Not to trivialize this matter in any way, but JB and I were discussing this situation via e-mail this morning and we question whether Kline is really being depicted as a Nazi. From what I can tell, he's being compared to Colonel Klink, who was a Luftwaffe officer. Klink was probably not a member of the Nazi party given his distaste for the likes of Major Hochstetter. Just because someone was in the German military in World War II does not automatically make them a Nazi. It's a minor detail in the bigger picture perhaps, but after all that's what blogs are all about.
Hogan!

That, the elder, is what we used to call back in law school "a distinction without a difference."

Wow.. good for you Chad.. it is of course NOT calling Kline a Nazi, it's calling him a baffoon, to an incompetent toady, which is perfectly apt for Kline, but leave it to Mitch to get his undies in a bunch about it.

So Mitch, when Limbaugh called all liberals Nazis, where precisely was your righteous indignation? Or is it that punditry is held to a lower standard than politics? (witness this topic)

Mikey

(Putting on dual German/History minor hat): You are, of course, partly correct. Colonel Klink was indeed a maverick.

*However* - outside the world of Hogan's Heroes, anyway - among the four German armed services (Wehrmacht, Kriegsmarine, Luftwaffe and the SS), the Luftwaffe was probably the most doctrinaire (except, of course, for the SS). It was headed by Hitler's right hand man Goering; Unlike the Army and Navy, it was a product of the Nazi era, and its officers (unlike the Army and Navy) were largely not from the traditional "Junker" aristocracy, who regarded Hitler with some distaste (It's a squabble lost to history, but the SS was basically Hitler's buffer against the Wehrmacht officer corps; the Stauffenberg plot showed that he had a point). The Kriegsmarine was even less Nazified - it didn't fire its last Jewish naval officer until 1942.

To compare Kline to any of them, of course, is moronic.

On the bright side, it was better than any of Ken Avedor's photoshopping.

Interesting, pb/Mikey. How's about we superimpose Colleen Rawley's face in a KKK robe and print it next to an article on racism? Sounds good to me.

Paging Sharon Marko...Sharon Marko...your endorsement is ready!

PB... a watercarrier and apologist for any hamfisted and juvennile Leftwing political nonsense.

That sentance brought to you by the Redundancy Department of Redundantism Redundant Redundancy.

PB - er, Mikey...er...???

"Wow.. good for you Chad.. it is of course NOT calling Kline a Nazi, it's calling him a baffoon [sic], to an incompetent toady, which is perfectly apt for Kline,"

a) You're wrong. Kline is an excellent representative.

b) If Rowley's idiot "blogger" had wanted to call him an "incompetent toady" or a "buffoon" (Cicero weeps), he could have photoshopped him onto any number of other backdrops. Larry the Cable Guy? The "Hey Vern" guy?

Nazis - to most of us - carry a bit of inflammatory baggage. Perhaps you're aware of that Mik...er, Peeb?

" but leave it to Mitch to get his undies in a bunch about it."

My undies are distributed in mathematically perfect proportion; a work of art, if you will. Mik...er, Peeb seems to have learned rhetoric in the same place Eva Young did; every mention of his sacred cow must be a form of "ranting" or "undies in a bunch" or whatever.

I assure you; my undies are as cool, calm and in-control as I myself am.

"So Mitch, when Limbaugh called all liberals Nazis,"

When did he call *all liberals* Nazis?

"where precisely was your righteous indignation?"

Ah, Pee..er, Mikey - context counts. You are probably referring to Limbaugh's "Feminazi" reference. I don't endorse that reference - but the context matters; Limbaugh was criticizing the "Gender Feminist" leadership for their ideological rigidity and the the mania with which they (at the time) purged any deviations from their groupthink from their ranks. Again, I didn't like the comparison - but (and this is important, whomever you are), it was over an actual considered *action* that warranted illumination and allows criticism (if not precisely a Nazi comparison).

Did you read the "blog"'s piece, Peekey? The Nazi jape was over a bill to change the $50 bill. Is that on a par with, say, firebombing Rotterdam and killing six million Jews?

Well - you *are* a Democrat...

"Or is it that punditry is held to a lower standard than politics?"

Someone who is trying to convince us she deserves our vote should hold HERSELF to a higher standard than that of an *entertainer* whose entire MO is to punch buttons. Yes. Absolutely.

"(witness this topic)"

I'm trying to remember the Latin term for "Non Sequitur".

Anyone?

So Mitch, when Limbaugh called all liberals Nazis, where precisely was your righteous indignation?
Posted by pb at January 31, 2006 12:55 PM

Rush has never called all liberals Nazis. Fools, yes. Spineless weasels, maybe. Dangerous, most certainly. Dead Wrong about nearly everything, absolutely.
Just thought I should clear that up.

Oh, yeah - and about this bit:

"where precisely was your righteous indignation?"

I try to avoid indignation; it's bad for the heart.

I'm not indignant now, by the way - this is the yuk of the day. I'm piling on, of course - the event was stupid, and Rowley's response is moronic to the point where she shouldn't be elected Block Club Leader, much less to Congress.

But indignant? Not so much.

Just for the record, I have nothing but the highest respect for John Kline and in no way endorse his being compared to a Nazi or to the clownish Colonel Klink.

I just wanted to point out that from what I could tell from watching "Hogan's Heroes" about 900 times as kid, Klink was not a Nazi. That may indeed be a distinction without a difference, but it is a distinction that deserves mentioning.

Now we can move on to more pressing matters such as who was hotter, Helga or Hilda? I'm pretty sure that Bob Crane had 'em both, Hilda for sure.

Perhaps we should dress Rowley up as "The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." and see how she likes it?

"I'm pretty sure that Bob Crane had 'em both, Hilda for sure."

...and videotaped the encounters no doubt.

I remember Rush calling feminists "femi-nazis" -- which might make an interesting Coleen Rowley Photoshop makeover...

The most ironic part of this is the word "ethical" on her web banner. And this quote from her "ethical" link:

"Ethical Decision-Making

Coleen Rowley has chosen to make ethical decision-making central to her campaign for office in Minnesota's second congressional district. Why? Because she knows it is a critical and sorely lacking element in today's political environment, as well as in many professions, sports, academics and other day to day activities.

Coleen has considerable experience in ethics training. Beginning in the early 1990's and prior to her retirement from the FBI, she taught Office of Government Ethics and law enforcement ethics to FBI personnel in the Minneapolis office. Coleen has also lectured at a variety of law schools in Texas, Ohio and Minnesota on aspects of the main rules of legal ethics. Since retirement, numerous governmental, professional, civic and church groups have also requested to hear Coleen speak on the topic of ethical decision-making."

--------
Diiiiiiiisssssssss-missed!

"Feminazi" as has been noted before is Rush's term for a very specific section of the feminist culture. He doesn't use it much anymore and always with an explanation of whom he is talking about.

What I find interesting is that this "Ethical Decision Maker" has this for her chain of events:
1. Approves posting with doctored picture depicting Kline as a Nazi
2. Apologizes, blaming it on a volunteer (where's the responsibility in the "ethical decision making?) It got through because she was focused on the message of the post, which she obviously approved of...that likening Kline to a Nazi.

Is she getting a pass on THAT?

Doesn't matter which Nazi they liken him to, the intent is obvious. Use "Nazi" and hide behind the comical nature of the character's source.

Can we now question her true motives behind her whistleblowing crap? Attention seeker...that is why she sent her letter to everyone under the sun and why she embraced testifying with such glee...and why she rode the wave of Time's Person of the Year.

What is "ethical" about her again?

THe use of the word "ethical" raises the political bar. It requires not only doing the right thing but avoiding the appearance of impropriaty (sp?)

First,

Limbaugh certainly did call liberals Nazi's, as heard by me, and probably 15 million others. The chain of discussion went something like.. "well, you know Nazi-ism had socialist in the name, so you see really Nazi's are really communists, and liberals are really socialists, so it's not too much of a stretch that liberalism and naziism are the same."

Put that in your pipe Meeowtch.

Regarding your German/History Minor.. lecturing me on Herman Georhing.. neat...for I surely didn't know that (sarcasm), but of course, that's a "non-sequitor" as the SHOW was about fantasy, not reality, and likening it to reality is even more deception on your part. Tell me, when you think of Klink, the character, not Werner Klemperer, do you think of a. a Nazi b. an incompetent boob c. Goerhring's committed goose-stepper? Clearly in the american lexicon, Klink is no Adolph Eichmann nor is Schultz akin to John Demjanjik (sic - don't recall the spelling), rather the former is a spineless goof, the latter a see-no-evil, amiable goofball.

Conflating a television character with reality to make your point only makes you look even more silly.

Now here's how I feel about it - not that you particularly care - I think this association is irresponsible at best, precisely because some idiot *cough* will misunderstand it's reference and think it IS about Naziism.

Having said that, I then pointed out the duplicity of the right that calls all liberals who don't support the President traitors, or Nazi's or anything else, and advocate killing them, locking them in concentration camps, or feeding them rat poison. You all live in shattered houses and piss and moan about the cuts you get. I actually think the add was offensive, but had it come from the right, you wouldn't, witness your excusifying for Limbaugh/Coulter/Rove, et.al.

PB

"Limbaugh certainly did call liberals Nazi's, as heard by me, and probably 15 million others. The chain of discussion went something like.. "well, you know Nazi-ism had socialist in the name, so you see really Nazi's are really communists, and liberals are really socialists, so it's not too much of a stretch that liberalism and naziism are the same."

Your reputation for accurate recall is very much at question in this forum.

Not to mention provision of context; it reads like hyperbole to me.

In any case; Mr. Limbaugh? If you're reading this, please stop the Nazi analogies. They are very rarely appropriate.

Happy now?

"Regarding your German/History Minor.. lecturing me on Herman Georhing.."

Um, Peeb? I wasn't "lecturing" you. I was explaining to the audience. It was not actually about *you*. I have an audience of 3,000 a day, not all of whom know much about German history (but most of whom can get within a county of spelling Göring's name correctly).

"but of course, that's a "non-sequitor [sic]"

INIGO MONTOYA: "I don't think that word means what you think it means..."

No, it was not. It followed in elaborating on my colleague and friend Chad's remark.

" as the SHOW was about fantasy, not reality,"

Gosh, d'ya think? ;-)

"and likening it to reality is even more deception on your part."

Peeb. Stop. Take a deep breath. Zip your pants.

I didn't "liken" Hogan's Heroes to reality.

Now, seriously, Peeb - stop for a moment. With that remark, you seriously pegged the Rave-o-meter.

" Tell me, when you think of Klink, the character, not Werner Klemperer, do you think of a. a Nazi b. an incompetent boob c. Goerhring's committed goose-stepper? Clearly in the american lexicon, Klink is no Adolph Eichmann nor is Schultz akin to John Demjanjik (sic - don't recall the spelling), rather the former is a spineless goof, the latter a see-no-evil, amiable goofball."

Ah, Peeb. I'd have NEVER known that otherwise. Thank you. No, THANK you!

"Conflating a television character with reality to make your point only makes you look even more silly."

And reading such a conflation into a thread where it never existed only makes you look like you need to wipe the spittle off your monitor.

"Now here's how I feel about it - not that you particularly care - I think this association is irresponsible at best, precisely because some idiot *cough* will misunderstand it's reference and think it IS about Naziism."

Just like some ranting, spittle-launching pedantic blowhard *koff koff harrumph HARRRRUMPH Koff Koff Koff Spit Blaaaaaagh Koff All Right Then* might think my post had anything to do with equating Naziism with popular entertainment?

Back on topic, here: the leftist *mainstream* has been trafficing in malignant Nazi allusions about conservatives for years. Remember the MoveOn Video contest, which allowed one or two Bush/Hitler morphs into the finals (until they caught 'em at the last minute)? The campaign MDE noted (that I linked)? And on, and on, and on?

"Having said that, I then pointed out the duplicity of the right that calls all liberals..."

Off-topic, ignored.

"I actually think the add was offensive, but had it come from the right, you wouldn't, witness your excusifying for Limbaugh/Coulter/Rove, et.al."

Um, Peeb? Bullshit. You are wrong.

As usual.

Just as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west....Mitch bee-otch slaps pb around with no effort. It brings a smile to my face.

This is closer to what Limbaugh said:

Nazis were the National Socialist party... which is much closer to the Left and liberal political philosophy than conservatism (to be sure).

This observation came up, as I recall, in context of Leftist jackasses calling GW and other popular Republicans and/or conservatives Nazis.

Peeeb, Mikey, whatever the Hell else you want to put in there with a bouncy C... you're much closer to a Nazi than I am... and I'm half Italian and a quarter German.

However you are full of jackassary... and that trumps any amount of Italian and German blood any day.

I think LaBeau was a Nazi. A sympathizer at the least.

He was always making those delicious French meals for the Krauts and hanging out with their dogs.

Hogan! (sorry, but that was a good one Elder).

"I think LaBeau was a Nazi. A sympathizer at the least."
He actually SANG for the Bosch swine. "Aluetta, jauntille Aluetta".
Ah he was French, what do you want? At least he tried to resist.

I must preface my comments by agreeing with all of the nice Republicans at this site in stating that Rowley showed poor judgement in allowing the photo to be posted on her site. The photo was in poor taste.

That said, you folks are making a mountain out of a molehill. In fact another Republican blogger said it better than I ever could:

"It is often said the Democrats are the Mommy party, and the GOP is the Daddy party. There is truth to that, and we could go a long ways to portraying ourselves as a mature, responsible party if we just shrug off such puerile stabs at political debate, and save our outrage for matters of great import, such as Iran making threats with nuclear weapons."

As for myself, I would like to point out that Rowley rectified her error in a very responsible manner. She immediately took down the photo and issued a public apology, and took personal responsibility for the conduct of her campaign. This doesn't excuse the original lapse in judgement, but how many Republicans would show such personal responsibility?

Not John Kline.

If we don't immediately protest such absurdities, and force them to recify and apologize immediately, the nonsense gets into the mainstream, and becomes true. It is always better to nip it when it occurs, rather than always have to say later, "But, that wasn't true". For example, how many people still believe that southern black churches were buring all over the south, still are probably. ???

If we don't immediately protest such absurdities, and force them to rectify and apologize immediately, the nonsense gets into the mainstream, and becomes true. It is always better to nip it when it occurs, rather than always have to say later, "But, that wasn't true". For example, how many people still believe that southern black churches were buring all over the south, still are probably. ???

To expand on Mitch's comments about the Kreigsmarine...

The Admirals had a policy that most officers and sub commanders had to LEAVE the Nazi Party before promotion or assignment. Few party stiffs around.

Hitler's two week successor was Admiral Doenitz. Of all the armed services under Nazi Germany, for some reason, Hitler kept the Navy as far away from Nazi Party contamination. Which meant that it could be trusted the most to do what was "right" for Germany in the end.

The Kriegsmarine was considered Johann-come-latelies by the Junkers in the Wehrmacht (Prussia never had a Navy, to speak of); they weren't a Nazi creation, like the Luftwaffe; obviously they were not a party organ like the SS. They kind of caught it from all sides.

I still can't believe folks are giving this a pass because the source of the photo was Col. Klink from Hogan's Heroes.

The end result has precious little that is recognizable as something from Hogan's Heroes... unless you're quite familiar with the show.

The intention was obviously to make Klein look like a Nazi. Anyone who says otherwise is just like Mike Peeby.

I still can't believe folks are giving this a pass because the source of the photo was Col. Klink from Hogan's Heroes.

The end result has precious little that is recognizable as something from Hogan's Heroes... unless you're quite familiar with the show.

The intention was obviously to make Klein look like a Nazi. Anyone who says otherwise is just like Mike Peeby.

Christ you wingnuts are pansies. Can't take a little comparison to a character on a TV comedy? Boohoo!

Big words, coming from someone who'd look pretty funny photoshopped onto Janice DeWitt, ifyaknowwhatImean...

Again Clown, it was an obvious attempt to paint Kline as a Nazi... it wouldn't matter if the source photo came from a lighthearted costume party, documenatry footage of concentration camps, The Great Escape, Allo Allo, or Hogan's Heroes.

If you can't take that you really have lost touch with reality.

(Who knew you could be such a water carrier, Clown?)