1/ Short thread on Nazi tactics pre-1933 and Goebbels' methods of disrupting events of other parties. IMT affidavit by Weimar policeman: Goebbels discredited Weimar govt w special column in his paper called "They lie, they lie"-- labeling as lies whatever displeased the Nazis.

2/ Goebbels set up "Rollkommandos" to disrupt events of other parties and break up their meetings. "He went so far as to break up meetings with Rollkommando raids; fights resulted" with furniture destroyed. I'm sure they blamed it on the other party. (Does this sound familiar?)

3/ "These so-called truncheon guards were armed with blackjacks, brass knuckles, rubber truncheons (Gummischläuchen), walking sticks; sometimes attacks were carried out with empty bottles and glasses." (Again this was BEFORE the Nazis assumed power.)

4/ After the 1930 election, things got worse (this was STILL before Hitler was in power). Nazi-instigated riots occurred nearly daily. "As the date of seizure of power approached. . we were obliged to put the entire police force on the job of fighting the Nazis."

5/ Nazis had support within police ranks (what a shock!) who acted as spies for the Nazi Party. They knew ahead of time when riots were planned and would divert the police elsewhere "so that his fellow Party members might carry out their plans undisturbed."

6/ But wait, there's more: Goebbels released white mice in a theatre to disrupt a showing of "All Quiet on the Western Front", a film not in sync with Nazi views. This caused quite a panic, apparently.

7/ And of course, interference with elections: manipulating ballots and posting SA troops in polling stations to intimidate people (an effective technique)

8/ Somehow all of this seems especially relevant right now, with planned violence from right wing groups being blamed on the left. I guess it's a very old playbook. Let's hope we don't see intimidation at the polls next fall. . .