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Vienna, Austria - Tram Driver Fired for Nazi Remarks |
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Officials at Wiener Linien, which operates the Austrian capital's subway, bus and tram system, said today the man has been fired after uttering the Nazi greeting over the tram's public address system over the weekend.
State-run ORF radio and television said that the unidentified 35-year-old made the comment at the end of a a brief statement mentioning that this was his streetcar's last trip on the historic Vienna Ring encircling the city center.
Transit authorities ended some streetcar routes on the Ring and changed schedules for others Sunday.
"This is a historic moment and is a day of remembrance of historic events," and he was quoted as saying. "Sieg Heil!"
Transit authorities took action after a Jewish newspaper reported the alleged remarks. After some passengers booed — while others laughed — the driver reportedly said: "Can't you take a joke?"
Invoking Nazi symbols and spreading Nazi propaganda are crimes in Austria, which Hitler annexed before World War II, and local news media suggested he might be charged.
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Read Comments (11) — Post Yours »
1
Oct 28, 2008 at 07:06 PM Yonason Says:
Political Correctness reigns over there too - seems to me that this guy was mocking local transit authorities. I would feel better if the Austrians were more honest about their complicity in the 1938 "Anschluss," stopped acting as if Austria were merely a victim of Germany . . . and left the silly little tram driver alone.
2
Oct 28, 2008 at 07:00 PM itsnojoke Says:
Not a joke. Sorry.wanna hear a joke? Mccains gonna win the election.joke.
3
Oct 28, 2008 at 07:56 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Political Correctness reigns over there too - seems to me that this guy was mocking local transit authorities. I would feel better if the Austrians were more honest about their complicity in the 1938 "Anschluss," stopped acting as if Austria were merely a victim of Germany . . . and left the silly little tram driver alone. ”
Well said -although im surprised the first comment wasnt a knee jerk reaction attacking austria, the tram driver, the tram ,the passengers and whatever else they can come up with
4
Oct 28, 2008 at 09:06 PM bigwheeel Says:
“ Political Correctness reigns over there too - seems to me that this guy was mocking local transit authorities. I would feel better if the Austrians were more honest about their complicity in the 1938 "Anschluss," stopped acting as if Austria were merely a victim of Germany . . . and left the silly little tram driver alone. ”
I Strongly disagree with you! The fact that Austria [semi] willingly joined nazi germany in the "anschluss" does not take away from their [current] efforts to eradicate any association with the nazi ideology, for which they deserve the utmost credit! It has nothing to do with political correctness! The same goes for [formerly West] Germany, where the government makes a serious and continuous effort to eradicate nazi ideology! In fact, most neo-nazis come from those areas of germany that were ruled by the communists. They didn't have any programs or laws on the books that banned possessing and admiring nazi symbols and ideology!
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Oct 28, 2008 at 09:55 PM Yonason Says:
“ I Strongly disagree with you! The fact that Austria [semi] willingly joined nazi germany in the "anschluss" does not take away from their [current] efforts to eradicate any association with the nazi ideology, for which they deserve the utmost credit! It has nothing to do with political correctness! The same goes for [formerly West] Germany, where the government makes a serious and continuous effort to eradicate nazi ideology! In fact, most neo-nazis come from those areas of germany that were ruled by the communists. They didn't have any programs or laws on the books that banned possessing and admiring nazi symbols and ideology! ”
I take issue with you if you are equating even sincere "doing away" with Nazi symbols and the like with an admission of complicity in the Third Reich. Austria historically has portrayed itself as a victim on par with, say, the Czechs. Even some American history books, like the early 60s American Heritage History of Word War II, buy that line. But it ain't so - A majority of Austrians welcomed Hitler, its military became part of the Wehrmacht and in every sense of the word Austria became "one" with Germany. Germany, in fact, is dealing with its history, its guilt, and its responsibility, and today is a place where a Jew can be fairly at peace (disclosure - my father was from Duisburg and very much a Yecche) - Austria has not. And the only political I was referring to correctness is coming down so hard on the tram driver
6
Oct 28, 2008 at 10:08 PM Yonason Says:
“ I Strongly disagree with you! The fact that Austria [semi] willingly joined nazi germany in the "anschluss" does not take away from their [current] efforts to eradicate any association with the nazi ideology, for which they deserve the utmost credit! It has nothing to do with political correctness! The same goes for [formerly West] Germany, where the government makes a serious and continuous effort to eradicate nazi ideology! In fact, most neo-nazis come from those areas of germany that were ruled by the communists. They didn't have any programs or laws on the books that banned possessing and admiring nazi symbols and ideology! ”
One more point - Both today's neos and the late 20s real deals originated in similar pots - A stew of economic deprivation, assumed "victimhood," high unemployment and failed expectations. Hence, by the way, the post- WWII Marshall Plan was implemented to prevent a repetition of that stew in late 40s Europe
7
Oct 28, 2008 at 11:19 PM Anonymous Says:
“ One more point - Both today's neos and the late 20s real deals originated in similar pots - A stew of economic deprivation, assumed "victimhood," high unemployment and failed expectations. Hence, by the way, the post- WWII Marshall Plan was implemented to prevent a repetition of that stew in late 40s Europe ”
Yonason, so we can expect an upswing of these kind of things here in the US if G-d forbid Hussein is elected President. Who do you think he'll blame for the Wall Street mess?
8
Oct 28, 2008 at 11:16 PM Anonymous Says:
Vienna is a creepy city. I visit quite often & I feel very uncomfortable even in the Frum areas. As soon as I get there I can't wait to leave. Austria is still anti-semitic & even if this moron isn't a "closet Nazi" (it sounds like he's not in the closet any more) I don't trust any goyim over there.
Every time someone says can't you take a joke it is to make the complainer feel stupid. Well, who's laughing now, Herr Linian?
9
Oct 29, 2008 at 08:45 AM Yonason Says:
“ Yonason, so we can expect an upswing of these kind of things here in the US if G-d forbid Hussein is elected President. Who do you think he'll blame for the Wall Street mess? ”
There is no comparison between economic/social situations here, on the one hand, and those in either Weimar Germany or immediate post-war Europe on the other. That said, I have read that today there is an uptick in activities of skin head and other extreme right hate groups - and my hunch is that the vast middle and working class would be worse off under McCain
10
Oct 29, 2008 at 11:09 AM Anonymous Says:
“ There is no comparison between economic/social situations here, on the one hand, and those in either Weimar Germany or immediate post-war Europe on the other. That said, I have read that today there is an uptick in activities of skin head and other extreme right hate groups - and my hunch is that the vast middle and working class would be worse off under McCain ”
Yonasan, you're wrong, there WILL BE comparisons made between pre-war Germany & the current US/world economic situation...if Obama gets in.
There doesn't have to be any truth to it, but it will be expressed. Before you know it, we'll have open anti-semitic warfare.
But in the words of the great Bob Grant, I'm an eternal optimist.
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Oct 29, 2008 at 11:48 AM Yonason Says:
“ Yonasan, you're wrong, there WILL BE comparisons made between pre-war Germany & the current US/world economic situation...if Obama gets in.
There doesn't have to be any truth to it, but it will be expressed. Before you know it, we'll have open anti-semitic warfare.
But in the words of the great Bob Grant, I'm an eternal optimist. ”
Bob Grant? Listening to a far right wing quack is about as enlightening as would be listening to a far left wing quack. The truth is always in the middle. If you believe that anything in the United States compares to late 20s Germany or to post-war Europe, your belief is so devoid of any basis in fact as to be silly . . . rteminds me of a "Conservative" Jewish co=worker blabbing on on about the Torah he never learned - ignorant and silly. And if you believe anti-Semetism is or will be a growing problem under an Obama administration, I would suspect the shorish of your thinking is anti-black fear born out of racism. You certainly are one special light ionto the nations.