1) Thinking about Brownshirts today, and about how they used the figment of a "violent left" in the late '20s and early '30s to gain legitimacy and rise to power.

[Source: posters from "State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda," U.S. Holocaust Museum, 2009]

2) The theme of the noble Nazi coming to the aid of his fallen comrade was a popular trope. This piece was titled "SA Man Rescuing Wounded Comrade in Streets," by H.O. Hoyer.

3) This appeal was central to the Nazis' ongoing campaign to portray itself as the sole effective defender of mainstream society against the threat of an evil, nefarious, left that was part of a global conspiracy, emanating then from Russia. It largely worked.

4) Making the SA Brownshirts out to be martyrs in the street fighting with Communists was central to this appeal. Thus Horst Wessel, the great Nazi martyr, seen here with his SA men in Berlin. He was shot by a Communist, and his funeral became a giant procession, led by Goebbels.

Indeed, the "Horst Wessel Lied" became known as the Nazi Fight Song, was very popular in the German pubs, and remained so even up to the end of the war.

6) So just remember, ladies and gentlemen of the press: When you prioritize stories about the "violent left" and are tempted to portray those Proud Boy types as "good MAGA folks" or a "both sides" thing, you're being played. Again.

Just another PSA from a crusty old reporter.

@threadreaderapp please unroll