whats the name of the that made a programme

[berlin1945]

can any one tell me the name of the guy that made a programme on weekend nazi's a few years ago and got it all wrong as his name eludes me thanks

[Brigardefuhrer]

He is known by many names,but his given name is John Sweeney and the program was made by October films.John

[berlin1945]

thanks as a friend was asking me about him yesterday and how things transpired, which was awful his distinct lack of understanding of what we do.

[nelz]

.
Oh,...rest assured , he understands exactly what re-enacting is about , but as a cheap freelance documentary maker, if he
can make a quick buck at any subject he feels he can twist to suit a more controversial effect to it's audience,...he will.

[OliverVU]

The entire docu can be viewed on youtube

[pepperpot]

where ever John Sweeney goes he strides to cause problems. After ther W&P show was screened and the complaints lodged, he seemed to disappear and to be keeping a low profile. (unless anyone knows different ) The US wont have him back for insulting the Mormon faith
graham

[pepperpot]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Sweeney_(journalist)
says it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nilznl]

As a new member, I will probably catch flak for this, but I did see a few things in there that made me cringe. Being married to a "coon" I'd probably have ended up being escorted off the premises if I'd been in that beer tent and witnessed some of those conversations.

While John Sweeney seems keen on labeling *all* Axis reenactors as Neo-Nazis for the sake of sensation, which is clearly wrong, he does find some rather unsavory chaps there who can, seemingly unopposed, spout their drivel freely.

To me, this does raise the point that as long as we, as Axis reenactors, are unable to regulate our own community, in the public's eye, we will all be viewed in the same light as the "bad apples". Much like the ska skins, or for that matter, Muslims.

[nelz]

.
Any beer tent in any part of the land,... pub , club , football ground etc etc , you'll hear blokes unsavory banter, on any subject, weather it be serious, beer talk, funny or just crap ....etc etc.

You don't have to be Sweeney to find it , it's everywhere...... where have you bin hiding buddy ?

[nilznl]

In that case, excuse me if I take offense to people openly supporting C18 and B&H (from my country no less ). That just does not fly where I come from. Excuse me if I take offense to people basically describing my daughter as being unpure and subhuman. Must all be me being overly sensitive.

What I'm trying to argue here is that as long as the axis reenactment community tolerates these types in their midst, the outside world will only see them and raise an eyebrow towards all of us. In that respect, a man like John Sweeney is merely voicing the (albeit heavily biased) opinion of the general public as a whole and we should not be surprised at the unfavourable tone.

What I, admittedly, do not know is whether stuff like this is generally ignored and quietly tolerated amongst axis reenactors (I said tolerated, not encouraged), or whether it is actively opposed. Up to now I've mostly been quietly hovering around the reenactment scene rather than being in the middle of it (yet slowly gravitating towards it as I try to complete my first portrayal).

[John Wilson]

As a new member, I will probably catch flak for this, but I did see a few things in there that made me cringe. Being married to a "coon" I'd probably have ended up being escorted off the premises if I'd been in that beer tent and witnessed some of those conversations.

While John Sweeney seems keen on labeling *all* Axis reenactors as Neo-Nazis for the sake of sensation, which is clearly wrong, he does find some rather unsavory chaps there who can, seemingly unopposed, spout their drivel freely.

To me, this does raise the point that as long as we, as Axis reenactors, are unable to regulate our own community, in the public's eye, we will all be viewed in the same light as the "bad apples". Much like the ska skins, or for that matter, Muslims.

ska skins? You obviously know what you're on about then eh?

[nilznl]

ska skins? You obviously know what you're on about then eh?

Not sure what you are trying to say here? Maybe not the best choice of words. This is not to be a debate on skinhead culture, but I used it as an example of a group that is now in it's entirety being judged as being neo-nazis simply because of the "skin first" mentality. Ofcourse, skins being skins, they don't really care what anyone outside thinks

[Halle]

Forget skinheads - what nelz said is correct - Any pub , club , football match etc . You can't tar everyone with the same brush . While groups have a duty ( IMO ) to regulate what goes on on a stand / in front of the public , as do the organisers of any event , and anyone using offensive language or spouting obviously racist political doctrines should be expelled , you can't police peoples personal political / social views - its a ( relatively ) free country still thank goodness . If you don't like people's point of view , walk away . Sweeney tried to set up the whole Axis reenactment scene as a bunch of neo nazis - he was wrong , and wrong to try .

[John Wilson]

ska skins? You obviously know what you're on about then eh?

Not sure what you are trying to say here? Maybe not the best choice of words. This is not to be a debate on skinhead culture, but I used it as an example of a group that is now in it's entirety being judged as being neo-nazis simply because of the "skin first" mentality. Ofcourse, skins being skins, they don't really care what anyone outside thinks

I'm not trying to say anything about skinheads, you are.
I don't want to debate about skinheads either.
I know you know nothing about skinheads.
It's time you stopped using the internet for "shock journalist words".

John Sweeney tried to find a link between Nazi groups in Europe and WW2 re-enactment, he failed and you will too.

[nilznl]

I can agree with most of what you said, Halle and I definitely agree that what Sweeney did was wrong. He set out to prove a point, then attempted to disguise an opinionated piece as investigative journalism. His conduct towards the Waffen SS reenactor during the "interview" was one of baiting. Deliberately forcing him to defensively close down, so he could use that as proof of hiding something afterwards.

Regardless of Sweeney's objectional work, my point still stands. The way he portrays us, is how a large part of the general public sees us. He is appealing to a prejudice many people share with him and it takes only one reenactor spouting extreme right wing ideology to see that prejudice cemented as "the truth" about Axis reenactors. I realize this is a sensitive subject, as many do not want to be associated with it and all too often have been baited or made to defend themselves.

I shall cease to stir up this hornet's nest. I have a tendency to be the devil's advocate as a means to point out nuances in pretty much any subject. Admittedly, a bad choice for a first post, as noone knows me here and my intentions can easily be misconstrued (did I spell that right?). Carry on, nothing to see here