enthalpy

Friday, July 19, 2002


Doing a little reading of 1933 German history, and it's eerily prophetic.
Hitler appointed Chancellor January 30, 1933 by president Hindenburg. February 27, 1933 the Reichstag burns, supposedly at the hands of a Dutch Communist, Marinus van der Lubbe. As a result, president Hindenburg and Hitler invoked Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution, which permitted the suspension of civil liberties during national emergencies. Some examples of this Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of the People and State abrogated the following constitutional protections:
  • Free expression of opinion
  • Freedom of the press
  • Right of assembly and association
  • Right to privacy of postal and electronic communications
  • Protection against unlawful searches and seizures
  • Individual property rights
  • States' right of self-government
In addition, federal police agencies, the SS (Special Security) and SA (Storm Troops), were created, along with the RHSA, the Reichshauptsicherheitamt, which roughly translates into "Main Office of Homeland Security."

Sound familiar?



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