πŸ€”If I told you that in 1944, Adolf Hitler ran the most sophisticated and successful space rocket program on earth, would that change your opinion of him? Should it?

Would that make you think Adolf was a rocket scientist? Or do you know that Wernher von Braun was the rocket scientist?

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@mekkaokereke The whitewashing of von Braun was really a sight to behold. A great example is how Disney had him hosting some of their classic "Men Into Space" programs back in the 60s. These were wonderful shows from an educational standpoint, except that they had to go through nightmarish twists to avoid connecting von Braun with the Nazi rocket program and his direct involvement in the slaughter of so many in England, etc.
@lauren @mekkaokereke "... the widows and cripples in old London Town / who own their large pensions to Wernher von Braun." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEJ9HrZq7Ro
Tom Lehrer - Wernher von Braun

Tom Lehrer on public domain (2020):https://tomlehrersongs.com/https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Lehrer-Collection/dp/B0039TD73GUse the above link and get the uninte...

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@TimWardCam @mekkaokereke I was attempting not to invoke Lehrer for this rather serious discussion.

@lauren @mekkaokereke In that the last phrase in your toot instantly reminded me of "the widows and cripples of old London Town" I'm afraid you had limited success, at least as far as this audience member was concerned.

Lehrer was, of course (for the benefit of anyone who isn't familiar with his work), as sometimes but not always was the case, also being serious.

@lauren @mekkaokereke I am here now only because the Germans' attempt to kill my mother failed (she wasn't at home when her house was bombed - I don't know what sort of bomb it was, so it may or may not have been one of von Braun's).