this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2025
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It seems like you are not very well informed about what is going on at the moment. They are flying people out of the country never to be seen again. To another country's notorious prison with the world's self-proclaimed "coolest dictator". And they claim they cannot get them back even though being ordered by courts to do so.
I, as a german, agree with both of you. Yes what happens is bad, but still not as bad as doing "medical research" on kids, including amputation, putting nails into the brains of innocent and much much more horrible stuff. And I mean on a scale from 1 to the saw, we are at hellraiser.
So yes it is bad, but this meme is very very edgy. And for us Germans, thought about our history and that we have to prevent anything like this happening again, this is for sure far far far too relativizing.
Also, on a side note, ARBEIT MACHT FREI = WORK MAKES FREE. This is saying Work makes American great again free. This buggers me
You're judging the end phase with the beginning phase. So of course it isn't going to be 1 to 1.
I am not judging the end phase. Or the beginning. I am bringing a different perspective into the discussion.
When we think about concentration camps, we think about 1.1 million murders. We think about horrific conditions. We don't talk about the earliest prison style camps.
So, if a german tells you that is offensive to him, he has reasons for it. Pn the other side, in the context of the American population, it is edgy but not over the edge.
Perspective is everything
Perspective is that a Holocaust isn't 1.1 million deaths. Death camps aren't either. These places have existed throughout human history run by tyrants. Pol pot just killed them in the fields. You do not have the patent on it because you are German and have been made to understand and feel terrible about your history. A Holocaust is happening in Palestine right now. A Holocaust is beginning in America. Denying it because millions haven't died yet only allows it to continue and to perpetrate the belief that everything is ok. Waiting until they're all dead ensures yet another occurence.
THE Holocaust is the name for the genocide on the Jewish population. Not a describtion.
Please, read it up.
That was THE Holocaust, yes. A holocaust is definition 3b.
Holocaust, uppercase, as used here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust
Or like definined here: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/holocaust?q=Holocaust
The proper noun with upper H is used exclusively for one specific event since the 1970s. And the generic genocide meaning is no more.
But of course in most parts of Europe, nazi symbols are prohibited. For example musks salute would be punishable with jail time here in Germany.
So, again, the USA didn't get the memo. I did not even think for a second that in the USA this term is still used outside the context.
That is shameful and part of the overall, basic issue in the USA regarding the current status. The neo nazi culture could thrive without interference, and the could arm themselves btw.
Is your ego so fucking fragile you have to find something to argue and “be right” about? Who TF cares about the semantics of the definition of “Holocaust”, my God.
Just because i found out about this today:
Here is the list of removed books from the Nimitz Library (US Marine Academy as far as i know it): https://media.defense.gov/2025/Apr/04/2003683009/-1/-1/0/250404-LIST%20OF%20REMOVED%20BOOKS%20FROM%20NIMITZ%20LIBRARY.PDF
Have a look what was removed: "Memorializing the Holocaust"
What was not removed: "Mein Kampf".
So, at least some commentors here have something in common with Trumps regime. "Who the fuck cares about what the Holocaust was"
Yes, this is not what you said, but it is what a sentiment like this can lead to.
“Who the fuck cares about what the Holocaust was”
That's not what was said, and the language barrier is probably partly to blame for the misunderstanding. We all are very aware of what the Holocaust is and was - it's an event that is being echoed in its early stages RIGHT NOW. You're acting like no one can ever compare anything to it because it was so awful. We humans can do worse, and refusing to make any comparisons to it makes it more likely that it will happen again.
I acknowledge that nobody said that.
And I just said that the current state is not comparable, not yet. The Holocaust started 1940. We are in the precursor though, I never said anything else.
We are on the way to something that can be get as bad as the Holocaust, for sure.
And I don't see any issue comparing it. But the current comparsion is trivializing what happens 1940 and can happen in the near future again.
And again; that is my perspective and the perspective of some Germans is spoke to over exactly this thread. This does not mean that you should not make those comparisons!
You should be aware about the fact that you will offend people, and, that such memes can be as a matter of fact violating law in some countries. Not this one, but one should know this.
That is all.
And to your last part: 100% on the nose. See, if people start thinking, the the current state is comparable to 1940, then we are fucked. Because 1940 is described as the worsed genocide of the modern world.
And especially Americans misused the word and trivialized the Holocaust. So maybe I am overly sensitive ok this one.
I cite Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor:
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/germanys-laws-antisemitic-hate-speech-nazi-propaganda-holocaust-denial/
https://aktuell.uni-bielefeld.de/2022/10/21/comparing-with-the-holocaust-is-relativizing-history/?lang=en
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocaust_trivialization
A damn lot of people.
I, as a German myself, see the need to call out their obvious intentions as drastic and crystal clear as necessary. They are currently testing how far they can stretch the legal system as there seems to be nobody there able to stop them. Paraphrasing legal eagle a bit here.
Nazis everywhere are doing the same thing. Look at the AfD streching everything that can be said or done by politics, slowly turning the weapons put in place to protect democracy against itself.
Also, do you have any idea what is happening to those people that aren't guilty of anything in those prisons? And the reason why they are not returned is what exactly? The millions of dollars the dictator gets for taking "care" of them sure doesn't seem to be any leverage to making sure the innocent prisoners are kept alive and well. This is what they want, getting away with deporting people never to be seen again.
RFK Jr (our Secretary of Health and Human Services, a cabinet position and #12 in presidential succession) tapped David Geier to lead a study links between vaccines and autism.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/03/25/vaccine-skeptic-hhs-rfk-immunization-autism/
Geier isn't a licensed physician, he barely passed a bachelor program. Didn't stop him his dad from experimenting on autistic children and adults with a variety of potential "cures", including puberty blockers and chemical castration.
Sounds a little too Menegelesque for my liking.
Yes i know this. Still, luckily, not Ausschwitz and 1940. Still 1935. But the clock is ticking
As a Canadian just north of the border preparing for invasion that gets threatened weekly, I can assure you it is happening now. Do not kid yourself. Autism is preventable was today. Tomorrow will be worse just as each consecutive day has been worse under this regime.
Did I question this in any way? No. Will there be over a million be killed in those camps? Hopefully not, we don't know yet. As I described in another comment: this is about perspective. And most Germans see 1.1 Million murders if they see concentration camp.
I am as concerned as everybody here about what is happening, and I will call Trump and friends neo nazis every single day.
But making a ln Holocaust comparison is something very tabu in Germany. For good reasons
It's not a comparison. It's happening every day. Open your eyes please. It is as serious as you think it could be that is why we are using this language.
I see how serious it is, as serious as around 1934, imprisoned without trial, forced to work. I get this.
Using the term "Arbeit macht frei" in the unique style auf the front gate of Ausschwitz, a camp that just opened 1940 l, and the worst camp after all, run by criminals, literally criminals, with conviction and everything, that is simply offensive.
Of course you most likely do not know those details.
Auchwitz imagery was invoked to show how deathly serious the path we're going down is. This is not the time to be offended by comparisons to the Holocaust - this is the time to be outraged that our stupid country learned absolutely nothing and is heading in the same direction that yours did.
Snd you and American people should be! This must be stopped.
I just explained why dome Germans, including me, find this at least tasteless. As mentioned. Perspective. And from your there is nothing wrong, and that is fine. Just don't expect me (and I am sure neither the artist nor you to this) to applaud.
The problem is you're saying that your discomfort at seeing Auschwitz invoked is more important than the very real suffering of the people being depicted in the comic. How bad Auschwitz was is very well known by more people than you seem to think. I guarantee the artist knew and specifically used it to make a point. There is nothing to applaud here.
I am not saying this. I just explained a perspective. What is up with you folks?
Really?
Ok, let's be 100% clear here. I am offended. Yes. Maybe because my grand grand parents died in (grand grand dad) or afterwards due (grand grand mother) Ausschwitz. They where there as political prisoners because they didn't share the regimes opinion.
And because this, I fully understand "your" side. I am not offended by the author or any individual.
And I can overcome this feeling, knowing your perspective.
But let's do a little game: i share an opinion. And opinion that is not yours. And what are you doing? Dismissal and "punishment". See any correlation? This is a risky game, that for sure must be played, with high stakes. You may feel the need for such edgy content. And you surely need provocative, over the top, content to raise awareness.
Sure, it is offending me, and the initial commentor. But nobody is prohibited to like or share this, and I have no issues with the people they do.
In none of your comments have you expressed ANY concern or acknowledgment for the victims depicted in this comic. It's all been how offended YOU are by the use of such extreme Auschwitz imagery. You're expressing your opinion, and I'm expressing mine - that you're too concerned with how you feel about how the comic is making its point rather than the real-world suffering it's representing. What happened to your family has a very real danger of happening again here, and the author is evoking that as a warning.
I responded to a very specific comment.
I acknowledge the need and the status quo.
Of course i am not expressing concern. I do not express concern for people i do not know, that is not how my brain works.
I am concerned about where the road may be leading. I am concerned that 50% of Americans voted for this orange mini hitler.
I am concerned that comparison like this may hide how bad Hitler and the NS regime really was, and therfore how bad it could get.
I am concerned for all of us not just for a few. Because if this goes the Adolf way, we are all done.
I am concerned that, IF Donald fails, the next one comes and is successful.
I am concerned that the American people will not fix their political system that enables this in the first place. Because every mention of this leads to offended comments by Americans because, how dare I, critizing the US two party system, the winner takes it all, and the immense power the president has.
I AM concerned. I don't need to express this. Thoughts an prayer is American pseudo solidarity, not something that will help.
Because the USA have something Hitler didn't: fucking nukes.
"It's not me it's all of you."
Perhaps you need to look inward.
I am Canadian and I am educated. I do know those details quite well thank you. The dictator in the United States has 35ish felony convictions. That's not enough for you? You think he isn't surrounded by fellow criminals and is placing those like him in all the positions of power? Holy shit. This conversation blows my mind. A Holocaust requires so many rules. Holy fuck.
It is THE Holocaust. There can be no other. It was a genocide of the Jewish people.
And i see you don't know anything about Ausschwitz.
Let me help out:
Rapist, murders and other career criminals where assigned there as functionaries. They made also overseers (kapos).
Prisoners who arrived there would either be send directly into the gas chamber, or shaved, tattooed with there serial number and had to work to death.
Medical, horrific, experiments where done on the inmates. Who was not longer fit to work would be executed, and this was done from the beginning on.
We are not there (yet). We are still in 1935. And Trump has to be stopped at any cost.
But in my view, these meme is edgy at least, and from my point of view far over the edge.
I have visited readings of Holocaust survivors, we had one coming to our school and telling us about what happened. And believe me, luckily there is time to stop this, before we reach the level of 1940. Not much though
The fucking rules you have for mass murdering dictators. You are fucking nutso. I am proud to say my grandfather's died to help eliminate your Nazis. I'll probably do the same should this get much worse than it is.
Your unyielding rules terrify me as much as Nazis, dictators and death camps do.
What damn rules? What the hell are you talking about? I just shared a perspective! I explained why some may react in a negative way to this meme.
Please, help me out here: what to you think I have "rules" for exactly?
There are is one single rule, and that is neither by me nor is it relevant for the argument. And that is the the term Holocaust is the name for the exact event that startet 1940 with the mass execution of jews. There will be no "other" or "second" Holocaust. It is a proper noun.
So comparing anything to the Holocaust must happen under this premises.
And I just pointed out, that the meme itself does this comparison, most likely inadvertently. And some Germans may react offended.
That's all. I don't day you should not upvote, share, or use this. I just shared a point of view.
So, again, what rules?
I hope Germans are offended.
I hope the world is offended.
Do something to prevent it.
What should we do? Invasion? I will help in every possible way. Education is part of it. And seeing where it went last time is important. Understanding that the status quo is a child's play compared to what could be coming is important I think. So I try to share this.
But again: what rules?
The rules you have regarding the use of words. How it offends Germans to use imagery from Auschwitz. How it's not The Holocaust so it can't be described as a Holocaust. How it's not a death camp because millions haven't died yet. That you assume torture and experiments are not happening to people who have been disappeared for the sole reason they have the wrong color skin or were born in the wrong place to a location known for torture and inhumane conditions. That two dictators are currently colluding to ensure citizens who have no history of crime are disappeared into a foreign prison camp forever. Never to return. Ever. And that certainly is not a death camp because as far as you know it isn't run by serious criminals like rapists and murderers.
I always said this will offend SOME Germans.
And I never said that this is not a death camp. I never declined the similarities to early nazi Germany.
You are making this shit up in your hat. Come on!
I said, multiple times, that we are not at this Ausschwitz stage YET.
And if you are already using this imagery now, what will you use if we reach this stage?
You are arguing semantics while innocent people are shipped away to die. You're fucked. I'm done with this.
I can not influence what is happening in the USA.
The whole argument is based on the fact, that a simple statement acknowledging two different, but both valid, opinions based on different point of view, offended you.
Have a nice day
"The government does not intend to release the prisons inmates"
Miguel Sarre, a former member of the United Nations Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, described CECOT as a "concrete and steel pit" used to "dispose of people without formally applying the death penalty", citing that the government does not intend to release the prison's inmates.*
*]Ventas, Leire (14 February 2024). "Coming Face to Face with Inmates in El Salvador's Mega-Jail". BBC News. Retrieved 31 January 2025.