Ohio GOP Candidate Defends War Re-Enactments
- Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:27pm by
Meredith Jessup
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Republican congressional candidate from Ohio, countering criticism from a House GOP leader, said Monday that he did nothing wrong by wearing a Nazi uniform while participating in World War II re-enactments.
Iott, center, participates in a World War I re-enactment as an American infantryman
Rich Iott told The Associated Press in an interview that he took part in the historical re-enactments to educate the public, and does not agree with the Nazis’ views or their actions against Jews.
Asked whether it was wrong to wear a Nazi uniform, Iott said: “I don’t see anything wrong about educating the public about events that happened. And that’s the whole purpose of historical re-enacting.”
Iott faces Democratic incumbent Rep. Marcy Kaptur in northwest Ohio in the November election.
The Atlantic magazine first reported Friday that Iott had participated in the re-enactments wearing a Waffen-SS uniform.
Iott said Monday he was in a re-enactment group called Wiking for three or four years — though he believed his name remained on the group’s roster for longer. He said he and his then-teenage son had joined as a part of a shared interest in history.
The House Republicans’ No. 2 leader, Eric Cantor of Virginia, on Sunday said he repudiates Iott’s actions and would not support someone who would dress in Nazi attire. His remarks on “Fox News Sunday” came after Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, of Florida, cited Iott as an example of GOP candidates with extreme views.
“You know good and well that I don’t support anything like that,” said Cantor, who is Jewish.
Iott said Cantor had no information or background about his re-enacting.
“What Cantor did is exactly the illustration of why people are disgusted with politicians,” Iott said. “He made comments and took a position that was good for him at the time, regardless of whether it was good for anyone else or good for the voters.”
Iott said he has been involved in re-enactments on and off for roughly 35 years. He said he has dressed as an American soldier for World War I and World War II re-enactments, as well as a soldier from each side of the Civil War. Iott said he could not recall when he and his son joined the Wiking group but that he was no longer involved.
“Never, in any of my re-enacting of military history, have I meant any disrespect to anyone who served in our military or anyone who has been affected by the tragedy of war, especially the Jewish Community,” Iott said in a statement Saturday.
Elan Steinberg, vice president of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors and their Descendants, called Iott’s actions “a profoundly disgraceful expression of anti-American values.”
“His failure to apologize is particularly shameful and desecrates the memory of all victims of the Nazis, Jew and non-Jew,” Steinberg said in a written statement.
During the peak of his involvement in the early 2000s, Iott said he dressed up about a half dozen times a year at the most. He said he wore the Nazi uniform in battle re-enactments, presentations at schools and public events.
Asked what he said while wearing the Nazi uniform in the schools, he said, “We talked about the atrocities that were committed and it was a horrible, horrible part of history. But we can’t forget about it or, you know, sweep it under the rug. Because those who forget about history are destined to repeat it.”
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Comments (88)
roberja
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 10:49pmBattle reenactments are a hobby to some folks. Someone has to play the enemy parts. Broker, please keep your hateful opinions to yourself. I would like to read your ideas stated in a more civilized manner.
Report Post »robtracy
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 10:48pmThis whole story is a waste of time and moronic. Its a shallow ploy to drum up votes for the democratic candidate and suppress republican turn out. Cantor is a total p*ssy and needs to change his depends. What a total sissy. Not actually talk to a guy and then condemn him. Those are the sort of people you’d like to go have a face to face with along with a pocket full of bail money.
Report Post »DrammyCoke
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 10:03pmThere has to be bad guy in re-enactments, it’s be weird watching the good guys battling no one. Because someone dresses up as a rebel soldier does that mean they own slaves?
Report Post »aircraftmag
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:51pmIt was just an reinactment. I movies we see well known actors playing Nazi’s and we never question them why they would play a certain part.
Report Post »Let’s really focus on what is important and not get distracted by such a silly thing.
Flagwaver
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:49pmI played Faust in a High School play. I am a Chaplain in the Army. Because I did that, does that make me Satan? I also dress as Darth Vader with the 501st Legion for charity events, does that make me Darth Vader? Oh, I also dress as a Union Artillery officer, a Confederate Infantry officer, a WWII paratrooper (like my grandfather), a WWII Waffen SS commander (like my great grandfather on my mom’s side), a WWI doughboy, a Revolutionary American Officer, and a Revolutionary British Officer… That does not mean that I am any of these things. It just means that I like my history, know my history, and enjoy helping others learn about history.
Report Post »1911VALOR
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:29pmWhat in the hell is wrong with my country. This is such a non story its a joke.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 8:40amNo, unfortunately, it’s not a joke. It’s a certain group of people trying to spin a photograph of a candidate into a weapon. It’s sad, but no laughing matter. Baseless accusations have become the norm these days. I see a picture and I interpret the picture the way I want to, rather than what it really means. Then I tell a million people, whether through the lamestream media, or Facebook. And too bad for you, who happen to be the target.
Report Post »hamrs_62
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:27pmthe nazi is in the whitehouse,
Report Post »troyvar
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:15pmJust saw a clip of Cantor repudiating this, like the guy was a real NAZI! Unbelievable. I thought Cantor was the real thing, he looked like a scared child. I haven’t given up on him, but he needs to grow a set and realize when he’s being baited.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 8:36amUnfortunately, when people blur the line between “make believe”, “drama” or “theater”, and reality, this is the type of mire they get into. It’s called shooting your mouth off before you know the facts. B.O. did it with Henry Gates and the Boston police, and the Department of Agriculture and the NAACP did it with the video clip of the gal talking about how she refused a loan to a white farmer. One of the new political tactics is to throw all the mud you can and see how much sticks. This is a prime example of how it is done. Sadly, Cantor ended up looking like the fool. Better luck next time, buddy.
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:50pmBreaking News. CNN is sponsoring a battle reenactment of the NAZI attack on Stalingrad. Obama agrees to be the General for the Soviets and all CNN reporters MUST play part of Stalin’s army. Cantor will be Obama’s Second in Command.
Report Post »Joseph_Plumb_Martin
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 2:37amI’m trying to stage a reenactment of the Battle of Cumorah,but can’t find a sword of laban.Think any pawn shops in upstate New York would have one?
Report Post »back2basics
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:45pmI am OFF TOPIC here, but I need some help. In receiving my mail in ballot, I noticed the Tea Party is not listed. I researched and found articles indicating the Tea Party was not allowed due to font size upon their application. I am finding Political Party Statement in my Guide for Libertarian and American Independents. I sort of recall hearing reference to the Tea Party endorsing GOP for this coming election. Can anyone help me get this clarified? I would really aprpeciate it. I can’t seem to locate anything on the official websites, this wesite, Glenn Beck, etc. I want to support the appropriate party without splitting the vote so our voice will be heard collectively on November 2. Thank you.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 10:02pmit all depends what state you live in , but generally speaking as long as there is no d next to the name your good(generally speaking) also there is no teaparty candidate listing on the ballot because there is no teaparty candidate. there are republican candidates backed by the tea party but noone just running on teaparty. ……hopefully this helps in your informed decision on who you should vote for , but this is a decision you yourself hase to make, and you only have 3 weeks in which to inform yourself………….please get to work your country depends on it
Report Post »back2basics
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 11:05pm@Psychosis
Report Post »Thank you for the update.
cheezwhiz
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:16pm“His failure to apologize is particularly shameful and desecrates the memory of all victims of the Nazis, Jew and non-Jew,” Steinberg said in a written statement.
——————————————————
Report Post »Hey Steinberg, got anything to say to Helen Thomas and Rick Sanchez ?
teaputts
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:03pmHonestly! I have been to many events where there were reenactments. Someone always has to play “the bad guy”. The reenactment would be pretty lame if the allies from WWII were swinging & gunning for nothing but air. Some people do have a historic connection to certain periods, but many just do it for historical purposes and entertainment. I don’t see any problem with this at all.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 10:31pm“His failure to apologize is particularly shameful and desecrates the memory of all victims of the Nazis, Jew and non-Jew,” Steinberg said in a written statement.
Okay, let’s talk about apologies, Mr. Steinberg. I lost family members in Poland during WWII and they weren’t Jewish. I don’t expect anyone to apologize to me for being a German re-enactor because I understand the difference between a re-enactment and a real war.
As a re-enactor, I’m getting so tired of having all these people announce what other re-enactors believe or don’t believe based on their garb. IT’S EDUCATIONAL THEATER, PEOPLE!
It’s becoming more and more evident that the Democrats object to theater, which is really odd considering how many of their supporters make their living in acting. If the Democrats really feel this way, all Democratic actors should decline parts that which portray political issues or stances that are contrary to their personal political ideology, since they expect everyone else to do so.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:00pmBreaking News !!!!!!!!!!!! This just in :
Eric Cantor issued an arrest warrant for the actor Christopher Plummer for his role as a SS Nazi Officer in the movie “ The Scarlet and the Black ” starring Gregory Peck .
Robert .
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:07pmPlz don’t give him any ideas.
Report Post »Who knows he might actually do it, with help form D-Holes and Black Panthers and Nation of islam
and call it ” bi-partisan” ……
Atheist
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 11:06pmIt seems to me that Cantor can tell the difference between those two situations quite a bit better than many people here.
Report Post »Jack Russell
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 11:42pm‘Atheist’, I‘ve read all your comments on this thread and the recurring theme is Abraham Lincoln’s famous quote, “Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.”
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:58pmCan I assume now that Krystall Ball is a 10-dollar hoore ? There are pictures of her and she seems so happy doing her ….stuff !
Report Post »GoingBeck
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:57pmThe symbiotic pod-people point their collective fingers at the ‘others’
Report Post »and screech in unison once again. Are we the only ones who
remain unconverted? Or are we immune?
axel@25
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:52pmNote to self…. make sure the kids don’t dress up for Halloween, so they can run for political office if they want to at some future point in time. Sorry Bobby, no Freddy Kruger costume (you’ll be called a supporter of child murder… and Sally ? no more witch costume…you could be attacked as “dabbling” in witchcraft.
Report Post »I’ll need to make sure they stay away from the school production of Wizard (witches) of Oz and the Sound of Music (Nazis).
Of course I suppose I can take the easy way…,twist their minds enough to become Dems so they can play-act all they want without being vilified for their pasts.
Carol_in_Florida
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:49pmThis is ridiculous and I can’t believe anyone is making political hay out of it. I’ve been to Civil War Reenactments and guess what? Not everybody can be on the same side. And btw, those acting as surgeons don’t have a medical degree either!
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:48pmWhat is the difference when Hollywood makes a movie that depicts history! One movie comes to mind “The Sound of Music”, or better yet, “Saving Private Ryan”. Hollywood movies reach a broader range of people verses an outside reenactment.
Report Post »She was attacking him for dressing up like a Nazi when he was depicting and educating about the horrors of WWII. It’s like a play put on out in a field rather than on stage; nothing wrong with that.
broker0101
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:46pmCongrats! The Blaze has become, in its short tenure, the National Inquirer of the online world, only more laughable for both content and, most especially, comments. Sad, yet hilarious. Wait until Mr. Becks’ “symptoms” are finally diagnosed as “paranoid schizophrenia with extreme messianic complex”. This place will be abuzz!!!!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:58pmThe hate from the left continues ……. boring.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:06pmSorry CATB, This “hate” come from your Right. (Nickel’s worth of free advice: Find a new living Messiah. Glenn is going down in flames.)
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:46pmBroker THE ATHIEST has spoken once again with his truth and observations. Please recognize that Broker is omnipotent and all knowing in his own mind.
The real reason why Broker is backing off on Beck is because Beck says have trust in God, keep His commandments, and expect miracles. That is just like being a Nazi to an Athiest.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:07pmCONTRARIAN, I consider myself an Unbeliever. “Atheist” has too much organization associated with it. My “answer” to the ultimate question is, “I do not know, nor do I have the capacity to ever know. I am only human”. Your answer, as a Christian, is, yes I know the ultimate answer to the ultimate question, beyond any doubt and that answer is, “Magic”. Which answer does Acoms Razor’s favor?…Ah, never mind, don‘t waste your time researching Acoms Razor’s… you’ll just call it names, too.
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:47amIt’s “Occums Razor” you idiot
Report Post »“the simplest explanation is usually the correct one”
Joseph_Plumb_Martin
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 2:14amMy friends and I do reenactments on the weekends too.Except insteading of reenacting an SS unit involved in war crimes we dress up and do the Mountain Meadows Massacre.It’s always a fun time.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:42pmthe point is the left wants you to forget the past so they can repeat it
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:41pmAs much as the left would LOVE to CHANGE history, you can not. We must always remember the TRUE facts of American history, no matter what, good or bad!
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:41pmSo I used to swing a hand and a half in viscous arcs at the renisaunce fair, does that make me Scottish? And I once drank from a stein at an Octoberfest, so I must be German right? And as I child I trick or treated in a sheet so I was either a ghost of day care KKK, right?
How about we judge people on what they really say and do?
Report Post »If your KKK, Socialist, Fabin Society, CFR, or the ilk, you will NOT get my vote.
5000YRLEAPER
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:58pmAs you can see the reporter was doing her best to put a negative spin on this educational reenactments. The whole time she was all about dressing up like “Nazi”, when he said he has done other USA historical reenactments. It’s all about the spin.
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:39pmDear Ms. Cantor
Please call Rep. Anderson from Oregon . Please ask him if you can borrow some spine . He seems to have an ample supply.
Report Post »Sailor
5000YRLEAPER
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:50pmWhat is the difference when Hollywood makes a movie that depicts history! One movie comes to mind “The Sound of Music”, or better yet, “Saving Private Ryan”. Those movies reach a broader range of people verses an outside reenactment. Do they ever question Hollywood; NOPE.
Report Post »dressseller
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:41amLOL M31SAILOR. Well Said!
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:39pmAs long as it’s not like a Civil War rally where the South wins, and it’s for educational purposes………
Do the clothes make the man or the man make the clothes?
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:42pmHiw silly. The South won some major battles as did the NAZIs. Porgressives love to rewrite history.
Report Post »5
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:39pmThe Nazi’s were bad Duds. As long as this Guy is just acting It’s OK. You might not ike it but it’s His right. The Nazi’s were on the LEFT.
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:49pmWhat is the difference when Hollywood makes a movie that depicts history! One movie comes to mind “The Sound of Music”, or better yet, “Saving Private Ryan”. Those movies reach a broader range of people verses an outside reenactment.
Report Post »5
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:53pmThe Nazi’s were bad Dudes. As long as this Guy is just acting It’s OK. You might not like it but it’s His right. The Nazi’s were on the LEFT.
Two typos is to many. The Lefties are throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.
Nazi’s, A Witch, Whore, A Big Dick-Head, Wait that’s Biden. You get My drift.
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:54pmI agree that the key part is the “ACTING” to educate people how horendous these Nazi’s were; and also that they did not win. It’s bad enough I have a relation who dreams of reviving the so-called “master race” of hitlers lunatic society.
We need to remember what evil looks like, in all forms, so to be aware of its dangers and put a stop to it before it grows big again.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mixed art)
CatB
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:55pmAmerican philosopher George Santayana (1863-1952) said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” (from “Life of Reason I”).
My hometown has a Civil War re-inactment each year …. do they want to bring back the time before the war or the war itself? — no … but we should not want to bury the past. It is quite the learning experience. They spend the weekend camped out and welcome those who are interested to come and see what it was like .. not just the battles but the “living”.
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 7:57pmI honestly don’t see anything wrong with participating in reenactments. The guy is interested in history. I haven’t seen or heard any pro-Nazi comments from him.
It‘s not like he’s burning books either. ObamaOnly Obama burns books like the Nazis.
And because I know the libs Walkwithme and JMZ are going to have a beef AGAIN because they don’t want to do any research, the story is true. Obama is the commander in chief. The DIA serves at the pleasure of POTUS and SOD. The books passed two separate army reviews, were approved for publication and then published. The Executive Branch stepped in after they were published, bought all the books and burned them. You can deny the story all you want, but it doesn‘t change the fact that it’s true. Instead of crying that it is not true or that the book endangered troops (it did not), why not find out the truth for yourselves. And then ask yourself what you would say if the Bush administration was buying books and burning them. I suspect you would feel differently.
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:24pmThe “Wannabe Tyrants” will publicize the irrelevant using their “preponderance of the propaganda” to avoid a discussion of the issues. Pay no attention to the smokescreen.
The only relevant issue is freedom or tyranny!!!!
http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »5
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 9:10pm“Saving Private Ryan”. SUCKED because Tom Hanks is a LIB/TERD.
Report Post »psycaz
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 10:16pmUh, to do re-enactments you have to have TWO sides out there don’t you?
Gonna have the Allies out there fighting no one? Not much of a re-enact them is it?
They re-enact history. Not try to convince anyone of current politics.
Report Post »Atheist
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 10:30pmRe-enacting Nazi SS troops is equivalent to re-enacting as slave-owners or slave-hunters. There is a reason that this story posted a picture of World War I re-enactors and not an image of people dressed as Nazis.
If he wants to re-enact Axis clashes with Ally troops, then he should have dressed as a German solider, not as an SS agent.
Report Post »Areyoukiddingme
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 11:06pmWhy all the fuss? I am surprised that the Dems/communist/socialist are not all rallying around this guy for wearing a WW1 German uniform.
personally i enjoy watching the civil war reenactments and any others that i can see. this takes a ton of time and effort to happen.
People like ahmadinejad that deny Holocaust are reasons that there should be more education.
Report Post »dressseller
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 12:40amThis is the stupidest non-story I have ever heard. Please see this for what it is.. Progressives KNOW this is not a big deal.. IT‘S A PLAY for heaven’s sake. They only are trying to turn it into a Big Deal because they are desperate for ANYthing to whack away at conservatives and the tsunami of voter disapproval coming their way. It is a pitiful attempt to stem the tide.
The REALLY pathetic thing (as pathetic as the liberals are to do this) is that conservatives are FALLING for it. …Cantor. Give me a break. I have little respect for him that he didn‘t laugh OUT LOUD in wasserman schultz’s face. He played into their hands PERFECTLY. *eye roll*
Report Post »ivy524
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 3:46pmI don’t understand why this is a problem. In the movie, “Gettysburg”, one of the biggest Liberals, Martin Sheen, played the part of Robt.E Lee and Tom Berenger played the part of Gen. Longstreet. They wore the Confederate uniforms. Does this make Sheen or Berenger Southern Sympathizers? Marlon Brando played a Nazi General, Max Schell has played many Nazi Officers, Anthony Hopkins played the part of Hitler. This is called ACTING, and re-enacters are actors. The movie “Gettysburg” could not have been made without the 4,000 re-enacters. More PC run amok! If someone plays the part of a KKK member, does this make the actor an lover of the KKK? Robt. Duvall played the part of Josef Stalin, but does that make Duvall an admirer of the beast?
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