My boss is wrong: Nazis are indeed funny

by Brad Wells on Feb 6, 2008 10:59 AM EST in Horse Bucket

I wrote an article a few months ago jokingly comparing the Patriots to Nazis because 1) Most thought it was funny, and 2) It was absurdest humor. Anyone who took it seriously lacked a sense of humor, and I have no patience for such people. A few months later, I was talking to my boss, blez, about a variety of things, and he brought up the Nazi article. He said (and I'm paraphrasing here) that Nazis just aren't funny, BBS.

Now, it is very rare that blez is wrong, because he's the all-knowing, all-powerful master of SB Nation. But, in this particular instance, he is dead friggin' wrong.

There. I said it. If you don't see me blogging tomorrow and some guy named NazisArentFunny is introduced as the new head blogger at Stampede Blue, then let that be a lesson to all bloggers everywhere: Do not f*&k with, blez.

That said, meet Adolph Hitler, Patriots fan:

This Hitler Pats Fan You Tube video is an homage to one done with Hitler as a Cowboys fan, a video circulated on just about every sports blog known to fan (because it was LOL funny). Now folks, I think this goes without saying (but because some people need it said I'll say it anyway): This is not an endorsement of Nazism, and I do not think Patriots fans are Nazis. I do think after 60-plus years, our generation can afford to laugh a bit at some of the tragic events of the 20th Century. Laughter, just like grief, is one way to understand and deal with something as historically important as the Nazis. Sports is not something that should be taken too seriously, and just like sports a You Tube clip using footage from a German film about Hitler's last days and changing the sub-titles to say Hitler is mad about the Patriots losing to the Giants also should not be taken seriously.

There. Now hug and kiss each other, and swear you'll never join the Nazi party.

BTW: If you haven't seen the film this footage comes from (Downfall) Netflix it right now. It is a chilling film with tremendous performances.

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awesome video

my blog <http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com>

by shake n bake on Feb 6, 2008 11:37 AM EST reply actions

I don't know blez

but the Pats fans who were protesting here were sanctimonious hypocrites. The notion that joking about Nazis is "never funny" or somehow still "edgy" is absurd. Honestly, where have these people been for the last 30 years? Have they never seen "Hogan's Heroes?" Or "The Producers" (the original movie came out in the late '60s)? Or "The Blues Brothers" (Nazi subplot; "Illinois Nazis -- I hate those guys")?

It's dark humor. Any humor -- almost any humor at all -- can be in bad taste if it's done inartfully. But humor that makes Nazis look like idiots, or humor that uses Nazis to satirize bad behavior has been around in mainstream entertainment literally for decades.

Nobody is mocking the victims of the Nazi brutality. That would absolutely be inappropriate. In all of the cases mentioned, including on this site, it's the Nazis and/or their "imitators" that are mocked. But it's not like it's a real fine line or anything. I think most people understand the difference. I mean, it was the subject of a '60s era sitcom for god's sake.

by ctnyc on Feb 6, 2008 12:43 PM EST reply actions

Welcome to the age

of political over-correctness

by coltsfanawalt on Feb 6, 2008 1:18 PM EST reply actions

We Don't Use Politically Correct Anymore

It offended politicians. We say "the thing that can't affend people."

God I hate political correctness.

coltshomer.blogspot.com

by Colts Homer on Feb 6, 2008 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

Good Point

My apologies to our fine civil servants for my lack of sensitivity. In light of their personal sacrifice and high standard of integrity, I would never want to damage their feeling of self value.

I am willing to consider sensitivity training to rid myself of this evil tendency.

by coltsfanawalt on Feb 7, 2008 2:07 AM EST up reply actions

OK that's funny

It's funny because it's not so much making fun of Nazis as much it is of the culture of (apparent) superiority surrounding Pats fans.

I wouldn't chalk complaints about it up to PC-ism but rather simply Pats homers pissed that they're compared to authoritarian a-holes from another age.

by PigInZen on Feb 6, 2008 1:31 PM EST reply actions