There is an old parable about a chef preparing frogs for a dinner. The chef tried putting two frogs into a pot of boiling water but they immediately jumped out.
So, the chef put three more frogs into a pot of tepid water. The chef gradually turned up the heat on the water. With each temperature increase, the frogs looked nervous, so the chef and his colleagues sang to the frogs to ease their concern. One frog saw what was coming and wisely jumped out. Not perceiving the danger of being brought to a boil slowly, the other two frogs were cooked to death.
Here are some of the temperature increases and songs of chefs from the past.
Chef Benito Mussolini:
“The press of Italy is free, freer than the press of any other country, so long as it supports the regime.â€
“Religion is man-made to assist in controlling the weak-minded individuals because during times of atrocity and despair they feel strength in numbers.â€
“Believe, obey, fight.â€
“Fascism should rightly be called corporatism, as it is the merger of corporate and government power.â€
“I am the object of criticism around the world. But I think that since I am being discussed, then I am on the right track."
Chef David Duke:
“I don’t want to see this country resemble or look like or become like Mexico. Mexico is great to visit, I’ve been there a few times. I respect all peoples of the world.â€
“I won my constituency. I won 55% of the white vote.â€
“Our clear goal must be the advancement of the white race and separation of the white and black races. This goal must include freeing of the American media and government from subservient Jewish interests.â€
Chef Saddam Hussain:
“I am not going to answer to this so-called court, out of respect for the truth and the will of the Iraqi people. I've said what I've said, and I'm not guilty,â€
“If you are Iraqi, you know who I am ... and you know that I do not tire. I am the president of Iraq, and I refuse to answer these questions because this court is illegitimate.â€
Chef Adolf Hitler:
“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.â€
“Humanitarianism is the expression of stupidity and cowardice.â€
“I believe today that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty.â€
“As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice.â€
“I use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few.â€
Silence or a tepid response to the songs of hate, racism, bigotry and misogyny is the selling of your soul to the devil. The Christian community, citizens accepting a subservient status of women to men, and the economically comfortable and quiet white men and women are among the dying. When the devil comes to collect your soul, you cannot say, “But I didn’t realize.â€
Alan Rezek is a retired meteorologist and director of the Saint Albans Food Pantry.Â