X-Message-Number: 18277 Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 02:42:18 -0800 From: "John Grigg" <> Subject: Olaf Henny, the rarest of men... Olaf Henny shared: On occasion of the May 1st 1951 Workers Day parade, we were marching in true totalitarian style, ten or fifteen abreast, past a stage occupied the then president of the GDR, Wilhelm Pieck, and his entourage. Chanting all around us, the loudspeaker proclaimed: "The president of the German Democratic Republic salutes the students of the Goethe Schule (our school)". Around me everybody was clapping with hands raised above their heads. It was mass frenzy and although I resented the guy, as I have resented few in my life, my impulse at the time was to raise my hands and join in the clapping. I resisted and clenched my briefcase instead, but I realized then how profound the impact of mass manipulation can be. (end) Olaf, your post was so incredibly touching to me!! I realized there were a handful of people out there who had done things like this, but would never have guessed one would be on this list! I just wonder what gave you the wisdom and inner strength at such a tender young age to resist the mob mentality everyone else had fallen for?? Mr. Henny, my congratulations on what you did! You richly deserve like few others to be suspended and see the future. I fully expect the citizens of the late 21st century to be as astonished at what you did as present-day people are. And I dearly hope you have written a book about your experience! Your story must never be forgotten. sincerely, John -- Click here for your very own create-a-date adventure from MatchMaker Go to http://ecard.matchmaker.com/dating.html Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=18277