Well, for some, perhaps an apt comparison. :-)
Posted on 09/21/2006 5:28:30 AM PDT by Keli Kilohana
Yep. Men's News Daily definitely has too much time on its hands.
Wow, clicking on that link puts my popup stopper in overdrive. Glad I hardly ever go there.
A poodle can be as nasty as a Rottweiler.
MND must be having circulation problems.
Well, for some, perhaps an apt comparison. :-)
Perhaps you aren't American. I don't know. This is in regard to the AMERICAN attitude, no one else's.
I guess you never watched Hogan's Heroes. The entire SUCCESSFUL-for-years series mocked, ridiculed and derided everything German.
-There aren't TOO many American men of that era who DON'T know how to imitate Sergeant Schultz....the fat, stupid, fool of a character in the series.
-Colonel Klink (I think that was his name.) was the prissy, monocle-wearing moron who ran the P.O.W. camp.
Those two mock the entire German military, the German upper class, the German working class and German men, in general. Amazing that you don't see that.
If there had been a Hirohito's Heroes T.V. series, the series would have been off the air in 5 seconds, seen RIGHTLY as racist to the nth degree.
The anti-German attitude is retroactive, as people search German past (for 2500 years) for the seeds of Nazism....as if the Treaty of Versailles wasn't enough, which is was.
For all the years after WWII Germans have regularly been the villains in so many movies, T.V. series, books, etc. not just WWII movies, etc. They were/are portrayed as evil, vicious and corrupt. Their characters run the gamut of ugly, mean, stupid, smart-but-evil, fat, haus-frau, drunks, greedy, etc.
The Russians and Chinese were also stereotyped for a while, but NONE were worse than the Germans, ESPECIALLY the East Germans.
Arabs, Muslims and middle-eastern types tend to replace the former Communists, but Germans are still fair game.
You DON'T see blacks, Orientals, Asians, Hispanics or other minorities ridiculed the way Germans are....unless it's Woody Allen or Mel Brooks. They ridicule EVERYONE, across the board, regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender or age.
However, you aren't alone in your attitude. People see what they want to see. The anti-German attitude is so pervasive that it's accepted as normal HERE in the U.S., not anywhere else.
I was commenting on what I heard... meaning out of a person's mouth, not some characterization on television. I am an American, and I truly do not find your representation to be entirely true.
What about Octoberfest? That seems to pop up all over the country. What about German cuisine that has become so much a part of our society that every grocery carries brats and sauerkraut, not to mention German beer?
What about the great tradition of trade and tourism between our two nations?
I've never seen an effigy of the Chancellor of Germany on American television.
You can go on about pretend characters on the television... when did that stop airing? Wasn't it from the sixties? Geez... I've never even been inclined to watch so much drivel, therefore it never could have influenced my impressions.
I never said whether or not I agreed with the Treaty of Versailles. And I am aware that by decimating Germany after WWI, the seeds were sown for WWII. I am able minded enough to draw a HUGE line of distinction between Hitler and the GERMAN PEOPLE. I have never defamed the German people.
You mischaracterized my entire statement and drew false conclusions.
How about a cocker spaniel??
What about Octoberfest? That seems to pop up all over the country. What about German cuisine that has become so much a part of our society that every grocery carries brats and sauerkraut, not to mention German beer?
What about them?
We like Chinese food but the country is Communist. We eat middle-eastern food but excoritate the religion of those same middle eastern people.
THEIR cuisine isn't what we were talking about. We were talking about the American bias against Germany and Germans.
What about the great tradition of trade and tourism between our two nations?
What about it? That didn't stop Hogan's Heroes or the movies, T.V. and books that continually portray the German with ridicule and demeaning.
I've never seen an effigy of the Chancellor of Germany on American television.
You can go on about pretend characters on the television... when did that stop airing? Wasn't it from the sixties? Geez... I've never even been inclined to watch so much drivel, therefore it never could have influenced my impressions.
Lol. The POINT IS that their "pretend" characters were racist and bigoted. The POINT IS that the double standard existed and still exists.
Japan, Italy and Russia have gotten a virtual PASS on the horrors THEY inflicted in WWII but the Germans still pay for WWII. Those four nations were the Axis, all lockstep in their goals but Germany is STILL the bad boy and nazism is STILL thrown in their face, LONG after the Japanese started their war against China in the early 30's, killed 34 million Chinese and several million Korean, Southeast Asians, Philippinos and Americans.
Where was their excoriation by America? Never happened like it happened to Germany.
Italians now say that American "liberated" them from Germany, conveniently forgetting that Hitler wouldn't have BEEN in their country unless they invited him in....which they did.
Russia was off the hook because they changed sides.
Stalin killed more people, Jews included, than Hitler ever did. But, where's the excoriation of them?
I never said whether or not I agreed with the Treaty of Versailles. And I am aware that by decimating Germany after WWI, the seeds were sown for WWII. I am able minded enough to draw a HUGE line of distinction between Hitler and the GERMAN PEOPLE. I have never defamed the German people.
Good on both accounts.
But, you aren't able minded enough to see the anti-German attitude that has been extremely prevalent in this country and on this site for ages.
You mischaracterized my entire statement and drew false conclusions.
YOUR WROTE:
In my entire lifetime, I don't think I have ever heard an anti-German sentiment... anti-NAZI, yes, but that is different.
Then you simply haven't been paying attention, because it has been there.
Most Americans don't even see Hogan's Heroes as racist and bigoted. Bashing Germans and Germany has been such an integral part of the American media that it's an accepted part of our culture.
You'll note that trashing religions and the people who follow those religions (Christianty, Judaism, Hinduism) are unacceptable on this site, but trashing Islam and Muslims IS acceptable. Another accepted and acceptable double standard.
I don't expect people to change and I sure don't expect YOU to admit that you don't remember hearing a single anti-German statement....even though you do admit that my representation isn't entirely true. What part IS true?
Dumb as a box of hair, but cute.
They are usually fairly sweet but can be mean when they get old and sick.
Hey, that describes people too, doesn't it? :o)
That was a bad presupposition! Who said you weren't? ABC is so "objective!"
"a rat"
A neutered rat!
Ah!
Yes, very good.
Bulldogs are also very dumb. Afghan hounds are really ding dongs.
Dumb dogs DO have their place....especially if their masters leave them alone all day, which is SO cruel, especially with only ONE doggie.
But the dumber dogs suffer less. The smart dogs suffer a lot when left alone. Oh well. Don't get me started. :o)
Liberals are either stupid, ignorant or arrogant....or BADLY damaged by something, either their upbringing, their own immaturity and/or their obstinance against growing up.
I wouldn't INSULT any animal, especially doggies, by comparing them to liberals. It would be a disservice to God's wonderful creatures, dumb, smart, pure bred or mutt.
Japan, Italy and Russia have gotten a virtual PASS on the horrors THEY inflicted in WWII but the Germans still pay for WWII. Those four nations were the Axis, all lockstep in their goals but Germany is STILL the bad boy and nazism is STILL thrown in their face, LONG after the Japanese started their war against China in the early 30's, killed 34 million Chinese and several million Korean, Southeast Asians, Philippinos and Americans.
Where was their excoriation by America? Never happened like it happened to Germany.
Italians now say that American "liberated" them from Germany, conveniently forgetting that Hitler wouldn't have BEEN in their country unless they invited him in....which they did.
Russia was off the hook because they changed sides. Stalin killed more people, Jews included, than Hitler ever did. But, where's the excoriation of them?
But, you aren't able minded enough to see the anti-German attitude that has been extremely prevalent in this country and on this site for ages.
Most Americans don't even see Hogan's Heroes as racist and bigoted. Bashing Germans and Germany has been such an integral part of the American media that it's an accepted part of our culture.
You'll note that trashing religions and the people who follow those religions (Christianty, Judaism, Hinduism) are unacceptable on this site, but trashing Islam and Muslims IS acceptable. Another accepted and acceptable double standard.
I don't expect people to change and I sure don't expect YOU to admit that you don't remember hearing a single anti-German statement....even though you do admit that my representation isn't entirely true. What part IS true?
PRETEND CHARACTERS BEING RACIST AND BIGOTED?
And I'm concerned about pretend characters? Geez... on Looney Tunes they used to have three or four racist cartoons about the Japanese and American Indians. They pulled them. Okay, fine. No issue there. And I don't see an issue with pretend characters on a stupid television show with a fantasy character named Colonel Klink. It isn't in my tv guide.
You seem to be saying the German characters that have been long forgotten in television history do not fall in line with what is real. Television is mostly orchestrated drama, not dry biographies and historical tomes. I'd really find something else to get outraged about. It's like complaining today about Al Jolson. I think Hollywood hasn't been replaying his clips for a reason... because people would refuse to watch such racist garbage today. LIKE THEY AREN'T PLAYING HOGANS HEROS. Hollywood is a business. Not necessarily wed to accuracy.
I know who the Axis powers were. I know what Stalin did. I know what China did to their fellow Asian countries. I LEARNED ABOUT THESE THINGS. It isn't my job to remain morally outraged about it. I learned from history. I'm not marching around spouting off Stalin's infamous speeches. WHY IS THAT? HE IS IN THE PAST! It isn't MY job to be outraged about what others say or think about him!
Life is too short to be screaming at the top of my lungs that NO ONE CARES, not to mention I have managed to accept history. I chose not to be history teacher or a moral compass for the entire planet. I HAVE A LIFE.
You want me to worry about the contents of this website? Have you ever thought of directing your outrage at Jim Robinson? I don't own it. I can't change what articles get posted... they are peer-posted. And it isn't my job to be the thought police and harangue Freepers with "That's not fair! Don't say that!" I believe in free speech. Even your right to say speech that I find utterly ridiculous and completely irrelevant to today's world.
I don't believe that trashing Muslims IS acceptable. You'll find no such words coming from my mouth. I actually believe that the world is bigger than bin Laden. One billion Muslims shouldn't be wiped off the planet. I don't condone genocide.
I suggest that you accept the fact that I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU. I have nothing else to say, because I do not apologize for my point of view. You won't apologize for yours, either.
Woof?
I can't complain, my hubby calls me his Little Pitt Bull.
*I suppose that the Jim Crow characters, make-believe of course, weren't bigoted or racist?
*I suppose that the portrayals of Chinese and other Orientals, make believe of course, weren't bigoted or racist?
*I suppose that the portrayals of Jews, make believe of course, weren't bigoted or racist?
*I suppose that the portrayals of Indians and Japanese, make believe cartoons, weren't bigoted or racist?
You seem to think that's no big deal. I think it's a BIG deal because it speaks to a pernicious double standard. If women, minorities, religious groups, etc., are portrayed negatively, you hear the screaming from those groups IMMEDIATELY.
I guess that perhaps you don't see the influence that the boob-tube, however deprecating your remarks may be about it, actually does have on people.
You seem to be saying the German characters that have been long forgotten in television history do not fall in line with what is real. Television is mostly orchestrated drama, not dry biographies and historical tomes. I'd really find something else to get outraged about. It's like complaining today about Al Jolson. I think Hollywood hasn't been replaying his clips for a reason... because people would refuse to watch such racist garbage today. LIKE THEY AREN'T PLAYING HOGANS HEROS. Hollywood is a business. Not necessarily wed to accuracy.
Hogan's Heroes IS on T.V. today, on tvland cable. Apparently, folks still think it's funny to watch the mocking and demeaning of Germans and the people who make decisions think that the racism against Germans is okay, since it still sells. You can even get the T.V. series on DVD in collections.
The older racist stuff against OTHER GROUPS, minorities, that is, is only shown on history channels -- as reminders of T.V. bigoted past.....but the mocking and demeaning of German culture still isn't considered bad.
THAT, whether you like it or not, is a double standard, but you seem to refuse to admit it or think it's bad. Double standards ARE wed to reality whether they are on make-believe T.V. or not.
I call'em like I see'em. One wonders if YOU are wed to reality or not. Discussion threads like this ARE supposed to speak about truths, reality....which does include double standards EVEN for the Germans.
I know who the Axis powers were. I know what Stalin did. I know what China did to their fellow Asian countries. I LEARNED ABOUT THESE THINGS. It isn't my job to remain morally outraged about it. I learned from history. I'm not marching around spouting off Stalin's infamous speeches. WHY IS THAT? HE IS IN THE PAST! It isn't MY job to be outraged about what others say or think about him!
I didn't say it was your job. I was pointing out the DOUBLE STANDARD. Deflecting my point isn't going to deter me from pointing out truths about our American culture's double standard.
As for "THE PAST," if Americans really felt that way they wouldn't still have those double standards regarding even the Germans and would let the now-three-generations-from-WWII German youth get on with life and NOT bring up WWII and the holocaust. THOSE are dredged up every day in this world....NOT Japan's holocaust of the Chinese or Italy's and Russia's parts (Stalin's holocausts) in WWII.
THAT is another double standard that is alive and well in our world.
Life is too short to be screaming at the top of my lungs that NO ONE CARES, not to mention I have managed to accept history. I chose not to be history teacher or a moral compass for the entire planet. I HAVE A LIFE.
Apparently you don't have much of a LIFE. Otherwise you wouldn't be engaging me and protesting FAR TOO much about your "life." :o)
Thank you for proving my point as you go on and on.
You want me to worry about the contents of this website? Have you ever thought of directing your outrage at Jim Robinson? I don't own it. I can't change what articles get posted... they are peer-posted. And it isn't my job to be the thought police and harangue Freepers with "That's not fair! Don't say that!" I believe in free speech. Even your right to say speech that I find utterly ridiculous and completely irrelevant to today's world.
And on.
I don't believe that trashing Muslims IS acceptable. You'll find no such words coming from my mouth. I actually believe that the world is bigger than bin Laden. One billion Muslims shouldn't be wiped off the planet. I don't condone genocide.
And on.
I suggest that you accept the fact that I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU. I have nothing else to say, because I do not apologize for my point of view. You won't apologize for yours, either.
And on.
By the way, I never ASKED you to apologize for anything. I KNOW people like you won't admit the truth about your own particular double standards. You merely brush off the truth about them as trivial and unimportant.
Thank you for continuing to prove my point.
You must be TOUGH. :o)
Pound for pound, there is no tougher dog.
He dubbed me the pit bull after he saw me go at it with a drunken metal-head who lived downstairs from me in Boston. He said something about me being stubborn, relentless and just plain mean but I was too busy chewing on a green rubber squeak toy to listen. ;-)
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