No U.S. president has come close to the evil of Hitler, Stalin

Jan. 21 was a good day for me. It marked the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. and the official beginning of the president’s second term in office. Was I eager to watch the happenings in Washington, D.C., as the inauguration festivities began.

I have only seen a few over the years. My time in the Army and other jobs I held prevented my doing so in the past. It was history in the making and I wanted a front row seat via the TV screen. Someday I hope to be there in person.

So I watched the events unfold on the tube. The First Family had grown — the president, grayer with the time spent in the hardest job ever, his wife sported a new hairdo, and his children had grown very tall indeed. They seemed to be enjoying it all, and so was I. I like them. I really do.

So I posted this little note on my Facebook page: “Watching the events unfolding in the capital. History in the making …”, along with a side note about the ongoing rabbit saga in my yard (we now have four of them living wild there). And then I forgot about that. By this time, the parade had started and I sat down to watch it go by the president’s booth on the street in front of the White House.

The U.S Army Band kicked it off and looked great. The Marines soon followed up. They were perfect, as befitting the Corps. Dance troops were all over. Native dancers from across the nation danced in full dress. One tribal group came from Alaska. It was a celebration of diversity, from America’s finest to the best high school marching bands. I love a good parade, and this one was shaping up that way.

Then during a lull when the commentators were being longwinded, I returned to my computer to see if anyone responded. Only one. OK, I can deal with that. But it was what she said that got to me. I’ll call her Sally to protect her privacy. Sally is a very close family friend. She said this: “You are the only one that has commented on events in the capital.” I scrolled down. She was right, sort of. I was the only one to say something nice.

I went down the listings of comments from friends I have from all over the political spectrum. From Christian to atheist, liberal to conservative, old battle buddies to old high school friends from way back, friends and family. I love to talk to them all, debate with them at times, share some pictures of life up here, pass on a joke or two. But this time as I scrolled down my “wall” I was frankly becoming more and more disturbed. That bugged me all though the night.

Some of the images and captions posted there put Obama next to the likes of Hitler, Stalin and Chairman Mao. Others showed a U.S. flag flying upside down in protest. I know many in my little group do not like the president. They know how I feel about him as well. I supported President Obama during both elections. The last election I stated so publicly online and in this very paper. They have the right to their say, and I have the right to mine.

President Obama is many things. I agree with some of the things he stands for as president. I disagree with some of his politics and policies as well. I never found one president in my lifetime with whom I can fully agree. But to compare him to the likes of some of the most evil people in modern history like Adolf Hitler and other such ilk is, in all honesty, sickening. There isn’t one president in all U.S history, including President Obama, who comes close to the evil, mass-murdering megalomaniacs Hitler, Stalin and others in history really were.

It has bothered me for some time now about the vitriol being put out concerning the president on the airwaves, in the newspapers and most of all on the Internet. After what I read on my Facebook page and other news sites I visit. I have to say something. I know my words may not sit so well with many here in the Valley, yet I am within my rights to speak.

President Obama is nothing like Hitler. I take deep offense to those who spread this. He is not a communist. He is not anti-American. He is most definitely not the anti-Christ, as some contend. I do not worship him as some kind of messiah. Many seem to believe that people who support him fall under this false belief. I am neither a Democrat, nor a Republican. A moderate, yes; an independent, yes. Myself, and many other Americans, voted for him and he won both times. I felt that the other contenders fell short of the mark, and President Obama was the best choice. He is not perfect, just human like the rest of us.

We are all Americans — all of us. We share many things and, yes, we differ on many things, too. This is part of living in the freest country in history. I’m sure that some here will disagree. That is entirely your right and I deeply respect that. I hope the same holds true about what have I written here.

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.