First they came for…

First they came for the Women, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a woman.
Then they came for the Mexicans, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Mexican.
Then they came for the Muslims, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Muslim.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Reading newspapers at Parque Central is another popular thing to do at main square of Antigua Guatemala.

11 Responses to "First they came for…"

J Crich says:
January 29, 2017 at 6:04 pm
What does the quote have to do with the photo?
Reply
1. Rudy says:
  January 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm
  Nothing and everything. It’s about reading so many depressing news, specially this week. Perhaps you didn’t read any or they were all good news to you. What was it in your case?
  Reply
El Canche says:
January 30, 2017 at 2:54 am
Well Rudy, I hate to see my good friend depressed! Hey; the news was just as depressing one year ago for those with other views from you. One thing is certain; you cannot expect different results if you carry on doing the same thing, so change will always be necessary. Now half the world wants to “fix” the USA (for which it has no entitlement) when it would be better employed doing something at home; in the UK, Germany, Iran…..
Now let’s go back to the plaza in that photo; and start there….How about we make Latin America a place where people want to be (and not just for the rich and retired Gringos), rather than a place they want to run away from. It has SOOO much going for it! Let’s obsess about our own and not on Trump….but if you want a laugh, see this link!
Reply
1. J Crich says:
  January 30, 2017 at 9:08 am
  I agree. The people in countries need to focus inwards on themselves rather than to be caught up on what is going on in the USA. If the rest of the world got its act together, the USA would not have to receive refugees at all. When it comes down to it, most of the problems faced in countries comes down to too strong of a central control in government which leads to corruption. For example, take a look at the Korean Peninsula. North Korea ands South Korea share a common ancestry, the are of similar people’s, have similar natural resources, similar geography. Yet North Korea is extremely poor with little hope while South Korea is wealthy and industrious. The key difference is the form of government – how society is structured and how free the people are. To see how dramatic the difference is between the Koreas, Google “photo of Korean Peninsula at night”. A picture speaks a thousand words. Countries of the world need to focus on themselves and get themselves in order.
  Reply
  1. Jose Byron Gonzalez says:
    January 30, 2017 at 12:28 pm
    Ah, excuse me. Rather if the US stopped meddling in any and every country people would be able to choose their countries’ own destinies and only then would not need to seek refuge there.
    Reply
    1. J Crich says:
      January 30, 2017 at 12:45 pm
      Funny how the leftists hate the US but then want the US to open its borders to all and have no say who they should let in.
      Seems to me that you should support Trump in his positions that the US should take care of its own first and should not be drawn into conflicts around the Globe. That the US should secure its borders and let in only who it wants to let in. That it should trade with whoever it wants to on its terms and have a strong military so it can prevent any foreign encroachment its people.
      Reply
    2. J Crich says:
      January 30, 2017 at 2:46 pm
      Where were the leftist protesters when more than 1,000 Cuban migrants endured monthslong treks across as many as 10 countries to reach the United States to find themselves marooned in Mexico, halted by the Obama administration’s decision this month to end special immigration privileges for Cubans who make it to the American border?
      Reply
Rev. Dana Craft says:
February 1, 2017 at 7:08 am
Great social commentary Rudy! Unfortunately, both its irony and profundity is lost on far too many!
Pastor’s Niemoller’s quote was originally said on January 6, 1946, to the representatives of the Confessing Church in Frankfurt. The CC was begun as a direct response to the growing wave of nationalistic fervor intertwined with religious cords which were as far from Christian as imaginable. This same tone and undercurrent is easily seen in what is happening in the US as of recent times.
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn’t a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.
I shared with the congregation this past Sunday (in Miraflores) and they quickly saw the connections to last weeks Executive Order by President Trump. I followed up by reminding them that the only country in the world which has a giant statue at her entrance welcoming refugees is the US and Emma Lazarus’ words are engraved at its base. The inscription reads: Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Emma Lazarus, 1883
Seems pretty clear Rudy. Great connection and post!
Rev. Dana Craft
Reply
1. J Crich says:
  February 1, 2017 at 10:51 pm
  I agree that the original quotation was wise (and I did recognize right away that Rudy was re-appropriating the famous quotation about the Jewish Holocaust). I just cannot see how it relates to an Executive Order that is temporary. Despite the hysteria, the EO has two key provisions that are temporary in nature. It 1) shuts off the issuance of all new immigrant and non-immigrant visas for 90 days from the following seven volatile countries: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen and 2) suspends the entire refugee resettlement program for four months pending a complete investigation of the program and a plan to restructure it and prioritize those who are truly in danger of religious persecution.
  In times where ISIS terrorists are known to be hiding amongst the refugee populations and these ISIS terrorists will do ANYTHING to kill as many non-believers as possible (torturing people by burning them alive in cages, cutting off people’s heads, blowing themselves up and their own handicapped children in order to kill as many people as possible, gunning down innocents in nightclubs, driving over people in markets and festivals, flying airplanes into skyscrapers, etc., etc., etc.,), the Executive Orders are not only warranted but righteous. Once the US has proper vetting procedures in place, the EO’s will be rescinded.
  The EO’s order are designed to help stop terrorists from entering the US and are directed at unstable, terrorist ridden countries. They do NOT affect countries who have 87% of the world’s Muslim population. So they are not “coming after Muslims” but they are “coming after terrorists”.
  With respect to the Statue of Liberty, you are right that the US is the only country in the world that has a giant statue at its entrance welcoming immigrants. Those in glass houses should not throw stones. The US has let in more people throughout history than all other nations combined. It continues to let millions of legal immigrants in every year. And while Lady Liberty welcomes the tired and the poor, nowhere on its glorious tablet does it say she welcome terrorists hell bent to slash her throat.
  Reply
2. Rudy says:
  February 6, 2017 at 3:45 am
  Thanks so much Rev. Dana Craft for the feedback and anecdote. I really appreciate your sharing it with us.
  Reply
J Crich says:
February 4, 2017 at 6:10 pm
First they blew up the Shia Muslim, and I did not not know–
Because I was ignorant.
Then they brought down the World Trade Center, and I did not care–
Because they were Gringos.
Then they raped German Women, and I did not protest–
Because I was politically correct.
Then they drove over the French in Nice, and I excused them–
Because I thought they were peaceful.
When they come for me — I will convert because I am a coward.
(A modern adaptation from the mind of a progressive)
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