The Cutting Edge

It must be painfully obvious to all by now that Paul Shapiro and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum are not working for the benefit of survivors in the Bad Arolsen records controversy. Just read the newsletters of survivor groups, the letters to the editor they have written, and their opinion pieces. Also look at Shapiro stonewalling the press and the Museum imposing media blackouts. The question remains: why can't survivors check out their own files online with local helpers? Why must they travel to Washington to check their files, or work with one one of the Museum's not-too-enthusiastic staffers via telephone. Survivors are all pushing for one thing in this matter--the right to see their own files where they live while they are still alive. Instead, the Museum and Shapiro have obviously set themselves up against the survivors so the Museum can raise money, and use the victim files as a gate attraction. Eventually, there won't be enough survivors to complain any more. Then the matter will be finally resolved in Shapiro's favor.