General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI knew that tattoo of Platner's sounded familiar.
Not the specific tattoo, but the whole scenario of getting a tattoo that doesn't convey what you thought it would convey. And I was right; it's not just a tattoo, it's a whole trope.
A comedy trope, in which a character has what else? an embarrassing tattoo. It might be shoddily done, misspelled, or show the name of a former romantic partner. It might be written in a language the wearer doesn't understand (or even read) and thus not mean what they think it does. It might be part of a trend that has been Condemned by History. It might represent a gang or hate group, or otherwise not reflect the wearer's current beliefs or lifestyle. It might be a design or symbol from a culture to which the wearer has little or no relevant connection. It might be warped due to age, weight changes, pregnancy, or infection. It may have been the work of an amateur artist. It might be the location of the tattoo that is embarrassing (e.g.: on the buttocks or near the genitals). It might also be the result of teenage whim; even if the person was legally an adult at the time, what looks cool at 19 can easily become embarrassing by 30. Bonus points, or perhaps a Face Palm (depending on the perspective), if Alcohol-Induced Idiocy is a factor, regardless of whether it's the one doing or getting the tattoo.
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EmbarrassingTattoo
In other words, he's far from the first person to ever get a tattoo that turned out to be a big mistake, and he definitely won't be the last. Democrats need to get over it already.
P.S. I don't expect everyone to agree, and that's okay. I just hope people will think about it. We have a real shot at flipping Susan Collins' seat from red to blue. Let's not blow it.
walkingman
(11,097 posts)magicarpet
(19,218 posts)Susan Collins would be happy to return as the senior senator representing Maine. She is often more concerned and freequently worried about legislation matters in Washington DC than Margaret Chase Smith was. But Susan Collins is always so reliable and ultimately votes 97.8% MAGA. And her squeaky little voice just grows on you.
I wonder if we should stick with her ?
magicarpet
(19,218 posts)Trump praises Collins as she holds MAGA hat at bill signing
Beacon Staff February 4, 2026
Any past divisions between Pres. Donald Trump and Maines senior senator werent in view on Tuesday as Sen. Susan Collins stood next to Trump at a bill signing, held a red hat emblazoned with the slogan America is Back and received his praise.
All right, youre doing good, Trump told Collins, as he lauded a series of lawmakers and signed a budget bill that he called a great victory for the American people.
Trump noted that the bill cuts funding for PBS and NPR, continues the closure of USAID, and cuts funding for tax evasion enforcement at the IRS.
The bill provides only temporary funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and sets up a potential showdown over their violent and lawless tactics over the next two weeks.
Trump also took the opportunity to oppose requiring ICE to obtain judicial warrants to search homes and to downplay controversy over the latest release of documents related to child rapist Jeffrey Epstein.
More at link below,...
https://mainebeacon.com/trump-praises-collins-as-she-holds-maga-hat-at-bill-signing/
PunkinPi
(5,293 posts)David Costello --> https://www.costelloforsenate.com/
Andrea LaFlamme (Democratic write-in candidate) --> https://www.andreaformaine.com/
walkingman
(11,097 posts)modrepub
(4,165 posts)that's over 90% white, half of which despises it's most populous city, I don't think this will be much of a liability.
How gas prices and prices behave the next couple of months is going to be key. If it's half as bad as I expect, a lot of vulnerable incumbents in the Republican Party are going to be looking for jobs in the lobbying and consulting fields.
displacedvermoter
(4,893 posts)and that, I guess, is a good thing. Where does Joe Rogan live? If we could convince him to run for Congress, the Senate or for Governor as a Democrat, wherever that is, most of the nasty shit he has said over the years wouldn't be a liability, either.
Wouldn't necessarily be a great Democrat, or a sincere one, but he could likely draw MMA voters!
RandomNumbers
(19,248 posts)I would support his election.
Even though he's a piece of work.
displacedvermoter
(4,893 posts)jmbar2
(8,114 posts)That turned into a hump-back whale as we got older?
ret5hd
(22,559 posts)jmbar2
(8,114 posts)EX500rider
(12,699 posts)Skittles
(172,537 posts)Jack Valentino
(5,224 posts)(Judging by their behavior, I would guess there are a whole LOT of them!)
EX500rider
(12,699 posts)Nor was I aware of them filling trains of people to go to death camps.
As to their behavior their civilian casualty rate has been no different than any other war that involves un-uniformed opponents in urban areas who embed themselves with civilians. (see second Iraq War)
WarGamer
(18,821 posts)And blamed women for rape?
sarisataka
(22,779 posts)which is destined to go unanswered.
I suppose we should get used to this if it is going to be 'when they go low, we go lower'.
Kingofalldems
(40,356 posts)FascismIsDeath
(235 posts)I was against Tulsi Gabbard when she was still an elected Democrat in the House. And I've been saying for many years that RFK was a weirdo, back when he was still a long time registered Democrat who had fans among the party base.
I get similar vibes from Platner. Maybe my instincts are wrong this time but I'm glad I don't live in Maine because it would be very difficult to vote for him. Naturally, I still hope we win that seat because it will be better than Collins.
Cha
(320,272 posts)and RFK Jr.
Gabbard was my rep, and I started voting against her in the primaries in 2014. She turned out to be a nazi.
I never paid attention to the nazi bobby until he started running for President. Gawd!
And, I was for Coonor Lamb.
FascismIsDeath
(235 posts)So I figured out he was a weird nut job back then. Though he was a little more guarded about it.
Tulsi set off red flags for me with some thinly veiled Islamophobic and homophobic stuff early on and then she associated with Modi and Assad. its been so long I don't remember exactly all the things that tipped me off. But she also just has a vacant look in her eyes. I just always knew something was off about her.
Cha
(320,272 posts)Du. She had some fans standing up for her.
WarGamer
(18,821 posts)BannonsLiver
(20,797 posts)Speaking of the GOP, what kind of tea are you hearing on the ground re: other gop voters and Platner?
Bluetus
(3,030 posts)We might be able to accept he didn't know it was a popular Nazi symbol. I never saw that symbol before this ordeal, so I can believe he just thought it looked cool.
We might even be able to accept a redemption story that, as a young man, he explored other philosophies, including Nazi thinking, and has rejected that as he matured.
What is hard to accept is that, once confronted with the Nazi connection, he didn't simply repudiate that and pay $1000 to get the tattoo removed. That indicates bad judgment. And the fact that he still hasn't dealt with this amplifies that concern.
Mossfern
(4,747 posts)and whether or not he gets the tattoo removed is a personal choice. The only reason that people understand that it may be a Nazi themed tattoo is a minor detail of the overall work. Don't overlook the forest for the trees.
To be fair, I'll look it up again, but I do believe it was a small detail that if not expert in Nazi regalia would be totally unnoticed.
Removing it doesn't mean it never happened.
Iggo
(50,021 posts)Forehead, dead center.
Im not an expert. And neither are millions upon millions upon millions of other citizens of the world who know what Nazis look like.
Im supposed to believe hes an ex-mercenary, who wore the military insignia of the Nazi SS for almost twenty years without ever knowing it? Im never going to buy that story, and I will loudly oppose that notion every time its brought up.
So if you people dont want to keep hearing it from me and people like me, then quit bringing it up.
Mossfern
(4,747 posts)Maybe I'm thinking of a different image than you are.
Iggo
(50,021 posts)Im out of here before I say something stupid.
VOTE FOR PLATNER.
WarGamer
(18,821 posts)
Iggo
(50,021 posts)sarisataka
(22,779 posts)
Mossfern
(4,747 posts)I guess I'm naive,
I wonder how many people, before this controversy started, knew the difference.
I just assumed the artist was being creative.
Hassin Bin Sober
(27,489 posts)I guess Im not an expert on nazi imagery or uniforms.
Because I would call that a skull and crossbones.
Ive heard the term deaths head regiment and always thought the hats a skull (no bones).
I wonder if Jerry was a nazi. Lately, right wingers have been claiming Jerry would have been a Republican

ShazzieB
(22,809 posts)I'd bet money on it. I didn't know the difference myself until the other day, when someone used the word "totenkopf" in a post and I used that word to do some googling,
Aside from that, I didn't and still don't know what the original tattoo actually looked like. All I've seen are photos of the covered tattoo as it looks now. But even if it looked EXACTLY like a Nazi totenkopf, I'm skeptical of how many people would immediately make that association. I would not have, and I'm someone who has read fairly extensively about the holocaust. I remember reading that the SS used a symbol called a "death's head," but no more than that.
This is the kind of thing that if you know it, you KNOW it. I get that. Now that I know, I'll never be able to forget it, but until a few days ago I didn't associate a skull and crossbones with anything other than pirates. I also had no idea that the Nazis used a certain specific style of of skull and crossbones, or that that particular style is supposed to be instantly recognizable as a *GASP* Nazi symbol.
Like I said, if you know, you know, and once you do know, you can't unsee it. But if you don't know, the meaning of that image is far from obvious imo. I can easily believe Platner didn't know what it was when he got the tattoo. I can easily imagine a young man seeing that and thinking, "Oh, that looks badass!"
He found out out what it was somewhere along the way, and he eventually got it covered, so good for him. If he didn't get it covered immediately, it's probably because he liked his "badass" skull and crossbones tattoo and didn't immediately comprehend the seriousness of what it could be taken to stand for, even after someone alerted him to it. When he finally did realize just how much it really mattered, he took care of it. Good for him. I just don't see what the big deal is.
I know some are uneasy about possibly electing another Fetterman, but I think thst was just a weird fluke. The man had a stroke that damaged his brain and changed his whole personality! I know Platner is not perfect, but Mainers seem to REALLY like him. If he has a chance of flipping Collins' seat from red to blue, I say more power to him.
Bluetus
(3,030 posts)Last edited Tue May 5, 2026, 08:12 AM - Edit history (1)
There have been any number of characters throughout history who have sounded like the "voice of the people" and have turned out horribly. We are all troubled by recent examples (Fetterman, Gabbard, Kennedy).
All we can do is pay close attention and see if any cracks in the persona emerge.
It has become mostly moot. Mills has dropped out and I doubt that Platner would be any worse than Collins. Collins has never been there at the moment of truth on ANY issue.
Here are the positives I take:
* It is ultimately the decision of Mainers, and they seem to be strongly behind him.
* Platner is being very specific about his populist values, articulating a worldview that is closer to traditional Democratic Party values than 95% of today's Democrats say out loud. And this would require a really monumental flip-flop if he is truly of the Nazi persuasion.
* If he is genuine, he can become a very important voice in our politics, challenging other Dems to show more backbone.
Iggo
(50,021 posts)Just dont try to defend the Nazi shit.
Vote for Platner.
Jack Valentino
(5,224 posts)with that symbol on their hats 'dead center'....
Since I'm not a Nazi or Nazi sympathizer, I never spent much time studying their 'regalia'
so much that I would ever recognize this particular symbol---
and I wonder why there are so many members of Democratic Underground
who apparently DID.....
eShirl
(20,378 posts)Bluetus
(3,030 posts)I believe he just got it altered to look less like the Nazi artwork.
You might say, "What's the difference?" And to some people maybe one is as good as the other. To me, I think just about everyone who gets tattoos knows that we have technology to remove them. It may be more expensive than the original tattoo, but were talking something like $500 for one treatment to $2000 for several treatments. It seems really obvious to me that removal would have been the best solution. That would fit the story:
This option is STILL open to him, as the default candidate. It is troubling to me that he does not address it. It would be so simple.
Hassin Bin Sober
(27,489 posts)Bluetus
(3,030 posts)However, I saw one reference: "He stated he was 'horrified' to learn of the connection (with the Nazi symbology), moved to have the tattoo covered immediately, and planned to have it removed."
It isn't clear to me that he followed through on that last bit.
ShazzieB
(22,809 posts)It can take many visits over many months and cost thousands of dollars. Lots of people elect to get an undesirable tattoo covered, rather than removed, just because it's faster, easier, and cheaper.
Jack Valentino
(5,224 posts)Polybius
(22,062 posts)It all depends on what color it is. While I don't know how hard his is to remove, I do know that red and black are the among the easiest, while yellow is one of the hardest.

wackadoo wabbit
(1,307 posts)ShazzieB
(22,809 posts)He had it covered, which seems like a sensible choice to me. It can cost a lot more than a thousand bucks to remove a tattoo. Exactly how much depends on the size, the complexity of the design, the color(s) used, and so on. Those factors also affect how long it takes. A large tattoo can take multiple visits, spaced out over many months to allow for healing in between sessions. It's not a "one and done" kind of thing.
I have finally ound a pic of the original tattoo that I can post along the current one, for comparison. Here's the "before" version:

And here's "after":

As you can see, the original was mostly solid black. It would have been quite a project to remove and would have looked pretty awful for months as the process continued through various stages. I think most people would have opted for coverage rather than going through all that.
Polybius
(22,062 posts)Polybius
(22,062 posts)Uncle Joe
(65,421 posts)off base to visit tattoo parlors, topless bars, and pawn shops.
Those businesses know their market, late teens to mid 20s, and disproportionately men.
Thanks for the thread ShazzieB
Iggo
(50,021 posts)Thats the math of it.
Hes selling the second option, which you say may, in fact, be the truth.
Lets say it is. That doesnt make me feel any better.
Captain Zero
(8,949 posts)But also changed to a scan code that played
Love Peace and Happiness.
Or something like that.
Kingofalldems
(40,356 posts)Therefore I support him all the way.
Interesting thread.
Hassin Bin Sober
(27,489 posts)Nixie
(18,095 posts)close to 20 years ago, when we all knew what the attacks on Joy were really about. How does this work -- if you object to offensive comments or symbolism, you are conservative?
EdmondDantes_
(2,007 posts)Isn't excused because some might have criticized her for racist reasons. Nor can you honestly lump all criticism of her actual homophobic posts on her own website as due to racism.
Nixie
(18,095 posts)who slur others as conservatives because they are offended by commonly recognized offensive things.
flvegan
(66,459 posts)THAT is funny.
Enter stage left
(4,624 posts)Many of my fellow soldiers got tattoos, especially near Fort Benning, GA.
I couldn't swear to this, but knowing what was like when you were on leave, most of them WERE drunk or close to it when they got their tattoos.
You have to remember, these young men are 18 to 23 years old, and many of them had never used alcohol until they went on leave from a military base.
In other words, Platner's explanation could be and most likely is true!
Vote for Platner. He can't be worse than Collins.
wackadoo wabbit
(1,307 posts)Think about it. Assuming a young drunk military guy gets a tattoo that he doesn't understand. OK, I guess that happens. Surely in the intervening TWO DECADES he learns what it represents. Why wouldn't he have had it removed or covered up then? Why did he wait until it became an issue in his campaign?
Could it be because he actually agreed with the sentiment represented by that tattoo?
Nixie
(18,095 posts)wow, that is interesting. Obviously I haven't been reading the media articles about him, but this does change things if he just did it to run for office.
Nixie
(18,095 posts)who voted for Trump. He said he works on the water now. Combine all that with his military background, and it's highly doubtful he didn't know what the tattoo was when he got it and it suited him -- until it didn't.* But his macho persona doesn't seem to match a dumb guy going to get a tattoo. He knew what he was getting and it fit his image at the time. Having nazi tattoos probably didn't help him in business much as he aged, but I wouldn't buy any dumb drunk guy story of not knowing what he was putting on his body.
*just seeing that Platner only covered up his tattoo because of his current campaign.
LAS14
(15,535 posts)...from a few days ago by a historian whose field includes Nazi Germany. He said he wouldn't have recognized it as a Nazi symbol. I, for sure, didn't. Looks like another stupid skull and crossbones to me.
Nixie
(18,095 posts)but he's a lifelong war history buff. He can identify all the planes in the old films, all the uniforms. They are symbolic.
But I don't take it that people are judging the tattoo itself, only the implications of the mindset of what that might imply about the person who chooses that and what that means about his real political affiliations since he's new to the scene and voted for a Republican before. Those are fair questions.
WarGamer
(18,821 posts)questionseverything
(11,920 posts)sarisataka
(22,779 posts)"a historian whose field includes Nazi Germany" to have at least a passing familiarity with Nazi symbols.
WarGamer
(18,821 posts)questionseverything
(11,920 posts)sarisataka
(22,779 posts)In this subthread, not the candidate, aren't we.
I have voice my opinion about his alleged ignorance previously. Since he is now the presumptive candidate I will not repeat here.
sarisataka
(22,779 posts)Is not an expert on Nazi Germany.
If they were even an amateur historian they would know the Totenkopf was worn on SS caps, the symbol of the 3rd SS Pz Division and most infamously by the SS-Totenkopfverbände [SS- Death's Head Battalions], the units that ran the concentration camps.
So not just another stupid skull and crossbones to someone familiar with history.
Response to ShazzieB (Original post)
usedtobedemgurl This message was self-deleted by its author.
LAS14
(15,535 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(181,437 posts)I have seen a great deal on this. This is just one example that Collins would use against Platner in a general election campaign.
Link to tweet

I have seen some other oppo that pesters me
Skittles
(172,537 posts)yes indeed
50 Shades Of Blue
(11,493 posts)Iggo
(50,021 posts)But they need to stop trying to explain away the Nazi shit. Too many of us have been dealing with that for fifty, sixty, seventy years or more. There are no grown up accidental Nazis. In fact, Yeah I fucked up. I shouldve got that covered up years ago
wouldve been better than trying to play dumb about it.
But yes, definitely Vote for Platner.
And next time, pick a better candidate.
GReedDiamond
(5,555 posts)...he had a literal prison tattoo (he got it in prison) that was very badly rendered, and said "STAIRDUST" instead of STARDUST.
That amused me.
RoseTrellis
(192 posts)We all gave Kegsbreath a pass, too.
Lets be consistent here.
BannonsLiver
(20,797 posts)Seems very silly and performative. Im not going to pretend that I hate a Dem who Im not terribly thrilled about as much as I hate Trumpy GOP subhuman vermin who have proven to be enemies of democracy.
B.See
(8,718 posts)1. f-get the purity tests, there is no perfect candidate, only the better choice (and sometimes the lesser of two evils - I've a story about the latter, for later).
2. see the forest in spite of the trees.
If I had to choose between a Democrat with a shitty tattoo and a questionable explanation,
and a Republican who's toed the TRUMP/MAGA LINE 97% of the time, I wouldn't have a second's doubt about who to vote for.
3. Stop bringing knives to gunfights.
sheshe2
(98,230 posts)...and if I lived in Maine, I would have to vote for him as the Democratic nominee. I don't sit out elections; I vote no matter what my reservations might be.
However, it is way more than the Tat, which is a pretty big alarm for me, add the comments about women, blacks and gays. If you haven't read them, you should. I am neither black nor gay though I have friends that are and they are people I care about. However, blaming women who are drunk/intoxicated for their rape, well that one hurts the most.
I have posted an OP more than once about 'What Were you Wearing' when you were raped. It was a heartbreaking exhibit. Perhaps we need a new one...What Were You Drinking when you were raped.
B.See
(8,718 posts)much valued and appreciated. And yes, I'm aware of some (if not most) of Platner's reprehensible comments.
But I think the brunt of inquiry re Platner falls upon the voters, the sentiments, and the circumstances that resulted in the current situation in Maine.
Including the growing movement within the party towards less centrists candidates, the growing enthusiasm among many voters and progressive leaders like Sanders, Warren, AOC, for such candidates,
and the (sometimes baseless, I think) notion of 'out with the old in with the new' - more progressive than less, though I be.
Primaries should be based upon policies, positions, productivity, not tenure nor age, I think.
NOT that Gov. Janet Mills, who suspended her candidacy due to lack of funds (and apparently support) is, IMO, a centrist. All I know of her suggests she would've been an excellent senator (IMO). But the support wasn't there.
Go figure.
So, if Maine's Democratic contender turns out to be a person with a storied history (and that's putting it mildly), that's on them. Their choice.
My previous reply had only to do with what you wrote in your first paragraph, should it come down to voting for Platner or Collins, in spite of reservations.
Ursus Rex
(494 posts)that spell out "chicken soup dumbass white girl" or something equally ridiculous and embarrassing.
I REALLLLLY hope it's something that isn't the worst case.
hunter
(40,814 posts)I'll bet most of the older guys here have stories about their own youthful idiocy.
Unfortunately some guys never outgrow it. Let's hope Platner's not one of them.
DFW
(60,375 posts)She got it while she was on a sea turtle tagging/conservation project on Hawaii when she was 17.
Fast forward to when she is 25, graduating from a so-called second tier law school, and looking for a job in the aftermath of the Cheney-Bush recession. She was warned to get the tattoo removed, or fail any job interview with a serious firm, and possibly face a career as a waitress.
At 31, she became the youngest partner ever (international law) in one of New Yorks top law firms, and now earns five times as much as I do. She still has her tattoo.
Jack Valentino
(5,224 posts)I might still get a tattoo which commemorates my individual 'claim to fame'
about the shortwave pirate radio station which I started in my youth
and hope to reactivate soon, and that might include a skull and crossbones---
but to include the station name, I might have to design it myself....
anyway, I don't yet bear ANY tattoos, but that is one that I might consider getting
before I die
Mike Niendorff
(3,660 posts)(1) Tattoos can be removed. It's actually common.
(2) Tattoos can be reworked with a "cover-up". That's also common.
So: why not now?
MDN
RoeVWade
(924 posts)If not, it's not much of argument but to vote for him.