Bob McCarty Writes

Chuck Baldwin

This morning, I read an article by former Constitution Party presidential candidate Chuck Baldwin that brought to my mind the wise words attributed to Spanish-born American philosopher George Santayana more than 100 years ago:  “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Baldwin wrote the article after his name — as well as those of Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) and Bob Barar, the former Georgia Republican congressman-turned Libertarian presidential candidate — received less-than-flattering attention in a report (pdf) about the “Modern Militia Movement” published by the Missouri Information Analysis Center.  In short, he was described as a favorite of people likely to be involved with the “new” militia movement.

While Baldwin’s overall response to the slight was commendable, I was most impressed with how he used the occasion as an opportunity to reach back more than 60 years to teach a lesson Santayana would have appreciated.

Baldwin closed his piece by citing the now-famous lament written by Martin Niemöller, a decorated U-boat captain, clergyman and avid anti-communist, who wrote the following words about his initial indifference toward the actions of Adolph Hitler’s Nazi regime:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not spek out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.

Thoughtful words.*

NOTE: Click here to visit the web site of the Martin Niemöller Foundation where I found the most-accurate translation of Niemöller’s words above and used them in place of the words that appeared in Baldwin’s article.

* * *

See also:

Yikes, I Might Be Part of the Militia Movement! (Second Update)

Be Sociable, Share!

•