Ronald Reagan At Bitburg and Jorg Haider at Ulrichsberg

Jorg Haider at Ulrichsberg Memorial

President Ronald Reagan at Bitburg Memorial

Jorg Haider has been in the news lately again. Even though he has been dead several years, it seems they cannot let the man rest in peace. As usual he is labeled a "Nazi" and what not and attempt to discredit him and all of his policies no matter what they were. However the majority of the controversy surrounding Haider stems from a sinlge visit made to a German war memorial once. Ironically conservative icon and American President Ronald Reagan made a similar speech and did something very similar in 1984. We know Regan was not a "Nazi", and therefore Haider should not be judged based on this action alone either. In truth both Haider and Regan had similar positive goals.


"The Diaries’ first mention of Reagan’s decision to visit the Kolmeshöhe Cemetery, which contained the graves of Nazi-SS soldiers, occurred in November 1984. During a meeting with West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl at the G7 Summit in Bonn, Reagan recorded that the Germans feared being “ignored” during the upcoming 40th anniversary of V-E Day. “They suffer a great guilt complex over the Nazi period,” he wrote. “I’m suggesting including them this time & making the occasion one of celebrating when the hatred stopped & peace & friendship began which has continued for 40 yrs.”"


"Polls later showed that 59% of Americans supported Reagan’s visit — up from 49% before his trip. “I always felt it was the morally right thing to do,” he wrote."


"Jorg Haider said: "It is unacceptable that the past of our fathers and grandparents is reduced to that of criminals," he told a gathering of about 2,000 veterans in the southern town of Ulrichsberg. "

"Mr Haider, former chief of the Freedom Party, said: "Most who come here are not old Nazis or neo-Nazis.
"They are old citizens who suffered during the war and lost their youth to the war and then began to rebuild."


"Mr Haider received a spontaneous standing ovation from the crowd."
 
 
It is clear that Jorg Haider was not necessarily attempting to promote neo-nazism at this event, just like President Reagan was not. The Speeches and behavior are suprisingly similar. I think that people would be better off taking to heart the intent rather than rushing to judgement.