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re: their lack of support has been so inexplicable

I have come to the conclusion that one generation simply cannot learn from the experiences of the previous generation, just a children have always been driven to make the same mistakes their parents made as kids. Look at the spending patterns of those who were young adults and on their own during the depression. Their children (like my Mom) experienced it, but not as the person responsible for providing for the family. The adults had their understanding of everyday life changed forever. My Mom did not live the same way. She had some understanding of the problems faced by her parents, but did not live the rest of her life as though the depression was just a paycheck away. Consider the kids of baby boomers. They decided all sorts of social rules were not really necessary. They rebelled against things as simple as dress codes for elementary school children to as complicated as the stigma of unwed birth. Todays' Germans have never lived under the repression or experienced the horror of war and really don't appreciate the freedoms they enjoy. I think once the Iraqis get a taste of self governing they will become devout supporters of the concept.

IMHO Germany and France are two peoples that have been victimized by their leaders. Of the two, Chirac is the more sinister. Schroeder was simply a desperate politician willing to say and do anything to get reelected at a critical moment. That's not too unusual. However, Chirac is just sick. He had no such election concerns at the time. He simply compromised the integrity of his nation to feed his ego. He is dangerous.

I understand what you are saying. But since there are so many in Germany that are still living who went through WWII, and even more who have benefitted from the demise of the Berlin Wall, it puzzels me that they have been so easily brain washed to forget the past of not so long ago.