Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

Austria misrepresented

To the editor,

When I read the Wildcat, I always look forward to the editorial cartoon. I often wonder how does the person drawing the cartoon come up with these ideas?

The cartoon is clever, simple yet with bold statements, using few words, but expressing a lot. Putting events into pictorial form is quite amazing. Unfortunately, the editorial cartoon on February 7, 2000, depicting the Nazi symbol as the "S" in Austria, did not strike me as being any of the aforementioned. On the contrary, I found it distasteful, untrue and lacking complete knowledge of the situation.

This is not to say, however, that I am a supporter of Joerg Haider, nor his party, the Far-Right Freedom Party. I am aware of what he has said in the past and his beliefs. I do support Austria's new Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, and his belief that Austria is not a pariah state, and that a new Hitler is not on the rise with the inclusion of Joerg Haider.

The situation in Austria has captivated world attention. Israel recalled its ambassador to Austria. The US requested that its ambassador return to the US for "consultations." Even the European Union, has threatened political sanctions. Nevertheless, I seriously doubt, as the cartoon depicted, that fascism or another Hitler-like government will arise. This possibility seems absurd, given the fact that the world is entirely different than it was nearly 60 years ago.

Firstly, when Hitler rose to power, the world was experiencing the worst economic times on record, particularly in Germany, after the devastation in World War I. Secondly, Hitler usurped power in Germany, whereas Haider's Freedom Party, we popularly elected by 27% of the electorate. Thirdly, following the end of World War II, the world, more specifically Germany and Austria, become increasingly aware of far-right groups. Finally, the government formed is a coalition, which Joerg Haider has no official role in. All of these factors, along with the rest of the world now watching Austrian politics, convinces me that the possibility of Nazism in Austria is simply not viable.

I invite all people to understand the situation a little bit more before jumping to conclusions. Being in Europe, that's all I hear and read about day in and day out. Perhaps that is why I feel compelled to shed light on the situation to those who do not hear about it that often. Finally, I believe that by giving Haider's party so much negative attention, it will only help to propagate their ignorant thinking, and might even turn out to do more harm than good. Exploiting old wounds for political gains is morally and ethically wrong. Allow Austrians to decide what is in their best interest, before those old wounds reopen, causing even more damage.

Eric A. Hochstatter

Political science and history junior