I am not asking that we not show disrespect.
I ask that we show RESPECT for the opinions of those Germans who fought in the U-Boats, of those Germans who live in that great country today and let them establish proper attitudes toward the situation. U-Boat sailors savagely refute all claims that they were heroes. Their attitudes are markedly different than ours here at Subsim. They would not give us the time of day. We would deeply offend them by seeking to diminish the importance of the evil cause they fought for.
I ask that we respect the judgment of the German people, who do not allow display of the swastika in the manner we do at Subsim. Who is more qualified than they to determine what is appropriate? They have registered their opinion clearly. We should follow that.
There is a period of time beyond which it no longer matters if we cavort under banners emblazoned with swastikas. That will be after there are no longer neo-Nazi groups of a couple thousand people demonstrating across from the White House lawn. It will be after similar minded idiots are no longer shooting guards at a Jewish Holocaust museum. It will be after neo-Nazi groups in Germany are no longer. These people are deadly serious about killing every Jew and killing or subjugating any non-Aryan on the face of the earth.
The example of American Civil War reenactors is very appropriate. There are no guerrilla bands lurking in the swamp with stars and bars attacking surrounding towns and killing travelers on roads to inspire a new Confederate rebellion. Racial bigots stand discredited and looking foolish. Just as with the British and Americans who fought each other during the American revolution, our deeper ties have completely extinguished past animosity. We can now appropriately adopt "historical realism" without rancor.
That time is not here for the Nazis of World War II. The German people themselves testify to that. A poor dead guard at a museum testifies to that. Until their attitudes and positions are exterminated, adopting their symbols and roleplaying their people is not appropriate. There is a line that we need not and must not cross.
|