Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Emile

(43,245 posts)
Tue Jan 13, 2026, 03:22 PM Jan 2026

If you ever wondered how Germans became Nazi's

you're seeing it firsthand with Renee Good's murder.

“The banality of evil.”

That famous concept coined by Hannah Arendt sprung from her studying the Nazis after The Holocaust. It stands for the proposition that everyday people can commit horrific acts. In her own words, the Nazi officer she studied was “neither perverted nor sadistic” but rather “terrifyingly normal.”

How do people or are otherwise “normal” become seduced to commit these crimes against humanity? She found this was due to a mix of factors such as conformity, people being lost and seeking purpose, nationalist fervor, propaganda, and fear.

Some have disagreed with Arendt’s view, but I believe she’s correct. And that is why what we are seeing with MAGA—especially after the murder of Renee Good by an ICE officer--is so deeply alarming.

Continued at:

https://deanobeidallah.substack.com/p/if-you-ever-wondered-how-germans

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
If you ever wondered how Germans became Nazi's (Original Post) Emile Jan 2026 OP
Hannah Arendt wrote the truth about Eichmann. Kid Berwyn Jan 2026 #1
It's amazing how right-wingers are justifying deadly Emile Jan 2026 #3
Every day, Hannah Arendt becomes more and more important. Kid Berwyn Jan 2026 #5
Absolutely correct. cilla4progress Jan 2026 #2
I used to, not anymore dem4decades Jan 2026 #4
I am nervous LetMyPeopleVote Jan 2026 #6
So am I. Emile Jan 2026 #7

Kid Berwyn

(25,073 posts)
1. Hannah Arendt wrote the truth about Eichmann.
Tue Jan 13, 2026, 03:25 PM
Jan 2026

"I was only following orders."

Thus today, ss long as "one's superiors" are telling you it's OK to do NAZI, it's OK to NAZI.

Kid Berwyn

(25,073 posts)
5. Every day, Hannah Arendt becomes more and more important.
Tue Jan 13, 2026, 05:03 PM
Jan 2026
The Power of Non-Reconciliation – Arendt’s Judgment of Adolf Eichmann

by Roger Berkowitz

Excerpt...

Eichmann must hang, Arendt argues, neither because he broke the law, nor merely as a setting right of the scales of justice through revenge. He must hang, instead, because no human being must be expected to share the earth with him. He must hang, in other words, because what he did was so horrific that it must simply be rejected, eradicated, and said no to. This does not mean it should be forgotten, not at all. Rather, the world in which Eichmann's crimes could and did happen must simply be said no to. In short, Eichmann must hang because his crimes are irreconcilable with a civilized world.

Continues...

Source: https://www.hannaharendt.net/index.php/han/article/view/11/8.

To get rid of the NAZI, we must get rid of all NAZIs -- including the ones in our government.

cilla4progress

(26,526 posts)
2. Absolutely correct.
Tue Jan 13, 2026, 03:27 PM
Jan 2026

Reminds me of hearing Jeffrey Dahmer - a cannibal murderer from Chicago in the 1980s - speak. I thought his voice would sound like a demon. But instead, it sounded as normal as the grocery store bagger.

Chilling.

Kick in to the DU tip jar?

This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.

As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.

Tell me more...

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»If you ever wondered how ...