Defending the country built on the blood of the oppressed! - Page 6

Wollishofener · #**101** 21.02.2011, 22:31

	Quote:	Treverus
	As a German, I happen to get "this sort of thing" for the Nazi-history quite regularly... I do not think you can give a one-size-fits-all respond, it really depends on who is saying it in which context. It can range from an honest discussion - because there are things in the Swiss history and politics today that are worth to be discussed when it comes to "taking advantage of other countries, especially financially". My personal experience is that most who come up with an topic in the way you describe it are not smart enough to get the "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." response anyway. They'll get first defensive and then aggressive about their own countries past. You can see it in the responses so far... Can be fun to do (I once mentioned the "crevettes Bigeard" to some French guy of North African origin after he tried to give me some Nazi-shit... he went off like a fire cracker), but it will not solve anything or make anyone give in. So by default, better ignore it.

It is interesting to see to what extent Switzerland actually profited from the British Empire and the Empire Français plus the activities of the Spanish Conquistadores. Just two seamiles behind the British and French and Spanish cannon boats came the boat with the Swiss traders, who busily opened up commercial stations. One of the biggest trading companies was the Basler Missionshaus, which combined good business with some missionary activities, some educational facilities and once in a while a nice hospital. The combination did wonders to the economy and to the reputation ! Who would doubt the supreme sincerety of a nation which primarily is on the records as building schools and hospital and preaching religion

daniels · #**102** 28.02.2011, 09:32

	Quote:	colinwheeler
	Okay, so today again I was accosted by somebody on the Internet (a UK politician this time) who told me that I should be ashamed for living in a country that built its financial success on the blood of oppressed people. I am not sure about the exact connotation, you know, Nazi gold, Sudanese Warlord bank accounts, etc. I am pretty sure that you have heard them all by this stage. How do you all deal with this sort of thing? What is your response? Do you defend the country or just grin and pat your wallet? Do you think it is true or false? Okay, let the fun begin!

I don't know, one could still acknowledge the fact, that well, yeah, I am happy to live in a rich country and, well, yeah, 100% clean money is hard to come by. Although I am curious to see what kind of dirty laundry other well-off countries hide (say Scandinavia, Holland). They must have done sth horrible, please.

Guest2008 · #**103** 09.03.2011, 15:49

Personally I believe this is not a discussion you should pursue.

However, I would also suggest to never use the argument that other countries are equally bad / worse, seems sort of childish to me.