Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Learning the Old Lessons

I have been trying to remember the classic quote, and so the internet was my friend:
Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) said this:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

The relevance today: some Jews are saying that Trump is not anti-Semitic. I have two responses to that: hell's yeah, he is; and if not, so the fuck what?!

Trump has targeted African-Americans, so should you speak out?
Trump has targeted Muslim-Americans, so should you speak out?
Trump has targeted Mexican-Americans, so should you speak out?
Trump has targeted Native Americans, so should you speak out?
Trump has targeted disabled Americans, so should you speak out?
Trump has targeted Prisoners of War and other vets, so should you speak out?
We can go on and on.... but any Jews who remain silent about Trump are betraying every lesson of the Holocaust.  Side with him? Make excuses for him? I am not an us vs. them kind of guy.  You don't have to be for Hillary Clinton, but you have to be against Trump if you have any decency.  Even if he has not quite gotten to your group yet.



 

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