Merkel says German multi-cultural society has failed

**Consultant** · 10-20-10, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by triggerhappy2005

I can assure you that Germans don't find anything funny about Nazis, ever.

Then they are too sensitive...anything can be funny. Even Nazis...

Exhibit A:
Germany’s First Nazi Comedy: Meet Hitler, the Bed-Wetting Drug Addict - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

...even to Germans.

If Chris Rock can make slavery jokes, then the Krauts can giggle at their past. The existence of that movie is proof that you are wrong. They have, and they do.

Damn, here's another one:

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3704902,00.html

Are any of them Ricky Gervais fans?

And I'm not the only ones who think the Germans could stand to lighten up...

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/ge...-at-the-nazis/

**triggerhappy2005** · 10-20-10, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Consultant

Then they are too sensitive...anything can be funny. Even Nazis...

Exhibit A:
Germany’s First Nazi Comedy: Meet Hitler, the Bed-Wetting Drug Addict - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

...even to Germans.

If Chris Rock can make slavery jokes, then the Krauts can giggle at their past. The existence of that movie is proof that you are wrong. They have, and they do.

Damn, here's another one:

New Nazi Comedy Hits German Cinema Screens | Culture & Lifestyle | Deutsche Welle | 11.10.2008

Are any of them Ricky Gervais fans?

And I'm not the only ones who think the Germans could stand to lighten up...

Germans must learn to laugh with us at the Nazis – Telegraph Blogs

From the article you posted: "Passing tourists and Berliners alike were aghast."

Just b/c someone made a comedy film about Nazi's does not mean it was accepted by the public as your post would infer. I'm sure it wasn't.

Doing a Zeig Heil in public will get you arrested, that's how unfunny it is.

You are wrong.

**Consultant** · 10-20-10, 04:09 PM

Your opinion doesnt make me wrong. Sorry, chief. No matter how convinced you are right, that doesnt make it so.

Your statement, and I quote..."I can assure you that Germans don't find anything funny about Nazis, ever." is a falsehood.

And also, glad to know that I live in America, where we have freedom of speech and John Q. Public can zig heil, in his swastika t-shirt, confederate flag hat while burning an American Flag and chanting God hates Fags...without getting arrested...

All of this brings up an interesting question...why are some modern Germans so uptight about the unrepresentative past? Arresting somebody for a zig heil? What, are they trying to pretend it didnt happen? That's an interesting philosophy.

*side note, in the time it took me to type the last 2 sentences, the Yankees hit 2 home runs. Damn Yankees...

**Consultant** · 10-20-10, 04:10 PM

What do German history books say about WWII?

Something for me to google...

**WickedTribe** · 10-20-10, 04:17 PM

Well, the US can't really comment on history books, but I agree, their freedom of speech laws are pretty messed up. I think that Canada also outlaws hate speech, right?

**Consultant** · 10-20-10, 04:25 PM

I checked and apparently they do teach about the holocaust, hitler, etc. and they do it in a revered, regretful manner...but like most things in modern society, joking about them, even the painful ones, is an important (or can be) part of the healing process. 9/11 for example.

**Gumby** · 10-20-10, 04:49 PM

I am glad you are such an expert on how the German people feel Consultant. Thanks.

By and large, Germans feel ashamed of their history from about 1933-1945
But 12 years do not, a people make. Most would like to forget that time as much as possible, hence the outlawing of swastikas and that particular salute.

Around here, those symbols and words have more power than you may realize.
Is outlawing them the right thing to do? I am an American so I say HELL NO!
But Europeans are not Americans and they can do as they like; it is their country after all.

**rock_lobster** · 10-20-10, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by Gumby

I am glad you are such an expert on how the German people feel Consultant. Thanks.

By and large, Germans feel ashamed of their history from about 1933-1945
But 12 years do not, a people make. Most would like to forget that time as much as possible, hence the outlawing of swastikas and that particular salute.

Around here, those symbols and words have more power than you may realize.
Is outlawing them the right thing to do? I am an American so I say HELL NO!
But Europeans are not Americans and they can do as they like; it is their country after all.

I totally agree, but by that same merit, why can't we as the United States do as we like without being hassled for not being more like Europe in the public eye?

**rock_lobster** · 10-20-10, 04:55 PM

Prior to the beginning of the video, Brian (the dog) is on a tour of Germany and in the guide they skip over the Nazi years.............

**Gumby** · 10-20-10, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by rock_lobster

I totally agree, but by that same merit, why can't we as the United States do as we like without being hassled for not being more like Europe in the public eye?

Who says they want the USA to be like Europe?
I love living in Europe, but I would never want the USA to become what Europe is.
America is great and does not need to be more European. It would never work anyways. Americans are not Europeans.
Its funny, I never imagined there was really such a thing as "American culture" until I lived away from it. Germans are not just like me, except they speak German instead of English.
I can spot an American in a crowd of Germans even if they are all dressed similarly. I would never be able to put it to words correctly, but there is a distinct difference between Americans and Europeans, and language is not it.
European style of government would never work in the USA any more than American style would work here.