Feb. 11, 2004 - 16:22 MST

THE WONDERING JEW

Bad Word

Thomas Sowell, an economist and a columnist with Creators Syndicate is a man I respect highly, even though I often disagree with his line of thought -- at least it is thought. But every so often we think along the same lines.

His column in February 11, 2004

Titled: "Restitution often a bad idea."

I agree with.

In part he says, "One such dangerous notion is the idea of being able to undo the wrongs of history."

"Back in the 17th century, when Czech nobles rebelled against the Hapsburg Empire, the crushing of their rebellion was followed by a confiscation of their lands, which were then transferred to German nobles. Whatever the rights or wrongs, the Czechs thought it was wrong."

He continues, "Fast forward to the 20th century. After the First World War, the Hapsburg Empire was dismembered and the new state of Czechoslovokia was created. "To correct social injustice" and "put right historic wrongs," as one historian put it, Czechs were now to get preferential treatment. The German minority, of course, objected. Their outraged protests were suppressed by force, and some were shot and killed in the process. The net result was a polarized country with an embittered minority in the 20th century -- all because of trying to right the wrongs of the 17th century. No matter who was right and who was wrong in the 17th century, they were all dead and nothing within the power of man could bring them justice in this world. Symbolic restitution could only create new problems among the living. Eventually the German minority became so alienated that it demanded to be transferred from Czechoslovika to Germany. By this time the Nazis had come to power in Germany and Hitler backed this demand. This provoked an international crisis that was resolved in 1938 when Britain and France caved in to Hitler and backed the German demands. Within months of getting part of Czechoslovakia, Hitler took all the rest."

"Under Hitler, the German minority lorded it over the Czechs. Past injustices again led to present injustices. And when Germany lost the war, the German minority paid the price. They were expelled en masse, suddenly and brutally, with thousands dying in the process.

Now, in the 21st century, those Germans and their descendants are still trying to get the right to return to the Czech Republic and reclaim homes and property that they had been forced to abandon during the mass expulsions."

Mr. Sowell finishes, "Americans hearing the siren song of collective restitution today might well look at what such attempts at restitution have produced in other places and times, especially if they believe in the brotherhood of man."

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In my opinion this matter is on a knife edge between right and wrong. The Mideast situation clouded since biblical times or before, has been like something thrown into a food processor, run until every thing is a gooey mess. In that case really, who restitutes who ?

I see no way in my mind that restitution can be paid to colored folks whose families have been in this country for a few hundred years -- monetarily. We can however improve living conditions and improvement of schools in this country in many ways and finally -- play fair.

American Indians who were essentially pushed into unwanted territory by us and finally put on reservations and not treated well or fairly there by our government. Our country broke treaties with them many times. My outlook on that is, the best way that matter could be handled is to determine the money they have been cheated out of on their royalties etc. and pay it back plus interest maybe. I can't see any way of restoring ancestral land to people were often wanderers according to season. To people who could lay claim to vast tracts of land in our north east now occupied with many towns.

I think restitution if made should be made in a shape so as to be fair to both sides. Not like a toy taken from one child and given to another. People who have been in the southwest have an idea of the desolate country many Indians inhabit because they were put there by our government. Reservations where most civilians would starve or die of thirst.

Restitution made without thought or fairness to all sides can bite back outrageously. So in the end it can turn out to be a Bad Word. . . . . . . . . . .

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