Joseph Svinth
21st February 2001, 12:04
When is one obligated to speak up on matters such as dojo politics or Internet flame wars, and when should one remain silent?
Before answering, recollect the following statement, which has been attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller, as stated in Franklin H. Littell's forward to *Exile in the Fatherland, Martin Niemoller's Letters from Moabit Prison* (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdman's Publishing Company, 1986), p.viii, edited by Hubert G. Locke.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.
Before answering, recollect the following statement, which has been attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller, as stated in Franklin H. Littell's forward to *Exile in the Fatherland, Martin Niemoller's Letters from Moabit Prison* (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdman's Publishing Company, 1986), p.viii, edited by Hubert G. Locke.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -- because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.