This really dull news item got me thinking about consequences.
Other than Hitler, Mussolini, and perhaps (tragically) Churchill, few WW2 leaders (apart from a few French Nazi-collaborators) suffered consequences for their actions. Oh, and some countries lost warlords, because they were already in chaos. But I’m talking here about leaders of governments — not admirals, generals, lieutenants, and whatnot.
Why Did de Valera Offer Condolences After Hitler Died?
RTÉ News | Sunday, 10 Sep 2023 11:52 | David McCullaghAlmost five decades after his death, the legacy of Éamon de Valera is in the news again. […]
On a visit to Israel, the Tánaiste (Micheál Martin) faced some criticism in local media for Ireland’s
perceivedanti-Israeli position and in that context was asked (by an Irish journalist) whether it had been a mistake for de Valera, as Taoiseach, to offer condolences to the German nation on the death of Adolf Hitler.This controversial act, one of the most controversial things de Valera ever did, has been regularly resurrected in the decades since, with some using it to suggest that he was pro-Nazi. In fact, he was anything but… […]
… de Valera insisted on strict adherence to the formalities of neutrality. […]
As the war drew to a close, though, he became increasingly irritated by the US Minister (a diplomat one rank below an ambassador) in Dublin, David Gray. Gray detested de Valera, and the feeling was entirely mutual.
He kept pushing for more overt Irish assistance, and in April 1945, with Allied victory clearly only days away, he demanded that the German Legation in Dublin be handed over to him. De Valera was furious, rightly seeing that this would breach Irish neutrality and sent Gray away with a flea in his ear. […]
Which is what led to his greatest error of the entire war. When news came through on 2 May 1945 that Hitler was dead, de Valera called on the German Minister, Eduard Hempel, “to offer condolences” on his death.
So, that’s what got me thinking that country leaders, like Ireland’s, can do whatever they feel like during a crisis, and face no consequences. Must be nice.
That dude in Spain during the war just shrugged his shoulders and said, “Eh.” Like the self-abdicated king of Britain. Oh, well. “Meh.”
Brandon pulls out of Afghanistan on a whim…”eh, no big deal imma Democrat. We’re like gods and can do no wrong.”
He must have foreseen the coming of Merkel, et al…
“de Valera insisted on strict adherence to the formalities of neutrality”
At least he had some sort of standards. Our current crop of politicians seem to have looked at Keeping up with the Kardashians, no, the Surreal Life with Flava Flav, as a blueprint for success.