Comments on: Wecken Sie Auf! http://larison.org/2006/10/31/wecken-sie-auf/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:04:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Grumpy Old Man http://larison.org/2006/10/31/wecken-sie-auf/#comment-4931 Tue, 31 Oct 2006 20:35:28 +0000 http://larison.org/2006/10/31/wecken-sie-auf/#comment-4931 I don't know whether your use of the German qualifies this post as an instance of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law" rel="nofollow">Godwin's Law</a>, nor whether irony takes an implied analogy outside the Law. That the <em>jihadi</em> threat is different from the Axis of 65+ years ago seems clear, even if some fascist ideas have found their way into both Arab nationalism (now passé) and contemporary <em>jihadi</em> ideology. The <a href="http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Gates of Vienna</a> reference seems more apt, although also imprecise. We do face real dangers, which are less serious in the immediate sense than the "WWIV" folks would have it, but may be more profound in the long run. No Iranian or Bolivian landing in New Jersey is in the cards, but our civilization is sick and literally sterile, while its enemies settle <em>en masse</em> in our cities. The Santorums are overheated and adventurist, while the opposition is blind and reluctant to resist at all. And today, of course, is the day of the hobgoblins. I don’t know whether your use of the German qualifies this post as an instance of Godwin’s Law, nor whether irony takes an implied analogy outside the Law.

That the jihadi threat is different from the Axis of 65+ years ago seems clear, even if some fascist ideas have found their way into both Arab nationalism (now passé) and contemporary jihadi ideology. The Gates of Vienna reference seems more apt, although also imprecise.

We do face real dangers, which are less serious in the immediate sense than the “WWIV” folks would have it, but may be more profound in the long run. No Iranian or Bolivian landing in New Jersey is in the cards, but our civilization is sick and literally sterile, while its enemies settle en masse in our cities. The Santorums are overheated and adventurist, while the opposition is blind and reluctant to resist at all.

And today, of course, is the day of the hobgoblins.

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