think that's correct I I would say however that it it still I I would say however that it it still I I would say however that it it still is worth differentiating um between is worth differentiating um between is worth differentiating um between Germans and Nazis because I do think Germans and Nazis because I do think Germans and Nazis because I do think that the really the impetus for the
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that the really the impetus for the that the really the impetus for the Holocaust comes from a quite a small Holocaust comes from a quite a small Holocaust comes from a quite a small stratum of the Nazi leadership everybody stratum of the Nazi leadership everybody stratum of the Nazi leadership everybody else that's involved um whether it's the else that's involved um whether it's the else that's involved um whether it's the kind kind kind of of of um Regular membership of the Nazi party um Regular membership of the Nazi party um Regular membership of the Nazi party down to Ukrainian peasants looting their down to Ukrainian peasants looting their down to Ukrainian peasants looting their Jewish neighbors uh stuff after they've Jewish neighbors uh stuff after they've Jewish neighbors uh stuff after they've been murdered was involved for one been murdered was involved for one been murdered was involved for one reason or another and it's not always reason or another and it's not always reason or another and it's not always clear-cut that they were involved clear-cut that they were involved clear-cut that they were involved because they were Radical anti-semites because they were Radical anti-semites because they were Radical anti-semites that most people involved in The Killing that most people involved in The Killing that most people involved in The Killing process did not need to believe in this process did not need to believe in this process did not need to believe in this notion of uh the the kind of notion of uh the the kind of notion of uh the the kind of metaphysical philosophy of history of of metaphysical philosophy of history of of metaphysical philosophy of history of of the Jews threatening the Arian race in the Jews threatening the Arian race in the Jews threatening the Arian race in order to take part in the Holocaust um order to take part in the Holocaust um order to take part in the Holocaust um and there were of course plenty of and there were of course plenty of and there were of course plenty of Germans who kept their heads down during Germans who kept their heads down during Germans who kept their heads down during the Nazi regime who didn't like what was the Nazi regime who didn't like what was the Nazi regime who didn't like what was happening around them um we may think happening around them um we may think happening around them um we may think that they by virtue of not doing that they by virtue of not doing that they by virtue of not doing anything that they in a sense anything that they in a sense anything that they in a sense facilitated the regime but they facilitated the regime but they facilitated the regime but they nevertheless were not active supporters nevertheless were not active supporters nevertheless were not active supporters and there were plenty of Germans in and there were plenty of Germans in and there were plenty of Germans in Exile um who of course were anti-nazis Exile um who of course were anti-nazis Exile um who of course were anti-nazis and so I don't think it's entirely fair and so I don't think it's entirely fair and so I don't think it's entirely fair to to say that German equals Nazi at to to say that German equals Nazi at to to say that German equals Nazi at this period and that's also true this period and that's also true this period and that's also true whichever country we look at so if we whichever country we look at so if we whichever country we look at so if we look at um countries where there were um look at um countries where there were um look at um countries where there were um that were Allied to the Germans so vichi that were Allied to the Germans so vichi that were Allied to the Germans so vichi France or Norway under quisling or France or Norway under quisling or France or Norway under quisling or Croatia under pavich um Slovakia under Croatia under pavich um Slovakia under Croatia under pavich um Slovakia under tiso in each case you will find tiso in each case you will find tiso in each case you will find constituencies in those countries who constituencies in those countries who constituencies in those countries who did not support um the regime that was did not support um the regime that was did not support um the regime that was in power and certainly did not
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in power and certainly did not in power and certainly did not necessarily support the murder of the necessarily support the murder of the necessarily support the murder of the Jews but it's also true uh that there Jews but it's also true uh that there Jews but it's also true uh that there were enough people in every country that were enough people in every country that were enough people in every country that the Nazis occupied um including Poland the Nazis occupied um including Poland the Nazis occupied um including Poland where uh the only country that was not where uh the only country that was not where uh the only country that was not invited to form an SS uh regiment where invited to form an SS uh regiment where invited to form an SS uh regiment where there were people who were willing to there were people who were willing to there were people who were willing to take part in the murder of the Jews or take part in the murder of the Jews or take part in the murder of the Jews or who understood what was happening across who understood what was happening across who understood what was happening across Europe as an opportunity to fulfill a Europe as an opportunity to fulfill a Europe as an opportunity to fulfill a longstanding nationalist dream of of longstanding nationalist dream of of longstanding nationalist dream of of creating an ethnically homogeneous creating an ethnically homogeneous creating an ethnically homogeneous nation state as for example in Hungary nation state as for example in Hungary nation state as for example in Hungary or Romania where there were some radical or Romania where there were some radical or Romania where there were some radical anti-sites in power but for many of anti-sites in power but for many of anti-sites in power but for many of those uh close to the regime this what those uh close to the regime this what those uh close to the regime this what what was happening with um the alliance what was happening with um the alliance what was happening with um the alliance with the Third Reich was an opportunity with the Third Reich was an opportunity with the Third Reich was an opportunity they didn't necessarily have to buy into they didn't necessarily have to buy into they didn't necessarily have to buy into the idea again of uh the international the idea again of uh the international the idea again of uh the international Jew as this kind of great metaphysical Jew as this kind of great metaphysical Jew as this kind of great metaphysical threat what they had to do was say okay threat what they had to do was say okay threat what they had to do was say okay now we have the opportunity presented to now we have the opportunity presented to now we have the opportunity presented to us to do some of the things that we've us to do some of the things that we've us to do some of the things that we've long wanted to do and by that I mean long wanted to do and by that I mean long wanted to do and by that I mean since the late 19th early 20th century since the late 19th early 20th century since the late 19th early 20th century and then from the creation of the Modern and then from the creation of the Modern and then from the creation of the Modern Nation States after uh the treaties of Nation States after uh the treaties of Nation States after uh the treaties of of world war one so in the Hungarian of world war one so in the Hungarian of world war one so in the Hungarian case uh to eliminate not just Jews but case uh to eliminate not just Jews but case uh to eliminate not just Jews but romanes uh and and others in let's say romanes uh and and others in let's say romanes uh and and others in let's say in the Croatian case to get rid of um in the Croatian case to get rid of um in the Croatian case to get rid of um serbs and romanes as well as Jews the serbs and romanes as well as Jews the serbs and romanes as well as Jews the the croats killed far more serbs than the croats killed far more serbs than the croats killed far more serbs than they did Jews because this was a general they did Jews because this was a general they did Jews because this was a general aspiration to create uh an ethnically
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aspiration to create uh an ethnically aspiration to create uh an ethnically pure State uh and so killing Jews in pure State uh and so killing Jews in pure State uh and so killing Jews in those places was simply one aspect of um those places was simply one aspect of um those places was simply one aspect of um creating this this phenomenon and in creating this this phenomenon and in creating this this phenomenon and in Romania for example Romania for example Romania for example the the antonescu regime was responsible the the antonescu regime was responsible the the antonescu regime was responsible for the murder of huge numbers of Jews for the murder of huge numbers of Jews for the murder of huge numbers of Jews and a smaller number of romanes but it's and a smaller number of romanes but it's and a smaller number of romanes but it's also the case that after the um summer also the case that after the um summer also the case that after the um summer autumn of 1942 the Romanians stopped autumn of 1942 the Romanians stopped autumn of 1942 the Romanians stopped killing Jews because they could see killing Jews because they could see killing Jews because they could see which way the wind was blowing in terms which way the wind was blowing in terms which way the wind was blowing in terms of um the war and decided that uh it of um the war and decided that uh it of um the war and decided that uh it would be safer for them and the outcome would be safer for them and the outcome would be safer for them and the outcome in terms of saving the Romanian state in terms of saving the Romanian state in terms of saving the Romanian state would be better if they were to stop would be better if they were to stop would be better if they were to stop killing Jews and so you have a kind of u killing Jews and so you have a kind of u killing Jews and so you have a kind of u a radical attack on the Jews at one a radical attack on the Jews at one a radical attack on the Jews at one point point point uh and then a stop at after a certain uh and then a stop at after a certain uh and then a stop at after a certain point whereas for the for the diard point whereas for the for the diard point whereas for the for the diard Nazis that would be impossible um and Nazis that would be impossible um and Nazis that would be impossible um and even at the very end of the war the even at the very end of the war the even at the very end of the war the Nazis are still killing Jews because for Nazis are still killing Jews because for Nazis are still killing Jews because for them this was this was the war effort them this was this was the war effort them this was this was the war effort whereas for the Nazis allies it was whereas for the Nazis allies it was whereas for the Nazis allies it was something that they bought into in so something that they bought into in so something that they bought into in so far as it was expedient for them and far as it was expedient for them and far as it was expedient for them and when it no longer was expedient they when it no longer was expedient they when it no longer was expedient they stopped doing it so help me out with the stopped doing it so help me out with the stopped doing it so help me out with the dichotomy here um the dichotomy is the dichotomy here um the dichotomy is the dichotomy here um the dichotomy is the the Nazi regime being being open about the Nazi regime being being open about the Nazi regime being being open about their anti-semitic feelings and yet their anti-semitic feelings and yet their anti-semitic feelings and yet trying very hard it seems like and trying very hard it seems like and trying very hard it seems like and correct me if I'm wrong uh trying very correct me if I'm wrong uh trying very correct me if I'm wrong uh trying very hard it seems like to keep a lot of this hard it seems like to keep a lot of this hard it seems like to keep a lot of this stuff secret right the actual killings stuff secret right the actual killings stuff secret right the actual killings um I was reading One account uh uh that
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um I was reading One account uh uh that um I was reading One account uh uh that was talking about how one uh uh person was talking about how one uh uh person was talking about how one uh uh person at awit told another one that he was at awit told another one that he was at awit told another one that he was showing around that this is the really showing around that this is the really showing around that this is the really super secret thing and we'll all be shot super secret thing and we'll all be shot super secret thing and we'll all be shot if any of this comes out um if I'm if any of this comes out um if I'm if any of this comes out um if I'm having a hard time figuring out where having a hard time figuring out where having a hard time figuring out where where the openness on one side you know where the openness on one side you know where the openness on one side you know Hitler saying if the if we're plunged Hitler saying if the if we're plunged Hitler saying if the if we're plunged into another world war by the Jews you into another world war by the Jews you into another world war by the Jews you know they'll be so that's very open but know they'll be so that's very open but know they'll be so that's very open but with the hiding then of the with the hiding then of the with the hiding then of the ramifications of playing that idea out ramifications of playing that idea out ramifications of playing that idea out to its logical conclusion uh how should to its logical conclusion uh how should to its logical conclusion uh how should we see this it's also a complex question we see this it's also a complex question we see this it's also a complex question because you can see both things going on because you can see both things going on because you can see both things going on at the same time it's often the case at the same time it's often the case at the same time it's often the case with Nazi Germany that there's a kind of with Nazi Germany that there's a kind of with Nazi Germany that there's a kind of public statement um and then there's a public statement um and then there's a public statement um and then there's a reality and in the Third Reich I mean reality and in the Third Reich I mean reality and in the Third Reich I mean you just cited Hitler's famous Reich you just cited Hitler's famous Reich you just cited Hitler's famous Reich speech uh from January speech uh from January speech uh from January 1939 um and throughout the war if you 1939 um and throughout the war if you 1939 um and throughout the war if you read Jeffrey H's work on um the Nazi read Jeffrey H's work on um the Nazi read Jeffrey H's work on um the Nazi propaganda during the war actually the propaganda during the war actually the propaganda during the war actually the those words continue to be used over and those words continue to be used over and those words continue to be used over and over again throughout the war and over again throughout the war and over again throughout the war and towards the end of the war when the vast towards the end of the war when the vast towards the end of the war when the vast majority of the Jews have been already majority of the Jews have been already majority of the Jews have been already murdered actually in some ways the uh murdered actually in some ways the uh murdered actually in some ways the uh the anti-semitic rhetoric is ramped up the anti-semitic rhetoric is ramped up the anti-semitic rhetoric is ramped up because there's now the threat of because there's now the threat of because there's now the threat of Retribution from the international Jew Retribution from the international Jew Retribution from the international Jew and so this anti-semitic language and so this anti-semitic language and so this anti-semitic language continues to be extremely shrill even continues to be extremely shrill even continues to be extremely shrill even towards the end of the war at the same towards the end of the war at the same towards the end of the war at the same time there is a kind of secrecy but I time there is a kind of secrecy but I time there is a kind of secrecy but I think that secrecy is more designed to think that secrecy is more designed to think that secrecy is more designed to prevent the Jews being targeted from
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prevent the Jews being targeted from prevent the Jews being targeted from understanding what's being hap what's understanding what's being hap what's understanding what's being hap what's going to happen to them than it is from going to happen to them than it is from going to happen to them than it is from a fear of advertising to the rest of the a fear of advertising to the rest of the a fear of advertising to the rest of the world what's what's going on for example world what's what's going on for example world what's what's going on for example um it's forbidden for German soldiers to um it's forbidden for German soldiers to um it's forbidden for German soldiers to take photographs of uh of massacres or take photographs of uh of massacres or take photographs of uh of massacres or to take photographs in the camps and yet to take photographs in the camps and yet to take photographs in the camps and yet we know from the ver exhibition from the we know from the ver exhibition from the we know from the ver exhibition from the 1990s that German soldiers took these 1990s that German soldiers took these 1990s that German soldiers took these photos yeah in in in the millions photos yeah in in in the millions photos yeah in in in the millions actually I mean at least hundreds of actually I mean at least hundreds of actually I mean at least hundreds of thousands of of photographs taken of thousands of of photographs taken of thousands of of photographs taken of these massacres if you think of Wendy these massacres if you think of Wendy these massacres if you think of Wendy L's uh book The Ravine and her detailed L's uh book The Ravine and her detailed L's uh book The Ravine and her detailed reconstruction of uh of trying to show reconstruction of uh of trying to show reconstruction of uh of trying to show what happened in the leadup to the one what happened in the leadup to the one what happened in the leadup to the one photograph that she has on the cover of photograph that she has on the cover of photograph that she has on the cover of the book and to find out who is in the the book and to find out who is in the the book and to find out who is in the photograph where it was and so on it's photograph where it was and so on it's photograph where it was and so on it's just one example of a photograph that just one example of a photograph that just one example of a photograph that shouldn't exist because those photos shouldn't exist because those photos shouldn't exist because those photos were forbidden but in reality did exist were forbidden but in reality did exist were forbidden but in reality did exist and were shown around and that when and were shown around and that when and were shown around and that when German soldiers went on leave they would German soldiers went on leave they would German soldiers went on leave they would show them to their family members uh and show them to their family members uh and show them to their family members uh and of course what the what the verm of course what the what the verm of course what the what the verm exhibition showed was that even by the exhibition showed was that even by the exhibition showed was that even by the 1990s um people who had their father's 1990s um people who had their father's 1990s um people who had their father's or grandfather's uniforms hanging in the or grandfather's uniforms hanging in the or grandfather's uniforms hanging in the Attic often had photographs in the Attic often had photographs in the Attic often had photographs in the pockets and that these could be um shown pockets and that these could be um shown pockets and that these could be um shown around so there there was on the one around so there there was on the one around so there there was on the one hand the this use of euphemistic hand the this use of euphemistic hand the this use of euphemistic language uh we talk about it without language uh we talk about it without language uh we talk about it without talking about it uh and at the same time talking about it uh and at the same time talking about it uh and at the same time um an open display of what was going on um an open display of what was going on um an open display of what was going on which is very important because it which is very important because it which is very important because it creates of course a shared complicity creates of course a shared complicity creates of course a shared complicity not just in the direct perpetrators but not just in the direct perpetrators but not just in the direct perpetrators but across the whole of uh of German society
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across the whole of uh of German society across the whole of uh of German society and Beyond and of course one can't help and Beyond and of course one can't help and Beyond and of course one can't help but contrast the photographic technology but contrast the photographic technology but contrast the photographic technology of the time with what we have today and of the time with what we have today and of the time with what we have today and how some of these massacres shot in high how some of these massacres shot in high how some of these massacres shot in high definition color on an iPhone with audio definition color on an iPhone with audio definition color on an iPhone with audio might impact the way we see these kinds might impact the way we see these kinds might impact the way we see these kinds of things um I help me now with the of things um I help me now with the of things um I help me now with the difference between the genocide by difference between the genocide by difference between the genocide by bullets versus the genocide by gas idea bullets versus the genocide by gas idea bullets versus the genocide by gas idea a lot of people don't understand that a lot of people don't understand that a lot of people don't understand that for a lot of the Holocaust this was for a lot of the Holocaust this was for a lot of the Holocaust this was about shooting people into pits and then about shooting people into pits and then about shooting people into pits and then bringing more people to shoot them into bringing more people to shoot them into bringing more people to shoot them into pits and then having them fall on the pits and then having them fall on the pits and then having them fall on the Stacked like sardine bodies below them Stacked like sardine bodies below them Stacked like sardine bodies below them uh talk a little about this einz uh talk a little about this einz uh talk a little about this einz grouping uh U genocide by bull that's grouping uh U genocide by bull that's grouping uh U genocide by bull that's part of the genocide sure I mean I think part of the genocide sure I mean I think part of the genocide sure I mean I think what's important here is that the this what's important here is that the this what's important here is that the this this phase of of the Holocaust um we're this phase of of the Holocaust um we're this phase of of the Holocaust um we're talking now about the IM the period talking now about the IM the period talking now about the IM the period immediately after the invasion of the immediately after the invasion of the immediately after the invasion of the Soviet Union so from the end of June Soviet Union so from the end of June Soviet Union so from the end of June 1941 through to the spring of 1941 through to the spring of 1941 through to the spring of 1942 excuse me in other words before the 1942 excuse me in other words before the 1942 excuse me in other words before the final solution was framed as a final solution was framed as a final solution was framed as a european-wide project you see this phase european-wide project you see this phase european-wide project you see this phase in which the Nazis decide that as they in which the Nazis decide that as they in which the Nazis decide that as they as the ver uh goes into the Soviet Union as the ver uh goes into the Soviet Union as the ver uh goes into the Soviet Union the azat grin which is this group of the azat grin which is this group of the azat grin which is this group of about 3,000 men chosen from within the about 3,000 men chosen from within the about 3,000 men chosen from within the SS and SD uh will follow behind and SS and SD uh will follow behind and SS and SD uh will follow behind and murder uh Jewish uh groups as they find murder uh Jewish uh groups as they find murder uh Jewish uh groups as they find them uh and so those 3,000 men on their
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them uh and so those 3,000 men on their them uh and so those 3,000 men on their own are not responsible for the murder own are not responsible for the murder own are not responsible for the murder of about 1 and a half million Jews they of about 1 and a half million Jews they of about 1 and a half million Jews they had considerable assistance first of all had considerable assistance first of all had considerable assistance first of all from the order police that's to say the from the order police that's to say the from the order police that's to say the the regular police uh and their the regular police uh and their the regular police uh and their battalions the people that um Chris battalions the people that um Chris battalions the people that um Chris Browning wrote about in ordinary men for Browning wrote about in ordinary men for Browning wrote about in ordinary men for example uh but they also had lots of example uh but they also had lots of example uh but they also had lots of assistance from local auxiliaries assistance from local auxiliaries assistance from local auxiliaries particularly in Ukraine and um across particularly in Ukraine and um across particularly in Ukraine and um across that s of Borderlands up to through that s of Borderlands up to through that s of Borderlands up to through Belarus and up to the Baltic states and Belarus and up to the Baltic states and Belarus and up to the Baltic states and again Wendy LA's book shows that because again Wendy LA's book shows that because again Wendy LA's book shows that because some of the people in her uh the some of the people in her uh the some of the people in her uh the photograph that she describes are photograph that she describes are photograph that she describes are ukrainians and the same is true in uh in ukrainians and the same is true in uh in ukrainians and the same is true in uh in Romania in transnistria uh where they Romania in transnistria uh where they Romania in transnistria uh where they carry out massacres it's also with the carry out massacres it's also with the carry out massacres it's also with the assistance of local folks deut that's to assistance of local folks deut that's to assistance of local folks deut that's to say ethnic Germans living in uh that say ethnic Germans living in uh that say ethnic Germans living in uh that region and of um ethnic Ukrainian uh region and of um ethnic Ukrainian uh region and of um ethnic Ukrainian uh auxiliaries who also did much of of the auxiliaries who also did much of of the auxiliaries who also did much of of the shooting but what we're talking about shooting but what we're talking about shooting but what we're talking about here is U the the so-called war of here is U the the so-called war of here is U the the so-called war of annihilation in the Soviet Union so that annihilation in the Soviet Union so that annihilation in the Soviet Union so that when because for Hitler uh bolshevism is when because for Hitler uh bolshevism is when because for Hitler uh bolshevism is not not just a hated ideology it's an not not just a hated ideology it's an not not just a hated ideology it's an ideology that is driven by the Jews so ideology that is driven by the Jews so ideology that is driven by the Jews so we should when we think about the Soviet we should when we think about the Soviet we should when we think about the Soviet Union through a Nazi lens we shouldn't Union through a Nazi lens we shouldn't Union through a Nazi lens we shouldn't necessarily think about bolism we should necessarily think about bolism we should necessarily think about bolism we should think about judeo bolshevism this is think about judeo bolshevism this is think about judeo bolshevism this is what the how the Nazis think that bolism what the how the Nazis think that bolism what the how the Nazis think that bolism is a Jewish system uh and therefore uh is a Jewish system uh and therefore uh is a Jewish system uh and therefore uh to eradicate it you have to kill the to eradicate it you have to kill the to eradicate it you have to kill the Jews uh in the Soviet Union this will be Jews uh in the Soviet Union this will be Jews uh in the Soviet Union this will be the only way to uh to do away with the only way to uh to do away with the only way to uh to do away with bolshevism as as a system so you have
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bolshevism as as a system so you have bolshevism as as a system so you have this uh period where beginning this uh period where beginning this uh period where beginning immediately after um the verm enters immediately after um the verm enters immediately after um the verm enters into the Soviet Union for about six into the Soviet Union for about six into the Soviet Union for about six weeks where only uh men of fighting age weeks where only uh men of fighting age weeks where only uh men of fighting age are targeted but within a very short are targeted but within a very short are targeted but within a very short period that that's extended to include period that that's extended to include period that that's extended to include everyone uh women children the elderly everyone uh women children the elderly everyone uh women children the elderly uh and so as exactly as you say uh in uh and so as exactly as you say uh in uh and so as exactly as you say uh in these small towns and also larger cities these small towns and also larger cities these small towns and also larger cities the most famous being in in Kiev uh the the most famous being in in Kiev uh the the most famous being in in Kiev uh the shooting at babiar the Jews were often shooting at babiar the Jews were often shooting at babiar the Jews were often identified by their neighbors where uh identified by their neighbors where uh identified by their neighbors where uh it wasn't obvious to the to the Germans it wasn't obvious to the to the Germans it wasn't obvious to the to the Germans uh whether they were Jews or not uh uh whether they were Jews or not uh uh whether they were Jews or not uh taken to pits outside of the Town um and taken to pits outside of the Town um and taken to pits outside of the Town um and and shot into them uh and so for this and shot into them uh and so for this and shot into them uh and so for this phase of the Holocaust we're talking phase of the Holocaust we're talking phase of the Holocaust we're talking essentially about a huge essentially about a huge essentially about a huge scale effectively something like a scale effectively something like a scale effectively something like a colonial Massacre RIT large U this is by colonial Massacre RIT large U this is by colonial Massacre RIT large U this is by no means what we often think of as the no means what we often think of as the no means what we often think of as the Holocaust as this kind of Holocaust as this kind of Holocaust as this kind of technologically sophisticated uh technologically sophisticated uh technologically sophisticated uh industrial genocide it was still industrial genocide it was still industrial genocide it was still genocide on a huge scale but it was done genocide on a huge scale but it was done genocide on a huge scale but it was done by um face to-face shooting it's by um face to-face shooting it's by um face to-face shooting it's extraordinarily brutal but was extremely extraordinarily brutal but was extremely extraordinarily brutal but was extremely efficient nevertheless I me think of the efficient nevertheless I me think of the efficient nevertheless I me think of the um the tens of thousands killed at um the tens of thousands killed at um the tens of thousands killed at babiar or in some of the some of the babiar or in some of the some of the babiar or in some of the some of the massacres in in transnistria huge massacres in in transnistria huge massacres in in transnistria huge numbers of of people shot into into pits numbers of of people shot into into pits numbers of of people shot into into pits there you know I was reading in some of there you know I was reading in some of there you know I was reading in some of these accounts and and I think you know these accounts and and I think you know these accounts and and I think you know when you read a lot of this stuff and I when you read a lot of this stuff and I when you read a lot of this stuff and I can't imagine how you do your job can't imagine how you do your job can't imagine how you do your job because you read this stuff all the time because you read this stuff all the time because you read this stuff all the time but when you read this stuff there's
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but when you read this stuff there's but when you read this stuff there's this tendency to think of the Nazis and this tendency to think of the Nazis and this tendency to think of the Nazis and and the ones who carry out these brutal and the ones who carry out these brutal and the ones who carry out these brutal murders you know to quote some of the murders you know to quote some of the murders you know to quote some of the nurenberg justifications as just nurenberg justifications as just nurenberg justifications as just following order orders and all that kind following order orders and all that kind following order orders and all that kind of stuff what really knocks you down of stuff what really knocks you down of stuff what really knocks you down sometimes is the fact that sometimes sometimes is the fact that sometimes sometimes is the fact that sometimes people were curious enough to just want people were curious enough to just want people were curious enough to just want to do this for the experience I'm moved to do this for the experience I'm moved to do this for the experience I'm moved in a bad way by that story of the of the in a bad way by that story of the of the in a bad way by that story of the of the police unit uh entertainers the police unit uh entertainers the police unit uh entertainers the musicians and and actors who uh wanted musicians and and actors who uh wanted musicians and and actors who uh wanted the opportunity one day to just shoot the opportunity one day to just shoot the opportunity one day to just shoot Jews to just see what it was like and Jews to just see what it was like and Jews to just see what it was like and how this was uh portrayed in one of the how this was uh portrayed in one of the how this was uh portrayed in one of the books I was reading it might have been books I was reading it might have been books I was reading it might have been yours I get them conflated sometimes as yours I get them conflated sometimes as yours I get them conflated sometimes as almost a psychological chance to commit almost a psychological chance to commit almost a psychological chance to commit an inhuman Act without any sort of an inhuman Act without any sort of an inhuman Act without any sort of ramifications to be paid for it is there ramifications to be paid for it is there ramifications to be paid for it is there some sort of difference between and some sort of difference between and some sort of difference between and maybe that's not the right way to phrase maybe that's not the right way to phrase maybe that's not the right way to phrase the question but but I'm having a harder the question but but I'm having a harder the question but but I'm having a harder time for some reason with that than I am time for some reason with that than I am time for some reason with that than I am maybe with an idea that I've become maybe with an idea that I've become maybe with an idea that I've become comfortable with over the 58 years of my comfortable with over the 58 years of my comfortable with over the 58 years of my lifetime of this Nazi State and regime lifetime of this Nazi State and regime lifetime of this Nazi State and regime and the political orders from himler on and the political orders from himler on and the political orders from himler on down uh what do we make of like or or down uh what do we make of like or or down uh what do we make of like or or like the guy with the Crowbar in Kus like the guy with the Crowbar in Kus like the guy with the Crowbar in Kus Lithuania right in the crowd cheering Lithuania right in the crowd cheering Lithuania right in the crowd cheering and or the crowds cheering at some of and or the crowds cheering at some of and or the crowds cheering at some of these mass shootings you know I I I these mass shootings you know I I I these mass shootings you know I I I don't know what to make of the average don't know what to make of the average don't know what to make of the average people enjoying this so much as opposed people enjoying this so much as opposed people enjoying this so much as opposed to some attempt to wipe out you know to some attempt to wipe out you know to some attempt to wipe out you know this enemy of judeo this enemy of judeo this enemy of judeo bolshevism it's also it's a difficult bolshevism it's also it's a difficult bolshevism it's also it's a difficult question it's a very uncomfortable one I question it's a very uncomfortable one I question it's a very uncomfortable one I think uh and again there's a kind of think uh and again there's a kind of think uh and again there's a kind of spectrum that you can see in uh research
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spectrum that you can see in uh research spectrum that you can see in uh research by the German hisor historian Michelle by the German hisor historian Michelle by the German hisor historian Michelle vilt you can see photographs of Jews vilt you can see photographs of Jews vilt you can see photographs of Jews being deported from the German provinces being deported from the German provinces being deported from the German provinces so not they're not being murdered there so not they're not being murdered there so not they're not being murdered there they're simply being rounded up and and they're simply being rounded up and and they're simply being rounded up and and deported but you can see the crowds deported but you can see the crowds deported but you can see the crowds laughing and and jeering at the Jews as laughing and and jeering at the Jews as laughing and and jeering at the Jews as they're being rounded up and and taken they're being rounded up and and taken they're being rounded up and and taken away through to exactly as you described away through to exactly as you described away through to exactly as you described the so-called death dealer of Kass uh or the so-called death dealer of Kass uh or the so-called death dealer of Kass uh or um um um these volunteers if you like who turn up these volunteers if you like who turn up these volunteers if you like who turn up and and want to have a go at and and want to have a go at and and want to have a go at shooting i i i a little bit reluctant to shooting i i i a little bit reluctant to shooting i i i a little bit reluctant to say U this takes us back to some of the say U this takes us back to some of the say U this takes us back to some of the sort of you know Stanford Prison sort of you know Stanford Prison sort of you know Stanford Prison experiments or mgrm and so say you know experiments or mgrm and so say you know experiments or mgrm and so say you know there's there's an Ian in all of us and there's there's an Ian in all of us and there's there's an Ian in all of us and and so on um but I I do think that at and so on um but I I do think that at and so on um but I I do think that at least forly what what you see in eastern least forly what what you see in eastern least forly what what you see in eastern particularly in Eastern Europe where the particularly in Eastern Europe where the particularly in Eastern Europe where the killings take place is that the Nazis killings take place is that the Nazis killings take place is that the Nazis create and their allies also the create and their allies also the create and their allies also the Romanians in transnistria do the same Romanians in transnistria do the same Romanians in transnistria do the same they create effectively a lawless Zone they create effectively a lawless Zone they create effectively a lawless Zone where the there's a state of exception where the there's a state of exception where the there's a state of exception the Reg law of the land no longer the Reg law of the land no longer the Reg law of the land no longer applies the Jews are fair game um anyone applies the Jews are fair game um anyone applies the Jews are fair game um anyone can do anything to them with no comeback can do anything to them with no comeback can do anything to them with no comeback and so in a sense it's an I've written and so in a sense it's an I've written and so in a sense it's an I've written elsewhere I wrote an article some years elsewhere I wrote an article some years elsewhere I wrote an article some years ago called genocide as transgression uh ago called genocide as transgression uh ago called genocide as transgression uh and it's what I tried to argue there was and it's what I tried to argue there was and it's what I tried to argue there was that that that the the
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the the the the Holocaust presented an opportunity to Holocaust presented an opportunity to Holocaust presented an opportunity to people to fulfill their wildest people to fulfill their wildest people to fulfill their wildest fantasies with no come back and fantasies with no come back and fantasies with no come back and afterwards I I think that for some some afterwards I I think that for some some afterwards I I think that for some some of the perpetrators at least they of the perpetrators at least they of the perpetrators at least they probably looked back on what they'd done probably looked back on what they'd done probably looked back on what they'd done and couldn't quite believe it when they and couldn't quite believe it when they and couldn't quite believe it when they were back in regular Society where were back in regular Society where were back in regular Society where normal law applied and so on and and normal law applied and so on and and normal law applied and so on and and probably couldn't couldn't even fathom probably couldn't couldn't even fathom probably couldn't couldn't even fathom what they'd done themselves uh and yet what they'd done themselves uh and yet what they'd done themselves uh and yet there was this state of exception there was this state of exception there was this state of exception created uh that allowed this um this created uh that allowed this um this created uh that allowed this um this this madness if you will to to take this madness if you will to to take this madness if you will to to take place and it's it's uncomfortable place and it's it's uncomfortable place and it's it's uncomfortable because it makes you think well perhaps because it makes you think well perhaps because it makes you think well perhaps that's what human beings are that people that's what human beings are that people that's what human beings are that people kill other people because they can when kill other people because they can when kill other people because they can when the opportunity arises that's what the opportunity arises that's what the opportunity arises that's what happens uh nevertheless it's it's more happens uh nevertheless it's it's more happens uh nevertheless it's it's more than just a pogram you know this was a than just a pogram you know this was a than just a pogram you know this was a state state state sanctioned State of Affairs U which is sanctioned State of Affairs U which is sanctioned State of Affairs U which is why we see the the genocide on the scale why we see the the genocide on the scale why we see the the genocide on the scale that we do I was interested and maybe that we do I was interested and maybe that we do I was interested and maybe this is part of how one at the ground this is part of how one at the ground this is part of how one at the ground level rationalizes what they're being uh level rationalizes what they're being uh level rationalizes what they're being uh what they're doing was this equating the what they're doing was this equating the what they're doing was this equating the Jews in the East to partisans especially Jews in the East to partisans especially Jews in the East to partisans especially right and and when you read these right and and when you read these right and and when you read these accounts by German soldiers often accounts by German soldiers often accounts by German soldiers often they'll talk about either how the they'll talk about either how the they'll talk about either how the partisans were Jews or how the partisans partisans were Jews or how the partisans partisans were Jews or how the partisans were working with the Jews and that then were working with the Jews and that then were working with the Jews and that then when you reply by killing Jews you are when you reply by killing Jews you are when you reply by killing Jews you are in effect killing partisans and this is in effect killing partisans and this is in effect killing partisans and this is okay because they were just shooting at okay because they were just shooting at okay because they were just shooting at your buddies um what do you make of this your buddies um what do you make of this your buddies um what do you make of this and listen I guess I guess Hitler and listen I guess I guess Hitler and listen I guess I guess Hitler himself was had said at one point just
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himself was had said at one point just himself was had said at one point just call them all partisans I mean this call them all partisans I mean this call them all partisans I mean this became a wonderful blanket and obviously became a wonderful blanket and obviously became a wonderful blanket and obviously this obscures the number you know when this obscures the number you know when this obscures the number you know when people talk about how many deaths in the people talk about how many deaths in the people talk about how many deaths in the Holocaust it must be impossible to you Holocaust it must be impossible to you Holocaust it must be impossible to you know to untease Jews from partisans at know to untease Jews from partisans at know to untease Jews from partisans at this because often times that's what this because often times that's what this because often times that's what they'll say what do we make about this they'll say what do we make about this they'll say what do we make about this partisan partisan partisan rationale I think exactly as you say it rationale I think exactly as you say it rationale I think exactly as you say it pro it pro it pro it provides um a a means of provides um a a means of provides um a a means of self-justification um but it only goes self-justification um but it only goes self-justification um but it only goes so far because when the inet group or so far because when the inet group or so far because when the inet group or members of the ver or the order police members of the ver or the order police members of the ver or the order police are shooting um elderly are shooting um elderly are shooting um elderly men and women or men and women or men and women or children of course this partisan children of course this partisan children of course this partisan argument Falls away immediately uh and argument Falls away immediately uh and argument Falls away immediately uh and then you have to say well then what are then you have to say well then what are then you have to say well then what are they thinking so the I think the the they thinking so the I think the the they thinking so the I think the the partisan partisan partisan arguments uh worked well at first in the arguments uh worked well at first in the arguments uh worked well at first in the early stages of of the war in the Soviet early stages of of the war in the Soviet early stages of of the war in the Soviet Union as a kind of psychological buffer Union as a kind of psychological buffer Union as a kind of psychological buffer uh but it I think once the The Killing uh but it I think once the The Killing uh but it I think once the The Killing squads got used to what they were doing squads got used to what they were doing squads got used to what they were doing they no longer needed it they continued they no longer needed it they continued they no longer needed it they continued to use that language to some extent if to use that language to some extent if to use that language to some extent if you if you look at the the Ein Gren you if you look at the the Ein Gren you if you look at the the Ein Gren reports they are often couched in this reports they are often couched in this reports they are often couched in this euphemistic language but the uh the euphemistic language but the uh the euphemistic language but the uh the killings themselves I I don't think they killings themselves I I don't think they killings themselves I I don't think they could possibly have believed it when could possibly have believed it when could possibly have believed it when they were shooting whole whole they were shooting whole whole they were shooting whole whole population population population groups okay this idea of psychological groups okay this idea of psychological groups okay this idea of psychological insulation is interesting to me because insulation is interesting to me because insulation is interesting to me because so often and please again correct me if so often and please again correct me if so often and please again correct me if I've misunderstood or if the sources I've misunderstood or if the sources I've misunderstood or if the sources have changed or the attitudes and and um have changed or the attitudes and and um have changed or the attitudes and and um assessments have changed but it's assessments have changed but it's assessments have changed but it's interesting when you read because the
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interesting when you read because the interesting when you read because the Nazis were paying close attention to how Nazis were paying close attention to how Nazis were paying close attention to how these shootings were going how they these shootings were going how they these shootings were going how they could make it more efficient what could could make it more efficient what could could make it more efficient what could be done differently and they never show be done differently and they never show be done differently and they never show a whole lot of sympathy obviously for a whole lot of sympathy obviously for a whole lot of sympathy obviously for the victims but they sometimes show the victims but they sometimes show the victims but they sometimes show sympathy or at least concern over what sympathy or at least concern over what sympathy or at least concern over what the perpetrators are experiencing having the perpetrators are experiencing having the perpetrators are experiencing having to shoot all these people all the time to shoot all these people all the time to shoot all these people all the time and when I was growing up and again and when I was growing up and again and when I was growing up and again correct me if this has changed this was correct me if this has changed this was correct me if this has changed this was always one factor that went into the always one factor that went into the always one factor that went into the idea of something like creating idea of something like creating idea of something like creating Annihilation camps where you don't have Annihilation camps where you don't have Annihilation camps where you don't have to hold a Tommy Gun and spend the whole to hold a Tommy Gun and spend the whole to hold a Tommy Gun and spend the whole afternoon shooting women and children it afternoon shooting women and children it afternoon shooting women and children it just becomes a process where there's as just becomes a process where there's as just becomes a process where there's as you suggested more of a psychological you suggested more of a psychological you suggested more of a psychological insulation insulation insulation um maybe talk to me a little bit about um maybe talk to me a little bit about um maybe talk to me a little bit about because I'm interested in the human because I'm interested in the human because I'm interested in the human angle I always talk about people who are angle I always talk about people who are angle I always talk about people who are caught in the gears of history I mean if caught in the gears of history I mean if caught in the gears of history I mean if you find yourself tasked with having to you find yourself tasked with having to you find yourself tasked with having to be at bobar and being one of the gunmen be at bobar and being one of the gunmen be at bobar and being one of the gunmen there um it's almost heartening for me there um it's almost heartening for me there um it's almost heartening for me that there's enough people bothered by that there's enough people bothered by that there's enough people bothered by this that you have to find another way this that you have to find another way this that you have to find another way can you talk to me and it's a good can you talk to me and it's a good can you talk to me and it's a good transition to go from the genocide of transition to go from the genocide of transition to go from the genocide of bullets to the genocide of gas but talk bullets to the genocide of gas but talk bullets to the genocide of gas but talk to me a little about this the effect it to me a little about this the effect it to me a little about this the effect it has on The Killers MH um it's a good has on The Killers MH um it's a good has on The Killers MH um it's a good question because I think again the question because I think again the question because I think again the evidence is mixed there's a I think a evidence is mixed there's a I think a evidence is mixed there's a I think a small number small number small number of killers who enjoy the process and of killers who enjoy the process and of killers who enjoy the process and then there's a larger majority who get then there's a larger majority who get then there's a larger majority who get used to it and then who write letters
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used to it and then who write letters used to it and then who write letters back to their families who's saying back to their families who's saying back to their families who's saying things like oh it takes nerves of Steel things like oh it takes nerves of Steel things like oh it takes nerves of Steel to do what we're doing here but we have to do what we're doing here but we have to do what we're doing here but we have to do it uh for the sake of our children to do it uh for the sake of our children to do it uh for the sake of our children and grandchildren um and then there's a and grandchildren um and then there's a and grandchildren um and then there's a a very small minority of uh of those who a very small minority of uh of those who a very small minority of uh of those who simp who won't do it uh or who have to simp who won't do it uh or who have to simp who won't do it uh or who have to be persuaded and who eventually do it um be persuaded and who eventually do it um be persuaded and who eventually do it um thanks to being ped with alcohol or thanks to being ped with alcohol or thanks to being ped with alcohol or because they don't want to uh look bad because they don't want to uh look bad because they don't want to uh look bad in front of their comrades and so on in front of their comrades and so on in front of their comrades and so on um I think one of the things that has um I think one of the things that has um I think one of the things that has changed is that I think we Now changed is that I think we Now changed is that I think we Now understand that this did have understand that this did have understand that this did have psychological ramifications for the psychological ramifications for the psychological ramifications for the killers and um nobody needs to feel killers and um nobody needs to feel killers and um nobody needs to feel sorry for them but probably many of sorry for them but probably many of sorry for them but probably many of those who um were not uh P prosecuted those who um were not uh P prosecuted those who um were not uh P prosecuted after the war probably did suffer from after the war probably did suffer from after the war probably did suffer from PTSD from uh from what they'd PTSD from uh from what they'd PTSD from uh from what they'd experienced what and what they'd done um experienced what and what they'd done um experienced what and what they'd done um again which is is not um does not mean again which is is not um does not mean again which is is not um does not mean we need to you know it's not an apology we need to you know it's not an apology we need to you know it's not an apology for them um but they they certainly did for them um but they they certainly did for them um but they they certainly did experience psychological effects from uh experience psychological effects from uh experience psychological effects from uh from what they' done not all of them but from what they' done not all of them but from what they' done not all of them but but many did I think um but the you're but many did I think um but the you're but many did I think um but the you're right to say I think that one of the right to say I think that one of the right to say I think that one of the reasons for the transition from the reasons for the transition from the reasons for the transition from the Holocaust by bullets to uh the creation Holocaust by bullets to uh the creation Holocaust by bullets to uh the creation of gas Chambers was uh a notion that of gas Chambers was uh a notion that of gas Chambers was uh a notion that this would involve fewer people in in this would involve fewer people in in this would involve fewer people in in direct face-to-face killings uh that the direct face-to-face killings uh that the direct face-to-face killings uh that the process would be less traumatic for the process would be less traumatic for the process would be less traumatic for the perpetrators um there was no regard I perpetrators um there was no regard I perpetrators um there was no regard I think there has been a certain amount of think there has been a certain amount of think there has been a certain amount of apologetics uh trying to say this this
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apologetics uh trying to say this this apologetics uh trying to say this this was less barbaric for the victims as was less barbaric for the victims as was less barbaric for the victims as well but that's clearly nonsense that well but that's clearly nonsense that well but that's clearly nonsense that the when you read the description one of the when you read the description one of the when you read the description one of the things I wanted to do in the book the things I wanted to do in the book the things I wanted to do in the book actually was to say that when you look actually was to say that when you look actually was to say that when you look at the the death camps they're they're at the the death camps they're they're at the the death camps they're they're not this um clean industrial process of not this um clean industrial process of not this um clean industrial process of murder uh sites that that they're murder uh sites that that they're murder uh sites that that they're sometimes thought of they were extremely sometimes thought of they were extremely sometimes thought of they were extremely brutal violent and uh and nasty and and brutal violent and uh and nasty and and brutal violent and uh and nasty and and that way of killing people is also um that way of killing people is also um that way of killing people is also um horrendous and and by no means efficient horrendous and and by no means efficient horrendous and and by no means efficient and and clean nevertheless from the and and clean nevertheless from the and and clean nevertheless from the perpetrator's point of view it took far perpetrator's point of view it took far perpetrator's point of view it took far fewer people uh and when you look at the fewer people uh and when you look at the fewer people uh and when you look at the places like the Reinhard camps a very places like the Reinhard camps a very places like the Reinhard camps a very small core of ss uh and local helpers um small core of ss uh and local helpers um small core of ss uh and local helpers um could could kill thousands and thousands could could kill thousands and thousands could could kill thousands and thousands of of victims uh very quickly uh but of of victims uh very quickly uh but of of victims uh very quickly uh but again that transition I don't think it again that transition I don't think it again that transition I don't think it was only driven by psychological needs was only driven by psychological needs was only driven by psychological needs it was also contingent that's to say uh it was also contingent that's to say uh it was also contingent that's to say uh that the the idea for the gas chamber that the the idea for the gas chamber that the the idea for the gas chamber came from uh the so-called euthanasia uh came from uh the so-called euthanasia uh came from uh the so-called euthanasia uh program beforehand so that the uh or the program beforehand so that the uh or the program beforehand so that the uh or the T4 project to kill the the disabled not T4 project to kill the the disabled not T4 project to kill the the disabled not necessarily not primarily Jews but necessarily not primarily Jews but necessarily not primarily Jews but members of the the Arian uh race in members of the the Arian uh race in members of the the Arian uh race in Germany who were considered to be Germany who were considered to be Germany who were considered to be deficient and and disabled and and deficient and and disabled and and deficient and and disabled and and should be done away with um it was there should be done away with um it was there should be done away with um it was there that gas Chambers were first created and that gas Chambers were first created and that gas Chambers were first created and as that program was being wound up many as that program was being wound up many as that program was being wound up many of the uh leaders of it were transferred of the uh leaders of it were transferred of the uh leaders of it were transferred then to the Reinhard camps because they' then to the Reinhard camps because they' then to the Reinhard camps because they' suggested that this would be
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suggested that this would be suggested that this would be a more appropriate way of of killing a more appropriate way of of killing a more appropriate way of of killing Jews than simply shooting them so the Jews than simply shooting them so the Jews than simply shooting them so the psychological um explanation is I think psychological um explanation is I think psychological um explanation is I think a correct one but it also has to be a correct one but it also has to be a correct one but it also has to be understood as as uh emerging out of understood as as uh emerging out of understood as as uh emerging out of other things that were happening in in other things that were happening in in other things that were happening in in the the first uh mass murder projects the the first uh mass murder projects the the first uh mass murder projects being carried out by Nazi Germany that's being carried out by Nazi Germany that's being carried out by Nazi Germany that's to say the euthanasia program maybe some to say the euthanasia program maybe some to say the euthanasia program maybe some of it also goes to the idea of hiding of it also goes to the idea of hiding of it also goes to the idea of hiding this sort of stuff I was I was shocked this sort of stuff I was I was shocked this sort of stuff I was I was shocked to read an account from early 1942 to read an account from early 1942 to read an account from early 1942 talking about the bobar area where the talking about the bobar area where the talking about the bobar area where the mass grave was and that when things mass grave was and that when things mass grave was and that when things started to unfreeze that there were like started to unfreeze that there were like started to unfreeze that there were like minor explosions created by the gas from minor explosions created by the gas from minor explosions created by the gas from the bodies buried in the in the pit you the bodies buried in the in the pit you the bodies buried in the in the pit you think to yourself about crematoriums and think to yourself about crematoriums and think to yourself about crematoriums and whatnot maybe solving that problem whatnot maybe solving that problem whatnot maybe solving that problem somewhat but it is a you know it seems somewhat but it is a you know it seems somewhat but it is a you know it seems to me that the reason maybe we focus so to me that the reason maybe we focus so to me that the reason maybe we focus so much on on that even if it wasn't his much on on that even if it wasn't his much on on that even if it wasn't his Factory line genocide as we've always Factory line genocide as we've always Factory line genocide as we've always thought is because that's the Great thought is because that's the Great thought is because that's the Great break from past history right Jenis Khan break from past history right Jenis Khan break from past history right Jenis Khan can kill a lot of people too but he does can kill a lot of people too but he does can kill a lot of people too but he does it the same way the aats group and did it the same way the aats group and did it the same way the aats group and did essentially the the new you know it's essentially the the new you know it's essentially the the new you know it's almost a science fiction Star Trek almost a science fiction Star Trek almost a science fiction Star Trek episode to go in there and wipe people episode to go in there and wipe people episode to go in there and wipe people out I mean I um Levan's book from the out I mean I um Levan's book from the out I mean I um Levan's book from the late 1960s has this rundown and we're late 1960s has this rundown and we're late 1960s has this rundown and we're going to use it in the show where they going to use it in the show where they going to use it in the show where they go from like the train you know the go from like the train you know the go from like the train you know the announcement that the train is arriving announcement that the train is arriving announcement that the train is arriving all the way to pulling the bodies out of all the way to pulling the bodies out of all the way to pulling the bodies out of the um out of the um gas chamber and
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the um out of the um gas chamber and the um out of the um gas chamber and efficiency is an interesting word I mean efficiency is an interesting word I mean efficiency is an interesting word I mean I was struck by the little things like I was struck by the little things like I was struck by the little things like that there were geraniums planted along that there were geraniums planted along that there were geraniums planted along the way little things that were it it the way little things that were it it the way little things that were it it just if you were making a horror movie just if you were making a horror movie just if you were making a horror movie there's something worse about putting there's something worse about putting there's something worse about putting geraniums along the side than just geraniums along the side than just geraniums along the side than just making it like a bunch of cattle going making it like a bunch of cattle going making it like a bunch of cattle going to slaughter uh there's no question to slaughter uh there's no question to slaughter uh there's no question there but what does that make you think there but what does that make you think there but what does that make you think about um I mean I think I think you're about um I mean I think I think you're about um I mean I think I think you're right there there is Theon reason I right there there is Theon reason I right there there is Theon reason I think why we're think why we're think why we're still morbidly fascinated with aitz is still morbidly fascinated with aitz is still morbidly fascinated with aitz is precisely because it does Mark this precisely because it does Mark this precisely because it does Mark this break that you describe that there break that you describe that there break that you describe that there there's something about the modernist there's something about the modernist there's something about the modernist architecture you know the Bare House architecture you know the Bare House architecture you know the Bare House inspired architecture of the entrance inspired architecture of the entrance inspired architecture of the entrance gate to Bean now the uh the railway age gate to Bean now the uh the railway age gate to Bean now the uh the railway age you know the epitome of modernity uh you know the epitome of modernity uh you know the epitome of modernity uh being used and the the conscious design being used and the the conscious design being used and the the conscious design of this place as nothing more than a of this place as nothing more than a of this place as nothing more than a killing Factor killing Factor killing Factor that's there is something that remains that's there is something that remains that's there is something that remains shocking about that uh and I've said so shocking about that uh and I've said so shocking about that uh and I've said so in in the book uh you know I refer to in in the book uh you know I refer to in in the book uh you know I refer to aitz there as um an abire of aitz there as um an abire of aitz there as um an abire of concentrated genocidal fantasy uh and concentrated genocidal fantasy uh and concentrated genocidal fantasy uh and and and that's that's what it is uh at and and that's that's what it is uh at and and that's that's what it is uh at the same time I I also I wanted to say the same time I I also I wanted to say the same time I I also I wanted to say that there's more to the Holocaust than that there's more to the Holocaust than that there's more to the Holocaust than aitz and the death camps but by saying aitz and the death camps but by saying aitz and the death camps but by saying that I I don't mean to detract from the that I I don't mean to detract from the that I I don't mean to detract from the significance of aitz it is the uh the significance of aitz it is the uh the significance of aitz it is the uh the points if you like of uh of the Nazis
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points if you like of uh of the Nazis points if you like of uh of the Nazis genocidal program I mean with respect to genocidal program I mean with respect to genocidal program I mean with respect to the geraniums and so on um again it's the geraniums and so on um again it's the geraniums and so on um again it's become a kind of well-worn cliche that become a kind of well-worn cliche that become a kind of well-worn cliche that we see you know the the land of uh yeah we see you know the the land of uh yeah we see you know the the land of uh yeah this Trope of the the land of the poets this Trope of the the land of the poets this Trope of the the land of the poets and thinkers also being the land of of and thinkers also being the land of of and thinkers also being the land of of murderers if you think about you know murderers if you think about you know murderers if you think about you know the piano playing murderer uh in in the piano playing murderer uh in in the piano playing murderer uh in in Schindler's List or The Pianist or Schindler's List or The Pianist or Schindler's List or The Pianist or whatever I mean the George Steiner wrote whatever I mean the George Steiner wrote whatever I mean the George Steiner wrote about this kind of thing in in his about this kind of thing in in his about this kind of thing in in his essays in the the 1960s uh and it essays in the the 1960s uh and it essays in the the 1960s uh and it Remains the case today that we're still Remains the case today that we're still Remains the case today that we're still kind of shocked when we see these um kind of shocked when we see these um kind of shocked when we see these um murderers people we like we want to murderers people we like we want to murderers people we like we want to think of as crazy sadists and so on think of as crazy sadists and so on think of as crazy sadists and so on sitting down to play aach Sonata uh at sitting down to play aach Sonata uh at sitting down to play aach Sonata uh at the end of the film conspiracy which is the end of the film conspiracy which is the end of the film conspiracy which is the film about the van conference um the film about the van conference um the film about the van conference um which is one of the one of the few truly which is one of the one of the few truly which is one of the one of the few truly great docu dramas about about the great docu dramas about about the great docu dramas about about the Holocaust at the end of that that film Holocaust at the end of that that film Holocaust at the end of that that film uh you see um you see hyrich and ikman uh you see um you see hyrich and ikman uh you see um you see hyrich and ikman set Ling down with a brandy L listening set Ling down with a brandy L listening set Ling down with a brandy L listening to U classical music again um Shubert to U classical music again um Shubert to U classical music again um Shubert maybe I can't remember but U you know maybe I can't remember but U you know maybe I can't remember but U you know this is something that continues to to this is something that continues to to this is something that continues to to shock us and it shouldn't shock us shock us and it shouldn't shock us shock us and it shouldn't shock us anymore because we we understand there's anymore because we we understand there's anymore because we we understand there's this this dialectic of civilization and this this dialectic of civilization and this this dialectic of civilization and barbarism that characterizes uh the barbarism that characterizes uh the barbarism that characterizes uh the Third Reich uh but that goes all the way Third Reich uh but that goes all the way Third Reich uh but that goes all the way through from the individual perpetrators through from the individual perpetrators through from the individual perpetrators and and their sensibilities through to and and their sensibilities through to and and their sensibilities through to the architecture of of the death camps I the architecture of of the death camps I the architecture of of the death camps I love the line the banality of E love the line the banality of E love the line the banality of E um so so let's let's bring that up a
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um so so let's let's bring that up a um so so let's let's bring that up a little bit because you mentioned shock little bit because you mentioned shock little bit because you mentioned shock and I think that's an interesting word and I think that's an interesting word and I think that's an interesting word when we talk about events from 70 plus when we talk about events from 70 plus when we talk about events from 70 plus years ago now uh one almost feels like years ago now uh one almost feels like years ago now uh one almost feels like it's good to be in shock about something it's good to be in shock about something it's good to be in shock about something like this but shock wears off um and yet like this but shock wears off um and yet like this but shock wears off um and yet we still produce quite a few books on we still produce quite a few books on we still produce quite a few books on the Holocaust one gets the impression the Holocaust one gets the impression the Holocaust one gets the impression that the difference between the reaction that the difference between the reaction that the difference between the reaction of those who were either part of that of those who were either part of that of those who were either part of that generation or close to it is quite a bit generation or close to it is quite a bit generation or close to it is quite a bit different than what we see now I was different than what we see now I was different than what we see now I was struck you'd mentioned the exhibit in struck you'd mentioned the exhibit in struck you'd mentioned the exhibit in the 1990s that helped dispel the myth of the 1990s that helped dispel the myth of the 1990s that helped dispel the myth of the clean Vermont and the books that the clean Vermont and the books that the clean Vermont and the books that came out of that there was an interview came out of that there was an interview came out of that there was an interview in one of them at the end with a green in one of them at the end with a green in one of them at the end with a green party member of the bundestag who said party member of the bundestag who said party member of the bundestag who said that her father had been um you know had that her father had been um you know had that her father had been um you know had the black uniform and the whole thing the black uniform and the whole thing the black uniform and the whole thing but that he was this good guy and she but that he was this good guy and she but that he was this good guy and she said all through the 1950s he meant he said all through the 1950s he meant he said all through the 1950s he meant he he mandated that the window be closed he mandated that the window be closed he mandated that the window be closed and that he would have nightmares and that he would have nightmares and that he would have nightmares screaming about fire and children right screaming about fire and children right screaming about fire and children right so that that impacts him it impacts his so that that impacts him it impacts his so that that impacts him it impacts his wife it impacts his children but now you wife it impacts his children but now you wife it impacts his children but now you get a generation farther or two get a generation farther or two get a generation farther or two generations farther does this stuff wear generations farther does this stuff wear generations farther does this stuff wear off and and then one also sort of asked off and and then one also sort of asked off and and then one also sort of asked the question considering the trauma the question considering the trauma the question considering the trauma involved or the fact that as we get involved or the fact that as we get involved or the fact that as we get farther away we're getting farther away farther away we're getting farther away farther away we're getting farther away from the perpetrators here and one might from the perpetrators here and one might from the perpetrators here and one might ask when the Germans can start thinking ask when the Germans can start thinking ask when the Germans can start thinking of themselves as innocent because of themselves as innocent because of themselves as innocent because they're three or four or five or six they're three or four or five or six they're three or four or five or six Generations removed from this H how do Generations removed from this H how do Generations removed from this H how do we deal with something that is so we deal with something that is so we deal with something that is so overwhelmingly guilty and shocking with overwhelmingly guilty and shocking with overwhelmingly guilty and shocking with the that it's going to wear off at some the that it's going to wear off at some the that it's going to wear off at some point and maybe when we're talking about
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point and maybe when we're talking about point and maybe when we're talking about guilt of peoples maybe in some respect guilt of peoples maybe in some respect guilt of peoples maybe in some respect there's a right for it to wear there's a right for it to wear there's a right for it to wear off wow what a question um there's well off wow what a question um there's well off wow what a question um there's well I don't know I don't know myself I don't know I don't know myself I don't know I don't know myself actually no but there I mean there's actually no but there I mean there's actually no but there I mean there's there's a lot in there that you're that there's a lot in there that you're that there's a lot in there that you're that you're asking I mean I I think um first you're asking I mean I I think um first you're asking I mean I I think um first of all in terms of natural memory three of all in terms of natural memory three of all in terms of natural memory three generations right a 100 years is a about generations right a 100 years is a about generations right a 100 years is a about um the the span of natural memory uh and um the the span of natural memory uh and um the the span of natural memory uh and so after that period of 3 Generations so after that period of 3 Generations so after that period of 3 Generations everything is is history so there are no everything is is history so there are no everything is is history so there are no longer any uh there's no longer anyone longer any uh there's no longer anyone longer any uh there's no longer anyone alive who remembers uh World War I alive who remembers uh World War I alive who remembers uh World War I within a couple of years there will no within a couple of years there will no within a couple of years there will no longer be anyone alive who remembers longer be anyone alive who remembers longer be anyone alive who remembers World War II there will be for some World War II there will be for some World War II there will be for some Years yet a small number of people who Years yet a small number of people who Years yet a small number of people who we we class as Holocaust Survivors but we we class as Holocaust Survivors but we we class as Holocaust Survivors but who were babies or children in 1944 1945 who were babies or children in 1944 1945 who were babies or children in 1944 1945 right there will be nobody left who can right there will be nobody left who can right there will be nobody left who can speak in terms of their personal speak in terms of their personal speak in terms of their personal experience about the Holocaust and World experience about the Holocaust and World experience about the Holocaust and World War II and I think that despite the fact War II and I think that despite the fact War II and I think that despite the fact that there are people who claim that uh that there are people who claim that uh that there are people who claim that uh the intergenerational transmission of the intergenerational transmission of the intergenerational transmission of trauma can reach three or four trauma can reach three or four trauma can reach three or four generations I have my um doubts about generations I have my um doubts about generations I have my um doubts about that uh to to a large extent I think that uh to to a large extent I think that uh to to a large extent I think that um there's a cultural memory that that um there's a cultural memory that that um there's a cultural memory that particularly within Jewish communities particularly within Jewish communities particularly within Jewish communities uh that cultural memory is largely uh that cultural memory is largely uh that cultural memory is largely shaped by uh the Holocaust but I don't shaped by uh the Holocaust but I don't shaped by uh the Holocaust but I don't really believe that let's say the great really believe that let's say the great really believe that let's say the great grandchildren of H Holocaust Survivors grandchildren of H Holocaust Survivors grandchildren of H Holocaust Survivors are traumatized in a meaningful clinical are traumatized in a meaningful clinical are traumatized in a meaningful clinical sense by uh by the Holocaust I also
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sense by uh by the Holocaust I also sense by uh by the Holocaust I also think that the time is coming where for think that the time is coming where for think that the time is coming where for the moment we still have um a large the moment we still have um a large the moment we still have um a large amount of uh cultural emphasis on the amount of uh cultural emphasis on the amount of uh cultural emphasis on the Holocaust new museums are still being Holocaust new museums are still being Holocaust new museums are still being built now in Amsterdam in Bucharest and built now in Amsterdam in Bucharest and built now in Amsterdam in Bucharest and and elsewhere a huge amount of Holocaust and elsewhere a huge amount of Holocaust and elsewhere a huge amount of Holocaust film uh fiction and so on continues to film uh fiction and so on continues to film uh fiction and so on continues to be produced but I think that the the be produced but I think that the the be produced but I think that the the current current current emphasis on commemoration Holocaust emphasis on commemoration Holocaust emphasis on commemoration Holocaust Memorial days and so on that is going to Memorial days and so on that is going to Memorial days and so on that is going to change over the next generation or so change over the next generation or so change over the next generation or so and I think you're right in a sense that and I think you're right in a sense that and I think you're right in a sense that there there's no reason why it should be there there's no reason why it should be there there's no reason why it should be the case that five or six Generations the case that five or six Generations the case that five or six Generations after the event people should feel the after the event people should feel the after the event people should feel the same about it as they did five or 10 same about it as they did five or 10 same about it as they did five or 10 years after the event or even 50 years years after the event or even 50 years years after the event or even 50 years after the event that's natural uh we can after the event that's natural uh we can after the event that's natural uh we can read about the black death and go oh read about the black death and go oh read about the black death and go oh yeah that was horrible but we're not yeah that was horrible but we're not yeah that was horrible but we're not upset by it in in the same way that upset by it in in the same way that upset by it in in the same way that people the children or grandchildren of people the children or grandchildren of people the children or grandchildren of those who were affected by it in the those who were affected by it in the those who were affected by it in the Middle Ages uh were and so I I think Middle Ages uh were and so I I think Middle Ages uh were and so I I think there will come a point where the there will come a point where the there will come a point where the history of the Holocaust remains will history of the Holocaust remains will history of the Holocaust remains will always remain important it's a major always remain important it's a major always remain important it's a major event in 20th century European history event in 20th century European history event in 20th century European history and I think we we will continue to be uh and I think we we will continue to be uh and I think we we will continue to be uh fascinated by it um but the the broader fascinated by it um but the the broader fascinated by it um but the the broader cultural emphasis on commemoration and cultural emphasis on commemoration and cultural emphasis on commemoration and and memory I think over time will I and memory I think over time will I and memory I think over time will I don't think it will disappear but I don't think it will disappear but I don't think it will disappear but I think it will dissipate and and shift in think it will dissipate and and shift in think it will dissipate and and shift in ways that at the moment we can't really
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ways that at the moment we can't really ways that at the moment we can't really predict you brought up um and and I I predict you brought up um and and I I predict you brought up um and and I I hadn't been exposed to this thought in hadn't been exposed to this thought in hadn't been exposed to this thought in the books from the 60s and the 70s and the books from the 60s and the 70s and the books from the 60s and the 70s and the 80s but it's it's I I've been the 80s but it's it's I I've been the 80s but it's it's I I've been thinking a lot about it since I since thinking a lot about it since I since thinking a lot about it since I since I've been exposed to it and your book I've been exposed to it and your book I've been exposed to it and your book does this quite a bit equating what the does this quite a bit equating what the does this quite a bit equating what the Nazis were doing to something that's Nazis were doing to something that's Nazis were doing to something that's very interesting to a lot of people very interesting to a lot of people very interesting to a lot of people today the question of colonialism and today the question of colonialism and today the question of colonialism and then I went back and started rereading then I went back and started rereading then I went back and started rereading things like mind confidence some of things like mind confidence some of things like mind confidence some of those earlier books with with Hitler's those earlier books with with Hitler's those earlier books with with Hitler's interest in for example how Native interest in for example how Native interest in for example how Native Americans were treated by the Americans Americans were treated by the Americans Americans were treated by the Americans or or the colonial uh European powers in or or the colonial uh European powers in or or the colonial uh European powers in places like Africa can you talk to me a places like Africa can you talk to me a places like Africa can you talk to me a little bit I mean seeing the Jews as as little bit I mean seeing the Jews as as little bit I mean seeing the Jews as as as being treated the same as the as being treated the same as the as being treated the same as the belgians treated Africans in the Congo belgians treated Africans in the Congo belgians treated Africans in the Congo or the Americans treated the Cherokees or the Americans treated the Cherokees or the Americans treated the Cherokees at the Trail of Tears um it's a very at the Trail of Tears um it's a very at the Trail of Tears um it's a very fascinating new way to approach this fascinating new way to approach this fascinating new way to approach this subject can you talk about it a little subject can you talk about it a little subject can you talk about it a little bit yes I think it works to a certain bit yes I think it works to a certain bit yes I think it works to a certain extent so this no doubt for example that extent so this no doubt for example that extent so this no doubt for example that um the British Empire and the expansion um the British Empire and the expansion um the British Empire and the expansion of the US were things that um fascinated of the US were things that um fascinated of the US were things that um fascinated Hitler he talks at one point about how Hitler he talks at one point about how Hitler he talks at one point about how um Russia will be our India and that um Russia will be our India and that um Russia will be our India and that with in the same way that the the with in the same way that the the with in the same way that the the British British British rule several hundred million Indians rule several hundred million Indians rule several hundred million Indians with a couple of hundred thousand men so with a couple of hundred thousand men so with a couple of hundred thousand men so we'll do the same in in Russia uh and we'll do the same in in Russia uh and we'll do the same in in Russia uh and but I think he's really he's much more but I think he's really he's much more but I think he's really he's much more fascinated by the American case he sees fascinated by the American case he sees fascinated by the American case he sees the West westward expansion of of the us the West westward expansion of of the us the West westward expansion of of the us as really a model for the Eastward as really a model for the Eastward as really a model for the Eastward expansion of um of lean's real living
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expansion of um of lean's real living expansion of um of lean's real living space for uh for Germany uh because space for uh for Germany uh because space for uh for Germany uh because Poland is kind of an irrelevance that Poland is kind of an irrelevance that Poland is kind of an irrelevance that just has to be swept away uh really just has to be swept away uh really just has to be swept away uh really what's uh what the Nazis are interested what's uh what the Nazis are interested what's uh what the Nazis are interested in is is Ukraine and Western Russia up in is is Ukraine and Western Russia up in is is Ukraine and Western Russia up to the urals this is the real uh space to the urals this is the real uh space to the urals this is the real uh space that the the Germans need to to develop that the the Germans need to to develop that the the Germans need to to develop and grow so the the Nazi project is I and grow so the the Nazi project is I and grow so the the Nazi project is I think inherently a colonial one in that think inherently a colonial one in that think inherently a colonial one in that sense when it comes to the Holocaust sense when it comes to the Holocaust sense when it comes to the Holocaust it's a little bit harder to explain it's a little bit harder to explain it's a little bit harder to explain using that Paradigm because in the case using that Paradigm because in the case using that Paradigm because in the case of let's say the the treatment of Native of let's say the the treatment of Native of let's say the the treatment of Native Americans um in the US and in Canada and Americans um in the US and in Canada and Americans um in the US and in Canada and and elsewhere you and elsewhere you and elsewhere you you immediately see that these are you immediately see that these are you immediately see that these are people who who from the settlers point people who who from the settlers point people who who from the settlers point of view have to be got rid of because of view have to be got rid of because of view have to be got rid of because they're the people who are on the land they're the people who are on the land they're the people who are on the land the difference with the Jews is that for the difference with the Jews is that for the difference with the Jews is that for the most part they're not land owners the most part they're not land owners the most part they're not land owners they're a small minority who mostly are they're a small minority who mostly are they're a small minority who mostly are Urban dwellers small towns and cities Urban dwellers small towns and cities Urban dwellers small towns and cities across the whole region if you're if across the whole region if you're if across the whole region if you're if what you're interested in is the what you're interested in is the what you're interested in is the acquisition of territory you don't need acquisition of territory you don't need acquisition of territory you don't need to kill the Jews to do to do that so the to kill the Jews to do to do that so the to kill the Jews to do to do that so the killing of the Jews is about more than killing of the Jews is about more than killing of the Jews is about more than simply acquiring territory uh simply acquiring territory uh simply acquiring territory uh and the real problem I think then comes and the real problem I think then comes and the real problem I think then comes well how do you explain the murder of well how do you explain the murder of well how do you explain the murder of the Jews of France or why late in the the Jews of France or why late in the the Jews of France or why late in the war do the Nazis uh go to Great Lengths war do the Nazis uh go to Great Lengths war do the Nazis uh go to Great Lengths to deport the Jews of Corfu or or to deport the Jews of Corfu or or to deport the Jews of Corfu or or uh roads or to try and work out how uh roads or to try and work out how uh roads or to try and work out how they're going to get hold of the Jews of they're going to get hold of the Jews of they're going to get hold of the Jews of Albania for example this this makes no
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Albania for example this this makes no Albania for example this this makes no sense if from a colonial point of view sense if from a colonial point of view sense if from a colonial point of view there I think the only explanation is there I think the only explanation is there I think the only explanation is the idea of uh the the security the the idea of uh the the security the the idea of uh the the security the permanent security of of the German permanent security of of the German permanent security of of the German people relying on the eradication of people relying on the eradication of people relying on the eradication of Jews everywhere so the colonial Paradigm Jews everywhere so the colonial Paradigm Jews everywhere so the colonial Paradigm works in the sense that the Nazis want works in the sense that the Nazis want works in the sense that the Nazis want to acquire territory and they want to to acquire territory and they want to to acquire territory and they want to get rid of the people who who inhabit get rid of the people who who inhabit get rid of the people who who inhabit that ter territory that's why they have that ter territory that's why they have that ter territory that's why they have this uh plan the so-called uh the hunger this uh plan the so-called uh the hunger this uh plan the so-called uh the hunger plan uh or the the general Plan East plan uh or the the general Plan East plan uh or the the general Plan East which um has nothing to do with Jews but which um has nothing to do with Jews but which um has nothing to do with Jews but envisages the the murder of between envisages the the murder of between envisages the the murder of between something like 30 to 50 million slaves something like 30 to 50 million slaves something like 30 to 50 million slaves eventually to make way for German eventually to make way for German eventually to make way for German settlers uh but everywhere they go the settlers uh but everywhere they go the settlers uh but everywhere they go the first people that the Nazis Target are first people that the Nazis Target are first people that the Nazis Target are the Jews and that's not because they're the Jews and that's not because they're the Jews and that's not because they're land owners that's because they're land owners that's because they're land owners that's because they're perceived in this conspiracy theory that perceived in this conspiracy theory that perceived in this conspiracy theory that we already discussed as this uh as a we already discussed as this uh as a we already discussed as this uh as a threat to the safety and and purity of threat to the safety and and purity of threat to the safety and and purity of the Aran race this is going to be an the Aran race this is going to be an the Aran race this is going to be an uncomfortable question cuz it's an uncomfortable question cuz it's an uncomfortable question cuz it's an uncomfortable question for me um but uncomfortable question for me um but uncomfortable question for me um but when one talks about learning from the when one talks about learning from the when one talks about learning from the past which is you know that this is the past which is you know that this is the past which is you know that this is the great Trope of all time right the great Trope of all time right the great Trope of all time right the learning from history and our our learning from history and our our learning from history and our our ability to do but one one thinks of the ability to do but one one thinks of the ability to do but one one thinks of the the statement never again right the idea the statement never again right the idea the statement never again right the idea that you know we're going to learn from that you know we're going to learn from that you know we're going to learn from this we're never going to have another this we're never going to have another this we're never going to have another one of these but then there will be a one of these but then there will be a one of these but then there will be a politician in a place of all places in politician in a place of all places in politician in a place of all places in Israel that will start using terms like Israel that will start using terms like Israel that will start using terms like the amalekites to describe modern day the amalekites to describe modern day the amalekites to describe modern day people I I don't even know how to get my people I I don't even know how to get my people I I don't even know how to get my mind around that or how something like mind around that or how something like mind around that or how something like that didn't prompt an immediate counter
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that didn't prompt an immediate counter that didn't prompt an immediate counter reaction that was nuclear almost in its reaction that was nuclear almost in its reaction that was nuclear almost in its in its um in in its nature but there's in its um in in its nature but there's in its um in in its nature but there's also something so human about the fact also something so human about the fact also something so human about the fact that those most affected by the that those most affected by the that those most affected by the Holocaust might have a politician Holocaust might have a politician Holocaust might have a politician somewhere who could use a phrase like somewhere who could use a phrase like somewhere who could use a phrase like that and have it work for them again that and have it work for them again that and have it work for them again there is no question here but your book there is no question here but your book there is no question here but your book brought up a few very uncomfortable brought up a few very uncomfortable brought up a few very uncomfortable points about using the Holocaust as a points about using the Holocaust as a points about using the Holocaust as a rationale or a or a motiv you know I rationale or a or a motiv you know I rationale or a or a motiv you know I think I think anything that's going to think I think anything that's going to think I think anything that's going to be that large is going to be co-opted by be that large is going to be co-opted by be that large is going to be co-opted by human beings who have agendas but what human beings who have agendas but what human beings who have agendas but what do we make of the word amalaki coming do we make of the word amalaki coming do we make of the word amalaki coming into play at all it is uncomfortable uh but I think all it is uncomfortable uh but I think that the at least we can say that what's that the at least we can say that what's that the at least we can say that what's currently happening in in Gaza um shows currently happening in in Gaza um shows currently happening in in Gaza um shows that the subtitle of my book that the that the subtitle of my book that the that the subtitle of my book that the Holocaust is an unfinished history um is Holocaust is an unfinished history um is Holocaust is an unfinished history um is clearer now than even than when I wrote clearer now than even than when I wrote clearer now than even than when I wrote it it it um your example of am malachite is just um your example of am malachite is just um your example of am malachite is just one example of many uh examples we can one example of many uh examples we can one example of many uh examples we can point to being used by uh Israeli farri point to being used by uh Israeli farri point to being used by uh Israeli farri right Israeli ministers uh to describe right Israeli ministers uh to describe right Israeli ministers uh to describe uh the Palestinians in Gaza uh in uh the Palestinians in Gaza uh in uh the Palestinians in Gaza uh in similar terms you know as human animals similar terms you know as human animals similar terms you know as human animals and the Palestinians simply as as Nazis and the Palestinians simply as as Nazis and the Palestinians simply as as Nazis um look I think um the George Steiner's um look I think um the George Steiner's um look I think um the George Steiner's fear that the um his opposition to the fear that the um his opposition to the fear that the um his opposition to the creation of Israel was not um was on the creation of Israel was not um was on the creation of Israel was not um was on the basis that it would it would simply
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basis that it would it would simply basis that it would it would simply become a state like any other is is now become a state like any other is is now become a state like any other is is now in evidence uh that you can see that the in evidence uh that you can see that the in evidence uh that you can see that the um the Israelis are people like anybody um the Israelis are people like anybody um the Israelis are people like anybody else and so uh when I talk about the else and so uh when I talk about the else and so uh when I talk about the Israelis here in the same way that Israelis here in the same way that Israelis here in the same way that people talk about the Germans I'm people talk about the Germans I'm people talk about the Germans I'm talking about the people who are talking about the people who are talking about the people who are currently in power uh and and the currently in power uh and and the currently in power uh and and the Israeli cabinet is dominated by Israeli cabinet is dominated by Israeli cabinet is dominated by far-right politicians who if they were far-right politicians who if they were far-right politicians who if they were in power uh anywhere else in in Europe in power uh anywhere else in in Europe in power uh anywhere else in in Europe let's say um there would be there would let's say um there would be there would let's say um there would be there would be an outcry uh about such people being be an outcry uh about such people being be an outcry uh about such people being in power they're people who for the most in power they're people who for the most in power they're people who for the most part are not fit to hold office uh so part are not fit to hold office uh so part are not fit to hold office uh so and there are people who are driven by and there are people who are driven by and there are people who are driven by conspiracy theories here I think you can conspiracy theories here I think you can conspiracy theories here I think you can see see see um you can see a kind of Holocaust um you can see a kind of Holocaust um you can see a kind of Holocaust trauma in in evidence um one of the trauma in in evidence um one of the trauma in in evidence um one of the things that the Survivor Ruth kuger things that the Survivor Ruth kuger things that the Survivor Ruth kuger wrote in in her Memoir was uh in she wrote in in her Memoir was uh in she wrote in in her Memoir was uh in she relates a conversation that she had with relates a conversation that she had with relates a conversation that she had with some students when she went back to to some students when she went back to to some students when she went back to to Germany in gingham and and um they start Germany in gingham and and um they start Germany in gingham and and um they start to to say oh you know how how can the to to say oh you know how how can the to to say oh you know how how can the Israelis of all people who' have Israelis of all people who' have Israelis of all people who' have experienced genocide treat the experienced genocide treat the experienced genocide treat the Palestinians so badly and she says aitz Palestinians so badly and she says aitz Palestinians so badly and she says aitz was not a human rights uh laboratory you was not a human rights uh laboratory you was not a human rights uh laboratory you it was not it was not an instructional it was not it was not an instructional it was not it was not an instructional facility um you didn't learn anything facility um you didn't learn anything facility um you didn't learn anything there about human rights and so this there about human rights and so this there about human rights and so this idea that people who are the victims of idea that people who are the victims of idea that people who are the victims of genocide should behave genocide should behave genocide should behave impeccably um actually the reverse is impeccably um actually the reverse is impeccably um actually the reverse is often the case and we've we can point to often the case and we've we can point to often the case and we've we can point to other cases of of genocide and and show
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other cases of of genocide and and show other cases of of genocide and and show that those who are the victims often that those who are the victims often that those who are the victims often then will behave like perpetrators uh if then will behave like perpetrators uh if then will behave like perpetrators uh if the opportunity presents itself or that the opportunity presents itself or that the opportunity presents itself or that they have built into their psyche this they have built into their psyche this they have built into their psyche this notion that um the only way to defend notion that um the only way to defend notion that um the only way to defend ourselves is through this allout ourselves is through this allout ourselves is through this allout response nothing else will do uh because response nothing else will do uh because response nothing else will do uh because otherwise the people are out to get us otherwise the people are out to get us otherwise the people are out to get us uh and so again I'm talking about I uh and so again I'm talking about I uh and so again I'm talking about I think here a small number of people uh think here a small number of people uh think here a small number of people uh who are in power currently in Israel but who are in power currently in Israel but who are in power currently in Israel but the rhetoric that they're using is um is the rhetoric that they're using is um is the rhetoric that they're using is um is quite scary I would agree well and let's quite scary I would agree well and let's quite scary I would agree well and let's let's broaden it out from Israel to a let's broaden it out from Israel to a let's broaden it out from Israel to a lot of the world it almost seems like lot of the world it almost seems like lot of the world it almost seems like what's going on with that sort of what's going on with that sort of what's going on with that sort of problem with a very far right government problem with a very far right government problem with a very far right government in Israel is becoming a trend I mean in Israel is becoming a trend I mean in Israel is becoming a trend I mean that's almost like just keeping up with that's almost like just keeping up with that's almost like just keeping up with the Joneses in a lot of other countries the Joneses in a lot of other countries the Joneses in a lot of other countries where movements and rhetoric that we where movements and rhetoric that we where movements and rhetoric that we thought were long gone aren't just thought were long gone aren't just thought were long gone aren't just thriving again but the attitudes and the thriving again but the attitudes and the thriving again but the attitudes and the pronouncements of those regimes or pronouncements of those regimes or pronouncements of those regimes or wannabe regimes are resonating with wannabe regimes are resonating with wannabe regimes are resonating with human beings on the ground again what do human beings on the ground again what do human beings on the ground again what do we make and your book mentions this we make and your book mentions this we make and your book mentions this quite a bit but I mean there's a sense quite a bit but I mean there's a sense quite a bit but I mean there's a sense here that what we're seeing is a sort of here that what we're seeing is a sort of here that what we're seeing is a sort of revanchism if you will of ideas from the revanchism if you will of ideas from the revanchism if you will of ideas from the mid 20th century which of course were mid 20th century which of course were mid 20th century which of course were ideas from the late 19th century I mean ideas from the late 19th century I mean ideas from the late 19th century I mean there's almost cyclical nature to some there's almost cyclical nature to some there's almost cyclical nature to some of this of this of this stuff I think one of one of the things stuff I think one of one of the things stuff I think one of one of the things that's that's that's so important about Nazism and and here so important about Nazism and and here so important about Nazism and and here I'm understanding Nazism as if you like I'm understanding Nazism as if you like I'm understanding Nazism as if you like a a variety of fascism the most radical
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a a variety of fascism the most radical a a variety of fascism the most radical variety of fascism is and one reason why variety of fascism is and one reason why variety of fascism is and one reason why actually this period will continue to actually this period will continue to actually this period will continue to resonate for for some while is that resonate for for some while is that resonate for for some while is that fascism somehow it created a a store of fascism somehow it created a a store of fascism somehow it created a a store of ideas as well as a kind of an athetic uh ideas as well as a kind of an athetic uh ideas as well as a kind of an athetic uh a vocabulary that Contin that I think it a vocabulary that Contin that I think it a vocabulary that Contin that I think it went beyond what was acceptable in terms went beyond what was acceptable in terms went beyond what was acceptable in terms of normal Democratic politics and it of normal Democratic politics and it of normal Democratic politics and it appeals to people's deep psychology and appeals to people's deep psychology and appeals to people's deep psychology and there is something you know we continue there is something you know we continue there is something you know we continue to live in an age of of nation states we to live in an age of of nation states we to live in an age of of nation states we think about nation states as the the think about nation states as the the think about nation states as the the natural way that the world should be natural way that the world should be natural way that the world should be ordered and so when people in those ordered and so when people in those ordered and so when people in those States whether rightly or wrongly States whether rightly or wrongly States whether rightly or wrongly objectively or not statistically uh objectively or not statistically uh objectively or not statistically uh correctly or not uh consider themselves correctly or not uh consider themselves correctly or not uh consider themselves to be under threat this vocabulary this to be under threat this vocabulary this to be under threat this vocabulary this style that was created by fascism in the style that was created by fascism in the style that was created by fascism in the mid 20th century comes back into play it mid 20th century comes back into play it mid 20th century comes back into play it is there now um you know the cat's out is there now um you know the cat's out is there now um you know the cat's out of the bag and it can't be uh put back of the bag and it can't be uh put back of the bag and it can't be uh put back in again so it's it's that extreme in again so it's it's that extreme in again so it's it's that extreme reaction is something that people reach reaction is something that people reach reaction is something that people reach to when um when things are tough or are to when um when things are tough or are to when um when things are tough or are perceived to be tough what's interesting perceived to be tough what's interesting perceived to be tough what's interesting I mean we see fascism um in power now in I mean we see fascism um in power now in I mean we see fascism um in power now in in the Netherlands in Italy in the Netherlands in Italy in the Netherlands in Italy um we seek like in in Victor orban's um we seek like in in Victor orban's um we seek like in in Victor orban's Hungary the illiberal democracy and so Hungary the illiberal democracy and so Hungary the illiberal democracy and so on uh the rise of the afd in in Germany on uh the rise of the afd in in Germany on uh the rise of the afd in in Germany uh the uh the rightwing of the uh the uh the rightwing of the uh the uh the rightwing of the Republican party in in the US and so on
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Republican party in in the US and so on Republican party in in the US and so on um are all appealing to people's basist um are all appealing to people's basist um are all appealing to people's basist instincts in in this respect uh and instincts in in this respect uh and instincts in in this respect uh and there is a fight back against it but the there is a fight back against it but the there is a fight back against it but the I think from a historian's point of view I think from a historian's point of view I think from a historian's point of view at least you can see it's it's at least you can see it's it's at least you can see it's it's fascinating let's say uh that something fascinating let's say uh that something fascinating let's say uh that something that was created nearly 100 years ago uh that was created nearly 100 years ago uh that was created nearly 100 years ago uh well more than just over 100 years ago well more than just over 100 years ago well more than just over 100 years ago now if we think about Italian fascism uh now if we think about Italian fascism uh now if we think about Italian fascism uh continues to shape the way that uh continues to shape the way that uh continues to shape the way that uh people think and and behave today even people think and and behave today even people think and and behave today even in the face of quite different in the face of quite different in the face of quite different circumstances or a lot of historical circumstances or a lot of historical circumstances or a lot of historical evidence Professor is there anything evidence Professor is there anything evidence Professor is there anything that I didn't ask about that you feel that I didn't ask about that you feel that I didn't ask about that you feel like we should get into or talk about a like we should get into or talk about a like we should get into or talk about a little bit here I'm still digesting some little bit here I'm still digesting some little bit here I'm still digesting some of the things you've said but is there of the things you've said but is there of the things you've said but is there anything we haven't spoken about that anything we haven't spoken about that anything we haven't spoken about that needs to be needs to be needs to be said no not really I mean I think there said no not really I mean I think there said no not really I mean I think there are themes in the book book that U we are themes in the book book that U we are themes in the book book that U we haven't touched on very much uh for haven't touched on very much uh for haven't touched on very much uh for example the the Concentration Camp example the the Concentration Camp example the the Concentration Camp system the sub camps that I think uh system the sub camps that I think uh system the sub camps that I think uh people don't know more than 1100 right people don't know more than 1100 right people don't know more than 1100 right something like that more than 1100 something like that more than 1100 something like that more than 1100 absolutely more than 1100 sub camps absolutely more than 1100 sub camps absolutely more than 1100 sub camps attached just to the the main attached just to the the main attached just to the the main concentration camps as as well as a concentration camps as as well as a concentration camps as as well as a whole world of other camps labor camps whole world of other camps labor camps whole world of other camps labor camps and so on across the whole of Europe uh and so on across the whole of Europe uh and so on across the whole of Europe uh many many camps also created by axis many many camps also created by axis many many camps also created by axis regimes um the the camps created by the regimes um the the camps created by the regimes um the the camps created by the Romanians in transnistria or the the Romanians in transnistria or the the Romanians in transnistria or the the croats sovats and and and other camps uh croats sovats and and and other camps uh croats sovats and and and other camps uh these are places that um you sometimes these are places that um you sometimes these are places that um you sometimes come across in in um Memoirs or come across in in um Memoirs or come across in in um Memoirs or testimonies by survivors but that I testimonies by survivors but that I testimonies by survivors but that I think haven't really been appreciated as think haven't really been appreciated as think haven't really been appreciated as crucial to the history of the Holocaust crucial to the history of the Holocaust crucial to the history of the Holocaust in many of the mainstream narratives and
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in many of the mainstream narratives and in many of the mainstream narratives and I've tried to um at least start to do I've tried to um at least start to do I've tried to um at least start to do some of that work in in the book so some of that work in in the book so some of that work in in the book so there are th themes like the there are th themes like the there are th themes like the Concentration Camp system uh as well as Concentration Camp system uh as well as Concentration Camp system uh as well as uh we touched a little bit on uh we touched a little bit on uh we touched a little bit on collaboration but I go into a great sort collaboration but I go into a great sort collaboration but I go into a great sort of a great detail particularly in in one of a great detail particularly in in one of a great detail particularly in in one chapter of the book about what chapter of the book about what chapter of the book about what collaboration means what the different collaboration means what the different collaboration means what the different regimes and and uh institutions involved regimes and and uh institutions involved regimes and and uh institutions involved in collaborating with the Third Reich so in collaborating with the Third Reich so in collaborating with the Third Reich so there are there are other things that we there are there are other things that we there are there are other things that we could talk about but I think readers can could talk about but I think readers can could talk about but I think readers can uh discover those for the for themselves uh discover those for the for themselves uh discover those for the for themselves in the book well it's a fantastic book I in the book well it's a fantastic book I in the book well it's a fantastic book I don't know how you do it immersing don't know how you do it immersing don't know how you do it immersing yourself in the primary sources as you yourself in the primary sources as you yourself in the primary sources as you do all the time and keeping your mind do all the time and keeping your mind do all the time and keeping your mind and and head straight on but it's uh and and head straight on but it's uh and and head straight on but it's uh it's fascinating I hope you continue to it's fascinating I hope you continue to it's fascinating I hope you continue to do this kind of work and we'd love to do this kind of work and we'd love to do this kind of work and we'd love to talk about the next book when it's out talk about the next book when it's out talk about the next book when it's out thank you so much it's been a pleasure thank you so much it's been a pleasure thank you so much it's been a pleasure thank you I appreciate it take care thank you I appreciate it take care thank you I appreciate it take care cheers thank you goodbye my thanks to Professor Dan stone goodbye my thanks to Professor Dan stone for coming on the program his latest for coming on the program his latest for coming on the program his latest work is out in paperback now the work is out in paperback now the work is out in paperback now the Holocaust and unfinished history and as Holocaust and unfinished history and as Holocaust and unfinished history and as usual we will put a link to the book in usual we will put a link to the book in usual we will put a link to the book in the show notes for this latest show uh a the show notes for this latest show uh a the show notes for this latest show uh a reminder by the way I'm uh going to be reminder by the way I'm uh going to be reminder by the way I'm uh going to be on a speaking tour in March and April on a speaking tour in March and April on a speaking tour in March and April 2024 if you'd like to join me we're 2024 if you'd like to join me we're 2024 if you'd like to join me we're going to be in Los Angeles Salt Lake going to be in Los Angeles Salt Lake going to be in Los Angeles Salt Lake City Portland Oregon and New York City City Portland Oregon and New York City City Portland Oregon and New York City go to the front page of dancarlin.com go to the front page of dancarlin.com go to the front page of dancarlin.com for more info on that or feel free to for more info on that or feel free to for more info on that or feel free to sign up to our free substack page at sign up to our free substack page at sign up to our free substack page at dancarlin.com Dan Ben and the existence of these
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Summary
This episode announces upcoming speaking engagements in March and April 2024 across Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Portland, and New York, with details on the website. The main topic shifts to a discussion on the Holocaust, inspired by historian Dan Stone's new book, which promises to offer fresh insights into the subject and its modern relevance. The speaker issues a strong pre-show warning due to the dark and intense nature of the Holocaust material to be discussed.