Fifteen Years Later, Still The Same Nazi Idiots

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: An family of American Nazi party members arrives for an American Nazi rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

Over the years I’ve photographed some sick stuff and strange people. One of the most haunting events I ever covered was an Anerican Nazi Party rally at, of all places, Valley Forge National Park in 2004. The hatred in these people makes no sense to me. To me, people are people, I don’t care what color or religion or political party. People are still just people. Not sure I can categorize these folks as people though. The first image with the kid on the fathers shoulder is just plain haunting. EVerytime I look at the expression on the kids face I think of Damien, from the Omen films back in the 70’s. I wonder if this child, who’d have to be at least 18 years old by now has learned top spew the hatred that his parents taught him. And I hope, he hasn’t become that way and learned to see people as people. My gut tells me he probably didn’t and the cycle of hatred continues.
The story behind my getting this pic is that I had to use the bathroom. For some reason, I left me camera around my neck. The park rangers kept us pretty much away from the activities that day, but I really had to take a leak. One of the rangers “escorted” me to the restroom. These idiots arrived late for the rally. Bam, I had my pic that represents the sadness I see here.
The second pic is just annoying. These people started to praise Hitler. And the dude started throwing his arm out. I got in his face and shot wide. Another crazy piece of madness.
Third shows some idiot holding a Nazi flag.
Sadly, this still exists today. Some day, maybe the world will grow up. And we can all live peacefully, in harmony. Roddenbery had a great idea, too bad we haven’t been smart enough to live that way. Some day…maybe. I hope. No, I pray….

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: A members of the Ku Klux Klan salutes during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)


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VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: An American Nazi party member arrives carrying a Nazi flag for an American Nazi rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

Sad Story …. KKK Making Comeback

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a8ed212468c741eb993609cd480efe21/ku-klux-klan-dreams-rising-again-150-years-after-founding

My friend Jo Ciavaglia posted this link about the KKK making a comeback. With Independence Day in a few days, this got me thinking about some of the white supremacist rallies I’ve shot over the years. The one I remember most was one in Valley Forge Park in 2004. I’m all for freedom of speech, but I hardly think this “hate” is what are forefathers thought of when they wrote the Declaration of Independence. I still can not understand why a person would hate someone else because they are not like them. Sadly, this seems like a prevalent theme in the world we live in. 🙁

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: A members of the Ku Klux Klan salutes during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: A members of the Ku Klux Klan salutes during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

 

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: An family of American Nazi party members arrives for an American Nazi rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: An family of American Nazi party members arrives for an American Nazi rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: A young member of the Ku Klux Klan salutes during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: A young member of the Ku Klux Klan salutes during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: A National Park Police Officer stands guard behind an American Nazi party member during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: A National Park Police Officer stands guard behind an American Nazi party member during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: An American Nazi party member holds a sign during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: An American Nazi party member holds a sign during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: An American Nazi party member arrives carrying a Nazi flag for an American Nazi rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: An American Nazi party member arrives carrying a Nazi flag for an American Nazi rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: American Nazi party members participate in an American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: American Nazi party members participate in an American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: American Nazi party members enter the amphiteatre during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: American Nazi party members enter the amphiteatre during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: A members of the American Nazi Party salute during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: A members of the American Nazi Party salute during American Nazi Party rally at Valley Forge National Park September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

And then there were the anti-nazi protesters. Not sure why they wear masks.

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: Anti-Nazi protesters arrive outside an American Nazi rally at Valley Forge National Par September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: Anti-Nazi protesters arrive outside an American Nazi rally at Valley Forge National Par September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: Anti-Nazi protesters shout into a car outside an American Nazi rally at Valley Forge National Par September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

VALLEY FORGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 25: Anti-Nazi protesters shout into a car outside an American Nazi rally at Valley Forge National Par September 25, 2004 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hundreds of American Nazis from around the country were expected to attend. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)