"First they came" poem

[myp]

I am sure many of you have heard the famous poem by Pastor Martin Niem?ller concerning his experience with the Halocaust, but I just wanted to share it in case you haven't as it is very touching and has a very important message against political apathy.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
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 speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out.

 

[deanhills]

Yes I have heard of the poem, pretty awesome and a solid message about taking responsibility and being accountable for the world.

 

[Dirk]

Yes I have heard of the poem, pretty awesome and a solid message about taking responsibility and being accountable for the world.

And for their fellow man.

 

[deanhills]

And for their fellow man.

Oops! Almost forgot about the fellow man. :giggle:

 

[ArghMonkey]

I take it this guy isent who you had in mind for that poem?

 

[myp]

I take it this guy isent who you had in mind for that poem?

There is no specific peoples I have in mind when I think of that poem. To have that sort of segregated outlook only defeats the point of the poem.

 

[ArghMonkey]

There is no specific peoples I have in mind when I think of that poem. To have that sort of segregated outlook only defeats the point of the poem.

I agree totally.

The problem is one persons freedom fighter is another persons terrorist.

Im not saying I am for or against anyone in general, I would need specifics but I thought that picture was provocative nonetheless

 

[D'il y a bien longtemps]

I am sure many of you have heard the famous poem by Pastor Martin Niem?ller concerning his experience with the Halocaust, but I just wanted to share it in case you haven't as it is very touching and has a very important message against political apathy.

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
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 speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out.

This should be taught in schools. I don't know today if that many would speak out for other people. As a whole I mean. Do you? Any of you know if you believe others would speak out? In this country.

 

[deanhills]

This should be taught in schools. I don't know today if that many would speak out for other people. As a whole I mean. Do you? Any of you know if you believe others would speak out? In this country.

Obama did, against the Supreme Court.

 

[myp]

Do you? Any of you know if you believe others would speak out? In this country.

I try to and I plan on staying active and aware of what is happening with all peoples as best as I can in the future. Right now may main source is through blogging, although I have attended a protest or two.

Obama did, against the Supreme Court.

How does Obama pushing against the Supreme Court decision relate to this? I don't see how it is relevant, but maybe you are looking at it a different way.

 

[deanhills]

How does Obama pushing against the Supreme Court decision relate to this? I don't see how it is relevant, but maybe you are looking at it a different way.

I referred to it as a joke! But one could probably say that he spoke out against the decision when it was not his call to do so. I believe he did it for political reasons, but some people say he did it completely selflessly in the interest of justice.

 

[D'il y a bien longtemps]

I try to and I plan on staying active and aware of what is happening with all peoples as best as I can in the future. Right now may main source is through blogging, although I have attended a protest or two.

what type of protest?

 

[myp]

I referred to it as a joke!

Ah, that just went over my head

what type of protest?

The biggest one was when I protested the health care plan by Obama at a rally last fall (Obama was making a speech, but there were many groups outside the building protesting- either for or against his plans.

 

[Dirk]

This should be taught in schools. I don't know today if that many would speak out for other people. As a whole I mean. Do you? Any of you know if you believe others would speak out? In this country.

Which country is that?

My union supports solidarity action for the Belgrade 6, the People of Haiti, and in support of the FAU-B in Berlin, among other things. I support all these things as well.

 

[Hair]

This poem is a very strong reminder of what human nature can lead us to do.