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In today’s fractured environment, extraordinary historical events can be overlooked due to a narrow focus and concentration on present difficulties. To add perspective, it is often a good idea to consider historical precedents and outcomes. On June 6, 1944, one of the most closely-guarded secrets of the 20th century, a massive invasion of Nazi-occupied France during World War II signaled the beginning of the end for that reprehensible and immoral regime.
A united Allied armed force of over 160,000 troops, more than 5,000 ships and landing craft, augmented by over 11,000 aircraft and paratroops, crossed the English Channel to challenge Hitler’s “Atlantic Wall.” Codenamed “Operation Overlord,” the invasion, on that date known as D-Day, was an international response to an advancing tide of brutal authoritarianism and hyper nationalism that elevated political party, phony patriotism and ideologues over freedom and respect for humanity throughout the world.
June 6, 2023 was the 79th anniversary of this momentous event that altered the tide of the war, signaling the resolve and resistance to indifference, deference and mass hysteria stoked by emotional tirades blaming “others” for domestic problems and financial woes. Celebrated on the heels of Memorial Day, the anniversary of D-Day is also a time for deep reflection of the cost of immersion in self-righteous pity and what it should mean to those who inherit the mantle of democracy from what was called “The Greatest Generation.” They fought – many severely injured or killed – to halt the madness of a world torn apart by selfishness, distrust, fear and hate. Allied countries were united in their response, concentrating on the singular goal of reversing the insidious lure of populist nationalism.
Similar patterns emerge in cycles over time. A well-known quote of philosopher George Santayana (1863-1952), “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”, is once again emblematic of our current circumstance. Mass hysteria over nationalism, combined with fear of others, simmering for decades, has emerged to engulf countries around the globe including our own. Propaganda and warfare have evolved to distort and shape perceptions without overt military tactics. As a result, influence is often subtle, yet potent and effective.
A corollary to Santayana’s quote could be that those who aspire to succeed in politics without due attention to prior fascist dictators are doomed to repeat the patterns that bred them. In their quest for status and power, many politicians, who begin a career with the best of intentions and a righteous cause, are corrupted by a system that rewards adherence or studied ignorance of misdeeds and bad behavior.
Escalation through the political ranks is isolating as sycophantic staff and broadening constituent boundaries remove the elected from those being represented and reality. As internal ethical controls are tested by this process, decisions without clear moral definitions further alienate the elected from electors and egotistical factors multiply to exaggerate and engulf personality. From this point, it is a short journey to entitlement and self-aggrandizement. In short… dictatorial behavior. The emperor may have lost his/her clothes, but few will say a word!
As demonstrated through historical accounts, behavior of this sort has been repeated endlessly and threatens each generation. It is through appreciation of this process and constant vigilance of those malignantly-inclined to vigorously pursue fame, fortune and power that a modicum of control can be exerted. D-Day was a defining moment in a long, arduous campaign that ultimately damped the fires of nationalistic fervor. Was the insurrection of January 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol our internal D-Day?
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