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[–] Boukert [OP] 1 points (+1|-0)

@alduin we talked about this a few days ago, thought it might interest you.

[–] [Deleted] 1 points (+1|-0) Edited

Nice, thanks for tagging me. I might have missed this otherwise.

I have a few thoughts on the article and the general situation.

I guess firstly, I see a lot of manipulation happening here. The title insinuates that the comments came from Le Pen instead of some guy who worked for her. And he said it 12 years ago, and another comment from 26 years ago. When people dig that deep to find fault, I see an agenda. I'd much rather focus the debate on policy. This sort of narrative I think creates too much white noise and poorly informed voters.

Secondly, I actually agree with the "detail of history" comment (from her father). That's not to say that Nazi Germany's treatment of Jews wasn't horrendous, because it was. But we focus so much on that at the expense of greater context, like the even more horrendous treatment of people by Russia, the first use of atomic bombs, etc. It doesn't even sound like he was defending Nazi Germany to me, he was just saying there was a LOT of bad things happening at the same time. There are a lot more lessons to be gleaned from WWII than just "be nice to Jews", but we focus disproportionately on that and it's weird to me.

Mainly it's the agenda thing. I see articles like this and I think "so what?".

[–] Boukert [OP] 1 points (+1|-0) Edited

Thing is, holocaust denial and the whole ethic cleansing of minorities and the weak is taken a bit more serious in Europe (where is all happened the survivors are still alive) then in the US. Also with France's role / tactic / surrender / cooperation during WW2 in the back of your mind this is taken rather heavily on national conscience/morale. Marine Le Pen also outed herself over https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vel%27_d%27Hiv_Roundup a few weeks back.

Jewish installations have also been under heavy threat and attack in France in the last decade. (thanks to kebab mainly) So worries are real about their position in "free and brotherly France"

With all this context you see this reaction when its about these issues: Holocaust comments drag on Le Pen's French presidential bid - Reuters

And upon that; Macron's message to counter Front National:

Macron visits Holocaust Memorial a week before presidential run-off