ADL to GOP: “Condemn Forcefully the Invocation of Holocaust Imagery”
David Streeter — November 12, 2009 – 11:09 am | Abusive Holocaust Rhetoric | GOP Hypocrisies | Health Care | Republicans Comments (2) Add a commentThe Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has joined in the chorus of Jewish and non-Jewish organizations, including NJDC, condemning the use of Holocaust rhetoric by Republican Party activists. In addition to NJDC, we’ve heard on this topic from Representative Steve Israel (D-NY), the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and even a tweet by Elie Wiesel.
Politico‘s Ben Smith reports that ADL National Director Abraham Foxman issued this statement to the organizers of last week’s anti-health care reform rally:
We write to urge you to condemn forcefully the invocation of Holocaust imagery such as photos of Nazi concentration camp victims in the current health care debate. We were appalled that such images were held up by protesters at a press conference called and organized by Republicans at the United States Capitol last week, and deeply disappointed at the failure of the Republican leadership to speak out against such comparisons.
Smith published the ADL’s full letter, which has reportedly been sent to:
- House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), who plead ignorance when confronted about the Dachau sign that was directly in front of him during his speech
- House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), who despite a forced comment on the protestors’ Holocaust rhetoric, hasn’t taken real leadership on this issue
- Representative Michelle Bachman (R-MN), who organized the protest
- Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), who shouted “You Lie!” during President Barack Obama’s address on health care reform
- Representative Steve King (R-IA), who encouraged protestors to “make a house call” to congressional offices. King also demonstrated what his priorities are by skipping his son’s wedding in order to vote against the house health care reform bill. Doesn’t the GOP claim to be the party of “family values?”
Comments
Perhaps Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) will be assisted by the new health reform initiative when it provides him with eye glasses enabling him to see the use of extremist, divisive, and inappropriate imagery right in front of his face, close enough to bump his nose. If John is comatose to this kind of gesticulating, screaming rhetoric, one wonders what else he misses while representing the people from Ohio.
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This is a very serious issue that is being ignored in the mainstream media. What makes it stanger is that those who use the Holocaust in such a disingenuous fashion are the very people who employ anti-Semitic rhetoric. In addition to the heinous examples listed here, Pat Boone recently released a statement in which he said that “alien rodents” in the White House should be “gassed.” Are the leaders of the Republican party that ignorant about Nazi propaganda equating Jews with rats? How blatant do these maniacs have to get before we as a nation realize that there is a growing fascist movement in this country? Whether shouting down opposition or bringing firearms to town meetings, this movement is following in the footsteps of fascism. What makes it more absurd is that they accuse their opponents of being Hitler or Stalin. To equate plans to provide health care for the 47 million Americans who cannot afford it with Nazism is obscene. The Republican leadership that uses these bullies in order to silence opposition is promoting the most shameful tactics I have ever witnessed in this country. This must be condemned in the strongest voice.