Last week I wrote about the growing anti-Semitism of the tea-party boot marchers and their GOP friends and criticized them for their exploitation of the Holocaust as a political tool. The increased claims from the right-wing that liberals are Nazis, that the POTUS is Hitler were just a prelude to the horror of last week, when piled up dead bodies from Dachau, Germany and another captioned signed stating that "Obama takes his orders from the Rothchilds," were showcased as a protest against health-care reform.
Here is what I wrote about that stunning display of disregard, disrespect, and political pornography under which Congressional leaders signed autographs and gave speeches:
"Too bad for these right-wing haters that Hitler and the Nazis were fascists (right-wing), brought to power by corporate interests under the guise of "Socialism," because if this sign had some basis in fact it would at least be slightly less offensive and not so blatantly anti-Semitic.
But since this sign has no basis in fact and since Nazis were in fact right-wing; and since corporate interests now - just as then - had an interest in seeing piled up dead bodies, this sign is beyond offensive. This is in fact yet another display of the ignorant brandishing propaganda that is anti-Semitic and eagerly embraced as acceptable political talking points. This is not acceptable on any level."
I was not alone in my outrage. In fact, some of the most important voices and prominent people and organizations of the Jewish faith have since expressed their outrage. Here are but two examples:
The National Democratic Jewish Council is demanding that Republicans condemn these signs and talking points.
Elie Wiesel, a man I admire greatly and to whom we owe so much for his courage was also offended:
Renowned author and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel condemned several signs containing Holocaust comparisons and anti-Semitic messages at yesterday's "House Call" protests.
One sign at the rally contained images of dead Holocaust victims at the Dachau concentration camp under the banner "National Socialist Health Care." Another sign said that President Barack Obama "takes his orders" from the Rothschilds, a family of Jewish bankers.
Wiesel commented through his eponymous foundation's Twitter account:
Elie Wiesel on the GOP Tea Party's anti-Semitism and Holocaust comparisons: "This kind of political hatred is indecent and disgusting"
Republican Congressman, Eric Cantor - who is Jewish - has stepped forward to condemn this hate-speech and exploitation. But the party as a whole has not condemned the tea-baggers for these signs, and various pundits for their hate-talking-points. Why not?
In response to Wiesel's statements, the tea-bagger anti-Semites attacked this Holocaust survivor. (H/T Americablog):
Still total silence from the GOP in condemning this all-out hate festival. Moreover, GOP leaders who participate in these events, fearful of losing the hate constituency vote, legitimize these views and rhetoric. They enable and essentially help move fringe views into the mainstream.
Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann in all of her shining ignorance and Census fearing lunacy is a prime example of an enabler. She has done a good deal of damage with her fear-tactics and white-supremacy, commie fearing, McCarthyism fantasies. And, she is not remotely qualified or remotely responsible to serve in public office.
All Jews everywhere should make it their business -no, their responsibility - to push this woman out of office before she can do more damage, inspire more hate-crimes, and incite more violence.
In the meantime, the GOP has it made it clear that it is not interested in the Jewish vote. How could they be and still continue to remain silent on this issue?
And for those who claim that my reaction falls under political correctness outrage, think again. I do not remotely support political correctness. I think people should say what they mean and not what they think others want to hear. But, while I do not support political correctness, I do expect basic decency in our national discourse. If that is too difficult for some, then they have no business on the national stage.
