August 25, 2003
thinkin' 'bout hitler
I was talking to Mr. Guy a few weeks ago and out of my mouth came some weird sort of analogy involving Hitler.
Of course, any analogy involving Hitler is going to be overwrought and inappropriate and ineffectual. So I apologized to Mr. Guy. It's not fair to bring it into the conversation and it's just plain dumb since there are few things in this world that equal the moral and psychological alarm bells like comparing a situation to one in which Hitler had a part.
And so I decided that maybe it was time to change all of that. No, I will not attempt to change the man's character. What I will do, however, is bring to light a long forgotten individual. Hitler's Bear Friday.
Bear Friday can be seen in this picture standing near Mr. Hitler. We could hold Bear Friday accountable for all the dastardly deeds that took place due to the commands of Mr. Hitler. We could curse Bear Friday for not interceding and taking care of giving peace a chance and all that.
But Bear Friday is in the unique position of being a current version of posterity. What the hell am I talking about? Bear Friday watched what was happening, was detached enough to make his own judgments, and yet could do nothing. He couldn't speak since his mouth was sewn in such a way that it could never open. He had poseable arms, but they were not his to pose. (He had been visited by the Wizard of Oz, however, and had been given a brain, a heart, and courage.)
Thus, I bring to you, Hitler's Bear Friday. Hitler's bosom buddy, his pal, his friend indeed. And now, when you feel the pull to compare something you're discussing to events surrounding or involving Hitler, you might be able to soften your analogy so that the scale is more suitable to your life.
You might be able to say, "Yes, but as Hitler's Bear Friday might have pointed out to you, eliminating only certain kinds of weeds can lead to a revolt in many unexpected and seemingly undisturbed locations. Always be careful of monoculture."
See how easy it is now? The name of Hitler just glides off the tongue without all the weight and drama that genocide brings with it. What a glorious relief!
(By the way, I heard Pol Pot had a giraffe toy. I might have to search for a photo of that, too.)
Posted by dotty at August 25, 2003 11:12 PM