Copyright (c) 1997 - Ingrid A. Rimland
". . . The sensational news, pompously announced as historical revelation, has long been known to all reasonably well-informed contemporaries. Until now, absolutely nothing new has come to light which must not have long been known to those who are interested, and especially those who bear the responsibility in political, business, and public life . . . "
". . . In all of the more recent history books and in the teaching of history in today's schools, everything has been said which is now, naively, being proclaimed and denounced as news . . . "
". . . Nevertheless, given the present serious tirades aimed at our country, our people and our conduct during the Second World War, the 'classe politique' is reacting about as reflectively and calmly as chickens in a coop with a fox lurking outside. The reason for this can be found in a hitherto blatant general disregard of history by the leaders of our nation, as though one could shape the present and the future without a knowledge of history . . . "
". . . Our government and well-known representatives of industry are lacking in any kind of a clear concept, acting - or rather reacting - in an extremely contradictory and unfortunate manner. With their attitude, they are continually encouraging those groups which are attacking us incessantly.. . . "
". . . The feelings of innumerable citizens for our native land are being repeatedly offended, the elder among them are being hurt with respect to their lifelong efforts and achievements for this country . . . Whoever has spoken with citizens who consciously lived through this period realizes that the people of Switzerland stood together. Families of employees, factory workers, farmers were all bound by a feeling of solidarity, a common bond and identity, as never before and never again . . . The judgment by history, fifty years hence, of today's Federal Council remains to be seen! . . . "
". . . Since when, however, has it been common practice in a free democracy for the state, meaning the government or parliament, to reappraise its own history? Official court scribes and poets exist only in absolute monarchies, although dictators of both the left and the right have been known to commission official versions of national history. But in this country, in a democratic constitutional nation, it is uncommon and inconceivable that the state should write its own history! . . . "
". . . The Federal Council made a point of emphasizing the fact that the nine members of the commission included four foreigners in addition to five Swiss, and that three of the nine were Jewish, thereby hoping to objectivize and sanction the results from the outset. I would like to know if, in addition to the historians who are specialized in tracking down the sins of the past, the commission includes others who have an understanding for the difficult situation which existed at the time? . . . "
". . . In view of the commission's composition, we are not prepared at the outset to accept its findings as some sort of gospel truth. Details will come to light when previously inaccessible archives have been opened, for instance economic relationships or some aspects of Swiss foreign trade. But this cannot change history as a whole.. . . "
". . . The current discussion about Switzerland and the Second World War is being largely determined by Swiss moralists on the one hand, and by foreign Jewish organizations who want money from us on the other. There is a great deal of hypocrisy in the arguments on both sides. The Jewish organizations which are demanding money deny that they are interested in money. In fact, however, this is exactly what they want . . . "
". . . On the Swiss side, a fund has been opened with the declared purpose of "humanitarian aid" or "gratitude for the fact that Switzerland came through the war unscathed". But the true and underlying meaning is 'for the satisfaction of all claims', or in other words it is a question of money. In my opinion, a clear discussion of the legalities is needed, and that would be far more honest.. . . "
". . . The current discussion is far too strongly influenced by moralists. With hypocritical self-righteousness, they pick on the Swiss people, the decision-makers of the 30's and 40s, on our forefathers. It is above all the young representatives of the left, a few theologians, numerous sociologists, professors, artists and journalists who are sure that they know - in detail and from a safe distance - what we should have done better in the difficult situation of half a century go. In bigoted, loud-mouthed, hypocritical manifestos, these people extol their own highly sensitive sense of humanity, their flawless character, their deep concern, and they are quick to point a finger at the guilt-laden decision-makers. . . . "
". . . The "moralists" have pushed to the front in politics and the media, and not only in this particular case. It is actually not surprising because our society is teeming with moralists. Especially in politics. It is dangerous because in difficult situations there is little place for moralists. . . . "
". . . He who is truly aware of responsibility knows how demanding it is, and he is aware of the fact that he cannot seek justice everywhere and throughout the world. He can and must act where he is, where he has an overview, and where his strength is adequate to the task.
Not so the moralist. He declares himself to be competent for everything, everywhere and at all times. He presumes the right and even the duty to oversee justice everywhere. The goal of the moralist is not that justice is observed, and that justice is actually realized, but rather the demonstration of his own role in its achievement, and that he is flawless.
Moralists do not act out of love for humanity and for causes but out of ambition to appear in a favorable light. (H)ands off the moralists. Their conduct is immoral and unethical.
Politics, society and economics in Switzerland today are relatively strongly influenced by such moralists. . . . Anyone who studies the history of the Second World War soon realizes where truly responsible people were at work, and where the moralists held sway.
On the whole, we must let Switzerland be during the Second World War. It fulfilled its task of seeing that a democratic Switzerland came through the war unscathed. Morally, this is of high standing. It is what counts! It is worthy of respect and admiration.
Had Switzerland taken the path of today's 'moralists', it would have perished - perhaps together with hundreds of thousands of people. But the moralists would have preserved their untarnished image! And that is immoral!. . . "
". . . It is easy to apologize for the deeds of our fathers and grandfathers, for the war generation. But the moralists are indifferent to the fact that their apologies serve only to humiliate and degrade those who carried the heavy burden of responsibility.. . . "
Thought for the Day:
". . . what's enacted by Congress consists of various ways of taking from one American to give to another. That's a criminal act-theft-if done by a private person."
(Walter Williams of the Washington Times)