NACHT UND NEBEL

     Night and fog. The term used to describe what happened to people under the Nazis, when they disappeared suddenly, became invisible, when civil rights became a non starter and hatred ruled the land. Nacht und Nebel. A term that easily transfers to other places where human beings are lost, disappearing into the night, disappearing from place of work, from wherever they are grabbed and never reappearing. It matters not the political designation of the country - Fascist, Communist, Socialist or even Democratic. It matters only to the people enmeshed in this homicidal atmosphere.
     Nacht und Nebel does not suddenly appear overnight. It gradually develops, first unseen, unrealized, on whispering feet, like the fog of Sandberg's poem, but gradually even as it is unacknowledged, its consequences grow until finally it becomes a monster impossible to ignore - and just about impossible to oppose, unless, unless, one is willing to risk lives to do so. Most are not willing to take that step and so the policy endures, liberty dies, and people are murdered, disposed of as just so much trash.
     We talk of the interference by the Russians into elections all over the world, even, at times, invited to do so by the country, or certain politicians in a country. And now we have added a new, overwhelmingly frightening aspect to this. There is now "coordinated, transnational far-right information operations.”   There is now expressed fear of a distorting influence by the United States!! Yes, us, the country supposed to be the leader, the protector of the free world has turned into a force of destruction instead. And folks, let me make it clear as glass - there is no one to blame for this other than Trump, his two sons, and his minions, who knowingly and willingly, or blindly follow in his path, unseeing, uncaring, and not realizing that their own lives are now subject to his whims and wants. It is he who has opened the door to right wing crazies who dare to chant murderous slogans. It is he who has allowed the idea of a KKK march right thru the Jewish area in Dayton. It is he who has encouraged the poisonous atmosphere of politics today and the fear of any discussion of it. And for those who insist he is good for Israel, good for the Jews, well, so was Eichmann, when he brought in Jewish leaders, promised them the ability and the help needed to emigrate, to preserve the artifacts of the religion, and then, with the same quiet and polite approach, organized the end of Jewry as we knew it. Think Trump and company will not throw Israel and the Jews under the bus when it suits him? Well, think again!! And again!!
     We have become inured to the harshness of deaths of children under Border Control. Five that we know of and how many deaths have been hidden? How many life damaging conditions, separations, imprisonments have we imposed on children who either brave the journey to a new life and safety by themselves, or follow their parents. You know, my grandmother came here all alone , no family, at the age of 17 in order to build a new life, a life with a future, a life without pogroms and restricted rights. Should  she have been thrown on the garbage heap of humanity? Should all these migrants loking for hope be trashed, allowed to be flown and trucked hither and thither until no one can even state where they are?! Nacht und Nebel.
     We have redefined the idea of citizenship and who can get it. We are telling parents that their children are not citizens, though their parents are. We are telling people that no, they may not see their families ever again because we refuse to allow them in. We sit by for the most part as the anti immigrant viciousness that once plagued our country arises again. Nacht und Nebel awaiting in the wings to 'blossom' into a mushroom cloud of its own.
     Political opponents of the one who wishes to be a lifetime leader and who has expressed such musings and wishes, are demonized, dehumanized, making it easier for his followers to join in, chant hate, literally give away their independence and thinking power. They are accused of actions and thoughts that are unthinkable and never were!! They are faced with a barrage of lies such as we have never seen before outside the lands of Nacht und Nebel. The idea and concept of Truth in this country is fast disappearing. 
     As is the concept of law. We are supposed to be governed by laws. All are to be governed by it. Becoming a sitting president, especially when that achievement can be questioned as to legitimacy, does not give one the ability and the right to be above the law - for the term and for before and for after, for anything that the Demented One wants. Administration officials are not there to serve themselves and their president; they are there to serve the People, a seemingly quaint and outdated concept in these times.
     There are signs of hope, of people resisting, of people waking up. Is it time enough? Or will we face a fullblown Nacht und Nebel here in our own America and watch as it spreads unopposed throughout the world under the aegis of the United States of America. Like it or not, that is becoming a distinct possibility. Just read the papers. Hear the news. Think for yourself. Dig deep for the truth. Defend ideas, yourself, the country and the world. Nacht und Nebel is not what we want.No one survives. Ask any one who has lived under it - if they remain in life or even leave a descendant somewhere! Not so easy. Not so comfortable.