On 2006-May 29, at 19:46hrs PM, Russell McMahon wrote:

> To stay in the overall theme of this thread: I don't think
> Hitler himself killed a single person -- just like most other
> leaders, evil
> or not.
>

Uncertain. Not too important of course, but interesting. He personally
lead his people from the front during the 'raid' on the SA during the
'night of the long knives'. People dies, he was there and at the head
(physically and morally) of the 'troops' involved. He was guilty by
any normal judicial standards of the murder of consequent murder of
Rohm.
[ see below:   *personal bravery under fire*--- provisionally  
okay .... under what circumstances ?
Was Germany defending itself or being aggressive ?  Makes a  
difference to me
as to what cause a person pledges themselves to.  I feel *patriotism*  
is a bad thing.
blinding !!!.  *Love for his country*.  This is is a poorly  
understood phrase.  Love of
state ?  Love of dirt ?  Love of the people ?  Love of ????  I also  
do not admire charisma.
I only admire or detest the way in which it is used.  POD ]
FWIW Hitler was known for his personal bravery under fire. He was a
messenger in WW1 and known and liked for his bravery, willingness to
carry messengers to the front under the most extreme conditions, and
his willingness to volunteer to do messenger duties assigned to
others. That he lived is a miracle. Add to that an extreme patriotism
and genuine love for his country, almost perfect photographic memory,,
  inexplicable charisma in public speaking roles, and an ability to
fine tune a presentation to the feelings of a given group * and you
had the makings of a top leader. Add an utter hatred of one race and a
total conviction of the utter inferiority of several others and you
had a world scale disaster.



             Russell McMahon

* Is anyone UNABLE to see the attributes PRIOR to the asterisk as
admirable when taken in isolation? That was the basis for the question
re admirability.

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