Spitfire, Hurricanes and Lancasters losing out to Nazi foes in kit toy sales .
on 12/21/2008 at 02:07 PM
Unfortunately, there are several things at play here. Kids always want to play with the cool toy. If you are never told that your side is cool, why should you play with that toy? The Nazis always have the sharpest uniforms, the best attitude and the most dangerous looking stuff. The fact that they were (are) evil is overlooked. Kids are always drawn to the most vital or virulent side. Unfortunately, that means Nazis, PLO, Commies, and Che.
On a side note, IMHO, the Spitfire is far and away the most beautiful fighting airplane ever built. #2 has to go to the Mustang.
Posted by Spike72AFA
12/22/2008 at 09:50 AM
Well said Spike. My thoughts exactly.
Has anyone here considered the possibility that they merely needed more cannon fodder to feed to the Mustangs/Spitfires/etc?
Posted by Turtler
12/22/2008 at 05:11 PM
Hey ... The Corsair was a beautiful plane. How about the P-38? Not in same class as Spitfire of course but then, that plane was in a class all by itself. Oh yeah, the Mustang!
Hard to choose really as that was a beaut.Not totally sure about always being drawn to virulent side of things if it’s about model planes and uniforms etc. I think it’s visual.
If we’re talking about very young kids who are building models, at some ages they’re too young to be thinking about moral judgments. For example, when I was just a kid starting to appreciate those things, and even from the movies of my day, it was always the visual that drew me.I always thought the ME-109 was a classic beauty but didn’t know what that symbol on the tail represented. I’m talkin’ like 9 or ten yrs of age. And in my generation our we were always made very much aware about how great our own country and our own heros were. The toys we played with were very much representative of our side. Gee, what a long time ago that was. Nowadays some of us say hurray for our side we’re all deemed fascists.
Kids are always drawn to the most vital or virulent side.
I wouldn’t argue against that but I really believe that kids in more modern times are more “led” to violence then drawn to it. If that makes any sense. I’m thinking in terms of what passes for entertainment and computer games like Grand Theft auto and worse.
But that’s an altogether different subject.Hmm, just thought of this. In my day, there weren’t any toys thought of as “cool.” A more innocent time. Alas.
I forgot something as long as were were mentioning uniforms.
Found some weird uniform info in paper only today re. Germans in both world wars.Those awful weeds we know as stinging nettles have a fibrous stalk and were used like flax in the making of their uniforms in both wars. ?? No kidding. I wonder if anyone else did that.
Nowadays some of us say hurray for our side we’re all deemed fascists.
And THAT hits a major problem with this generation and the Boomers right on the head.
Now, forgive me for going on a rant, but I need to get this off my chest, and I think it can help explain some things such as this.
The fact is that Fascism has become a joke, a playground insult that (as Orwell pointed out) has absolutely no meaning anymore, save to say that something is “bad.” The fact is that, today, we ignore that Fascism was indeed a very real ideology with millions of adherents, not only in Germany and its client states Italy, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, but also in America, Britain, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Norway.
In addition, the very name Hitler has been so thoroughly bastardized as to also be meaningless. The fact is that we treat Adolph Hitler as thorough he is a work of fiction, like some Darth Vader or Sauron. We know next to nothing about him. How do we know he is bad? Probably through rote memorization rather then actually LOOKING at him and finding all the lurid, sickening details.
We do not know that he did not rise out of Satanic Ethers, but was born to Alois and Klara (previously Plozl) Hitler in Austria on April 20th, 1889; in the quaint village of Branau am Inn. We do not know about his failed artistic and architectural aims, except in a generalized and cliched fashion. We do not know that he fought in the German Reichwehr in WWI, earned two Iron Crosses for valor, and was incapacitated after a Western Allied gas attack- which would permanently cripple one of his arms- when Germany capitulated on November 11th, 1918. We do not know about his stints as a beggar (and possibly a male prostitute), and his eventual involvement with the radical, Nationalistic Left. We do not know how- through a combination of clever politicking, alliances with the Nationalist/Militarist Right, and outright thuggery- he rose to become the Reichkanzler entirely within the constitution of the Weimar Regime. We do not know about his obsession with his niece, which we believe led to her suicide; after which the Fuhrer was openly depressed for long afterwards.
Because of this, we see that Hitler was not raised from the dankest corners of Hell onto Earth (and think of him as such), while failing to take into account that he was a real man, with real strengths, real weaknesses, real ideals, and real crimes.
And it gets even worse the further one looks back. If I had a dime for every bit of inaccuracy, misinformation, unfounded rumor, or conspiracy theory regarding Bismarck, WWI, Ottoman Turkey, the founding of the USSR, the Spanish-American War, or the Boxer Revolt, I would be quite well off by now from that alone.
The fact is that there are plenty of people who have no actual ideal what happened in WWI, during Bismarck’s tenure, during the Russian Civil War, and the other formative years from 1848-1920’s that are NECESSARY to understand what happened later on.
And, after WWII, it only gets worse, with countless pieces of propaganda or outright falsifications being accepted as “fact” (if you took a poll of most historians today, they probably say that the French Surrendered at Dien Bien Phu and that Saccho & Vanzetti were framed. Not true, through Hanoi, Moscow, and Beijing went to great lengths to transform a ceasefire into a surrender and an open-and-shut case into a callous, Nativist witchhunt against poor immigrants preaching unpopular political ideas (like the violent overthrow of the US government, for instance). And that is amongst the HONEST ones; trust me when I say it just gets worse from there on out).
On a personal note, that is why I do not tolerate those who cannot be bothered to do research and yet insist on spewing their “knowledge” like they have, and why I refuse to be polite or reconciliatory with them. Those who insist, for their hubris or self-righteousness, in spreading misinformation in regards to history without having the integrity to look it up are part of the problem, and deserve to be treated as such. I can tolerate opposing INFORMED opinions, but those -be they for or against me- who insist on making declarations or “facts” that do not exist only deserves scorn. That is all I can say.
Which brings me to this. The fact is that the West is decadent and weak. We have grown fat and spoiled over the rich fruits of victory that grow from the soil fertilized by those who sacrificed for our freedom; both in the last century and the ones before.
But now those fruits are starting to be thinned out, and a generation of Westerners who have never had to stare across the trenches at a vastly powerful and determined enemy, who have never been faced with the choice between razing cities to the ground or allowing the enemy’s war machine to steam ahead, who have never had to face the possibility of being bombed by a ruthless and absolutely pithless foe, who have rarely felt the bite of hunger, who have never lived under the jackboot- now they are finding that the torch has passed to them.
But prepared they are not. For they cannot tell right from wrong; they insist that there is no difference between an imperfect Democracy and an imperfect Despotism; and are absolutely unable to accept that sacrifices and ugly decisions must be made; and whose belief that both sides of war have some blame prevents them from recognizing evil when it walks up to them and does a luau- they are not ready. And this may be a symptom.
We have been reminded for decades that the people on the other side of No Man’s Land are human too- and justly so. But, while we have been reminded of this nonstop, we have never been reminded that does not mean that those people on the other side are fighting for a cause as just as ours, or that they are as moral as we are, or that they may be the instruments that could crush the freedoms we take for granted.
Are all of them monsters? No. In fact, many of them are probably some of the most humane and geneous people you could ever meet.
But that does not mean that they can negate the monsters that lurk in their ranks. Or their leadership.
In a world that recognizes that one side CAN be better then the other, that there IS good and evil, that Hitler WAS a human being, it would be possible to grasp this.
It is a shame that we no longer live in such a world.
The youth are the key to our future. And if we allow that key to slip from our grasp, then we will have none to pass the bloodstained torch- so dearly acquired and kept- to.
Mark my words: while this may be a harmless statistic (and I sincerely HOPE it is so), I fear it may be the harbinger of a far more dire change: the Littlewoodization of our other conflicts like what has happened to WWI. Where the line between those who fought to liberate and those who fought to oppress is diminished or ignored until it cannot be seen. And that is something we cannot afford.
After all, nations usually rot away from the inside long before they are knocked down by an alien invader. And, if the current generation thinks that there is no difference between a rape victim and a rapist, then why bother fighting to prevent it?
I apologize, but that has been stewing for a while.
Posted by Turtler
12/23/2008 at 09:31 PM
Sorry for the double-post and for the rant.
Posted by Turtler
12/23/2008 at 09:32 PM
After all, nations usually rot away from the inside long before they are knocked down by an alien invader.
That one truth says a lot and many conservatives have been saying so for awhile. Alas, it seems as though the only ones listening are other conservatives.
Somehow, somewhere along they way we not only lost track of the thread, many didn’t even recognize it was missing.
You’re right and if America does fall, as I think eventually Europe might, it’ll be from the inside. And all in the holy name of liberalism and diversity and multi-multiculturalism, human rights and ... I could add more but I know you get the picture.Might be a tad off topic but here’s an example of decay from within. I think.
Bru-haha at the moment because a mosque has been included in a nativity scene.
I suppose that in the days of Christ there were mosques to be seen and most likely taken for granted as part of the landscape of that time and era. So maybe (?) a mosque could be historically accurate. BUT .... does it have any place in a Christian nativity scene?
I don’t think so but then I’m not a religious person and so perhaps a poor judge.
But it strikes me as another one of those multi-culture oh look how inclusive and diversified and liberal thinking I am displays. The fine edge inserts itself. From the inside.Alright, since it appears that the first half of my megapost did not show up…
I’m thinking in terms of what passes for entertainment and computer games like Grand Theft auto and worse.
Firstly -having just finished driving my pimped-out ride, using mi ‘gat on a few Columbian wannabees ‘trippin in da hood on GTA3- all I can say is this: should I be offended?
Secondly, believe it or not, the “sleaze ‘n trash” market, while certainly dependent on the “yooth market”, is actually far less dependent on the actual youth market than many think. This disparity can be seen by the fact that the “yooth market” is actually composed primarily of those over 21. If anything, that particular market is more dependent on the older demographics then it is on the younger ones (and, besides, there are a few gems in the grease, like the GTA series).
Those awful weeds we know as stinging nettles have a fibrous stalk and were used like flax in the making of their uniforms in both wars. ??
I have indeed heard of that. Indeed, the Germans switched to using them alongside normal flax during the late 1890’s, when events like the British Empire’s obliteration of Madhist Sudan and the overwhelming of the Spanish Empire by the US meant that Germany feared that it might not have a supply of flax sufficient enough to fulfill all their needs (as the major sources are in Latin America, the US, and Africa). So, they began to switch off actual flax onto the stinging neetle stalks (as a temporary measure until the inevitable destruction of the British, French, and American fleets, of course). And this was not the only case of Germany scraping by with secondhand materials: they even had primitive CTO (Coal to Oil) engines that they leaned heavily on through both wars.
No kidding. I wonder if anyone else did that.
The Japs, Western Allies, and Chinese all experimented with it, but the main users were Germany (both Second and Third Reichs), the Russians/USSR (both wars+ the RCW and Korean War), Romania (both wars), Austria-Hungary (WWI), and Hungary (WWII).
I suppose that in the days of Christ there were mosques to be seen and most likely taken for granted as part of the landscape of that time and era. So maybe (?) a mosque could be historically accurate. BUT .... does it have any place in a Christian nativity scene?
What? There were no Mosques as we would understand them in existence during that era. Why? Because Islam dates back to Muhammad’s revelation in what we Westerners know as 610 A.D. (or CE, or whatever). Indeed, Islam is the junior member of the three major monotheistic religions of the world, and claims that Christian and Jewish prophets taught Islam, and that the message was corrupted or misinterpreted as time went on.
So, no, there was no reason for there to be a Mosque in the nativity scene if there was no Church or other things showing a sort of “vision” of what would come or some such thing. Why? Because Islam simply was not recorded until Muhammad in 610. So it is ahistorical.
Also, while I am here, I might as well share another- far more concrete- sign that worries me.
Have you heard of the 100 Greatest Britons? Anyway, it had people phoning in to vote for the 100 greatest Britishmen throughout history. And, as I looked through it, something chilled me to the bone.
Of the 100 names, the Unknown soldier ranked 76th, Monty ranked 88th. And, beyond Monty, there was not a SINGLE other WWII General, and but for T.E. Lawrence, there were absolutely NO WWI leaders WHATSOEVER. These men fought and often gave their lives, not only for Empire, but also for the world, to restrain and crush the monstrosities of the Madhist Sudanese, the Kaiserreich, Ottoman Turkey, the Third Reich, Imperial Japan, the USSR, and others.
WHERE ARE THEY? Haig? Plumer? Allenby? Monash? Currie? O’Connor? Wavell? Auchinleck?
WHERE ARE THEY?
The sting would be slightly lessened if I saw the posts go to those worthy of it, and many did. But I saw several things that make me sick?
For instance?
Guy Fawkes- little more then a glorified trigger man who nevertheless could have derailed Britain’s progress towards Democracy and a Constitutional monarchy- placed 30th.
And, perhaps least intelligently of all, James Connolly somehow managed to be placed 64th.
Now, considering his background and his ideologies, he was by all accounts remarkably decent.
But this begs the question nevertheless: WHAT IS THE LEADER OF THE EASTER RISING DOING ON A LIST OF GREATEST BRITONS?
While he may deserve a place on a greatest list, I would have thought said list would be of Greatest Irishmen.
Why?
Think about it: Connolly’s hotheaded and brutal revolt came in 1916, nipping at the heals of a British Empire on the verge: worn thin by fighting Germany, Turkey, and Bulgaria simultaneously, such a distraction was NOT something they could afford. For if Britain collapsed, France and Russia would have certainly followed, which would have placed the German jackboot over the whole of Europe and much of the world as the Turks would have gobbled up much of the Caucasus, Africa, and the Middle East- perhaps stretching as far as India.
Ironically, such development would probably have put paid to ANY ideas of Irish independence.
While the British retaliations were overly savage and rightfully condemned, they were hardly more bloody in any way save scale then the actions by the Irish Rebels, and the British HAD TO squash the revolt flat to avoid adding yet another front onto their lines.
So, if a dangerous radical- regardless of his redeeming factors- whose attacks could have helped put a nail in the coffin of European Democracy AND Irish independence; a man who always considered himself an Irishman; A man who openly attacked Britain at one of her darkest hours- if HE can qualify as a “Great Briton” then why not the brilliant Australian, John Monash, or the visionary Canadian, Aurthur Currie; the Indian-born ethnic Brit Richard O’Connor; or even the native-born Douglas Haig, Plumer, Allenby, Rawlinson, Templer, Gort, Alexander, and Mountbatten?
Or perhaps not the World Wars, but perhaps “Chinese Gordon”? Lord Raglan? ANYBODY? It’s not like I’m asking for all of them, but for the love of God at least pay some respects! It’s not like there aren’t less deserving people on that list!
There is but one thing I can think of when I see such names: a nation so utterly disconnected with its heritage (particularly its military heritage) that it will overlook the accomplishments of men who - for all their flaws, prejudices, and unpleasant qualities- nevertheless helped free millions in lieu of hoisting a declared enemy of their country up and proclaiming him one of history’s “Greatest Britons.”
The depth of ingratitude and ignorance sickens me.
And the fact that this list was chosen by the British populace at large chills me to the bone.
And it makes me wonder about America’s ties with the past most direly.
Posted by Turtler
12/24/2008 at 07:00 AM
Turtler the problem is that history isn’t really taught in British schools now. It is all about “empathy” with the past. Children are asked to produce essays on what it was like to live in Germany with RAF bombers overhead etc.
It has been 30 years since I left school so I imagine things are a lot different now. My secondary education was in a state school. We had three years of history starting out with Mesopotamia and progressing early civilizations like Crete and Greece through the Roman invasion of Britain, the Saxons, Vikings, the Normans, the Crusades, the Black Death, the Armada, the Glorious Revolution and that’s probably as far as it went. If you were interested you could do a further two years of history or if really interested four years with an eye to studying history at University. Part of the problem is there is rather a lot of British history and it is not surprising that it isn’t covered in depth. However I was shocked that Connelly and Fawkes would be considered great Britons. Not in my book.
Agree with you re O’Connor. Not so sure I would include Haig though. I imagine things are a damn sight worse now and if ignorance is bliss the average school leaver in Britain must be in seventh heaven. Part of the problem is the way teachers are taught. Most of the teacher training colleges are run by left wingers and the school system was badly damaged in the mid 70’s when the socialists abolished selective schools. This was deemed elitist and most counties abolished selection at age eleven. The past ten or eleven years we have had a bunch of lunatic left wingers in power and we now have in my view a lost generation thanks to their perverted views of education. If you want an idea of how these fools think you need to read Melanie Phillips “All must have prizes” book. Labour doesn’t believe in the concept of winners and losers. Sad but I think unless there is something deeply unpleasant to wake people from the torpor they are sleep walking into suicide.
12/22/2008 at 12:22 PM
