Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Path: utzoo!lsuc!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!ucbvax!ernie!tedrick
From: tedrick@ernie.BERKELEY.EDU (Tom Tedrick)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: The use of nonviolence.
Message-ID: <11563@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: Mon, 27-Jan-86 02:25:44 EST
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.11563
Posted: Mon Jan 27 02:25:44 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Feb-86 10:17:18 EST
References: <566@decwrl.DEC.COM> <224@aero.ARPA> <1568@jhunix.UUCP>
Sender: usenet@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: tedrick@ernie.UUCP (Tom Tedrick)
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Lines: 24

>>Is it not possible that, if there had been a German in the 30's
>>with the abilities and dedication of a Gandhi or King, Hitler would  have 
>>been stopped by his own people. 

It may be *possible*. But having spent a great deal of time studying
Nazi Germany I think it very unlikely. Many Germans of that time were
extremely intelligent, idealistic, etc. Many such Germans left Germany
after Hitler came to power. Many who remained did their best to
stop Hitler. Many were tortured and killed for their efforts.

I am highly sympathetic to those (say from India) who have a deep
resentment of what was done in the name of the British Empire. But the
worst behavior of the British Empire does not compare with the behavior
of Hitler or Stalin.

If a Gandhi or a King had appeared in Nazi Germany I would expect he
would have been executed in short order. The same goes for the Soviet
Union in Stalin's day.

Anyway, don't be too self-righteous in condemning the Germans. We may
yet see a fascist type government here. You may find it not so easy
to stop. Already I am embarassed to say that I am an American when
I am abroad. Usually I say I am from California, or Berkeley. Then
the people are more friendly.