Letters to the editor - Saturday (1-14-2012)

Lessons of Holocaust must never be forgotten

I really appreciate the Salisbury Post and reporter Sarah Campbell in particular for the recent story “Holocaust Survivor Speaks to Knox Students.” This in-depth article, with the addition of student interviews, was superb. Knox Middle School, especially teacher Dawn Hennessey, should be commended for arranging this event.

Most of all, a big thank you to Manfred Katz. In bringing his story to life, he is helping fulfill the promises of the World War II servicemen who, after witnessing the atrocities and horrors first-hand, vowed that the world must never forget or ever let this happen again. After I read Anne Frank’s diary (some 20 years ago), I spent months studying Hitler and the Holocaust, watching hours of archival video and reading anything that I could lay my hands on. It’s a haunting and chilling journey.

The reason we must never forget is more than just historical context. There are still people in powerful positions that not only think the holocaust was necessary, but that as of now, it’s still unfinished. These people aren’t just in Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, but all over the world. Their influence and their numbers are growing, but they usually hide their goals behind socialist propaganda. Many people have become influenced by this and don’t even realize it. When President Obama said that Israel needs to return to her 1967 borders, he was simply and honestly trying to resolve a complicated issue; yet he was unwittingly helping those who want to completely erase Israel off the face of the earth. The National Socialists (Nazis) were but one example of what can happen when socialism combines with anti-Semitism. Only knowledge of history can prevent this from happening again.

We must stand with Israel, now, or we may soon witness history repeating itself.

— Steve Pender

Rockwell

Voter identification

Here’s a short story about the simple things for which business can require a photo ID.

While I was returning two oil filters to a local auto parts store, the clerk asked to see my driver’s license. “Really, you need my license to return two oil filters?” Yes they did! After about a minute of back and forth about this and the party that is against a voter ID, I showed my license and finished the process. Without it, I guess I couldn’t have returned the filters. They wanted to ensure that I was who I said I was. Should any more or less be required to vote?

— Larry Swindel

Salisbury