Today during church (apparently it’s Good Friday, though I don’t see what’s so good about it. Isn’t this the day that Jesus died?), the pastor went into a long, drawn out prayer for just about everyone imaginable:
“…and let us pray for those who have passed; and let us pray for the President, and all other leaders; and let us pray for the evil-doers…”
When I heard this, I nearly burst out laughing, although I was able to contain it (after Valerie elbowed me in the ribs). However, when I got home I immediately cracked up…
“Of course the people don’t want war. But after all, it’s the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it’s always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it’s a democracy, a facist dictatorship, a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to great danger.”
—Hermann Göring at the Nuremberg Trials (1946)
