[Olog-hai]

"The (European) Community is living largely by the heritage of the Heiliges R.misches Reich, though the great majority of the people who live by it don't know by what heritage they live.

How is it that this statement by his highness didn't set off alarm bells across the world?

[Wuli]

I read a lot this weekend about the man, Otto von Habsburg, the Austro-Hungarian Empire that ended during his father’s reign and the contributions of that Empire to much that was good about “the west” and why (and still is), as well as how it contributed to many ethnic issues that remain flash-points of political turbulence in Europe even today.

This dichotomy of blessings and curses is an inevitable result of all great Empires.

Otto spent his own life working to advance the blessings “the west” had to offer and trying to heal the riffs that continue between peoples in Europe. He SHOULD be remembered with fondness by this generation.

[ArrogantBustard]

Although he was a witness to the dismantling of his family’s empire, he used his influence in an unsuccessful struggle to keep the Nazis from annexing Austria before World War II. He also opposed Soviet communism and worked for the opening of the Iron Curtain in the decades after the war.

Cardinal Martino said Habsburg was “particularly disturbed” by the rise of the major totalitarian ideologies and fought against both National Socialism and International Socialism “at significant risk to his own life.”

...

He is also credited with helping about 15,000 Austrians, including many Jews, escape the Nazis during World War II.

Excellent.

[cookcounty]

My history prof used to communicate regularly with Otto (that was way back in the 1960’s).

[hellbender]

I'm shocked. Prince Otto didn't engage in "golf summits" with the National Socialists and Commies, like our domestic "aristocrats"?

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[redgolum]

Is there another Hapsburg?