Some of the more recent posts seem to imply that the criticism of VW-as-Hitler's-legacy were lighthearted and tongue-in-cheek. If that is indeed true, then maybe these folks are not as unhinged as I first thought.

Looking back at the news article on Geoff Berner's onstage rant, linked in the opening post, and then at the quote from Mitch Podolak in the second post, I don't see any clear indication that either man was anything less than serious. Trying to read between the lines with as much sympathy as possible, I can see how Geoff might have been joking and was misinterpreted by the press (gee, wouldn't that be unusual?), but Mitch really seems to be quite earnest in holding a grudge against VW for its origins 75+ years ago.

The power and influence of Big Money is inescapable. Anytime anyone can persuade them to pay for a cultural event or anything helpful to the human community, I'm happy to hear about it.

Those guys' attitude toward Volkswagen reminds me of a "Curb Your Enthusiam" episode: Larry admits to enjoying a certain musical piece written by Wagner, and one of his more devout and militant Jewsih acquantances berates him mercilessly for liking Hitler's favorite composer. "You're nothing but a self-hating Jew!" the guy screams at Larry. Larry, enraged and absolutley beside himself, hollers back, "Oh yeah? Oh Yeah? Sure, I hate myself alright, but it has nothing to do with being Jewish!!!"