Tim Mannello

Williamsport

As you may know, Brian Sacks was a comedian and writer known for his creativity. Brian died in 2014. Hoodie was one of Sack’s characters. Together they were said to live on Pumpernickel Boulevard, a humorous backdrop that was supposed to reflect the quirkiness of life. Hoodie was a kind of Everyman who always found himself in absurd situations to which he responded with humor and insight.

In 2014, the year Sack died, I wrote: “If you are ever tempted to compare someone with whom you disagree to Hitler, you might want to remember this little ditty which Brian Sack taught “Hoodie” on Pumpernickel Boulevard:

“If you did not cause a global war, you’re not Hitler.

If you’re not a brilliant orator, you’re not Hitler.

If you did not perpetrate genocide, didn’t shoot your brand new bride, didn’t have your body burned outside, you’re not Hitler. (Actually Eva Braun committed suicide with Hitler by taking cyanide the day after she married him)

If you didn’t shoot yourself in the head, you’re not Hitler.

If you didn’t leave millions dead, you’re not Hitler.

If you didn’t overrule the military brass and let the allies kick your ass, did not start World War II, did not massacre the Jews, you’re not Hitler.”

As our little puppet friend “Hoodie” summed up this lesson: “”Oh, you mean comparing someone you dislike to Hitler just shows you know nothing about history and makes illogical and fallacious comparisons because you don’t know how to argue rationally.”

Exactly…and, by the way, the same goes for Mao Tse-Tung and Stalin.

The story bears repeating at least once every 10 years. So… Trump is not Hitler. He’s not even Viktor Orban…yet. As Trump told a conservative Turning Point crowd in West Palm Beach, Fla. on July 26, 2024: “Four more years, you know what? It’ll be fixed, it’ll be fine. You won’t have to vote anymore.” I can just hear Hoodie telling us from his grave: “Don’t say he didn’t tell ya.”