A person’s responsibility to condemn the inexcusable
Call out those who intentions are bad
In a world increasingly defined by blurred moral lines, some moments demand absolute clarity.
Elon Musk, one of the richest men on the planet and a close ally of Donald Trump, performed what German authorities have identified as a Nazi salute on Inauguration Day. The incident, met with cheers from neo-Nazis on Musk’s own social media platform, had the German government ban the video and related images in its country.
This is not just another controversy involving a high-profile billionaire. It is a deeply troubling event that raises urgent questions about the values of leadership, the responsibilities of public figures, and the direction of a nation. Musk is not merely a private individual; he is an advisor to Donald Trump and wields considerable influence in shaping federal policy. Yet Trump, despite his platform and his obligation to address such actions, has remained silent. His silence is deafening, especially in light of the history of Nazi atrocities and the role of the United States as a leader in defeating this evil ideology during World War II.
Did 77 million Americans cast their votes in favor of a government that would tacitly accept Nazi-like gestures and rhetoric? It is a question that haunts us and one we must confront with honesty.
The moral foundation of the United States rests on its historical stand against fascism and Nazism. For last 84 years and most of its history, Americans have been recognized as defenders of democracy, champions of freedom, and a people who confront evil without hesitation. Yet today, the world watches as some Americans defend Musk’s actions and, disturbingly, replicate his gesture. This is not who we are, nor who we should aspire to be.
The Nazis represented the very worst of humanity—genocide, oppression, and hate. There is no justification, no excuse, no room for equivocation when it comes to condemning Nazi ideology and its symbols.
As citizens of a free and democratic nation, we must demand better. Better from our leaders, better from our public figures, and better from ourselves. Every American should raise their voice and denounce this behavior in no uncertain terms.
History has shown us the consequences of silence in the face of hate. The world will remember how we responded to this moment. Did we stand firm against the resurgence of fascist ideologies, or did we falter under the weight of apathy and political convenience?
To those who believe this is a trivial matter, consider this: symbols and gestures are not empty. They carry meaning, intent, and power. A Nazi salute is not an innocuous action—it is an emblem of hate, a relic of one of history’s darkest chapters.
We urge our leaders, including Trump, to publicly condemn Musk’s action. We call on every American to reject any association with Nazism, to uphold the values of equality and justice, and to remind the world of who we are: a nation that stands against evil, not alongside it.
The fight against hate is ongoing, and it requires all of us to be vigilant, vocal, and unyielding. The Nazis were evil—that is not hard to say. Let us act accordingly.
Editor’s Note: Joseph McCain is the publisher of The Star-Herald. He and his wife, Hanna, have two children, Eli and Hub. With over 30 years in the newspaper industry, Joseph can be reached at 662-803-5236 or 662-289-2251, or via email at [email protected].
About the Creator
Joseph McCain
I love my wife. I love my children. And I had a 30 year love affair with newspapers.
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Answer to a meme to get a vote for Harris/Walz
I see a whole lot of memes on the internet that are usually lies, inaccurate or take text out of context. I spotted this one on facebook posted by “a friend” and felt a need to answer. If you see this meme I give full permission to borrow any of these words if it helps you point out that Harris/Wlaz best fit this meme's requirements.
By Joseph McCainabout a year ago in The Swamp
Ukraine calls on allies to raise pressure as Russia fires Oreshnik missile
As the war in Ukraine grinds on with no clear end in sight, Kyiv is urging its international partners to significantly intensify pressure on Moscow following Russia’s reported use of the Oreshnik missile, a weapon Ukrainian officials describe as both symbolically and strategically alarming. The latest strike underscores the evolving nature of the conflict, where military escalation is increasingly paired with diplomatic messaging aimed at shaping global opinion. A Missile With a Message Ukrainian authorities say the Oreshnik missile was launched during a recent wave of Russian attacks targeting infrastructure and military positions. While details about the missile remain limited, analysts believe Oreshnik represents a newer or modified system designed to test Ukrainian air defenses and signal Russia’s ability to adapt despite sanctions and battlefield losses. For Kyiv, the missile’s use is not just another attack—it is a deliberate escalation meant to demonstrate resilience and intimidate both Ukraine and its allies. Ukrainian defense officials argue that Moscow is using advanced or unfamiliar weaponry to pressure Western governments into slowing or limiting military aid. “This is not just about destruction,” a senior Ukrainian official said in a briefing. “It is about sending a message that Russia believes it can outlast international resolve.” Ukraine’s Call for Stronger Action In response, Ukraine has renewed its appeal to allies across Europe and North America to increase military, economic, and diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin. Officials argue that incremental support is no longer enough as Russia adapts its tactics and continues to mobilize resources for a prolonged conflict. Kyiv is specifically asking for: Faster delivery of advanced air defense systems Longer-range weapons to deter missile launches Tighter enforcement of sanctions Stronger action against countries and entities helping Russia bypass restrictions Ukrainian leaders stress that every delay in assistance increases the human and economic cost of the war, not just for Ukraine but for regional stability as a whole. What Is the Oreshnik Missile? Although Russia has not released full technical details, defense experts suggest the Oreshnik missile may be designed for precision strikes with enhanced maneuverability, making interception more difficult. Whether entirely new or an upgraded variant of existing systems, its reported use highlights Russia’s ongoing investment in missile technology despite years of international sanctions. Military analysts caution that even limited deployment of such weapons can force Ukraine to expend valuable air defense resources, creating vulnerabilities elsewhere. This, they argue, is part of a broader strategy to stretch Ukrainian defenses thin while testing Western commitment. A Test of Western Unity The missile strike comes at a sensitive time for Ukraine’s allies. Political divisions, election cycles, and economic pressures have complicated long-term support commitments. Ukraine fears that Russia is deliberately escalating at moments when Western unity appears fragile. European leaders have condemned the attack, reiterating support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. However, debates continue behind closed doors about how far military assistance should go, particularly regarding weapons capable of striking deep into Russian territory. For Kyiv, the concern is clear: hesitation sends the wrong signal. Ukrainian officials warn that failing to respond decisively now could encourage further escalation not just in Ukraine, but in other regions where authoritarian states may test international resolve. The Human Cost Behind the Headlines Beyond strategic calculations, the missile strike has once again disrupted civilian life. Power outages, damaged infrastructure, and psychological trauma remain daily realities for millions of Ukrainians. Each new weapon introduced into the conflict deepens fears among civilians who have endured years of air raid sirens and uncertainty. Human rights groups continue to document the impact of missile attacks on non-military targets, calling for accountability and renewed diplomatic efforts to protect civilians. What Comes Next? As Ukraine pushes for stronger action, the coming weeks may prove pivotal. Decisions made by NATO members and key partners could shape the next phase of the conflict—either deterring further escalation or emboldening Moscow to press ahead. For Ukraine, the message is urgent and unambiguous: the war is evolving, and so must the response. The use of the Oreshnik missile is being framed not as an isolated incident, but as a warning of what continued inaction could invite. In a conflict increasingly defined by endurance as much as firepower, Ukraine is betting that renewed international pressure can still alter the trajectory of the war—before escalation becomes the new normal.
By Fiaz Ahmed 5 days ago in The Swamp
Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts6 days ago in Longevity
Comments (1)
Hello, just wanna let you know that if we use AI, then we have to choose the AI-Generated tag before publishing 😊