Unfair to Germans (From York Press)
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Unfair to Germans
11:16am Saturday 5th May 2012 in Letters By Reader's letter
THE astronomer Sir Patrick Moore said in a recent interview that “the only good Kraut is a dead Kraut”, and added that he believed Germany could try again for world domination.
He gives his reasoning for his views as the death of his fiancée, who was killed by a German bomb in an air raid, and his experiences while serving with the RAF. He is so wrong for umpteen reasons and such comments do not do justice to his intelligence.
I understand his bitterness at losing the girl he loved, and I can accept his hatred of Hitler, but to still hate every German and Germany is unfair and just plain stupid.
Germany has accepted her guilt, made numerous apologies, paid compensation, taught the truth in its superb schools and is a transformed nation.
She is truly democratic, a good friend of Britain, and her massively successful industry and economy is to be applauded and admired, not seen as a threat.
Many folk envy Germany, but the Germans worked hard to get where they are. Most of today’s Germans were not even born during the war.
David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Holgate, York.
Comments(20)
BAJNY
says...
4:20pm Sat 5 May 12
YorkToff
says...
5:13pm Sat 5 May 12
ak7274 wrote:Where is your evidence?
I too understand Mr Moore's feelings, but regret his attitude in todays era.
However on a slightly tongue in cheek note. As Germany couldn't win the world by arms, they now appear to be trying by running Europe fincially.
I have spent some years in Germany,both during and after the Cold War and found them to be no different to any other people in that they have very similar attitudes to life, work and play to almost every other people in every other country.
Germany is the EU's strongest economy because they have union members on the boards of companies, they listen to their workers and workers have a big contribution to make on policiy.
The Germans do not waste money on nuclear deterrents or wars abroad. Germany is looking for alternatives to nuclear power too.
Germany has become stronger because of its re-unification of east and west.
Its banks are supporting, not dominating, the EU in its present crisis.
Just as ordinary British people did not wish for or have any say in empire, rather the monarchs and politicians at the top. So too the German people did not wish for Hitler and the Nazis or the empirical ambitions of Wilhelm 100 years ago.
Germany looks to the futre and not like you who obviously looks to the past for justification in unfounded accusations against Germany and the Germans.
YorkToff
says...
5:16pm Sat 5 May 12
It is Britain that could learn from Germany and its fairer system of employees on the boards of big companies and Germanys abilities to produce and export high quality goods that sell.
Sillybillies
says...
10:58pm Sat 5 May 12
So too the German people did not wish for Hitler and the Nazis
They put them in power by voting for them, don't re-write history. Now, what they didn't achieve in the two 20th century World wars by force of arms, they are achieving though the EU with their French allies.
ak7274
says...
8:35am Sun 6 May 12
YorkToff
says...
10:28am Sun 6 May 12
Sillybillies wrote:Hitler was brought to power by a political coup using thugs and twisting arms.
So too the German people did not wish for Hitler and the Nazis
They put them in power by voting for them, don't re-write history. Now, what they didn't achieve in the two 20th century World wars by force of arms, they are achieving though the EU with their French allies.
He got to power on a minority vote while the Germans were distracted by years of depression and unhappiness, rather like in Spain, Portugal, Greece and other places.
Mass unemployment in the 20's and 30's. France invading the Rhurland and massive and punitive reparations against Germany mainly by France which meant a second world war was almost inevitable.
The allies did not make that mistake after the 2nd World War.
The German people were cultured and many lost their lives or fled Germany standing up to Hitler.
Hitler and the rise of fascism through desperation is a warning to our leaders - it can creep up on you and ignite with the right infectious catalyst such as mass youth and adult unemployment, hunger, loss of aspiration and despair.
You and the other idiot are accusing Germany of what exactly? Taking over the EU? IDIOTS.
I would have thought that even bigots such as you two could see that Germany is to be seen as an economic partner and rival who sit around a table with the other 26 EU partners - no ruthless takeover of the EU or world domination.
If you want to know who are dominating the world then look to China, India, USA and others.
Germany without the EU would be tiny in comparison to the emerging powerhouses of the world, which is why the EU is important to Germany and Britain and the other EU nations, but the EU urgently needs remodelling as it is has failed and is failing many of its people.
YorkToff
says...
10:31am Sun 6 May 12
ak7274 wrote:You don't get it do you? By mentioning Germany and the war even in jokey terminology by referencing German "domination" in the EU, it is bound to stir up hatred of Germany.
Hmmm Yorktoff. You appear to be reading more into my offerings than I actually wrote. Please don't attempt to justify your patronising,quite overbearing, rude and accusing message.
And as far as being overbearing, rude and accusative - you take the gold medal for that you patronising oaf.
Sillybillies
says...
12:07pm Sun 6 May 12
By mentioning Germany and the war even in jokey terminology by referencing German "domination" in the EU, it is bound to stir up hatred of Germany.
Don't mention the war, eh? What's wrong with that, they started it? Hopefully the Greeks or another EU state which should never have been allowed to join, will bring the 4th Reich crashing down soon.
Alternatively, let us have the promised referendum on membership so we the people can decide if we are to remain in the EU, not self seeking politicians.
YorkToff
says...
12:26pm Sun 6 May 12
ak7274
says...
7:59pm Sun 6 May 12
Having both lived and worked in Germany and not having mentioned the War in the first instance I feel quite justified in any remarks I made.
Your mention of the unification of Germany is very naive. Many of the West Germans disliked the idea more than you think. An East German friend was in fact totally ignored by both West Germans and Austrians who treated him as if he were a pariah on the finances of the west. I witnessed this personally. Have you? or are you making things up as you go along?
I had a German partner with whom I had an excellent relationship before having to return to the UK when she felt she needed to stay at home. and we split, but still keep in contact today after 20 years. Therefore my comments are relevant even if they are "TONGUE IN CHEEK"
How dare you even hint at any sort of wrong doing on my behalf?
Oaf am I? Justify that remark if you can.
YorkToff
says...
8:12pm Sun 6 May 12
Sillybillies
says...
9:07pm Sun 6 May 12
Yowser, yowser, yowser!
Probably an illiterate version of "yowsa", an slang expression of surprise, origin Southern States of the USA.
Meanwhile Sarkozy has lost the French presidential election which with luck will bring down the Euro if not the EU.
YorkToff
says...
9:34pm Sun 6 May 12
Sillybillies wrote:I say what a jerk.
Yowser, yowser, yowser!
Probably an illiterate version of "yowsa", an slang expression of surprise, origin Southern States of the USA.
Meanwhile Sarkozy has lost the French presidential election which with luck will bring down the Euro if not the EU.
YorkToff
says...
9:37pm Sun 6 May 12
YorkToff
says...
9:37pm Sun 6 May 12
ColdAsChristmas
says...
11:47am Mon 7 May 12
NoMorePlease
says...
7:53pm Mon 7 May 12
Sillybillies
says...
2:50pm Tue 8 May 12
YorkToff
says...
10:06pm Wed 9 May 12
ak7274 says...
4:18pm Sat 5 May 12
However on a slightly tongue in cheek note. As Germany couldn't win the world by arms, they now appear to be trying by running Europe fincially.
I have spent some years in Germany,both during and after the Cold War and found them to be no different to any other people in that they have very similar attitudes to life, work and play to almost every other people in every other country.