First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out-
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out-
because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionist
and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me-
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
-Pastor Niemoeller (victim of the Nazis)
I found this while reading a book by Hunter S. Thompson.
At this point of the book he was talking about some of the events and people involved with 9-11. Over all allot of Hunter’s words have left me thinking, and I find great incite into the world, life and this country just based on what he says. It is not just the words he says, but how he says them, and the exact order he puts them. I also love that he writes much like I am sure he spoke. I have never met him so I can not be sure on that but it feels that way.
This poem (?)… out cry (?)… this thought…
well it says so much in just 4 simple sentences. This moves me in a way I can not even put into words. I have read it before… Many times…. in fact I went o school whit a Jewish girl who once red this to the class while we studied WWII.
Perhaps the memory of her, and her pain and passion is one reason this moves me… But I am sure it is more than that… Just writing this post thinking of that is almost moving me to tears…
Now in this book, Hunter has given these words an even deeper meaning.
I am not going to sit here and explain what this means to me… or for that matter why Thompson put it in his book at that place… That would be a waste of words…
Speak out. Mahalo.