Vaillancourt's Despicable Comment Warrants Censure

There’s been an abundance of comments regarding state Rep. recent outburst. What is really disturbing about using Nazi slogans and Nazi references is that the more often these phrases and comparisons show up in the lexicon of our daily speech, the more desensitized we become to the true horrors of the Nazi regime.

Regardless of Vaillancourt’s frustration, and I can only imagine in dealing with House Speaker it was considerable, his weak apology is not sufficient. A full censure - in addition to a sincere apology - would be a more appropriate response for such a despicable stunt.

Vaillancourt and all those serving as elected members of the state Legislature must understand that there are certain minimum levels of conduct that they must be held accountable to. As our representatives their actions are interpreted as a reflection of our state.

Vaillancourt certainly is not the only person guilty of not understanding the impact using these types of despicable terms have on desensitizing our society to the atrocities committed by the Nazis prior to and during World War II. Rush Limbaugh constantly uses the term "femi-nazi" to describe women and women’s groups he disagrees with. There is nothing funny about the use of this term. To compare women with a different philosophy than yours to a regime that murdered 12 million people is beyond comprehension. And again, using terminology that likens Nazis to those we disagree with, only desensitizes us to the true horrors the Nazis committed.

There are many times when the old adage you don’t have to be disagreeable to disagree is appropriate. And there are times when you want to add an edge to your comments to attract attention to your retort. But just because you choose to be sarcastic, snide or downright nasty is still no excuse to use terminology that lessens the impact of one of the greatest human tragedies and horrors of the 20th century.

Steve Vaillancourt, you owe the people of New Hampshire your sincerest and deepest possible apology. Nothing else is appropriate.