Friday, May 16, 2008

Comparisons are odorous

You may be familiar with Godwin's law, the net-age observation that
As a Usenet discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one.


It seems the same rule applies to campaign season. Perhaps you may substitute "Neville Chamberlain" or "William Borah" for Hitler himself. Same principle, though.

Bush's address to the Israeli Knesset has been fairly well covered, as has Senator Obama's response. But there is something that Obama isn't likely to say, nor will Sen. Clinton. And McCain? No way in Hell.

Hamas is not the Nazis.

Hitler, it should be remembered, not only had a desire to wipe out Europe's Jews. He also had resources and a workable plan. Hamas has none of that, and if they have the desire it's divorced from reality.

There are certainly elements of their past and associates which may make Israel uneasy. But as they've gotten closer to power, Hamas has backed off their most violent rhetoric. It's almost like they'd rather run their own country than get flattened in a war with Israel and the US.

The point is, a nation or political group doesn't become some world-devouring evil just because we declare it our enemy. And if the next president, whoever he or she may be, wants to restore America's standing, it would be a good start to stop crying wolf.

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