German guy
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2010
- Messages
- 5,187
- Reaction score
- 4,255
- Location
- Berlin, Germany
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Moderate
@TacticalEvilDan:
Thank you very much for your support for my nation. I can't speak for all Germans, naturally, but personally, I consider it my responsibility keeping the memory of the immeasurable crimes committed in the name of my nation alife and never forget them. Not because of shame (I don't feel ashamed, because I am not personally responsible), but because of the responsible not to repeat these errors again. In fact, many of my political stances are at least partially based on this aspect of my national identity: Strong respect for inviolable human rights and a free political system, for example.
I am very thankful that America, together with the other Western allies, liberated my country in 1945 and allowed us to build up a new Germany on the ruins of the old, with the intention of making it a free, democratic country with strong respect for civil and human rights. I think this has generally been successful, although of course there are shortcomings, like there are in any other free, democratic system. But I believe to know these shortcomings are not worse than elsewhere in the free world.
I know there are ignorant Germans. There are also hateful Germans, bigoted or self-righteous. But in this case as well, I like to believe their number is not higher than in other free countries.
Also, I am aware such people exist in America too. Some postings in this thread are a good documentation for that point. But I don't jump to the conclusion that most or even all Americans are like that, although I am yet a bit surprised how quickly they came out of the woods here, even without excessive baiting or provocation. I don't think my country or people is better than America and its people, although of course, I like my country, I am fond of it and when facing the choice, I would rather live in Germany than in the USA. But I don't think anybody could blame me for that, or take that as a basis for accusing me of suprematism.
I will try to evaluate and answer arguments respectfully brought up here regardless of the person who advances them, or if his or her nationality. And I hope this favor will be returned. If I happen to be a dick after all some time, that's probably not meant as a nationalistic attack on my opponent's nationality, but directed at the individual regardless of nationality.
Thank you very much for your support for my nation. I can't speak for all Germans, naturally, but personally, I consider it my responsibility keeping the memory of the immeasurable crimes committed in the name of my nation alife and never forget them. Not because of shame (I don't feel ashamed, because I am not personally responsible), but because of the responsible not to repeat these errors again. In fact, many of my political stances are at least partially based on this aspect of my national identity: Strong respect for inviolable human rights and a free political system, for example.
I am very thankful that America, together with the other Western allies, liberated my country in 1945 and allowed us to build up a new Germany on the ruins of the old, with the intention of making it a free, democratic country with strong respect for civil and human rights. I think this has generally been successful, although of course there are shortcomings, like there are in any other free, democratic system. But I believe to know these shortcomings are not worse than elsewhere in the free world.
I know there are ignorant Germans. There are also hateful Germans, bigoted or self-righteous. But in this case as well, I like to believe their number is not higher than in other free countries.
Also, I am aware such people exist in America too. Some postings in this thread are a good documentation for that point. But I don't jump to the conclusion that most or even all Americans are like that, although I am yet a bit surprised how quickly they came out of the woods here, even without excessive baiting or provocation. I don't think my country or people is better than America and its people, although of course, I like my country, I am fond of it and when facing the choice, I would rather live in Germany than in the USA. But I don't think anybody could blame me for that, or take that as a basis for accusing me of suprematism.
I will try to evaluate and answer arguments respectfully brought up here regardless of the person who advances them, or if his or her nationality. And I hope this favor will be returned. If I happen to be a dick after all some time, that's probably not meant as a nationalistic attack on my opponent's nationality, but directed at the individual regardless of nationality.