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Hitler “did some good things,” the candidate reportedly said several years ago, wondering why his generals couldn’t be like Hitler’s.
My father is shaking his grave.
Though I grew up in New York in the 1950s, Hitler cast his shadow in our household. In 1937 my father had been to Germany where instead of saying hello in the streets, people raised their arms, declaring “Heil Hitler,” though it was so common, they merely said, “T’ler.”
Returning, he was even more distressed by the numbers of Nazi supporters throughout New York City. Gathering friends, he sought to awaken a sleepy populace by confronting pro-Hitler speakers.
Is that where we are now? Politicians too fearful of retribution to oppose Donald Trump. The Washington Post seemingly too afraid of revenge to endorse Kamala Harris. What other newspaper? What other politician? Within weeks of taking power, Hitler attacked and arrested political opponents; within months he shut down all press opposition.
Always I’ve wondered whether I’d have seen the danger were I a German as Hitler rose to power. Would I have protested?
Upon us is a potential leader threatening to use the military against protesters, round up even citizen children of immigrants for deportation, while his advisors long to actually monitor women’s menstruation cycles.
Recognize the peril. Act in the best way we can: Vote.
Donna Gold
Stockton Springs
