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What is more important: memory or politics?

Discussion in 'WWII Today' started by LubomirS, Apr 9, 2020.

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What is more important: memory or politics?

  1. memory

    4 vote(s)
    100.0%
  2. politics

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. LubomirS

    LubomirS New Member

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    Hello everyone! Today I read the news that a monument to the Soviet Marshal Konev (who led the operation to liberate Prague from Nazi Germany) had been dismantled in the Czech Republic allegedly due to a lack of funds for its maintenance and restoration from the constant actions of vandals.

    [​IMG]

    At the same time, the Czech leadership assures that the monument will be located in a museum complex dedicated to the World War II, however, the museum itself has not even been built. These events, of course, outraged Russia, which declared disrespect for the history and Soviet memory of the soldiers-liberators. Moreover, sources close to the Czech Ministry of Defense said the Minister received a letter from the Russian Ministry of Defense stating Moscow’s request to remove the monument from Prague to Russia.

    Do you think the Czech authorities did the right thing by dismantling the monument to the man who liberated their country from Nazi Germany? Could international politics be above history and human sacrifice?
     
  2. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Changing rulers isn't liberation.
     
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  3. Class of '42

    Class of '42 Active Member

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    Sell yeah my Liberation of Prague medal real cheap...dasvidaniya comrade.

    Liberation of Prague medal and doc.jpg
     
  4. Takao

    Takao Ace

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    Is it a monument to their liberation or oppression? Seems to me that the Czechs did not fare to well under Soviet "liberation." and they fared less well after the Soviet "liberation" of 1968.
     
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  5. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

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    Memory makes us who we are...not always a good thing.
     
  6. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Those who do not remember history were usually in my class.
     
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  7. Kai-Petri

    Kai-Petri Kenraali

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    I think all eastern bloc countries removed after 1991 the Victory statues. Not surprising.
     
  8. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Ah, c'mon! A little foot-on-neck statue never hurt anybody. ;)
     
  9. Kai-Petri

    Kai-Petri Kenraali

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    I think there is a huge Lenin statue collection in Estonia. Btv there is a Lenin statue in Finland Kotka. Only one.
     
  10. R Leonard

    R Leonard Member

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    You could ask a similar question in Richmond, VA. . . be sure to wear a helmet.
     
  11. Kai-Petri

    Kai-Petri Kenraali

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    In Normandy some 500 allied. soldiers were hanget for Rape even if I am sure there was alot of free p*** availalable.
     
  12. von Poop

    von Poop Waspish

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    Liberation enforcement devices ensuring Czechs feels good & liberated - 1968.

    unnamed.jpg

    image.jpg

    I don't hold with statue-bashing in many ways; they are what they are.
    Can understand why some become a tad unfashionable eventually, though.
    Konev suppressed the uprising in Hungary, and was part of the Soviet response when Prague sprung.

    I believe the Russkis have asked for the statue back?
    A Czech museum does seem like a better place.
     
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  13. wooley12

    wooley12 Active Member

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    1 post and gone?

    Anyway, to the OP

    1- Yes

    2- No clue.
     
  14. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    They are what they are, including symbols of hate, oppression and bigotry. Okay to leave that shit literally standing around?
     
  15. von Poop

    von Poop Waspish

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    Yes, because I credit most people with understanding that times change, leaving artefacts behind.
    The 'Rhodes must fall' types came across as a hysterical small group more interested in creating drama to publicise their own agendas than having any real care for history or context.

    When the statues etc. fall, or are blown up, in the immediate aftermath of great events, by the people who suffered directly under that regime or individual, then that has immense symbolic power & innately human justification. Doing it decades or centuries later seems a weak action of shouting at stone & bronze.

    Changing plaques slightly, as I think happened in this one's case, or the intended moving to a museum doesn't bother me at all, but many campaigns against marble imply complete destruction is the only satisfying result.

    There are those that think war graves & associated memorials to bomber crews an affront to their current political viewpoint, and there've been objections to the German Cemetery at Cannock Chase. I'm uneasy that once you declare one sort of memorial fair game you eventually threaten them all.

     
  16. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Times change, people change.
     
  17. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    What is more important: memory or politics?

    If you're a Politician memory is a detriment. If you're a voter memory is your friend.

     
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  18. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Seen elsewhere:

     
  19. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Russians want to arrest Czechs for acting in their own country. That is so Soviet.
     
  20. Takao

    Takao Ace

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    I would change that to -
    If you're a politician, selective memory is your friend.
     
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