War and Pacifism by Hermann Goering

I was boning up on some history the other day when I came across this quote from a notorious member of Hitler's inner-circle. I'm not a fan of the Bush/Hitler comparison; I think it's essentially flawed and generally idiotic, but this quote had an eerie relevance for recent events. This is the first time my generation has been at the forefront of a war, so the methods of convincing a nation to go to war are new to us. I'm sure this is how all wars are started, but it's still a chilling quote:

Of course the people don't want war. But, after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to greater danger.

—Hermann Goering, at the Nuremberg trials