Forget Hitler

Last week's cover story on the film Downfall ["Bunker bedlam," March 9] introduces us to yet another exposé on Hitler. Your review makes us wonder why we view films in the first place. Is it for entertainment? Vital information? Escape?

Hardly so. Instead, Downfall is a case of intellectual masturbation under the guise of good directing and acting, along with lousy writing. It's just another one of those thousands of accounts of Adolf Hitler, who, because his name is so often evoked, should receive a Nobel Prize. His name has been evoked to indict Ho Chi Minh, Daniel Ortega, Fidel Castro and Salvador Allende, about all of whom past U.S. presidents have cried: "His tactics are not unlike those of Hitler!"

But history would reveal the brutal oppression and reparations inflicted on Germany by the allied powers after World War I. Offhand, we assume that Germany was indicted for starting the war. Germany did not start the war, but was imprisoned for the next decade for losing the war. Then, in an about-face, Germany was "rewarded" via the Marshall Plan, for starting WWII, a hypocritical move to thwart a socialist revolution.

Preceding WWI, the entire continent of Europe was enveloped with intense competition for sea power, trade, language and territorial disputes. The assassination of Austria's Archduke by a Serbian did not start WWI as widely assumed; it was one of the many straws that broke the camel's back. Patriotic fervour was intense among those countries.

Then, in 1919, the Treaty of Versailles (certainly a euphemism of the day - it reads lots nicer than the "Surrender at Buckystown") formally ended the war. Thus began the virtual imprisonment of Germany, which only ended when the great worldwide depression levelled the playing field. Predictably, Hitler (or maybe another?) would emerge with hate and vengeance.

Vengeance is not uncommon. Witness the spontaneous vengeance of road-rage: a decent person turns killer once behind the wheel. Or, every year we endure Remember Pearl Harbor and 9/11. But Vietnam, a country invaded or occupied by at least five nations - count 'em! - during the last century, has forgotten each enemy so as to prepare for the next! If they harboured constant vengeance against the French, could they then battle the Americans? And, witness the Japanese. If they remembered the huge loss of civilian life from the constant fire-bombings and the nukes, could they then flood the world with Toyotas and Sonys?

You've done a disservice in reviewing Downfall. We've nothing to learn by remembering. Instead how about a gentle reminder toward real character: the ability to forget.

» Edward Abramic

RIP Peter Boucher

A former member of Montreal punk bands Fail Safe and Les Flokons Givrés, Peter Boucher, committed suicide on March 9, in Matane, at the age of 40.

Over the past couple of years, he was away from Montreal and the music scene due to multiple drug addiction problems. He died alone, in misery, struggling with schizophrenia.

Music was his life. Like Alex Soria [Cover, "Alex Soria 1966–2004," March 3], he was very gifted, and few people had the chance to hear him.

The reason I'm writing you is that a lot of people from the underground scene knew Peter between the '80s and '90s, yet few know he's dead. I find that sad and would appreciate it if you could mention this.

There will be no ceremony, since almost all his family is already dead. But it would be so cool if the people who have worked with Pete could have one last tiny thought for him.

Thank you very much.

» Marie France Herbuté, friend of the family

Religious propaganda

Shalom. Jesus (Jeshua) is the only way, as one of your letter writers noted ["Maitreya vs Jesus," March 3]. And ye must be born again as the spirit available to all. And this is not baptism.

In Montreal, the Massiaic (born-again) Jews meet Sabbath mornings at 6297 Monkland. Go see.

» Paul Lindall

Trust Jesus! Ask him to come into your life and be the only spiritual ruler in it! Not your friend. Not a guru. Not your mother. Not the Pope. Not your Rabbi. Not any other merely human being.

This offer may sound familiar, since it has been available for centuries. How long are you going to wait to trust someone who will revolutionize your life and give you love from above?

Not only that, Jesus guarantees a special bonus offer of eternal life.

» Vickie Kress, Jews for Jesus, San Francisco, California

Correction:

The 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination is not this year, as reported in our March 10 Insect, but will be on April 4, 2008.

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