The quote from one of the most evil men in history, Hermann Goring, truly shocked me. This man had remained defiant and unrepentant to the bitter end but nonetheless perhaps we may learn not to repeat our mistakes, from his words.
Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.
Do we never learn?
I am sorry. I stuffed up.
I have travelled the world and I have been harrasssed just about everywhere and no. not because I made a habit of wearing skimpy tops and mini skirts. I actually found my best defence was usually to walk around listening to music. I had just accepted, I was a woman and that this was just a fact of life.
My friend was assaulted in a travel hostel. I awoke in the morning to find her crying. We had reported the incident. Then something really touching occured. Men in the hostel had approached us and had been very supportive and kind. Several had even given us little gifts trying to make amends for what had happened, even though it had been nothing whatsoever to do with them. These men had been from all over the world and they had reached out to us with kindness and support. I want to thank those men and others just like them who do know how to respect women.
My grandfather had a cousin whose whole family was wiped out during The Blitz. My family had suffered greatly along with everybody else during WW2. Yet this had not stopped my grandparents taking two German POWs into their homes following the end of the war whilst they (the POWs) had awaited repatriation. My grandparents had grown to be very fond of them both. My grandfather had regarded them simply as two young men a long way from home. He had treated them how he might have liked a son of his own to be treated (had he been blessed with one), if they had fallen into enemy hands. Eventually the two Germans were forced to return to Germany. It had not been a prospect which they had relished. They had even begged my Grandfather to help them stay in Britain. Unfortunately Granddad had not had the resources to help them.
I may write about this further in a later post.
Following their return to Germany the two POWs had continued to communicate with my Grandparents. I still have the letters and photos which they sent from Germany. I never recall any family members expressing personal animosity towards the Germans over WW2.
Don’t mention the war-Fawlty Towers
Source:BBC Comedy Greats
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7foTxErVJKorAitAcJuqDA
However the contempt for Lord Haw-Haw continues even today, 71 years after his execution. My father would imitate Lord Haw-Haw and his familiar”Germany Calling, Germany Calling,” and somehow this dark catchphrase had instilled fear in me also.
There is something deeply sinister about propaganda. Weapons may attack the body but propaganda attacks the mind.
Source:James Bond
