Foot in mouth disease.....

DanaC · 08-31-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

ROME (Reuters) - An Italian politician has used the "work makes you free" slogan that topped the gates at Auschwitz in a brochure to promote local job centres, saying he could not remember the source but was impressed by the quote.

News agency Ansa reported the vice-president of the Jewish community in Rome had sharply criticised Tommaso Coletti, president of Italy's southern Chieti province and member of the centre-left "Daisy" party, for using the quote.

Countless photographs have focussed on the "Arbeit macht Frei" sign at Auschwitz to encapsulate the horror of the Nazi death camps.

"Work makes you free. I don't remember where I read this phrase but it was one of those quotes that have an instant impact on you because they tell an immense truth," Coletti wrote in the pamphlet, Ansa reported.

Coletti could not be reached for comment and the regional job centres were also unavailable. Ansa said the governor of the Abruzzo region, which includes Coletti's province, had apologised to Italy's Jewish community.

There's not much I can add to that.

wolf · 08-31-2006, 09:47 AM

I'm amused.

Ibby · 08-31-2006, 09:48 AM

The only words to explain what mustve been his response:

"uh... well... fuck."

glatt · 08-31-2006, 09:56 AM

The guy's a moron, but he's right. Having a paying job can make a person more free.

Too bad the Nazis took that phrase and now nobody else can use it. Just like the swastika, a symbol that's been around forever in many cultures.

Flint · 08-31-2006, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

Just like the swastika, a symbol that's been around forever in many cultures.

I don't refrain from using it for it's intended purpose, despite the actions of others that were beyond by control.

DanaC · 08-31-2006, 10:20 AM

Out of interest, what was its intended purpose?

Trilby · 08-31-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

Out of interest, what was its intended purpose?

The swastika? Good luck symbol.

9th Engineer · 08-31-2006, 10:48 AM

The swastika was originally a Buddist symbol originating in China (the swastika valley to be more specific) which symbolized peace and harmony. In it's original form however it is the reverse of the symbol we normally associate with Nazi Germany. I guess someone in the party had a sick sense of humor when they decided to take the reverse of a symbol of peace and make it their symbol of war.

Hippikos · 08-31-2006, 10:49 AM

Free Speech?

Flint · 08-31-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

Out of interest, what was its intended purpose?

"The swastika used in Buddhist art and scripture is known in Japanese as a manji (which literally just means "the Chinese character for eternality"), and represents Dharma, universal harmony, and the balance of opposites. When facing left, it is the omote (front) manji, representing love and mercy. Facing right, it represents strength and intelligence, and is called the ura (rear) manji. Balanced manji are often found at the beginning and end of Buddhist scriptures (outside India)."

dar512 · 08-31-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

The guy's a moron, but he's right. Having a paying job can make a person more free.

Too bad the Nazis took that phrase and now nobody else can use it. Just like the swastika, a symbol that's been around forever in many cultures.

Why is he a moron? Because he liked a phrase, but couldn't remember where he'd seen it? If that's true, then I must be dumb as dirt, because my answer to "Where did you get that?" is generally, "I dunno. I read it somewhere."

I can understand that Europeans and Jews in particular are sensitive to anything related to the Nazis, but the truth or falseness of a statement is not related to whether the Nazis ever used it. I'm sure the Nazis played soccer and drank beer. Should those activities be outlawed?

Undertoad · 08-31-2006, 10:54 AM

Swastika IotD: http://cellar.org/iotd.php?threadid=7640

Hippikos · 08-31-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9th Engineer

The swastika was originally a Buddist symbol originating in China (the swastika valley to be more specific) which symbolized peace and harmony. In it's original form however it is the reverse of the symbol we normally associate with Nazi Germany. I guess someone in the party had a sick sense of humor when they decided to take the reverse of a symbol of peace and make it their symbol of war.

The Nazis were obsessed by the occult and mysticism.

The SS spent a great deal of time and resources in researching and creating social and scientific background in order to proof the superiority of the Aryan race but was also involved in occult practices.

The Thule mystical organisation was created by SS elite units. Even expeditions were sent to Tibet and the Andes and searches for the Holy Grail and Spear of Destiny. Probably it inspired Indy Jones?

Ibby · 08-31-2006, 08:14 PM

Thats why Indy fights so many Nazis.

They still use the swastika in earnest here in Taiwan, its all over the place. There's this building downtown that has twenty-foot swastikas all over it.

capnhowdy · 08-31-2006, 09:12 PM

Is it true that the slanted ones project a different message?

08-31-2006, 09:47 AM	#2
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I'm amused. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

08-31-2006, 09:48 AM	#3
Ibby erika Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "the high up north" Posts: 6,127	The only words to explain what mustve been his response: "uh... well... fuck." __________________ not really back, you didn't see me, i was never here shhhhhh

08-31-2006, 10:48 AM	#8
9th Engineer Bioengineer and aspiring lawer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 872	The swastika was originally a Buddist symbol originating in China (the swastika valley to be more specific) which symbolized peace and harmony. In it's original form however it is the reverse of the symbol we normally associate with Nazi Germany. I guess someone in the party had a sick sense of humor when they decided to take the reverse of a symbol of peace and make it their symbol of war. __________________ The most valuable renewable resource is stupidity.

08-31-2006, 10:49 AM	#9
Hippikos Flocci Non Facio Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In The Line Of Fire Posts: 571	Free Speech? __________________ Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.

08-31-2006, 08:14 PM	#14
Ibby erika Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "the high up north" Posts: 6,127	Thats why Indy fights so many Nazis. They still use the swastika in earnest here in Taiwan, its all over the place. There's this building downtown that has twenty-foot swastikas all over it. __________________ not really back, you didn't see me, i was never here shhhhhh

08-31-2006, 09:56 AM	#4
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	The guy's a moron, but he's right. Having a paying job can make a person more free. Too bad the Nazis took that phrase and now nobody else can use it. Just like the swastika, a symbol that's been around forever in many cultures.

08-31-2006, 10:20 AM	#6
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Out of interest, what was its intended purpose?

08-31-2006, 10:54 AM	#12
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Swastika IotD: http://cellar.org/iotd.php?threadid=7640

08-31-2006, 09:12 PM	#15
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	Is it true that the slanted ones project a different message? __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

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