Man rips head from Hitler wax figure in Berlin

[HeXploiT]

BERLIN (Reuters) - A man tore the head from a controversial waxwork figure of Adolf Hitler on the opening day of Berlin's Madame Tussauds museum on Saturday, police said. Just minutes after the museum opened, the 41-year-old German man pushed aside two security men guarding the exhibit.

"Then he went over to the figure and ripped off the head," a police spokesman said.

The man tore off the head in protest at the exhibit, the spokesman added. The police were alerted and arrested the man, who did not resist. He was being investigated for assault and damaging property.

The waxwork figure of a glum-looking Adolf Hitler in a mock bunker during the last days of his life was criticized as being in bad taste. A media preview of the new branch of Madame Tussauds on Thursday was overshadowed by a row over the exhibit.

Critics said it was inappropriate to display the Nazi dictator, who started World War Two and ordered the extermination of Europe's Jews, in a museum alongside celebrities, pop stars, world statesmen and sporting heroes.

Dressed in a grey suit, the figure of Hitler gazed downwards with a despondent stare, his arm outstretched on a large wooden table with a map of Europe on the wall of his gloomy bunker.

About 25 workers spent about four months on the waxwork, using more than 2,000 pictures and pieces of archive material and also guided by a model of the "Fuehrer" in the London branch of Madame Tussauds where it is standing upright.

It is illegal in Germany to show Nazi symbols and art glorifying Hitler and the exhibit was cordoned off to stop visitors posing with him.

Unobtrusive signs asked visitors to refrain from taking photos or posing with Hitler "out of respect for the millions of people who died during World War Two." Camera surveillance and museum officials were meant to stop inappropriate behavior.

Institutions such as the foundation for Germany's central Holocaust memorial site condemned the idea of the exhibit as tasteless, saying it had been included to generate business.

The wax figure is the latest in a gradual breaking down of taboos about Hitler in Germany more than 60 years after the end of the war and the Holocaust in which some six million Jews were killed.

The 2004 film "Downfall" provoked controversy as it portrayed the leader in a human light during the last days of his life and last year a satire about Hitler by Swiss-born Jewish director Dani Levy was released in Germany.

Source:Yahoo news.

I was reading about this opening the other day and pondering the public's response.
They put into effect a special rule that nobody could touch the Hitler piece because they were concerned about nazis praising/worshiping it.
Just hilarious! :laugh:

 

[dahunan]

They should have made a was statue of him killing himself so his followers might be inclined to do the same thing in tribute

 

[BeauJangles]

In Germany it's illegal to do most things associated with the Nazis, I can see why this guy would be upset about a life-like version of Hitler.

 

[kylebisme]

Man rips head from Hitler wax figure in Berlin

Would have been cooler if that man then proceeded to shit down the figure's neck.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: TheSnowman

Man rips head from Hitler wax figure in Berlin

Would have been cooler if that man then proceeded to shit down the figure's neck.

Or skull f... err..nevermind.

 

[AAjax]

Give the kid a break, everybody rips off Hitlers head on the first trip.

 

[CanOWorms]

Many Germans view Hitler as some sort of folk hero. Maybe he is mad that their hero is being exploited in a tourist wax museum.

 

[Lemon law]

Well that will really teach Hitler.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Many Germans view Hitler as some sort of folk hero. Maybe he is mad that their hero is being exploited in a tourist wax museum.

That's simply not true. The trolling bullshit gets old here sometimes.

 

[nageov3t]

who is this Hitler person? I thought Germans was shut down and everyone was on vacation between the years of 1934 and 1945.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Many Germans view Hitler as some sort of folk hero. Maybe he is mad that their hero is being exploited in a tourist wax museum.

That's simply not true. The trolling bullshit gets old here sometimes.

Yes, it is true. The far-right have grown recently in Germany. Did the UN imagine it when they urged Germany to stop the rise in Neo-Nazism? Are you denying that the Germans are forgetting Hitler's atrocities? Is there not strong opposition to a new minority group? The denials must stop.

We'll have to wait and see what his motivation to the attack is. I think it can go either way - he's mad that his hero is being exploited by undesirables or what others here think.

 

[KIRBYEE]

.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Many Germans view Hitler as some sort of folk hero. Maybe he is mad that their hero is being exploited in a tourist wax museum.

That's simply not true. The trolling bullshit gets old here sometimes.

Yes, it is true. The far-right have grown recently in Germany. Did the UN imagine it when they urged Germany to stop the rise in Neo-Nazism? Are you denying that the Germans are forgetting Hitler's atrocities? Is there not strong opposition to a new minority group? The denials must stop.

We'll have to wait and see what his motivation to the attack is. I think it can go either way - he's mad that his hero is being exploited by undesirables or what others here think.

I bet you're a big fan of Hitler. Just think of all those damn Europeans you hate so much he killed. It probably gives you a little stiffy just thinking about it.

 

[Kirby]

Wir müssen die Wachsfigur ausrotten!

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Many Germans view Hitler as some sort of folk hero. Maybe he is mad that their hero is being exploited in a tourist wax museum.

That's simply not true. The trolling bullshit gets old here sometimes.

Yes, it is true. The far-right have grown recently in Germany. Did the UN imagine it when they urged Germany to stop the rise in Neo-Nazism? Are you denying that the Germans are forgetting Hitler's atrocities? Is there not strong opposition to a new minority group? The denials must stop.

We'll have to wait and see what his motivation to the attack is. I think it can go either way - he's mad that his hero is being exploited by undesirables or what others here think.

Lol, there are neo-nazis everywhere, including the United States. Their attitude does not reflect the German population as a whole. That's like claiming the all Americans are racist because minority groups like the KKK exist.

 

[manowar821]

lol pwnd

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: frostedflakes

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Many Germans view Hitler as some sort of folk hero. Maybe he is mad that their hero is being exploited in a tourist wax museum.

That's simply not true. The trolling bullshit gets old here sometimes.

Yes, it is true. The far-right have grown recently in Germany. Did the UN imagine it when they urged Germany to stop the rise in Neo-Nazism? Are you denying that the Germans are forgetting Hitler's atrocities? Is there not strong opposition to a new minority group? The denials must stop.

We'll have to wait and see what his motivation to the attack is. I think it can go either way - he's mad that his hero is being exploited by undesirables or what others here think.

Lol, there are neo-nazis everywhere, including the United States. Their attitude does not reflect the German population as a whole. That's like claiming the all Americans are racist because minority groups like the KKK exist.

Not really. I'm not claiming that all Germans are neo-nazis. I'm claiming that many are of that attitude, not all - even though those not in that category seem to be shrinking into the minority.

Based on the current political and social situation in Germany, it seems incredible to want to dismiss the idea that maybe the man didn't want a supposed German Hero to be exploited.

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: frostedflakes

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Many Germans view Hitler as some sort of folk hero. Maybe he is mad that their hero is being exploited in a tourist wax museum.

That's simply not true. The trolling bullshit gets old here sometimes.

Yes, it is true. The far-right have grown recently in Germany. Did the UN imagine it when they urged Germany to stop the rise in Neo-Nazism? Are you denying that the Germans are forgetting Hitler's atrocities? Is there not strong opposition to a new minority group? The denials must stop.

We'll have to wait and see what his motivation to the attack is. I think it can go either way - he's mad that his hero is being exploited by undesirables or what others here think.

Lol, there are neo-nazis everywhere, including the United States. Their attitude does not reflect the German population as a whole. That's like claiming the all Americans are racist because minority groups like the KKK exist.

Not really. I'm not claiming that all Germans are neo-nazis. I'm claiming that many are of that attitude, not all - even though those not in that category seem to be shrinking into the minority.

Based on the current political and social situation in Germany, it seems incredible to want to dismiss the idea that maybe the man didn't want a supposed German Hero to be exploited.

I don't know how you can claim neo-nazism is a problem when NDP only receives like 1% of the national vote. It's more popular in certain parts of Germany, but it's far from being a threat to Germany as a whole.

 

[smack Down]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
In Germany it's illegal to do most things associated with the Nazis, I can see why this guy would be upset about a life-like version of Hitler.

There is no rational reason be upset about a life size version of Hitler unless your on a bad Sci-fi movie and fear that wax people are going to be reanimated.

 

[AAjax]

Originally posted by: smack Down

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
In Germany it's illegal to do most things associated with the Nazis, I can see why this guy would be upset about a life-like version of Hitler.

There is no rational reason be upset about a life size version of Hitler unless your on a bad Sci-fi movie and fear that wax people are going to be reanimated.

Ah, yes the paraffin zombie menace.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: frostedflakes

I don't know how you can claim neo-nazism is a problem when NDP only receives like 1% of the national vote. It's more popular in certain parts of Germany, but it's far from being a threat to Germany as a whole.

Many people are concerned, including the United Nations, humanitarian groups, minority groups, etc. The situation really is the opposite: how can you claim neo-nazism is not a problem?

You can't just look at the voting results of the fringe far-right parties to see if far-right beliefs have gained a stronghold in the society. Sure, 800,000+ voted for a Nazi-like party. However, the mainstream politics have shifted to cater to far-right interests, allowing people with Nazi-like attitudes to be part of mainstream politics. The German government wanted to construct illegal concentration camps in the North African desert. Policies like that are an obvious infiltration of Nazi ideas.

 

[HeXploiT]

Originally posted by: smack Down

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
In Germany it's illegal to do most things associated with the Nazis, I can see why this guy would be upset about a life-like version of Hitler.

There is no rational reason be upset about a life size version of Hitler unless your on a bad Sci-fi movie and fear that wax people are going to be reanimated.

How about if a man walked into your home and slit the throat of a couple of your family members. Would you be angry then if someone built a wax replica of that person and stuck it in a museum?
The man is responsible for many millions of deaths in Germany alone. There are still millions of people living in Germany today suffering the consequences of the hell on earth that was WWII many who remember the atrocities and nightmares of war and many who grew up without parents or brothers & sisters. Because it's not real to you doesn't mean they didn't live it. This is not some television movie.
OF COURSE there are rational reasons for people to be upset.
Step outside your front door and go learn about real life.

 

[ericlp]

Hahaha Give it a rest and a break, it's pretty hilarious to see these idiots get worked up over a waxed statue.

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: frostedflakes

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
Many Germans view Hitler as some sort of folk hero. Maybe he is mad that their hero is being exploited in a tourist wax museum.

That's simply not true. The trolling bullshit gets old here sometimes.

Yes, it is true. The far-right have grown recently in Germany. Did the UN imagine it when they urged Germany to stop the rise in Neo-Nazism? Are you denying that the Germans are forgetting Hitler's atrocities? Is there not strong opposition to a new minority group? The denials must stop.

We'll have to wait and see what his motivation to the attack is. I think it can go either way - he's mad that his hero is being exploited by undesirables or what others here think.

Lol, there are neo-nazis everywhere, including the United States. Their attitude does not reflect the German population as a whole. That's like claiming the all Americans are racist because minority groups like the KKK exist.

Not really. I'm not claiming that all Germans are neo-nazis. I'm claiming that many are of that attitude, not all - even though those not in that category seem to be shrinking into the minority.

Based on the current political and social situation in Germany, it seems incredible to want to dismiss the idea that maybe the man didn't want a supposed German Hero to be exploited.

You're a moron. Have you ever been to Germany? Ever lived in Germany? While there are neo nazis, theyre such a small percentage of the population theyre almost statistically insiginificant. Sure they can be highly visible when they want to be, but the majority of Germans hate Nazis and are still embarrassed about their history. The majority of Germans don't know their national anthum and except during huge soccer tournaments, you never see the German flag flying in Germany because Germans are still nervous at showing ethnic pride due to their past history.

Edit: And furthermore, you quote articles that are 2 and 3 years old. If there were such huge problems with Nazi's wouldn't we have seen them in these past 2 or 3 years?

Also, two of the articles you post aren't very convincing. Germans have a negative view of Islam? So do most Americans. Big Deal. The Germans aren't advocating that they kill all Muslims, they just think that its unlikely that Christians and Muslims won't get along.

And the other one, that young kids don't know about history? Theres a huge difference between pretending something didn't happen and not knowing about it. Look at American kids these days. Most of them can't even find Iraq on a map, and would probably get the answer wrong about when the war of 1812 started.

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: frostedflakes

I don't know how you can claim neo-nazism is a problem when NDP only receives like 1% of the national vote. It's more popular in certain parts of Germany, but it's far from being a threat to Germany as a whole.

Many people are concerned, including the United Nations, humanitarian groups, minority groups, etc. The situation really is the opposite: how can you claim neo-nazism is not a problem?

You can't just look at the voting results of the fringe far-right parties to see if far-right beliefs have gained a stronghold in the society. Sure, 800,000+ voted for a Nazi-like party. However, the mainstream politics have shifted to cater to far-right interests, allowing people with Nazi-like attitudes to be part of mainstream politics. The German government wanted to construct illegal concentration camps in the North African desert. Policies like that are an obvious infiltration of Nazi ideas.

Show me a link stating that the germans want concentration camps in the NA Desert.