Blind to history

Trapped in a dugout in the trenches in World War I Adolf Hitler breathed in mustard gas; blinded, crossing Germany in a train with wounded soldiers, he was in a hospital in Pomerania when he learned Germany surrendered. Bitter, he was sure Germany had been betrayed. A month later, able to see again, he returned home to Munich.

Germany’s economy collapsed. History, German’s fear for their future and Hitler’s bitterness, entwined.

Standing on stages, waving his arms, ruthless, speaking with passion he turned the fears plaguing Germans into a political weapon.

Germans cheered when he promised he’d save their ruined country.

Cheered when he pointed at scapegoats – Jews and Communists.

Cheering, his followers believed whatever he told them. Truth withered.

He made a mistake. Started a war. Lost battles. Blamed his generals. To keep his grip on power.

I was surprised when I read J.D. Vance once said in a text message he saw Donald Trump as, possibly, another Hitler.

Trump’s not Hitler. Not even close. And Vance regrets he said it.

But those stories – about anger, strutting, truth withering – still matter. They’re happening again in front of our eyes.

Years ago a German monk sparked The Reformation – a rebirth of faith. But we’ve passed into a new age, where, blind to history, we no longer see old sins as deadly threats.

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