Salutes, Salutations and Symbolism
As much as I'm trying to avoid it, I really want to stay out of US politics, at the moment. But here we are. Elon Musk's Nazi salute (twice!) has simply done my head in. No amount of gaslighting or reinterpretation of events can suggest that it means anything other than that which is obvious. This is the nature and power of symbols. The Nazi salute is an entirely offensive symbol, illegal in many countries, and the richest person in the world should know what it is, what it means, and never, ever do it again. To emphasise this point, the same symbolism was used in early Salvation Army ceremonies such as the dedication of a child. Imagine, if you will, a moment in the ceremony when the Officer in charge says these words... "Those who will pray for these parents and for this child, and, in every way they can, help them to carry out the promises made this day--Bayonets--Fix!" Now, picture a hall full of people wearing the same uniform, all raising their right hand, in a ...