Schocking study: Nazis as schoolname patrons

Nazi patrons over schoolchildren in Germany

Its the 21. century and if you might think that we have already completely cleaned out any forms of the cruel systems such as fascism or communism, you are mistaking.

An unbelievable study by a German historian suggests that there are still schools in Germany with Nazi school name patrons. Members of the SS, SA, NSDAP give the names to at least eight schools, in Saxony. This is a sickening study, that shows the true face of some local authorities in Germany, who do not want to change voluntarily the names of mass murderers, war criminals, unless the media gets involved. But also the central government does not take enough measures to completely eliminate cases of modern National Socialism.

This is a clear message by the school and local authorities in Germany: We support Nazis! We negate the Holocaust and all its atrocities!

Why does not this study cause so much media coverage as the case of the Lefebvrist Bishop? Why is not Angela Merkel reacting to this shocking study?

Angela Merkel was quick to ask for an explanation from the Vatican. But to tackle and denounce such public institutions in her own country, is not seen as a priority.

Action has to be taken immediately. The elimination of Communist patrons from school names has already been completed, but the presence of SS members in school names is not something that disturbs or even irritates the German population.

Over the last incidents, a stronger and LEGAL presence of the Neo-Nazi Party NDP in local governments, the war in Gaza and over-criticising Israel and now the inaction about Nazi names at schools, it seems that the radical form of fascism and anti-Semitism, that we fortunately only know from history books and our elder family members, is returning to a daily practice in Germany, and was just hidden over the last few decades.

One school were pupils went out and protested at the Nazi patron of their school, is a good and promising action taken. This one example shows that some students and pupils actually learn and understand the information absorbed during the hisotry lesson. A history lesson taught at the same school, with the Nazi patron.

The Birth of a European Nation

An announcement was made that declared Kosovo’s independence from Serbia.

Kosovo’s parliament begun an emergency meeting to decide on the future of Kosovo.

An overwhelming majority in the parliament accepted the declaration read out by Kosovan Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.

A declaration which splits the political world.

There is also no comprise on this matter among EU member states itself. Out of 27 countries, 20 support independence.

USA recognises and supports this move.

Russia, a close ally to Serbia, opposes Kosovan independence. Future economic and political sanctions are very probable. But no military action has been announced.

Nato troops moved in before the declaration to keep peace between the Kosovo Serbian and Kosovo Albanian groups.

Festivites, parties on main city squares have been planned to celebrate the new freedom.

This freedom is seen as dangerous by many countries with a minority. The minority might use Kosovo as an example to push for independence. Russia, Georgia and Spain have all been suffering from separationist groups.

Kosovo is a possible playground for future diplomatic and political debates between the West and Russia who currently see their relations on the lowest point since the end of the Cold War.

Serbia’s Wind Blows to the West

Last weekend, Serbia chose Boris Tadic to remain as President of Serbia for the upcoming 5 years. This means closer ties with the EU and a move towards the West.

The Democratic Party leader will stay in power after collecting the majority of the votes. Just 51% voted for Mr. Tadic and 47% for Tomislav Nikolic.

Both Presidential candidates, the nationalist Mr. Nikolic and the pro-Western democrat Boris Tadic, declared to keep the region of Kosovo under Serbian control.

Kosovo, a remote region in southwest Serbia, that is made up of Kosovo Albanians, wants to split from Serbia in the near future.

The outcome of the elections could prove to be a kick in the teeth for Kosovo.

This means that Serbia chose to move closer to EU Membership rather than a “U-Turn” towards the East.

Main election promises concerned the living standards and the high unemployment rate that is present throughout the Balkan countries.

Almost certain will be debates concerning Kosovo and Boris tadic does not want to go down as the President who lets go of this region so important to Serbians.

Beach, Sun, Cocktails and… Hooligans

Hooligans will not take part in the EURO2008, instead the EU planned something else for them. I talked to a hooligan in the scene to see what they think about this plan.

Ahead of the EURO2008, Franco Frattini the European Commissioner for Security, came up with the idea to work together with the supporters in order to prevent violent incidents in the future.

The special plan would be to send all the hooligans on holiday or on team building activities during the EURO2008 and the upcoming major footballing events.

Austria and Switzerland are preparing for the football tournament of the year.

Media from “safe nations”, already blame other countries for causing the hooligan problems.

During the World Cup in Germany, the local press pointed the fingers at the violent Polish fans. This time around it is the Austrian press, who points at two, Poland and Croatia.

Police will work together with colleagues from Germany, Poland, and other qualified football nations, to prevent violence.

Co-operation amongst different institutions dealing with this problems will be inevitable. “No single agency can tackle the problem alone” says Frattini. Therefore it is time to to work with…the hooligans.

“No, Thanks!” says a hooligan from the scene. “It will not make us disappear.”

The hooligan mentality in most cases relies on opposing the establishment and “hools dont care about money and their entire way of life is exactly against this money buying and political thing”.

Bribing them away from their favourite sport will not be very popular.

The mentality of the hooligans was always to “create atmospehere in the stadiums”, with their different choreographies and the sea of flares, for every game.

Politicians in many countries banned flares and other pyrotechnical devices from stadiums, because of their danger to mass events. This did not stop, but only heated up the tensions.

The “trouble-makers with criminal backgrounds” as Frattini says, are not prepared to co-operate. “First, he needs to change his mentality towards us”, but “lighting a flare is not crminial. Calling us criminal will not help, and its just sad. They dont really wanna face the truth.” the hooligan says.

Hooligans and Ultras are not prepared to be bribed, by the establishment they oppose, into leaving their beloved activity behind.

It takes more to understand the mentality and the culture of such groups.