How do you kill 11 million people?

August 19, 2012

This could never happen in America???

I just finished a recent book by Andy Andrews titled; "How Do You Kill 11 MILLION PEOPLE?" I assumed correctly that it must be referring to the Holocaust when the Nazis led by Hitler exterminated millions of Jews. The number seemed odd though, because I remembered the holocaust involving six million Jews murdered by these truly evil humans. Andrews explains that the Nazis also murdered another 5+ million people, including any group considered as undesirables. These included Gypsies, Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, homosexuals, mentally and physically disabled, and others. He reminds us that only about 10% of the German population actually belonged to the Nazi party. He also reminds us of a few other similar horrible slaughters that have happened in other nations in just the past hundred years. These include: Three million killed in North Korea. More than a million each in Mexico, Pakistan, and the Baltic States. Three million in Cambodia. Nearly 62 million in the former Soviet Union. Two million Armenians murdered in Turkey. And, nobody knows for sure how many, many millions of Chinese were murdered by their leaders. In most cases, a single leader along with a small group of loyal followers were able to conceive and execute the plans for these unthinkable atrocities...always in search of expanding and continuing power for themselves.

Mr. Andrews' original question posed by his book's title was not literally asking how the holocaust victims were killed. He was actually asking why they so easily allowed it to happen. They seldom fought back or even tried to escape. He wonders how that could be possible? The answer he provides is chillingly simple...they were lied to by the Nazis. These Nazi monsters repeatedly told these poor victims to be that they were in no danger and, desperate to believe, they did as they were told. Initially they agreed to be identified within whatever sub-group they belonged, and to wear a cloth marker on their clothing (Jews with their gold stars, others with different colors and symbols). Next they submitted to being collected and segregated into the ghettos. Finally, they allowed themselves to meekly be transported to the actual death camps. During all of these events they were told repeatedly they were in no danger and if they simply went along and followed orders they would be safe. And so, these poor innocent people were led, like sheep, to their slaughter.

Most of these victims likely thought that these atrocities could never happen where they lived...just as most Americans must feel today. In every case the vast majority of unaffected citizens looked away. perhaps they simply did not want to risk the same fate. Perhaps because they had no weapons to fight back with. Or, perhaps because they too were prejudiced.

This could never happen here...could it? After all, what did we do to the American Indians? What did we do during WW II, when our government shipped all Japanese-American citizens to special camps for their "safe-keeping"?

Just be reminded that we 300+ million Americans are totally dependent on the laws, regulations, and executive orders created by a mere 545 human beings (one president, nine Supreme Court justices, 100 senators, and 435 member of the House of Representatives). Those currently holding office and those who preceded them over the past few decades are collectively responsible for every long term problem our nation faces today. They and their successors are also the only ones who can either solve our problems or allow them to worsen. Current partisan politics certainly suggests the latter. Some day in the future, when Americans finally stand and proclaim that enough is enough, how do you suppose those collectively in power will respond? How far might they go to retain their corrupting power? Is it truly impossible that, as happened in Germany, we will never pick a leader who, while promising to fix all problems, turns out to be as evil as Hitler? German voters did not know much about Hitler, but conditions were awful following WW I, and most felt like they could not do worse. Were they ever wrong.

Mr. Andrews opens his book by quoting; "You shall know the truth, and it shall set you free". He then goes on to point out what happens when you invert this principle; "When you don't know the truth, its absence can place you in bondage." Now connect that thought to what you observe in America every day from the mainstream media, our elected leaders, and both political parties.

I am not pointing a finger of blame at a single person or party, because almost all elected and both parties are corrupted by the power they hold and are so desperate to maintain. Individually and collectively they lie to us every single day by saying whatever is needed to keep our vote.

Our only real weapon, of course, is that vote. To continue to pick sides and blame all the leaders and the followers of the "other" party is playing right into the real power's hands. We must find the courage to vote out all incumbents. Until our supposed representatives in DC know by our actions that we control their power...we have no chance. We are all being played as suckers by both parties and most of us don't even see it!

These are my opinions. What do you think?

Mike Tower