German policeman arrested for using Nazi salute

Jerusalem Post ^ | JPOST.COM STAFF

[yonif]

A German policeman who performed a hand-salute used by Hitler's Nazi regime was arrested in Berlin on Thursday.

The policeman performed the salute when he replaced his colleague for a shift at the British embassy in Berlin. The man was arrested and taken in for questioning, Israel Radio reported Thursday.

Sources in Berlin said that the policeman will stand trial for his use of "illegal signs".

According to German law it is forbidden to make use of signs, of any nature, associated with Hitler and the Nazi regime.

[yonif]

They have tough laws against these salutes. I knew someone from my school (in Israel) once who went on a trip to Germany, and some guy went up to him from another school (it was a conferance) and went "Heil Hitler!" and used the salute. The organizers came along and cited a German law against it (which could fine or place you in jail), but the guy from Israel chose not to report it to the police.

[TheBigB]

From other anecdotes I've seen, they really do crack down on anything that could be construed as reminiscent of the Nazis.

[biblewonk]

Wow! "Illegal signs". Reminds me of our flag burning rules. What do you think?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

According to German law it is forbidden to make use of signs, of any nature, associated with Hitler and the Nazi regime.

Always treat the symptom, never acknowledge the cause.

[TheBigB]

I think...maybe Michael can verify...that they're not allowed to even use the name "Hitler" in public. He is referred to as "Adolf Nazi."

[wedwo]

Maybe zis vun, no,no.........aha zis is it yah!!!

[Welsh Rabbit]

This is a bit beside the point, but as a young Army brat in Germany, I remember our neighbor getting a hefty fine for allegedly giving another motorist an obscene gesture on the autobahn.

[biblewonk]

When we visited Germany as a family, I was 10 years old, and asked dad about Hitler. He shut me up and said not to mention the name here in public.

[SF Republican]

Was the raised hand (Hail/heil) salute not the norm before the little corporal made it infamous? I remember photos of students saying the pledge of allegiance in a very old photograph pre WWII using that salute. When did we start placing our hands over the heart?

[Always Right]

From other anecdotes I've seen, they really do crack down on anything that could be construed as reminiscent of the Nazis.

Except for Socialism, of course.

[sheltonmac]

From other anecdotes I've seen, they really do crack down on anything that could be construed as reminiscent of the Nazis.

Limiting freedom of speech in an effort to crack down on all things Nazi. Does anyone else see the irony in that?

[nonsporting]

From other anecdotes I've seen, they really do crack down on anything that could be construed as reminiscent of the Nazis.

Except for gun control (banning guns which do not have a "sporting purpose.")

[sheltonmac]

You are correct. Francis Bellamy, the socialist who wrote the pledge, had this recommendation:

At a signal from the Principal the pupils, in ordered ranks, hands to the side, face the Flag. Another signal is given; every pupil gives the Flag the military salute—right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it. ... At the words, "to my Flag," the right hand is extended gracefully, palm upward, towards the Flag, and remains in this gesture till the end of the affirmation; whereupon all hands immediately drop to the side.

Some interesting history here.

[Leatherneck_MT]

"Limiting freedom of speech in an effort to crack down on all things Nazi. Does anyone else see the irony in that?"

Yep, extremely Ironic

[Ohioan]

Destroying freedom in the name of "freedom," has become endemic in the West, on both sides of the Atlantic.

The problem is the low quality of public officials (intellectually); people who operate with check lists rather than understanding of the context of issues, or the actual implications of human conduct. Germany under Herr Schroeder is not waging aggressive war against much of the traditional West, but it accepts as givens many of the same Socialist notions that were accepted as givens under Herr Hitler. On the other hand, arresting people for giving a Roman salute is about as silly a response to the Nazi concept as any satirist could imagine.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

[Bismarck]

Freedom of speech means also the freedom to be wrong or dumb. Outlawing stretching your arm and saying "Heil Hitler" only attests Germany's weak perception of freedom of speech. In fact, according to German law you can even land in jail for denying the Holocaust.

[Chuckster]

Was the raised hand (Hail/heil) salute not the norm before the little corporal made it infamous? I remember photos of students saying the pledge of allegiance in a very old photograph pre WWII using that salute. When did we start placing our hands over the heart?

I have an old film (On DVD)ca. 1937 showing an auditorium full of people dressed in brown shirt type uniforms with Sam Brown belts and all with swastika armbands, pledging allegiance to the flag, the American flag, with arms raised in the nazi salute. The pledge was followed by a speech in which the speaker advocated the repeal of the Constitution of the United States and the implementation of a dictatorship.

Chilling, to say the least.

[Michael81Dus]

No, LOL, we may call the Führer what he is: Adolf Hitler, pig, arsehole, the great evil, worst Austrian ever, etc.

It´s just that our former Justice Minister, when she slammed Bush, used the word "Adolf Nazi" instead of Hitler. In fact, it´s not completely illegal to show swastikas or other Nazi symbols: for teaching history (even in TV) it´s allowed. The law basically prohibits hailing evil regimes in the public (that includes Nazi salute, saying "Heil Hitler", or showing Nazi flags).

It´s generally illegal to express support for crimes in public.

And yes, I still call that freedom, and I find it ok.

[Michael81Dus]

You can also be imprisoned for insulting others or expressing support for crimes like murder, etc. It´s just that the German society values the honor of others (here: the victims) higher than the freedom of speech.

[TheBigB]

Hi Michael, and thanks for clarifying. Have ein bier, on me! :)