Comments on: Re: The Unnecessary War

By: Dan W

Dan W — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:56:12 +0000

I often agree with mr. Buchanan, and enjoyed his book on the subject, but that column was not one of his best. As Hitler clearly sought war in the East, the relevant question might be “Did Hitler Want War With The West?”. Most likely he did not.

The column by prof. Gottfried, on the other hand, was excellent.

By: Gene Berkman

Gene Berkman — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:36:26 +0000

There may have been reasons for a German government to protest Poland’s treatment of Germans within its borders. But if Hitler made a complaint of that nature, it was for the purpose of justifying aggressive moves he had already planned.

Has Pat Buchanan not seen the Secret Protocols of the Soviet German nonagression treaty, which provided for joint action against Poland?

Hitler’s demands in regard to the Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia may have appeared justified, but his control of the Sudetenland left Czechoslovakia defenseless when Germany attacked.

Really, Pat Buchanan has lost all credibility as far as I am concerned. I will never believe anything he says again, after reading his column “Did Hitler Want War?”

By: Thomas O. Meehan

Thomas O. Meehan — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:10:26 +0000

Misunderstood as in, his tactical calculation and overall aim in September 1939 is misunderstood. To understand is not to sympathize.

I’m not sure it’s conservative’s understanding of the origins of WWII that is at issue, but the general public’s. At least that is the audience for whom Pat wrote.

By: William P

William P — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:00:52 +0000

How is Hitler misunderstood by conservatives? The man is a character study in megalomania on the order of Nero. If there is one man who defines WWII and its atrocities it is Adolf Hitler. While it’s certainly true that the Commies are not regarded as the cold blooded killer they truly were, it’s equally true that the revulsion most people have towards Hitler and Nazism is more than justified.

By: Thomas O. Meehan

Thomas O. Meehan — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:20:30 +0000

I was struck once, by reading that the post WWII demands of Stalin were almost exactly those the Czar intended. The spheres of influence were almost exact.

In the same manner, as Nathan says, German territorial aims would have been much the same whatever the government. Hitler’s mad and criminal tactics plus his willingness to displace whole nations, earn him the opprobrium in which he now stands. And yet Communists who perpetrated even greater crimes walk free today.

It seems to me that we Americans have an aversion to any deep reading of History. Perhaps it offends our optimism and faith in the future. That’s why I wish Pat would stop injecting Hitler into our political discourse. It’s hard enough to get conservatives to see Bush as a fool, much less Hitler as misunderstood.