Resist, eggheads! Universities are not as weak as they have chosen to be.

Opinion: It's time for public resistance.

See full article...

 

[marsiglio]

Thank you Ars - silence is compliance.

 

[Da Xiang]

Viva la resistance! I scrounged up $25 too!

 

[mpfaff]

Biden won by 7 million votes, despite being fairly moderate, far too old, and exceedingly boring.

I like Bernie very much but plainly not everyone needs to be exciting and fringe.

For some it's good. For some it's a turn off.

COVID killed Trump's election chances. People were off work, people were dying, and the leader of the country went out every day and whined at reporters how mean they were being about it. Any Democrat would have beaten Trump in 2020.

By 2024 a lot of America had forgotten how much of a fuckup Trump was, inflation hurt American families, and the Democrats were forced to replay 1968's election thanks to Biden not dropping out in time to run a primary.

 

[Hmnhntr]

There's a song from my youth that I think is germane here. The important lyrics:

"Yes it's fucking political
Everything's political"

By all means, in normal times you can separate party politics from other ventures, but even then every action is political to a degree. In times like this there's no way to even pretend to separate politics.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEpjiSVXzDo

It's important to remember that politics isn't some abstract thing that only comes up every few years. It's literally what shapes the life of every person in the country. It's literally what defines is what our country even is.

The only people who feel otherwise are those privileged enough to never feel the edges of the system.

 

[internetomancer]

COVID killed Trump's election chances. People were off work, people were dying, and the leader of the country went out every day and whined at reporters how mean they were being about it. Any Democrat would have beaten Trump in 2020.

By 2024 a lot of America had forgotten how much of a fuckup Trump was, inflation hurt American families, and the Democrats were forced to replay 1968's election thanks to Biden not dropping out in time to run a primary.

Yes, in general I think people spend a lot of time asking themselves what they did wrong, when most of it is external factors, like global inflation or the weird sex appeal of electing a dictator.

 

[Hmnhntr]

Biden won by 7 million votes, despite being fairly moderate, far too old, and exceedingly boring.

I like Bernie very much but plainly not everyone needs to be exciting and fringe.

For some it's good. For some it's a turn off.

He only won because Trump really screwed up in obvious ways very recently at the time.

Why did Kamala lose? Was her campaign of staying Biden's course 'too extreme'? Or did she push a milquetoast message that demotivated Democrats and missed pushing messaging on issues that people on the fence actually cared about?

 

[Hmnhntr]

I support Israel. Even now. The people of Gaza voted for Hamas and these are the consequences. The people of the US voted for Trump and these are the consequences.

There are similarities between the situations, but I think you miss the obvious. The Ars staff, as much as I got disagree strongly on many topics, are not antisemites as you imply. They favor democracy, even in ways I might feel are naive. Probably you would agree. But there’s a big difference between naïveté and malice.

So you support internationally recognized war crimes against an ethnic group the current leader has called "dogs" and said have no place in the country, because of an election older than the average member of that ethnic group.

And you think you have the moral high ground here? The things that makes me want to say might get me another ban, so instead please imagine a stream of derisive, humorless laughter echoing into infinity.

 

[dkazaz]

I’ e lived though a situation like this in another country. People never realise what’s happening until it’s done.

 

[Hmnhntr]

I can only speak for myself but I think you're accurately describing my point of view, at least partially. I had specific reasons for voting for Trump and he has delivered on them. And these reasons were not unreasonable or "fascist". That doesn't mean I like everything that's happening. I probably agree with much of what this article is saying, and am incredibly uncomfortable with some of what this article says about what this admin is doing.

But I think folks need to think about how we got here, and why we got here. Trump is a reaction to something. I didn't vote for him in 2016 but I did this time and there's a reason for that. You're right, Trump is a chaos agent, and I honestly think a bit of chaos may not be a bad thing, but I know that's a dangerous game. I was willing to roll the dice, because I thought the circumstances warranted it. And I understand that many disagree with that calculus and that's fine. Ask me how I feel about my vote in 4 years.

I'll just end with saying - and this isn't directed at you Aurich, and this is just my opinion - that I think it's unproductive to write off Trump supporters as fascist, or write off 70% or even 50% of the country as this name or that name. (And I feel the same way when Republicans do similar things with different names.) Circling the wagons may be the smart move now, but long term I think it's important to realize that the things in this article don't fall on deaf ears to all Trump supporters.

So...you're an idiot? You voted for the guy saying "I'm a fascist, I am going to do fascist things, I love fascists, so please come out and vote for me, other fascists" because he would "disrupt the system"?

What specific things did you want him to do that he has done? What did you think was going to happen? Are you surprised by Trump's actions? Even my die-hard, religious fundamentalist conservative friend couldn't conscience a vote for Trump because it was obvious what he was going to do. So did you seriously not see this coming, or was dismantling our democracy just an acceptable side-effect of getting some piece of policy you wanted?

You want to not be judged? Give us a reason not to.

 

[Ardrid]

I think he's joking.

Says every delusional Orange Turd voter. You all claim it's just jokes or that you're the ones who can really decipher the stream of lies coming out of his mouth. You ppl truly are a lost cause. And, yes, I'm more than content labeling the 30% of the country who voted for this fascist shit show as such and throwing them in the trash where they belong.

 

[Deleted member 1083584]

They aren't though. There's no evidence of ANY of these claims. It's just the administration's word. Why do you trust Trump? What, in the depths of his behavior patterns, says "trustworthy" to you? I'm genuinely curious.

And, tell me this. In what material way has your life improved in the last 100 days?

You! Stop taking their bait.

THERE IS EXACTLY ONE CORRECT TACTIC WHEN DEALING WITH ABUSERS:

CUT
THEM
OFF

When you can’t even spay a sad little shitposter on the internet, how the fuck are you going to castrate the most powerful abuser on the planet in 562 days’ time?

Sort your own shit out, people. /concision

 

[Deleted member 1083584]

Really feels like America is facing it's Khmer Rouge moment.

I'm boycottimg all American companies, and was consequently about to cancel my Ars subscription, but this article has changed my mind in this case.

Kmart Rouge. With Pol Potty atop.

Blanket cancelling is a performative self-own. Make your own money talk.

Please maintain your Ars sub, and give American organizations that speak out and act against the Fascist Party of America your ongoing support too!

 

[Amiga4000T]

Thank you for this article, Ars!

I wish other newpapers could speak out like this!

 

[forkspoon]

Of those who voted, 49,8% voted Trump, 48,3% voted Harris.
Total turnout: 64,1%

The way the math maths, that boils down to is roughly 33% Nazi, 31% Anything But Nazi, and 36% No Fucks Given.
Those are the facts, and that boils down to some 70% either nazi or not caring either way.
69% if you want to pick nits.

Ridiculous or not, that is indeed what happened. Calling it "reductionist" and "fake" is by now an extraordinary claim.

It's not doomerist to assert fact. It's just pointing to a situation so bleak it's doubtful it's fixable by regular means unless the gang of Felon 47 keeps making enough mistakes as to light a fire under the 36% who couldn't be arsed to vote.

You clearly recognize and care about the severity of the current fascist threat, but you have mixed some stats with a rushed conclusion, and called the resulting amalgam “fact”.

Notice that not-voting is distinct from “no fucks given”. There is ample documentation on the American barriers to voting, if you seek it out.

Notice also that your rush to a stark and definite conclusion has left you feeling neigh fatalistic. Revisit the steps of your process as carefully as the stakes require. It will take longer, but in the end you will be empowered twice over: less life-sapping fatalism, and a more substantiated point of view.

 

[MathExtremist]

There is indeed a lot of lecturing going on. It’s okay, there’s a lot of passion.

I’m going to probably skip engaging much on it, but I just want to note that I am still reading, and when people are popping up to say they’re subscribing still it’s noticed and appreciated.

I think the response to this piece is something we’ll be talking about internally.

Ars has many readers with advanced education who recognize the value of that education. I certainly do, the rigor I learned while earning my CS degree has served me well during subsequent decades. The attacks on Columbia and Harvard touched a nerve because deep down, people realize that the pursuit of knowledge is a basic human need. All children are curious, the ones who maintain that curiosity into adulthood are the inventors, authors, artists, engineers, researchers and scientists through whom all progress flows. Repressing that curiosity, creativity, and pursuit of knowledge is not just a flawed policy, it is offensive to the human condition. It's also offensive to the U.S. Constitution which expressly recites the power of Congress to "promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts."

Your educated readers have each invested years of effort and tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in obtaining those educations, so what is especially galling is Trump's own lack of education on so many topics. You would never choose a self-styled doctor who demonstrates an ignorance of medicine, and you would be right to refuse to allow that "doctor" to operate on you even if your neighbors overwhelmingly voted for you to do so. Yet we have Trump, elected with less than 50% of the vote, repeatedly demonstrating his utter ignorance of the role he was hired to perform.

"Many, many people come from the Congo. I don’t know what that is."
-- Donald J. Trump, April 18, 2025
https://www.africanews.com/2025/04/18/trump-sparks-backlash-after-remarking-about-congo/

"As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
-- H.L. Mencken, July 26, 1920
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-hl-mencken-article-26/21831908/?locale=en-US

The just power of government flows solely from the consent of the governed. At what point do those that have invested in bettering themselves, their neighbors, and their nation through education withdraw our consent to be governed by a faithless fabulist fool?

 

[forkspoon]

The craziest part about this whole thing is that people actually voted for this. Twice (or three times, depending on your POV). You had a giant flashing red flag, and you still ran towards it.

If the midterms don't overwhelmingly swing blue, and if Trump isn't subsequently impeached and removed, I will absolutely be leaving this country.

I won’t tell you that leaving isn’t an option, and potentially the right one for you and/or your family, as well as uncountable others. However, human nature is such that the “red flag” you mentioned is not salient to everyone. Many are not even looking in the relevant direction.

We hear about the price of eggs from a reality TV president because bread and circuses is a powerful and ancient form of (de facto) mass subjugation.

 

[acefsw]

Says every delusional Orange Turd voter. You all claim it's just jokes or that you're the ones who can really decipher the stream of lies coming out of his mouth. You ppl truly are a lost cause. And, yes, I'm more than content labeling the 30% of the country who voted for this fascist shit show as such and throwing them in the trash where they belong.

I wonder if the poster you replied to thinks the statements below were jokes? These statements clearly show that Trump is an authoritarian and narcissist, using the same language and tactics of every dictator since time immemorial.

Trump:

"We pledge to you that we will root out the Communists, Marxists, fascists, and the radical-left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country, that lie and steal and cheat on elections … The threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous, and grave than the threat from within. Our threat is from within."

"I am your warrior. I am your justice. And for those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution."

"The United States is an occupied country."

"I think it [deportation of immigrants] should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by the National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military."

"I am the only one who can save this nation."

"I felt then and believe even more so now that my life was saved for a reason: I was saved by God to make America great again."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...showerhead-administrative-procedure/105170714

 

[masterconfusor]

Thank you for this article. Sometimes i feel there is this eery quiet in the us media about the situation. Also oddly I think there is a huge chance here, as the fight against an intrusive government is in a way part of what this government proposes, ie fighting against the deep state, using their own weapons so to say. I wish you good luck with that!

 

[Aurich]

The problem with these even existing in 2025 is that all of this information and training and learning can happen for free. You can store a house full of books on a thumb drive these days. There are videos on everything and write ups for anything you can think of. The problem with these places existing is that not everyone can attend...actually for most of them most people cannot. For the same reason there are so many doctors who accept kick backs...they really limit who can do this.

I'm not clear on how more information to teach yourself if you're so inclined or motivated alleviates the usefulness of schools.

I'm an autodidact, I tend to do much better learning on my own, at my own speed. I adore the access now to so much knowledge and techniques. I absorb a ridiculous amount of YouTube content on a range of topics. And yet, having professors and classmates has been extremely useful for my growth and education also.

It's not a binary choice. Don't go to college, teach yourself, by all means. That's not a path for everyone.

 

[David Mayer]

Which is literally page one of the fascist dictator playbook.

Then what is taxpayer money for? It sure as fuck isn't for buying billionaires even more billions.

Now if the government were to begin charging people with crimes because they don't agree with government policy, then that would definitely make Trump a dictator.

Already happening.

So I might have missed it, but in the instances I've seen, it looks like the government isn't bothering with the charges, trials, or anything inconvenient like that.

 

[internetomancer]

He only won because Trump really screwed up in obvious ways very recently at the time.

Why did Kamala lose? Was her campaign of staying Biden's course 'too extreme'? Or did she push a milquetoast message that demotivated Democrats and missed pushing messaging on issues that people on the fence actually cared about?

Inflation mostly. Which largely screwed incumbents around the world.

https://apnews.com/article/global-e...nts-defeated-c80fbd4e667de86fe08aac025b333f95

https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/09/09/issues-and-the-2024-election/

 

[MathExtremist]

The problem with these even existing in 2025 is that all of this information and training and learning can happen for free. You can store a house full of books on a thumb drive these days. There are videos on everything and write ups for anything you can think of. The problem with these places existing is that not everyone can attend...actually for most of them most people cannot. For the same reason there are so many doctors who accept kick backs...they really limit who can do this.

False. While reading can generally happen for free, experimental science or engineering cannot. Drug development cannot be done for free just by reading a book. You may be able to catch up to the cutting edge in a given science simply by reading, but you cannot advance it -- except perhaps in pure mathematics.

Regeneron's monoclonal antibody cocktail was partly funded by the U.S. government and it saved Trump's life in 2020 when he caught COVID-19. It is the height of irony for Trump to slash federal funding for drug research that, if not for its prior funding, Trump would not have been alive to consider slashing in the first place. And every single one of the doctors and researchers who developed those drugs and treated Trump learned what they learned at colleges and universities. Not from reading books on a thumb drive.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/us/politics/trump-coronavirus.html
https://investor.regeneron.com/news...v2-antibody-cocktail-reduced-viral-levels-and

 

[David Mayer]

Of those who voted, 49,8% voted Trump, 48,3% voted Harris.
Total turnout: 64,1%

The way the math maths, that boils down to is roughly 33% Nazi, 31% Anything But Nazi, and 36% No Fucks Given.
Those are the facts, and that boils down to some 70% either nazi or not caring either way.
69% if you want to pick nits.

Ridiculous or not, that is indeed what happened. Calling it "reductionist" and "fake" is by now an extraordinary claim.

It's not doomerist to assert fact. It's just pointing to a situation so bleak it's doubtful it's fixable by regular means unless the gang of Felon 47 keeps making enough mistakes as to light a fire under the 36% who couldn't be arsed to vote.

If you want to define NAZI as anyone who voted for Trump fine. That's a perfectly valid way to look at it and I can understand why you'd want to define it, it certainly has its appeal . But when defined that way, it is no longer a useful term. Separating Trump voters into different categories is useful. Because the reality is, they are not a monolith. Some may be reachable and convertible, many of them were not exposed to, didn't believe, or didn't understand the evidence that Trump is a NAZI. Others may be a threat to your safety if you're a member of a targeted group and you look at them the wrong way. Having vocabulary to differentiate between these two groups of people would be a good thing. And maybe, calling the former group a NAZIs, is a great way to get them to ignore you and anyone trying to reach them.

 

[David Mayer]

I'm not clear on how more information to teach yourself if you're so inclined or motivated alleviates the usefulness of schools.

I'm an autodidact, I tend to do much better learning on my own, at my own speed. I adore the access now to so much knowledge and techniques. I absorb a ridiculous amount of YouTube content on a range of topics. And yet, having professors and classmates has been extremely useful for my growth and education also.

It's not a binary choice. Don't go to college, teach yourself, by all means. That's not a path for everyone.

You have the patience of a saint.

 

[David Mayer]

Lies.
What do you do when terrorist fighters set up hq in the OR?
When they fire rockets at my family from the home of theirs?
When they stash the rockets under a mosque?
I'm heart broken about the more than 50000 dead. Children, elders, a life is a life. I wish we didn't have to bomb and kill any of them. When you wage war from inside the population, when you're on tv saying "the death of our people is the lifeblood of our resistance", when you say "the bomb shelters are for the resistance, it's the international organizations that are responsible for our civilians" - the deaths are on you.
I wish they'd live and us live. Right now, after 7.10, I don't want these barbarian murderers on my borders.

What do you do when terrorist fighters set up hq in the OR?
When they fire rockets at my family from the home of theirs?
When they stash the rockets under a mosque?

Why are you so sure those things are happening on an appreciable scale? Because people you trust told you so. Why do you trust those people so much about something so important?

 

[David Mayer]

Too many comments to read them all. Those I have read are mostly of the knee jerk reactionary variety.

It's really the fault of the voters. They keep electing politicians who want to borrow and spend our way out of debt. The US government is $36 Trillion+ in debt. The interest payments are paid with borrowed money. Now state and federal governments are spending at the rate of $150 billion/year to deal with the illegal immigrant situation. This is clearly a result of the Biden/Harris policy of open borders.

That DJ Trump was elected is entirely the fault of a Democratic party that seems unable to field a viable candidate with sensible policies. Now their grand strategy seems to be rally the faithful against the opponent. The latest poster child is a foreign citizen that has left a trail of smoke across the US.

Adolph Hitler came to power during the great depression because people were unhappy with the status quo. Both democrat and republican politicians are busy setting the stage for history to repeat itself. We have a bloated bureaucracy and system of government that cannot be sustained financially. Small wonder that Trump and many of his policies have appeal.

That DJ Trump was elected is entirely the fault of a Democratic party

I think the fault lies with the people who voted for him.

 

[David Mayer]

So your Antifa? And 100 million Americans must then be Antifa under your assumptions?

This is actually a great point, I don't think that everyone who voted for Harris is an anti-fascist, that's ridiculous.

 

[Tobold]

Of course. Nothing else. Well to me it reminds something else. Consistently around the globe, people burning those two flags are, in my eyes, murderous barbarians, that, given the chance, would not hesitate a second to burn my family alive. Literally . As demonstrated 7.10. and promised to be repeated. So , enjoy your free freedom to burn your own country's flag. I'll defend mine.

There is a wide gulf between "I object to the actions of the current government of Israel" and "I would burn any Israeli Jews alive". The government of Israeli has been so extreme as to draw huge protests from their own populace in time of war. This shows that people everywhere can see and object to those actions - no fascism required.

From today (gift article): Israel admits that that troops shouldn't have fired on marked ambulances, then tried to cover it up. Don't worry, they have held a single mid-level commander responsible and reprimanded his commander for giving a misleading account when questioned. I'm sure that's all that's required to respond to a war crime.

 

[DarthSlack]

Too many comments to read them all. Those I have read are mostly of the knee jerk reactionary variety.

It's really the fault of the voters. They keep electing politicians who want to borrow and spend our way out of debt. The US government is $36 Trillion+ in debt. The interest payments are paid with borrowed money. Now state and federal governments are spending at the rate of $150 billion/year to deal with the illegal immigrant situation. This is clearly a result of the Biden/Harris policy of open borders.

That DJ Trump was elected is entirely the fault of a Democratic party that seems unable to field a viable candidate with sensible policies. Now their grand strategy seems to be rally the faithful against the opponent. The latest poster child is a foreign citizen that has left a trail of smoke across the US.

Adolph Hitler came to power during the great depression because people were unhappy with the status quo. Both democrat and republican politicians are busy setting the stage for history to repeat itself. We have a bloated bureaucracy and system of government that cannot be sustained financially. Small wonder that Trump and many of his policies have appeal.

Please point to Trump's plan to reduce the deficit. You know, actual numbers and budgets.

 

[Psyborgue]

First step to is to Own It.

People can’t even agree on what to own, so that seems unlikely.

So you support internationally recognized war crimes against an ethnic group the current leader has called "dogs" and said have no place in the country, because of an election older than the average member of that ethnic group.

I am not actually a huge fan of Netanyahu or how the whole situation was handled. The Israelis have an obligation to get rid of him as well. He’s also a threat to democracy and peace.

And you think you have the moral high ground here?

Because of how the situation has been handled it’s really hard to argue there is one anymore. That’s tragic. But one side started this. And one side could end it by just given up the hostages.

The things that makes me want to say might get me another ban, so instead please imagine a stream of derisive, humorless laughter echoing into infinity.

I actually wish you could. We’re adults here.

 

[David Mayer]

People can’t even agree on what to own, so that seems unlikely.

I am not actually a huge fan of Netanyahu or how the whole situation was handled. The Israelis have an obligation to get rid of him as well. He’s also a threat to democracy and peace.

Because of how the situation has been handled it’s really hard to argue there is one anymore. That’s tragic. But one side started this. And one side could end it by just given up the hostages.

I actually wish you could. We’re adults here.

You seriously believe that Israel would completely pull out of Gaza if they got back all the hostages?

 

[pnellesen]

What we need is not another Biden.

The Democrats need to stop sighing, advocating for norms, appointing AG’s who won’t buck the system, and pretending they can fix things by just saying everything is back to normal.

Ford should have never pardoned Nixon. Presidents are just men (so far), and need to reminded they’re not kings.

Too bad the Supreme Court seems to disagree with that last statement (at least when Donald Trump is the President …)

 

[David Mayer]

you talk of facist...tell me..what is a facist? do you know what it actually is?

Why do you ask? The only reason I can think of for you to ask is because you believe that the individuals in question don't meet the definition of fascist. So why don''t we save time and have you tell us what aspect of the definition of fascist doesn't apply.

 

[Tonkaman]

Lies.
What do you do when terrorist fighters set up hq in the OR?
When they fire rockets at my family from the home of theirs?
When they stash the rockets under a mosque?
I'm heart broken about the more than 50000 dead. Children, elders, a life is a life. I wish we didn't have to bomb and kill any of them. When you wage war from inside the population, when you're on tv saying "the death of our people is the lifeblood of our resistance", when you say "the bomb shelters are for the resistance, it's the international organizations that are responsible for our civilians" - the deaths are on you.
I wish they'd live and us live. Right now, after 7.10, I don't want these barbarian murderers on my borders.

It's a little difficult to fight a war against oppressors when said oppressors keep your entire ethnic group confined to an open air prison. Kinda hard to find space to put an easily targeted military facility when said oppressors have already illegally stolen all the available land.

On an unrelated note, why is the Israeli IDF military HQ in the middle of a civilian neighborhood?

 

[Scary Devil Monastery]

If you want to define NAZI as anyone who voted for Trump fine. That's a perfectly valid way to look at it and I can understand why you'd want to define it, it certainly has its appeal . But when defined that way, it is no longer a useful term. Separating Trump voters into different categories is useful. Because the reality is, they are not a monolith. Some may be reachable and convertible, many of them were not exposed to, didn't believe, or didn't understand the evidence that Trump is a NAZI. Others may be a threat to your safety if you're a member of a targeted group and you look at them the wrong way. Having vocabulary to differentiate between these two groups of people would be a good thing. And maybe, calling the former group a NAZIs, is a great way to get them to ignore you and anyone trying to reach them.

"Historians have a word for Germans who joined the Nazi party, not because they hated Jews, but out of a hope for restored patriotism, or a sense of economic anxiety, or a hope to preserve their religious values, or dislike of their opponents, or raw political opportunism, or convenience, or ignorance, or greed.​

​

That word is "Nazi." Nobody cares about their motives anymore.​

​

They joined what they joined. They lent their support and their moral approval. And, in so doing, they bound themselves to everything that came after. Who cares any more what particular knot they used in the binding?"​

​

- A.R. Moxon​

Trump showed what he was. Twice.
People don't get to decide that "oh, i voted for the economy" when that vote went to someone whose first act in office was to put a guy endorsing" Mein Kampf" and heiling on camera up as his chief hatchet man.

Or who ran on a platform of bigotry, scapegoating, fallacies and outright OG Hitler rhetoric.
Or who after his first term tried to coup his way past elections.

The Trump voters had eight years to discover what he was. They did, and they liked it.
The fallacy that they can be reached has been debunked on a weekly basis by a hundred million people since Obama held office.

Every minute you spend trying to talk to a Trump voter is a minute wasted.
Trying to reach the ones who didn't vote, might not be.
The only way to deal with a Trump voter is to steamroll them. You can't compromise with the unjust man who DEMANDS that you become some extent of bigot before he'll hear you out, nor the man who tells you to meet him in the middle and when you do, he takes a step back and tells you to meet him in the middle.

Your entire argument comes from someone who's evidently never learned that what a dictionary-definition nazi is was very well settled after 1945.

The Germans have a saying which sums it up very well: "If there's a table with ten nazis and you go sit at that table there are now eleven nazis at that table".

You are who you choose to associate with.