I hate to get involved in a thread with racist overtones, but here goes. Roger, the primary responsibility for the holocaust lies with the Germans and their allies who actually murdered the millions of Jews. There is no question that a number of countries and groups, including the US bear some guilt. When asked to bomb Auschwitz the common response of US government officials was that it was not militarily feasible. Yet in July and August of 1944 the US repeatedly bombed the synthetic rubber producing plant at Auschwitz. That was a military target. The gas chambers were deemed to be non military targets. During July and August more than one hundred thousand were murdered in those gas chambers. The US government's decision not to bomb them was unfortunate, to say the least. <BR> <BR>The museum takes what was probably the greatest mass murder in human history and allows people to draw conclusions. Roger, do you think it's in the US interest to consider how the world can limit mass murder? Do you think people have an obligation to consider what they can do when ethnic groups are murdered around the world? Do you think US citizens should examine the racism in our society and where that hatred can ultimately lead? Do you think the museum is relevant? <BR>

I would suggest (going back to the idea that this is a forum for travel tips) that Roger actually visit the museum.

Ignoring all the other stuff said, Roger does have a point. It did not happen in America, it happened in Germany. And he brought up interesting points in mentioning all the other examples of "man's inhumanity to man." <BR> <BR>And the big reasons we have the Holocaust Museum is because of the political clout among the Jews and the fact that this atrocity occurred during our lifetime. The magic of film brought this horror into our living rooms. And NO, I am not Anti-Semetic. <BR> <BR>The true relevance of the Holocaust Museum is it's reminder of "man's inhumanity to man" and that we should do whatever is necessary to stop this wherever it is occurring in the world, whether against men, or women (Sudan and Afghanistan), Christians, Jews, Muslims, etc. But that would be an ideal world then, huh?

Shame on you, Roger, or whatever your name is for bringing up such an issue on a travel forum intended to legitimately assist others with travel plans!!!! You have NO BUSINESS starting a discussion of this nature here. I would discourage all others from responding with any comments whatsoever because comments of any sort only serve to fuel the fire and the entertainment kicks of the one who initiated the posting. If you agree with this, simply respond by not responding. Thank you kindly.

it always amazes me how squeemish people get around this topic, and how any opinion different from the official line is viewed as 'anti-this' or anti-that'. <BR> <BR>what is important to remember here is that no one group has a monopoly on suffering. a true museum should reflect this. otherwise it becomes a memorial, whether it's called that or not.

DAAAH many American school children don't even know what the holocaust was. I knew children who while their parents were in the military and stationed in Germany, later Hawaii, did not know what the holocaust was. These were children that attended gifted programs in an affluent Kahala neighborhood on Oahu. I want a holocaust museum and every other kind of museum that shows what happens when we allow insanity to rule. How many of you out there are aware that this week is the anniversary of Srebrenica were 8,000. Muslims were murdered 6 years ago this week. A larger count who knows where Srbrenica is? We don't have other museums because people are not lobbying for them. Thank God someone lobbied for the Holocaust museum. Having these stories is the only thing that causes people to lift their heads when groups are murdered somewhere else. Now if you we could only stretch this recognition into countries that are Non- European. The said fact here is that we know that no one would raise this question if this museum where in fact an Irish Potato famine museum even though all of those survivors who fled to America have truly perished by now.

Steve, just a question. What is even vaguely racist about being against one's taxes being spent on a museum almost totally irrelevant to AMERICAN history? In the 18th Century, Samuel Johnson once wrote that patriotism was the final refuge of scoundrels. In this century, the shouting out of epiteths like racist, sexist, homophobe and the like will be the last refuge of modern day scoundrels. Steve, you fit the bill.

Roger: <BR>What is your opinion about the many millions of tax dollars spent by our tax supported museums to purchase European paintings. What possible relevence to American History could that have? Should we start a crusade against that? And why should we teach European or world history in our tax supported schools? Why not teach American stuff? Why do we need to know anything else? <BR>I think you should give it up Roger. Your argument is a loser. You are making yourself look really stupid.

Roger would like to engage you intellectually but it is obvious you are only impressing yourself with an attempt at a point. I suspect you have never frequented a museum to know who should be honored, remembered etc. Roger they even have Museums that house big pictures with different colors. H-E-L-L-O we are a melting pot and it’s your perspective that everything American begins with white, christen, and male that calls for a center for learning. Just too many stupid people like yourself walking around out there. The government is trying to stamp out your brand of ignorance. As for the comparison drawn on your quote, what’s the matter people picking on you again? <BR> <BR>Merriam-Webster <BR> <BR>Main Entry: mu·se·um Pronunciation: myu-'zE-&m <BR>Function: noun <BR>Etymology: Latin Museum place for learned occupation, from Greek Mouseion, from neuter of Mouseios of the Muses, from Mousa <BR>Date: 1672 <BR>: an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest or value; also : a place where objects are exhibited <BR> <BR> <BR>

Well, my name is also Roger and I am in fact Jewish. A couple of things. First of all, I see no problem with the question. I think those that come out so strongly against the asking of this question (putting aside the appropriateness on a travel forum) are far worse than the one asking the question in the first place. <BR> <BR>The easy answer I could come up with is quite simple. Such museums should be built and it is unlikely that any other country would build it, so it is left to the United States. A further rationale is a bit more complicated. There is a substantial Jewish population in the United States. They feel welcome here. In the early 20th century they felt welcome in some other places as well. Things changed once. It can happen again unless we take steps to make sure it doesn't happen again. This means education in a from that can help people of all cultural backgrounds. After all, the Holocaust is less about Jews than it is about the power of intelligent and cultured human beings to commit evil beyond comprension.

This is for Roger, the racist, not the jew. Roger, I know many people who contributed to the making of the U.S Holocaust Museum. I know they have donor lists and I can assure you there are many contributors who are not jewish, they just hate bigotry, and realize that this event (for lack of a better word) can help to educate the masses about what hate can do, and what man can inflict on mankind. I don't think anyone will ever figure out how it happened, but if education can help prevent a holocaust from happening again, I don't see a problem with that. Why do you?

oh my gosh!!! PEACE! PEACE! Guys, what happened? I came in here looking for advice on NEW YORK, and ended reading a "tennis match". Yes, this is like a tennis match, to and fro, to and fro. Where's your spirit of travel??!! Shame on all of you!! Imagine travelling across the world to see a culture different from yours. Would you actually end up telling the people there, that their way of life is wrong, simply because it's different from what you know and what you believe in? Relax!! Everyone has their own opinion things!! It's amazing how quickly poeple jumped at an opportunity to voice theirs. Why?? Look, differences make up the world. That's why we travel!!!

Mary, you are a scoundrel. Where in any of my posts do I write anything that is remotely racist? People who hurl nasty insults without backing them up are scoundrels and dishonest. Rush Limbaugh is of the variety. So is Ted Kennedy.

Roger I am not Mary but would you be responding this way or even at all if this were and Irish, English or Scandinavian tribute, probably not. That is why people are hurling remarks your way. It is a great big world out there and I don't know how old you are but think about it. When was the last time any other historical account save for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (you remember people not being happy about Asian women designing it.) grab so much reluctance. And I don't know where you live I am in the North East. Yes we have a significant Jewish Community here. So I as many of our posters see this museum as having a direct relationship with Americans. I know this must be hard if you are somewhere in the Midwest and everyone is white. I have a friend who lives in Indiana, moved from here and constantly complains of the lack of diversity. Your thinking is the result of this. Kindly intended. It think people just want to help you to wake up a little.

liling you sound like someone that has not done very much thinking in your life. And going to other countries should make you aware of the importance of what everyone is trying to teach Roger here. If you don't get it well than I guess we atleast got you to read some discourse on the issue so the next time you are in one of those different places you speak of you can understand some of the problems that come up with being different. It is not just about buying the T-Shirt and snapping photos at the locals.

After a busy day in the shop, it gladdens my heart to see so much venom flow my way. First off, Irish American, my advice to you is to write in complete sentences. The reader better undertands you that way. The computer/e-mail culture has made sloppy writers out of millions, I am afraid. Forget asks some reasonable questions. Forget asks whether I support government money being used to purchase paintings by Europeans. I do not support government money being used that way. The USA has many private art museums, most of which are open to the public. The private museums can purchase as many European paintings as they wish and I wish them well. Forget asks whether European paintings have any relevance to American history. As American culture is an off-shoot of European culture, I do believe European paintings are relevant to American culture. Forget asks whether European history is relevant to American history. As America is a cultural off-shoot of Europe, European history is of great importance to Americans. Unfortunately, Americans have such a pathetic knowledge of their own history that the teaching of European history to the masses is probably a waste of time. Forget tells me that my argument is a loser but does not give me reasons why. Forget probably doesn't know why my argument is a loser but she or he FEELS in her or his HEART that my argument is wrong and probably evil. As for Michael's offering to teach me to conform to the politically correct hosannas to the appropriateness of locating a Holocaust Museum in a nation with absolutely no responsibility for the Holocaust, I will have to turn him down. Not only am I convinced that I am correct, I do not think Michael has anything at all to teach me.

you will get whatever sentences I decide to send your way. You know you are lucky I am giving you anytime at all. Go back and read earlier posts for your review lesson. Museums and Memorials are similar, some have paintings some are, now this is a big word, h-i-s-t-o-r-i-c-a-l. That is enough for now, you are turning into a very good student.

I just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C. I took my daughter for the 4th of July week. The first day, we went to the Holocaust Museum. We only went through the children's section, but it was a great way to start the week. I was overwhelmed by the sense of enslavement of the Jews, and it well prepared us to celebrate the freedom we enjoy in this country.

Note to Roger- <BR> <BR>I think that it is unfortunate for someone (like me) to come to the fodors.com website to get some plain old travel advice, and to be faced with strings of email from angry, argumentative people like you. I saw the title of the thread "Holocaust Museum/Yes or No" and being a resident of Washington, DC, I thought I would check out what people thought about visiting the Holocaust museum. But, instead, I see a string of 57 emails, including many from you, arguing about the importance of a "non-american" museum (if soemone who is Jewish is not an American, then how do you describe a true, 100% pure American? - I don't want to get into it) in DC. <BR> <BR>If you want to get into such a controversial topic, I recommend that you take it up with real people, in real life (if you have any friends to talk to in the first place) rather than a travel website. Get off the internet (you obviously spend so much time on the Internet that you have forgotten how to behave with real-life people) and strike up a conversation with someone. That way you can enjoy a heated discussion and rely on body language, facial expressiona dn tone of voice, to communicate and comprehend your ideas. I feel that you (and some others) have let the sterility of the computer screen act as a shield so you feel comfortable insulting others. Would you say these things to a new acquaintance or a friend? <BR> <BR>There will be less mud-slinging and, most of all, less miscommunications. <BR> <BR>Please, take the lead, and leave the hostility, preachings and frustrations off the travel website. That way the rest of us can enjoy what fodors.com has to offer without experiencing such hostile, insulting threads. <BR> <BR>Thank You. <BR>

Dear Jane, <BR> I believe my posts have been rational. Read them even if you disagree. Most of the mud thrown regarding the debate has been thrown by people who dislike my views. I have been a bit snide in rebuttal but not truly nasty. However, the nastiest posters on the question have been by those who question my decency and even my humanity for having the temerity of approving taxes going to a museum for a historical event that happened in Germany, Poland, Lithuania etc. and committed by the nation-state of Germany. The abuse I have had hurled against me has been borderline McCarthism.