General Discussion

MatthewStLouis

(919 posts)

67. I would say look to the intentions. I have changed my thoughts on this as well.

Fri Oct 24, 2025, 09:57 AM

Oct 24

At first I figured, "Ok, so the guy got a bad ass tatoo that others in his unit were getting. It's not overtly NAZI."
I get that a lot of younger people immediately recognize these NAZI symbols, but to many of us-we just haven't spent that much time studying up on this stuff. Remember the Gadsen flag? As a kid I thought it was cool, then it got coopted by tea baggers. Symbols and their meanings evolve over time. I think it's how you use the symbol that matters. The intention.

That said. It seems he knew about the symbol quite a while ago. Why did he keep it?

He's probably not a NAZI. He didn't go all in like a Pete Hegseth. BUT knowing/learning about the symbolism as a grown adult should have prompted more than a shrug. It's hard to defend.

If I were a Mainer I'd (of course) vote for him over Collins, but you never know what kind of Dem you're getting. Maybe another crappy one.

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Highlight:

How "Nazi" must a tattoo be [View all] sarisataka Oct 22 OP

The tattoo was a symbol used by the SS. RandySF Oct 22 #1

Platner's tattoo: sop Oct 22 #2

Honestly, I wouldn't have recognized that as a Nazi tattoo. yardwork Oct 22 #6

You wouldn't but a white supremacist would, and they would thank you Maru Kitteh Oct 22 #13

Getting it MAY have been a mistake of ignorance sarisataka Oct 22 #14

I would say look to the intentions. I have changed my thoughts on this as well. MatthewStLouis Oct 24 #67

Your's is the most thoughtful post I've read on this topic. thought crime Oct 24 #70

thank you for a sensible mind! jaymac Oct 22 #31

I changed my mind. Read the rest of this thread. yardwork Oct 22 #32

Recognized that image immediately even from a way blurrier picture. rogue emissary Oct 22 #33

Well, I've changed my mind after reading this thread. yardwork Oct 22 #35

Saw your post and that is honestly big of you to do. rogue emissary Oct 22 #37

I never mind saying that I was wrong or changed my mind. yardwork Oct 23 #57

The military didn't either. Mz Pip Oct 22 #34

It's a non-issue for MAGAt Republicans MorbidButterflyTat Oct 22 #43

Then you are not well educated regarding World War II Mysterian Oct 24 #66

You're right. I don't know much about WWII. yardwork Oct 24 #68

It's a blur... lame54 Oct 22 #17

It's a very poor image, a still frame from a bad video. In the flesh it was probably more clear. sop Oct 22 #21

"Are we the baddies?" WhiskeyGrinder Oct 22 #3

That came to my mind as well. 😂🤣 QueerDuck Oct 22 #12

gosh what's that on his hat, never seen anything like it before WhiskeyGrinder Oct 22 #15

I thought I saw one before, Fla_Democrat Oct 22 #41

Nazi is Nazi. There are no degrees. Solly Mack Oct 22 #4

He says he didn't realize it was associated with Nazis. yardwork Oct 22 #7

I don't know what he did and did not know. I couldn't swear to it in a court of law anyway. Solly Mack Oct 22 #10

An acquaintance apparently said he knew in 2012 muriel_volestrangler Oct 22 #19

Well, that sounds very bad. yardwork Oct 22 #22

Yikes. So at the very LEAST, thirteen years ago he knew he had a NAZI tattoo and Maru Kitteh Oct 22 #25

A lot of other questionable stuff has come up with this guy as well. W_HAMILTON Oct 22 #23

Just reading this thread is raising more alarms. yardwork Oct 22 #24

According to the conspiracy theories, the Democratic Establishment only allows ancient centrists to run for office. betsuni Oct 22 #39

I think it's complicated by knowledge of the origin EdmondDantes_ Oct 22 #5

I don't have a history degree and recognize a Totenkopf immediately sarisataka Oct 22 #16

The military medical personnel didn't flag it as problematic EdmondDantes_ Oct 22 #20

I'd say Africa Corp palm tree for top 3 myself, but the SS skull close to tied EX500rider Oct 22 #28

Yeah, just because I wouldn't have known what Cha Oct 22 #38

I'm gonna ForgedCrank Oct 22 #8

"tattoo removal is painful and expensive so I can't blame the guy" TheProle Oct 22 #44

You zeroed ForgedCrank Oct 22 #49

My point was your statement could be read as trying to diminish his responsibility based on cost. TheProle Oct 22 #53

Yes, I ForgedCrank Oct 23 #55

Sometimes discussions work that way TheProle Oct 23 #58

Your point ForgedCrank Oct 23 #59

Look at you outsmarting folks! TheProle Oct 23 #61

Sarisataka wait until you hear about the 1919 on his bicep EDIT: NEW PHOTO, NOT NAZI RELATED WhiskeyGrinder Oct 22 #9

Maybe it was the year his grandfather was born sarisataka Oct 22 #11

FWIW: demmiblue Oct 22 #42

Folkish Heathen Norse coded obamanut2012 Oct 22 #26

You mean the tattoo he just got? yardwork Oct 22 #30

No Polybius Oct 22 #48

Here ya go: Polybius Oct 22 #47

This was the insignia worn by guards at NAZI death camps LetMyPeopleVote Oct 22 #18

Is Ro Khanna supporting this guy, too? LuvLoogie Oct 22 #40

I'm astonished by the excuses being made by some here mcar Oct 22 #27

I defended him at first. yardwork Oct 22 #29

It's been incredibly disheartening. Blue_Adept Oct 22 #36

The insignia - death skull - was worn exclusively by SS guards at death camps LetMyPeopleVote Oct 22 #45

Not completely exclusive sarisataka Oct 22 #52

This is still a NAZI tattoo LetMyPeopleVote Oct 23 #54

Most definitely sarisataka Oct 23 #63

Every SS cap from 1934 on had the Totenkopf... WarGamer Oct 24 #69

We really need to get better vetting our own.. nini Oct 22 #46

Are you surprised that some are defending this and him? Behind the Aegis Oct 22 #50

Not in the least sarisataka Oct 23 #64

The symbol is still used today and not by Nazi. Melon Oct 22 #51

If this tattoo is the same as the symbol on Himmler's hat, then it is a NAZI symbol LetMyPeopleVote Oct 23 #56

The tattoo is consistent with his stated beliefs iemanja Oct 23 #60

The symbol was also used by the Wehrmacht's Panzer Corps, and tank crewmen wore it on their uniforms. Aristus Oct 23 #62

The image in the tattoo is a NAZI symbol LetMyPeopleVote Oct 24 #65