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December 23, 2005
Munich remembered: First they came . . . .
This entry is part of a series on the Munich Massacre and “Munich” the movie, to provide factual background to accompany the movie's release. The authoritative documentary on the massacre is One Day in September.
"First they came for the communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communistFirst they attacked the Olympics in Munich, Germany, killed 2 athletes, and took hostages and a helicopter. Police snipers shot the terrorists but didn't kill them. One of the terrorists threw a hand grenade into the helicopter and killed all the hostages and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an Israeli.
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 there was no one left to speak up."-- Pastor Martin Niemoeller, martyr of the Nazis
Then they invaded the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 US citizens hostage, and I didn't speak up because the Shah was, after all, a real bastard and I had voted for Jimmy Carter.
Then 6 Islamic terrorists seized the Iranian embassy in London. They announced that they would kill a hostage every half hour, and they did but I didn't speak up because the hostages weren't anyone I knew.
Then Shiite suicide bombers from the Hizballah organization, with the support of the government of Iran, bombed barracks in Beirut, Lebanon where US Marines and French paratroopers were housed. 299 were killed, including 241 US Marines and I didn't speak up because, ever since Vietnam I wasn't very keen on the U.S. military anyway.
Then the Taliban government of Afghanistan arrested 24 international humanitarian aid workers in Kabul. Incarcerated were 16 citizens of Afghanistan, 4 from Germany, 2 from the US and 2 from Australia. Several were members of Shelter Now International (SNI). Several were accused of trying to propagate Christianity, punishable by long terms or execution and I didn't speak up because I was pretty damn ripped on some killer Afghani opium.
Then, on September 11, 2001 they came for me - and by that time, it was all I could do to make a few quick calls on my cell phone.
Judith | 12/23/05 at 05:10 AM | Categories: - Munich Massacre
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Comments
That was an excellent post, Judith; I will tell my friends and family to read it. But it's the mainstream media that should read it -- instead of excusing and justifying terrorism, they should report over and over on the atrocities committed over the years by these murderers, and they should show the photos and film footage again and again. I thought that 9/11 would finally make these people wake up -- but I was wrong.
Susan Schwartz | December 23, 2005 03:25 PM
Let me preface this by saying we are almost 100% in agreement on most things, and I think this site is performing a valuable service.
That said, this line made me a little queasy: "Then, on September 11, 2001 they came for me - and by that time, it was all I could do to make a few quick calls on my cell phone."
The original Niemoeller quote makes the point well, and I have no problem with creating a parallel version featuring modern-day terrorists. However, when it ends up apparently being put in the mouth of one of the people on one of the planes hijacked on 9/11, I feel that's kind of tasteless. Saying we should have reacted to terrorism more before 9/11 is a very valid point, but then to essentially say that maybe someone had that thought right before dying on a hijacked plain on 9/11 seems to be vindictive and in poor taste.
Craiggers | December 23, 2005 07:23 PM
