So how about these cartoons then, eh?

[suanni]

How many horrors have happened in the world because the moderate majority have not stood up and said stop this?
I like that quote Faustus. And how it could be applied to the beginnings of so many atrocities that have claimed so many lives over the course of history. If Mr. & Mrs. moderate don't agree and are afraid to stand up by themselves to speak against something abhorrent, then they should gather together with others to find a voice.
Its not just the blindness of today's society to blame. As its said the greater majority of the German people didn't agree with Hitlers views, they probably thought he was a nutter and would never be voted into power...guess one good reason to use your political vote. And its not like in the days of the Spanish Inquisition where if you spoke out you could be classified as treasonous.
Small fanatical sectors grow in strength if the majority don't stand up against them and ultimately in numbers.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by suanni

How many horrors have happened in the world because the moderate majority have not stood up and said stop this?
I like that quote Faustus. And how it could be applied to the beginnings of so many atrocities that have claimed so many lives over the course of history. If Mr. & Mrs. moderate don't agree and are afraid to stand up by themselves to speak against something abhorrent, then they should gather together with others to find a voice.
Its not just the blindness of today's society to blame. As its said the greater majority of the German people didn't agree with Hitlers views, they probably thought he was a nutter and would never be voted into power...guess one good reason to use your political vote. And its not like in the days of the Spanish Inquisition where if you spoke out you could be classified as treasonous.
Small fanatical sectors grow in strength if the majority don't stand up against them and ultimately in numbers.

Mostly because the "moderate majority" have other pressing matters that need their attention (such as making a living, raising families, planning for retirement, etc...), that they do not have time to be ever vigiliant watch dogs of the "nutters" we find we put in office. It is also because the "moderate majority" is sick to death of watching the insanity the media puts out as "status quo", to the point where they simply turn off their tvs and radios (not that that is a good thing, but is understandable).

Though "turn of the 18th century", I think you'll find "The Patriot" starring Mel Gibson, an interesting reality when history shows the "moderate" saying enough is enough...then sh*t does hit the fan...and that may be what it takes to get the "moderates" into the game.

my thoughts

v/r

Q

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Less than 10 percent of the Germans were Nazi Party members at the beginning of World War II.

That is a shocking statistic on the surface, but actually 10% is a pretty high number. I would be surprised if 10% of British people today are members of the Labour party, or if 10% of Americans are members of the Republican party. Point is, enough people agree with the party philosophies at the time to get them into power.

Also, about "The Patriot", I'm pretty sure it's not too historically accurate, but I do think that the American War of Independence is an interesting analogy of the Iraq war and I'm starting another thread about that so as not to go off topic.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Awaiting_the_fifth

That is a shocking statistic on the surface, but actually 10% is a pretty high number. I would be surprised if 10% of British people today are members of the Labour party, or if 10% of Americans are members of the Republican party. Point is, enough people agree with the party philosophies at the time to get them into power.

Also, about "The Patriot", I'm pretty sure it's not too historically accurate, but I do think that the American War of Independence is an interesting analogy of the Iraq war and I'm starting another thread about that so as not to go off topic.

I guess you would be very surprised then. There are more than 10 percent Republicans and more than 10 percent Democrats in the States, at any one time. And "The Patriot" was extremely accurate in its portrayal of the American Revolution circa the 1770s. The majority did not want a war, but when push came to shove, they ended up giving war. What it didn't show was the tens of thousands who up and moved back to Europe, or North to Canada, or West into the territories, rather that be involved in war. Perhaps that is what you are referring to...?

v/r

Q

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

I am very surprised about the more than 10%, thanks for that.

As for the patriot, I would love to discuss that with you but I dont want to go so far off topic. I started a new thread called "The Iraqi Revolutionary War", lets talk about it there.

[Faustus]

Yeah, I think the numbers are around 30% for each party? The "base" for each generally hovers around there, and then the other 40% are considered "swing votes." Some of those people may or may not be registered with one party or another.

And "The Patriot" was extremely accurate in its portrayal of the American Revolution circa the 1770s.

No, it really wasn't. I mean, I love the movie, and Mel Gibson was fantastic in it, but the film itself and the plot of the film were not accurate representations of the American Revolution. I'm not saying that detracts from the message or anything like that, but it's called historical fiction for a reason. Aside from getting blasted by black historians for whitewashing the issue of slavery, there were loads of (rightful) criticisms going around about the content and history of the film. One of the biggest was the whole church burning scene, which was just completely absurd. Others included problems with military uniforms, problems with language, problems with historical accuracy. And the portrayal of the British as little more than 18th-century Nazis wasn't terribly in keeping with recognized historical fact, either. I don't have time now, but I'll poke around later and see if I can find some of the better discussions that I've read regarding The Patriot and its problems with historical accuracy. I've written a few papers about the Revolutionary war, though, and even I was able to sit there picking out inaccuracy after inaccuracy as I sat through the movie (which I saw three times in the theater and have on DVD, so it's not as if they stopped me from enjoying it or getting the point of the film).

[Faustus]

Okay, here's a few links I just found: Accuracy of 'The Patriot' History and the Movies Analyses of Individual Scenes