Drew HerzigDec 23, 2023
George Takei  🏳️‍🌈🖖🏽
We must learn from history so that we do not repeat it.
Dec 22, 2023 at 10:35pmWeb
Show threadAmpsDec 22, 2023
@georgetakei
As an Argentine, I really can't stress enough how important it is to not vote for a violent fascist.
We already lost that battle in 2023, I hope that you folks don't lose it in 2024.
Show threadbirdpoofDec 22, 2023

@Amps @georgetakei

Ugh I'm so sorry

Show threadbirdpoofDec 22, 2023

@georgetakei

See also: Putin

Show threadcqd_sosDec 22, 2023

@georgetakei
Don't forget, the Hitler that got democratically elected wasn't the Hitler we know now, with the benefit of hindsight. Germans, at the time, didn't have the full picture of what was about to come, how things would evolve and in which direction they would go, step by step in a process.

That's why it's so important to read the signs early and act on them while it's still possible.

Show threadMr TDec 22, 2023

@cqd_sos @georgetakei But he had already been in prison for his extremist views, it was known even in the 20s what he was like:

https://www.reddit.com/r/agedlikemilk/comments/18lkftl/on_20121924_adolf_hitler_was_released_from_prison/

Show threadcqd_sosDec 22, 2023

@LanceTurner @georgetakei
He was in prison for a (local, Bavarian) insurrection attempt, which was in tune w/ how many, especially the military, felt about a republic that had agreed to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Not for his "extremist views", a fairly vague term, by the way.

"Extremist views" is what you could say you hear coming out of Trump's mouth every day. Starting with Central Park Five, proceeding to birtherism, "Mexican rapists", insurrection, now dictator "for a day".

Show threadEric SchutteDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei @cqd_sos I don’t agree that the germans did not have the full picture. #meinkampf was very very very clear about what #hitler intended.
Show threadcqd_sosDec 23, 2023

@ericschutte @georgetakei
Have you read it? He does express his antisemitism, but the book does not contain a blueprint for Auschwitz.

Then, did the average guy read it, back then? Pre 1930, little more than 10,000 copies were sold. Between '30 and '32 about 230,000. And only after Hitler became chancellor sales went up noticeably. But even then only the fewest people actually read it, simply because it's so boring.

Again, it's in hindsight that everything appears to be "very very clear".

Show threadLett Osprey   🍉 Dec 22, 2023

@georgetakei Completely agree! Tell Israel to stop the #genocide in #gaza

Oh, that wasn't what this was about, was it. How is "we must learn from history" only relevant when it fits the narrative? Like, sure, we should not vote for Trump because he acts like Hitler, but we should vote for Biden who supports people that acts like the Nazis that once persecuted them?

How about NO, give us someone that ACTUALLY learned from history.

Show threadArena Cops 🇺🇦✌Dec 22, 2023
@georgetakei Here it's worth to keep in mind that Germany's Nazis never got more than a third of all ballots cast pre-Hitler dictatorship - inexcusably about the same as Trump's malinformed, poorly educated, sociopathy-affine, anti-democratic followership, .
They abused the Weimar Republic's democracy & the weakness of a dying president to transfer powers to mass-murderous sociopath Hitler, a democracy able to defend itself would never hand over to its enemies.
#RuleOfLaw #DefensiveDemocracy #DefendTheConstitution #YourVoiceMatters #YouMatter #DefendDemocracy #WeThePeople #History #EnemiesOfDemocracy #EnemiesOfTheConstitution
Show threadSupergrobiDec 23, 2023
@ArenaCops @georgetakei the NSDAP had 43.9% in the last election before there were no more elections
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_1933_German_federal_election
March 1933 German federal election - Wikipedia

Show threadUrwumpeDec 23, 2023

@supergrobi @ArenaCops @georgetakei they already ruled by presidential decrees for one month at this point. Hitler also _only_ got 44%, he wanted more, but failed with all his violence and oppression. He forced a 3 Million RM debt on the industry to pay his election campaign (about 30 million € today!), banned opposition newspapers, arrested politicians... and still too many resisted.

Thus he needed a rigged vote under gunpoint in parliament to gain dictatorial powers with superficial legality

Show threadSupergrobiDec 23, 2023
@urwumpe @ArenaCops @georgetakei I'm afraid it was less rigged than we'd wish it to have been. Also he needed and found a coalition partner to finally destroy democracy.
Show threadUrwumpeDec 23, 2023

@supergrobi @ArenaCops @georgetakei he needed to change the rules of the parliament with armed SA thugs watching the session, for getting the majority for the 'Ermächtigungsgesetz'. Otherwise, SPD and the missing votes of the KPD would have been able to prevent this.

The society was of course to a large part not better than Hitler or at least less criminal. Weimar Republic would be called a failed state today.

Show threadRobert LinkDec 23, 2023
@urwumpe @supergrobi @ArenaCops @georgetakei We will be called a failed state too, I fear.
Show threadUrwumpeDec 23, 2023

@phaedral @supergrobi @ArenaCops @georgetakei I doubt it. It isn't all good here, but at least the political system works (part time), and all actually rely on the system to do its job next year as well. Not as dire as in the darkest days of the Weimar Republic.

The FUD campaign of the right is a real problem, yes. And we talk to much about them instead of getting things done.

Show threadSupergrobiDec 23, 2023
@phaedral @urwumpe @ArenaCops @georgetakei I'm still hoping to see rule of law prevail in the US, but it's a
nail-biting process to watch from outside of it (probably even more from inside of it)
Show threadArena Cops 🇺🇦✌Dec 23, 2023
@urwumpe @supergrobi @georgetakei Right. The last election, that could be called somewhat "free & fair"before Hitler was appointed Reichs-chancellor by president Hindenburg, was on November 6, 1932.
After the Reichstag fire, on advice of Chancellor Hitler, Hindenburg issued the "Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of People and State", which in effect invalidated many basic civil liberties of German citizens — on February 28, 1933.
Right before the March elections, which saw most opposition "legally" weakened if not disempowered, branded as "enemies of the people".
Show threadDror BedrackDec 22, 2023
@georgetakei except that's wrong. A common myth. The Nazis ran a campaign of terror to get "elected".
Show threadAdam KennedyDec 23, 2023
@DrorBedrack @georgetakei The current fascists are currently running a campaign of terror to get elected. If they do get elected, the media will say they won, and the courts will almost certainly certify the election.
Show threadHolger FialloDec 22, 2023
@georgetakei People never learn from history. If we elect Trump, America will be flashing down the toilet the work all have done in our nation since the beginning of this great nation. 2024, is the day that people will say no or yes. No to Trump and yes to the US.
Show threadClaudia VogelDec 22, 2023
@georgetakei
The German author Erich Kästner, whose books were burnt by the Nazis, later said that the Nazis should have been fought in 1928 at the latest, after which it was too late.
I am afraid that, in Germany, we might have even less than five years left...
Show threadRobert LinkDec 22, 2023
@georgetakei I've heard that this was aided by legal changes to the voting process: Secret voting became optional rather than mandatory, hence voter intimidation skyrocketed.
Show threadVincent Van DinskyDec 22, 2023
@georgetakei And because the left was "too pure" to vote for moderates.
Show threadWooShellDec 22, 2023
@georgetakei the "came to power legally" quote is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that context. The elevation to Chancellor was preceded by intrigues, blackmail, SA and SS "watching" over election stations, heavy disinformation by the media and even clergy, and a lot of other actions that no historian would consider legal nowadays.
Show threadMcWabbit🐰 has movedDec 23, 2023

@georgetakei A reminder to the #Dutch #VVD #BBB #NSC which are taking time to "discuss" with the fascist #PVV if and how they can uphold our #Constitution if they want to form a far right coalition.

What a sick twisted joke. Guess it is a matter of time that we too have to actually fight Nazis and their collaborators in our lifetime. Which can be our neighbors, former friends and colleagues and for some, maybe family.

Show threadKevin RussellDec 23, 2023

@georgetakei

And the seditious party in all its instances.

Show threadNicole ParsonsDec 23, 2023

@georgetakei

America's democracy remains at risk for as long a Republican billionaire donors, both foreign & domestic, can flood elections with money.

They spent over a billion dollars on 2022 alone. They are willing to spend unlimited amounts in 2024

Show threadsellitman™️ :unverified:Dec 23, 2023

@Npars01 @georgetakei

So will Putin. Vote Blue!!

Show threadCelloMom On CarsDec 23, 2023

@Npars01 @georgetakei

Among the beneficiaries of "money in politics" are the news media. as campaign funds go into ads.

So don't expect them to lead that necessary discussion, of "getting money out of politics": that money goes into their bottom line.

Show threadKevin LeecasterDec 23, 2023
@CelloMomOnCars @Npars01 @georgetakei
Just the NBC affiliate in Georgia earned something like twenty-seven million dollars from just the Walker/Warner runoff election.
Show threadthe Amygdalai LamaDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei
sure, blame the voters
NT people believe this shit: YOU VOTED FOR HIM.
Oh, we did? OK 😘
Show threadUneekDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei Yes I agree…but here is the kicker. The information is very easy to obtain for those who want to learn the truth. But in this day & age some people prefer to cast aside one’s morals in the pursuit of extremism. We all know what is right & wrong but we see see is that people want to be rebellious.
Show threadJL RobersonDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei Fun fact too: he could do it all on the first day.
And he's already told us he plans to.
Show threadLeto FregarDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei I think this is the aspect too many people miss: the Nazis were not this easy to identify pure evil, that suddenly took power by force (even though there was a failed attempt at a coup, but, well...).
They were a young, but established party, sitting in parliament for a while, and Hitler was elected chancellor. Also, while the largest faction, they actually did not hold majority on their own, but needed support from other parties to elect Hitler and later pass the "empowerment" act.
Show threadDieMadColonizerDec 23, 2023

@georgetakei wild, the US has ended so many democracies at gunpoint. Just more truly unhinged neoliberal babbling.

George you're correct we must learn from history so that we do not repeat it.

Show threadAaron In MinnesotaDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei absolutely, do not vote for fascism, but also we know some of what makes people vote that way, and we are not doing enough to address the failings of our current democracy which is why we are in legitimate danger of having a dictator being elected. we need better voting systems (like #RCV), and more representatives (#uncapTheHouse), and to #endthefillibuster to address some of the top reasons so many have so little faith in government
Show threadtatzelbrummDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei
re: "We can't let that happen here."
Show threadcharly ⚧️Dec 23, 2023
@georgetakei
And still Germany is heading into this direction more and more. It's horrible to witness and see all the ignorance and indifference happening.
It's a shit time to be alive and see it all unfold :(
Show threadMark vWDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei Hitler got his foothold legally. The rest was extra-legal.
Show threadex or current IDF unwelcomeDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei as did Netanyahu and in his case through proportional representation. Is there any way of guaranteeing a leader who isn't a homicidal maniac?
Show threadPaladin  Dec 23, 2023
@georgetakei "Only for a day."
Show threadScott 🏴😷Dec 23, 2023
@georgetakei that's...not really how it happened though. Hitler wasn't elected, the president directly preceding his dictatorship was Hindenburg, and Hitler because dictator through various moves within government as chancellor (to which he was appointed), including having a parliamentary vote which he locked all the communists in Parliament up before having.
Show threadFrancis BeeDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei
The prerequisites for education must be created for this. I have the impression that schools are not (or no longer) able to arouse children's interest in certain topics. But that's exactly where the problem lies. Many parents also have deficits. Recommendation: Adult education as a compulsory subject in everyday life at least 3 times a month with a degree.
A ban on cell phones at school, regular tasks to find out for themselves and look for solutions.
Show threadUrwumpeDec 23, 2023

@georgetakei

Day 0 Hitler appointed as chancellor
D1 last bigger strike in Germany against the takeover by Hitler.
D2 parliament dissolved (again)
D4 Hitler announces war plans to army command
D5 constitutional rights restricted by decree
D21 industrials "forced" to pay Hitlers election campaign
D28 Parliament building burned down
D29 more constitutional right gone by decree
D34 Hitler wins already unfree (censorship, arrests, violence) election by 43%

Only democratic on the cover

Show threadAnnietimeDec 23, 2023
@georgetakei the alarm in me is not just about what Trump is saying, but how the people at his rallies respond. It’s both together.
Show threadFranktDec 24, 2023
@georgetakei hello is anyone listening???
Show threadH4Heights 🇪🇺🇵🇸🇺🇦🇨🇦Dec 24, 2023
@georgetakei Not just in the US. UK is not far behind… arguably the legal groundwork has been laid already, a function of having no written constitution and relying on MPs’ ‘honour’. A commodity in very short supply these days.
Show threadBlackBoxDec 25, 2023
@georgetakei - then your for keeping the population armed? The unarmed are subjects, armed are citizens. What did Hitler do before committing his atrocities? Disarmed the citizens, George. Learn from history, George.
Show threadDROP\ TABLE Hacker of EarthseaDec 26, 2023
@georgetakei just like gaza
Show threadelpolacodesplegadoDec 26, 2023
@georgetakei
Hitler even went to prison for an attempted coup, did his time, came back and ran for office. Even if DJT gets a stay at Club Fed he may still be back in 28. Or his son, or some other GOP looney. We live in a world where Nikky Haley is the conventional alternative and George W. Bush looks like an elder statesman.