Prisoner B-3087

-

Back in high school we learned of the holocaust and the cruelty and heartbreak of that sad, sad, sad moment in time.

I recall, as a child of 15 or so, wondering:

“Why didn’t the world rise up and stop it?”

I also wondered:

“How did so many people become so brain-washed that they would condone such evil?”

And then, I roundly ignored the subject.

For decades!

I didn’t want to read about it, or watch movies about it. It was all simply too horrific to even fathom and so I took the cowards way out by pretending that my ignorance of it all would make it less real.

That changed when I picked up the book:

“Prisoner B-3087”

I read the first five or six chapters in a state of shock. How could men treat other men in such a fashion?

What brings about so much hatred?

Then, my reading of the story slowed. I found that my heart and mind couldn’t take more than a chapter or so a week.

So many died.

Thousands and thousands more were tortured mercilessly.

It’s hard for our brains to even imagine such torture, and many times I’ve wondered why the prisoner didn’t just allow himself to be shot and killed.

The resolve to survive is amazing.

Some 45 or so years after first hearing the story I wonder:

“Why didn’t the rest of the world rise up and stop it from happening?”

Yet, sadly:

I no longer wonder how so many people were brainwashed to condone evil.

They say that history repeats itself.

I didn’t think it was possible when it came to the holocaust.

“That can’t happen today!”

Hell yes it can because a lot of good people ignore the atrocities feeling that if they don’t read about it that it isn’t really happening.

There are HORRIBLE things happening.

Here.

Now.

Will there be another Prisoner B-3087?

Scares me to say, but it is certainly possible.

God help us.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more