tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post2354509217192144650..comments2019-08-22T11:37:58.928+02:00Comments on A View from A Broad: It's No Longer the Germans I'm Worried About...Susan Jane Gilmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11940788589373548580noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-23534506035371038352011-03-11T02:00:27.587+01:002011-03-11T02:00:27.587+01:00Susan, I know this post was written a year ago, bu...Susan, I know this post was written a year ago, but I just stumbled upon it now. I've been to Germany twice in the last 2 years and I share your perspective. I was touched and humbled at how Germany has come to terms and faces up to the less savory aspects of its past (for all that there are younger Germans who wonder when they get to just move on already -- a feeling I understand in my head but my gut always tells me "never"). Still...after watching Keith Ellison break down today during Peter King's Muslim witch-hunt, I agree with you -- the next genocide is going to be right here at home.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03865082576641051315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-42031395244699752342011-01-26T15:29:18.512+01:002011-01-26T15:29:18.512+01:00Fascinating perspective, thank you for sharing. Yo...Fascinating perspective, thank you for sharing. You and I appear to live at opposing ends of the political spectrum, and yet...and yet. I like the way that you think and express yourself. <br /><br />As to the comments here, I would caution that there's precious little difference between the terms 'drooling liberal' and 'frantic teabagger.' Both are sweeping generalizations, neither have a place in an intelligent political discourse.<br /><br />Best,<br />JennJennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03767231921992846641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-38810638676780359312010-05-25T05:03:53.847+02:002010-05-25T05:03:53.847+02:00"Hitler was legally elected in 1933. What hap..."Hitler was legally elected in 1933. What happend afterwards was illegal."<br /><br />That's still not perfectly true: After Hitler came to power, he secured it with laws that allowed him emergency measures in certain situations ("Notverordnung"), and weakened the democratic separation of powers ("Ermächtigungsgesetz"). So it followed the rights ("Recht") but it wasn't righteous ("Gerecht"), it was judical but not ethical. As Hitler installed a system to oppress the people, i think many were too anxious to point out this distinction. There must have been many things in this time, that the people didn't understand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-87719455562122680692010-05-25T05:02:12.649+02:002010-05-25T05:02:12.649+02:00"Hitler was legally elected in 1933. What hap..."Hitler was legally elected in 1933. What happend afterwards was illegal."<br /><br />That's still not perfectly true: After Hitler came to power, he secured it with laws that allowed him emergency measures in certain situations ("Notverordnung"), and weakened the democratic separation of powers ("Ermächtigungsgesetz"). So it followed the rights ("Recht") but it wasn't righteous ("Gerecht"), it was judical but not ethical. As Hitler installed a system to oppress the people, i think many were too anxious to point out this distinction. There must have been many things in this time, that the people didn't understand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-22605033488652164072010-05-17T11:28:52.242+02:002010-05-17T11:28:52.242+02:00Thank you, readers, for correcting my error. The N...Thank you, readers, for correcting my error. The Nazis did seize power LEGALLY. My typo was clearly a Freudian slip!Susan Jane Gilmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11940788589373548580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-54786417512671102762010-05-17T03:07:35.481+02:002010-05-17T03:07:35.481+02:00You are very right to worry about America. Nazi Ge...You are very right to worry about America. Nazi Germany has wreaked havoc on civilization for a decade and brought unspeakable terror to its neighbours and especially inhabitants of certain religions and descents. Fortunately it has (been) stopped. Not for the right reasons (you probably know that), but the really important thing was that the Nazis got stopped. <br /><br />Unfortunately, we still see a lot of murder in the world. The USA have continued to kill literally millions of people in ever more unjustified wars. The feeling of unchallenged superiority is the stench of American politics. It is not surprising that the arrival of inhuman economic ideologies (that coined phrases like "human capital") also brought us an ever-growing population of dumb consumers that will attack anything their allegedly "unbiased" media will put in front of them, like the frantic Teabaggers and FOX News. Still you cant say they are all the same idiotic tribe, there are a lot of them that are just sick of the surveillance and injustice imposed upon the ordinary people, but dont get that they are instrumentalized by the GOP and Fox.<br /><br />It is especially shocking for a German like me to see the things that happen in America now. I really hope that you find a way to cope with it _before_ anything worse happens. As I said before, the USA already is perpetrating mass murder day by day in its numerous wars. I dont wanna know what happens when these guys take over.<br /><br />One remark: You wrote<br />"When they seized power illegally in 1933, they insisted they were doing this to “save” the homeland from “dangerous socialists” – their name for the legitimate, democratically elected government at the time."<br />This is not the truth. Please bear in mind that the Nazis seized power _legally_. Hitler was appointed chancellor by Hindenburg in 1933 and everyone thought it would be a matter of months until he would resign in frustration. Even when they staged the burning of the Reichstag and subsequently passed the "empowerment bill" (Ermächtigungsgesetz), they had gained support by some other parties that were shocked by the attack on the Reichstag, much like Pearl Harbor was the incident that sparked public support for America's entry or 911 for Afghanistan and Iraq. That chapter reminds us that we should stay vigilant and sceptical of any government, especially in times of crisis. One cannot state, however, that it was completely legal, as Socialists and others that refused to agree with the bill were silenced and deported soon after.<br /><br />I wonder if the lessons from back then are taught in American history classes. It is probably harder to have a critical approach on a war (and its precedents) that you have won.<br /><br />And back to Germany of today: You are right, it is a much more open country now. Militarism has almost vanished though its ugly head still hasnt been buried. Recently Germany has started to join wars although the public does not agree with it. Nowadays the people know that we should not do harm to others under any justifications than defense, but politics has their heads up their a****. That is probably better than it was 70 years ago, but we still have to strive to create a truly peaceful world that has its place for Jews as well as Muslims and everyone else that wants to pursuit his or her happiness.<br /><br />Viele liebe Grüße aus München,<br />Franz<br /><br />http://denkreiz.deAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-24813220918539130802010-05-16T15:58:01.276+02:002010-05-16T15:58:01.276+02:00I don't get how you like in Berlin... it's...I don't get how you like in Berlin... it's a disgusting and dirty city.<br /><br />I'm german and i paid Berlin a visit two times... I don't like it.<br /><br />Well the first time was actually cool: Attented the "Hanfparade" LOLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-10505583488003134942010-05-16T10:21:16.850+02:002010-05-16T10:21:16.850+02:00... When they seized power illegally in 1933, ... ...... When they seized power illegally in 1933, ... <br /><br />This isn't true. Hitler was legally elected in 1933. What happend afterwards was illegal. "Mein Kampf" was a best selling book an translated in many languages. So everybody could know what was going to happen.<br /><br />"Hinter der Trommel her<br />Trotten die Kälber<br />Das Fell für die Trommel<br />Liefern sie selber."<br />- Bertold Brecht - <br /><br />This means the most stupid calves choose their butcher by themselves.<br /><br />Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. <br />- George Santayana -<br /><br />I'm sure. What happened in Germany can happen everywhere.<br /><br />„Principiis obsta. Sero medicina parata, cum mala per longas convaluere moras.“<br />- Ovid -donutpanichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03146894948901513383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-48710328134244125292010-04-30T18:04:17.022+02:002010-04-30T18:04:17.022+02:00I just wanted to leave one more comment: Having ta...I just wanted to leave one more comment: Having taught under a Fulbright Grant for 5 months in 2007-2008 in the former East Germany, not far from Berlin, I agree with everything you write about the changing Germany (and especially Berlin). You can find the stolpersteiner you mentioned(gold "stumbling stones" with the names of murdered Jews outside the homes where they once lived) in many towns in Germany. I also worry with you about America and the irresponsible rhetoric which often passes for politics these days. As for the Holocaust, let me recommend the finest scholar on the subject now living: Yehuda Bauer. His "Rethinking the Holocaust" is magnificent.Dr. Reimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10945538905077321452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-89055642118118746492010-04-30T17:55:32.830+02:002010-04-30T17:55:32.830+02:00Susan:
have you seen "Walk on Water," t...Susan:<br /><br />have you seen "Walk on Water," the Israeli film? It covers many of the bases you do in this blog and comes to much the same conclusion!<br /><br />Rick ReimanDr. Reimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10945538905077321452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-45076255836028882072010-04-14T06:12:40.207+02:002010-04-14T06:12:40.207+02:00I am ashamed to say I have never heard of you unti...I am ashamed to say I have never heard of you until now but after stumbling upon your blog I will certainly read your books, maybe even attempt a visit to Berlin, or not.<br />Did you know that Sarah Palin originally called members of her group "Teabaggers" until some fool pointed out the meaning of that phrase. These people are frighteningly stupid so naturally speak very loudly.<br />I'll look for one of your books tomorrow.<br />DavidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-60680522578522362272010-04-12T19:57:26.277+02:002010-04-12T19:57:26.277+02:00An interesting and thought provoking post.
I am ...An interesting and thought provoking post. <br /><br />I am married to a German and like many of his countrymen, we have visited Berlin and been struck by the sheer exuberance and vitality of the city. <br /><br />That of the Judisches Museum that for you was icky and unnerving, was for us a chance to learn about the history of Judaism and the life of normal people who just happened to be Jews. <br /><br />Just as all German school children visit a concentration camp, many school classes visit the Jewish Museum and for the children it is the opportunity to see that Jews are just like us, with the same hopes and dreams and fears. Sadly some of their parents will not share this view so this experience is very important to broaden their horizons.<br /><br />I am proud of the country that I called my home for over 15 years that they have faced up to their past and continue to challenge bigotry in any form. It is terrible to hear that the same cannot at present be said for the USA. We can only hope that this will soon change.MmeLindthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12423596380552699521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-1065045160507051062010-04-12T08:38:18.428+02:002010-04-12T08:38:18.428+02:00It's funny cause I not only felt the same way ...It's funny cause I not only felt the same way when I was in Berlin, but to be honest, as an African American, I kinda feel that way throughout all the places I have traveled in Europe...blackgirl on marshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03497832506757310228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3451017038696548174.post-91797958867257297022010-04-09T20:25:51.629+02:002010-04-09T20:25:51.629+02:00Amazing post. I felt exactly the same way when I v...Amazing post. I felt exactly the same way when I visited for a week last month....I kept writing and rewriting blog entries about it, but ultimately I didn't feel that I could articulate that feeling in the way you just did. <br /><br />Despite the fact that I never did (and maybe never will) shake the inevitable anxiety of being a Jew in Germany, by the end of my visit I realized modern Germans are moving toward a bright future, rather than dwelling on an embarrassing past (except, of course, for the numerous museums, as you noted).<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts.<br /><br />www.emilyluger.com<br />(www.lostgirlsworld.com contributor)Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16749453780487987793noreply@blogger.com