Don’t quote Hitler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But recently congresswoman Mary Miller did:

 

“…Hitler was right on one thing. He said, 'Whoever has the youth has the future.' Our children are being propagandized,’ Miller had said, appearing to read from prepared remarks.”

 

as was reported by Veronica Stracqualursi in an article at CNN Politics on January 9, 2021 titled Illinois Republican congresswoman apologizes for invoking Hitler as she faces calls to resign.

 

That situation prompted Nathan Heller to write a bitingly satirical article in the February 8, 2021 issue of The New Yorker titled Tips for Public Speakers which includes the following items to not do:

 

“Most important: be a problem solver. At some point in your talk, look audience members in the eye and say, ‘I have a solution for you.’ Try not to look audience members in the eye and say, ‘I have a final solution for you.’

 

Speak in simple language. Say ‘use' instead of ‘utilize,’ and ‘detailed’ instead of ‘granular.’ Try not to refer to your growth plan as an ‘Anschluss.’

 

Hand gestures are your friend. Good ones involve open palms, joined fingertips, or spread arms. Do your best to avoid a ‘Sieg heil’ salute, or pointing at a member of your audience with the words ‘This one, ja – step aside, please.’ “  

 

Back before Twitter there were usenet discussion newsgroups. Godwin’s Law about them says that when an online discussion goes on long enough, Hitler eventually gets brought up. That ends the discussion, and whoever brought up Hitler loses the argument.  

 

The image from Wikimedia Commons isn’t Hitler, it is Charlie Chaplin in a publicity still from his 1940 film The Great Dictator.