FILE - JoAnna Stull of the Greeley History Museum looks at a quilt decorated with swastikas in Greeley, Colo., on Friday June 18, 2010. The quilt was probably made before 1930, according to the family and the Greeley Museums. Hitler adopted the symbol in 1935. (Eric Bellamy/The Greeley Tribune via AP)
FILE - JoAnna Stull of the Greeley History Museum looks at a quilt decorated with swastikas in Greeley, Colo., on Friday June 18, 2010. The quilt was probably made before 1930, according to the family and the Greeley Museums. Hitler adopted the symbol in 1935. (Eric Bellamy/The Greeley Tribune via AP) Credit: ERIC BELLAMY

Michael L. Fischler of Holderness is a professor emeritus of Counselor Education and School Psychology at Plymouth State University.

Walter Langer, a Harvard trained psychoanalyst and professor was employed in 1943 by the “Office of Strategic Services” (a forerunner to “CIA”) to create a psychological profile of Adolph Hitler. Langer talked to some 20 people who knew Hitler well, and submitted his findings in 1943, which included the following summative analysis:

“His primary rules were never allow the public to cool off; never admit a fault or wrong; never concede that there may be some good in your enemy; never leave room for alternatives; never accept blame; concentrate on one enemy at a time and blame him for everything that goes wrong; people will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it.” (Walter C. Langer, A Psychological Analysis of Adolf Hitler: His Life and Legend.)

This “big lie” methodology, when utilized by a persuasive and charismatic leader, can be a potent force in influencing the hearts, minds and behaviors of seemingly intelligent and well-meaning individuals, including those who supported, stood by, and/or participated in the murder of: 6 million Jews; 7 million Soviet civilians; 3 million Soviet prisoners of war; 1.8 million Non-Jewish Polish civilians; 312,000 Serb civilians; 250,000 institutionalized, disabled individuals; as many as 500,000 Gypsies; 1,900 Jehovah’s Witnesses; 70,000 criminal repeat offenders; hundreds (if not thousands) of homosexuals; and an undetermined number of Germany’s political opponents. (From research compiled by “The United States Memorial Holocaust Museum.”)

Thus, be warned of our vulnerability to commit unspeakable acts of evil when skillfully manipulated by a “big lie.” Be aware of the existential threat that the “big lie” presents to the quality of our lives, and the life of democracy. Be aware that the threat is here… the “wolf” lies just outside our doors. Heed the wisdom of philosopher, George Santayana, who warned us over 100 years ago that, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”