Duggy wrote:
> On Sep 23, 10:03 am, Elko T  wrote:
> 
>>   And the fact that Duggy tried to defend the non-German-ness of the
>> GDR, shows that not only I thought that you meant it.
> 
> I never thought he meant it, I was just explaining the past
> justification.

   You shouldn't have, because there was no justification, then or now.


>>    Again, to re-state the issue - the joke about the Holy Roman Empire
>> works, because it was indeed neither of these.
> 
> Neither?  It wasn't any of the three of them.

   Oh, come on. You want to argue English usage now? :)


>> The GDR one doesn't,
>> because it was, in fact, German, and I'm not really sure about it not
>> being a republic.
> 
> It had elections so maybe it was a democracy... but the elected
> government was mostly administrative, so maybe not.  Since it was run
> by the Soviets "Republic" hard to justify.

   Not really, no. The Soviets were a republic, so it was too, by 
extension, even if they ran it (which is debatable). But you were 
answered comprehensively downstream, I won't get into it now.


>>    I have no reason to doubt your story, but the setting only confirms
>> my conclusion that it was not so much a joke, but rather a bitter,
>> spiteful remark. You forget that I /grew up/ in that environment, and
>> can tell the difference.
> 
> Whatever it was then, these days it is a joke and appropiate to the
> discussion.

   I don't think so. Whatever it was, so it remains. It was spiteful 
then, it is tasteless now. That's how I feel it; let's just leave it at 
that.


>>    Personal attacks? Insulting? No such thing was intended. I believe
>> Duggy took it in good humor, but if you decide to play it offended,
>> there's nothing I can do.
> 
> "Only when cornered" annoyed me.  Not offended, but I didn't like it.
> Almost reacted badly to it, but stopped myself.

   I appreciate it.

-- 
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