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Originally Posted by Herroberst It's important to understand the Third Reich and know about Hitler, Himmler, Stalin, PolPot, Mao, Kim Jong Il so that we can understand history to try and prevent the dark side from repeating its evil menace. |
I agree, what's gone wrong in the past should be studied and lessons learned and not forgotten.
But there is somewhere a line that can be crossed. That point where you look at the life and work of a dictator or regime and it is no longer through the eyes of an enthusiast, historian or student. You go over the line and you can start to hold your subject in awe. It's once you pass that line that you can cease to be an enthisiast, historian or student and can become a fanatic.
A fanatic will look at historic truth and form it around what has happened in order to fit their ideas, making excuses if you will, if not to excuse at least to give reason. It's a short step from there to condoning actions and supporting the polotics.
That is the danger, although I'd hope most people were intelligent enough to see the line approaching.