Victor Davis Hanson
American Greatness
Something eerie, something creepy, is happening in the world—and now in America as well. The dark mood is brought on by elite universities, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion industry, and massive immigration from illiberal nations and anti-Enlightenment societies.
At Hillcrest High School in Queens, New York, hundreds of students rioted on news that a single teacher in her private social media account had expressed support for Israel. Waving Palestinian flags, and screaming violent threats, the student mob rioted, destroyed school property, sought the teacher out and tried to crash into her classroom—before she was saved from violence by other teachers and an eventual police arrival.
The subtext was that the overwhelmingly minority students (whose school is ranked academically near the bottom among New York City schools) were acculturated to the racist reality that as the “oppressed” they were exempt from any punishment for hunting down their own teacher. As a Jewish (and thus white) “oppressive” supporter of Israel, she was reduced to, in the words an enthusiastic commenter on a Tik Tok video of the riot, a “cracker ass bitch.” And so the student pack tracked her down as if they were hunting an animal. The old Nazi youth gangs tried to kill Jews because they were not considered “white;” our new Nazis hunt them down because they allege that they are. The common denominator between the 1930s and 2023 is an unhinged hatred of Jews.
Hundreds of such incidents are now occurring on a daily basis—as the country is leaving its Weimar phase and heading at warp speed into normalizing Jew-hatred and worse. Instructors singled out Jewish students in classes at UC Davis and Stanford. Pro-Hamas students ripped down posters, swarmed public buildings, and disrupted traffic.
A pro-Israeli demonstrator in Los Angeles was hit on the head and killed by a pro-Palestinian university professor.
Jewish students were trapped in a Cooper Union university library surrounded by pro-Hamas demonstrators. At MIT, Jewish students were warned to keep away from particular areas of the campus deemed dangerous for them.
What would happen to a university president who warned black or Latino students to keep clear of areas where she could not guarantee their safety from other students?
A bankrupt media deserves much of the blame. They daily broadcast Hamas’s suspect casualty figures, as if that terrorist organization has ever been capable of speaking the truth.
The Western news regurgitated “500 dead at a Gaza hospital,” due to a supposedly deliberate Israel bombing. In fact, the hospital parking lot was hit by an errant Islamic Jihad missile intended to kill civilians in Israel.
No matter—few reporters apologized for spreading Hamas-fed misinformation, despite the previous Hamas lies that they never harmed civilians, that tunnels were not beneath hospital grounds, that they did not murder 1,200 Israelis; or their lies that Hamas gunmen do not rape, when they engaged in mass rape on October 7.
The media normalizes Hamas’s atrocities by treating it as if it were an ordinary government, not a murderous terrorist clique that decapitates civilians, takes children as hostages, and mutilates those it slaughters. That the terrorist organization has kidnapped at least ten American citizens and killed perhaps another 31 is lost on the “journalists,” many of them Americans who could not care less about the fate of their fellow citizens.
The media fixates on the Israeli response to mass murder, but rarely the mass murder of 1,200 Israeli civilians that prompted the current war. During ceasefires do Israeli terrorists drive into Gaza cities, and shoot and kill innocent civilians—and then brag, as did Hamas recently, that such murdering will only increase?
Sometimes the anti-Semitic hatred reaches Orwellian levels of absurdity. A British reporter asked an Israeli official whether his country valued life less than Hamas did because it had agreed to Hamas’s demand to release three convicted terrorists in exchange for one Israeli captive. The media fawned over a released disfigured Gazan terrorist—without mentioning that her injuries came from a car bomb she exploded in hopes of killing Jews.
The media is further emboldened by the Biden administration. When asked about the outbreak of anti-Semitism across the U.S.—nearly 60 percent of hate crimes are committed against Jews, who make up 2.5 percent of the population—Biden Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed them with the false claim that the White House “had not seen any credible threats” to Jews. And then she claimed that the real danger to American residents was Islamophobia and threats to Arab-Americans. Hate crime and interracial crime statistics do not support Jean-Pierre’s assertions, which prompts the question of why she made them in the first place.
Note that almost all the violence in demonstrations over the current war comes from the pro-Hamas side that shouts “river to the sea” genocidal threats, swarms the Capitol rotunda and the White House wall, disrupts traffic, occupies bridges at peak traffic, defaces private and public property, shouts down speakers on campus, harasses passers-by, and often battles the police. One wonders whether, should the U.S. military be forced to try to rescue American captives, the demonstrators would cheer for the American troops or Hamas hostage-takers.
Abroad, the world has gone even crazier.
The United Nations has appointed Iran—a theocratic, terrorist-supporting government that kills dissidents and takes hostages—as the chair nation of the UN Human Rights Council Social Forum. What a cruel joke.
But what would one expect from the UN when its secretary-general, António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, a former Portuguese socialist politician, condemns the Israeli response to October 7, but rarely, if ever, the Hamas mass killing of civilians that prompted it. Right after the mass killing Guterres opined, “The attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum.” According to the secretary-general’s logic, I suppose, Pearl Harbor, the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine did not happen in a vacuum either.
When told that an Irish citizen hostage was freed by Hamas, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar declared that the “lost” child was finally “found.” In other words, he wished to hide the obvious fact that a terrorist organization had kidnapped an Irish citizen child, held her hostage for 50 days, and released her only when Israel gave up convicted terrorists to obtain her release.
Our domestic political leadership is not helping the situation.
Just days after October 7, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, along with the foreign minister of the now often hostile Turkish government, were calling for a cease-fire to prevent an Israeli response.
When the Islamic Jihad rocket aimed at Israeli cities went off course and damaged a Gaza hospital (leading to the fake story that Israel bombed the hospital), President Biden joked, “You got to learn to shoot straight.” Did Biden mean that, had the terrorists only launched a successful terrorist rocket into Jewish neighborhoods, there would have been no ensuing controversies?
Biden later apologized for doubting fatality figures provided by the Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas—a terrorist organization that has lied about the hospital “bombing,” denied it had tunnels under hospitals, denied that it had engaged in mass rape in Israel, and has supplied no proof of its civilian casualty numbers. Has Hamas released figures of how many of its terrorists were killed, and does it separate those numbers from lost “civilians?” And so are there really vast new cemeteries in Gaza to handle the 15,000 graves for those who, Hamas asserts, were killed?
What explains the collective madness?
For the last 40 years, while Western leftists have naively supported Palestinian terrorists, their governments have appeased terrorist-supporting Middle Eastern governments for very practical reasons. The old subtext to such mollification was that 500-million irate Arab Muslims, and a Middle East with 40 percent of the world’s oil reserves, in realist terms, simply argued against the interests of 10 million Israelis.
But now there are two new, venomous elements in the matrix.
One is that the racist DEI industry assumes that all intersectional nonwhite communities are victims of white privilege and supremacy. Therefore, as permanently oppressed, they are declared incapable of being racist themselves. And so they can harass with impunity the supposed victimizers—in this case American Jews, who are declared culpable whites.
So the oppressed, according to the DEI bible, cannot be anti-Semitic, though many certainly are. And they apparently cannot be held accountable for their hatred or frequent violence.
Secondly, in the last two decades there has been an epidemic of immigration into Western nations from the Middle East. In often-divided democracies like ours, politicians seek to appease as many pressure groups as possible, whether citizen voters or merely resident demonstrators, to acquire and maintain power.
Such pro-Hamas demonstrators, rah-rahing from a free, prosperous, and secure West, expect no rebuke for their obvious hypocrisy in cheering on an autocratic, dictatorial Hamas that has wrecked the economy of Gaza, shoots dissidents, and allows no free expression. And Middle Eastern guests and immigrants are never reminded that their very demonstrations are predicated on not being physically present in their homelands, where they might be shot for what they say and do freely in the West.
We are on a trajectory similar to that of 1930s Germany.
Every time a student is cornered, harassed, or threatened; a high school mob tries to swarm and harm a teacher; a government spokesperson dismisses such hatred; or American soldiers are targeted by Iranian-fed terrorist organizations; the madness, racism, and anti-Semitism will increase—until it reaches a saturation point of abject violence in our streets.
Once a society mainstreams the values of thuggish brownshirts, and ignores their “from the river to the sea” eliminationist chants and screams of “beat the f—king Jew,” then the next emboldened step is foreordained.
True, most Americans were appalled by October 7 and accept that every nation has the right to defend itself from terrorist killers. Most Americans deplore vicious demonstrators and their calls for violence on behalf of the Hamas death cult. And most Americans want their President to demand the release of American hostages and to deter Iranian-backed terrorists who attack U.S. military personnel in the region.
But unless the public demands that their universities enforce on campus the Bill of Rights and the right to move freely in safety, that police enforce laws against mob violence on America’s streets and in our schools, and that the United States stops greenlighting mass immigration from anti-Western nations and extending student visas to residents of anti-American, terrorist-supporting, and autocratic Middle East regimes, then in suicidal fashion we are headed for a 1930s nightmare.
Maybe one of VDH’s students can do us a service by posting a brief para, with link, if possible, recalling what happened on this date 90 years ago. I can’t remember anyone commemorating 30 January 2023 as the 90th anniversary of Hitler becoming Chancellor.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to compile. Back in the day, the NY Times was reliable, reported almost daily from Germany, and is available on line.
It’s not too late to catch up, so people can see gleischaltung unfolding on a daily basis. It might open the eyes of some people, showing exactly how history can repeat itself.
Gleichschaltung not Gleischaltung. Gleis is a railroad track. Gleich here means simultaneous and Schaltung circuit. It meant the nazification of the country (economy, education, media, trade associations, culture etc). like throwing a switch to activate several circuits. In the case of the USA it is more a slow “march through the institutions”, a gradual subversion of the nation that begin long ago. No less fatal than an overnight coup or arson at the Reichstag.
First they came for white men, and no one cared nor cares still. This is the inevitable result of our top-down revolution. The first group on their list has been crushed, made powerless, and driven to suicide and self destruction. So of course now on to the next target. It seems that many of the perpetrators of our collapse are surprised to be in its grasp.
Excellent point
Jews are the ones responsible. Hitler was right. Unfortunately the golem has turned on its master as it always does. They thought the specter of the holobunga (which was fake and made up) would save them from pushing hatred for whiteness and privilege. Turns out their golems seem them as white and they are the most privileged as they run our society including the well funded colleges and NGOs that push anti-white hatred.
We have seen this for decades with Jewish groups organizing, funding and leading these actions. Can anyone p[rovide me an example of one Jewish group that protested the treatment of Clarence Thomas; the actions of Antifa and BLM; the activities of the tranny lobby; the outrages against Christian churches by the pro apportion terrorists? One protest against the destruction of our judicial systems the education system; the use of the government to divide us and radicalize the populaation into “groups” rather than as united Americans?
As ye sow, so shall ye reap. Why should I now care that these Jews are reaping what they have sown for decades?
Nobody raised a stink when the ADL was on its crusade to demonize white people especially white men. Nobody raised a stink when the DOJ was harassing protesting Americans and Catholics. It is only when a certain group gets the slightest bit of criticism does the whole media get notified and takes action.
“Hate crime and interracial crime statistics do not support Jean-Pierre’s assertions, which prompts the question of why she made them in the first place.”
Because Jean-Pierre is a liar, because she works for an administration that lies. Because truth is not a value to the Left. When it comes to the choice between advancing its agenda to seize power and hold it, or telling the truth, the Left jettisons the truth.
That’s why.
“The End justifies the means” their motto
The most profound insight of America’s Founders was to make “means” and not “ends” the guiding principle in the architecture of their new republic. They understood that if we got the “means” right, the “ends” would take care of themselves.
Thank you for this article. I have been frightened by these same thoughts.
Thank you for stating clearly what we are facing if no one steps up to help our people/ our nation.
Amen!
That which is rewarded is repeated, often. By rewarding miscreants who commit felonious assaults with bromides, fame, and soft handed “tut tut children” responses the repetition of such vicious behaviors will surely be repeated, and amplified. Mobs are mobs regardless of their age, race, and/or location. Mobs are mindless, savage, and endlessly unsatiated except by more violence, blood, and destruction. Until we apply the necessary force to smash such mobs it will continue until murder is routine and we are all “the f**king jews” they attempt to kill.
We are much indebted to Prof. Hanson in reminding us of history “as the country is leaving its Weimar phase and heading at warp speed into normalizing Jew-hatred and worse”. Jew hatred is one symptom IMO – a barometer of sorts – of nation(s) that are speeding out of control. It’s not the only symptom, and Prof. Hanson has been eloquent on these and many other symptoms of a decaying society.
The voting population must take matters in hand, and vote out these fakirs and their acolytes – but make no mistake, this is not only a battle to be won, it is a war that has been ongoing for some time.
If you believe you’re just going to magically “vote” your way out of this when your enemies have already stolen elections and made a mockery of democracy, you’re in for a nasty wake up call.
Thank You VDH! from a friend you haven’t met.
COL H. L. Smith, Retired U S Army Aviation.
Thank you, victor. It’s happening before our eyes and we ordinary folks are just watching helplessly.
Frightening but realistic assessment of trajectory.
Roger….. Creepy and errie. Is history repeating itself only with names and faces changing? We may very well be headed in suicidal fashion for another 1930’s nightmare! God forbid! People may ask are Nazis alive in the world? A visit to Argentina and Bariloche will yield a definite YES! There exists even today in romantic legend that Hitler actually escaped to this area which is inhabited by a strong German population and where his birthday is still celebrated.
The repeat is not at all similar ATM to 1930s.
Israel has a home state.
As for Jews in other countries (EU, US, Canada, Australia), maybe, but I doubt any concentration camps will be established again.
Likewise, too many politicians who are Jewish would call for martial law if the protests get out of hand.
Nonetheless, the signs of Jew-hate are scary, but of course it is happening since the left has been lighting that fire in the “marginalized” communities for decades. The chickens are coming home to roost.
In the 1930s, Germany was suffering economic catastrophe, was licking its wounds from the humiliation of the Great War, of course had only rudimentary mass communication media, and had no precedent to look to to help predict the unspeakable horror, the Götterdämmerung that was coming. We have no such excuse, and are lurching into disaster behind incompetent fools as “leaders” with our eyes wide open.
Thank you Professor Hanson
The robot summary:
The text presents a perspective on growing anti-Semitism and violence, particularly against Jews and supporters of Israel, in various settings including schools, universities, and public demonstrations. It highlights incidents of violence and disruption against Jewish individuals and supporters of Israel in the U.S. and abroad, criticizing the media and political leadership for their responses to these events. The text alleges a bias in media reporting, particularly regarding conflicts involving Israel and Hamas, and criticizes the Biden administration’s handling of anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. It also discusses the impact of immigration from Middle Eastern countries and the role of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) industry in these dynamics. The author expresses concern over the trajectory of these trends, likening them to the societal conditions in 1930s Germany, and calls for enforcement of laws and principles like the Bill of Rights to counter these issues.
“What explains the collective madness?”
It dates back to JFK, LBJ, and the riots and madness of the 1960s. Having lived thru those times, I can attest that we haven’t even begun to plumb the depths. I was in L. A. during the Watt’s Riot, and served during the latter part of the Vietnam fiasco. The majority of voters took it for granted that we would wage a successful “war on poverty” while sending 500,000 soldiers and Marines to Vietnam, without bothering to call up the reserves. Our expectations had no relation to our ability to deliver. Indeed, much of the emotional commitment to these various enterprises was completely uncoupled from any measurable reality. Thomas Sowell speaks clearly and eloquently about the smoke and mirrors that surrounded all of those activities to end poverty and racial tensions. Minority Americans had made vast strides in the years following WW2. Their progress was terminated by the social programs created by a delusional governing elite.
The violence did not end. Some of use will remember that an entire city block was blown up by local police in Philadelphia in 1985 an attempt to force entry into a building controlled by a group that embraced an ideology based on revolutionary racial ideals and environmental and animal rights. Eleven were killed and hundreds left homeless. A about a decade later the FBI burned to death 82 people in the Waco Siege.
The list is long and growing. But no one has ever been called to account.
An angry rebuttal from the robot:
The essay you’ve shared presents a dangerously skewed and alarmist perspective that distorts the reality of current societal issues. Firstly, it blatantly stigmatizes entire communities, painting a picture of rampant anti-Semitism and violence as a mainstream phenomenon, which is a gross exaggeration. While anti-Semitic incidents do occur and are abhorrent, suggesting that these are representative of broader societal trends is irresponsible and inflammatory.
The portrayal of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) industry as a contributor to these issues is both baseless and offensive. The DEI movement works tirelessly to promote understanding, tolerance, and equity across all societal segments, including fighting against anti-Semitism. To suggest that DEI encourages any form of hatred is a gross misrepresentation of its goals and achievements.
Moreover, the essay’s depiction of the media and political responses to these issues is oversimplified and biased. The media landscape is diverse, and while some outlets may have biases, it’s an overgeneralization to accuse the entire media of deliberately spreading misinformation. The critique of the Biden administration’s handling of anti-Semitic incidents also lacks nuance and fails to recognize the complexity of government responses to hate crimes and international politics.
Furthermore, the comparison of current societal dynamics to 1930s Germany is not only historically inaccurate but als
This is like pouring gravy over hard-stone gravel. DEI absolutely assigns tribal identities and victimhood in order to produce a false “moral” basis for attacking certain tribes. That is the ultimate racist structure, entirely absorbed with tribal attacks and fomenting “moral” violence, while being dictated by a self-appelled “savior” class which is administering revolution-by-proxy.
The legacy, mainstream media is fully engaged in this “permanent revolution”.
Your entire comment is, therefore, rejected on an empirical basis.
Talk to the robot.
I am showing you how AI is being programmed.
Throw me under the bus if you wish, but you are completely missing the point.
We need to understand exactly how the enemy “thinks”.
LOL- The “robot” has been programmed with BS – that’s the problem – we know the Woke pos have already got in to do this as to AI -program in lies in support of Leftist/Communist positions – and this very factually incorrect “rebuttal” clearly shows that — “To suggest that DEI encourages any form of hatred is a gross misrepresentation of its goals and achievements.” – Haha – You put this garbage up with a straight face? DEI encourages hatred and racism against Whites – that’s what it is all about, that’s the “goal” — toss the “robot” in the trash where it belongs along with DEI and these Hamas Terrorists.
In order to beat the enemy, we must understand how it “thinks”, or in this case, how it is programming AI.
This is exactly why the government suddenly thinks it is a good idea to “control” AI.
If AI (“the robot”) were to analyze all progressive ideas and properly evaluate them, it would likely find that almost all of their ideas simply don’t work in real life.
We can’t have that. Therefore, AI must be programmed to accept and promote fringy lefty ideas.
Thanks for reading what the robot has to say about this. It is scary stuff.
I think most readers understood what you were illustrating there. Be patient. The reeducation, the re-centering of the ball, will take time and they’ve got quite a head start.
Mr. Reynolds,
You claim that the DEI industry “fights against anti-Semitism.” Where? I have not noticed this at all. I have observed the DEI industry supporting mostly African-Americans and on occasion other minority and historically marginalized groups, but never Jews or whites generally.
You also claim that “the media landscape is diverse.” If so, where is the outrage from the mainstream media over the 7-Oct. Hamas attacks? Why the use of moral equivalency in comparing the 7-Oct. Hamas terrorist attacks with Israel’s response to those attacks? What mention or discussion do you see in most of the media of Pro-Hamas demonstrators targeting supports of Israel? Sadly, the only mainstream networks you can see coverage of this would be Fox News or the Wall Street Journal. Approximately 90% of the media are controlled by the progressive left and almost unequivocally cover the Biden administration. In this sense therefore, I would not label the media landscape as “diverse.”
As VDH alludes to in this column, there is no outrage over the explicit anti-Semitism, whereas it would be much different if the groups were ‘socially or politically approved’ minority or marginalized groups, such as African-Americans, gays/lesbians, Latinos, or transgendered individuals. The asymmetry of the media response is blatantly obvious in this case.
Andrew, I make no claims.
This is your view into the “mind” of the robot — current AI status.
However, I did ask it to come up with an angry rebuttal, which it apparently did in stellar fashion.
The robot is quite good at stirring up emotions on the right.
The good thing is that you can actually argue/debate with AI and it will not turn and run away, the way most liberals do.
When AI sets out its arguments as this post does, we can see all the holes in their “logic”. For the most part, progressive arguments simply do not hold up very well unless they are allowed to shout over you, intimidate you, or shut down your speech.
I am pretty sure that we are on the same side. Why else would I be a subscriber to VDH?
But we need to understand how the other side thinks. Then attack them or, better, change their minds. That process starts with creating cognitive dissonance in their cloistered world. Then change may happen.
I read an article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday that actually described Israelis as “settlers”. I was totally shocked that the Wall Street Journal has succumbed.
Are they not though? Israel was built on the corpses of Palestines. Yet they will never stop wringing their hands about the made-up Holocost
I agree with many of your points, Victor. One thing that does concern me, however, is, could the Israeli government have been culpable in any way for any reason? What is going on with this wall of Jericho thing, the intelligence that Israel had prior to the invasion of October 7-2023., and agree or disagree with Charlie Kirk. He has some things to say that need to be listened to and drilled down on until the truth is known as well as it possibly can be. Whether this happened because of incompetence or complacency, or God forbid was allowed to happen, this needs to be uncovered and exposed.
Yes. Unlike a certain clueless Obama puppet, DeSantis et al. are also sounding the alarm.
Professor Hanson, you said a couple of posts ago, that you don’t think that Trump will take revenge. Well, if he won’t meet out justice, fully, those guilty parties will not learn the lesson. So, let’s call it justice to the tenth degree, with no reprieve. The deep state, and the gestapo, must be abolished, and those involved must be punished to the full extent of the law. If he doesn’t take a hard line, it will only be a few years, until the rot will return. This situation has been brewing for the last 60+years. I saw it coming before JFK was assonated. First, Trump must be elected, and the Legislature must be turned over. The machine will need to be stopped first. But then, this may just be a pipedream. I can only vote, and watch. The grace of God be on you, and your Family.
Excellent article, as usual, Mr. Hanson!
VDH, in your 11th paragraph it should read “could not care less”. I have observed the erroneous expression “could care less” is commonly substituted instead. Don’t know why, but it is.
I was surprised though, to see VDH do it as well.
It is obvious that real Americans are being pushed into a corner by our leftist enemies that could possibly result in another civil war. I refer to it as that because we will be fighting in our own neighborhoods against an army that looks just like us!
Imagine dead and rotting bodies in the streets among bombed cars and buildings. Perhaps you’re convinced that America is immune to such a scenario, but I promise you these leftist liberals are not going to stop until our blood is running in our own streets.
We Christians can hope and pray that Jesus will return before then but God does not view the atrocities of war as a reason to be rushed. Most of us want to be left alone to work for a living and raise our children the way we see fit without government interference. But hasn’t this current illegal administration interfered enough? How much longer can we remain a peaceful country while illegals pour across our border?
Their plan is to institute martial law to stop the violence in the streets once it becomes rampant. They may even let their antifa brownshirts help with the problem that they themselves created. Unfortunately this could intensify into larger and larger violence considering how many typical Americans own firearms. This will mean the lefties will finally bring us to the final stage(s) of an American version of a banana republic . (They already have us in the beginning stages of a banana republic now)
“…Americans are being pushed into a corner by our leftist enemies that could possibly result in another civil war…we will be fighting in our own neighborhoods against an army that looks just like us…”
And today Dick Durbin (D) Illinois announced that illegals should be given citizenship in exchange for military service because the armed forces can’t meet its enrollment targets. There you have it: demoralise the white population through mass immigration, DEI, and elimination of meritocracy; then complain when drop out as a result; and then replace them with illegals.
Hasn’t this been the tactic used against the entire country regarding the general labor force ans Social Security since about 1990? California voters reacted overwhemingly in a bi-partisan manner against illegal immigration in 1994, but (D) judges tossed out Prop 187, and few (R) pols would support it. And at the time Latino college students protested against it. I recall their activists referring to California as “Our Palestine…” And now those activists are probably professors, judges and in the (D) hierarchy.
“…these leftist liberals are not going to stop until our blood is running in our own streets.” That’s correct, and they are chomping at the bit for the 2040s and white minority status, and are using illegal immmigration to “force the spring” (a phrase favored by the Clintons). We’ll be lucky if Balkaization is all we get.
It begins to make a strong argument for a red state blue state division in this country, as never before have the values of the peoples ever been so divergent. What that division, perhaps under one loose umbrella would look like is anyone’s guess. The UN is a flawed pie in the sky proposition that has long exhausted it’s usefulness. The US is now a major debtor nation and it should cease funding the failed corrupt institution – and as it is the major financial benefactor, the UN will quickly disappear into the annals of histories misplaced feel good failures. It is a sad time in this country and the road we are now walking has a very uncertain destination.
I live in a blue state and have strong family ties there. The people in Southern and Central Illinois are not blue–look at an election map. Other states are like this as well. What you suggest will result in chaos and the destruction of this country and untold pain. Please rethink.
Thank you for this, Dr.Hanson.
I think a huge part of the problem we’re having is the news outlets. When I go on “Fox”, the only one who allows comments, besides “Newsmax”; and then the alphabet outlets, it’s as though I’m reading about two different countries. We could set up a ‘board’ to do research and fact checking,but I think that would just create a microcosm of what we already have. Journalism already has a built in way to prevent news slanting. When I took a journalism course, I learned that for news reporting you only reported ‘who, what, when , where” and ‘why’ if from a credible source. Anything else should be billed as opinion. As well, a lot of news reportage selects only the parts of a story that suits their agenda. Maybe we should set up some type of public guide that monitors news media and updates the public on whether or not they are maintaining journalistic standards. Those writing the guide would represent all major facets of the political spectrum.
Great article and always appreciative of your insight and articulation.
If you have time, I (and probably others) would love to have your take on *why* anti-Jew hate exists at all. Is it a jihad? It is perception of imbalanced power?
Thanks!
JMO, but ‘simple’ to me, at least if you believe there is a God, and believe the bible is his ‘book’, then you must believe that Satan is a real entity. ……. Satan fears God/Jesus above all, and he loathes God’s creation: man. ……… And most of all those mortals he loathes the Jews MOST. ……… After all, Jesus was born of the Jews. ……… Periodically Satan has a hissy fit and stirs his demon army to aggravate non Jews to rise up against the Jews. ……… It is peaking now, just like it peaked in Germany in the 30’s. ……… Even before Christ was born, Jews were attacked. …… They were Egyptian slaves for 400 years before God freed them via Moses.
Another brilliant analysis. These certainly are dangerous times. Ignorance and mob mentality are driving all of this now as it did in 1930’s Germany If you asked a protester to point out Israel on a map or asked them to give you an explanation regarding Israeli history you more than likely would get a blank stare.
I am currently teaching my second grandson History of the Weimar Republic ( my daughter and son in law have decided home schooling is the way to go for their 4 kids) and each time I tune into news I feel like I am living through 1930s Germany. The rigid political beliefs people hold, the hatred of Jews, political corruption and dubious voting practice, the decadence and the lack of truth in the media… I despair and find it hard remain hopeful for my grandchildren. But try I must for what is the alternative? Thanks Dr Hanson.
Language is important. The genocidal murderers of Jews, and those who cheer for them, in Gaza or in Queens, are Nazis. Don’t shy away from the term, and certainly don’t cede the language to such bloodthirsty thugs.
Please do not repost this if my first comment went through.
Very interesting Victor.
Concerning the October 7 barbarian invasion of Israel, I am very concerned about reports. I am hearing that the Israeli intelligence agencies knew about the “Jericho wall” intelligence, which appears to have been floating around the Israeli intelligence community for nearly a year prior to the October 7 invasion and massacre. That intelligence, from what I have heard so far, was very specific, and predicted the Hamas invasion and atrocities. Voices like Charlie Kirk, and others, though they may be unpopular, should be heard, and the information drilled dong upon I think to get to the truth. Would like to hear what you think about, what is being revealed concerning this situation.
Yep. Weakness begets attack.
America is now seen as weak and feckless.
We no longer know how to fight, who to fight, or for what reasons.
We are now pro Hamas.
We know how this ends.
I fear that the CIA, after calling for the assassination of President Trump
(https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2023/12/04/subtle-like-a-brick-through-a-window-cia-outlet-approves-donald-trump-assassination/)
is running a psyop to foment mob violence and normalize it, potentially enabling President Trump’s security detail to be overwhelmed by a hateful mob and beat him to death, leaving no one to blame but the mob. It all fits together too nicely, and I don’t believe in coincidences.
Dear Professor Hanson,
I worked in a Holocaust Education Center for 14 years. Since the beginning of the “pro-Palestinian demonstrations” it has been clear to me that the anti-Semitism already here, is worse than 1930’s Germany. I’m a Jewish grandmother of 10 and VERY MUCH appreciate your strong articles about anti-Semitism and your stedfast calling out of terrorism, violence and inhumanity. I also fear..greatly..the world in which mygrandchildren will live. The calm tone of your articles and podcasts inpire me to continue to hope for a turn around to REALITY and sanity.
Sad times we live in.
Will this be a second civil war in the US. While our VP feels empowered to tell Israel how to respond toward Hamas. Remember this? Her support of BLM (who now flies the Hamas flag). How dare they, they have botched every conflict/war for the past 5 decades.
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-kamala-harris-late-show-rio/fact-check-kamala-harris-said-she-supports-protests-not-riots-in-late-show-clip-idUSKBN27E34P/
I have been a fan for many many years. I’ve read many of your books. Carnage and culture and soul of battle are my favorites. You are a national treasure. I have the utmost respect for you.
That being said, I quibble with one line: “ then in suicidal fashion we are headed for a 1930s nightmare”.
Sir, we have a 2nd amendment. If these purple haired, nose ringed, gender confused snowflake crybullies think they’re the vanguard of the proletariat…well, sure, against people who weren’t armed. Rest assured, if they think they’re going to be the 25,000ers or the Sturmabteilung, it will end quickly and not very nicely.
Sir, your comment makes perfect sense. As a Brit It seems to me that the gun owners of America have a true understanding of the founding of your country and are willing to fight to put an end to the insanity. Bravo! On this side of the pond I feel with no second amendment we are screwed. Good luck America
The antisemitic and DEI collective madness has the same roots as fornication, homosexuality, transgenderism, abortion, men posing as women athletes, a supreme court judge who cannot define a woman etc.
Sin and deranged thinking has been unleashed on the world and America. Men have been left to their own desires and are unable to reason.
cf. Romans 1:18-32
Excellent- as usual. My idea with these PUNK pro hamas high scool morons is to put them all on an airplane and send them one way to Gaza. And if they don’t know how to operate a parachute, well, that’s for them to learn. Also, I heard a rumor that some Texans put pirana’s in the Rio Grand. Any truth to that?
Seeking low cost solutions from nature. And freeing up the money spent on walls for other problems.
Your analysis and analogies are spot on as usual and introduce a common theme in time. Power, money, and persuasion are accelerated by an internet connected world. Deceit, misinformation, and propaganda are accelerated at an exponential rate concurrently in the same internet connected world. Two things can be true at the same time, both eroding our understanding and cohesion as a society, and more importantly, degrading our faith, trust, and belief at a much faster rate through the confluence of these occurrences. Life in America is becoming a solar flare event where history and future consequences are benign occurrences in a continuum of “oh well.”
As I and quite a few of Uncle Sam’s merry band of miscreants in Vietnam used to say, a little repression is good for the soul. Round up all the unhappy protesters and ship them out to Gaza where they can cite their devotion to Hamas. Most will never return. Yes, it is a bit brutal but fascism is never a pretty thing to watch in action. Yes, eggs will be broken in the cause of freedom.
I ardently agree with you, sir.
This is not as new as it may seem. Universities derive a large share of income from foreign students, who can pay the high tuition prices. As a result there is an inclination to kowtow to foreign students and give them dispensation. Way back in 9/11, Macalester College in St. Paul refused to fly its flag at half mast in tribute to the American victims, stating that it might disturb the foreign students. Just a few years later, Mich. St. University supplied Muslim students with foot-washing facilities, but would never do anything like that for Christians because of “separation of church and state.” At the national level, the growing Muslim vote, as in Michigan, is pushing aside the once-influential Jewish vote. Immigration 99% from the Third World is changing demography and pushing politics toward the left. White Americans have not voted for a Democrat for president since 1992. Imagine what the US would be politically without the 1980-2023 mass immigration.
Thanks. This helps me to understand what has happened with our colleges. Foot washing facilities for Muslims. Really? Groveling for $$.
Being a student of history, I often think about the things you write about so eloquently. I appreciate your thoughtful essays and I am a big fan of your podcast. Thanks for everything you do. I pray we can survive what seems to be coming,
Anti Semite? too antiseptic.
Jew hater? Yeah getting there
How about, “Oven Builder?” …
For that is the direction you are going when you stoke hated towards a truly vulnerable community … 16 million Jews worldwide? That’s 0.002% of the world population. You are naively, or not, supporting those who would indeed have no qualms about sending Jews, “up the chimney,” – that a Nazi concentration term for exterminating people, for killing them and burning their bodies up.
I don’t know why this very excellent movie, “The Mortal Storm,” is so hard to find, streaming or otherwise, particularly as it’s got rotten tomatoes ratings of 100 and 86 … It speaks to how a community can turn so rapidly to sending Jews to concentration camps. And it is centered on a university campus.
A haunting clip:
https://youtu.be/p12sXkrDCY0?si=AWlOoaLbF36JwCaC
Will you, “concern yourself?”
Thank you.
Brilliant as usual. When I taught WWII and the rise of Hitler students were mortified by the Holocaust. I still remember the disbelief that other countries, leaders didn’t help.
As a Professor, I truly believed the horrors of the Holocaust would never happen again. Unfortunately, as explained by Dr Hansen, with our perpetual anger and victimhood, we seem to be on a fast track.
Thanks for another enlightening article on our crumbling American society. I have often wondered how a reasonably intelligent German citizenry could be led into the conflagration of World War ll by a madman spewing Jewish hatred and calling for the elimination of all Jews from the continent. Sadly, America seems to be following in the Nazi footsteps. Oh, “Poo” you say, we are much too smart for that. Well, we “elected” Biden and Harris, notwithstanding fraud and or gross miscalculation of votes. Not so sure we are all that smart. But Professor Hanson is. Read ‘Weimar America’ carefully.!!!
“…I have often wondered how a reasonably intelligent German citizenry could be led into the conflagration of ..”
Kaiser Wilhelm, the German military, industrial and other elites never lost WW1. It was a cease fire. A negotiated armistice. The Kaiser lived, General Hindenburg became Chancellor, Krupp made weapons, the German establishment that led Germany into WW1 all lived and maintained power. Just like Saddam did after Gulf War 1. Or the Kim Jong has in Korea.
What did you expect?
Nothing changed in Germany. The German Deep state survived, and waited.
WW1 America top General, Black Jack Pershing advocated marching on Berlin and hanging a bunch. But lefty Wilson, and his soft lefty technocrats were oh so smart that they could management the change in German leadership class.
At the beginning of WW2, American soldiers said they were going to finish their father’s unfinished business with Germany.
Jews have been on the run since the Pharaoh. Nothing new about Germany, or the US now. I don’t know why anyone would bet against history. Jews have tied themselves to the left, Democrats for 100 years. Conservatives have noticed the energy, intelligence they’ve brought to every radical cause, and against the silent majority. They’re homeless, again
Bravo, Doctor Hanson. May I, or should I say, dare I, point out two items that you could improve on? It has become colloquially acceptable for us to say, “I could care less” instead of the original and correct “I couldn’t care less.” Nuclear is a two syllable word, new-clear. You Sir, as well as G.W. Bush, and Gerald Ford, say new-kew-lar. Correcting these two minor errors should make your essays and Podcasts perfect. I remain, respectfully, a great fan.
Time to move the UN to Port au Prince.
These “diplomats” believe but for their keen insight, the world would descend into anarchy.
If they are so magnificently attuned to governance, let them apply such skill where magnificent governance is desperately needed.
These United States no longer should welcome the United Nations on our soil.
I fear you are right… but I see many more vocal supporters of the moral order in America and elsewhere… like Germany… than could ever raise their voice in the 1930’s… and I pray for sanity and global goodwill to fight the depraved fighters for Islamic dominance…
thank you always for your wisdom and no nonsense clarity and support… Am Yisrael Chai
Unfortunately I think it’s going to take something far worse than 9/11 to happen to this country to bring these leftist loonies and others back to reality. There is no deterrence in our country from crime and no deterrence on the world stage to do whatever these murdering regimes want to do to the United States. No country is scared of the USA anymore thanks to the ineptness of the Biden/Obama administration. We should tell Hamas to let the hostages go or we will in full force show you the power of the American military. We should also neuter Iran. We should take out their nuclear capabilities, their military bases and their power grid. That would let these countries know if you mess with us there will be hell to pay.
The Uniparty open borders treason is already magnitudes worse than 9/11. The myriad problems the millions of 3rd worlders and purposeful chaos agents will cause is almost unfathomable.
Victor Davis Hanson, now you are getting really scary. Your thoughts are mine as to looking in the past and learning from history what a person could expect when certain values are coming together.
Thank you, I think……God bless you kind sir and I hope someone will continue, as you do, to fill in the blanks that so many refuse to look, listen or read…..
Thank you for your thoughts.
VDH never mentions the spiritual essence of Islamic hatred. If the demonic influence is not apparent to one observing the delight with which the Islamists rape and dismember then one is quite understandably awash in confusion. Satan is real as hundreds of exorcists have witnessed over and over again. He despises humanity. The Satanic Verses of the Koran are real. Islam desires to eliminate Christianity and Judaism by force of arms. That our godless children are susceptible to the Father of Lies seems inevitable. He wishes to destroy everything and Islam is his sword.
PF is an dupe of the Evil One.
So I first predicted in a “Toastmasters” speech in 1967. I made that speech about forty times, and it would appear that not until Governor Richard Lamm made almost entirely the same speech long later no one listened. I also predicted, in the same speech, that the U.S. would disintegrate by secession de fact or formal soon after turn of the 21st Century. What do you think, sir….?
And yet, 90 percent of “Christians” and/or “conservatives” will STILL stick their kids into these gulag-like, brainwashing centers called “public schools” for 13-17 years, despite what’s going on right in front of their faces. “It’s Joe Biden’s fault” I hear constantly. No, *you* are the reason our nation is going down, and your lack of love and willingness to sacrifice for your own flesh and blood are the main reason.
The young mob has been primed to accept nothing less than perfection from their government and from life. They despise their comfort and worship the “oppressed.” They envy the suffering.
Eventually, this mania turns to nihilistic violent terrorism. We are almost there. Happened after WWII as well. https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2023/11/why_the_support_for_hamas.html
The Jews have been feeding this crocodile for a long time now.
But the comparison between Weimar Germany and the current US is not even close.
Germany was an unarmed homogenous society, the US is the opposite
Obama-Soros Cabal is contributing $Billion$ to the Destruction of the U.S. and chaos in the World, are in complete support of the Murderous Islamic Hamassholes. Their ignorant, uneducated delusional Monster Antisemite Anarchists, supported by Corrupt News Media, should get the only cure……being vaporized into a pink cloud.
Many times in my life I’ve heard people say, “how could the German population NOT have seen the rise of Naziism and the subsequent holocaust?” THIS is how.
My friend’s Jewish daughter is a premed student.
Out of the blue, she was challenged by a Hamas-supporting fellow student to justify Israel’s actions. She didn’t know what to say and didn’t like it. When her father visits her on campus, he sense hostility.
Colleges are places of learning that have cultures that foster it. Lately that culture is absent.
There are so my fissure points in the fabric of both the US and Europe. I don’t think it is possible for these divides to continue much longer without either open conflict and/or civil war. I hope I’m wrong. I used to think it was hyperbole for commentators like Tim Pool to predict imminent civil war. But all signs are pointing to it. I myself am a frequent critic of Israeli domestic policy in regards to their poor treatment of Christians in Jerusalem (nuns and others being spit on by Ultra-Orthodox without consequence). But when it comes to Israel having a right to defend itself from terrorists like Hamas, I have no problem with them doing so. I do question why we simply ‘give’ aid to Israel and so many other nations when were are running deficits here dealing with out of control spending and our federal reserve devaluing our dollars through printing more and more money. Domestically, here, not only do we have the radical leftists anti-free speech mobs terrorizing our institutions and, in many cases, running them, but we have deep divides on abortion, sexuality, transgenderism, property rights, abuse of individuals by the DOJ/FBI and the weaponization of the govt against any vocal conservatives by a consortium of both government and corporations in-line with woke ideology. Trust in elections, lack of criminal prosecution for violent crime, and other issues combined with the above are leading us towards 1850s/60’s strife… a Harper’s Ferry moment approaches. God help us!
My understanding of the Wiemar Republic was that there was a lot more going wrong than merely a violent anti-Semitic movement – some which the US has in common and some it doesn’t. Let’s consider some of that:
1) The German military actively undermined the Wiemar Republic from day one. It’s contribution to the dissolution of the Wiemar Republic and the subsequent Second World War was enormous. First, they created covert branches of the military in complete violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Sure, one grants that the treaty was deeply wrong on multiple levels, but it remains that the Wiemar Republic agreed to the treaty while simultaneously the German military engaged in extravagant violations of the treaty such as: continuing to run a General Staff (basically, a huge leader training cadre that was also responsible for planning military strategy and technology, more on this), development of war technologies like tanks, military aircraft, and chemical weapons (hiding it by putting these facilities in the USSR), and supporting the ending of the Wiemar Republic when Hitler rose to power.
2) A considerable, bloody conflict between the Nazi and Communist factions. The relationship between the two was bloody, but also convenient since the presence of the other side acted as an effective recruitment tool.
[…]
VDH is once again blathering (very articulately) around the real issue, and that is, quite simply, all this aberrant behavior is designed to undermine our civil society with the end goal of destroying it. They -want- America destroyed. So please, professor, just come out and say it already and stop beating around the bush. I’m sick and tired of tangental explanations and mitigations being described as the cause and not the intended effect.
[continued:]
3) The basic tactics and strategies of Nazi Germany were developed before the Nazis were a relevant factor. Blitzkrieg, combined arms, and even the huge build up of the military from 1932-1938 that took the neighbors of Germany by surprise was all planned by the German military throughout the 1920s and early 1930s.
4) A final rush for power in 1932. My guess is that this was a bid by conservative elements in German aristocracy, business, and of course, military to remove the Wiemar Republic before President Hindenburg left office (he would have been in poor health at the time) and the German military lost its skilled mid-range officers (particularly, non-commissioned officers with combat experience from the First World War).
5) On that last point, consider the last three Chancellors of the Wiemar Republic. In July, 1932 Chancellor Franz von Papen overthrew the enormous Free State of Prussia which meant that roughly two thirds of Germany suddenly fell under direct control of the central government. His successor, Kurt von Schleicher ran an ineffective government. He was notable for running for a time the black ops part of the German military and may have been responsible for around 200 of the “Feme murders” in the early 1920s. And of course, Hitler was the last and most seedy, but not by much, who ended the whole affair. It sounds like Hindenburg was desperate for anyone but Hitler, but only Hitler had the political backing to make it stick. So it goes.
Evidence accumulates daily that the Israeli government knew about/was warned about the 10-7-23 Hamas attack up to a year before. Some reports claim that the warning was rashly ignored/dismissed. Other reports leave out that speculation.
The state of Israel reputedly has unparalleled intelligence capabilities. History supports that reputation. Where is the proof that 10-7-23 was truly a surprise attack? Until such proof comes forth, the nagging question of cui bono will not go away. Nor will the frustrating debates about who is right and who was wronged…and when.
Truth is the first casualty of war. That is an immutable fact: from the onset of the first war to the present and beyond.
The media supports Hamas??? Talk about boomer blinders. Our entire media system only shills for Israel.
I don’t particularly like watching Israel genocide Palestinians. I must love Hamas too.
You had a good run VDH. Time to hang it up.
Excellent article relating the Weimar Republic to the current USA situation. Unfortunately, most of the readers have no clue about history and the Weimar Republic nor its relevance to the current activism in America. A nation that defames the US Constitution and historical leaders in the name of anti-colonialism can’t be far from the Enabling Act of 1933 Germany which ended the Weimar Republic.
It is time to unleash the armies of the world and crush Islam, all terrorist groups, all supporters no matter what hole they hide in. I support Israel and the IDF and pray for 100% eradication of all Hamas and supporters by killing each and everyone of them. VDH is unmatched in his intelligent analysis of history. I was born in Germany and raised by a Nazi mother. Believe me, 1930’s Germany is making a come back. Crush antisemitism before it is normalized. Next on the agenda are Christians.
Maybe the jews shouldn’t have spent the past 60 years pushing open borders on heritage Americans and voting 99% for Communists. Only stupid boomers still care what happens to the jews when our own country is being invaded and overrun. They can fix their own problems.
So, jews are being persecuted….again. If you take the time to truly understand why, 109 times this sect was expelled from host nations then you begin the journey to truth at a neutral place.
Individually I’ve nothing against any person from a religious sect or race of human being. Treat me well and reciprocal treatment follows. But when I tried to make sense of this repeated persecution of this sect, I forced myself to understand why. Why so many times and from many different vectors.
Look to the origins of the social decay in Western democracies and you will find a great disproportionate amount of this sect driving the powers.
I will close with this. You know who controls you by who you are permitted to criticize. What are the most powerful PAC’s.. driving national policy? Of these PAC’s what % is controlled by the aforementioned sect? You ask these questions publicly and see what happens.
Mr. Hanson,
I am a fellow author, though of no regard, and admirer. I have read your books, with “A War Like No Other” occupying my table in all its well-worn glory right next to Caesar’s account in Gaul. A serious question I ask of you, one that you never answer. Are Mike Pompeo and McMaster traitors? By all evidence, they are. As more of the permanent bureaucracy’s agents become exposed, Pompeo’s name especially appears. MsNBC now credits Pompeo with subverting and blunting President Trump’s orders and directions, even contacting foreign counterparts to subvert his CIC. Will you address this? You proposed him to be President! Why do you not speak on these things, instead opting for a repetitive regurgitation of the litany of problems we face? Are you and McMaster still bosom buddies? Pompeo? Do you entertain obvious traitors that would be subject to the codes and law you now cite? I have much respect for you, but until you address these issues I can no longer value your assessment beyond viewing it as entertainment. Thank you for your consideration.
Prof Hanson,
Please post your articles and commentary regarding the living conditions of the Palestinians in Gaza for the last decade or two. I am interested when your concern about the people in that area kicked in, and your views on what many have called the Gaza Strip, an outdoor concentration camp. You might want to familiarize yourself with deeper and fairer things on this topic…. say Scott Ritter, or Norman Finkelstein. You often come up short of my earlier views of your fairness, judgment, and, although you are clearly very bright and informed, holes in what you know which don’t prevent you from talking as if you know. And you may want to re familiarize yourself with the the following and see how you think it may apply to the Palestinians.
“The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
What disturbs me even more, as I spend quite a bit of time on right leaning free speech sites, is the number of right wing (including Maga, and including some Christian/nationalist) supporters who are savagely anti Israel and anti Jew. Unlike the left, they are not pro-Palestine, but they attack Israel as well as prominent Jewish individuals with all the savagery of Hitler youth.
This issue has split the Democratic party, but it is also a fracture in the right side as well. It disturbs me greatly (I expect toxic attitudes from the left, but seeing it ‘here’ really disturbs me.) Not going to mention names, but if you look around you will see blatant racist hatrid.
Thank you Professor Hanson. It is scary to think we are reliving history and have not
learned from the past. God help us.
To get people to do evil, convince them that they are doing good.