Beware dangerous leaders

I have just finished reading a small, 126-page book titled “On Tyranny — Twenty Lessons From The Twentieth Century” written by Timothy Snyder, a professor of history at Yale. Professor Snyder in 20 short chapters relates the Jingoism used by extreme nationalists in that century to take control of their government and then to control the thoughts and minds of the people without debate — the very people they are supposed to lead as free citizens. Foremost among them were men like Adolf Hitler. Such authoritarians still exist today as professor Snyder clearly points out.

His book is a warning that such leaders, as we now seem to have, can lead our citizens to losing control of our sacred freedom if people are not vigilant to know it all narcissistic extremists and their minions. Professor Snyder mentions no names. To combat extremism of leadership he exhorts readers “to contribute to good causes”; “be alert to words of extremism and terrorism”; “be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic vocabulary.” Stand up to good causes, “like Rosa Parks.” And, more good words of wisdom.

I’ll end my letter by quoting the late Albert Einstein, the mathematical genius who escaped Nazism and helped America and its allies win out against ruthless leaders in the last century. “Any nonsense can attain importance by virtue of being believed by millions of people.” — Marvin Cohen Hamden