Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Floyd R. Turbo

(32,976 posts)
Sat Apr 4, 2026, 09:28 AM Saturday

Watching Nuremberg last evening reminded me of this: "A Political Warning from the Past"

Decades after a U.S. Army psychiatrist who studied the Nazis predicted a threat to American democracy, we should remember his fears when we vote.

Psychiatrist and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Douglas M. Kelley returned home in 1946 after spending six months studying the most loathsome of the captured German leaders after World War II. I tell his full story in my book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.

He was afraid. Kelley, who had served among the prisoners as a staff physician at the Nuremberg jail before and during the celebrated international tribunal that charged 22 top Nazis with war crimes and crimes against humanity, didn’t fear for the fate of Germany or Europe. He agonized over the future of America.

https://www.el-hai.com/blog/2014/11/03/a-political-warning-from-the-past.html

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Watching Nuremberg last evening reminded me of this: "A Political Warning from the Past" (Original Post) Floyd R. Turbo Saturday OP
Anyone who echoes my famous sigline gets kudos from me. Kudos, Floyd R. Turbo! hlthe2b Saturday #1
Thank you! Floyd R. Turbo Saturday #2
At the No Kings rally last weekend I saw several signs that said: Ocelot II Saturday #4
Kick SheltieLover Saturday #3
Thank you SL! Floyd R. Turbo Saturday #6
Ty for posting, Floyd! SheltieLover Saturday #9
My pleasure! Floyd R. Turbo Saturday #14
Kelley eventually committed suicide. Ocelot II Saturday #5
As I understand it he was an alcoholic prone to violent outbursts and suffered from severe abdominal problems. Floyd R. Turbo Saturday #7
But did he become alcoholic and unstable as a result of analyzing Nazis? Ocelot II Saturday #8
Who wouldn't? SheltieLover Saturday #10
Saw Nuremberg last night as well. yorkster Saturday #11
Yep! Floyd R. Turbo Saturday #12
I get depressed knowing that we will no longer hold war criminals accountable. LeftInTX Saturday #13
You're not the only one!🤬 Floyd R. Turbo Saturday #15

hlthe2b

(114,069 posts)
1. Anyone who echoes my famous sigline gets kudos from me. Kudos, Floyd R. Turbo!
Sat Apr 4, 2026, 09:31 AM
Saturday

And yes, that was a great movie that should have gotten more theater attention, but hopefully Gen Z and Millennials (especially) will see it now.

Ocelot II

(130,696 posts)
4. At the No Kings rally last weekend I saw several signs that said:
Sat Apr 4, 2026, 09:46 AM
Saturday

"DO I HAVE TO REPEAT MYSELF?" - History

Ocelot II

(130,696 posts)
5. Kelley eventually committed suicide.
Sat Apr 4, 2026, 09:49 AM
Saturday

I have to wonder whether studying Göring and the other Nazis and the realization that they were "normal" and not insane, and that the same kind of people were everywhere, was the cause.

Floyd R. Turbo

(32,976 posts)
7. As I understand it he was an alcoholic prone to violent outbursts and suffered from severe abdominal problems.
Sat Apr 4, 2026, 09:53 AM
Saturday

Ocelot II

(130,696 posts)
8. But did he become alcoholic and unstable as a result of analyzing Nazis?
Sat Apr 4, 2026, 09:56 AM
Saturday

If I had to sit with Trump and analyze him for weeks I'd probably lose my shit, too.

yorkster

(3,858 posts)
11. Saw Nuremberg last night as well.
Sat Apr 4, 2026, 10:40 AM
Saturday

Flipped to Netflix and there it was.
Excellent film. Impossible not be mentally
doing a grim, present-day checklist as events before and during the war were portrayed.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Watching Nuremberg last e...