WWII in GR

[Paul Mackin]

On Fri, 11 Aug 2000, Mark Wright AIA wrote:

> Howdy
> 
> --- Dave Monroe <monroe at mpm.edu> wrote:
> (snip)
> > I believe that Pokler is gnerally, and
> > justifiably, read as a von Braun figure of sorts, and despite von
> > Braun's
> > "own" "prsence" in that very interesting indeed epigraph.
> 
> As I see it, von Braun was a winner, one of the gleaming Elect. Pokler
> is a loser.  A closer von Braun analogue might be Weissmann, who was a
> creative, motive force, who's destiny, P tells us, is in the postwar
> Corporate elite.


Interesting that vBraun was clearly the big man technical director,
the obvious and as it turned out actual historic choice for American
postwar corporate elite-hood, but P chose Weissmann (or his spirit I
guess) for that honor in the alternative history.

What is the meaning of the difference?

Glad you asked. 

To let vB. stand for the link between Nazism and the postwar world is
literal and obvious to people who want to believe it. However besides
being trite it's also subject to logical refutation. For example, when
American Army Ordinance captured vB they knew one thing for sure; they
didn't want him continuing on at the Mittelwerk under the Russians (nor to
become part of the British or the French program for that matter); they
could have just shot him which was what they probably felt he deserved but
decided to bring him home instead where of course he was put to good
use.  The point is, it could have all been different. And there would 
still have been the same American Postward Corporate World in either or
any case. Nazism hell. The point is, you can argue it both ways. A very
unsatisfactory situation.

But Weissmann. A totally weird and irrational fictional personality. There
were the rocket programs on both sides of the Atlantic. Just come out and
say they are joined at the hip via crazy Weissmann.  No one can object.

Just some random thoughts. Perhaps total BS but BS is what makes the
world go round.

			P.