Iott should exit, stage reich
Written by Michael Miller | Editor in Chief | mmiller@toledofreepress.com“Did you hear Rich Iott was thrown out of the Valentine Theatre last night? He was at ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ and kept yelling, “She’s in the attic!” — Overheard at Oct. 11 debate
Republican Rich Iott should bow out of the race for the District 9 House of Representatives seat.
I say that, not in haste, but after nearly a week of observation and reflection. When I first read the Oct. 8 coverage of Iott’s former hobby, which entailed wearing a German Waffen SS uniform and “re-enacting” the maneuvers of a Nazi division, the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking, I believed Iott would drop out of the race within hours. His admission of participating in the group for several years and the accompanying photographs may as well have been a resignation news release.
But while the local, national and international media have chewed on the story with breathless zeal, Iott has continued to campaign, appearing on TV and radio programs to defend his former role-playing pastime. And every time he opens his mouth on the topic, he brings shame, derision and embarrassment to Northwest Ohio.
“Boy, be careful. You play with fire.” — Nazi officer Kurt Dussander, “Apt Pupil”
There is a compelling novella by Stephen King, “Apt Pupil,” in the collection “Different Seasons.” In the story, a young boy named Todd Bowden becomes obsessed with the Holocaust and Nazi culture after discovering a stack of old war magazines. His interest is at first a fascination with how? How could such an atrocity take place on such an earth-shaking scale? How could so many human beings be destroyed with such cold efficiency? His curiosity evolves into an unhealthy obsession that corrupts his mind, rots his soul and costs him his life.
Is it possible to immerse oneself in the study of the Holocaust and the Nazis and not be impacted by the gravity of the subject? At the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., there are thousands of Holocaust artifacts: prisoner uniforms, weapons, propaganda films, adults-only areas where graphic images reach out like dead hands to squeeze the heart. The museum has a boxcar that was used to transport Jewish victims to Auschwitz; the inside of that train car was colder than any cold I can describe from this side of the grave. I have spoken with Holocaust survivors, heard the stories of loss and ache and pain that were brewed in a hell most rational minds cannot imagine.
How is a person who has an iota of familiarity with the Holocaust able to dress in the uniform of its perpetrators and play war games without giving up a piece of his soul every time he goose-steps into the woods? How does that person compartmentalize the eternal evil from the short-term thrill of a “re-enactment?”
The group Iott used to belong to says it eschews the swastika in its games. That is a weak gesture the group uses to try to separate itself from the Nazis, and it means nothing. It’s like wearing a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood but claiming you don’t endorse the group’s “ideology” because you don’t wear a Confederate flag patch.
How does Iott fail to understand that his former penchant for acting as an SS soldier stains his name, reputation and ability to represent the people of Northwest Ohio?
“Did you know that one of Rich Iott’s ancestors died in the Holocaust? He fell out of a guard tower.” — Overheard in line at Talmadge Road Speedway, Oct. 11.
The offense is just the first level of this issue; Iott’s continuing refusal to show any contrition is arrogant and calls into question his communication skills and judgment in handling controversy. During an Oct. 11 appearance on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360°,” Iott and the host had this exchange:
Cooper: “Do you believe that these men, who in some cases took part in these crimes, were valiant men?”
Iott: “I think that they thought they were fighting for their homeland.”
Cooper: “I’m sure Nazis in the concentration camps thought they were doing a good thing, too, but that doesn’t make it so. I mean, do you think these were valiant men?”
Iott: “I don’t think we can sit here and judge that today. We weren’t there at the time they made those decisions. Were there bad people? Oh, absolutely. And were there atrocities committed? Absolutely there were.”
I can’t decide if Iott’s Waffen waffling is an example of him being disingenuous, naïve or oblivious. Where is the unequivocal condemnation of the Nazis? Why does Iott insist on half-ass defending butchers? I also can’t decide which is worse: if the re-enactment group takes its Nazi playtime too seriously or if it doesn’t take it seriously at all.
Alan Miltich, who is in one of the now-famous pictures with Iott dressed as an SS soldier, told reporter Chris Gautz of the Jackson Citizen-Patriot that, “One of his favorite memories from [re-enactment] conventions is when everyone in full costume dances to ‘Time Warp’ from ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show.’”
Sounds like quite a party, doesn’t it?
“Iott says he re-enacts so we ‘never forget.’ But if he can separate the Nazi uniform from the Nazi mentality, I think he’s forgotten already.” — Alexandra Petri, The Washington Post
There are people in our region so eager to remove Rep. Marcy Kaptur from office, they are willing to downplay Iott’s insurmountable foolishness. Iott spokesman Matt Parker called the original Atlantic article a “non-story.” WSPD radio hosts Fred LeFebvre and Brian Wilson have similarly dismissed the importance of the Iott controversy as they work to keep the focus on removing Kaptur from office. Iott campaign consultant and WSPD host Fritz Wenzel has also worked very hard to downplay the incident; on Oct. 13, he spent a segment on WSPD interviewing a Jewish friend of Iott’s, employing the Archie Bunker “some of my best friends are … ” defense.
If it’s just a re-enactment and no big deal — if it’s a non-story — I challenge Parker, Wilson, LeFebvre, Wenzel and Iott’s Jewish pal to join the Wiking division during its next re-enactment. Let them put on the SS uniforms and march through the woods playing war games, in full view of video and still cameras. If it’s not a big deal — if it’s just a smear engineered by Kaptur, the media and the Democratic National Committee — if it’s not an indictment of character and judgment, they shouldn’t mind dressing up and joining the historical and educational effort, right?
“Annex Pennsylvania!” “SS we can!” “Today Toledo, tomorrow the world!” — suggested Iott campaign slogans from “Real Time with Bill Maher.”
The Prime Minister of Shame, Carty Finkbeiner (retired), has a Hall of Shame wing dedicated to his body of work embarrassing the region, but his string of humiliations looks absolutely helpful next to the searing spotlight Iott has brought to our region through his puzzling former weekend fun runs. More than 1,000 articles have been written about Iott’s re-enactment parties. He has been discussed in The Washington Post, The New York Times and has been a reference point on CNN, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “The Colbert Report,” “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” and many others. The BBC and major newspapers around the world are reporting on the Iott controversy.
Iott has become a punch line, but the joke is on Northwest Ohio.
“Don’t judge Rich Iott until you have goose-stepped a mile in his jackboots.” — Overheard Oct. 12 at Table Forty 4
If Iott truly believes in helping the future of Northwest Ohio, he will remove himself from the race. He needs to put the money and time and ego and sycophants aside and think.
Every day that this story survives a news cycle, the national and global repercussions for our region are exponentially deepened. Iott does not have even a slim hope of defeating Kaptur, but imagine the scrutiny if he did; Northwest Ohio would become the new David Duke Louisiana, the new Marion Barry Washington, D.C.; we will have elected an unfathomably inappropriate representative.
I do not believe Rich Iott is a Nazi, or that he in any way supports the heinous villains’ philosophy. But in this age of Google, he is now forever linked with an SS uniform and an arrogant refusal to apologize or show contrition for his poor judgment.He is unable to effectively serve the people of Northwest Ohio, and must understand that his limp to the finish not only further erodes the collective reputation of our region, it hurts his already weak local GOP. Voters disgusted with Iott are not going to suddenly switch for Kaptur; they are going to stay home, and that hurts the efforts of fellow local GOP candidates. Some political websites are negatively linking national GOP figures who have donated to Iott’s campaign. Iott is a liability.
Iott needs to step aside and recognize that if his hobby’s goal was to educate, it failed, because he has apparently failed to learn the lessons of how much damage Hitler and his armies of marching slayers achieved.
The only victory Iott can still salvage — and the only way he can control the endgame of this sad story — is to cede the race and work on rebuilding some important reputations; his, and that of the Northwest Ohio region he purports to care for.
Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press. E-mail him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.
Tags: Brian Wilson, Fred LeFebvre, Fritz Wenzel, Holocaust, Lighting The Fuse, Marcy Kaptur, Michael S. Miller, Nazi controversy, Rich Iott, Stephen King, The Atlantic, United States Holocaust Museum, WSPD
Thought provoking! Thank you for an interesting editorial from an unbiased author!
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 1:10 pmHave you drank the koolaide? Have you ever been to a re-enactment? I HOME SCHOOLED for 9 years. I had was member of the Historical Society. I went to many re-enactments with my son. You received more history in those settings, than in any History class. At the Civil War encampments, some people were Union soldiers, and some were Confederate soldiers. I do believe the Confederates lost. We’ve go to French/Indian War encampment. The was French, British, American (Colonials), and Indians (who were actively trying to recruit my son). I’ve gone to Indian encampments. Do you get the picture? Somebody is the good guy, someone is the bad guy. Think of Hogan’s Hero’s. How many people donned a Nazi uniform? Tom Cruise wore one too. Watch the History Channel. Let’s talk about our mis-representative’s voting record. THIS IS A RED HERRING! She lies, and is not even good at it. Living in her home from birth – might be true, but forgets to mention her D.C. condo and all the property she bought around her. Doesn’t know that you sell a business when it has a profit. Taking dirty money. Voting for Cap and Tax. It only cost us 3.5 billion. TARP and the Health Care bill. NEED I GO ON?!
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 1:21 pmMr. Miller,
I expect your column on this any minute now.
marcy kaptur/2003
“One could say that Osama bin Laden and these non-nation-state fighters with religious purpose are very similar to those kind of atypical revolutionaries that helped to cast off the British crown,” Miss Kaptur said.
In Iraq and other Arab nations where revolutions are potentially brewing, religious fervor will play a vital role in shaping political events, she said, and the United States must be careful “not to get caught in the crossfire.”
“I think that one thing that people of faith understand about the world of Islam is that the kind of insurgency we see occurring in many of these countries is an act of hope that life will be better using Islam as the only reed that they have to lean on.
“I think that people of faith understand that for many of the terrorists, their actions are acts of sacred piety to the point of losing their lives. And I think that people of faith understand that there is a heavy religious overtone to the opposition.”
Comparing our American Heroes to terrorists that blew up the World Trade Center that killed over 3000 Americans is a disgraceful thing to say, especially from a sitting congressperson.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 1:25 pmThank you for the sanity, Mr. Miller.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 1:26 pmI think the greatest problem with Rich Iott are not his hobbies, but how out of touch he is with the rest of our community and the history of our country. I don’t think he sees how what he does has made NW Ohio look to the rest of the country.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 1:44 pmJESUS ,JOSEPH ,& MARY !!!
Mikey-me boy, SWAYED by an avalanche of lying Fascist/leftist’s who cannot differentiate between historical re-enactments and actual HISTORY !!!???
Say it ain’t so !!
SWEET MOTHER OF GOD !!!
Mikey, desires more of Kapturd’s lying, job killing, Michael Moore-filming, OweBaMaoscare, taxing & wasting,Fascist INSANITY ??!!
As compared to Rich’s proven job creating history ??!!
What a complete and total joke on fiscal sanity, real American ideals,and mass media hysteria LUNACY confirmation !!
I tell ya Mikey, you are as wrong on this as anything in your entire life…look around you at the absolute destruction wrought, by the Demonrat bacteria like Butch Kapturd !!
Well, it seems as though your education at Bancroft High, has finally caught up with you.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 1:57 pmSad as Sin !!
Rich – Please follow this suggestion and spare us of further embarrassment and pain. The Republican Party has suffered enough as a result of your behavior.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 2:03 pmI don’t understand how people who are SO offended by Iott’s military re-enactments barely bat an eye when Mary Kaptur compared Osama Bin Laden to our Founding Fathers and described islamic jihad as “sacred piety.” How is that not embarrassing to our district?
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 2:09 pmJackie,
The 9th Congressional District has suffered enough due to the progressive, liberal, union agenda of marcy kaptur.
michael moore miller, you have jumped the shark and have finally become, the Toledo blade jr.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 2:26 pmWhat’s next, the Tom Noe connection?
michael moore miller,
Should marcy kaptur exit the race due to her money laundering, you know where she taught a private company how to become a non-profit so she could still earmark money for them which they in turn gave some back to her as campaign contributions? What about her involvement with the now under criminal investigatiion PMA Group. What michael moore miller, do you and your paper support this kind of activity???? I guess you do.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 2:33 pmHow utterly absurd and disappointing your article is. However, I’m not to surprised you took that place in the road. Ignorance is bliss Mr. Miller and you must be one ecstatically happy man.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 2:36 pmrich baby…why don)t you ask all the people at foodtown how they feel about your nazi fetish.. i!m sure you!ll get some great sugestions…
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:14 pmAhh does anybody remember the 90′s? before 2 wars,Tax cuts and silly deregulation. Remember when gas was 89 cents a gallon? Remember when we had a budget surplus? I don’t remember businesses crying about taxes? I remember a lot of millionaires being made in the 90′s Hmmm You talk about taxing and spending there’s a difference when the spending is for education,infrastructure,social programs,unemployment benefits, and trying to help Americans.That’s the difference between Republicans and Democrats. repubs are spending money on defense industry, corporate welfare. while Democrats are trying to spend money to help Americans.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:18 pmMike have you lost your normally level-headed mind? I once dressed up as Santa and now I believe in elves. At the same time, I would not call Marcy a congressman just because she dressed up as one for 28 years. I’d call her an actor, although not a very convincing one.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:20 pmSteve
Why don’t you ask marcy kaptur why she sympathizes with the terrorists that blew up the ?World Trade Center.
The Foodtown and reenactment photos are a non story. The story is marcy’s liberal progressive union agenda that is destructive to the way of life. By the way, what did marcy do to help Foodtown when they had to merge with Spartan in order to compete with the bigger chains moving in. What has she done to help any business that has closed or left Ohio the past 27 years that she has been sitting in congress????
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:22 pmIt’s interesting to see the rest of you defending what is essentially ‘the drunk guy at the party’. Iott is staggering around looking bad. Instead of letting him sleep it off on the couch, you lot are handing him the car keys and another drink for the road.
As for not liking Kaptur, please find someone who is not a complete idiott to run against her, and I may very well vote for them.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:24 pmAnd Marcy wasn’t comparing anything She was saying that alot of these Islamo-terrorists look at Bin-Laden as THEIR George Washington, and think THEY are fighting a Revolution. They feel like we are Goliath and THEY are David fighting for a noble cause!
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:27 pmThe saddest part of this story is how clueless Iott is about how anyone could be offended by his choice to portray a Nazi officer in a unit that took part in genocide. Not a regular German Army officer, but a member of the Waffen SS. Clearly, Rich can’t see The Black Forest for the trees, and that kind of tone-deaf judgment is just what we don’t need in Congress.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:31 pmIott’s campaign is based 100% of his perceived shortcomings of Kapturs service. That is fine there Adolf but tell us exactly what you are going to do to change things. Evertime you open up your trap I hear nothing but jabs at Kaptur not anything that would make me vote for you. It does seem you have many of the trailer park republicans in this town swayed your way…that is what spending your Food Town blood money on yard signs will get you I always hear all this job creation…well exactly HOW are you going to do this? Perhaps you could open a Nazi fantasy camp in which other tortured souls can come and act out their darkest fantasies on a topic best left alone. I actually stopped caring a bit now as this latest farce I am sure has put a victory out of your reach–you will be just a dark stain on history in a few weeks…just like your Nazi heroes. Perhaps you and the imbecile Stainbrook could go put out more yard signs.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:39 pmSmall businesses have suffered due to Mega-Chains offering millions of products at cheap prices, why go to local hardware store when I can go to Wal-Mart and get Milk, and an X-Box too? Also Companies have found it easier to get products from China where they pay those poor bastards, what $2.00 a Day? Why operate a factory here and pay 10-15 bucks an hr,pay health care,unemployment taxes,payroll taxes When you can operate in China with no health care,no retirees,no union. Make your product for $1.00 and sell it here for $49.99 Make obscene profits for stockholders. Businesses are in the business of making money, and improving the bottom line.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:40 pmMike: I’ve made comments in the past that labeled the Toledo Free Press as a right wing newspaper. Well you just proved me wrong!
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:42 pmWhere is Republican Donna Owens? I could vote for her?
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:42 pmReinactment is a tool to teach just as the Holocost museum is a facility to teach and never forget History. I’ve seen both.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 3:43 pmIt doesn’t matter what side of the isle your on, your should be ashamed to use a teaching tool as a method to smear candidates running for office. If you follow this path, soon there will be no tools to teach and History will be lost.
Very disappointed Mike. I see you are following in John Block’s footsteps and trying to use the paper to push your own agenda. Tisk tisk. Someone has to play the bad guys in a reenactment. Take your kid out to Fort Meigs and watch a reenactment and you will understand the value in what these people do.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 4:41 pmThe only thing embarrassing for NW Ohio is Mike Miller’s reaction and the rest of you folks with crocodile tears. Grow-up!
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 4:44 pmwant him to cede LOL!!! What are they afraid of ..
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 5:43 pmThat he might win!!!!
Iott will never cede, and I find it QUITE REVEALING that they are demanding him to drop out!
HE WILL NOT MICHAEL MILLER..KNOW WHY? BECAUSE THE POLL NUMBERS HAVE NOT BUDGED SINCE THIS STARTED ON OCTOBER 9TH. SINGLE DIGIT SPREAD.
GO RICH!!
PS MILLER…YOU SHOULD UPDATE YOUR COLUMN PHOTO 100 POUNDS AGO.
Miller doesn’t have even 1/10 the class and honor Iott has. Miller has shown his hate and viciousness more than anything I have ever seen in my entire life.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 5:45 pmLost in this discussion is how utterly unqualified Rich Iott is for the office.Look at his resume,that is what ‘s insulting to Northwest Ohio. A college dropout who’s daddy gave him the only job he could get without an apron on. He had absolutely nothing to do with the success of Foodtown and when his daddy, in his 80′s decided to retire and knowing his son was incapable of running the business, he sold it to the first bidder.That is his legacy,aside from being a serial cheater on his wife(allegedly). Go away rich boy!
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 6:16 pmMichael should know that me dressing up as a Nazi is no more of a show of support for what happens at reenactments than him dressing up as a drag queen and performing at a gay club to show his support of gay rights. It means nothing. Military reenactment has been around for years and involves thousands of American men and women plaing both sides of the battles. I have never had an urge to become involved, not in any of the eras covered by these reenactors Revolutionary, Civil, the World Wars, or Vietnam.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 6:41 pmAs a defender of the right of free speech and expression Mike has his opinion of what Mr. Iott does of course but to suggest that I should do it as some type of litmus test for support is ludicrous.
The race for the 9th District is now and should be about the direction the country is taking, the unemployment, the taxes, and the government intrusion into our lives.
On this matter Mike and I disagree.
This is a SICK editorial from a SICKO MIND. He reveals a very LOW OPINION of himself with the rant of this DIATRIBE.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 6:47 pmhey Fred Levebre,don t you like your Bush tax cut?Or are you making more than 250k and have a lifestyle that won t allow you to help pay for Bush’wars? You have no grasp of the real issues and will lie to the public in spite of it. You re lucky you re not looking for a job.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 6:52 pmMichael,
Did you have a problem with Mr. Iotts attire when he was wearing a US Uniform from the American Civil War, WWI and WWII?
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 7:32 pmPolitics aside, this article is pure ignorance. My sister is a reinactor and does it because it is fun and teaches people about history. Attack politics all you want, but someone’s harmless hobbies… Your an idiot.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 8:15 pmI say as I spell you’re incorrectly…
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 8:16 pmIott is a weasel that has no platform to run on. He consistantly talks about the shortcomings of Northwest Ohio while his opponent was in office. This is the very climate that he became rich in while selling all the Food Town employees down the river…so I guess it was not all that bad right Rich..or should I call you dick?
Also Judy to attack Mike Miller on his column and then attack his weight shows the true class (or lack of) the typical tea (bag) republicans have. Shut your mouth..
Thank you-
Da Spartan
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 8:39 pmFirst off, anyone offended wasn’t going to vote for him anyway so big deal; besides I don’t think anyone really is offended, just given more ammo to fire fake bullets back at Rich.
Second, when hasn’t Toledo been the butt of peoples jokes? Believe me, the image can’t get any worse.
Third, X-Army I’m going to assume you are in the manufacturing field and have an uneducated grasp of how business works. I work for a large corporation, and we have a large manufacturing footprint throughout the world (NA, EU, Asia). One thing that is left out of your union propaganda flyer, is the fact that Asia is a growing market. And because it is a growing market, we make products in Asia and sell them in Asia and suprise, we bring that income back to North America and distribute it to our employees in the form of bonuses at the end of the year (including plant employees). These products would cost way to much to make here and ship over, so what is so wrong with making the product there, selling it there, and bringing that money back to the US? It’s called global economy and don’t be scared, it actually works. Besides anything involving technology will always stay here because of trade secret issues in China. The problem with Toledo is that everyone wants to complain and stay in the 80′s while the rest of the US is changing to keep up with the times. Go ahead and cling to Marcy’s anti-trade rants and get even further left behind while watching everyone move away.
Fourth, I’m suprised by this. Grow a spine Mike. If I want to read this garbage I’d read the Blade’s website.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 8:58 pmWhat don’t you lunatic defenders get. If he dressed as a Wermacht (the German Army in WWII) officer in re-enactments this is a liberal story. This guy dressed as an SS Officer. You had to be a Nazi to be in the SS, you know, Hitler’s personal guard. They were the butchers of WW II in Europe. Now, just for a minute, forget his your Tea Party, GOP darling. Imagine instead, Iott is the democrat of Iraqi descent and he dressed in Republican Guards uniforms for Gulf War re-enactments or as one of the interrogators from the Hanoi Hilton for Vietnam, etc. You would all be calling for him to be drawn and quartered. He’s not a Nazi, but he’s an idiot for dressing as a member of this unit. Otherwise, he’s a history nerd, not something that should keep you of Congress, possibly something that should put you in.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 9:06 pmA voice of reason. Rich Iott is an ambarassment to our community. He should do what is right and get out. I agree wholeheartedly.
This comment was posted on October 14th, 2010 at 11:21 pmIt’s very sad that you’re trying to make this into a negative story. Reenactments are one way to teach and understand history. Stop with the drama and lies.
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 12:05 amListen to Rich Iott for the honest truth. Make Toledo a better place – Vote Rich Iott.
He absoltuly should not get out of the race. Marcy is afraid to speak to people unless they are handpicked. Last week at our block watch both candidates were invited. Marcy refused to come even though she had been invited several times. Mr Iott did come and made a very good impression answering our questions.
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 12:12 amI can just imagine 20 years into Rich Iott’s future.
Hey grandson!
Yes grandpa Iott?
How would you like to re-enact the 911 terrorist so that we can have some bonding time.
Ummm… I don’t know if we should grandpa. They killed thousands of Americans.
Oh grandson it will be so much fun! Besides I admire them a whole bunch (militarily speaking of course). They were just a handful of third world brave and valiant people who bravely brought the USA to it’s knees, using only box cutters.
Whaaaa… Grandma Iott…, Grandpa Iott is acting scary again.
Maybe now Rich Iott and the right-wingers will get the point about the whole disturbing Rich Iott Nazi re-enactment situation.
With Rich Iott’s out right lies about the thousands of job losses that he is responsible for, his damaging Fascist political views, his association with the domestic terrorists group The Teabaggers, and his “Admiration” for the Nazi SS, it is no wonder that he is so down in the poll numbers. I hope he just throws in the towel now. Everyone is so sick and tiered of the garbage coming out of his, and the neocons mouths!
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 12:42 amthanks for the info sky-king i’m well aware of our involvement in China and how much we rely on China to buy our bonds. I’m not against trade, too bad we can’t whittle down the trade deficit. The Chinese Market is exploding and everybody wants a piece of it. Also True Toledo has a Rust-Belt Economy and we can’t rely on GM and Chrysler to save the day and hire 25,000 people. What happened to DuPont,Doehler-Jarvis,Champion Spark Plug? Was it high taxes? Our crumbling school system? Our unskilled labor pool? Is the cost of doing business in Northwest Ohio too high?
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 5:55 amunion propaganda Ha! I’m in a union,True but i’ve come to realize the unions need to adapt Due to globalization. You could blame the union’s contracts for everything, but be very clear The wages and benefits that the big bad unions are making have all been negotiated. You can ask for the world it doesn’t mean the company has to give it to you, and alot of contract’s have no strike clauses so alot of unions have little if all leverage. Don’t be a union hater if it wasn’t unions there would be no 40 hr work week, overtime pay, sick time, vacation time You benefit from years of unions fighting for you or your parents, grandparents.
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 6:08 amI’m very disappointed with your analysis.
Every one of your quotes comes from “Spin Blogs”. I would have thought that you have been in this business long enough to recognize party sponsored spin blogs.
To characterize Rich as a Nazi because he played the part of one in a re-enactment is simply childish rubbish.
To use this logic, Anyone who put on a German Uniform during a School Play, Theater, Skit, Movie, re-enactment, etc is therefore a Nazi.
My daughter – Sound of Music
Tom Cruise – Valkyrie
Richard Burton – Where Eagles Dare
Clint Eastwood – Where Eagles Dare
Harrison Ford – Force 10 from Navarone
Mike, I believe you need to get in line behind Marcy Kaptur and the Ohio Democrat party and extend Rich Iott a Public Apology.
Visit the web site
http://www.reenactorsforiott.com
John McAvoy
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 7:03 amMichael is right. Iott is an embarrassment to his party, the State of Ohio, the Ohio Military Reserve, this country’s veterans, and the United States.
The sooner he withdraws from the race, the better it will be for everyone.
He is a walking, talking joke.
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 7:49 amThere are a lot of scary comments on here as well, but I agree with you, Michael. I didn’t live in Ohio during the Carty years, and I vividly remember seeing my hometown ridiculed on national programs. Is this what our area sees as progress? If that’s the case, we’re already a joke.
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 7:51 amSince Judy/Tom likes to cross post, I’ll leave this both places…
When asked [by Anderson Cooper] whether he thought the men being impersonated were “valiant men,” Iott said, “I don’t think we can sit here and judge that today. We were not there the time they made those decisions.
When Cooper referred to them as collaborators: “I don’t know that I would put that label on them. They were doing what they thought was right for their country. And they were going out and fighting what they thought was a bigger, you know, a bigger evil.”
Holy Crap! So the Germans invade Holland round of all the Jews and some the Dutch join the SS and Iott doesn’t think they are collaborators and we shouldn’t judge them?
How about the Wiking Division’s combat medic Dr. Joseph Mangala? Can we judge him? I mean, he was only doing what he thought was right for his country.
If an American joined the Japanese Army to fight the Russians after Pearl Harbor, we’d call him collaborator at best.
Iott is incredibly tone deaf and for all his running around playing Nazi solider, he doesn’t seem to have learned a thing about the history he claims to studying.
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 10:17 amI am a little taken back by your myopic view you are taking on re-enactment’s as an educational program compared to belonging to an organization that lives the ideology in thought ,word and deed. Don’t you think you may be giving up Some of your integrity by being so inflexible in this narrow minded opinion? Thanks Jim
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 11:33 amFascist Kapturd, is so far removed from reality here in Little Detroit, it is a pathetic joke.
Even from her epicene sycophants , she isn’t even close to them in any category of every day life.
She is a single person who has been able to bank a part of her taxpayer paid,paycheck for 28 torturous years.
Other than overpaid criminal union bureaucrats, who around this area can say that has occurred with them ?!
She is surrounded by slaves who do her bidding as if a Saudi princess.
And all the time our schools are miserable, infrastructure criminally neglected and crumbling, people & businesses fleeing enmasse, and no one can say what this Fascist has done positively, that isn’t greatly outweighed by the 67,000 GREAT PAYING JOBS SHE HAS CAUSED TO SPLIT !!
And, all the while Little Detroit, resembles it’s horrid Demonrat ruined sister to the North.
VOTE KAPTURD :The Fascist in the Blue Dress, things will get exponentially WORSE !!
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 12:26 pmLike when Freddie & Fannies, $ 1.86 TRILLION OF BUM LOANS GO BAD …of course, this news will be reported only when the Republican’s take over…
What should concern all of us with the modern state of politics in America are the supporters on both the left and the right that blindly support their side as if it were an Ohio State vs. Michigan football game. Thinking that your “team” is always in the right and the other side is always wrong is ignorant at best. Thinking that your “team” is the only way and that any other way will lead to the destruction of our society is dangerous. Intolerance of views other than your own “team” is deadly.
But who really can blame the collective hyperbole of the members of these teams? Candidates on both sides are guilty of shameful campaign ads suggesting that their rival is wildly incompetent (or straight up evil) and that they are the saviors we are all praying for. Many in the media speak with a bias that never wavers and with an intensity that pushes the fear and angry buttons deep in our DNA. It’s become almost impossible to passively watch or personally engage in a balanced conversation about what is best for the country with far to many Americans and that is sad.
The truth is we are a huge population of wildly diverse individuals with conflicting interests. No matter what some would try to have us believe about our history, we have always been that way. To many people have forgotten (or convinced not to care) that being a citizen of the great melting pot of the world is something to be extremely proud of and something that can only continue to exist if we accept a fair level of compromise.
I applaud Mr. Miller for this bold act of courage. He is clearly a man that stands for what is best for this city, region and country. He is willing to do the hard thing when so many others aren’t and I beg all of you to ask yourself why. Why don’t the vast majority of people we look up to admit wrongs and/or point out rights from the other side? Are the people you look to to lead convincing you to be intolerant and closed or are they helping you understand the truth of united we stand, divided we fall…even if that kind of courage carries a price?
Running around with a finger in the air chanting “We’re number 1” at The Big House or The Horseshoe is a fun thing to do on a Sunday afternoon, but it has no place when considering the future of this great country.
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 12:44 pmMEANWHILE: Under OweBaMao & the Fascist Demonrats:
Ranchers, jet-skiers, college students,sheriffs, etc., are killed by Demonrat’s in waiting, Mexican drug cartel butchers.
FORECLOSURES: top 100,000 in September, alone !!
Trade Deficit: up 8.8 % to $46.3 BILLION for the month of August alone…an American one month RECORD !!
ANNUAL DEFICIT: up to an annual $ 502.5 BILLION, another American record !!
JOBLESS CLAIMS: Up another 462,000 in September !
PLUS, PLUS: The dollar hits a 15 year LOW, against the sad sack YEN !!!??
SO, VOTE DEMONRAT/ KAPTURD: you can be murdered,lose your home,lose your job, lose your money and, still…it will only get much, much WORSE , under the tax and waste radicals on the psychotic Left!!!
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 1:11 pmIn the end, it matters little whether he leaves the race or not. He’s not going to win… and that’s just a FACT.
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 1:58 pmTy…
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 2:19 pmIs there any way you could make your statments in English? I’m trying to understand what you mean, but I’m just not getting it.
Michael, we hardly knew ye.
Without a trial, Mr. Iott is convicted for being a Nazi sympthizer… Nice going. Good job.
If Ms. Kaptur were accused of being gay without proof or evidence, would you jump on the bandwagon and say she should resign for hiding it or being dishonest? In today’s society, admitting her sexuality would be a badge of courage and pride. But that would take courage…even today.
28 years in office and she has accomplished so little. She carried the message but the WWII War Memorial was not her idea. Even for The Greatest Generation, it sure took a long time to be built. She may sit next to “the gavel” but she has never accepted it under any committee/sub-committee structure in the House. 28 years of showing up. She has never been a leader. She has never accepted resonsibility. Yet, she doesn’t hesitate to take our money (Pork) and use it the way SHE thinks is best. Since the Pork cash doesn’t exist, she has no problem stealing it from future generations.
Why shouldn’t we….today….do without and sacrifice and not kick the can down the road. Stand up now for our children and grandchildren. What say you Marcy?
A few years back, Ms. Kaptur came home with a big $600,000.00 check for the Erie Street Mkt. Wow, talk about a success story. It was reported that $300,000.00 was used for repairs, maitenance and improvements at the ESM. I wrote to her asking about the disposition of the remaining funds. She never responded. Her silence was deafening.
I betch’a Carty knows.
Based on secret but reliable sources in D.C., Ms Kaptur is not well thought of inside the Beltway.
Why? I don’t know….but I am not surprised. Does she have any friends…anywhere?
Less than 3 weeks….stay tuned.
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 2:30 pmWow Tom – a “secret but reliable sources in D.C”, you’re a regular Jack Bauer
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 6:10 pmAs someone who is actually mentioned in the column I’d like to ask that if you disagree with Mike you at least keep it respectful. There’s no reason to go down the liberal path of name calling and personal comments. I had a nice conversation with Mike this morning after my show and although we completely disagree on this column I’m sure there will be others in the future that we will agree on.
This comment was posted on October 15th, 2010 at 8:06 pmFred Lefebvre said “The race for the 9th District is now and should be about the direction the country is taking, the unemployment, the taxes, and the government intrusion into our lives.” Hey Fred are you kidding? It is people like you who are burying their head in the sand and not keeping up with the current problems and not keeping abreast of the reality of presents time. Those are the problems that should have been addressed starting nine years ago. You really need to keep up with current events.
Unemployment has been a problem since beginning 2003. Why was it not first taken care of then?
Government intrusion into our lives started back in 2001 with the rolling blackouts in California, the bastardization of the second amendment, the abortion issue, and the wire tappings by the Bush Administration. Why was it not first taken care of then?
Tax problems started in the early Bush years with all the corruption, perpetrated by his administration, and the Republican controlled Congress, (no bid government contracts, the Iraq invasion, government deregulations, the Bush tax cuts, the manipulation of oil prices, the Wall Street syndrome, and the out of control spending by the Republican controlled Congress). Why was it not first taken care of then?
The race for the 9th District must be about the revitalization, well being, and survival of our district and it’s citizens. If you want to vote for the direction of the country, than vote in the presidential elections.
This comment was posted on October 16th, 2010 at 3:03 amIf I saw Marcy embracing a women affectionely would this mean she was a Lesbian? Just asking. It was just a picture that branded Rich Iott a Nazi. Lets be fair, one is just s rediculous as the other.
This comment was posted on October 16th, 2010 at 6:29 pmJW
Good one……….
This comment was posted on October 17th, 2010 at 1:21 pmTake a bow. You are one of the most honest and courageous men I have met in this region. I consider myself fortunate to have met you and am so very proud of you, Sir!
This comment was posted on October 17th, 2010 at 3:18 pmDon, I can’t answer your questions other than to say that for over 40 years lucas county and Toledo have been run by Democrats, and we send Democrats to Congress consistently. It matters not to me when the problem started, it matters to me when it ends. It ends when the people in this area realize that Presidents come and go, the only thing unchanged in all the years I’ve been here is the stranglehold the Dems have on the school board, council, county, and local reps. If the problems weren’t taken care of then I wonder if it’s because the people in charge locally (Dems) didn’t want it taken care of.
This comment was posted on October 17th, 2010 at 8:25 pmJust Wondering: “if” you saw? What’s your point? A woman can’t be single, not needing or wanting a man in fear of being labled a lesbian? Your remark is both ignorant and offensive. WE all saw Iott as a Nazi, NO One has ever seen Marcy embrace a woman except in friendship as we woman do. I thot the Iott campaign was offensive, you have now topped even that campaign.
This comment was posted on October 17th, 2010 at 10:50 pmLefebrve, Wilson and Stuart and their Democrat hate mongering have caused the ugliness in this campaign and this community. They are as bad for this region as the daily newspaper. Their rhetoric has become pathetic and just as damaging as John Blockt to this community.
This comment was posted on October 18th, 2010 at 12:30 amFred, this is the problem with Republicans, “It matters not to me when the problem started”. Every time there is a Republican administration, the country descends into an economical and political mess because the constituents (who call themselves Republicans) ignore what is going on at the time. The state of our country is not one sport team against another sport team, we are all on the same side. The reason the people in our area support “Dems” is because they do not trust Repubs as much, (such as Noe, Kazala, Weber, Pennypacker, Taft etc…), in local matters. Now take for example Tom Waniewski, he is a Repub and he is doing a great job working for this area that he represents, and is trusted by the people, that is why he will more then likely win the Ohio 11th Senate District seat.
You stated ” If the problems weren’t taken care of then I wonder if it’s because the people in charge locally Dems didn’t want it taken care of”in reference to your view of “in all the years I’ve been here is the stranglehold the Dems have on the school board, council, county, and local reps.”. STRANGLEHOLD?????? Um excuse me, but we live in a democratic society and have free and open elections in our country, and this is the will of the people. The local area problems are trying to be taken care of by our local elected representatives, but like most communities in our country, that are decimated because of the “Eight Dark Years” at the turn of this century, our federal, state, and local coffers are drying up.
All of these are more reasons why Iott will not win the election. He is not trustworthy because of his past business dealings that have cost thousands of local jobs, his lies and half truths, lack of knowledge/inexperience with public offce, and the promises he has made to take us back to “The Dark Years”. To top every thing off he has demonstrated his imperturbable insensitivity, with his admiration for the Nazi SS, and the disdain of most people.
This comment was posted on October 18th, 2010 at 12:33 amI find it remarkable that you use your column to post some horrible jokes; while you contend that you are offended by a re-enactment of the Nazis. You seem to enjoy them a little too much. I wonder if Mr. Iott had re-enacted a Civil War battle, and was a Rebel–would that make him pro-slavery and racist? This type of narrow mind-set makes one embarrassed to identify oneself with northwest Ohio. Marci likes to point out Mr. Iott’s naivete in politics as a detriment– I would rather have an iota of Iott’s experience, than a shovel of Kaptur’s tax-paid benevolence.
This comment was posted on October 18th, 2010 at 8:49 amI recall that the Demonrat,booger eating crowd thought that Tom DeLay and Ted Stevens, were hard core criminals.
And that the Demonrats, were pure angels .
Well, the Judge and prosecuting attorney for Ted Stevens, were thoroughly criminal in their legal witch hunt and ALL CHARGES WERE DROPPED!!
Regarding Tom DeLay, he went through 6 years of Demonrat, witch hunting only to find that he also,DID NOTHING CRIMINAL. At a cost to taxpayers of $10 million, to find NOTHING CRIMINAL !
And now, we have Kapturd accepting illegal monies, Maxine Watters-Dim., sending bank bailout money to her own husbands bank , that owned Bentley’s, Ferrari’s, and had a membership in a cigar club ??!!
This comment was posted on October 18th, 2010 at 11:38 amPlus, a whole litany of other Demonrats, who await criminal charges.
Yeah, the culture of criminality is and always has been with the Demonrats, here, in Columbus, and of course…100% in D.C. !!
Mr. Miller, did you make up those “jokes” or were they spoken by insensitive Kaptur voters?
Since we are speaking of wearing German uniforms, were you aware that Hogan’s Heroes actors Werner Klemperer (Col. Klink), John Banner (Sgt. Schultz), and Leon Askin (Gen. Burkhalter) were Jews who had fled the Nazis during World War II?
If they didn’t consider wearing that uniform as an actor as something horrible…who are Marcy Kaptur or Bill Maher or you to make such a big deal of it?
The Congresswoman will continue to take advantage of ignorance as long as you help propogate it.
This comment was posted on October 18th, 2010 at 12:19 pmEven if you discount or forget the Nazi fascination, look at a few basic facts about Iott. He dropped out of Hillsdale College a few months into his second year. The only job he has held is one his father gave him. When the grocery business became more challenging he decided to just sell the business 3 years after his father turned over the reins to him. He blames Spartan for making bad decisions which spelled the demise of 5,000 jobs, yet Spartan’s stock has tripled in 10 years which to me means they don’t often make bad decisions. Iott has not held any meaningful employment since 2000. He claims to be a job creator by acting as a mentor to businesses, yet according to the online business service Mantra, the two businesses with which he has been associated employ 2 people at TechTol and fewer than 10 at Martinez Food. Even though Rich Iott lives in the small town of Whitehouse, he has not served in any civil service capacity, run for Whitehouse mayor, or even served on a committee. He has shown zero interest in achieving anything noteworthy in his lifetime.
Rich Iott is basically an unemployed college drop out who fortunately had a hard working father who made enough money in his lifetime to help support his son. Is this truly the resume of someone we wish to represent us in Washington?
This comment was posted on October 18th, 2010 at 12:31 pmMimesis or Mask?
A week ago I was on vacation drinking my way through the winding wine trails in New York when I heard Benjamin Bush’s “Why a Video Game Does Not a Soldier Make” on the local NPR station. The piece takes on the recent controversy of Medal of Honor’s Taliban character option and its subsequent retraction as the revised game debuted last week. It wasn’t until I returned this past weekend that I learned of Rich Iott’s own mishaps within the complicated nexus of identity and performance and Mr. Miller’s subsequent demand for Mr. Iott’s withdrawal.
Both examples dovetail nicely and have captured my attention squarely focusing it to questions about what happens when we play the enemy? Can we “play” the enemy or does the re-enactment of the enemy resurrect/reconstruct it? Is it performance as a reflection of the truth? Of identity? Of history? Or is it performance as mask – that which seeks to assume the posture of a faithful copy, but in its reproduction refigures the original?
Ultimately, my questions can only be satisfied by Mr. Iott; and his interview with Anderson Cooper troubles me. As Mr. Miller asks – where was his simple condemnation? What price had Mr. Iott paid for playing with fire? Void of a full historical context, did his selective re-enactments of the past evolve to precede them – constitute and construct a reality that led Mr. Iott to claim the men he helped to resurrect as “valiant”? At this point, the answers to these questions seems irrelevant and unknowable – for me, its only imprint lies in the shadow of Mr. Iott in that uniform and his conflicted responses for an ideology that he seems genuinely and alarmingly nostalgic.
This comment was posted on October 18th, 2010 at 1:29 pmI am really amazed at how bigotry and racism has blinded so many people. To say there is nothing wrong with Iott admiring the loathsome Nazi SS, and dressing up as the one’s he admires is mind boggling! How many times does a Pole, Jew, or Slav have to die? Think of all the innocent children, women, and men that were raped, tortured, and killed by the Nazi SS. Yet there are people actually defending Iott and his racial and bigoted actions and believes. Have these people been exposed too much to bigotry, racism, and hate, that they are now callously numb to righteousness of society?
Let’s face it.
This comment was posted on October 19th, 2010 at 12:16 amWe all know “week end” war re-enactments is not to teach history. It is just a way for some people to do something and play around while wearing their uniforms of choice, and carry around their antique weapons, pretending to be the one’s that they admire. If Iott truly donned his SS Nazi uniform to teach history then why will he not list the groups, schools, or organizations that he reenacted for? Instead of learning about SS Nazi history why doesn’t he first learn about American history, and world history? It is quite clear that he is not very knowledgeable of either. It is a no brainier.
mss, very profound and insightful. Thank you
This comment was posted on October 19th, 2010 at 12:27 amSo you say you don’t believe Rich is a Nazi or a Nazi sympathizer but you want him to step down from the campaign because it looks bad?? In the words of Sharon Angle, it’s time for you to “man up” and look outside the tiny little media bubble you must be living in. Who cares what Anderson Cooper says, he doesn’t live in the 9th district and no one’s watching it anyway. This is serious business and we need to elect someone that votes to right the ship before we sink! Sheeesh, why are you being such a drama queen on this?
This comment was posted on October 19th, 2010 at 9:13 amLets stop the name calling and think out of the box. What do we want for the 9th district. Do we want more of the same or do we want to try and have some change. No one person is going to do it all but if enough of the people wanting a better futue for the U.S.A will go to Washington and work towards this goal. So vote Iott
This comment was posted on October 19th, 2010 at 5:53 pm“Do we want more of the same or do we want to try and have some change. No one person is going to do it all but if enough of the people wanting a better futue for the U.S.A will go to Washington and work towards this goal”.
I definitely want more of the same! Our country is starting to go in the right direction we can never go back to republican rule “THE DARK YEARS”.
Remember “THE DARK YEARS”, the Republican majority in Congress and George W. Bush’s accomplishments?
* Attacked and took over two countries illegally.
* Spent the surplus and bankrupted the treasury.
* Shattered record for biggest annual deficit in history.
* Set economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12 month period.
* Set all-time record for biggest drop in the history of the stock market.
* First president in decades to execute a federal prisoner.
* First president in US history to enter office with a criminal record.
* First year in office set the all-time record for most days on vacation by any president in US history.
* After taking the entire month of August off for vacation, presided over the worst security failure in US history.
* Set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips than any other president in US history.
* In his first two years in office over 2 million Americans lost their job.
*Cut unemployment benefits for more out of work Americans than any president in US history.
* Set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12 month period.
* Appointed more convicted criminals to administration positions than any president in US history.
* Set the record for the least amount of press conferences than any president since the advent of television.
* Signed more laws and executive orders amending the Constitution than any president in US history.
* Presided over the biggest energy crises in US history and refused to intervene when corruption was revealed.
* Presided over the highest gasoline prices in US history and refused to use the national reserves as past presidents have.
* Cut healthcare benefits for war veterans.
* Unemployment shot up to near 16%
* Set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously take to the streets to protest me (15 million people), shattering the record for protest against any person in the history of mankind.
* Dissolved more international treaties than any president in US history.
* Bush’s presidency is the most secretive and un-accountable of any in US history.
* Members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in US history. (the ‘poorest’ multi-millionaire, Condoleeza Rice has an Exxon oil tanker named after her).
* First president in US history to have all 50 states of the Union simultaneously go bankrupt.
* Presided over the biggest corporate stock market fraud of any market in any country in the history of the world.
* First president in US history to order a US attack and military occupation of a sovereign nation.
* Created the largest government department bureaucracy in the history of the United States.
* Set the all-time record for biggest annual budget spending increases, more than any president in US history.
* First president in US history to have the United Nations remove the US from the human rights commission.
* First president in US history to have the United Nations remove the US from the elections monitoring board.
* Removed more checks and balances, and have the least amount of congressional oversight than any presidential administration in US history.
* Rendered the entire United Nations irrelevant.
* Withdrew from the World Court of Law.
* Refused to allow inspectors access to US prisoners of war and by default no longer abide by the Geneva Conventions.
* First president in US history to refuse United Nations election inspectors (during the 2002 US elections).
* All-time US (and world) record holder for most corporate campaign donations.
* My biggest life-time campaign contributor presided over one of the largest corporate bankruptcy frauds in world history (Kenneth Lay, former CEO of Enron Corporation).
* Spent more money on polls and focus groups than any president in US history.
* First president in US history to unilaterally attack a sovereign nation against the will of the United Nations and the world community.
* First president to run and hide when the US came under attack (and then lied saying the enemy had the code to Air Force 1)
* First US president to establish a secret shadow government.
* Took the biggest world sympathy for the US after 911, and in less than a year made the US the most resented country in the world (possibly the biggest diplomatic failure in US and world history).
* First US president to establish sanctioned war crimes (illegal insurgency’s of another country and torture)
* With a policy of ‘dis-engagement’ created the most hostile Israeli-Palestine relations in at least 30 years.
* First US president in history to have a majority of the people of Europe (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and stability.
* First US president in history to have the people of South Korea more threatened by the US than their immediate neighbor, North Korea.
* Changed US policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts.
* Set all-time record for number of administration appointees who violated US law by not selling huge investments in corporations bidding for government contracts.
* Failed to fulfill my pledge to get Osama Bin Laden ‘dead or alive’.
* Failed to capture the anthrax killer who tried to murder the leaders of our country at the United States Capital building. After 18 months I have no leads and zero suspects.
* In the 18 months following the 911 attacks he successfully prevented any public investigation into the biggest security failure in the history of the United States.
* Removed more freedoms and civil liberties for Americans than any other president in US history.
* In a little over two years created the most divided country in decades, possibly the most divided the US has ever been since the civil war.
* Entered office with the strongest economy in US history and in less than two years turned every single economic category heading straight down.
People do not want to go back to more of the same. That is why Marcy Kaptur is a shoe in for another term so as to continue the repair of our country and our district.
Thank you Marcy Kaptur! Awesome job, you are one of the greatest.
This comment was posted on October 20th, 2010 at 1:53 amDon Kosmider
what a wonderful memory you have of the past and dont have a clue about what is happening today. Maybe you should start educating yourself of what is happening today and then maybe the mistakes of the past and today won’t be repeated. Anything is worth a try. It can get worse but hopefully it will get better. Good luck on your vote
This comment was posted on October 20th, 2010 at 11:02 amGW’s , accomplishments:
4.5 % unemployment rate…Now: 17 % real unemployment rate.
A Dow Jones at 15,000 !! Now, barely 10,000
53 STRAIGHT MONTHS OF POSITIVE economic growth , a record only next to Reagan/ Bush I !
Now: depression like economic growth.
Freed: 53 MILLION citizens of this planet from death, torture, and tyranny in Iraq & Afghanistan !!
Now; Afghanistan had its worst year for American deaths THIS YEAR !! More deaths this year than all of the previous 7 !!
Some Commander In Chief: OweBaMao, a death merchant extraordinaire !!
KAPTURD: Champion Spark Plug is a GREEDY corporation …( doing a bang up business NOW, in Iowa !!)
This comment was posted on October 20th, 2010 at 12:28 pmKAPTURD: 67, 000 JOBS LOST UNDER HER FASCIST reign.
Yes indeed, the Good Ol’ Daze of a prosperous America,under GW, is just a memory.
When the Fascist Demonrat running dogs came into power in 2006, EVERYTHING POSITIVE TURNED NEGATIVE !!!
REMEMBER: Vote Demonrat…you ain’t seen the WORST YET !!!!
Hey !!!
I watched the ” Blues Brothers “, again last night.
I didn’t know that “Laugh In’s” , Henry Gibson, was a NAZI !!!???
He is the LEADER, of a group called A.S.W.P…a Nazi sympathetic leaning group in Illinois !!!
GOD, I hope he never runs for office here in Little Detroit !!!
This comment was posted on October 20th, 2010 at 3:32 pmDAMNED ILLINOIS NAZI’S…I hate em ! Jake Blues
just wondering
Oh, but I have a very clear view of what is happening today, a very clear view, crystal clear view. The darkness of the past is trying to creep back, as an even darker entity. It is the one’s such as yourself that needs to start educating yourself of what is happening today and then maybe the mistakes of the past won’t be repeated. But obviously hatred, bigotry, and racism shields you and your kind from knowledge. One can not hide behind ignorance and thus call thyself educated.
Thank you ever so much for granting me luck on my vote but I assure you I do not need the luck on an assured result. Unfortunately I can not extend the same gesture to you on your vote because that would be as treacherous and tasteless as donning a Nazi SS uniform.
This comment was posted on October 20th, 2010 at 6:28 pmWhat is Toledo’s unemployment rate ?
Why are Toledo’s schools HORRIBLE ?
Why are citizens fleeing this miserable burg ?
Why are companies fleeing enmasse also ?
Why are our roads & infrastructure neglected and crumbling ?
Why do Toledo’s elites, find hundreds of thousands of dollars mysteriously ?
How many Fortune 500 companies called Toledo home in 1982 and, how many are there now ?
Yeah, everyone is ignorant except the utterly , completely vapid and insipid DEMONRAT VOTERS!!!!
Yeah, riiiiiiight ……how’s the Summer of Wrecovery , doing you wholesalers of LIES !!
This comment was posted on October 21st, 2010 at 9:57 amHey michael moore miller,
Still waiting for that column on what a “wonderful” job mousy kapture has done for the 9th Congressional District. How many Fortune 500 companies do we have here? What’s that you say? None????? Well OI got out of Dodge and moved to Perrysburg, Bob Latta’s district. Why don’t you write a column about mousy’s money laundering skills and her relationship with the criminal PMA Group. If you want to be consistent and a fair and balanced journalist, you will write a colunm exposing mousy’s checkered past and present. Why don’t you ask your readers if they are better off now than they were 27 years ago since she’s been in office. Look at our unemployment rate, you won’t have too many advertisers to support your weekly paper with the same old same old kaptur. Where are the jobs and the businesses that create those jobs????
This comment was posted on October 21st, 2010 at 12:13 pmHURRAY; FIAT ( part owner of Chrysler) who got stimulas money is going to BUILD A PLANT IN MEXICO TO BUILD THE SMALL FIAT TO SELL IN U.S.A. DAIMLER (also part owner of Chrysler)doing very well in Germany. Laid off Jeep workers and Toledo Machining plant must feel real good about this. Where doees our REPRESENTATIVE stand on this? She is proud to have voted for the stimulus package. Think before you pull the lever.
This comment was posted on October 21st, 2010 at 2:46 pmLOL! This is so humorous! The Republicans are whining ad crying over the fallout of conservative debacles, (lay offs, unemployment, horrible schools, neglected and crumbling roads & infrastructure, jobs moving out of town “NAFTA”), than they turn around and say ” vote for Iott, vote for conservatives”. LOL! This reminds me of that great quote “Stupid is, is what stupid does”, by Foret Gump. You would think by now that if someone burns their hand in the fire that they would stop repeatedly putting their hand back in the fire,(voted republican)Duh!
All of our present days woes are all caused by “THE DARK YEARS” and the results are called “Trickle Down Economics” but yet it feels more like trickled on economics, does it not?
Fascism is defined as being a collectivistic ideology in opposition to socialism, liberalism, progress, democracy and individualism. So you can see by this very definition what type of indivual will be be supporting the Neo-Cons, and voting for heir Iott. Waste your vote, vote for Iott.
This comment was posted on October 21st, 2010 at 7:52 pmThe act itself points to poor judgment. The fact that he cannot undrestand why people are offended points to a deep unfamiliarity with the average voter.
Not sure why he is still hanging around.
This comment was posted on October 22nd, 2010 at 4:46 pmYeah, yeah, yeah, all of you Kapturd, sycophants stand amidst complete & total wreckage A to Z here in Little Detroit…all brought to us by radical Demonrat twists.
And, you miserable liberals DO NOT SEE IT !!!??
Exactly, just how blind, insipid, and FASCIST, are you zeroes ??!!
This comment was posted on October 26th, 2010 at 10:45 am67,000 great paying jobs lost since the chimera’s horrid reign and THAT’S, alright with you viral bacteria ???!!!
Oh, you still have your union bureaucrats job or work for the demimonde herself, eh?
GREED & SELFISHNESS, are sins …or didn’t you heathens know that ?!
I am really amazed at how bigotry and racism has blinded so many people. To say there is nothing wrong with Iott admiring the loathsome Nazi SS, and dressing up as the one’s he admires is mind boggling! How many times does a Pole, Jew, or Slav have to die? Think of all the innocent children, women, and men that were raped, tortured, and killed by the Nazi SS. Yet there are people actually defending Iott and his racial and bigoted actions and believes. Have these people been exposed too much to bigotry, racism, and hate, that they are now callously numb to righteousness of society?
Let’s face it.
This comment was posted on November 8th, 2010 at 11:52 pmWe all know “week end” war re-enactments is not to teach history. It is just a way for some people to do something and play around while wearing their uniforms of choice, and carry around their antique weapons, pretending to be the one’s that they admire. If Iott truly donned his SS Nazi uniform to teach history then why will he not list the groups, schools, or organizations that he reenacted for? Instead of learning about SS Nazi history why doesn’t he first learn about American history, and world history? It is quite clear that he is not very knowledgeable of either. It is a no brainier.