"I Kinda Respect Hitler"

My in-laws were in town for the past week. We went out to dinner and over margaritas that's what my sister in law said. "I kind of respect Hitler. I have no problem with him. I don't understand what the big deal is."

Um, WTF!? For some reason I was shushed from expressing my opinion. (Maybe because I was only having iced tea and wasn't drinking margaritas?) My husband and his cousin shushed me and took over trying to explain "what the big deal with Hitler is."

I was astonished that anyone could honestly believe this kind of nonsense. The thing is, this person, whom I love as my own sister, is walking around thinking that Hitler wasn't such a bad guy, that he wasn't allowed to be an artist, so that makes it all ok. Oh, and that the systematic extermination of anyone non-Aryan didn't really happen.

One person, who she didn't name, told her these things. And she just believed them, letting that person's skewed view of reality overwrite anything she might have learned in school or over time.

Even after we talked to her about how evil he was, she wouldn't budge. The next day, even without margaritas, she said she still didn't see what the big deal was.

Ok, I'm not totally obsessed with Hitler. She brought him up in conversation, not me. I just went apoplectic that anyone could so pointedly skew reality to suit their narrow worldview based on one person's opinion.

But doesn't this happen all the time, everywhere? People watch TV, someone suggests something that seems plausible and the next day they are talking about it over coffee as if it's cold hard fact. It's so easy to do.

I don't claim to be perfect either. I make mistakes all the time. I have a tendency to be gullible when talking to someone. Usually common sense and reason prevail after I have time to think about it. But even then, it's natural to want to believe people, especially if you trust them for other things.

I just signed up for some new podcasts yesterday. I like to listen to people talk while I'm cooking or washing dishes. (I know, I'm weird). I signed up for Skeptoid and The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe. (both through iTunes). Critical thinking is so important, but I don't think it's really that natural, at least not to me.

This is a big step up for me, one that I'm really enjoying. I was listening to a morning radio show for the longest time. But I got really tired of them and thought, there's got to be good intellectual podcasts out there.

Of course, I also listen to our very own Hess, The Feeble Lance. :P But I wanted a variety of intellectual opinions and information. Because you can't get all your needs met from just one source.

Ok, I just wanted to share this with you. It was too bizarre to keep to myself. Now I have to go get ready to take my motorcycle safety course today, tomorrow and Sunday. Wish me luck! :D