Taking a decision

Henrietta

Judgment at Nuremberg

Ernst Janning: There was a fever over the land. A fever of disgrace, of indignity, of hunger. We had a democracy, yes, but it was torn by elements within. Above all, there was fear. Fear of today, fear of tomorrow, fear of our neighbors, and fear of ourselves. Only when you understand that - can you understand what Hitler meant to us. Because he said to us: 'Lift your heads! Be proud to be German! There are devils among us. Communists, Liberals, Jews, Gypsies! Once these devils will be destroyed, your misery will be destroyed.' It was the old, old story of the sacrifical lamb. What about those of us who knew better? We who knew the words were lies and worse than lies? Why did we sit silent? Why did we take part? Because we loved our country! What difference does it make if a few political extremists lose their rights? What difference does it make if a few racial minorities lose their rights? It is only a passing phase. It is only a stage we are going through. It will be discarded sooner or later. Hitler himself will be discarded... sooner or later. The country is in danger. We will march out of the shadows. We will go forward. Forward is the great password. And history tells how well we succeeded, your honor. We succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. The very elements of hate and power about Hitler that mesmerized Germany, mesmerized the world! We found ourselves with sudden powerful allies. Things that had been denied to us as a democracy were open to us now. The world said 'go ahead, take it, take it! Take Sudetenland, take the Rhineland - remilitarize it - take all of Austria, take it! And then one day we looked around and found that we were in an even more terrible danger. The ritual began in this courtoom swept over the land like a raging, roaring disease. What was going to be a passing phase had become the way of life. Your honor, I was content to sit silent during this trial. I was content to tend my roses. I was even content to let counsel try to save my name, until I realized that in order to save it, he would have to raise the specter again. You have seen him do it - he has done it here in this courtroom. He has suggested that the Third Reich worked for the benefit of people. He has suggested that we sterilized men for the welfare of the country. He has suggested that perhaps the old Jew did sleep with the sixteen year old girl, after all. Once more it is being done for love of country. It is not easy to tell the truth; but if there is to be any salvation for Germany, we who know our guilt must admit it... whatever the pain and humiliation.

 

just a joke (2)

just a joke (1)

Friends

Today I've just recived this pps from a friend and... here you are, my friends!

David Ippolito, That Guitar Man From Central Parc

Long distance, long time, long past due.
Through the years I've wondered if I'd ever hear from you.
But, the phone rings and here you are.
I haven't felt like this in fifteen years.
How are you? Where are you calling from tonight?
When this moment came somehow I always knew I'd be alright.
And 'though I'm trembling, I'm relieved.
Still, I can't believe that it's been fifteen years.
It's hard to know what I'm feeling as I'm listening to your voice.
Harder, still, knowing what to say.
'Cause it's hard to admit that ever since you made your choice
I've been seeing you in daydreams every single day.

How many? Four children? Mother and a wife.
Me? No, I've stayed single through a rollercoaster life.
So far, there's only been one woman that I'd ask
In fifteen years.

Sure, I've known a few dark hours since the day you had to go
It took time for me to understand
That a love like ours is something so few ever get to know,
And in learning how to let it be maybe I'm a better man.

Don't hang up yet. It's too soon. You have to go.
But, before you do there's one more thing I think you need to know.
The best part of me is in love with you.
It's nothing that we'd ever have to fear.
'Cause, long ago it seemed I'd never have you near.
So, smile for me, and please don't disappear
For another fifteen years.

"That Guitar Man''