(Some paint Scandinavia black;) The Holocaust: Sweden's complex legacy

www.thelocal.se ^ | 01/26/2007 | David Stavrou

[Brilliant]

You wonder why those who are such principled atheists would have it in so for Jews. I mean it's not like the Jews are the religious leaders of the universe.


Maybe because the Bible says so?

[WesternCulture]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Buses

[Fiji Hill]

But Sweden's role in the Second World War had its darker side. It continued exporting vital iron ore to the German armaments industry and allowed the Germans to transit troops, supplies and communications through the country.

One must take into account the fact that the Germans occupied neighboring Denmark and Norway, that they had troops in Finland, and that they controlled Sweden's links to the rest of the world by air and sea.

[WesternCulture]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raul_Wallenberg

[Sherman Logan]

Criticizing Sweden (or Switzerland) for not being aggressively anti-German during the early days of the war is not realistic. Both countries were completely surrounded by German conquests or allies and had little choice but to play along.

Sweden, in particular, would have had little defense against a German assault. They would have probably put up a better fight than the Norwegians, but they still would have quickly lost.

The end result would have been that those many thousands who found refuge in Sweden, including all the Danish Jews, would have been fed into the Nazi maw.

Often the ideal is the deadly enemy of the good.

[WesternCulture]

Sweden, just like the U.K., tackled Nazi-Germany in a wrong manner in the 1920's/1930's.

Sweden could've done more, true. But one thing all of the West ought to admit is this:

We did not listen to the sane voice of Churchill.

Today we Europeans speak of "Europe" - which, by all means, is right.

70 years ago though, this man called Winston Churchill dared to speak out as a European.

Brotherhood is not a game.

[spanalot]

And Sweden is to be blamed for doing nothing to save the 15 million in Russia prior to WWII - as did England, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Greece....

[Timmy]

I have spent time in Sweden, and discussed world politics with many of them. They are like children. They do not recognize that evil must be confronted, but believe it should be appeased.

[WesternCulture]

History is richer in alternative paths than one might think.

The UK, France and Sweden could probably have prevented the Nazi onslaught on Scandinavia at the beginning of WWII by making competent use of available resources.

A basic aspect of defending "Scandinavia" at that time was the fact that Swedish armament industry was protected by geography (mainly sea waters, lakes, forests and matters of topography).

Most experts would probably agree Sweden responded in a slow manner to the existing threats, but, say we would've joined hands with the forces of sanity already in 1933 or so..

With the extreme industrial production capacity Sweden disposed of, much could've done. Despite Sweden's tiny population.

Well, Just a thought.
- But not a silly one.

[WesternCulture]

"I have spent time in Sweden, and discussed world politics with many of them. They are like children. They do not recognize that evil must be confronted, but believe it should be appeased."

I'm Swedish and I'm well aware this is what many Swedes believe.

However, we also sell you state-of-the-art equipment like this: http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=143 and participate in the WOT.

[Grut]

I'm still waiting for our moralists to notice the West's non-response to the Cambodian Holocaust.

[WesternCulture]

Although I know far too little of these things,

I see what you mean.

Believe me.

[Timmy]

Sorry. Wasn't meant to be a slight. I should have added that I found the Swedes to be very friendly and pro-America. In fact, Stockholm struck me as the most American-like of any European cities I have visited. I was simply making an observation about their naivete' on matters pertaining to evil.

[Sherman Logan]

The UK, France and Sweden could probably have prevented the Nazi onslaught on Scandinavia at the beginning of WWII by making competent use of available resources.

For that matter, they could have prevented the conquest of France, etc.

Few realize that the Allies had more and better tanks and planes than the Germans at the start of the Battle of France, in addition to more men. The French Army by itself outnumbered the German Army.

[WesternCulture]

"Sorry. Wasn't meant to be a slight. I should have added that I found the Swedes to be very friendly and pro-America. In fact, Stockholm struck me as the most American-like of any European cities I have visited. I was simply making an observation about their naivete' on matters pertaining to evil."

- No need to apologize. You have offended no one.

Many Americans say Stockholm is American-like and - from what I've understood - many Americans like Stockholm. I'm not blaming them. Even though I come from Gothenburg/Göteborg, Sweden's second largest city I admit cruising around in a boat in Stockholm and the great Stockholm archipelago is about as beautiful as this world gets.

Many countries boast impressive palaces and such buildings, but few palaces on this earth are as beautifully located with regards to natural scenery as these ones:

http://www.royalcourt.se/theroyalpalaces/drottningholmpalace.4.19fe5e61065eb9aeea80002743.html

[WesternCulture]

You are absolutely right.

Cheers from Gothenburg, Sweden!

[Tribune7]

A placard at an anti-Israel demonstration . . .And in January, a college teacher from Stockholm resigned after participating in the Holocaust denial conference in Iran . . . More broadly, reports show that hate crimes against . . . immigrants – have risen during the last few years.

How many of those immigrants were taking part in the anti-Israel demonstrations?

[WesternCulture]

"How many of those immigrants were taking part in the anti-Israel demonstrations?"

- I don't know.

Anyhow, to be fair, most European leftist anti-Israel activists are not denying the Holocaust.

Communists and such people in Europe usually oppose both Israel and Neo-Nazism.