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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hitler argument

131 replies

Birchtree1 · 12/08/2022 19:12

Just had a massive argument with my husband.
He thinks our son is a leader....( I think he has adhd) he has been pointing it out for a while. He has just mentioned it again and said he is a leader and Hitler was a leader too. Now. ...I lost my shit Hitler killed millions of people and was an ego maniac amd narcissistic asshole. ( in my opinion) apparently I am not normal with this opinion and he doesn't want to talk to me and whatever happened he was still a leader!? I just spoke to my children re our German heritage and the Jews and gypsies and lots of other minorities which I didn't want to do just yet as they are 5 and 8 years old. My husband is refusing to talk to me as I really lost my shit.
He could have mentioned Churchill or whoever ...but mentioning Hitler as an example of leadership? Apparently it is being taught at schools in this county!?!!?

OP posts:
Original poster
Birchtree1 · 12/08/2022 19:13

Ps....I happen to be German....

OP posts:
JustTheOneSwan · 12/08/2022 19:15

Your DH compared your DS to Hitler and you're German😮

MrsTerryPratchett · 12/08/2022 19:16

Your husband sounds very odd. Is he saying being a leader is a good thing? In which case why mention the worst leader in history? Or does he think it's a bad thing?

FWIW DD has ADHD and is very persuasive. Not Hitler persuasive!

Shinyandnew1 · 12/08/2022 19:17

Apparently it is being taught at schools in this county!?!!?

What! Says who?

Surplus2requirements · 12/08/2022 19:17

I'd be very concerned about somebody whose go-to example of a leader was Hitler.
Surely this didn't come out of nowhere?

FlibbertyGiblets · 12/08/2022 19:17

I am so sorry.

(Your husband has lost anyway because you can now invoke Godwin's law)

ChagSameachDoreen · 12/08/2022 19:18

How bizarre.

I mean, Hitler technically was a leader, but not one to whom your son should be compared.

Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 12/08/2022 19:18

Sounds quite cunty to use Hilter as an example to someone who is German.

Also so many more positive leaders he could have chosen. Is he often rude/blunt like that or was it a weird one off?

cakeorwine · 12/08/2022 19:19

Apparently it is being taught at schools in this county

Is it though?

Jalisco · 12/08/2022 19:19

I think you should post where this is being taught. It's almost certainly illegal.

Finding this a bit hard to believe...

BeanieTeen · 12/08/2022 19:21

Now. ...I lost my shit Hitler killed millions of people and was an ego maniac amd narcissistic asshole. ( in my opinion)

I’d class that as historical fact, not opinion. I was certainly taught so in my history lessons.
Your DH is bonkers to have said that. I guess he didn’t pay much attention in his history lessons.

ExtraOnion · 12/08/2022 19:23

I run leadership training … when you start with “give me an example if a powerful leader” - I can assure you that Hitler is mentioned every single time. From a “theory” perspective it’s an interesting one to talk through - always a good debate.

Was Churchill a great leader? - not if you were a Miner being shot at, or someone in India being massacred / starved.

Sunnyqueen · 12/08/2022 19:24

Of all the leaders in history he chose Hitler? YANBU What makes him/you (not sure who said it) think its being taught in schools?

IcedPurple · 12/08/2022 19:25

If you're German, you must know that Hitler was 'der Fuhrer' which literally means 'leader'.

Of course he was a leader. He was the Head of State of Germany for several years. Millions saw him as their leader. The word 'leader' doesn't imply moral authority. It's just a fact.

MeenzAmRhoi · 12/08/2022 19:26

Sounds like he's done it on purpose to get a rise out of you and it has worked. Is he always an arse?

pinkstripeycat · 12/08/2022 19:26

He was a dictator. That’s different to a leader

Revolvingwhore · 12/08/2022 19:27

Hitler discovered the NSDAP in 1920, when there were around 15 people in a pub. By 1932 the party had 288 seats in the Reichstag and Hitler was on the verge of being appointed Chancellor. In the years between he transformed the party's image, organisation and structure, finances and electoral strategy. His leadership skills are beyond doubt.

Strange person to pick though.

Original poster
Birchtree1 · 12/08/2022 19:27

What is Godwin’s law?

OP posts:
Whowhatwherewhenwhynow · 12/08/2022 19:27

I assumed the issue was Hitler being chosen as an example when referring to a child’s behaviour (a child with German family no less), rather than questioning if he was technically a leader.

StoneofDestiny · 12/08/2022 19:28

Well Hitler was a leader, Mussolini and Stalin were too. Putin is a leader also. They were/are examples of the worst sort of leadership possible.

SpinningTheSeedsOfLove · 12/08/2022 19:28

Goodness me.

Davros · 12/08/2022 19:29

How old is this future Fuhrer?

Lipsandlashes · 12/08/2022 19:29

Very odd to use Hitler as an example of a leader and expect no blowback. Hitler was a leader but not one many would aspire to be!
However, I do remember a past paper when I was doing History A Level that had the question “if Hitler had died in 1934, he would be remembered as the greatest politician who ever lived. Discuss.” I remember being disgusted by this question at the time but it was obviously meant to provoke argument - is this the sort of thing you are referring to re teaching in schools?

Grumpsy · 12/08/2022 19:29

Hitler was a leader. He inspired a nation when everything had gone to crap.

However, he was not a good leader that anyone should aspire to be.

DrDetriment · 12/08/2022 19:31

YABU. Hitler was a very powerful leader, abhorrent in his methods, but voted in and supported by millions of people. And I say that as someone who speaks German and has a German partner.