The Emperor of Azania Quote

“I have been reading a German book. We must draft a decree at once... Communal physical exercises. ... This is very important. The health of the nation depends on it.”

~ The Emperor of Azania

in Evelyn Waugh, Black Mischief (London: Pinguin, 1932), p. 142.

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

I'm not sure how to rate this quote; 5 for the accuracy for using a subtle little sound bite that sounded innocent and good by itself or, thumbs down for the overall implication. "In relation to the political decontamination of our public life, the government will embark upon a systematic campaign to restore the nation's moral and material health. The whole educational system, theater, film, literature, the press and broadcasting - all these will be used as a means to this end." (Adolf Hitler) "In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist. And then, they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. And then, they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. And then, they came for the Catholics, but I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Catholic. And then, they came for me - they came for me - and, by that time, there was no one left to speak out for me." (Pastor Martin Niemöller) When they stole the individual's sovereignty, money and property, nobody did anything. When they filled the unions with their own, nobody did anything. When they took God out of social expression, no one did anything. When they nationalized the banks, transportation, and made the physical a communal exercise nobody did anything. When the press became pure propaganda for the statist theocracy, everyone dummied down and did nothing. When the rest of the Nazi play book was exercise (Reichstags, stimulus packages, etc.) nobody did anything. Personally, you and I are next.

cal, lewisville, tx

I never liked the word "communal" when talking about anything.

RBESRQ
  • Reply
RBESRQ    3/25/10

Not a bad idea perhaps the health insurance industry would go belly-up. cal, never say never you may need it one day - I suppose you will collect on Medicare and your pension when they become due?

Waffler, Smith

The quote seems stupid to me but communities get together and exercise all of the time. Have you never heard of Country Clubs, Gold Gyms etcetera. Kids must take gym class when I went to school. I just went to a communal pow wow. Community and communal is as old as the planet, I mean get a life over the idea of community.

cal, lewisville, tx

RBESRQ, I never wanted to pay this Medicare or Social Insecurity in the first place. Ones like yourself think there is an account number in DC with your name and all the money you paid into these programs sitting there waiting for you. That is NOT TRUE. All that money has been spent and the programs are not fully funded anymore. Medicare is being replaced with Obamacare and Social Insecurity is on the way out. There is nothing in it's trust fund but an IOU from Congress. I often think what I could have done for myself with all that money I paid in and matched by my employer for the last 47 years.

Elisabeth, Astoria, NY

Yeah, right. Another decree... And that is up to rulers to decide... I hear you. I like to exercise in my home by myself. Am I going to be arrested?

Waffler, Smith

This was a fictional book. Lets get a life.

RBESRQ
  • Reply
    RBESRQ    3/26/10

    cal, the point is will you want to collect..

    E Archer, NYC

    Great ideas for others then corrupted into a legal duty. Just another example of how well-meaning people with power can screw up everything. I am SO tired of LEADERS. Let me live my own life -- I am not bothering you. And RBE, I would NEVER accept Medicaid!! You may live in a 'brave new world' but I reject it. Keep your soma -- I will take my chances without it. Keep that crap away from me.

    Judith, New Mexico

    It was not the fault of the individual that the social security was spent that was to be there when they retired. It was because of the irresponsible administrators and congresspeople in WA and so blaming the program is unjustified. Please look up this information at: www.cafr1.com about the Second Set of Books, and you will find that there is plently of money on all levels of gvmt that are screaming they need to cut programs. There should be a free viewing of the video under www.brasschecktv.com and search under Second Set of Books. This information is published, required by U.S. Gvmt., but not printed nor exposed on national news media. Would be great to hear from you think of this info.

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