Report shows Nazis given safe haven in US

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Report shows Nazis given safe haven in US
Lucile Malandain
November 21, 2010 - 5:39PM
.AFP

A newly revealed "secret history" written by US officials has detailed how successive administrations provided refuge to Nazi war criminals in the aftermath of World War II.

"America which prided itself on being a safe haven for the persecuted became -- in some small measure -- a safe haven for the persecutors as well," said a report from the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) first revealed by The New York Times and examined by AFP.

Created in 1979 to hunt Nazis residing on US soil, the OSI has since merged with other units in the Justice Department. But the 600-page report -- which the government worked to keep hidden for four years -- raises numerous ethical questions about US practices after the collapse of the Third Reich in 1945.

Advertisement: Story continues below The report highlights "ethical compromises involved in the US policy in using former high-ranking Nazi officials as informants and in putting to work Nazi scientists for the American space programme or other classified military projects," said Efraim Zuroff, heads of the unit tracking down former Nazis at the Simon Wiesenthal Center.



Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-world/report-shows-nazis-given-safe-haven-in-us-20101121-182im.html

[sabrina 1]

1. Why would someone unrec this story?

Maybe this explains why we have so many autoritarians in this country. We also harbor all the extreme rightwing collaborators from other countries who had to flee or were rewarded for their collaboration with the U.S. when they destabilized democratic countries in S. America and the ME.

It really is shameful to think that Nazis were harbored here, when Jews were turned away at that time.

[melm00se]

2. operation paperclip

anyone?

this is one of those "well duh?" moments.

the soviets grabbed nazis as well, probably more so as they occupied more German territory than the Allies.

The nazis that the US gave refuge were insturmental in things like the space program, aeronautics and other fields.

I, personally, think that this was a no win situation:

- give them refuge and utilize their skills, the above type article (and others like it) condemn the USA
- line 'em all up, try them, convict them and execute them (or throw 'em under the jail). certainly some would have been convicted improperly and some even executed improperly - result? articles like the above asking "why?" and condemning the USA
- let the Soviets grab them all up - we fall behind in things like the space race and aeronautics - then articles are written condemning the USA for "allowing" the USSR to grab and use these folks when we had the chance to grab and use them.


there is a lot of resentment against the USA in Europe for many many reasons (and our politics is just one) and situations like this afford the European press an outlet for that resentment which appeals to Americans who also carry a certain amount of shame and resentment to the USA

[tavalon]

3. We really need a "Duh" forum

This isn't news. Well, maybe it is to someone, but anyone who has read a bit of history knows we got some of the Nazis and Russia got some and much of the atomic bomb and aerospace technology was facilitated by this. I know it doesn't make for happy American history but neither does our choosing to cause Native American genocide either.

[Kolesar]

5. The story was squelched so that the criminals could live out their lives without hassle

"Justice delayed is justice denied"

[dorkulon]

7. What % of the population do you think really knows about this?

I'd say less than 50%. It's still news to a lot of people.

[melm00se]

10. there is plenty of history that

"less than 50%" of the people know.

read up on Noyades (sound like death chambers don't they?)

try this quote: "But when you disarm them (your countrymen), you at once offend them by showing that you distrust them, either for cowardice or for want of loyalty, and either of these opinions breeds hatred against you" - a modern and well-spoken 2nd amendment supporter or someone else?

many gun laws, especially in the south, were never for the public safety, but rather outgrowths of Jim Crow laws.

how about the link between the Wright Brothers' flights and elevator music?

how about one of the greatest communication technologies of all time: movable type. a European or Asian invention?

most people don't understand their own history, much less anyone elses. so it is so incredibly easy to manipulate them with the same old tricks

[formercia]

4. The problem I have with it is the Nazis didn't leave their Ideology behind.

To them, the War against the Soviets was not over, and the US provided a convenient platform to continue spreading their Ideology and driving the Cold War.

I worked with one, an ex-Waffen SS captain. He used to celebrate Hitler's birthday every year. He was convicted and fined but never paid a cent and used to laugh about it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. And they begot Nazi children which grew up to control the right-wing radio waves?

[VioletLake]

8. I have mentioned before

that my grandmother knew Mengele and other infamous Nazis, worked for Friedrich Schwend (of Operation Bernhard infamy) and traveled to the U.S. on his behalf several times. She also knew Bush Sr. and his father Prescott.

[Octafish]

9. Money does things to people.

Paid provocateurs, defenders of the Reich.