Hitlers birthplace to be demolished

SafeSurfer

The Austrian government has approved legislation to seize the house where Hitler was born from its owner and demolish it.

I can understand the need to prevent it from becoming a neo Nazi shrine but is the government not acting like fascists in seizing the property?

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/house-where-hitler-was-born-set-to-be-demolished-759727.html

Irish Guitarist

Looks like a perfectly good house. Seems stupid to knock it down just to put another building in its place. It's just a pile of bricks, it didn't do anything to anyone.

Dr Crayfish

That's weird, I was just reading about that house last week. I know they had it in various incarnations basically trying to send out a good message instead of encouraging fascism. Do they really need to knock it down? Even if they do, whatever building is there will still be the place where Herr Fuehrer was born!

Iwasfrozen

SafeSurfer wrote: »

The Austrian government has approved legislation to seize the house where Hitler was born from its owner and demolish it.

I can understand the need to prevent it from becoming a neo Nazi shrine but is the government not acting like fascists in seizing the property?

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/house-where-hitler-was-born-set-to-be-demolished-759727.html

Good, knock it to the ground.

suicide_circus

that gaf looks whopper

Annasopra

A compulsory purchase order is not fascism!

Commotion Ocean

Government wants to rid Austria of all things Hitler ....by acting like Hitler.

CINCLANTFLT

Never trust the Austrians... they convinced the whole world that Hitler was a German!!!

corner of hells

CINCLANTFLT wrote: »

Never trust the Austrians... they convinced the whole world that Hitler was a German!!!

And they tried telling us that kangaroos were real animals.

Ted111

I hope the demolition crews reach there before the November snows kick in.

Annasopra

dfeo wrote: »

Government wants to rid Austria of all things Hitler ....by acting like Hitler.

Hahaha

This nonsense that a CPO is like The Third Reich/The Holocaust and WWII all rolled into 1 is actually quite hilarious.

newacc2015

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

That's weird, I was just reading about that house last week. I know they had it in various incarnations basically trying to send out a good message instead of encouraging fascism. Do they really need to knock it down? Even if they do, whatever building is there will still be the place where Herr Fuehrer was born!

The bunker where Hitler died is just a car park for a generic apartment block now. It is still the place where Hitler died, but seeing it as another car park just makes it seem like another car park. It is weird, you dont really see it as a place where Hitler died.

I think the Austrians/Germans in recent years are determined to erase as much of WW2 history as they can. Dachau near Munich was nearly completely flattened by the Bavarian authorities in recent years. For a city that was supposed to be the heart of the Third Reich there is hardly any references to the war bar a few signs here and there

oik

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Hahaha

This nonsense that a CPO is like The Third Reich/The Holocaust and WWII all rolled into 1 is actually quite hilarious.

I think it's less to do with the CPO and more to do with the attempt at erasing history which seems inconvenient.

Is this it?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8414149/House-that-looks-like-Hitler-catches-eye-of-Twitter-users.html

Annasopra

oik wrote: »

I think it's less to do with the CPO and more to do with the attempt at erasing history which seems inconvenient.

I dont think this is about erasing history. More acknowledging the dangers of history and trying to ensure there isnt a focal point for fascism.

B.A._Baracus

Knock it down.
Can't see why anyone would get their knickers in a twist over it (unless you are a neo nazi that is!) Hitler was evil. The Nazi's were evil. So who gives a fu*k.

Holograph

But why knock it down when it is someone's house and they want to keep it? Hitler was born there - that's it. He frequented lots of other places long before his rise to power and beyond - they don't all deserve to be knocked! It would make more sense in relation to his residence while a dictator, but not the place where he was merely born.

_Kaiser_

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I dont think this is about erasing history. More acknowledging the dangers of history and trying to ensure there isnt a focal point for fascism.

There's other ways deal with that though. Despite the fact that he led a genocidal destructive war against much of the world, he was one of the most influential people in history.

By no means should his memory be honoured or anything like that, but given the right context it could indeed serve as a warning from history. Destroying the place entirely does almost seem like pretending it never happened.

Senna

The house is becoming a focal point for Neo-nazis and the current owner doesn't want to sell it as they are make a nice profit on it.
It should be compulsory purchased and knocked to the ground.

Zooouma

Thought this would of been done years ago tbh

oik

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I dont think this is about erasing history. More acknowledging the dangers of history and trying to ensure there isnt a focal point for fascism.

If you're actually in the right you don't need to go around wiping out historical landmarks.

LincolnsBeard

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

Knock it down.
Can't see why anyone would get their knickers in a twist over it (unless you are a neo nazi that is!) Hitler was evil. The Nazi's were evil. So who gives a fu*k.

Because it's an amazing piece of history.

There's something quite incredible about looking at a house and knowing one of the most famous figures in history was born there. It connects us to our past. I say this as somebody who has a big interest in medieval history, and I'm always quite saddened to read about tombs/monasteries disappearing at a certain point in our past.

I fear that this is something that is being demolished due to current political events as opposed to being done in the interest of future generations. I think many years after we're all gone, and there are no WW2 veterans or holocaust survivors, it would be a magnificent piece of history to look back on for people, and will connect them to that period in time. It makes history feel real, that we are an extension of prior events as opposed to merely observing old tales in a book.

I guess the situation is much different in Austria though.

SafeSurfer

I think it will just play into the hands of would be fascists and conspiracy theorists. I think it would be more apt to purchase it and turn it into a museum highlighting the horrors of totalitarianism and Nazism.
Making holocaust denial a criminal offence is, I believe, also counterproductive. Take the arguments of people such as David Irving apart by evidence and fact instead of making their opinions illegal.

Atlantic Dawn

Did he kill anyone in the house or do anything dodgy in it?

Lone Stone

And then they would be the first to have news articles about isis destroying ancient site's, like it or not Hitler is a big historic figure and there is no reason to demolish the place, history is not to be forgotten.

Capt'n Midnight

LincolnsBeard wrote: »

It connects us to our past.
...
I guess the situation is much different in Austria though.

Pretty much.

Damnatio memoriae is the Latin phrase literally meaning "condemnation of memory", meaning that a person must not be remembered. There is no danger will applied to The Nazis: A Warning from History

The_Valeyard

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

I dont think this is about erasing history. More acknowledging the dangers of history and trying to ensure there isnt a focal point for fascism.

History is not dangerous, forgetting it, is.

The_Valeyard

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Did he kill anyone in the house or do anything dodgy in it?

Yes, when he came out of the womb, first thing he did was to strangle the Doctor with his umbilical cord.

feargale

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Good, knock it to the ground.

Would you also demolish the Coliseum, the Kremlin, the Tower of London, Dublin Castle etc. etc.?

shane9689

Don't know about Austria, but in Germany at least they have some very restrictive laws on personal freedoms. You can really see why a guy like Hitler took off in Germany and not France or Britain. In one sense they are extremely liberal (hate nuclear and no speed limits on lots of the autobahn, can pee in specific places in the street and can hire a prostitute or get an abortion).
but in another they are completely Authoritarian. Certain names for naming children are banned (not just Adolf Hitler either), Hate speech is banned (And its enforced unlike here) loaaaads of symbolism from the war is banned, certain verses from their national anthem was removed such as "Germany, Germany Above everything" as it was deemed an "inappropriate" line (how? just seems patriotic to any sane person),J walking is a big no no most of the time, amongst other bizarre laws they have.
Somedays in Germany i feel free like "**** Ireland they have it great here!" then i discover im not allowed smile or ill be thrown in prison and it really puts a downer on things.

Now i know it aint Austria, but the two countries tend to follow eachothers footsteps

Jimmy Garlic

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

Knock it down.
Can't see why anyone would get their knickers in a twist over it (unless you are a neo nazi that is!) Hitler was evil. The Nazi's were evil. So who gives a fu*k.

The Roman Emperor Vespasian could be considered evil, he had lots of Jews killed too. Should the Colosseum be knocked down?

learn_more

Holograph wrote: »

But why knock it down when it is someone's house and they want to keep it? Hitler was born there - that's it. He frequented lots of other places long before his rise to power and beyond - they don't all deserve to be knocked! It would make more sense in relation to his residence while a dictator, but not the place where he was merely born.

Hi Holograph, it' because of the Holo caust that ...oh never mind.

Actually I agree with the bombing of Dresden. Fu*k em.

shane9689

British were evil. Should we blow up all the infrastructure and barrack's they left behind? Normans invaded us, should we destroy their castles? Austrians are thinking in the short term here.

shane9689

learn_more wrote: »

Hi Holograph, it' because of the Holo caust that ...oh never mind.

Actually I agree with the bombing of Dresden. Fu*k em.

Dresden is in Germany not Austria btw

How Soon Is Now

I'd say he would have loved to of seen the reaction he's gotten out of nations of people who didn't even know him or met him!!

Put it this way if it was me I'd ****ing love that people are still to this day talking about what I did and have to continue making such an effort to try and rid the world of me knowing that deep down they don't stand a chance.....

learn_more

shane9689 wrote: »

Dresden is in Germany not Austria btw

No Sh*t. I thought it was in Australia.

JupiterKid

Although the house is of historic note, it is becoming a shrine for neo-nazis and white supremacists so in balance I think demolishing it is a good thing.

Jimmy Garlic

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

I'd say he would have loved to of seen the reaction he's gotten out of nations of people who didn't even know him or met him!!

Put it this way if it was me I'd ****ing love that people are still to this day talking about what I did and have to continue making such an effort to try and rid the world of me knowing that deep down they don't stand a chance.....

Yes. It is a idiotic move that ironically will give Adolf Hitler even more publicity many many years after his death. He loved attention and he is still getting plenty of it.

Jimmy Garlic

JupiterKid wrote: »

Although the house is of historic note, it is becoming a shrine for neo-nazis and white supremacists so in balance I think demolishing it is a good thing.

I'd say most of those who go there for a gawk do so out of morbid curiosity. That kind of thing wouldn't be my cup of tea mind you, that said I'm not bothered if other people do it.

end of the road

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

A compulsory purchase order is not fascism!

it is when it is simply for political symbolism only.

the history happened, it shouldn't have, it was horrific, but eradicating it won't change anything. it won't go away, it won't be erased, it won't be forgotten, and nor should it be. trying to erase it and pretend it never happened is a disservice to the victims.

learn_more

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

Yes. It is a idiotic move that ironically will give Adolf Hitler even more publicity many many years after his death. He loved attention and he is still getting plenty of it.

Is it April 1st or what?

Giving Hitler publicity :eek:

How do you get attention when your dead.

I think some people on here want him to come back from the dead.

The thing I never understood about Hitler's popularity is that , he was so fu*king short. And skinny. And he didn't have blond hair.

Hardly the greatest specimen of the male form.

entropi

learn_more wrote: »

Hi Holograph, it' because of the Holo caust that ...oh never mind.

Actually I agree with the bombing of Dresden. Fu*k em.

Which holocaust? There were many.

I don't agree with destroying a piece of architecture simply because it was attached to someone who had a major impact on World history. If that were the case, the Roman Colliseum, Nanking, the Soviet Republic, and Katyn should have been obliterated from the World map by this stage.

WhoWhatWhere

shane9689 wrote: »

Don't know about Austria, but in Germany at least they have some very restrictive laws on personal freedoms. You can really see why a guy like Hitler took off in Germany and not France or Britain. In one sense they are extremely liberal (hate nuclear and no speed limits on lots of the autobahn, can pee in specific places in the street and can hire a prostitute or get an abortion).
but in another they are completely Authoritarian. Certain names for naming children are banned (not just Adolf Hitler either), Hate speech is banned (And its enforced unlike here) loaaaads of symbolism from the war is banned, certain verses from their national anthem was removed such as "Germany, Germany Above everything" as it was deemed an "inappropriate" line (how? just seems patriotic to any sane person),J walking is a big no no most of the time, amongst other bizarre laws they have.
Somedays in Germany i feel free like "**** Ireland they have it great here!" then i discover im not allowed smile or ill be thrown in prison and it really puts a downer on things.

Now i know it aint Austria, but the two countries tend to follow eachothers footsteps

You also can't defend yourself from an attacker. Should someone try to murder you, all you can do is run and call the police.

riffmongous

WhoWhatWhere wrote: »

You also can't defend yourself from an attacker. Should someone try to murder you, all you can do is run and call the police.

Citation needed? I've often seen things like pepperspray, kubotans and batons for sale in germany

WhoWhatWhere

riffmongous wrote: »

WhoWhatWhere wrote: »

You also can't defend yourself from an attacker. Should someone try to murder you, all you can do is run and call the police.

Citation needed? I've often seen things like pepperspray, kubotans and batons for sale in germany

It's not exactly a great source, but I have heard that the police have informed someone I know before that they can't.

TL;DR, neighbour threatened with hammer, police called, police told guy he can't hit him or attack back if hammer man went... hammer time on him.

WhoWhatWhere

learn_more wrote: »

The thing I never understood about Hitler's popularity is that , he was so fu*king short. And skinny. And he didn't have blond hair.

Hardly the greatest specimen of the male form.

Yes, that's rather the point. His image of the perfect boy was an image he didn't fit, which annoyed him. Partly why he went crazy. Or so I understand.

B.A._Baracus

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

The Roman Emperor Vespasian could be considered evil, he had lots of Jews killed too. Should the Colosseum be knocked down?

Well I pose a question.... I wonder what 6 million jews would think about some shi*ty little house getting knocked down. If they had a voice of course. But sadly they do not. They got lured in with hot showers.

riffmongous

CINCLANTFLT wrote: »

Never trust the Austrians... they convinced the whole world that Hitler was a German!!!

Well wasn't he? the concept of an austrian identity is pretty complex and has changed a lot over the years. Back then austria was closer to being another german area than its own country, Bavarian culture is closer to Austrian even today than it is to north german for example.

Realt Dearg Sec

SafeSurfer wrote: »

The Austrian government has approved legislation to seize the house where Hitler was born from its owner and demolish it.

I can understand the need to prevent it from becoming a neo Nazi shrine but is the government not acting like fascists in seizing the property?

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/house-where-hitler-was-born-set-to-be-demolished-759727.html

Did you... Did you manage to Godwin a thread that was already ABOUT Hitler, in the very first post? Kudos.

Jesus.

This is the daftest thing I've heard. Its a crime against history & architecture.

Mellor

riffmongous wrote: »

Well wasn't he? the concept of an austrian identity is pretty complex and has changed a lot over the years. Back then austria was closer to being another german area than its own country, Bavarian culture is closer to Austrian even today than it is to north german for example.

Another part of germant? Maybe after Hitler got his hands on it. :P
But wasn't it part of an Austria-Hungarian empire at that point.


Anyway, being old doesn't mean it automatically qualifies as an exemplar of the periods architecture.
It was a random room in a random guest house. The fact he was born there doesn't create much significance imo. But, ironically, that also means it's not reason to knock it down.

It's quite clear that the town would rather wash their hands with this part of their history. In 1938 the street the house stands on was renamed as Adolf-Hitler-Straße, and a town plaza was Adolf-Hitler-Platz.