Rick Steves’ newest PBS show, “The Story of Fascism in Europe” was previewed at the Egyptian Theatre recently. It chillingly recounts the step-by-step process that destroyed liberal democracy, and millions of lives, in Europe in the 1930s and ’40s, and it left viewers re-examining current trends in present-day politics of lies, confrontation and polarization in our society.
The audience came away reminded of how charismatic, flamboyant political leadership then pitted people against each other, laid blame by creating enemies within, and played to people’s fears and wants by oversimplification of solutions to complex issues. The gradual process of eliminating the checks and balances of liberal democracy crept up on people while they were hoping leaders’ promises would come true for them personally—and then it was too late.
“The Story of Fascism in Europe” runs on KCTS at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, and at several other times through November. It should not be missed by thinking people who are even vaguely aware that history, in fact, can repeat itself.
Jeffrey D. Krida, Port Townsend
Note from KBJ: When I read this letter, I thought of Barack Hussein Obama.
