Posted by
peripheral on Saturday, June 06, 2009 6:37:27 AM
From My Perspective - - -
Historical Reflection - Adolph Hitler decided to seize power
constitutionally rather than by force of arms. Using demagogic oratory,
Hitler spoke to scores of mass audiences, calling for the German people
to resist the yoke of Jews and Communists, and to create a new empire
which would rule the world for 1,000 years. Hitler’s rise to power
promised “change” and “hope” for the German people. Hitler's Nazi party
captured 18% of the popular vote in the 1930 elections. In 1932, Hitler
ran for President and won 30% of the vote, forcing the eventual victor,
Paul von Hindenburg, into a runoff election. A political deal was made
to make Hitler chancellor in exchange for his political support. He was
appointed to that office in January 1933. Upon the death of Hindenburg
in August 1934, Hitler was the consensus successor. With an improving
economy, Hitler claimed credit and consolidated his position as a
dictator, having succeeded in eliminating challenges from other
political parties and government institutions. The German industrial
machine was built up in preparation for war. By 1937, he was
comfortable enough to put his master plan, as outlined in Mein Kampf,
into effect. Calling his top military aides together at the "FÅhrer
Conference" in November 1937, he outlined his plans for world
domination. Those who objected to the plan were dismissed. Hitler
ordered the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland in 1938. Hitler's
army invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, sparking France and England
to declare war on Germany. A Blitzkrieg (lightning war) of German tanks
and infantry swept through most of Western Europe as nation after
nation fell to the German war machine.
Today represents the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion of
Normandy, France by Allied Forces. A great invasion force stood off the
Normandy coast of France as dawn broke on 6 June 1944: 9 Battleships;
23 cruisers; 104 destroyers, and 71 large landing craft of various
descriptions as well as troop transports, and mine sweepers, the
largest Armada ever assembled. 160,000 Allied troops landed along a
50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi
Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D.
Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which ‘we will accept
nothing less than full victory.’ More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000
aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the
Allies gained a foot-hold in Normandy. The operation brought together
the land, air and sea forces of the allied armies in what became known
as the largest invasion force in human history. It was given the
codename OVERLORD, delivering five naval assault divisions to the
beaches of Normandy, France -Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno And Sword.
War Is Costly - People Get Wounded; Maimed; and Killed; Things Get
Broken and Destroyed. At Normandy, stands a wind-swept cemetery with
rows of white marble crosses on a bluff overlooking the Omaha landing
beach. It's an place that holds the remains of 9,387 Americans. Over
425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or went missing
during the Battle of Normandy. There are the countless thousands and
millions who suffered and died horribly in German Concentration Camps.
The Holocaust is a grim reminder to be remembered. War also causes some
sacrifice and infringement on the Liberty of all. World War II required
rationing (food; gasoline; etc.) and restriction; Blackouts and Air
Raid Wardens; Identification Tags for children in large city schools…
War Bonds were sold to raise finances for this nation.
In our own nation, “change” and “hope” has been proclaimed by a very
gifted orator. One change now is the appointment of Czars (15 so far)
to oversee the nation’s business, with authority to regulate how money
is distributed and how it will be used. A Czar is: “an autocratic ruler
or leader; any person exercising great authority or power in a
particular field.” Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) became concerned
enough to send a cautionary letter to Obama: “...The rapid and easy
accumulation of power by White House staff can threaten the
constitutional system of checks and balances…” Psalm 11:3 asks: “When
the foundations are destroyed (crumbling), what can the righteous do?"
The answer: Psalm 11:1 - “In the Lord I take refuge…” Psalm 11:4-7
states: “…The Lord is in His holy temple…the wicked and those who love
violence His soul hates…For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice;
upright men will see His face.” This is Real Hope!