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2010-05-19 Home Front: Culture Wars

US judge orders ex-Nazi in Pa. back to Austria

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Posted by Steve White 2010-05-19 00:00|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top

#1 "Never forget, never forgive."

Doc, I feel the same way about 9-11. But it is mentally (and theologically) unhealthy in both cases.

Posted by Glenmore 2010-05-19 08:47|| 2010-05-19 08:47|| Front Page Top

#2 But it is mentally (and theologically) unhealthy in both cases.

Glenmore, I see no indication that Mr. Geiser has in anyway repented his actions or sought forgiveness from those he sinned against by his actions. He has not earnt forgiveness, and therefore does not deserve it. There is a big difference between not brooding over the wrong done, and actively granting forgiveness. I will not wast psychic energy on the first but, again, the second must be earnt. To forgive without desert is to make of the sin a mere bagatelle, a temporary inconvenience. Theologically speaking, I mean.

Posted by trailing wife 2010-05-19 12:13|| 2010-05-19 12:13|| Front Page Top

#3 tw: I cringe at the thought of intermingling forgiveness with the law, because it leads to evil outcomes.

When a judge demands that a person who plead "not guilty" yet is convicted of a crime, confess to the crime for a lighter sentence, the only reason is that the judge wants solace in his judgment.

"If you make me feel good, that I am punishing a lawbreaker, you will be rewarded. But if you still maintain your innocence, you will be punished." This is the opposite of justice.

Posted by Anonymoose 2010-05-19 13:49|| 2010-05-19 13:49|| Front Page Top

#4 Could the guy be telling the truth?
Refusing conscription or disobeying an order in the German army meant being stood up against a wall and shot.
How many thousands of Germans were forced to commit unspeakable acts simply to stay alive. The instinct of self preservation is the strongest in nature.
I wouldn't be so quick to judge the motivations of others.

Posted by Dopey Ulamble1018 2010-05-19 14:08|| 2010-05-19 14:08|| Front Page Top

#5 tw: I cringe at the thought of intermingling forgiveness with the law, because it leads to evil outcomes.

I quite agree. But I didn't think I was addressing that in responding to Glenmore's comment.

Refusing conscription or disobeying an order in the German army meant being stood up against a wall and shot.

Quite true, Dopey Ulamble1018. And quite, quite beside the point. By acting as he did, he kept himself from being shot, yes. But, the cost of that was the death of how many hundreds or thousands of concentration camp inmates, many of whom were neither Jewish by faith nor descent... so cultural antisemitism played no part in Mr. Geiser's decision.

Nor does Mr. Geiser claim that, once he agreed to be drafted into the position, he acted to in any way sabotage the murder factories that were the concentration camps, which he easily could have done. Sabotage possibilities range from smuggling in food, medicines, false papers... to damaging equipment, misplacing files, smuggling out babies... the possibilities were endless for a man with access and imagination. Mr. Geiser had the first, and each day chose again not to exercise the second.

This is the price of proclaiming, "I was just following orders." By choosing to passively acquiesce, one's choice makes one a participant in the result.

Posted by trailing wife 2010-05-19 16:05|| 2010-05-19 16:05|| Front Page Top

#6 Messicans and Arabs can come in by the tens of millions but Geiser must go? I think I'm beginning to see a pattern developing.

Posted by Besoeker 2010-05-19 16:54|| 2010-05-19 16:54|| Front Page Top

#7 Roman Polanski (two time known child rapist) is looking for a housemate.
Speaking of, why has the Burg been silent about bad old Polanski's British second victim coming forward? I submitted an article the other day, which was denied, and I believe would have made for lively discourse. He probably raped well more than two, but only two had the stomach to cop to it.

Posted by GirlThursday 2010-05-19 17:11|| 2010-05-19 17:11|| Front Page Top

#8 It's ok GirlThursday, Polanski never wore an icky military uniform. He gets a pass.

Posted by Besoeker 2010-05-19 18:13|| 2010-05-19 18:13|| Front Page Top

#9 GirlThursday, we don't post every article submitted, preferring for the most part to cleave closely to War on Terror subjects. Yes, we do include articles of general interest and amusement -- and the one you submitted certainly fit that category -- but there are many more of those submitted than we can use. It's a balance issue, is all.

Posted by trailing wife 2010-05-19 18:19|| 2010-05-19 18:19|| Front Page Top

#10 I don't know TW. This guy was 17 when he was conscripted - a kid. The war was over by the time the guy hit 20. Given the atmosphere at the time and without any other evidence to the contrary I think this is a stupid call. BTW - you didn't exactly agree to be drafted in any position in the German army. Somehow over the past 50 yrs we know that he has not been haunted everyday w/what happened in those camps? This guy was supposed to give some public act of contrition? Also, how the heck do any of you know what happened, what he did or didn't do. How easy it is to sit behind a desk.

Posted by Broadhead6 2010-05-19 19:20|| 2010-05-19 19:20|| Front Page Top

23:45 borgboy
23:31 JosephMendiola
23:12 rwv
23:01 JosephMendiola
23:01 rwv
22:58 James
22:52 JosephMendiola
22:50 JosephMendiola
22:28 JosephMendiola
22:22 Pappy
22:15 JosephMendiola
22:07 JosephMendiola
22:03 JosephMendiola
22:01 Pappy
21:59 DMFD
21:54 Pappy
21:51 Pappy
21:29 abu do you love
21:18 DarthVader
20:30 chris
20:25 Glenmore
20:11 DarthVader
19:48 GirlThursday
19:44 Barbara Skolaut