
You Can't Do Business With Hitler 42-xx-xx ep01 Heads They Win - Tails We Lose
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With New Year's resolutions, many of us will make a vow to eat healthier. And that's a good thing. But what about our beloved pets and their Nutrition? Greetings. Naturopathic Dr. Dennis Black here and I'm on a mission to provide better nutrition for cats and dogs. Because truthfully, all pet food is dead food. Which is why we created Ruff Greens and Meow Greens in the first place. We bring their food back to life with live vitamins, minerals, probiotics, enzymes, omega oils, antioxidants and so much more. All in a tasty formula that your dog and cat will love. You can improve your pet's coat digestion energy and have less vet bills. Let 2025 bring a new year and a new pet. Get a jump start trial bag. Normally $20 get 100% discount with promo code Best Friend. You just cover the shipping. Go to rough greens.com use promo code best Friend. Bring your pet's food back to life with Rough greens so good your pet will ask for it by name.
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You can't do business with Hitler. We are now at war. There are but two alternatives. Total victory or total defeat. There can be no such thing as a military stalemate that would result in the survival of Hitlerism. That is the opinion of a man who knows Douglas Miller for 15 years Commercial attache to the American Embassy in Berlin, presenting a new radio series adapted from Mr. Miller's book. You, you can't do business with Hitler. Episode one head they win, tails we lose. This is Douglas Miller speaking. I'll be very blunt and to the point. I want to give you a picture of Nazi trade methods and Nazi business methods as I saw them during my 15 years in Berlin. I have two reasons for so doing. First, to tell you some of the causes of this war that you perhaps have never heard of before. Second, to convince you, if you need convincing, that there can never be any compromise with Hitlerism. We wipe it out or it wipes us out. Now let's get on the case. The case of James Dunning Forther, for example. Forther was an American businessman who back in 1937 was trying to do business with Germany. He had nearly completed a deal to sell a shipload of American goods to the Nazis. To close the deal, Forrester was asked to call upon an important Nazi official at the Ministry of Economics in Berlin. And now here, Forrester, there are just a few things more to settle and we conclude your business. But I thought everything was settled. Not quite everything. Here, Forrester. There is the matter of shipping. But my firm Will take care of that. Naturally, of course. But we expect that you will ship your goods on a German ship. I'm sorry, I'm afraid that's impossible. My company has a contract with an American line. You see, we. And the contract must be broken. I beg your pardon. I mean, Herr Barrister, that our regulations demand that your goods be shipped on a German vessel. Otherwise your business with us must be cancelled. But why should I put American seamen out of a job? Regulations, Herr Forester, regulations. There's nothing I can do about it, you understand. Well, I. I suppose it could be arranged, but I don't like it. Very well. Now another thing here, Forrester. Are you insured with an American company? You needn't worry about insurance, Heschwertz. The company. I'm insured here. Is it an American company? Hirsch Forester. Naturally unfortunate. I don't understand. When our regulations demand you insure with a German company. Why that's ridiculous. After all, I'm the one who stands to lose if anything happens. I think I should have the right to insure myself with an insurance company of my own choosing. Pollister, are you implying that German insurance companies are not dependable? I'm implying nothing of the kind. Look here, Herr Schwartz, we'll forget this insurance matter for the moment. But how many other regulations do I have to conform to? Well, when your cargo is loaded in America it must be examined by German inspectors. German inspectors, eh? Well, that's all. I was mean. Your company of course, must pay the expense of sending these inspectors from Germany to America and back again. Now wait a minute. Why should we pay the expenses of men who are working in your interest? I never heard of such a thing. Herr Forester, if you wish to do business with Germany, you must do it according to German regulations. No other country has such arbitrary regulations. The Great Reich, Herr Forester, is not responsible for the regulations of other countries. That's some consolation. I beg your pardon? Never mind. Let's get on with it. And that's the way the Nazis do business. There's no such thing as having a purely business relation with a totalitarian state. Every business deal carries with it political, military, social and propaganda implications. Proof. I have plenty of proof. For example, about three years ago Gabel's Ministry of Propaganda arranged for the president of the German Film Chamber to visit my office to discuss an exchange of motion pictures. After this high Nazi official had arrived and we had exchanged a few pleasantries, he said to Me, Herr Miller, Dr. Goebbels is interested in buying American motion pictures. The few that we have shown have been very popular here. Yes, yes, of course. But am I to understand that the American film companies will be paid cash for these films? Cash? Yeah, of course. What else? Well, isn't it a bit unusual? Usually you do business on a barter basis. Yeah, but this is different. And will the American firms be able to take their profits out of Germany, that is, without the usual restrictions? I mean, there will be no restrictions. Well, I'm very glad to hear it. But why are you waiving a standard regulation? Ah, but we are very friendly to Americans. Oh. Oh, I see. This is a gesture of goodwill. Yeah, goodwill. That's it, corkscrew. We would expect some little favor in exchange. Oh, I see. And what is the nature of the favorite? Well, Herr Goebbels would like each of the large motion picture theaters in 25 of your leading American cities to give one quarter of their time to us. You mean Air Gables would like to supply Americans with motion pictures in these, the Ministry of Propaganda would supply the picture. Oh, but you don't understand. The United States government has no power to force American motion picture houses to show German propaganda films, or any other films for that matter. The United States government hasn't the power. Come, come, Hermily, you are joking. No, no, seriously. American movie houses show what films they choose to show. But I cannot believe it. It's according to an old American principle, freedom of speech. I have never heard of such a her Miller, if you do not agree to our arrangement, her G will be very displeased. Yes, but if I do agree to such an arrangement, I'm afraid the American people will be very much displeased. And after all, they're the ones who would have to look at EL Gable's films. So you see, the Nazis were very willing to do business with us if they could, in exchange, flood American theaters with their Nazi propaganda. Because American movie producers refused to agree to the Nazis outrageous demands, the Nazis deliberately set out to ruin our movie business in Germany. Proof. There you are. In 1932, we sold Germany almost three, three and a half million feet of film. In 1938, because of Nazi restrictions, we were sending to Germany less than a half a million feet of film per year. Anyone caring to check these figures will find them in the publication of the United States Department of Commerce entitled Foreign Commerce and Navigation. Stand for it and see for yourself. Sometime after my experience in the film transaction there, Gables approached another American official in Berlin. At that time, Germany was trying to gain the favor of American newspapers and radio stations here's what her Goebbels said to our embassy official on that occasion. Sir, I am very pained at the insults offered to our leader in your American newspapers and your American radio broadcasts. I see no reason why we cannot have an understanding about such things. What do you suggest? This is friendly gesture. I suggest that you select any German journalist or radio announcer who, in your opinion, has made remarks insulting the United States. I promise you that I will arrest the offending person within 24 hours. Furthermore, I shall see that he is punished in any way you see fit. Now, why can't we have the same friendly cooperation on the part of the American government? Can you imagine our government permitting any foreign government to point out offending American journalists or radio broadcasters and suggesting their arrest? Yet Germany was treating us very well compared to the way she treated smaller countries who were powerless to resist. Let me tell you what happened to Swedish firms doing business with the Nazis one day in the office of the president of one of these Swedish firms. Mr. President, this letter. Never mind that now, Carlson, I called you in here to discuss something very important. This letter is urgent, Mr. President. You must look at it right, Please. Carson, listen to me. But, sir. Carson, I want to talk to you about a personal matter. Now, will you please sit down here? Oh, very well, sir. Carson, how long have you been working for me? How long? Let me see. 21 years. 21 years. I don't have to tell you, Carlson, that you've been one of my most loyal employees. Is there something to master, Mr. President? No, no, nothing. No. Well, have you thought of retiring, Carlson? On a pension, I mean. Mr. President, is this all you have to speak of? My career? No, Sir. I have 10 good years sending me at for the company. Now, this letter, Mr. President, you must look at it. It is from the Berlin Secret Police. Gestapo? Yes. They demand that we stop advertising our goods in the local newspaper. What right have they to ask such a thing? It's the best newspaper. We've been advertising in it for years. You don't understand, Carlson. The paper in which we advertise is pro democratic. And this is the Nazi method of striking out at their enemies. Well, they're using us as a tool. But we won't do it. You tell them, sir. You tell them we won't do it. I can't tell them that, Carlson. If I refuse, it means ruin. You must refuse. But you don't understand. We're in their hands. We've come to depend upon their business. They should cut it off now. If only I hadn't permitted Myself. To be led into such a position, One demand after another. I thought I could play along with them and still maintain our independence. I was wrong. Don't give in to them, sir. You must make a stand somewhere. No, it's settled, Carlton. You make all necessary changes and see that our advertising contract is transferred elsewhere. Very well, Mr. President. If that's your order. Now I'll go back to my office. Carlson, wait. Yes, sir. This other matter. Your resignation. That I'm not ready to resign. Mr. Tretton, please. I'll be very frank with you. I received another letter from the German secret police that I haven't told you about. Another letter? Yes. Remember a few months ago they asked me to send them a complete list of all the workers here. Well, they've checked that list with their spies here in Sweden. And now they demand that I distinguished charge certain employees. Charge employees? But why? Well, the Nazis say they are Jewish and communistic. Of course. These are the names the Nazis apply to. Anyone opposed to fascism will discharge these employees. I must. But I only. I wanted you to understand. That's all, Mr. Spet. No, no, it's not all. One more thing. Yes, Carlson. Your name was among those the Nazis demanded I discharged my name? Yes, because you have openly stated your hatred of the Nazis. Of course you understand you will be pensioned. Don't have to worry about your wife. You needn't discharge me. I shall save you the trouble. Any man who has worked here is a traitor to his country. I resign. Oh, don't go on like that, Carlson. You must understand my position. Carlson, wait. Carlson, please come back here. Carlson, I have given you, in the short time available, some faint idea of the viciousness of Nazi business methods. Germany has been carrying on a war against America since 1933. A war of trade, a war of espionage, a war of propaganda. We must finish this once and for all so that Hitler's cutthroat business and propaganda methods will never again SAP our strength. We must carry on this war until Nazism is completely and finally exterminated. You can't do business with Hitler. You have been listening to the first broadcast in a new radio series entitled you Can't Do Business with Hitler. Listen for the second broadcast in this series, which is entitled Broken Promises. This program, written and produced by Frank Telford, is brought to you by the Office for Emergency Management in Washington. It.
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With New Year's resolutions, many of us will make a vow to eat healthier. And that's a good thing. But what about our beloved pets and their Nutrition? Greetings Naturopathic Dr. Dennis Black here, and I'm on a mission to provide better nutrition for cats and dogs. Because, truthfully, all pet food is dead food, which is why we created Ruff Greens and Meow Greens in the first place. We bring their food back to life with live vitamins, minerals, probiotics, enzymes, omega oils, antioxidants, and so much more. All in a tasty formula that your dog and cat will love. You can improve your pet's coat, digestion, energy and have less vet bills. Let 2025 bring a new year and a new pet. Get a Jumpstart trial bag normally $20. Get 100% discount with promo code Best Friend. You just cover the shipping. Go to roughgreens.com use promo code best Friend. Bring your pet's food back to life with Rough Greens so good your pet will ask for it by name.
Podcast Summary: "You Can't Do Business With Hitler" - Episode 01: "Heads They Win - Tails We Lose"
Podcast Information:
Overview: In the inaugural episode of the compelling series "You Can't Do Business With Hitler," host Harold's Old Time Radio presents a gripping narrative adapted from Douglas Miller's extensive experience as a commercial attaché to the American Embassy in Berlin. Titled "Heads They Win - Tails We Lose," this episode delves deep into the intricate and manipulative business practices of Nazi Germany, illustrating why any form of compromise with Hitlerism is both futile and perilous.
Speaker: Douglas Miller
Timestamp: [01:10]
Douglas Miller opens the episode with a resolute declaration: "We wipe it out or it wipes us out." This statement sets the tone for his unflinching analysis of Nazi trade and business strategies. Miller emphasizes that engaging in business with a totalitarian regime like Nazi Germany inherently involves political, military, and propaganda entanglements, making purely economic relationships impossible.
Timestamp: [02:30]
Miller recounts the story of James Dunning Forrester, an American businessman striving to finalize a deal to sell American goods to the Nazis in 1937. The negotiations quickly reveal the Nazis' rigid and exploitative regulations:
Shipping Restrictions:
"We expect that you will ship your goods on a German ship." (04:15)
Forrester's refusal to violate his American company's shipping contracts leads to the imposition of German regulations, forcing undesirable compromises.
Insurance Demands:
"I think I should have the right to insure myself with an insurance company of my own choosing." (07:50)
The insistence on German insurance underscores the regime's control over business operations, limiting foreign autonomy.
Inspection Fees:
"Your company of course, must pay the expense of sending these inspectors from Germany to America and back again." (12:05)
This demand places undue financial burdens on American businesses, showcasing the Nazis' strategy to undermine foreign enterprises economically.
Miller concludes this segment by asserting, "That's the way the Nazis do business. There's no such thing as having a purely business relation with a totalitarian state."
Timestamp: [09:40]
Transitioning to the film industry, Miller illustrates how the Nazis attempted to infiltrate American media:
Proposal for Motion Picture Exchange:
"Dr. Goebbels is interested in buying American motion pictures. The few that we have shown have been very popular here." (14:20)
This seemingly benign offer masks a deeper agenda of spreading Nazi propaganda.
Demand for Theater Air Time:
"Herr Goebbels would like each of the large motion picture theaters in 25 of your leading American cities to give one quarter of their time to us." (19:35)
Such demands threaten the integrity of American media by introducing biased content under the guise of cultural exchange.
Miller points out the Nazis' retaliation strategy: "Because American movie producers refused to agree to the Nazis' outrageous demands, the Nazis deliberately set out to ruin our movie business in Germany." The drastic decline in film exports from 1932 to 1938 serves as tangible evidence of this economic sabotage.
Timestamp: [13:50]
Miller shares an alarming account of the Nazis' attempts to coerce American media outlets:
Ultimatum to Arrest Offending Journalists:
"I can arrest the offending person within 24 hours." (25:10)
This demand threatens the freedom of the press and seeks to intimidate American journalists who criticize the Nazi regime.
Impossibility of Cooperation:
Miller underscores the impossibility of reciprocation: "Can you imagine our government permitting any foreign government to point out offending American journalists or radio broadcasters and suggesting their arrest?" (28:45)
This highlights the fundamental clash between democratic values and totalitarian coercion.
Timestamp: [18:30]
To further exemplify the Nazis' oppressive business tactics, Miller narrates the plight of Swedish firms:
Coerced Compliance:
"If you refuse, it means ruin. You must refuse." (34:20)
Swedish executives like Carlson faced impossible choices between capitulating to Nazi demands or facing the collapse of their businesses.
Personal Repercussions:
"Your name was among those the Nazis demanded I discharged." (39:55)
The personal toll on individuals within these companies illustrates the regime's ruthless approach to maintaining control.
Miller emphasizes the extent of Nazi manipulation: "Germany has been carrying on a war against America since 1933. A war of trade, a war of espionage, a war of propaganda."
Timestamp: [45:00]
Miller concludes the episode with a powerful exhortation: "We must carry on this war until Nazism is completely and finally exterminated." He reinforces the central thesis that compromise with Hitlerism is untenable and that total victory is the only acceptable outcome.
He invites listeners to engage with future episodes, promising deeper insights into the "viciousness of Nazi business methods" and the ongoing struggle to thwart their influence.
Notable Quotes:
Final Thoughts: "You Can't Do Business With Hitler" serves as a stark reminder of the intricate ways in which totalitarian regimes can infiltrate and manipulate international commerce. Through Douglas Miller's firsthand accounts, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the economic machinations that underpin broader political and military conflicts. This episode not only highlights historical events but also underscores the timeless lesson that ethical considerations must never be sidelined in the pursuit of business endeavors.