Point of accuracy: the mad Air Force general, Jack D. Ripper, was played by Sterling Hayden, not George C. Scott. Scott played General “Buck” Turgidson, who was a bit odd, I suppose, but not mad.

Turgidson was more than a bit odd, in my opinion: he was both stupid and corrupt. Let’s see, can we think of a current analog? My vote would be for Petraeus, who failed in his first mission in Iraq and now does not seem to understand the ethical difficulty inherent in appearing on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show.

They’re trying to steal our vital bodily fluids!

“Gentlemen, no fighting in the War Room!”

Gerson “coined” the phrase “axis of evil”…

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/…..02,00.html

he’s got plenty of blood on his hands…and far too much influence, still.

Point of accuracy: the mad Air Force general, Jack D. Ripper, was played by Sterling Hayden, not George C. Scott. Scott played General “Buck” Turgidson, who was a bit odd, I suppose, but not mad.

Slap that gut, Buck! Go get them Commie preverts!

boxer @ 125

I hate to break to you guys, but our side is winning, Bush is on defense and losing ground everyday. He can’t declare martial law in a country of 300 million people, with the majority of the military half-way around the world. A military, by the way, who doesn’t support him. This thing is over for him, all he’s trying to do now is make it to the end of his term. All we have to do is keep up the pressure.

What do you think Blackwater is for?

Blackwater and the other contract forces are also in Iraq and in no better shape than our own. But they can try to impose an armed solution on a country of 300 million with a lot of arms in homes. They can try.

I hate to break to you guys, but our side is winning, Bush is on defense and losing ground everyday. He can’t declare martial law in a country of 300 million people, with the majority of the military half-way around the world. A military, by the way, who doesn’t support him. This thing is over for him, all he’s trying to do now is make it to the end of his term. All we have to do is keep up the pressure.

Hitler was more popular than Bush is now I think Bush’s lack of popularity is the only thing stopping him. However I don’t expect him to stop trying.

Bluetoe @ 126

It isn’t necessarily about the imposition of martial law. It is the slow erosion of checks and balances that have gone unchallenged. Hitler did not come to power in 1933 and immediately declare a dictatorship. It evolved over several years and was all done within the laws of Germany at that time.

Bluetoe @ 125

What do you think Blackwater is for?

This country, with all its problems, is nothing like post WWI Germany. If I were paying $200 for a loaf of bread, I might agree with you.
As to Blackwater, when the Allies occupied Germany after WWII, it was determined that it would take a ratio of 1 soldier for every 10 Germans to maintain stability (something we ignored in Iraq). I don’t think Blackwater has 30 million employees.

You assume that historical context must be mirrored precisely for the same result to occur. Unfortunately you are mistaken.