"If the Dutch can confront their complex history, can we?" Topic

" think it a good practice to consider how other countries and cultures chose to display their history, and heritage, in public spaces. For instance, from Goirle, Netherlands:

The helmet identifies the nationality and context of this figure very well – he is a German soldier. A soldier serving in the German Army in World War II. Why would the Dutch people chose to honor a soldier from an army which occupied their country – a brutal occupation I would add – with a statue? An article from War History Online offers some background for this statue memorializing Karl-Heinz Rosch:…"
Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

I think any conflict will find good men of honor on both sides and scoundrels on both sides. That is inherent in the nature of man.

What is undoubtedly true is that the Nazi regime was ultimately aggressively evil. We have qualms about the internment camps for the Japanese even though there was evidence of collaboration with the Japanese government of ex pats living in the US. Those camps were not nice – but they are hugely different from the work/death camps of the Nazis.

I see no challenges with the decision of the Dutch to honor Rosch.

Along the same line while slavery is an evil concept I am a big fan of Robert E. Lee

The only thing I can say is: The memorials to the Confederacy in the American south are not to exceptional examples of kindness and humanity.

Parachute silk made wonderful bloomers in WW2 there should be a statue to the humble parachute that kept many a lady decently clothed.

Well Zargon, Willi Heilmann's 'I Fought You From the Skies' notes that a number of dead pilots were found with empty parachute bags after having been forced to bailout.

Perhaps the Allies could erect a statue in recognition of the ladies for their assistance in eliminating Luftwaffe pilots.

Armand, what is your take? You are the OP yet what is your point of view? Could you please state your reason for posting something so we could follow along- not just cut and paste from an interesting article. Why not use the article to help you articulate some point that YOU have?

Don't get me wrong. I continue to enjoy most of what you post but after reading hunderds of your posts, I have no clue what your reasons are for posting them other than providing a CNN of TMP function. Many of us would like to know your thoughts behind your posting- we might be better able to respond if you came out first with the purpose of why you posted.

Curious, that's all. Someone who is so prolific in sharing snippets yet we have no knowledge of your take on what you have just posted…

Abiento
Tom

Interesting article.

Glad you enjoyed the article my friend.

Tom…It is very discourteous to demand someone to explain his ideas in the forum. Is supposed that to write or not here is voluntary. If you take the time to carefully read my threads you will see that I often pour some opinion about them, but as the vast majority of visitors I prefer to read what others say with much more capacity than mine. The big "star" of Ultramodern are no the threads … there are the comments of the skilled people (or not) which on the subject makes. I prefer to "inform" more than to "comment" and I think I am within my rights to do so. Also remember that English is not my original language and not even my second one. On the other hand, if you're so interested in my personal opinion, send me a PM and we could dialogue about what you want.

Amicalement
Armand

If we're going to criticize others;

That should read "à bientôt".

I think it's nice to honor an individual act of bravery. Doubt many will argue against it.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

I can see the perspective of the villagers, but it's probably good to remember individual acts of human decency.