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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDocumentarian Ken Burns warned Trump's rise would be 'Hitler-esque'--here's what else he predicted
...He (Trump) represents the greatest threat to American democracy since the Second World War. He is so fundamentally un-American... Ken Burns on Donald Trump, 2016 Variety Interview
The above quote is by award-winning filmmaker and documentarian Ken Burns. Millions have enjoyed his many acclaimed films on PBS. Some of those documentaries include The Civil War, The Central Park Five, The Roosevelts, The Vietnam War, College Behind Bars, Jazz, , Baseball, Country Music, Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony and Unforgivable Blackness. To date, Burns, 66, has made over 30 historical films/documentaries.
In a Variety interview in 2016, Ken Burns discussed a work-in-progress called, Defying the Nazis. During the discussion, Burns was asked by Variety writer Brett Lang why he had become so outspoken about Donald Trump, who had not yet been elected president. Here are some excerpts from that interview with foreboding accuracy by Burns as to what would happen if Trump took office.
Why have you been so publicly opposed to Donald Trump?
I have never in my professional life ever spoken out in this way. I certainly have my own opinions and have a yard sign at elections and make sure I vote. But I spoke out because he represents the greatest threat to American democracy since the Second World War. He is so fundamentally un-American, and not only because he is unqualified, but because he is mentally unsuited. He represents a kind of strong man, narcissistic thing that represents the potential death of the Republic. All of my films are about the United States and all of them are about trying to understand how it works and how it doesnt work, and I just felt compelled to speak out.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/2/16/1919687/-Documentarian-Ken-Burns-warned-Trump-s-rise-would-be-Hitler-esque-here-s-what-else-he-predicted?detail=emaildkre
spanone
(135,844 posts)K&R
bronxiteforever
(9,287 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Horrifying, but he's right.
lpbk2713
(42,759 posts)Thank you for making yourself heard Ken.
mountain grammy
(26,624 posts)cstanleytech
(26,295 posts)the Republicans had better remove him sooner rather than later as if they wait to long then a number of them might end up participating as victims in a reenactment of the Night of the Long Knives.
Not to mention as defendants in trials after his eventual fall should they go along with similar things that happened in Germany later on.
misanthrope
(7,418 posts)Maybe the dichotomy between rural and urban sensibilities but not the severe economic deprivations and general sense that the entire nation was on the verge of collapse.
cstanleytech
(26,295 posts)of the House and later the Senate as well as Trump could not have risen to power had they not enabled it.
lonely bird
(1,687 posts)Rather the Weimar Germany of beaten down pride of one group. In Germany the selected boogeyman was the Jew. Here, Trump selected anyone not white as the reason for this American Carnage. Simply the use of the other.
CaptYossarian
(6,448 posts)At the end was a Q & A session and it was then that we found out she either didn't write it--or she was a lousy impromptu speaker. Each of her answers were variations of "Just vote for Democrats and you'll see why." It was equivalent to a third grader's "Cuz".
She was then followed by Ken Burns, equally eloquent in his speech, but absolutely nailed the Q & A session. No notes, no flip charts, never referred to his speech. A consummate pro who defended his ideology with grace, humor, and plenty of facts.
I was actually embarrassed for Streisand.
Botany
(70,516 posts)And all those republicans in the senate who let Trump off are now culpable for his crimes.
Evolve Dammit
(16,743 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... cheat in any upcoming elections like Trump in both situations.
Hitler, like Trump, used new technology like airplanes to get around to retail politics and the radio to get his message out to Nazi cult members.
America right now has less excuses than the German populous circa 1930 cause Hitler actually won his 37 - 42% support in the German parliament by ground pounding and getting a Future focused racist message out to the German populous.
Trump didn't win the US election with his 37% base seeing it was Russian backed 3rd party candidates in the 5 swing states along with voter suppression (two things we know factually happened) that swung those Republican led states electoral votes to him.
misanthrope
(7,418 posts)and have dreams of being an artist. Nor did Trump earn field commendations for bravery in the military during a horrific world war (WWI). Nor did Trump help form a political movement and work hard for its headway. Nor did Trump have Hitler's oratorical gifts or the ability to write his own book.
As terrible as it is to say about such a monster, Hitler's rise was more a product of his own determination and cunning. Trump started at home plate and never left there.
Their similarities come in their fondness for autocracy, fascistic leanings and their racism.
Arthur_Frain
(1,853 posts)For reasons that should be obvious. This is where education comes in, and it has nothing to do with elitism. Ken Burns has made a lifetime out of the study of America, from various perspectives. Life experience qualifications.
Other names that spring to mind:
Carl Sagan
Neil DeGrasse Tyson
A. Lincoln
All folks who are capable of saying it far better and more pithy than can I.
malaise
(269,054 posts)dalton99a
(81,516 posts)crickets
(25,981 posts)more about our country and its culture and history than many of us have ever learned, though he is not a formal historian. Heartfelt K&R for the OP as well as the discussion.
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,350 posts)Burns and crew got the memories of some survivors of the dust bowl on record while they were / are still with us.
HAB911
(8,904 posts)Stuart G
(38,436 posts)denbot
(9,900 posts)Spot on.
cilla4progress
(24,736 posts)all along.
What is WRONG with those who support him??! More in the wealth class than is discussed. They are using working class MAGATs to do their dirty work.
Burns' mention of civil war is chilling...
VOX
(22,976 posts)...than to see what you share in common.
In a nutshell. Thank you, Mr. Burns.
blakstoneranger
(333 posts)I read a book he wrote called "vietnam" or "War" can't remember. It was a good read though.