Then they came for me....

[Osborn F Enready]

First they came 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 Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.

by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945


A new and updated version, just for U.S.

First they came for the Muslims, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Muslim.

Then they came to detain immigrants indefinitely solely upon the certification of the Attorney General, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an immigrant.

Then they came to eavesdrop on suspects consulting with their attorneys, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a suspect.

Then they came to prosecute non-citizens before secret military commissions, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a non-citizen.

Then they came to enter homes and offices for unannounced "sneak and peek" searches, and I didn't speak up because I had nothing to hide.

Then they came to reinstate Cointelpro and resume the infiltration and surveillance of domestic religious and political groups, and I didn't speak up because I had stopped participating in any groups.

Then they came for anyone who objected to government policy because it aided the terrorists and gave ammunition to America's enemies, and I didn't speak up because...... I didn't speak up.

Then they came for me....... and by that time no one was left to speak up.

Stephen Rohde, a constitutional lawyer and President of the ACLU of Southern California, is indebted to the inspiration of Rev. Martin Niemoller (1937).


I thought this may cause some debate, though I personally see its inspiration in more ways than one. What do you people think?

[bishop]

excellent statements there.

i agree with it. whenever you see pro-bush types talk about the patriot act, they act as if there's nothing to fear. maybe there isn't anything to truly worry about now as i doubt that our names are being collected for future imprisonment - that's not the point. do americans believe in liberty, or do they believe in authoritarianism? the more power you give the government over your life, the more freedom they have to abuse their power.

quite honestly, i don't understand how the PA hasn't been challenged in the supreme court yet. especially with PA #2, the provisions in it are blatantly unconstitutional...

[bugsbunny04]

Originally posted by bishop, ...maybe there isn't anything to truly worry about now as i doubt that our names are being collected for future imprisonment - that's not the point... ...quite honestly, i don't understand how the PA hasn't been challenged in the supreme court yet. especially with PA #2, the provisions in it are blatantly unconstitutional...

Mine probably is, and now yours probably is too.

[bugsbunny04]

Originally posted by Osborn F Enready, First they came 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 Catholics, and I didn’t speak up, because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me. by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945 A new and updated version, just for U.S. First they came for the Muslims, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Muslim. Then they came to detain immigrants indefinitely solely upon the certification of the Attorney General, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an immigrant. Then they came to eavesdrop on suspects consulting with their attorneys, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a suspect. Then they came to prosecute non-citizens before secret military commissions, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a non-citizen. Then they came to enter homes and offices for unannounced "sneak and peek" searches, and I didn't speak up because I had nothing to hide. Then they came to reinstate Cointelpro and resume the infiltration and surveillance of domestic religious and political groups, and I didn't speak up because I had stopped participating in any groups. Then they came for anyone who objected to government policy because it aided the terrorists and gave ammunition to America's enemies, and I didn't speak up because...... I didn't speak up. Then they came for me....... and by that time no one was left to speak up. Stephen Rohde, a constitutional lawyer and President of the ACLU of Southern California, is indebted to the inspiration of Rev. Martin Niemoller (1937). I thought this may cause some debate, though I personally see its inspiration in more ways than one. What do you people think?

Yes, my gov./eco. teacher (also teaches hr.s history 11 and hollocaust had the original version on his wall. Kind of makes one think huh?

[Mia]

Awesome. This is what many of us have tried to get across to people but no one remembered this quote! Thanks for posting.

[castille]

Well I'm pretty safe.

[madprophet]

Originally posted by castille, Well I'm pretty safe.

And you'll probably think the same thing right up to the point where they kick in your door and drag you away for not screaming loud enough at the two minute hate (that's an Orwell reference, for anyone that hasn't read 1984.)

[castille]

Originally posted by madprophet,+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (madprophet,)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin-castille, Well I'm pretty safe.

And you'll probably think the same thing right up to the point where they kick in your door and drag you away for not screaming loud enough at the two minute hate (that's an Orwell reference, for anyone that hasn't read 1984.)[/b][/quote]

Don't you worry about me....I can hate Goldstein enough to be doing the draggin.

[Milton Bradley]

Quote from original post "Then they came to reinstate Cointelpro and resume the infiltration and surveillance of domestic religious and political groups, and I didn't speak up because I had stopped participating in any groups."


Sounds like Nixon, and Watergate to me.


Why don't people remember the past?


"Why was I born with such contemporaries?" Oscar Wilde

[dotcoma]

Originally posted by castille, Well I'm pretty safe.

You are FAR from safe, my friend. Our country is a snake eating it's tail. Eventually, you will be swallowed as well.

[PatrickHenry]

He's safe because he resides in Australia and he can always run back to his homeland in the Peoples Republic of China if the NWO extends its tentacles downunder. With the attitudes he has shown on volconvo, castille shoud go far...

[Suburbanite]

Agree or disagree, how sappy is ripping off someone else's poem?

[Mia]

I don't see it as ripping off - the original author was credited, and there's nothing wrong with rewording to fit current times. And it's not sappy either.

[Osborn F Enready]

I simply reposted it, with credit to the author. I apologize if you take offense, but I dont remember the Constitution identifying a right or granting a privledge to not be offended.

I don't think it is sappy, personally. I feel the original author meant much the same intentions as the author who took his meaning and updated the concept of the poem to modern events, that reflect much the same scenario.

[Suburbanite]

Sorry, I just think it is sappy, I'm not offended or anything, it would take a lot more than a poem to offend me. I didn't think the author was commiting a crime or anything, I just personally didn't like the lack or originality behind what is otherwise a great poem.

[m3talsmith]

Originally posted by bishop, excellent statements there. i agree with it. whenever you see pro-bush types talk about the patriot act, they act as if there's nothing to fear. maybe there isn't anything to truly worry about now as i doubt that our names are being collected for future imprisonment - that's not the point. do americans believe in liberty, or do they believe in authoritarianism? the more power you give the government over your life, the more freedom they have to abuse their power. quite honestly, i don't understand how the PA hasn't been challenged in the supreme court yet. especially with PA #2, the provisions in it are blatantly unconstitutional...

That's because those who made the Patriot Act are "normal" and have nothing to fear as long as they are "normal": i.e. don't question anything, pay as much to the government as possible, even your life, cheer every political move made, make sure the "good" politicians get voted in, and when all is said and done and your rights are no more, when we've turned into a nation ruled as an ologarchy, then bow humbly and say "thank you sir, can I have another!"

[bishop]

that's quite an exaggeration.. our last president grew up in a trailor park, not with a silver spoon in his mouth.

i don't like the PA at all, but i'm not about to be alarmist either.

[PatrickHenry]

When they came for the Fifth Amendment,
I did not say anything because I had done nothing wrong.
When they came for the Fourth Amendment,
I did not say anything because I had nothing to hide,
When they came for the Second Amendment,
I did not say anything because I did not own a gun,
When they came for the First Amendment,
I could not say anything. -- Anonymous

[castille]

Originally posted by roxdog,+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (roxdog,)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by castille,@ Well I'm pretty safe. You are FAR from safe, my friend. Our country is a snake eating it's tail. Eventually, you will be swallowed as well.[/b]

Sounds great. I'll be over 5000 miles away when America turns Nazi.


<!--QuoteBegin-PatrickHenry,
He's safe because he resides in Australia and he can always run back to his homeland in the Peoples Republic of China if the NWO extends its tentacles downunder. [/quote]
Yep, due to people like you, I keep a foot (and wallet) in China in case the "No niggers and Asian people" policies start again.

With the attitudes he has shown on volconvo, castille shoud go far...

And you'd be the first in a concentration camp. Whose the smart one?

[Suburbanite]

PH's is 100 times better