tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855223901782590860.post1105120373085992760..comments2024-02-19T05:12:30.844-05:00Comments on Oh Boym: Evil Fishcbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03342342242345926624noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855223901782590860.post-39787747886226872652013-08-08T22:59:09.944-04:002013-08-08T22:59:09.944-04:00The Jews suffered terribly in Lithuania, more than...The Jews suffered terribly in Lithuania, more than 90% of the Jewish population was murdered, which is to say the entire community was virtually annihilated. I don't think that Antisemitism was more prevalent there than in other Eastern European country, but rather that the "government" cooperated with the Nazis, whom the people initially saw as liberators from the criminal and homicidal Soviet occupiers——who worked,in the early days of the war, to destroy the Lithuanian Republic, and create a Lithuanian Soviet Socialist slave state.<br /><br />Certainly the enthusiasm for genocide of those who joined with the Nazi invaders can not in anyway be justified, but one can seek to understand it. A proud, ancient, people, reduced to pawns of German/Soviet Realpolitik, which is to say, all were equally damned.<br /><br />That said, a history of humiliation by the Russians, during the 19th Century, would have been amplified by Stalin's 20th-century ruthless manipulations as well as various crimes against humanity, would have left a surviving minority, i.e., the Jews defenseless, particularly as Lithuanian, as I said above, initially saw the Germans as saviors.<br /><br />So, it is in this context, that you and Mr. Boym found "sumptuous smoked trout and salmon, plus jars of locally made honey," in this most unlikely place. <br /><br />I suspect that in hidden corners of America there are any number of criminals, i.e., participants in the Witness Protection Programs, along with specialists who did our dirty work in South America, Africa, Asia, and elsewhere.<br /><br />In the end, the old woman's father's was a victim too, or the man possessed an incredible instinct for survival. After all, the Soviets killed as many Lithuanians as the Nazis murdered Jews. It was a terrible time and people of every kind, including Jews, made their deals with the Devil.<br /><br />With this in mind, the important thing is not history, but that while you may inherit "milk and honey," for now be content with smoked fish and honey.RWordplayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13987980380490858573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855223901782590860.post-32998952675621895002013-08-08T20:53:46.856-04:002013-08-08T20:53:46.856-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.RWordplayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13987980380490858573noreply@blogger.com