I was listening to NPR on the way to work this morning as three reporters, none of whom could be described as conservatives, debated whether Bush and Rumsfeld sincerely believe that the current period of history resembles the 1930s, whether they really believe that we face an existential threat, whether they really believe that the war in Iran is connected to the larger global conflict — or are they merely saying such things in the hope of staving off political damage in November.

Andrea Mitchell was perhaps the most charitable. She said that she did think Bush believed all that, though she was quick to add that she talks with many diplomats and analysts who – she implied – are far more sophisticated than Bush, and they think this view is utter nonsense.

Similar conversations, with the same spin, are taking place throughout the MSM.

When I got to the office, this note was waiting from an intelligent but very left-liberal reader who occasionally corresponds with me:

Do you honestly think the threat posed by AQ and similar groups is equivalent to the threat posed by the Nazis and Japanese in the 30′s and 40′s?

I responded:

No question about it. Here are half a dozen reasons just for a start:

1) Hitler did not have the access to the technology these groups have.

2) Hitler never acquired nuclear weapons.

3) Hitler did not have the kinds of fifth columns this enemy may have.

4) Hitler had a nation and a “volk” he wanted to protect, and he did not believe in an afterlife for himself or his followers.

5) Hitler never managed to kill Americans on American soil.