Tourist arrested for giving Heil Hitler salute in holiday photo outside Reichstag

[Lars77]

Source: The Telegraph

The 30-year-old Canadian was standing on the steps of the German parliament building with his right arm raised as his girlfriend, 29, photographed him in the forbidden pose.

Police arrived within seconds, handcuffed him and took the memory card of the camera.

He risked being formally charged with making a forbidden gesture, an offence for which he could have been jailed for up to six months.

But it is understood he will be let off with a fine and a warning. He was freed after several hours in police custody on Saturday after paying bail money.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/world-war-2/8350593/Tourist-arrested-for-giving-Heil-Hitler-salute-in-holiday-photo-outside-Reichstag.html

[truebrit71]

1. What an idiot...

..you know there are just some things you shouldn't do based on where you are...

[Historic NY]

2. "dumb kopf".

[KurtNYC]

21. and yet they show 'Hogan's Heroes' on German TV ?!

[MrsMatt]

28. But that is a documenary - n/t

[uppityperson]

3. Glad they let him off, hoping he learned something there

[AtheistCrusader]

4. So you CAN criminalize 'being an asshole'.

We have a lot to learn from the Germans.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. We just need to get rid of the First Amendment

[Edweird]

5. Wat? Too soon?

[SoapBox]

6. And here the T.HaterBaggers proudly carried signs showing out President as Hitler...

...and the consequences?

Nada.

This country is a mess.

[emilyg]

7. He broke German law.

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. The same thing happened with Scott Walker in WI

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/19/nation/la-na-wisconsin-governor-20110220

[Kingofalldems]

13. Big fan of Gov. Walker?

[Freddie Stubbs]

14. No. Are you?

:shrug:

[Kingofalldems]

15. I didn't jump into a thread that was not about Walker

and talk about him as though he were a victim. :shrug: Makes one think you're a big fan of his.

[Freddie Stubbs]

16. So, you think that it is approprate to use Nazi references in American political protests?

:shrug:

[Kingofalldems]

19. Another one of your sneaky little strawmen--not biting.

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. I am happy to state that such behavior should be condemned regardless of whoever is doing it

I'm not sure why you are afraid to do so.

[joshcryer]

25. An excercise of free expression is always welcome in the US.

:hi:

[Freddie Stubbs]

29. Legally, yes. But we can still criticize and shun those do inappropriate things

[RZM]

12. These laws are rooted in a postwar European context

They were intended to keep Nazism in the past and prevent its resurgence. I certainly understand why Germany has them, but they are neither here nor there for us.

[Lionel Mandrake]

24. the context was the occupation of Germany and Austria

by France, the UK, the US and the USSR. Nazi symbols, gestures and phrases were verboten. A few years later, the denazification rules were incorporated into German law.

Even now, German law probibits many activities that would be protected as free speech in the USA. Denying the Holocaust, for example, is a crime in Germany.

[speltwon]

18. That's because we have a first amendment

racial insults are criminal in many European countries, as are hate speech, wearing Nazi apparel, etc. Our ACLU fought and won the right for Nazis to friggin' march in our country. Free speech comes with costs. One must put up with this crap, if one wants free speech.

[Lars77]

30. That would be true if you totally disregard history. nt

[speltwon]

31. No, it is true. Period. No ignorance of history required or possessed. nt

[fittosurvive]

22. Everybody uses Hitler...

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

23. SEE! SEE! THE LEFT DOES IT TOO!!!1111!!!

:eyes:

[joshcryer]

26. You advocate the suppression of free speech?

[RZM]

8. Germany has a lot of laws regarding the expression of Nazism

These types of laws aren't uncommon when a regime loses a war. Today's Iraq has similar laws regarding the Ba'th party. I don't think this particular tourist had evil intentions -- I think he just thought he was being funny. But 'when in Rome' certainly applies here.

[jakeXT]

10. Only Tom Cruise is allowed to do that...

[Xenotime]

17. PUt the rethug in jail and throw away the key.

[Democat]

27. Dumb law, but it is their law and he was stupid to break it.

You have to be aware when you are in another country.