- Jan 27, 2011
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I don't disagree with any of that.
All I ever said noted was that when Lineker (or anyone for that matter) says "language reminiscent of 1930's Germany" what they mean is "Nazi's" and it's preposterous to suggest otherwise. It is being inferred because it is implicit.
Personally I think the ludicrous response to his tweet by Tories has helped amplify his message.
But I also do wish people would lay off Nazi anologies. It is quite offensive to some people and there are perfectly good alternatives - not least Enoch Powell whose language probably better describes what the Tories are doing.
Put this way.
All Nazi's are Fascists and all Nazi's are Authoritarians.
Not all Authoritarians and Fascists are Nazis.
So yes you can talk about the language and be talking about the Fascists Authoritarian aspect to it.
Neither of us have an insight to Lineker's mind, but he seemed to choose his words carefully.
The Nazi term is of course overused, but that's not to say there are no circumstances it can be used at all.
The problem we have in this country is that because freeing Europe of the Nazi's is so ingrained in our national identity, we've come to see our democracy as somehow immune from the pitfalls of Fascism, Populism, and Authoritarianism.
The USA fought the Nazi's too and they are still repairing the damage of a populist government inciting an insurrection and attempting to illegally overthrow a democratic election.
A terrible time in American history which all began with Trump demonising Mexican immigrants and those from "shit hole countries" with language reminiscent of 1930s Germany.
EDIT: TO be clear, Sunk isn't Trump and we're some way off of that, but calling it out is fair game imo.
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