"What I cannot stand are the people generously allowing us to make something good or demanding that we do something to deminish our guilt. There's been a lot of this "cash in the holocaust" talk."
Ah yes, those Jews, they only think of money. How little things do change in your part of the world.
"Whenever there's military aid to israel involved some israeli smart a. turns up and allowes us to make something good because of the holocaust. Hard not to puke in this case.
I don't want to make something good for my grandfathers neighbour - and god knows I don't have to."
If you cannot feel guilty for any evil action, however vile, the German nation has committed in the past, then logically you have no right to be proud of anything Germany has achieved. You did not build the gas chambers or vote for Hilter. On the other hand, you also did not write that piece of music, build that car or camera or put that ball in the back of the net. If you do not feel guilt for the Holocaust, you have no right to feel anger or sadness for the victims at Dresden.
The reason why you must feel responsibilty for Germany's crimes is because if you don't somewhere down the line Germany will repeat the same mistakes. The Holocaust was not some historical aberration but was a result of something deeply flawed in German culture, something that was recognised by Heine long before the rise of the Nazis.
I have mixed feelings about accepting German money. Yes, no amount of money can possibly compensate for what Germany did - the theft of Jewish property, the destruction of an ancient culture, calculated genocide, the murder of 1.5 million children. However, the notion that Germany can buy a clean reputation by giving money to Jews is, in my opinion, really quite sickening.
I'm sorry, but I believe it was a huge mistake to have allowed Germany to have risen again after the war. I am angry beyond belief at those many naive Jews who believe they can ever be safe in Germany. I am utterly livid at Olmert who has screwed up the war effort from start to finish and is now bending his knee before the German nation with such ridiculous statements. And to be frank, I am completely chilled by your comments which are so reminiscent of statements by other Germans all those decades ago.
B) You're right with this money thing. We Germans also all know it won't work like this. Still, the payments go on. It's just another thing in German-Israeli relations that makes everyone feel awkward.
C) An old Jew waits on the train station of a small German town. After hesitating for some time, he asks one of the other travellers: "What do you think of the Jews?" The traveller responds: "I am a big admirer of the Jewish people." The old jew nods, walks a bit and asks another traveller the same question. He responds: "I am fascinated by the archievements of our Jewish fellow men in culture and science." The Jew thanks for the answer and goes to a third man. That one responds to the question: "I don't especially like the Jews and I'm happy not to be involved with them." The Jew says: "You're an honest person. Could you please watch my luggage, I need to go to the toilet."
Not sure about Olmert, who seemed weak-kneed when he took over from Sharon. I worry that once the shooting stops, goaded by Liberals/Progressives, he'll go back to his land-for-peace mode of thinking, which even the dumbest would admit is nuts. I suspect events will overtake us. Once Hezbollah fires missiles at Teheran, I'd think the gloves would come off fast.