Profoundly Disturbing

On September 20, People Magazine reported two recent examples of participation at political rallies that caused quite a stir, with gestures from attendees perceived by some as attacks on democracy, and even as expressions of hate.

Over the weekend, two separate groups were seen in that way, during speeches by former President Donald Trump and Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano. More disturbing, one of the gestures used at both rallies appears to acknowledge, perhaps even celebrate, both the QAnon conspiracy theory and white nationalism.

The first rally generating controversy was Trump's Save America rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Saturday, with appearances by Ohio Senate candidate J.D. Vance and that paragon of reason and civility, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan. At the rally, and as is so often the case, 45 used his time at the podium to glorify himself, rather than campaign. When Trump again offered disinformation about the 2020 election, and criticized the FBI's search of his Mar-a-Lago residence, members of the crowd each raised their right arm and extended an index finger. The significance? Possibly a quiet endorsement of America First.

If you think that's bad, you're going to cringe at another public presentation by another Republican thoroughly lacking both humility and compassion. Yes, GOTV is talking about you, Doug Mastriano. At a rally in Chambersburg PA, attendees were directed to raise their arms in something eerily similar to Hitler's Sieg Heil (literally, hail to victory) salute. Not even the most ill-informed and insensitive among us can overlook the significance of that gesture, especially at a time so close to International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

GOTV recommends that 45, Mastriano, and any who believe in their vulgar backchat read up on Martin Niemoller.