To discuss this matter is to give unmerited credence to a timesofmalta.com comment that went beyond the normal thinly-veiled race-baiting and slipped into the realms of surreal Islamophobia. I suspect that, on this occasion, the commenter may not have fully thought things through before posting his comment.

I would dispute your contention that George Orwell chose pigs to represent the figures in an authoritarian government. My understanding was always that he has chosen pigs precisely for their unsympathetic associations rather than their intelligence. It is sort of neither here nor there though. Animal Farm was an allegorical novel using animals to represent human characteristics in the tradition of fabulous story-telling. It was not meant to be used as a zoologoical reference book.

Anyway, I’m sorry if I offended your sentiments regarding the intelligence of pigs. I have nothing against pigs and I would happily employ one in a position advertised for a dog, provided it could demonstrate the ability to carry out the required tasks to the same level of competence. Who knows, maybe one day we will see pigs join the flying squad.

–‘…it is not my opinion that only America was responsible for a democratic process in post-war Germany.’–

You are right. I don’t make any claim to completeness with my example. That was only an extract of the comprehensive process of denazification and democratisation, mixed with my own family history. We had to read ‘Die Welle/The Wave’ at school – a story not to be missed for those who think that fascism was only possible in certain countries. Watching the mentioned anarchic ‘political cabaret/comedy’ programme is my personal way to survive madness of life.

That kind of mistake could actually have started a war. Sigh.

Do not worry, no offence at my end. I could not share all your views. For example, it is not my opinion that only America was responsible for a democratic process in post-war Germany. The west part of the former Bundesrepublik was mainly under French influence and the lower Rhine region plus Westphalia were under British influence. Problems with freedom of speech still exist not only in Germany but practically everywhere. However, it is quite entertaining to follow cruel anarchic satire in “Scheibenwischer”, “Neues aus der Anstalt” and other programmes. Feelings of collective guilt still leave their stamp especially in socio-political issues.

Have you perhaps seen the movie “Die Welle” (based on The Wave by Todd Strasser)?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1063669/

What do you mean exactly? I hope very much I didn’t offend you since I am never quite sure about my English (not a native speaker).

Are you sure?

It is extremely difficult for me to agree to/with all that you write in your last post.

That certain unwillingness to accept other people’s skin-colour, sex, opinions, religion, lifestyle and so on is never a national issue. As I said on another thread, that ‘unwillingness’ might be a ‘human flaw’. Stupidity is an international problem.