Rollory: The big problem with this sort of theorizing is that, for Obama, it would be way too much work. He wants to go on talk shows and play golf and be popular. He doesn’t want to have to work for any of that. Being an ex-president will be exactly right for him.
Gwern: It was amusing to watch far-left wackos speculate about Bush becoming a dictator, and it’s still amusing to watch the tendency flip-flop.
Slovenian Guest: It’s funny that War Plan Red, for the hypothetical war against Great Britain, was maintained well into the thirties, even after Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany. In 1935 the War Department arranged a Congressional appropriation of $57 million to build three border air bases for the purposes of pre-emptive surprise attacks on Canadian air fields. It wasn’t until 1939 and the outbreak of World War II that a decision was made that no further planning was required.
Space Nookie: Hitler did not come up with this stuff himself, it was a popular worldview within his constituency.
Isegoria: I enjoyed that interview — as well as this one with Victor Davis Hanson and Christopher Hitchens.
Slovenian Guest: For some perspective, a one hour interview with Pat Buchanan about his book The Unnecessary War.
Lucklucky: Hitler won because the Allies kept giving him victories in every gamble over German military. Of course if someone gambles several times and keeps winning his reputation increases at every gamble. So the Allies helped Hitler win over the moderates and the prudent ones.