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GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST - Are you sickened by proposals to remove WW2 memorials in some European countries?

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John October 22, 2007, 20:03: The removal of war memorials is very spiteful, If Poland and the Baltic Nation's feel hostile towards Russia because of past history well that's up to them, but disturbing the dead is a low act.
Also i think it's about time the major Nations in the EU got off the fence and tell the above that they are shaming us all.
Vityaz October 22, 2007, 13:30: this intent is disgraceful, just like the removal of the bronze soldier in Tallinn. If it wasnt for the heroic Red Army soldiers who died (all 17,000,000 of them) the people in eastern Europe would have been gassed, hung or shot many years ago
MihalMihalich October 22, 2007, 06:01: Dear Ladies and Gentlemen

"... remove WW2 memorials in some European countries" - that is cheap POLITICAL decision only. So don't judge the people, not their fault even though they elected those mad politicians.

We live in world of law and only right thing to do is to sue them. Many will find that crazy, but IMHO there is a rich guy out there who will become famous & earn good name defending WW2 memorials. That is the best way to become a Hero, I would take advantage of it. I mean, come on! Elections start in like 5 minutes, and nobody is a patriot enough to say “Enough! It’s immoral! I’ll see you in court!”

Best Regards
Margo October 21, 2007, 22:11: @ Sam: 10+ for your excellent idea.
Unfortunately - and fortunately at the same time - I think the Russians are still wise enough and have better things to worry about, than digging up the graves of those who gave everything and suffered greatly to liberate Europe from the Nazis. All this digging around and venom-spitting about doesn't add anything to the honour and respect of those countries who busy themselves with spades and buldozers, probably just for the sake of distracting their people from REAL problems and far more serious matters.

Besides, putting nazism and Socialism (I wouldn't speak of communism, as I believe that a real one has never been even tried yet) on the same level is such a childish and politically/historically ignorant thing to do, that it doesn't even deserve much consideration. Why spend time trying to dissuade who believes that 2+2=5? The wise Dante Alighieri wrote in his Divina Commedia "Non ti curar di lor, ma guarda e passa" (Don't bother about them, just watch and move on).
Autolykos October 20, 2007, 21:31: For myself, I believe that the states that are involved in pulling down (and even in the least extreme cases, relocating) these statues should leave the memorials alone... certainly the memorials that were erected in memory of soldiers who gave their lives driving out the Nazis.
I agree with despecto that the attitude of the former eastern bloc states is one of 'spit in the eye of the old overlord'.
However, it is hardly behaviour becoming of a civilised society to insult, or to allow such insults to be made by members of their public, the memory of the righteous dead. It really does not become the members of these societies when they act in this manner.
The fallen in battle were purely in eastern europe in the capacity of liberators, and were not the perpetrators of occupation or of any crime that may have ocurred under those occupations.
People should not forget that the alternative to Communism was Nazism, a hideous alternative by anyone's yardstick.

Communism and Nazism were not equally bad by the way. I don't remember many stories of communist officials returning family members to their loved ones... in urns.
IP October 20, 2007, 20:46: Those countries are obviously forgetting that the memorials are to those who died to free themselves from fashist invaders who tried to take their country by force, killing their native people.
It could well be that their own grand- and great grandparents are buried underneath those monuments. There obviously appears to be no respect among the new generation of some eastern european nationalities for the dead.
Another point is that the removal of monuments will not improve peoples standards of living, healthcare, education and will not lead to the growth of economy.
Al October 20, 2007, 19:05: With all due respect to the great victory of Russia and the people who gave their lives I just don't think this is such a big deal. It's kind of a European thing and Europe is not Russia. Let them do as they choose.

I remember seeing the statue in Tallinin. It sat in the square with all of the traffic, noise and degradations it's location offered. Now from the pictures I see it's in a better place.
sam October 20, 2007, 09:23: I would like to give Russia an idea.
For every russian grave disturbed dig up an hungerian, german, italian or romanian war grave.You will find that there are a few hundreds of thousands in Russia.put it in the post back to their fatherland and let them see how it is like.I still say you can remove the monuments but do not come near the war graves like Estonia did.Russia is not digging up the graves of the "invaders" are they.Africans and indians are not digging up the british or french colonial soldiers are they? And communisim was nothing compared to what we the colonial powers did to them.Maybe the Native Americans and black south africans should also pick up the spade too.
William October 20, 2007, 08:24: My relatives fought the Nazis and later the Communists in Poland - there is no difference. Poland, betrayed by Roosevelt at Yalta, was handed over from one occupier to another. They have every right to remove anything associated with either one of these evil regimes. Does anyone remember the Katyn Forest massacre? Was this massacre performed by a brother in arms? No, an occupier no different than the Nazis!
Golosha October 20, 2007, 04:03: Sovereign nations have the right to do what ever they like on their own soil. If they like to rewrite history, no one has the right to stop them.

I have no idea what it was like then and so I can’t properly comment. I just know that people aren’t being objective on their comments, views, or policies.
G.D October 20, 2007, 02:57: Nobody is telling anyone on how to remember there history, and even to condem communism, or remove communist symbols, but to start bringing down statues that have been build over the graves of young man and women, most not communist them selfes, but just average kids that wanted to kick the invaders from there country, or even worst bringing in bulldozers, to bring up the bones of those young people its a cowrdly act ..............condem communism, its your righr, or remove communist symbols in your country if you dont want them, but let those kids rest in peace .............
Norman October 20, 2007, 02:12: History is history! I thank the Soviet (or Red) Army for their courage and resistance in WW2. The Red Army not only slowed down the Nazis, yet also fought the war's toughest battles on Russian (Soviet) territory. A very special "thank you" to all Russians- Soviets who fought and suffered in World War 2. KEEP THOSE WAR MEMORIALS WHERE THEY ARE!
Sevodnya_Net October 20, 2007, 01:09: Yes, the Russians fought gallantly to rid themselves of the scourge of Nazism. Unfortunately they then went and spoilt it by inflicting vicious repression (I wouldn't even glorify it with the name of communism) on many of the peoples they "liberated".
Juha's right: it wasn't just Nazism that many people had to fight during WWII. It's all very well for some of us British in our comfortable homes sitting condemning countries like Estonia and Poland, but we didn't have the NKVD as well as the Wehrmacht to contend with.
Having said all that, it is hugely disrespectful to the memory of the fallen to remove memorials and I don't think they should be removed, no matter the bitter memories some countries may have.
peter October 20, 2007, 00:30: Thank god USSR is dead now. It was a Satan's country, against the God.
The world doesn't need Satan's monument anywhere.
EverRedRussian October 20, 2007, 00:24: To Juha
Communism was a right thing. Still is. Let's just accept it. THAT will help us to move on How's that to you, buddy?