NORTHPORT, New York (AP) -- Two high school seniors picked quotations from Adolf Hitler's book "Mein Kampf" to appear under their high school yearbook pictures, prompting school officials to apologize.

The quotes were picked by Christopher Koulermos and Philip Compton, both 18. Koulermos' read "Strength lies not in defense, but in attack." Compton chose "The great masses of people ... will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one."

"It's our responsibility and we failed miserably," said Northport High School principal Irene McLaughlin. "The fact that the book went out in the form it did was a grave mistake on our part."

McLaughlin and superintendent William Brosnan said the yearbook's student staff and its adviser, teacher Robert Runyan, saw the quotations before they were published.

The district plans to send a written apology to parents this week. School officials would not comment on whether they would discipline the two seniors or Runyan.

Officials also are discussing with the yearbook's publishing company either reprinting the section in question or offering special tape to people who want to cover the quotes.

Compton's father, Steven, said that his son meant no harm in picking the quote. "I guess he didn't seriously consider the source; he was more interested in the quote," he said. "He's a child."

Now, let me get off on the right foot here. I am not a fan of Hitler. Adolph Hitler was the closest thing to evil the 20th century produced. But let's keep this in perspective. Look at the quotes these kids used: "Strength lies not in defense, but in attack." and "The great masses of people ... will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one." What if Sun Tzu was given credit for these quotes? What if Britney Spears was given credit for them? What if they were listed as Anonymous? The quotes are simply words. They don't encourage violence or antisocial behavior. Perhaps it's my bias, but both quotes seem like a criticism of the Bush administration. To me, they seem like quotes that support the president's policies of attacking pre-emptively and lying to the American people about some major stuff. And the kicker is that Hitler said them, so the mind makes a connection: That stuff Bush's doing? Hitler's idea!

But the idea of all these administrators bending over backwards to apologize drives me crazy! The quotes are harmless. The power is in the name Adolph Hitler. Does the mere printing of his name mean that you support his legacy? When people sport stickers on their cars reading, "9/11/01," does that mean that they love the destruction of that day? No! It's simple acknowledgement of its existence. What if the quote said, "I don't eat meat because I'm a vegeterian. -Adolph Hitler"? The natural assumption to ME would be that this student is anti-vegetarian, not Pro Hilter!

Look, Hitler is almost a synonym for evil. When you compare someone to Hitler or a Nazi, it's the most extreme kind of accusation. So naturally, his name is a context-less lightning rod. Anytime Hitler's name is mentioned outside of the History Channel, it sparks knee-jerk reactions. "What? Hitler? How Dare You!" It's just like the word nigger. Of course the word nigger is an ugly, horrible word to call someone. If someone's yearbook quote was "Kill all niggers -Strom Thurmond," I could see a problem. But what if the quote was "Don't let anyone call you a nigger -Miles Davis"? The word is still there, but the context is different. (I don't suggest using any of these quotes in yourt yearbook, by the way...they're all made up to make a point.) I deplore the use of the word faggot. And yet, I love the Green Day lyric: "Well maybe I'm the faggot America; I'm not a part of the Redneck agenda." The point there is that if you're nt a redneck, you're considered a fag. Those are the two extremes we seem to live in. He's not actually calling someone a "faggot."

George Carlin once said about offensive words in context: "There's nothing wrong with the word 'nigger' in and of itself. It's the racist c***sucker who's using it that you've got to watch out for!"

So, while I'd never quote Hitler myself, I certainly believe it's perfectly OK to do so when the message is not one of hate. I promise my next post will be lighter and fluffier.