From inherited Holocaust trauma to ICE raids and Nazi-echoing slogans, America’s warning sirens are screaming again; and this time the uniforms say “homeland security.”
You're right that language matters, and the "One Homeland. One People. One Heritage" posting wasn't accidental phrasing. It was a choice. When federal agencies deliberately echo Nazi slogans, when DOJ pre-decides not to investigate a killing by federal agents, when unmarked vehicles and mass deployments become normalized, these aren't isolated incidents. They're systematic signals about who holds power and who is expendable.
The dismissal you're anticipating, "this is exaggerated," "it's different this time", is itself part of the pattern. Every authoritarian rise depends on enough people deciding it's hyperbolic to compare until it's too late to resist.
Renee Nicole Good is dead. DOJ won't investigate. That's not a guardrail failure, that's guardrail removal. And you're right to sound the alarm while there's still time to hear it.
Never Again requires we act before the scream echoes again.
Both of my husbands parents were Holocaust survivors. They were teenagers when they and the rest of their families were dragged away to the Warsaw Ghetto first and then camps. They were the only ones that survived out of their whole family and met and married in Europe before they were luck to be allowed to migrate to the US. He tells me his difficult stories of growing up with parents who had horrific trauma who never wanted to talk about it. Yes these scars get passed on generationally but hopefully they get diluted. I have read that Trump's father was a Nazi sympathizer. He was of German extraction. It only makes sense that those feelings of entitlement and prejudice towards those that are different are probably passed on through words and deeds. That is who we are dealing with now in the oval office. I shudder to think where our country will be in 3 years!!!
I'm not sure how to explain this? I'll give it a shot. I believe most Americans who do not have have parents, grandparents that are Holocaust victims/survivors or even immigrants from Europe are getting the full grasp of what is actually taking place in our country right now. My parents are European immigrants whose countries were occupied by Nazi Germany. They were very young children at the time but still have stories that were instilled in my mind; stories I can never forget. I take what is happening to our country seriously. I try to explain to others what is taking place who do not have parents/grandparents that actually lived through the holocaust/Nazi occupation but it seems to fall on deaf ears. They simply say "I'm not political." I hope I explained myself and I hope I do not offend anyone with my thoughts on this situation.
I am the daughter of a northern European immigrant. I was raised with pride in the resistance against the Nazis mounted in northern Europe. In other words, I was raised to be courageous and not bow down to bullies. I know there are others of us out here in the US, but clearly the people in charge and their followers exhibit gross lack of character and lack of principles. Thus, they submit to the Nazi currently in charge: Fuhrer Miller.
I'm so glad you understand what I'm saying. I was raised the same way to not take any shit from anybody and defend myself. I was also taught to stand up for what is right and help others who have been victimized by bullies.
I shudder every time I hear about another ICE raid. I certainly did not go through, nor did my family go through, what your family survived, Michael. Thank you for sharing it with us. I can only imagine, barely, the unimaginable trauma that the experience caused. My eldest son and his wife and 3 children (the newest, a granddaughter, born just last Friday) lives in Massachusetts, and I fear daily for their safety, if only because it is clear to me that the administration has gone insane and will attack anybody for any reason.
I am one of the fortunate ones whose family escaped the Holocaust. It was a blessing, however I felt that I owed it to the 6 million to walk where they walked. I visited Dachau several years ago. 22 were on the tour but only 7 of us completed it. It was a horror. We see pictures of the gate Arbeit Macht Frei, but you cannot imagine the feeling when you walk through those gates and you hear the clank when they shut behind you. Unless you’ve experienced one cannot imagine the horrors that those who were confined there suffered. My father was one of soldiers who helped liberate one of the death camps. I cannot remember which one and he has passed so I can’t ask him. have pictures of it. I fear that it is on its way here. ICE is the Gestapo, and the detention centers are the concentration camps. The Jews of Europe didn’t believe that Hitler would carry out such a mission. America wake up. We are in the middle of that same scenario and we have our own Hitler, Gobels, and Dr Mengela right here. Are we waiting for Eichman? We can’t fold. We need to rise up in strength. Our votes will matter. Register and vote blue.
Many American families(mine included) have a similar story. Many of us were raised with the idea that we are incredibly lucky to live in the United States. Seeing the corrupt and lawless takeover of our government with insufficient pushback from the people would sadden those who left tyranny for freedom, who fought in wars against fascism, who survived the unthinkable. They:said “never again”….we should scream it and push back while we still are able.
Michael thank you for bearing your soul, on something so unspeakable and unbearable. You are have seen and heard the traumatizing effects of what it is like to have lived through the Holocaust. Living through it doesn’t mean it goes away. It lives inside the survivors and becomes a part of them. Recalling your families trauma must carry the same horror and pain to this day, just sharing it with us. Your message comes through loud and clear as a warning, as a clarion call, before it's too late.
Renee Nicole Good was shot in the head 3 times point blank. She was murdered for trying to turn away from the ICE agents and leave, in fear for her life. Noem has declared there will be no oversight. Legal experts who spoke to CNN said it was troubling that federal officials appeared to be focusing on low-level violations by protesters, instead of the shooting of Good itself.
Timothy Zick, a professor at William and Mary Law School who wrote a book on protest law. “This is authoritarianism 101 where you blame the dissenters and the activists for causing their own death.”
Incredible writing Michael but.............you need to address the questions. Perhaps your next column?
Michael Cohen, you are a truly gifted writer. And today, more than ever, what the world needs is trust, integrity, and accountability. Unfortunately, much of Corporate Media continues to present narratives that lack depth and clarity, and too often seem to reinforce deception rather than challenge it.
That brings me to the elephant in the room: your lack of transparency. You worked with Trump for what, twelve+ years? You were among his closest contacts, deeply connected to his family and inner circle, yet you maintain that you know nothing about Epstein. Nothing about Katie Johnson. That is very difficult to reconcile.
Emails are now being uncovered, and more will inevitably come to light.
A honest conversation is long overdue.
When you asked me to do a favor, it became clear to me that you were still willing to bend the rules. That was the moment I decided to reach out to Lev Parnas. My intention was to alert him and his Family. I had hoped that would prompt an apology or at least a moment of reflection from you. Instead, there was silence.
Because of this, I am ending my subscription. Still, I remain hopeful. I hope that one day you will reach a place where you can speak openly and fully, and choose truth over protection, profit or convenience.
Dawn Cali. Maybe expressing this on another post would have been more appropriate. Derailing a post that is so sad and traumatic for so many people just isn’t on.
Suzanne, that is quite an assumption and I have to wonder how do you definitively know that my view of Michael Cohen is distorted? You have a right to your opinion though.
M. Sharna, I sent all the information to Lev Parnas. And now that he is investigating Michael directly; I have no doubt much more will come out than what happened with me. Let's just leave it that he wanted me to bend the rules. Of which I would not do for anyone.
With the exception of about 1% of your population you are all immigrants. Don’t think any of the thugs in charge come into the 1% so they should all ‘go home’. I’m sure Germany would welcome Trump.
A truly expository post that sadly will not have the necessary effect of opening the eyes of those with deaf ears when half the country does not realize it is the frog in the pot of cool water and the burner has just been lit. They will mindlessly and quietly meet the future.
Thank God for you and the Meidas Mighty who see the analogy and refuse to wait for the boiling water to end us. We are brave enough and smart enough to fight to save our way of life and our country from tyranny.
Michael, we are so lucky to have your voice. Look for additional ways to reach out to those other "stupid" frogs that unfortunately, for us, also get to vote. With our current state of affairs, it would be a perfect time to reach out to the masses and share the truth.
Great writing this morning Michael. You continue to confront all that you have been through, the prison time, the humiliation, the loss. Now the holocaust and how it affected you personally. You are absolutely right, we need to be aware, be diligent..... We must, peacefully, speak out against this nazi regime. I'm scared, but I'm also not going to stop speaking up for our Democracy, Constitution, and country.
Thank you Michael for this very touching piece. I cried through the whole thing, for your grandparents, your beloved grandmother, your parents and you, and your family. Generational trauma is real, and complex. And for those families who experienced these atrocities.
You’re taking it to the streets of Minneapolis to compare the Nazi actions is so important. People need to wake up. Those who say ‘I’m not political’ make me want to scream. F’n hell!! I guess it will become political when it affects them.
Michael-
You're right that language matters, and the "One Homeland. One People. One Heritage" posting wasn't accidental phrasing. It was a choice. When federal agencies deliberately echo Nazi slogans, when DOJ pre-decides not to investigate a killing by federal agents, when unmarked vehicles and mass deployments become normalized, these aren't isolated incidents. They're systematic signals about who holds power and who is expendable.
The dismissal you're anticipating, "this is exaggerated," "it's different this time", is itself part of the pattern. Every authoritarian rise depends on enough people deciding it's hyperbolic to compare until it's too late to resist.
Renee Nicole Good is dead. DOJ won't investigate. That's not a guardrail failure, that's guardrail removal. And you're right to sound the alarm while there's still time to hear it.
Never Again requires we act before the scream echoes again.
Mika-
I admit that I've said this before, even recently (and I'm sure I'll say it again soon): This is the best thing you've ever written.
You still need to work on your semi-colons, though. Just sayin'...
I concur! (the best written bit)
The devil with the semi-colons! The best is yet to come?
Punctuation matters. E.g., " Woman without her man is nothing." OR "Woman: without her, Man is nothing."
Everyone needs a copy editor.
"Woman: without her, Man is nothing."
(needed a comma)
Like I said, EVERYone needs a copy editor. THNX ;-
Both of my husbands parents were Holocaust survivors. They were teenagers when they and the rest of their families were dragged away to the Warsaw Ghetto first and then camps. They were the only ones that survived out of their whole family and met and married in Europe before they were luck to be allowed to migrate to the US. He tells me his difficult stories of growing up with parents who had horrific trauma who never wanted to talk about it. Yes these scars get passed on generationally but hopefully they get diluted. I have read that Trump's father was a Nazi sympathizer. He was of German extraction. It only makes sense that those feelings of entitlement and prejudice towards those that are different are probably passed on through words and deeds. That is who we are dealing with now in the oval office. I shudder to think where our country will be in 3 years!!!
I'm not sure how to explain this? I'll give it a shot. I believe most Americans who do not have have parents, grandparents that are Holocaust victims/survivors or even immigrants from Europe are getting the full grasp of what is actually taking place in our country right now. My parents are European immigrants whose countries were occupied by Nazi Germany. They were very young children at the time but still have stories that were instilled in my mind; stories I can never forget. I take what is happening to our country seriously. I try to explain to others what is taking place who do not have parents/grandparents that actually lived through the holocaust/Nazi occupation but it seems to fall on deaf ears. They simply say "I'm not political." I hope I explained myself and I hope I do not offend anyone with my thoughts on this situation.
I am the daughter of a northern European immigrant. I was raised with pride in the resistance against the Nazis mounted in northern Europe. In other words, I was raised to be courageous and not bow down to bullies. I know there are others of us out here in the US, but clearly the people in charge and their followers exhibit gross lack of character and lack of principles. Thus, they submit to the Nazi currently in charge: Fuhrer Miller.
I'm so glad you understand what I'm saying. I was raised the same way to not take any shit from anybody and defend myself. I was also taught to stand up for what is right and help others who have been victimized by bullies.
Exactly. "Stand up for the underdog" was our motto.
Joanne. I think you explained it very well. I feel so much empathy for your family. Generational trauma is real.
Being raised and taught to take no shit is extremely valuable. 😊 🇨🇦
Thank you, Roberta! It really means a lot to me! 🫶🏼 By the way, I love Canada! ❤️🇨🇦❤️
🇨🇦❤️
I shudder every time I hear about another ICE raid. I certainly did not go through, nor did my family go through, what your family survived, Michael. Thank you for sharing it with us. I can only imagine, barely, the unimaginable trauma that the experience caused. My eldest son and his wife and 3 children (the newest, a granddaughter, born just last Friday) lives in Massachusetts, and I fear daily for their safety, if only because it is clear to me that the administration has gone insane and will attack anybody for any reason.
I am one of the fortunate ones whose family escaped the Holocaust. It was a blessing, however I felt that I owed it to the 6 million to walk where they walked. I visited Dachau several years ago. 22 were on the tour but only 7 of us completed it. It was a horror. We see pictures of the gate Arbeit Macht Frei, but you cannot imagine the feeling when you walk through those gates and you hear the clank when they shut behind you. Unless you’ve experienced one cannot imagine the horrors that those who were confined there suffered. My father was one of soldiers who helped liberate one of the death camps. I cannot remember which one and he has passed so I can’t ask him. have pictures of it. I fear that it is on its way here. ICE is the Gestapo, and the detention centers are the concentration camps. The Jews of Europe didn’t believe that Hitler would carry out such a mission. America wake up. We are in the middle of that same scenario and we have our own Hitler, Gobels, and Dr Mengela right here. Are we waiting for Eichman? We can’t fold. We need to rise up in strength. Our votes will matter. Register and vote blue.
Many American families(mine included) have a similar story. Many of us were raised with the idea that we are incredibly lucky to live in the United States. Seeing the corrupt and lawless takeover of our government with insufficient pushback from the people would sadden those who left tyranny for freedom, who fought in wars against fascism, who survived the unthinkable. They:said “never again”….we should scream it and push back while we still are able.
Michael thank you for bearing your soul, on something so unspeakable and unbearable. You are have seen and heard the traumatizing effects of what it is like to have lived through the Holocaust. Living through it doesn’t mean it goes away. It lives inside the survivors and becomes a part of them. Recalling your families trauma must carry the same horror and pain to this day, just sharing it with us. Your message comes through loud and clear as a warning, as a clarion call, before it's too late.
Renee Nicole Good was shot in the head 3 times point blank. She was murdered for trying to turn away from the ICE agents and leave, in fear for her life. Noem has declared there will be no oversight. Legal experts who spoke to CNN said it was troubling that federal officials appeared to be focusing on low-level violations by protesters, instead of the shooting of Good itself.
Timothy Zick, a professor at William and Mary Law School who wrote a book on protest law. “This is authoritarianism 101 where you blame the dissenters and the activists for causing their own death.”
Seems you knew plenty about Epstein on July 27, 2019 🤔
Great piece, Michael.
Incredible writing Michael but.............you need to address the questions. Perhaps your next column?
Michael Cohen, you are a truly gifted writer. And today, more than ever, what the world needs is trust, integrity, and accountability. Unfortunately, much of Corporate Media continues to present narratives that lack depth and clarity, and too often seem to reinforce deception rather than challenge it.
That brings me to the elephant in the room: your lack of transparency. You worked with Trump for what, twelve+ years? You were among his closest contacts, deeply connected to his family and inner circle, yet you maintain that you know nothing about Epstein. Nothing about Katie Johnson. That is very difficult to reconcile.
Emails are now being uncovered, and more will inevitably come to light.
A honest conversation is long overdue.
When you asked me to do a favor, it became clear to me that you were still willing to bend the rules. That was the moment I decided to reach out to Lev Parnas. My intention was to alert him and his Family. I had hoped that would prompt an apology or at least a moment of reflection from you. Instead, there was silence.
Because of this, I am ending my subscription. Still, I remain hopeful. I hope that one day you will reach a place where you can speak openly and fully, and choose truth over protection, profit or convenience.
Americans deserve better.
Dawn Cali. Maybe expressing this on another post would have been more appropriate. Derailing a post that is so sad and traumatic for so many people just isn’t on.
IMHO, no disrespect intended, you have a distorted view of Michael Cohen. Cohen and Epstein did not overlap in the Trump universe.
Suzanne, that is quite an assumption and I have to wonder how do you definitively know that my view of Michael Cohen is distorted? You have a right to your opinion though.
Americans deserve better.
Can we ask what was the favor he wanted from you??
M. Sharna, I sent all the information to Lev Parnas. And now that he is investigating Michael directly; I have no doubt much more will come out than what happened with me. Let's just leave it that he wanted me to bend the rules. Of which I would not do for anyone.
Americans deserve better.
With the exception of about 1% of your population you are all immigrants. Don’t think any of the thugs in charge come into the 1% so they should all ‘go home’. I’m sure Germany would welcome Trump.
A truly expository post that sadly will not have the necessary effect of opening the eyes of those with deaf ears when half the country does not realize it is the frog in the pot of cool water and the burner has just been lit. They will mindlessly and quietly meet the future.
Thank God for you and the Meidas Mighty who see the analogy and refuse to wait for the boiling water to end us. We are brave enough and smart enough to fight to save our way of life and our country from tyranny.
Michael, we are so lucky to have your voice. Look for additional ways to reach out to those other "stupid" frogs that unfortunately, for us, also get to vote. With our current state of affairs, it would be a perfect time to reach out to the masses and share the truth.
Great writing this morning Michael. You continue to confront all that you have been through, the prison time, the humiliation, the loss. Now the holocaust and how it affected you personally. You are absolutely right, we need to be aware, be diligent..... We must, peacefully, speak out against this nazi regime. I'm scared, but I'm also not going to stop speaking up for our Democracy, Constitution, and country.
powerful painful... needed to be said and read
Thank you Michael for this very touching piece. I cried through the whole thing, for your grandparents, your beloved grandmother, your parents and you, and your family. Generational trauma is real, and complex. And for those families who experienced these atrocities.
You’re taking it to the streets of Minneapolis to compare the Nazi actions is so important. People need to wake up. Those who say ‘I’m not political’ make me want to scream. F’n hell!! I guess it will become political when it affects them.