Is This Not Now The Time For Compassion?

[Khandro]

http://www.expatica.com/de/news/country-news/Germany-marks-liberation-from-Nazis-70-years-on_472314.html?utm_source=Germany+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=5fff703f7b-DE+Daily+%282015-05-08%29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e2546f74dc-5fff703f7b-86507070

70 years, and several generations on, the German people are attempting to rid themselves from the sins of their forefathers, wouldn't a little empathy (despite their always beating us at football, and making the best cars) be called for ?

[-Talbot-]

I'm not sure what you are suggesting, Khandro?

[ichkeria]

I'm not sure what you mean. Most people these days can see the difference between Germany and the Nazis, and have been doing so for years.
Or have I misunderstood?

[Baldric]

///Lammert, a member of Merkel's Christian Democrats, said the willingness of European nations to reconcile with Germany after the war was "historically unique".///

Looks like they're ok to me!

[jno]

no no, we should redouble our efforts to point out that they have now achieved by peace whay they failed to do by war, taking over Europe and forcing Britain into subjection.

[anotheoldgit]

No hope of that after only 70 years, we have been trying to distance ourselves from the sins of our forefathers over slavery, but there are still many who won't allow themselves to forget and consequently move on.

[anotheoldgit]

/// 70 years, and several generations on, the German people are attempting to rid themselves from the sins of their forefathers, ///

Easy to say that after they lost the war, if anyone has watched The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler you will know what I mean.

[mikey4444]

Khandro...nobody seriously equates the Nazis of the 30's and 40's with the Germans of today. But as AOG has said, if you watch the excellent BBC Two documentary " The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler " you can see how an intelligent and highly cultured nation such as Germany was driven to racism and ruin ::::

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p0hn0

The rise of the extreme right across Europe ( although perhaps not in Britain so much) should be of concern to all of us. Its only by reminding people of the mistakes made in Germany, that we can guard against it happening today. As it has been said by many people "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

[-Talbot-]

The rise of the extreme right across Europe ( although perhaps not in Britain so much)


Lol, backtracking a little then, mikey?

[Khandro]

It is gratifying to hear such thoughts today, it wasn't quite so 30 years ago in England where we brought up 3 children with a German mother - who herself had nothing whatsoever to do with National Socialism - and even ten year old children called them 'Nazis'.

[ToraToraTora]

dunno what you are on about mate, it is well known that many Germans also felt liberated after WW2. I think there is huge compassion and empathy already. Or is this just a thinly disguised anti British rant?

[-Talbot-]

I will be having a bbq with a family of them in a short while (I'll try not to mention the war)

[brionon]

I agree -maybe the Scots could do the same for us !!

[shaneystar2]

I've done my bit for compassion towards the Germans by marrying one 42 years ago.He's always got on alright here .There used to be a bit of flak in his workplace sometimes,bit of name calling etc but you get idiots everywhere who are best ignored .

[mikey4444]

Idiots are always best ignored Shaney !

[Khandro]

TTT; //dunno what you are on about mate, it is well known that many Germans also felt liberated after WW2. I think there is huge compassion and empathy already.....//
I'm not really on about anything, simply pointing out that after generations of guilt feelings on something that they have had no involvement in, people are struggling to move onwards, and I was suggesting that it might be good that this found sympathy (as almost everyone on here seems to).
I posted because before seeing this article this morning, I played golf yesterday with a 40 something German who told me about these speeches and he wanted to tell me about the 'liberating' approach to the past, it seemed very important to him. I have been surprised, and can give many examples of how bad some people of that generation feel.

[naomi24]

Only idiots hold the current generation responsible for the past – but the ‘Christian Democrats’ should seriously consider changing the name of their organisation.