Democrats & Liberals: Archives

If you are going to be fair, you should also link to the reports of Arnold opposing Nazis in Austria.

http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~1865~1678364,00.html

This whole Nazi angle is such a non-story that it makes me laugh.

Chris the Nazi angle is irrelevant. Arnold’s dream of having masses all in agreement with him chanting to his tune is what is relevant. Dreams in young adulthood are often long-lived and Arnold has made recent comments that would point to this dream still guiding his moves.

I used to think that a number of people were swell guys. Now I don’t. I’ve had a lot of things that I wanted to do, but later changed my mind. If you think Arnold’s (can’t spell the last name) comments are indicative of present intent, please paste some more current comments. So far, the best you have are comments made well over twenty years ago.

The interesting thing about this story is how the NY Times altered the original quote - in which Arnie said he opposes Hitler and all that he stood for - into some sort of admiration. This treatment - we call it “Dowdifying” in the Blogosphere, after the prime offender, places the NY Times in the running for the Biased Liberal Media Offense of the Year Award.

You know if a Democrat praised Mao or Stalin in any context they would be driven out of politics and possibly the country.

The irony is so thick you can cut it with a knife

Two things - first the quote isn’t accurate and was taken out of context, according to the original transcripts (r.r.). The mangled quote distorts what Arnold admired — Hitler’s public speaking. But Arnold said he didn’t admire Hitler for “what he did with it.”

The inaccuracy was contained in a book proposal, and has been repeated now by countless news organizations. Too bad it distracts from the real issue which is not Hitler, Nazism or anti-Semitism. Anyone older than six knows there are few individuals that evoke such strong emotions - both positive and negative - as Adolf Hitler.

When taken in context, Arnold’s thoughts reveal, as David points out, something much more — his views on governing, leadership, crowd control and communication by public officials. And are relevant because it gives us a hint about the kind of governor/leader he wants to be.

I see a connection between these views and the allegations of sexual harassment. They have nothing to do with timing - that too is a distraction from the real issue at hand. Sexual harassment is rarely, if ever, about sex. It’s about power and control - and sending a message about who’s in charge — and who is powerless to do anything about it. I’m waiting with bated breath to figure out which message Californians plan to send to the rest of us.

With all due respect, I don’t think it means anything of the sort. Your analysis is a classic bit of overanalysis.

That Arnold, a bodybuilder/entertainer who loved to perform in front of a crowd, expressed an admiration for the way Hitler (an Austrian) came from nowhere and was able to grab a crowd should be of no surprise. Hell, I admire the way Hitler did it to, and (like Arnold), can say “I didn’t admire him for what he did with it.”

The only controversy here is how some are taking these comments as being his current governing philosophy. Arnold in the 70s was a doped up, prima donna bodybuilder, used to getting what he wanted because he was a star in his field. You think anyone from that time period with his star appeal didn’t grab some ass when he could (even if his hand got slapped)? Really, you’re reading too much into this one.

Frederick,

An old saying goes, “Sir, you are a scholar and a gentleman.” Schwarzeneggar is neither. A gentleman does not grab women or offend them in any way, voluntarily. As for scholar, that speaks for itself.

One’s heroes can be very telling about one’s own character… or lack of it.

Oh sure, you’re right. My point is that I don’t believe you can draw that distinction about Arnold from musings at that point in his life, particularly stretched out. Certainly if you asked me at that point in my life I’d have a different set of “heroes” (a word I haven’t seen Arnold use yet, though it’s implies), and my behavior bordered on crude at times.

Of course, maybe that’s why I’m a Clintonian: I try to keep things separate. The cry of “unfitness for office” has been overused—it now means “I don’t want him in office” just as “recall petition” has now become an acceptable way to get rid of polticians who are not criminals but with whom one simply disagrees.

There are plenty of reasons to vote for another candidate than Arnold for this office. We need not use a blurry ink-blot test as our reason.

I agree with the sentiments that we need some more current quotes from Arnold and not ones that go back decades. Also, quite appalled that so many are ready to latch onto the contextually flawed Hitler bit. I’ve personally seen enough at this juncture to buy the revised quote as seen in this comment section. No question, Arnold enjoys the limelight. No lack of ego there either. Arnold was speaking in a much less politically correct time, and if the young bodybuilder lacked caution and finess, cant we chalk it up to bravado and loose talk rather than malice? I believe the expression is, “lighten up” Thank God nobody follows us around with a tape recorder to catch the offhand remarks we all indulge in. I can almost hear the disclaimers out there,- ok Mother Theresa, I wasnt talking to you—— but I would certainly hope we are all permitted our youthful indiscretions. Further, I just don’t buy that the die is cast at 20 or even 30 years of age and one stops learning and maturing; altering ones perceptions and beliefs. His wife said Arnold learns fast. Lets give him a chance to adjust to the new landscape and see what he can do.

greg smith