History reflection on Naziism and executions

An opinion echo letter, published in the St. Louis American newspaper.  At the end of this echo blog, an addendum refers to articles where the message in this letter to the editor is underscored.  

Swastika-Inspired Anti-Trump logo goes viral. The logo has given graphic expression to condemnations of Donald Trump, for his equivocations on "alt-right" violence. Designed by Texas-based artist Mike Mitchell, the graphic takes the number 45—Trump’s unofficial moniker as the 45th President of the United States—and rotates it to the left by (as it happens) 45 degrees, giving the numeral the appearance of a swastika. It is then superimposed within a red circle and diagonal line that serves as the universal icon of opposition.

Letter to the St. Louis American - Does the name Johann Reickhart* ring a bell? No, he’s not affiliated with Donald Trump or the Trump 2020 campaign. Reickhart was a gruesome and sordid player in Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime. He was Hitler’s chief executioner, known as “Head Hunter,” and personally responsible for the guillotine deaths of 3,165 people.

Reickhart joined the Nazis in 1933, a time when Adolf Hitler was spewing his hateful rhetoric to the German masses, who were struggling economically, because of the reparations imposed on the people in the Treaty of Versailles. Germans were susceptible to Hitler’s message: that Germany was being victimized; that Germanic people were superior to all; and that he would lead Germany to world domination. “Make Germany great again” was a powerful message, well received by many.

All despots and dictators have to suppress or eliminate their opposition. Hitler did so by scapegoating his opposition as unpatriotic, etc. News reporters, political opponents, gypsies, Jewish merchants, the mentally ill and others were falsely arrested, imprisoned and quietly guillotined by the bloody hands of Johann Reickhart.

Hitler came to power because sane Germans didn’t speak-out against his hateful message and thuggery. Keeping quiet kept one safe, so they thought. As long as the marginal people were being targeted, it seemed okay.

Donald Trump does not yet have his Johann Reickhart but he does have a hardcore following of people who seem to be impervious to the truth before them, much like the people conned into self-destruction by Adolf Hitler. When will they come for you?

Michael K. Broughton  from Green Park Missouri

*Johann Reichhart (29 April 1893 – 26 April 1972~ a gruesome biography!) was a state-appointed judicial executioner in Bavaria, Germany from 1924–1946. During the Nazi Germany era, he executed numerous people who were sentenced to death for resisting National Socialism.

Reference addendum- yes, it can happen again:

Trump congratulates Poland as it mourns anniversary of Nazi invasion. Trump's comments came on the 80th anniversary of the day Nazi Germany invaded Poland and kicked off World War II
https://www.salon.com/2019/09/03/trump-congratulates-poland-as-it-mourns-anniversary-of-nazi-invasion/

Donald Trump Rally Looks Like A Scene From Nazi Germany
It is getting way too scary.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-right-hand-salute_n_56db50d8e4b03a405678e27a