Congressman Apologizes for Hitler Comparison in Radio Remarks

The Associated Press ^ | Jul 17, 2005 | Anon AP Stringer

[Pharmboy]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Congressman Frank LoBiondo apologized for suggesting that Guantanamo Bay detainees were worse than Adolf Hitler because the Nazi dictator "sort of had a political rationale about what he was doing." The Republican made the remark on a radio talk show this past week, describing his recent visit to the Naval Base in Cuba. Muslim terrorists, he said, were more evil than Hitler.

"Hitler, in his philosophy, was, you know, he hated Jews, he was murdering Jews, and there were some people he liked. But he never went to the level that these people are going to," LoBiondo said.

A caller objected to the statement only a few minutes later.

"You're right. You're right. I was wrong. I should not have used that and I apologize," LoBiondo responded.

He told The Press of Atlantic City that the comparison was a bad one.

"I was trying to make a point about a terrible group," he said in Saturday's editions. "If I had a string, I would have taken it back immediately."

A member of the House Armed Services Committee, LoBiondo traveled to Guantanamo Bay on Monday to inspect the facility, which holds 520 detainees captured in Afghanistan. He voted against an independent panel to investigate allegations of prisoner abuse there.

[Pharmboy]

"Hitler, in his philosophy, was, you know, he hated Jews, he was murdering Jews, and there were some people he liked. But he never went to the level that these people are going to," LoBiondo said.

So, since there were some people he liked, murdering millions of Jews is not as bad as the terorism of these Muslims. Huh?

[goldstategop]

Hitler was a mass murderer. The Islamofascists are simply following in his footsteps. They too aspire to a mad dream of world domination over the pyres of skulls of the infidel dead - just like Hitler dreamed of building an Aryan future free of the Jews.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[MikefromOhio]

stupid stupid quote....

[Pharmboy]

When are these people going to learn: Just don't make comparisons to Hitler or Nazis...it never seems to work out the way they want it to.

[mainepatsfan]

These people never learn.

[cripplecreek]

I would compare them to the WWII Japanese.

[RedRover]

A comparison to Hitler is a tarbaby. When will politicans learn?

[mainepatsfan]

Sadly I know a lot of young folks who will use Hitler's name but have little actual knowledge of his crimes.

[Pharmboy]

...but at least the kamikazes went after military trgets.

[The Old Hoosier]

[mark3681]

Let me get this straight.
He's apologizing for comparing terrorists to Hitler? And, a caller calls in to the radio show and is offended by that remark?
Who was the caller? Seems to me he/she would have had to have been either a terrorist him/herself, or a simpathizer.

That's it! It's finally over. Our panty weight politicians are now apologizing for offending terrorists!

I would hope that this guy get's tons of mail stating that he will not be re-elected.

[goldstategop]

The Nazis were mass murderers. So are the Islamofascists. The Congressman used a poor choice of words but there is one similarity between yesterday's foe and that of the present that bears reminder: they have no respect for weak and the powerless and those they deem enemies of their ideology. For the Nazis it was the Jews. For the Islamofascists, its America.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[cripplecreek]

kamikazes were one particular type of attacker but the Japanese as a whole slaughtered or enslaved anyone they came across.

[prion]

Oh, great. And he's a Republican.

[mainepatsfan]

Of course they couldn't get in range of American civilian targets either.

[mark3681]

I wish this guy had been a Democrat. But, alas, he is a Republican! More fodder for the Dems.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Our panty weight politicians are now apologizing for offending terrorists!

Meanwhile, you have to drag an apology out of Dick Durbin for comparing our military to Nazis.
It was foolish for the Congressman to have said this, but still, let's get a sense of proportion here.

[goldstategop]

Republicans must apologize for clumsy remarks. Democrats like Dick Durbin, get a pass for comparing our troops to evil regimes.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Pharmboy]

Well, not quite. He said the terrorists are worse than Hitler and the Nazis. He said: "Hitler, in his philosophy, was, you know, he hated Jews, he was murdering Jews, and there were some people he liked. But he never went to the level that these people are going to," LoBiondo said.

He seems to be saying that because Hitler had a basis for carrying out his murder (Jew-hatred) it made more sense than what these terrorists are doing. At least it certainly can be read that way.

[Coop]

These people never learn.

This guy's head and shoulders above Turban Durbin. He truly apologized (said he was wrong). What a novel concept.