Something to think about.

Published on March 5, 2005 By dharmagrl In Blogging

"In Germany they came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up
because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn't
speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for
the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they
came for me--and by that time no one was left to speak up."

(Martin Niemoller)

His words were relevant then, and they are relevant now. I think that we all can apply those words to some aspect or time of our lives.

It's something to think about....

Comments (Page 1)

Manopeace

on Mar 05, 2005

A very famous quote that has inspired me throughout my enire life. I have always spoken out against injustices against anyone, anywhere, regardless of race, sex, religion or any other thing that might identify a person.
Bless you for posting this.

General Maxwell

on Mar 05, 2005

You are right Dharma, if we don't act now we risk being taken over by Muslims.

Thank you, a shared view I think between us.

dharmagrl

on Mar 05, 2005

A very famous quote that has inspired me throughout my enire life.

I had heard it ages ago, but I was reminded of it again a few days ago. I like it; it's getting put in my journal.

Moderateman

on Mar 05, 2005

boil all you said down and you get "evil succeeds when good men/women stand by and do nothing"

dharmagrl

on Mar 05, 2005

evil succeeds when good men/women stand by and do nothing"

Yes...I have an Amnesty International T-shirt that reads 'All evil need to succeed is enough good people to do nothing".

bakerstreet

on Mar 05, 2005

Depends on what you mean by "come for". If you see people in the US "come for" the communists in the way the Nazis came for them, sure, be afraid. I think it is kind of over-the-top to equate anything at present with Nazi Germany.

dharmagrl

on Mar 05, 2005

I think it is kind of over-the-top to equate anything at present with Nazi Germany.

Now where did I (or anyone else) equate anything with Nazi Germany, Baker? All I said was that I think have all been able to relate to those words at some point in our lives...whether it be personally, or in a more global sense.

I came to recall Niemoller's words today because I was researching concentration camps with my daughter. She had come across the words 'Arbeit mach frei' and had asked what they mean, and the converstaion ensued.... it's the first time (apart from reading Ann Frank's Diary) that she's been exposed to the holocaust...it was a very moving experience for the both of us.

She lost a little of her innocence today, I think.

Death_By_Beebles

on Mar 05, 2005

None can truly be innocent forever. This part of our past is one that all have to deal with.

I think that the quote you have provided is a wonderful reminder of the fact that if you let bad things happen, sooner or later they happen to you.

+1 insightful.

Peace,

Beebes

MasonM

on Mar 05, 2005

I have always thought it was an excellent statement on apathy. Too bad some folks miss the point entirely.

dynamaso

on Mar 05, 2005

Hey Dharma, thanks for sharing this. I haven't seen this before today. I'm adding it to my quote collection as well.

Myrrander

on Mar 05, 2005

I'm not sure the point. Are we in a fascist state of affairs?

bakerstreet

on Mar 06, 2005

"Now where did I (or anyone else) equate anything with Nazi Germany, Baker? "

Sorry. The quote refers to Nazi Germany, and you said it is relevant now, so I just assumed you were comparing now in some way to Nazi Germany.

Manopeace

on Mar 06, 2005

I'm not sure the point. Are we in a fascist state of affairs?

"We" arn't, but Germany once was... But its a good warning never to let it happen again...ANYWHERE.

Dr Guy

on Mar 07, 2005

It is also my Email tag line. The sad fact is that I felt it was necessary as I see it almost every day (just not in so fatal an example).

Dr Guy

on Mar 07, 2005

In magnitude only. But the one thing the Nazis did was serve as an excellant example of what can happen when Good Men do nothing.

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