In the lawless world of Internet discussion, one rule does apply. It’s called Godwin’s Law (after its coiner, attorney Mike Godwin) which states the longer an online argument lasts, the “probability of comparison to Nazism, or Adolf Hitler, approaches one.”

The same is true outside the Internet. Usually, those invoking imagery of swastika-adorned storm troopers have reached the end of their logical rope. The only analogy left for these floundering debaters is the unarguable comparison to the most reviled regime in human history: the Nazis.

To do so, in Web-speak, is to “Godwin” an argument. It signals rationality of the discussion is lost, and it’s time to move on. There’s neither conclusion nor consensus, just surrender.

Hopefully, the Godwin moment comes after a lengthy period of inspired conversation, since an instant Godwin means the debate had little merit in the first place.

Which brings us to Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, R-Poland, who had her Godwin moment last week, by comparing the Maine Animal Welfare Office to the feared Nazi secret police, the Gestapo.

“What is happening in this state is like Gestapo methods of controlling people and kennels, breeders, pet centers,” the senator said, in reflecting on changes to Maine’s animal welfare laws to restrict so-called puppy mills, unlicensed breeders operating outside of state purview.

A Buxton couple, John and Heidi Frasca, are the faces of this new law. Their home was raided by animal welfare and law enforcement officials last month; more than 200 dogs were seized, some suffering from maladies such as mange. The Frascas, as well, say this behavior is straight out of Germany, circa 1940.

Except it isn’t. And shame on Sen. Snowe-Mello for using this comparison. The senator owes the Animal Welfare Office a public apology for equating the agency to the Gestapo. It’s revolting.

Where was the senator during the legislative process? LD 1615, the law passed last session that cracks down on unlicensed breeders, was, after all, co-sponsored by her fellow Androscoggin County senator, John Nutting, and also a lawmaker who represents Buxton, home of the Frascas.

It was enacted to protect licensed breeders from back-alley competitors and protect the public from purchasing or being exposed to mistreated animals. There is room for editing; many have said a $25 fee to sell animals from a litter is unneeded. It’s a reasonable jumping off point for a review.

But not with this rhetoric swirling around it. By invoking the Nazis, Snowe-Mello showed little foundation for reconsidering LD 1615, and echoed the ravings of the Frascas, who believe the animal welfare office are racketeers, seizing animals to resell them for profit.

The Nazi Mafia, as it were.

Sen. Snowe-Mello shouldn’t be amplifying this lunacy. Her role is to bring intelligent, inspired debate about the merits of these new laws into the legislative process.

But by invoking the Gestapo, she’s preventing it.