In the movie “Patton,” George C. Scott recreates a memorable scene of Gen. George S. Patton being reprimanded for his harsh treatment of a soldier. He is shown an editorial cartoon of him kicking the soldier and reacts with rage. “Do you see that? What’s on my boot? A swastika. On my boot. An iron boot with a swastika on it!”
The revulsion of Patton toward the hated symbol of the Nazis was shared by just about every American back then.
Today, though, we have 20-year-old punks with no knowledge of history who brandish the swastika while chanting slogans in support of President Donald Trump.
Is our president as incensed at this association with Nazis as Patton was?
I’m not sure. He’s too busy tweeting about CNN.
Steve Simon
Leawood
