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Reports from the Past |
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 German Leader Hitler |
Can it be their propensity for laughing
out loud in public and having fun?
By MURRY FRYMER
of TheColumnists.com
Special Correspondent
Editor's Note: This column is a little late
--perhaps as much as 50 years overdue--
But Frymer is a gifted, if not prompt, craftsman.
October, 1941.
An interview with an expert on Nazi Terrorism:
Q: Sir, we note that things are getting quite bad in Germany these days. Nazi terrorists are very much the reason, is that not true?
A: Indeed it is. Indeed it is. We have never quite seen a terrorist government like this.
Q: Why is this happening right now, sir? Do you have an opinion?
A: The Nazis are Germans who did not like the Treaty of Versailles, which, as you know ended the World War in 1918. Some were very chagrined at the terms of that treaty and have carried a grudge all these years. They have not led very happy lives.
Q: Is that why they act like terrorists?
A: Quite likely. Quite likely.
Q: We notice that they seem to take a lot of their chagrin out on the Jewish population, representative of which, as far as we notice, were not present in Versailles. Why do you suppose that is, sir?
A: That is a very good question. Indeed, the Jews were not present in any of the treaty talks. Somehow, though, Adolf Hitler, whom we suspect is the ringleader of these terrorists, has singled out the Jews of Germany. It is very curious.
Q: Yes, it is. I understand he has established camps, labor camps or worse, where Jews in Germany have been sent. We understand many have died there. Why, do you suppose?
A: Of course it is important to get down to the root causes of terrorist behavior and we are trying to do that. And we are looking into that. In order to root out terrorism, it is important to get down to the root causes. Root to root, you might say. A little verbal joke.
Q: Yes. I do understand that it is important for Americans to not go off half cocked and make a war against people we do not understand. We must try to understand them. And then the action we take will make more sense.
A: Very true.
Q: Well, what have you come up with so far, beyond the Treaty of Versailles theory?
A: We have determined that Adolf Hitler, the ringleader, and many of his followers, do not like Jews. The name for that is anti-Semitism. And we are exploring just what it is the Jews have done to so anger this Adolf Hitler.
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It is believed Hitler prefers yellow. |
Q: Yes, what have they done?
A: Well, I think a certain amount of jealousy is involved. The Germans are a dour people and the Jews laugh and sing a lot and they tell jokes. Germans tend not to like people who tell jokes.
Q: Is that all?
A: No. Jews, you probably know, are very good with money. They can make money grow. The Germans don't have as much luck with money. So there is a certain amount of upset there, too.
Q: So they are killing the Jews because the Jews are funny and rich?
A: Well, actually, most aren't very rich. Or funny, either. It is something we are looking into.
Q: Do you think America should do anything about this situation while we are looking into it?
A: It is better to be right than hasty. We have urged the Jews to show restraint. If they try to take some sort of revenge, it will only encourage other people who dislike Jews to become anti-Jewish terrorists, too, and we don't know just where that might lead. We think the Jews should look to the pacifists in their midst who preach non-violent means.
Q: Have the Jews been violent thus far?
A: Not that we have noticed. They seem to line up for the concentration camp trains as promptly and quietly as they are told to. So far they are indeed practicing non-violence. Which is good. This gives them the higher moral position and this is, as much as anything, a moral confrontation.
Q: What does Adolf Hitler say?
A: He seems to be quite angry at being shown up this way. But he has few allies around the world. Except for the Italians. And the Japanese, we think. And there are some partisans in southern France and in Poland and in the Ukraine and in Croatia and such who seem to approve of his actions. But it is only a matter of time when the Jews find their higher moral position to be winning in this struggle.
Q: Do you think the United States has anything to fear from this Hitler fellow?
A: Not at all. We are quite strong. There is no way a terrorist can hurt the United States. We, too, have the higher moral position.
Q: So mainly you are watching and waiting, am I correct?
A: You are correct. We are, of course, asking the CIA and the FBI to be wary of what is happening. They are quite adept at picking up any signs, you know. And we are building coalitions with other anti-terrorist nations. Like the Soviet Union which has had warm things to say to us. Mr. Stalin has said that in no way could he tolerate terrorism. It is uncivilized.
Q: And what about the Jews?
A: We are asking the Jewish population to join with us in opposing Adolf Hitler. Of course, they have not liked him for a long time. But we are urging them not to tell jokes in these dire times, or to make a display of accumulating money. And, of course, they should study other religions to see what it is about their own religion that makes some other religions resort to terror. The more you know about such things, the better off you are.
Q: Well, thank you. Clearly this is a serious matter. You might call it a war against terrorism.
A: Well, I wouldn't want to use that phrase. That might exacerbate the situation. Let us just say that we are concerned. As, no doubt, are the Jews.
Q: Yes. Thank you. This is Murry Frymer reporting.
©
2001 by Murry Frymer. The
Frymer caricature is © 2000 by Jim Hummel. The Hitler and
Star of David illustrations are from IMSI's Master/Clips Collection,
1895 Francisco Blvd. East, San Rafael, CA, 94901-5506, USA.
You
can comment on this column or contact Murry Frymer with an email
to: talkback@thecolumnists.com
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