Tag: history

Alligator Auschwitz

Pat Liberty

The difference between Alcatraz and Auschwitz is the difference between having due process to convict one of crimes versus rounding up people who look suspicious simply because of their black or brown skin. The facility in Florida is a concentration camp. Full stop.

The conditions of the camp are also reminiscent of the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. According to truthout.org, detainees (read prisoners) are “enduring inhumane conditions including inadequate and maggot infested food, inability to bathe, flooding and denial of religious practice.” There are also documented cases of sexual violence against women, failure to give adequate care during pregnancy and lack of treatment during a miscarriage.

The people imprisoned at Alligator Auschwitz are supposedly the “worst of the worst” criminals, but there are documented cases of US citizens being detained despite having no criminal record or current charges against them. Even if they WERE the “worst of the worst” they deserve to be treated as human beings.

The facility uses outside contractors to run day-to-day operations. This amounts to millions of dollars in federal funding given to the occupant’s cronies. Less than $2.00 per day is spent on food for those imprisoned at the camp. Prisoners receive one meal a day and inadequate water to tolerate the stifling heat.

It is nauseating to realize that there is merchandise advertising “Alligator Alcatraz.” Mugs, T-shirts and hats are available online and connected to the Republican party in Florida.

Cruelty has always been the point. This is not primarily about deportation. It is about treating people as less than human and scaring them into admitting just about anything to get out of there. If this facility were operating outside the United States, there would be political and social condemnation. There is precious little protesting from the American people, a sad commentary on our apathy and willingness to acquiesce to avoid landing on the occupant’s radar.

It will not be long before people die, suffer mental breakdown or attempt suicide. Given the fact that there is not even an accurate list of who is in the camp, loved ones may never know the fate of the prisoners.

This is below inhumane. This is torture sanctioned by the state of Florida and the occupant’s authoritarian regime. Somehow the news that all people are created in the image of the Divine and bear the imprint of God’s love and grace has not reached the Everglades in Florida.

In addition to the conditions at the prison, there is also impact on the delicate Everglades ecosystem. The degradation of this environment endangers the entire state of Florida and beyond. There are also tribal lands that are being desecrated by this monstrous monument to the depth of human cruelty. Apparently, the sanctity of God’s creation and the inherent dignity of tribal peoples have not reached the occupant or the Florida government.

And we who are aware of these atrocities are complicit if we keep silent. Contact your Senators and Representatives. This is not a partisan issue. This is a human dignity issue. This is a moral crisis for our nation and for each person who claims this nation as home. The lack of public outcry and the willingness of so many to purchase merchandise advertising this human rights debacle signals that the country is okay with this. Make it clear that it is not okay. Phone calls, letters, e-mails are all ways to register your outrage about Alligator Auschwitz. Act today. People are waiting for relief and justice.

This is a Test

Pat Liberty

Fascism depends on people thinking that:

  • things aren’t that bad.
  • what’s happening there won’t happen in my area.
  • it will all work itself out and I don’t need to do anything.
  • it won’t impact me because I’m a citizen.
  • democracy has always survived; it will this time, too.

Fascism assumes we will be lulled into a false sense of security because the horrors are not knocking on our door. Fascism assumes we will grow tired of protesting and contacting senators and representatives because we think it won’t do any good. In short, fascism depends on our docility.

It is, however, time that we ask the question, how long will we:

  • tolerate the federal government deploying national guard troops against US citizens when the national guard is called out at the state’s behest?
  • ignore the inhumane conditions at Alligator Auschwitz because we don’t personally know anyone who has ended up there?
  • dismiss the attacks on civil rights for the LGBTQI community because we are not in that population?
  • Ignore an undone, mentally incompetent, megalomanic presiding over the demise of our democracy while we twiddle our thumbs?

It’s past time we remember Hitler didn’t start with concentration camps. He started by creating “us” and “them.” He started by dehumanizing groups of people and giving people a common “enemy.” He started by suppressing dissent and punishing those who publicly disagreed with him. He started by creating disinformation campaigns.

We cannot ignore that all of that, and more, is already happening here. And we cannot forget that Hitler’s rise to power could not have happened without the tacit consent of the German Church. The state church became the Reich church and supported the policies and pogroms Hitler promoted. The Roman Catholic church was largely silent as the horrors unfolded. Even the Confessing Church eventually capitulated to the pressures of the third Reich.

In the United States, fascism and the entrenchment of white Christian Nationalism cannot happen without the tacit consent (or silence) of the church. In a world where the loudest voices get airtime, what is needed is a cogent voice that cuts across denominational and political lines. It doesn’t matter if you are a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or granola groupie, what is happening to people across our country is wrong. It’s not about politics; it’s about being human. Standing by silently while ICE agents create terror (which is the point) is one sign of our agreement with these inhuman policies and procedures.

Make no mistake, this is all a carefully orchestrated plan. The goal is to create an authoritarian regime that gives the message that it cannot be challenged. It also gaslights people into thinking that this leader, in this case the not-so-great Cheeto, is the only one who can “save” the country.

With the demise of the integrity of the Supreme Court, there is no limit to the power this unhinged, deranged man-child can exercise. His minions all kiss his ass and carry out his bidding just to preserve their own political power.

So, what to do? Every single day make your voice heard. Contact senators and representatives (they do not have to be from your state) and protest the policies of this corrupt government. Stay informed about what is REALLY happening and not what you are fed by major news outlets. Listen carefully to the language that is used to describe what is happening. It will give you an idea of their “spin” and their priorities. Look for the most neutral news outlets you can find.

Read, read and read some more. Understand history and how it repeats, especially when our leader looks with admiration upon the most abominable human being in recent history. We can recite the statistic that says six million Jews died in the death camps, and it is true. What is also true is that four million LGBTQ persons, those with mental limitations, Roma people, Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, Jehovah’s Witnesses, artists, writers and political opponents (like Dietrich Bonhoeffer) also died.

We do well to remember the words of Martin Niemoller:

“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 trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

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 no one was left to speak up.”

This is how I rewrite it for our time:

            First they came for the immigrants, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t an immigrant.

            Then they came for the journalists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a journalist.

            Then they came for the transgender and LGBQI community and I didn’t speak up because I was not a part of that community.

            Then they came for the liberal church, and I didn’t speak up because I was not a practicing Christian.

            Then they came for the poor, and I didn’t speak up because I can afford my groceries,

            Then they came for the chronically ill and removed their health care coverage, and I didn’t speak up because I can afford to pay for my health care.

            Then they came for me and everyone was so pissed that I didn’t speak up for them, they ignored my cries for help.

The truth is, we are all in this together. We need to use our voice and our privilege to speak for those who are systematically disempowered by the fascist regime that is firmly established in our country. There is still time, but it is running short. What will you be remembered for?

Dismantling Democracy

Pat Liberty

Hitler dismantled the democracy of Germany in just 53 days. It began with mass deportation and the dismissal of government officials who opposed him. Number 47 has begun in exactly the same way. Widespread ICE raids are targeting and rounding up immigrants, many of whom are legal citizens and have committed no crimes. The philosophy seems to be “round them all up and we will sort it out later.”

This week he fired a number of officials from the Department of Justice who pursued litigation against him for his illegal behavior. He said he would retaliate against those who opposed him and he is making good on that promise.

He is also challenging birthright citizenship in direct violation of the fourteenth amendment to the constitution. It hinges on a short phrase in the amendment that his right wing justices can interpret any way they choose with virtually no opposition.

Hitler became chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. We are in a very similar situation to Germany at that time.  It is important to understand some history so we see the parallels to our own time. Hitler did not seize power in a coup. He was not directly elected to power.  Rather a combination of social and economic and political crises conspired to put Hitler into power. The fragile Weimar Republic which came to be in the aftermath of World War I was unable to manage the crises and political divisions that emerged during the late 1920’s and early 30’s. The world-wide Great Depression politically divided Germany and people lost faith in their government’s ability to solve problems and govern.

Radical antidemocratic political groups like the Nazi party grew in popularity, taking advantage of the political and economic chaos. The Nazi party made outlandish promises that captured the attention and the hopes of disgruntled Germans who were suffering in the economic and political chaos.  Things like fixing the economy, making Germany great again, reclaiming territory Germany lost in WW I and restoring a heavy handed rule of law were among the planks in their platform.

If it all sounds familiar, it should. The United States is following a very similar trajectory. The promises 47 made in his campaign are hubris to some extent, but he is making good on his anti-immigrant, anti-trans, anti LGBTQI agenda, much to his followers’ delight. He is also signing Executive Orders, some 300 since taking office. Many of them will go nowhere or will be delayed in endless litigation, but the overall visual is one of 47 taking charge and getting things done.

The American people are largely ho-hum about it. If this doesn’t affect us directly, we tend to not react or respond. We are not immigrants, legal or illegal, so who cares? We can take the hit for increased egg prices, so who cares? The Department of Justice probably needs some housecleaning, so who cares? It isn’t until the chickens come home to roost in ways that directly impact people that they wake up and take action. And often that action is pretty anemic– complaining loudly, kvetching and grousing.

This is the time to be paying attention. In Germany it didn’t begin with gas chambers. It began with mass deportation, dismissal of government employees who saw the danger in the Hitler regime and increasing authoritarian governing. In other words, what is happening here.

If you aren’t writing your senators and representatives weekly; if you are not writing to 47 and expressing your outrage; if you are not supporting the agencies that embody your values; if you are silent in the midst of what is happening; you are like the majority of Germans in 1934 who ignored the gradual hand writing on the wall.

Our democracy is older than Germany’s was at the time. It may mean that we have some resilience that Germany didn’t have, but I am not willing to bet the farm on that. Democracy, while incredibly strong, is always incredibly fragile. The degree of its fragility depends on the engagement of its people in the political process.  Given what I am seeing currently, this does not make me hopeful.

I implore you. Get politically active. Make your voice heard. Even if it doesn’t impact you, even if you don’t see the problem, even if you agree with some of his policies, even if you don’t really give a damn, it’s time to rise up.  Elie Wiesel said, “Silence benefits the oppressor.” The poor disenfranchised and politically powerless will pay the price long before many of us. If we claim to be followers of Jesus in any way, shape or form, our concern for them must rise to the top and our actions must reflect Jesus’ values and behavior. Otherwise, we become like the German church, which became the Reich church and did the bidding of the Nazi’s. Or we become like the confessing church, which ultimately failed because of its cowardice and lack of faith.

For those of you who say faith and politics don’t mix I say bullshit. The gospel is inherently political. It is not partisan, but it is political. Jesus’ ultimate concern was for the poor, the powerless, the disenfranchised, the last, the least and the lost. Embodying his concern for the people of our time who are exploited and beaten down by the system is our moral duty. It’s just that simple.  

On The Right Side of History

Pat Liberty

Christian traditions in the United States stand at a crossroad. This is the moment when we need to choose if we are going to be agents of empire or keepers of the Word. This may sound melodramatic, but I am trying desperately to get your attention.

A lesson in history is instructive. According to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum website:

” The population of Germany in 1933 was around 60 million. Almost all Germans were Christian, belonging to either the Roman Catholic (20 million) or the Protestant (40 million) churches. The Jewish community in Germany was less than 1% of the total population of the country.

The rise of Anti-Semitism in Germany was reflective of the dominant culture in most of Europe and had deep roots in Christian history. Misinterpretation of key scriptures seemed to support their prejudices.

After Germany’s defeat in World War I, the rise of Nazism seemed a welcome relief from the Weimar republic. For the most part, the German Evangelical church saw itself as a pillar of German culture and society with a theologically grounded loyalty to the state. During the 1920’s, a movement emerged within the German Evangelical Church that embraced many of the nationalistic and racial aspects of Nazi ideology. Once the Nazis came to power, this group sought the creation of a national “Reich Church” and supported a “nazified” version of Christianity.

The “Confessing Church” emerged in opposition to the nationalist “Reich Church.” Its most noteworthy leaders were Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Niemoller. These two movements created an ongoing struggle for control of the German Protestant church.  

The Roman Catholic church was not as divided largely because nationalism was not as deeply rooted in Roman Catholic culture.” (Edited for length and clarity)

For the most part the dominant Christian church of the 1930’s made an uneasy peace with the rise of Nazism. Concerned about schism, state interference in church affairs and the rise of “Aryanism,” the church kept its head down and avoided confrontation.

In other words, with very few exceptions, it sold out.

In our time, as we face the rise of religious nationalism and an increasingly fascist political system, churches stand at a crossroad. Will our concern for not pissing people off quell our faithful sensibilities about the demands of the Gospel? Will our unwillingness to speak truth to power eclipse our prophetic responsibilities as people of God? Will our stupid and arrogant notion that “it can’t happen here” blind us to the fact that it is happening here?

The jury is out.

We need to speak out against the Supreme Court’s decision to grant widespread immunity to a president. This, in effect, makes the President above the law. This paves the way for policies that stand in opposition to the Constitution without consequence.

We need to educate ourselves about the Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 and other behind the scenes decisions that are unraveling the heart of our democracy.

Mostly, we need the courage to speak truth to power. To stand firm as followers of Jesus and say no to the agenda of a political machine that seeks to undo decades of progress in caring for our environment, caring for our most vulnerable members of society, and reaching for equality for populations that are “othered.” 

The bizarre notion that America is meant to be a nation for white European descendants, to the exclusion and subordination of all others, dovetails with the rise of religious nationalism. (I can’t bring myself to call it Christian.) A very narrow definition of “Christian” is at the heart of this religious nationalism. It is homophobic, fundamentalist, anti-just about everything and firmly nestled within the political machine. They feed off each other and enable each other’s goals.

Oklahoma now requires the bible to be taught in public schools. You can bet it will be a “bible” that leaves out the verses about justice and righteousness and caring for the alien, widow and orphan. You can be sure that proof texting to condemn homosexuality will roll off the tongues of those who teach the lessons. It is a sure bet that there will be one Christology, one definition of salvation and one understanding of church. Other Christian traditions will be demonized, minimized and ultimately silenced by the onslaught of the joining of (some version) of church and state.

In short, if you aren’t outraged, scared and deeply troubled by what is going on, you aren’t paying attention. By the time the German churches realized where their uneasy peace with Nazism landed them, it was too late. Let’s be on the right side of history this time.  

The views in this blog belong solely to the author and do not reflect the position of any religious institution or church.