The bitter side of democracy ...
Nov. 25th, 2008 06:42 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
scottishlassPlease ignore this post if you are not interested in politics and German history - thank you.
In the 70s West Germany was swept over by a wave of leftist terrorism and a lot of politicians, allied forces personnel and bodyguards died at the hand of a ruthless group of terrorists that called themselves R.A.F. (Red Army Fraction). They called themselves fighters for the free will of the people, fighting against the government which they thought was fascist, fought against capitalism and had a huge chip on their shoulder in general. They bombed, they kidnapped and killed mercilessly and one by one the government brought them down and brought them to justice. All of them were trialed for life and some killed themselves during prison.
Now, in a democracy like Germany, for life means that any prisoner's case can be petitioned after 25 years. If that prisoner has led a quiet life and nothing of any infraction has occured during those 25 years of prison, he has to get released for a second chance.
Yesterday, they announced that top terrorist Christian Klar who confimedly killed 8 ppl is to be released on January 3rd, 2009. That means for each life he took, he only spent 2.5 years in prison. He never gave any information to the whereabouts of his fellow terrorists nor did he tell who exactly killed whom during the kidnappings and the bombings.
He just kept silent and if he said anything, he said and this is confirmed, that he would do it again.
Now this guy is to be released, because like any other prisoner here in Germany, he deserves a second chance.
A second chance at what??? Killing another 8 ppl? A second chance at wrecking another 8 families
taking their sons, fathers, brothers and husbands?? Taking countless lives not actually related to the group, making Germany half-crazy because of the open street killings and bombings? Of having your cars etc. checked and re-checked by police for bombs?
As a child, living in the 70s and early 80s, was dangerous. Esp. when you lived in Cologne or Düsseldorf where a lot of assassinations occurred on the open streets. It was pure paranoia and survival instinct to duck and cover when you heard a pop or blast. Even today, I'm conditioned to duck and cover when I hear a false ignition by a car.
Terrorists are not normal prisoners. They fought against the very system that now grants them mercy and none of them really said I'm sorry to the families who lost their loved ones due to their actions. Not once ... not one of them.
links:
Red Army Fraction on wikipedia
In the 70s West Germany was swept over by a wave of leftist terrorism and a lot of politicians, allied forces personnel and bodyguards died at the hand of a ruthless group of terrorists that called themselves R.A.F. (Red Army Fraction). They called themselves fighters for the free will of the people, fighting against the government which they thought was fascist, fought against capitalism and had a huge chip on their shoulder in general. They bombed, they kidnapped and killed mercilessly and one by one the government brought them down and brought them to justice. All of them were trialed for life and some killed themselves during prison.
Now, in a democracy like Germany, for life means that any prisoner's case can be petitioned after 25 years. If that prisoner has led a quiet life and nothing of any infraction has occured during those 25 years of prison, he has to get released for a second chance.
Yesterday, they announced that top terrorist Christian Klar who confimedly killed 8 ppl is to be released on January 3rd, 2009. That means for each life he took, he only spent 2.5 years in prison. He never gave any information to the whereabouts of his fellow terrorists nor did he tell who exactly killed whom during the kidnappings and the bombings.
He just kept silent and if he said anything, he said and this is confirmed, that he would do it again.
Now this guy is to be released, because like any other prisoner here in Germany, he deserves a second chance.
A second chance at what??? Killing another 8 ppl? A second chance at wrecking another 8 families
taking their sons, fathers, brothers and husbands?? Taking countless lives not actually related to the group, making Germany half-crazy because of the open street killings and bombings? Of having your cars etc. checked and re-checked by police for bombs?
As a child, living in the 70s and early 80s, was dangerous. Esp. when you lived in Cologne or Düsseldorf where a lot of assassinations occurred on the open streets. It was pure paranoia and survival instinct to duck and cover when you heard a pop or blast. Even today, I'm conditioned to duck and cover when I hear a false ignition by a car.
Terrorists are not normal prisoners. They fought against the very system that now grants them mercy and none of them really said I'm sorry to the families who lost their loved ones due to their actions. Not once ... not one of them.
links:
Red Army Fraction on wikipedia
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no subject
Date: 2008-11-25 12:31 pm (UTC)The street here in Cologne, were they kidnapped Hanns Martin Schleyer and killed his driver and two bodyguards is still marked with flowers and a cross. I pass there frequently - always reminded of this time, where we were just frightend and confused.
I have seen the movie, Der Baader-Mainhof-Komplex, in order to get more information and input about this group, but I was even less able to understand their motivation.
There certainly was enough wrong to protest, but to kill, to kidnap. No!!!!
He should stay in prison - rot there - my greatest fear is also, that he could become an icon for some extreme left-wing group.
Even if he does no longer participate - he could be the reason.
To all those who speak of forgivness - I can only forgive people who repent - he does not!
no subject
Date: 2008-11-25 06:37 pm (UTC)