Posted on 07/04/2011 2:26:54 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Democrat John Binienda of Massachusetts apologizes for comparing Republican proposal that would require lobbyists to wear ID badges to Nazi tattooing of Jews during Holocaust Reuters
A Massachusetts state lawmaker apologized on Thursday for a remark comparing a Republican proposal that would require lobbyists to wear ID badges to the Nazi tattooing of Jews during the Holocaust.
House Republicans last week proposed a set of ethics reforms in response to the recent corruption conviction of former Massachusetts Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and an associate.
Among the proposals was a plan for lobbyists to wear visible identification badges to seek access to House members or staff.
John Binienda, a Democrat from Worcester, told the State House News Service on Wednesday that the ID badges plan was "revolting," and compared it to Adolf Hitler having Jewish people tattooed in concentration camps.
The lawmaker, chairman of the Massachusetts House Rules Committee, recanted after his comments sparked outrage.
"Yesterday, I made an inappropriate analogy regarding a proposed change to the House Rules," Binienda said in a statement. "No comparison can be made between the Nazi regime and a rules proposal made by members in good faith."
That stopped after I posted my experiences from living in Germany for 4 years while serving in the Army.
I made two trips each to Flossenburg and Dachau. I can say unequivocally that Dachau is the most sobering place I have ever visited, and it haunts me 30 years later.
The evil perpetrated by the Nazis should never be diluted by the use of that term in conversation.
My very liberal niece and her husband, think that Germany today is heaven on earth, which I doubt. Would you mind recounting your experiences in Germany?
It was a wonderful experience for me, as I lived "on the economy" for three years. I lived in a small town along the Mosel River, and I found the people very friendly.
On the few days I had off, I particularly liked to drive up to Koblenz to visit the Konigsbacher brewery. They had a nice restaurant overlooking the Rhine River, and they served bock beer year round.
On longer weekends, I did the usual tourist stuff, going to Amsterdam, Munich, etc. My last two years, I'd visit friends that I made north of Kiel while on a temporary assignement during the summer of 79. Some Freepers will recognize the name of Todendorf, which was a German sub base during WWII. After the war, it was converted to an anti-aircraft range. American battalions trained twice a year at that range.
Although it was over 400 miles from my apartment, I was able to make it in 5 hours, thanks to the Autobahn. I'd leave on Friday after work, and head back Monday night, in time to be at work on time on Tuesday.
Weather was always a limiting factor, especially from October to April.
I've enjoyed every place I've lived (SF Bay Area, Spokane, El Paso, and Dallas/Fort Worth).
Texas has been my home for over 20 years, and I don't plan on leaving.
Saying this is JUST LIKE SOMETHING HITLER WOULD HAVE SAID!
Sadly, the average American is illiterate when it comes to history. I do my best to fill in the holes in my house, with mixed success.
I hope to take a trip to Normandy next year.
Sheesh, Greg Gutfeld, on Fox News, has been making fun of liberals for years by ending his 'Gregalouges' with "And if you disagree with me, then you sir are worse than Hitler" ...and, yet, liberals continue to trot out Hitler comparisons not realizing how tired/played out they are.
He made up for it by taking several of the loudest children to the pool while I had a nap with Francisco, who is 2, and some catz.
Yea, the stormtroopers got to him and twisted his arm, broke his leg, stomped on his toes, broke his fingers, smashed his face, after which Binienda finally broke down and relented to recant his remarks.
I was stationed in Germany for almost four years. While there I could not get over how many of the plain folk still held respect for Hitler; he made them proud and gave them somebody to hate.
The war was of some interest to me, but how an entire nation fell under the hate-filled leadership of one powerful man is what fascinated me. It’s old history; even George Washington warns of such behavior in his Farewell Address.
I believe we’re seeing the same behavior starting now with the Democrats. They believe in the absolute power of Obama and care not one whit for the Constitution. I believe that if he does not lose in the next election our history will turn as dark as Germany’s.
American leaders are taking away individualism and mass producing, through government schools, unions, & redistribution a new kind of Nationalism or Group Think. Frightening.
I don't think that Obama is charismatic enough to cast a spell over this nation but I fear for what/who is coming down the road.
Interestingly, the movie also pointed out that the first time an innocent man was sent to death by a judge it no longer mattered that the number became millions - the door of injustice was opened. I, personally, felt that our nation had a front row seat to injustice when OJ was found not guilty. I no longer believe that in our country people will necessarily find justice. Scary.
You may like Orwell's Notes on Nationalism
I don't have time to read the whole essay right now, but I did skim through it. Remember, I am 39% stoopid! If Orwell is correct, then his "cure" is for an individual to understand the difference between right and wrong then make the effort, struggle, to act on what is right. Are the masses struggling to do right or be right?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.