They're everywhere!!

I think I've figured something out about the news media. They have a dirty word they use all the time. It's like my generation and the phrase "that's so gay". Something can have nothing to do with this word (just like it never had anything to do with actual gayness) and they'll still call it that. That word is Nazi.

The liberals are Nazis. The Republicans are Nazis. The Democrats are Nazis. The conservatives are wearing brown shirts and goosestepping. Yes, it seems like they all have one thing in common: They all get called Nazis. Nazis, which apparently, are everywhere.

When I was a little kid, I didn't think there could ever come a time when I would be sick to death of hearing about Nazis. This was before the History channel. Or maybe it was after the History Channel and before they decided to do nothing but shows about Nazis. There came a time in my academic career, however, when I found out that I could never hear the word again and die a happy woman. I took Dr. Hershall's History of Germany class. The man spent two months on
Leni Refinstal, a very talented woman who used her powers for evil making Nazi propaganda films. What I learned during this class, which I paid to take, is that I hate Leni Refinstal. Mostly because I actually admire her work and partly because, well, WE NEVER GOT TO MOVE ON. NEVER. I don't think he meant to totally waste an entire semester on this evil genius but that almost makes it worse that he did.

Nazis are not the fricking boogie man, okay? Just because I admire the camera work in Triumph of the Will doesn't mean I'm a Nazi sympathizer. It means I like good camera work. Just because the Republicans keep repeating lies about the health care bill does not make them Nazis. Just because Obama can make a good speech does not mean he and Hitler would enjoy lunch together. In other words, having one thing in common with a racist political party that tried to take over the world does not mean you're one of them! It certainly doesn't mean everyone who disagrees with you is one.

On the subject of the boogie man, let me point out that the boogie man is scary because you can't find him in time to keep away from him. He hides under the bed, and you don't see him coming. Nazis, on the other hand, especially the modern variety, tend to let you know where they are. You can avoid them. In modern society, they're dumb asses with swastikas tattooed on their arms who start spouting racism to anyone they think is suitably pale enough to be un-offended by it. I don't know they think I'm going to have no issues with them hating my neighbors, but since they're so willing to tell me about it, I don't think there's any danger of them sneaking up on us.

I have an idea. Why don't we all quit calling each other Nazis? Can we quit trying to shove each other into neat little boxes to be afraid of and against so we can get stuff done? The world is not a conspiracy. I promise. Maybe if we can keep working together, our quarreling won't drown out the sound of real evil approaching so often.