Auschwitz Rave Video Causes Outrage

DER SPIEGEL ^ | 08/16/2005 | Taken out a summary (scroll down the text)

[Atlantic Bridge]

Auschwitz Rave Video Causes Outrage

Auschwitz's infamous railroad -- Not a laughing matter... Zoom AP Auschwitz's infamous railroad -- Not a laughing matter... A video circulated on the Internet depicting a fictitious rave party at the Auschwitz concentration camp has provoked a furious reaction from Jewish groups. The Polish government has also officially requested that "Housewitz" be removed from the Internet, but one Dutch website has refused.

Dicky Thijssen, a 22-year old Dutch student has confessed to having produced the clip claiming it was a "very bad joke". "I should never have done it, " he said, "I'm very, very sorry and I will never do it again." Thijssen has received a torrent of hatemail following his admission.

The video purports to be an advertisement for a dance party at Auschwitz on May 5 - Holocaust Remembrance Day. It features a shot of the infamous gates to the death camp, but replaces the ghoulish slogan "Arbeit macht frei" (Work makes you free) with "Tanzen macht frei" (Dancing makes you free).

The video continues by describing the facilities and attractions available to Auschwitz ravers. These include "free hot showers" (accompanied by a shot of the gas chambers), a free bed for the night (cue picture of the cramped and freezing bunk beds in which prisoners slept), and gangbanging (depicted by a pile of dead corpses). The advertisement promises that the rave will "set your body on fire", and promises all attendees a free ride home afterwards (a victim is carted off to the incinerators in a wheelbarrow).

Dutch prosecutors have examined the video after the Dutch Complaints Bureau for Discrimination on the Internet (MDI) passed on details of the case. But it is unlikely any action will be taken, not least because numerous sites have now removed the video. "We don't like the video but we cannot guarantee the prosecutor will change his mind this time and find it illegal," a spokesman for the prosecution office said.

Jewish groups have reacted with disgust and anger to the film, and both the American Jewish Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Central Jewish Council (CJO) have written directly to Dutch authorities demanding prosecutions over the matter. Worryingly, the video clip has appeared on websites run by "revisionist" sympathisers who dispute the Holocaust ever occurred.

[Atlantic Bridge]

That is just sick. I am deeply ashamed that something like this is possible in Europe today...

[theFIRMbss]

>"Tanzen macht frei"
>>That is just sick. I am deeply ashamed ...

I think it's funny.
Rather than be horrified,
look on the bright side:

This shows that people
understand what Auschwitz was,
and think about it.

Better people know --
even if they make bad use
of their knowledge -- than

young people not know
or not really think about
Auschwitz and its evil . . .

[frogjerk]

Dicky Thijssen, a 22-year old Dutch student has confessed to having produced the clip claiming it was a "very bad joke".

I bet he is an anti-war activist who blames Israel and BUSH for all of the world's problems.

I believe 100,000 Dutch Jews were sent to their death by Hitler.

[frogjerk]

I fail to see the humor in the extermination of millions of Jews during WWII.

[Atlantic Bridge]

You said:

"..young people not know or not really think about Auschwitz and its evil . . ."


This is completely wrong. The young Europeans know very well. All kids here are very well educated and got the full information about the Holocaust. Therefore it is absolutely sick and tasteless.

[frogjerk]

Better people know -- even if they make bad use of their knowledge -- than young people not know or not really think about Auschwitz and its evil . .

It is not better to knowingly desecrate the memories of millions that suffered than to not know that it happened. The former is purposeful evil intent and the latter is ignorance that may not be intended.

[FixedandDilated]

Yeah. The bright side! Let's laugh about it - at least it shows awareness!

Sheesh.

[WOSG]

"I am deeply ashamed that something like this is possible in Europe today..."

What? Bad, tasteless humor is hard to beleive?
Havent you watched Comedy Central?

[theFIRMbss]

>I fail to see the humor in the extermination of millions of Jews during WWII

Nobody's laughing
at genocide. But people
use horrible things

to find black humor
even in life's dark moments.
Strangelove was funny,

but there's no "humor"
in the real end of the world.
Brian's crucifixion

was funny, but who
would say that's laughing at God?
An Auschwitz-themed dance

isn't laughing at
genocide. It's just using
really dark humor.

[Atlantic Bridge]

PING!

[theFIRMbss]

>It is not better to knowingly desecrate ...

What, so, should Christians
be shocked and outraged Python
spoofed the death of God?!

[frogjerk]

Brian's crucifixion was funny, but who would say that's laughing at God?

I used to like "Life of Brian" but I will not watch it anymore because it is laughing at God.

[Atlantic Bridge]

Sorry - but you have just to imagine that there are still many alive who have lost their whole family in this rotten place. It must be a littlebit strange for them, if they see a bunch of drunk idiots dancing on the ashes of their loved ones.

That is not dark humor, that is just sick.

[theFIRMbss]

>I used to like "Life of Brian" but I will not watch it anymore because it is laughing at God.

[frogjerk]

What, so, should Christians be shocked and outraged Python spoofed the death of God?!

Yes. The movie had some really funny bits in it but the overall "message" of the movie is people don't need to follow God. Which I believe is the wrong message to send.

[Drew68]

An Auschwitz-themed dance isn't laughing at genocide. It's just using really dark humor.

I agree with your statement. I have a pretty twisted sense of humor myself.

Unfortunately, this isn't even funny. It's stupid and juvenile.

[frogjerk]

So when are you releasing your dark humor regarding 9/11?

[tortoise]

While it obviously is in very poor taste, I also do not think Auschwitz, the Holocaust, or any other touchy subject should be treated as a sacred cow. It will upset some people no doubt, but that is part of the point.

[chudogg]

Can i please ask what is with the Haiku posts?

[lizol]

Well, I think they were shocked. At least those of them, who treat their faith seriously.

[frogjerk]

Can i please ask what is with the Haiku posts?

I think he's the one taking the prozac...

[frogjerk]

Worryingly, the video clip has appeared on websites run by "revisionist" sympathisers who dispute the Holocaust ever occurred.

His "joke" has become propaganda for the insane. Great.

[lizol]

Do you think this crap may be considered as humor?

[lizol]

The scandal of Housewitz

[Atlantic Bridge]

"...I also do not think Auschwitz, the Holocaust, or any other touchy subject should be treated as a sacred cow..."

I do not think that it should be treated as a sacred cow either, but it is indeed a very special place. I visited the Camp in 1989 and it is not funny if you walk on the ashes of so many people. A place where so many suffered in such awful ways is a taboo.

You would not like me pi**ing on the grave of your mother either?

[FixedandDilated]

Oh, yeah, that stuff is just a hoot. Really funny. I can't imagine anyone not finding the humor in that. < /sarcasm>

[Atlantic Bridge]

Sorry - I did not saw the parallel thread.

Greetings to poland!

Andreas

[BayouCoyote]

The kid needs a dental appointment instead of an apology.

That's the problem today. As a youth, when someone insulted me or others, they were held physically accountable for their insults. Now we get apologies..F'em. I'd want his teeth. Our neighborhood was tough, but everyone was careful not to insult each other for fear of the repercussions.

[lizol]

Ping

[lizol]

No problem, it's impossible to avoid it. I've done something like this many times.

And the issue itself is worth recalling to discuss it more.

[Atlantic Bridge]

"...The kid needs a dental appointment instead of an apology.

That's the problem today. As a youth, when someone insulted me or others, they were held physically accountable for their insults. Now we get apologies..F'em. I'd want his teeth. Our neighborhood was tough, but everyone was careful not to insult each other for fear of the repercussions..."




Yep! And believe me that I can kick a** since I worked as a bouncer for a while when I was a youngster.

[tortoise]

You would not like me pi**ing on the grave of your mother either?

It would not bother me at all. You pissing on my mother's grave reflects on you, not on my mother or myself. It is no diffferent than if you pissed on any other person's grave.

I find this stupid in the same way people getting all hot and bothered over flag burning stupid. If your symbol cannot withstand being pissed on by a jackass, your symbol is a worthless pile of trash anyway. No one in this world is obligated to kowtow to the arbitrary sensitivities of another, even if it is wise to do so. It is a sign of immaturity and irrationality that people become offended so easily.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

..................

[johnb838]

Yeah, I don't find it funny, I find it incisive and hard hitting social commentary. I like it. Typical german reacting though to pepper him with hatemail and death threats. They can't stand being reminded of the sins of their fathers. They don't understand how close they are to them in spirit. Complete denial. I don't trust the germs, don't trust them at all.

[johnb838]

Blasphemy!

[Skooz]

Ok.

This is officially the worst bad joke ever.

Put it in the record books.

[Atlantic Bridge]

"............You would not like me pi**ing on the grave of your mother either?

It would not bother me at all. You pissing on my mother's grave reflects on you, not on my mother or myself. It is no diffferent than if you pissed on any other person's grave.

I find this stupid in the same way people getting all hot and bothered over flag burning stupid. If your symbol cannot withstand being pissed on by a jackass, your symbol is a worthless pile of trash anyway. No one in this world is obligated to kowtow to the arbitrary sensitivities of another, even if it is wise to do so. It is a sign of immaturity and irrationality that people become offended so easily........"



Well it would be not very healty to piss on the graves of my beloved ones, since I can get really dangerous in certain cases. Although I understand what you are saying, I can not support your standpoint. There are some symbols and things that are absolutely taboo. Such are flags, graveyards or the religous places. Auschwitz is for sure in that category. More than 1.100.000 victims died here. This should give you some respect.

[SkyPilot]

Can i please ask what is with the Haiku posts?

FIRMbss thinks death is funny
Black humor is cool, you see
But he is the fool

[jb6]

Did this idiot stop for even a moment to think what the outcome of his actions might be?

[HereInTheHeartland]

Maybe this airhead kid needs to sent to some hellhole of a country where this type of thing is going on today.
He could be assigned to collect bodies when victims are found.
He could clean up all the mess from a site where something has happened.
Then he could come back and make episode 2 of his movie as he sees fit.

[adam_az]

It's pretty sick, but not really shocking. After all, it's Europe.

What is more worrysome is that they want to prosecute him over this. What's even sicker, is that in Europe, it's not unexpected either.

[Drammach]

FIRMbss thinks death is funny
Black humor is cool, you see
But he is the fool

Ever heard of the "Darwin Awards" ??
Ever seen an article subtitled "Hold Muh Beer" ??

Sometimes Death is "Funny" in a Black Humor sort of way..
Or Gallows Humor, if you will..

Death happens every day to millions of people..
Some of those deaths may not be funny, some of them (many of them ) would make you puke up your fine breakfast if you were to see them..

But your "disapproval" of the fact of death means nothing..
Your "outrage" is just pi**ing in the wind..
It doesn't end the death, murder, rape...
It's just meaningless noise, whining..

Go ahead and be outraged if you wish..
When it saves 6 million maybe I'll listen...
Until then, trying to make love to a Grizzly Bear is still stupid, and funny..

I'd rather laugh at death and spit in it's face than show it an ounce of respect..

[lizol]

I think such level of complication is far beyond his abilities to comprehend.

[theFIRMbss]

>FIRMbss thinks death is funny/Black humor is cool, you see/But he is the fool

CHORUS:

Germany was having trouble
What a sad, sad story
Needed a new leader to restore
Its former glory

Where, oh, where was he?
Where could that man be?

We looked around and then we found
The man for you and me ...


LEAD TENOR STORMTROOPER:

And now it's...

Springtime for Hitler and Germany
Deutschland is happy and gay!
We're marching to a faster pace
Look out, here comes the master race!

Springtime for Hitler and Germany
Rhineland's a fine land once more!
Springtime for Hitler and Germany
Watch out, Europe
We're going on tour!

Springtime for Hitler and Germany...
Winter for Poland and France

Springtime for Hitler and Germany!

STORMTROOPER:

Come on, Germans
Go into your dance!

[STORMTROOPERS DANCE]

STORMTROOPER "ROLF":

I was born in Dusseldorf und that is why they call me Rolf.

STORMTROOPER "MEL":

Don't be stupid, be a smarty, come and join the Nazi party!

CHORUS MEN:

Bombs falling from the skies again
Deutschland is on the rise again

Springtime for Hitler and Germany
U-boats are sailing once more
Springtime for Hitler and Germany

Means that...
Soon we'll be going...
We've got to be going...
You know we'll be going....
You bet we'll be going...

You know we'll be going to war!!

[theFIRMbss]

>Can i please ask what is with the Haiku posts?

If you had the need
to know, you'd have already
gotten the memo.

[George W. Bush]

Springtime for Hitler and Germany...

But is it antisemitic if it's a comedy created by a Jew? Does that make him a self-hating Jew? Are Gentiles even allowed to discuss it one way or the other?

At some point, all history recedes from living memory. Those who survived the camps are already elderly but there are still quite a few.

Given the relative indifference to the Turkish massacres of the Armenians in the Twenties or the massacre of Serbs by Croats during WW II, I think it is valid to question why the Nazi massacre of Jews is that much more important. Certainly, many millions of people were exterminated. It was Jews and gypsies and communists and Poles and intellectuals and devout Christians. And yet, Holocaust is the single most important event of the 20th Century for some people. And Holocaust is generally understood to mean specifically the Nazi extermination of Jews, ignoring all the others who were exterminated. Why are the Jews that much more important than the heinous mass killings by Japan? Or those in Cambodia by Pol Pot? Or Stalin's policies that deliberately killed tens of millions. The same tens of millions can be credited to Mao who also gets some credit, along with the French, for teaching Pol Pot his methods and philosophy.

It seems that the main difference is a political lobby and large foundations, some established at public expense, to promote the Holocaust. They build museums and such and then force schoolkids to visit them. This then creates a conditioned response to denounce anyone who does not spew the official line as some kind of antisemite.

I think there is a very selective focus on the massacre of one single group. History is actually filled with massacres but only one is given this kind of attention.

[theFIRMbss]

>selective focus

I think you are wrong.
The Holocaust is unique.
Not as genocide,

but as state-sponsored
genocide by a global
political state.

Most mass murder is
blamed on soldiers gone rogue, or
passing politics.

But the Holocaust
was carefully considered
extermination,

standard policy,
a part of the Nazi state.
It was conceived of

as an on-going
measure to "cleanse" both Europe
and the Arian race.

The intentions and
scope of the Holocaust do
make it stand alone.

[George W. Bush]

The intentions and scope of the Holocaust do make it stand alone.

If nothing else, it stands alone because we captured the entire German archives which showed the methodology of the massacre. The Germans kept detailed and careful records. Other governments do more to try to hide their actions such as the central European communists when the Warsaw Pact disintegrated. I think the Russians also cleansed a lot of material prior to the end of the Soviet era so there would be no evidence.