On Hiedegger, for Michael F

[Matthew Cissell]

Micahel & anyone else interested,

    One last word about the Schwarzwald philosopher. If anyone ever tries to 
counter argue with some weak argument like, "most brilliant intellectuals fell 
in love with it [fascism]", then consider the following: First we must ask what 
an intellectual is and which ones were brilliant. Second, did they "fall in 
love"? We must ask these questions to reveal the attempt to veil the particular 
in generalities. People who avail themselves of this argument would have us 
believe that all fascistic meovements were equal, which is entirely untrue. They 
would also try to convince us that Hemingway interviewing Mussolini is the same 
as Pound making radio broadcasts for Mussolini and that these are the same as 
Heidegger's or Speer's involvement woth the Third Reich. Not true.
    Was there a broad development of nationalism that turned to fascism at the 
begining of the 20th c. that enticed or piqued the interest of many people? yes. 
can that be used to clean up someone's name? i think not.
    If people continue to listen to Wagner despite his anti-semitism, or read 
this or that author despite their political leanings (Celine, etc.) it is as an 
object of study. Let me explain. IF we study the various editions of Ernst 
Jünger's "In Stahlgewittern" it is to understand what it said about modern life 
or WWI or how it shaped the culture or political landscape of the Wiemar 
republic. We do not, i think, listen to Wagner or read Celine (or whatever) in 
order to shape our thoughts about jews. It seems to me altogether different to 
study Heidegger as a way to understand our existence in this world. Does anyone 
really want to follow this philosopher? I'd prefer to imitate a dog. & yes i 
walk with a lantern in broad daylight.

Ciao
MC
p.s. this is about much more than the Shoah. don't let obscurantists obfuscate 
the issues and facts.