To: Sens. McCain and Flake and Congressman Schweikert.

In the 1930s many Jewish leaders were petitioning President Roosevelt to speak out regarding worsening conditions in Germany. Other Jews were concerned that if the President took action this would make a bad situation much worse. Non-Jews in this country framed the discussion in terms of immigration. The nation was in the midst of The Great Depression and a large influx of Jewish refugees would cause further economic harm.

Bankers, who were owed millions of dollars loaned to Germany for rebuilding after WWI, did not want Roosevelt to anger Hitler and the Nazis. Isolationists said the Jewish issue should be considered an internal domestic problem for Germany to resolve. Others hauntingly thought back to the horrors of the First World War.

Diplomats and government officials argued amongst themselves in their attempts to decide what to do. As the internal memos and cables flew about, Hitler went from identifying Jews with stars sewed on their clothes to more malignant actions. Creeping evil was occurring while the world stood by as appeasement and “peace in our time” attitudes prevailed.

Once again poison gas is being used as a means to a violent end and the nations dither. Islamists in the Free Syrian Rebel Army are of great concern. How will the regime react if rockets are launched? Will Iran sit by? Russia? Will Israel be drawn into the fray? Turkey and Saudi Arabia are watching as our military offers up possible options.

Eighty years ago the world powers legitimized excuses and artfully rationalized as the unbelievable was occurring. Today the scope of the atrocities is much different but the evil is no less. Whether thousands or hundreds of thousands are dead and maimed, such horrific deeds must not go unchallenged. Debate yes -- then act! History is watching.