In the context of a recent H-German discussion on German memory, the editors bring in the Hohmann crisis in a comment:
The hundreds of posts in the Forum section of the CDU home page that express approval of Hohmann's remarks and weariness of Germans' being seen as a "Taetervolk" offer one disturbing glimpse of public opinion. Clearly, there is a substantial group of Germans who feel vaguely disadvantaged by what they imagine is the opinion of people outside of Germany about Germans. Here, at least, history's attempt to discipline memory seems not to work.
Interestingly, when I looked at the CDU forum today, there seemed to be an overwhelming support for the decision to throw Hohmann out, and remorse or embarassment over Merkel's hesitation to come down hard on the issue.
Which is not to say that there ISN'T widespread support within the party for ideas like Hohmann's, because there's also a lot of discussion of "Meinungsfreiheit," freedom of opinion.
Don't get me started on that one.
Posted by Heather at November 14, 2003 05:34 PM
Comments
Well, the ACLU has supported some unpopular opinions in the US, although that's the exception not the rule. Just being unhappy with the existance of other opinions can't be the basis for anyone's opposition to Hohmann.
Posted by: Andrew at November 14, 2003 05:47 PM
So true. I guess what I wanted to say was that there should be room for a difference of opinion, but then there's the problem of understanding opinion as fact--the interpretation of history, in this case.
Posted by: heather at November 14, 2003 05:50 PM