5th September 2001

University starts row by using old boy Goebbels in ad

A row has erupted after the University of Bonn advertised leading Nazi Joseph Goebbels as a famous old boy.

The university names old boy Goebbels as one of its most famous sons during an advertising drive for new students.

Jewish organisations and student groups say the university is exploiting the connection but playing down his role in the genocide of six million Jews.

Goebbels' name appears on the university brochure alongside those of Karl Marx and Konrad Adenauer, the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, reports German news magazine Spiegel.

It says: "Goebbels was a student of the philosophy department from 1917 to 1918. From 1933 to 1945 the close friend of Hitler became propaganda minister and was responsible for Gleichschaltung, the forcing into line of the media and cultural life."

Paul Spiegel, president of the Central Council of Jews, says it shows "the ignorance of the young generation".

University's dean Klaus Borchardt says "it is not only grand periods that form part of our history but also the dark chapters".

When Hitler came to power in 1933, Goebbels was appointed to head the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda.

During the war he gained ever more power and the total confidence of the Fuhrer. He and his wife eventually committed suicide in Hitler's Berlin bunker after poisoning all six of their children.

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_390849.html

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Though I don't necessarily agree with the university using those names in their ads, historically speaking--I don't see it as a wrong ONLY that it should be pointed out some famous people who were once enrolled there. But, I don't agree with it as a way to try to build up their student enrollment.

I bet a few heads rolled because of that.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

It was not an "advertisement" broschure but a book called "Perspektiven - Forschung und Lehre an der Universität Bonn" (Perspectives - Science and Teaching at the Bonn University), containing one chapter dealing with the history of that University.

In this chapter you will find a short notice that Joseph Goebbels did study on this University and a very brief biography.

That's it. More text was spent on the biographies on other Professors like Ernst Landsberg, Alfred Philippson, Felix Hausdorff or Karl Barth, who became nazi victims.

So the idea that the Bonn University is in any way "advertising" with Goebbels or is even "proud" of it is ludicrous at best, deliberately defamatory at worst.

The alternative would have been to not mention that Goebbels did study on this University at all. That of course, might have caused an outcry that the University would "tune" her history, purging the inconvenient parts of her history.

No matter what you do, it's always possible to use Godwin's Law on somebody.

A storm in the water glass. Laughable if it wouldn't be a sad example of political correctness overkill.

Cheers,

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"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is the War Room!"
(President Merkin Muffley in "Dr. Strangelove")

And I agree with you Andy [img]smile.gif[/img]

Personally, I would not mind knowing what famous person was enrolled at the school I am in--just for the heck of it.

Can you imagine attending a school that the Chancellor had attended--or someone like Wilhelm Canaris?

Here in the USA--inevitably would be included famous "duds" of society as well--like attending the university that someone like jeffrey dahmer (if he ever did attend one which I do not think he did--thankfully)) or a notorious person like that had attended. Certainly would in a small way--change what I night feel about attending there but would not stop me from seeking an education there.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Indeed thanx for the correction Andy!

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