Discussion for article #239142
If only these scientists had guns, they would not have had to move to Turkey.
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Interesting.
I was up late the other night wiki-surfing from one stupid thing to another to make myself tired, and I started reading about Wernher von Braun, the Nazi rocket engineer that invented the bombs that were dropped on London. He became a chief rocket engineer at NASA after WW2, coming over to the US in what was known as Operation Paperclip that brought over 1500 scientists, many with Nazi party affiliation. He was the Chief Architect of the Saturn V rocket of the Apollo manned moon missions. Fascinating history.
Can anyone answer this question?: Was the letter successful in its goal?
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Can anyone answer this question?: Was the letter successful in its goal?
And I’d be curious to know if anyone can read the notation that have been handwritten on the sides by the recipient (I presume)
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Interesting that the German president of a French organization is writing in English to a Turkish president.
That is globalism… or something!
I note that the letterhead says “Union of the OSE Society, for the protection of the health of the Jewish population.”
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Happily, the offer was accepted by Ataturk and “many scores of German and Austrian Jewish scientists, their families, and their assistants, moved to Turkey.”
Some of the handwriting is from the titular prime minister, Ismet Inönü, who initially turned down the offer. When Ataturk was informed of the letter by his dentist (!), he overruled Inönü. Interesting story:
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You might be interested in Tom Lehr’s famous take on von Braun:
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That is truly a remarkable letter. Einstein was truly an amazing human being.
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Note the Murdoch ownership influence on Nat Geo…Article writer slips in the right-wing line that the Nazis were “socialists.”
(Yes, I do know that the Nazis has “socialism” in their name. That doesn’t make them socialists.)
Very cool! Thanks Ozziecat!
Ah yes…that’s where I heard von Braun’s name mentioned before. I remember that ditty too now. He’s the guy that did the one about the periodic table of elements. I looked him up and he’s still alive and kickin’. Thanks for helping jog my memory.
Really helpful explanation, thanks! And a fine-looking cat photo as a bonus.
Tom LEHRER. German for “Teacher”. LEHRER.
Lehrer is a fascinating guy. Not only was he a wonderful pianist, great lyricist in a satiric sense, and super comic presenter, he is (I’m sure you don’t need to be told) a mathematician. He didn’t publish much, but taught at university until 2003.
Everyone knows about the connection between music and math. Few mathematicians have been listed by Princess Margaret as one of her favorite musicians, however. Weird Al Yankovitch called him an influence, and Randy Newman called him one of the greatest lyricists of the 20th century. Certainly his lyrics are up to Gilbert and Sullivan standards.
The wheel turns. You are up for a time, and on top of the wheel.
The wheel turns.
Well, sort of French. French, before WWII and more so before WWI, was la langue de la diplomatie, and all cultured learned persons were to speak it. Much as many international organizations now give their mission in English, the mission was given in French. That has nothing to do with the “nationality” of an international group for the Protection of Jews. And as to the writing in English, the alternative was Turkish. Turkish is a difficult language.
They should have built a laser gun to destroy the nazi’s, if they couldnt do that, it’s no wonder no one wanted them. /snark
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