First they came for the Jews...

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

In our country, it starts differently:

First they came for the Muslims
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Muslim.

How many people rounded up in the aftermath of the attacks of September 11th are still being held? How many of those still being held have been able to see a lawyer? How many are in our concentration camp in Cuba? How many have we "extraordinarily rendered" to Syria and Egypt?

It doesn't have to happen again. We can stop it, but it will take all of us. Don't be persuaded by those who have learned to mimic belief in the things you believe.

It is up to everyone to really expose what is going on around us. It is up to everyone ask real questions of those in power. It is up to all of us not to follow the same evil road of hatred and totalitarianism.

It is up to each of us to care.

-The Oklahoma Hippy