Based on early reports, eight to ten congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are dead.  Upon entering the synagogue, the shooter Robert Bowers yelled, “All Jews must die.” We have a right to be shocked, but not to be surprised.  It was inevitable.

And you may call the timing coincidental but as former CIA officer Malcolm Nance always says, “Coincidences take a lot of planning.”  Just last week, Donald Trump referred to himself as a proud nationalist.  His declaration was celebrated by The Daily Stormer, an on-line neo-Nazi publication which, within an hour of the Pittsburgh shooting, posted the following, “Please Jesus Christ let it be Moslems.”  Sorry, it appears to be one of your own.

I am more angry than shocked.  Angry at any American who thinks he or she (though it always seems to be a male) has a right to gun down people who are different from themselves.  Angry at the current occupant of the White House who cannot find it within himself to unequivocally condemn those who profess white supremacy, antisemitism and xenophobia.  Angry at the GOP sycophants who would be screaming to high heaven if such behavior was coming from someone other than the leader of their party.  But mostly, I am angry at my fellow “members of the tribe” who continue to support Trump.  To this last group I say:

If you are enjoying your massive tax cut, in light of today’s massacre of your Jewish brethren, was it worth it?

If you are pleased your stock portfolio has increased over the past two years, in light of today’s massacre of your Jewish brethren, was it worth it?

If you think deregulation and climate change denial are the keys to economic growth, in light of today’s massacre of your Jewish brethren, was it worth it?

If you are happy with the symbolic relocation of the American Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in light of today’s massacre of your Jewish brethren, was it worth it?

For whatever reason you believe you should continue to support a public official who is the darling of the most extreme elements of hatred and prejudice, I ask, “Was it worth it?”  To paraphrase Democratic candidate for Florida governor Andrew Gillum during his recent debate with Republican opponent Ron deSantis, “I am not calling Donald Trump antisemitic, but anti-Semites think he is one.”  Maybe, it’s time to take them seriously.  And while I find it increasingly difficult to understand why any Jewish voter with a conscience would ever support Donald Trump, the same can be said of anyone, regardless of race or religion, who claims to be a person of good will, but turns away when confronted by their own role in enabling a culture of hatred and bigotry.

Perhaps there is no better time to recall the words of Martin Nielmöller.

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.

Now is the time to speak up, before it is too late for all of us.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP