Election Choice: Nazi Re-enactor (Repub) v. Sponsor of the WWII Memorial (Dem)

Source:
thenation.com

The Republican nominee for Congress in Ohio's 9th district, Rich lott, has—at least up to this point in the campaign—been one of the National Republican Congressional Committee's favorite prospects for the 2010 election cycle. The NRCC has highlighted Iott's challenge to Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo. as Republican strategists in DC have steered money and advice to a candidate identified as one of the party's "Young Guns."

lott's not very young, But he does know a thing or two about guns.

Until recently, he was a member of a group that reenacts World War II battles as a German Waffen SS unit.

Iott dressed up in a Nazi uniform, carried a Nazi sidearm and, he tells the Atlantic, adopted a Nazi name—"Reinhard Pferdmann"—in order to really get into the part.

Iott explains that: "Part of the re-enactor's [experience] is the living-history part, of really trying to get into the persona of the time period. In many, not just in our unit, but in many units what individuals do is create this person largely based on a Germanized version of their name, and a history kind of based around your own real experiences. 'Reinhard' of course is 'Richard' in German. And 'Pferdmann,' 'pferd' is a horse. So it's literally 'horse man.'

Wow. This guy Lott is a gift from heaven for the Democrats. What is he thinking? That the American people will go for a person who puts on a Nazi uniform, even in the pursuit of history? He is either deluded or confident that his voters are comfortable with being associated with the Nazis.

Anyone want to take a guess?

Of course, he's a republican. Fascism is a right wing ideology regardless how they try to paint it on the left. I imagine it's really no more inflammatory than dressing up as Darth Vader for Halloween.

Somebody has to play the losing side in any re-enactment.

*But screaming "NAZI!" is fun tho, so let's rag on this guy for giving the good guys someone to defeat during re-enactments; the fool he is.

This election cycle reminds me of the Monty Python sketch where the British accuse the Germans of being silly and not taking the war seriously. The Republicans are running a candidate that begins her campaign ad with "I am not a witch," and now they have a candidate who dresses up as a Nazi. Stop it! You're getting silly!
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/e210d911d04d.jpg[/atsimg]

Already a couple of threads floating around on this weak topic.

A lot of history buffs reenact famous battles and skirmishes all over this country and throughout Europe.

Ever see a Civil War skirmish? Perhaps a Revolutionary War skirmish up in Concord? More and more are also reenacting famous battles from WWII. They even make movies and video games that replay these same battles. Scary stuff folks.. Better bolt your doors.

The poor guy has a hobby, better string him up

There is a lot to be learned by studying the history of combat through the years. People even study and major in Military History in college. Wow! What a concept.

Move on!!

edit to add:
What you all think of those who collect military artifacts?? My grandfather brought home some prized Nazi items after the war and continued to collect and trade artifacts from all sides of the war during his retirement years. Crazy stuff??

This is such a non issue. He is reenacting past history as was stated in a previous post. Is there no end to the stupidity of charges that our brought up against some? If this is considered taboo or scene as something as an offense then perhaps we should not allow actors to portray Nazis, Romans, Confederates and so on in movies or plays because in all honesty there isn't much of a difference here.

Originally posted by Exuberant1
Somebody has to play the losing side in any re-enactment.

*But screaming "NAZI!" is fun tho, so let's rag on this guy for giving the good guys someone to defeat during re-enactments; the fool he is.

edit on 12-10-2010 by Exuberant1 because: (no reason given)

Not re-enactment...no losing side...there was no opposing force in his little "reenactment group"...get it?
Nazi fantasy without the inconvenience of an opposing force to ruin your moment.
The man is a wacko.

Originally posted by jibeho
Already a couple of threads floating around on this weak topic.

A lot of history buffs reenact famous battles and skirmishes all over this country and throughout Europe.

Ever see a Civil War skirmish?

In order to re-enact a battle...similiar to your Civil War example...don't you need an opposing force?

Absent that, is it still re-enactment if it is just a group of guys who are ALL dressed up like Nazi's?

Also, as any military historian would quickly point out, there are hundreds of German Units that took part in historical battles, while his unit opted to mimic the WSS, a division who was the Military equivelant of the SS and who had the stated goal of removing an entire group of people "by any means".

I'd be interested in this man's explanation as to why they chose the WSS..the military equivelant of the SS, rather than a one of a thousand other german military units...ya know maybe a unit whose core mission wasn't genocide?

Not buyin this guy at all...he is a closet Nazi wannabe....or more accurately an outed Nazi wannabe.

So...no cowboys and indians. No redcoats vs. blue. No blue vs. gray. And now no axis and allies. So what's next? Political correctness vs. thinking for yourself. Gotcha.

/TOA

Even the Windsors enjoy a bit of this ''fancy dress''.

Harry says sorry for Nazi costume

Seems like a bit of a non-story to me ( albeit embarrassing to the relevant people ).