Gunter Grass, the communist, anti—Israel and anti—American ideologue who is also a Nobel Prize—winning novelist, dismisses capitalism's role in the rejuvenation of Germany and blames capitalism for the destruction of Germany. The last remaining ideology—gimme a break. How about Islamism, for example? Or Communism?

Ed Lasky  5 07 05

John Rosenthal, of Trans Atlantic Intelligencer adds:

Truly pathetic.  I like the way too in talking about the 'economic miracle' he manages to recall the contributions of the 'guest workers' (granted) but forget those of the Marshall Plan.  Bottom line: Günter is still at heart that 17—year—old boy looking now to reverse the 'humiliation following total defeat.'

Ed Lasky adds:

Grass conveniently forgets the role that the US Military played in defending his nation during the Cold War. Billions of  American dollars were spent (apart from the billions in Marshall Program funding) over the last decades — billions that the Germans themselves did not have to spend because of the generosity of the American security blanket. Billions that the Germans used to build modern factories that lead to their export—driven recovery. We sent them money that could have been used to modernize our own factories and then, to add insult to injury, we ended up buying their goods instead of  our own (think about that next time you see a BMW or Porsche).