Ecclestone: Hitler ‘got things done’
July 4, 2009 by Negative Camber
Filed under Top Story
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone praised Hitler and shared his preference for totalitarian regimes over democracies yesterday to the Times. Let me attempt to give Bernie Ecclestone the benefit of the doubt. I assume his intention was to say that a strong leader, irrespective of the ideology or system, is what he admires. That hasn’t stopped the outrage from boiling over after Ecclestone shared some candid and controversial thoughts with the Times yesterday. Odd he should choose Hitler as an example of a strong leader and object of admiration:
“In a lot of ways, terrible to say this I suppose, but apart from the fact that Hitler got taken away and persuaded to do things that I have no idea whether he wanted to do or not, he was in the way that he could command a lot of people, able to get things done.
“In the end he got lost, so he wasn’t a very good dictator because either he had all these things and knew what was going on and insisted, or he just went along with it . . . so either way he wasn’t a dictator.” He also rounded on democracy, claiming that “it hasn’t done a lot of good for many countries — including this one [Britain]”.
I am unclear of what history Mr. Ecclestone missed in primary school but Hitler didn’t have to be persuaded to do the things he did. Have the British and American people forgotten the sacrifice paid to rid the world of a tyrannical dictator who was the definitional and tangible example of genocide? The responses of Ecclestone’s comments would suggest they haven’t:
A spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: “Mr Ecclestone’s comments regarding Hitler, female, black and Jewish racing drivers, and dictatorships are quite bizarre. He says [in the interview], ‘Politics is not for me’, and we are inclined to agree.”
Stephen Pollard, Editor of the Jewish Chronicle, said: “Mr Ecclestone is either an idiot or morally repulsive. Either he has no idea how stupid and offensive his views are or he does and deserves to be held in contempt by all decent people.”John Whittingdale, the Tory chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said: “These are extraordinary views and I’m appalled that anybody could hold them.”
Ecclestone’s friend, and son of British Union of Fascists leader, Max Mosley has been involved in a war of words with the Formula 1 teams and was recently accused of being a “dictator”. The label has reignited and reinvigorated Mosley as he was set to step down from his post as president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) this coming October. It now appears he may be considering another term and this has many Formula 1 fans, teams and sponsors on edge.
Mosley has fallen from favor amongst many involved in F1 but his power base runs deep and is intertwined in political hotbeds of Europe and around the globe. He has been a formidable foe of those who have crossed him and last years sex scandal, which would be the undoing of any mere politician, was a glancing blow to his retention as president of the FIA. Ecclestone initially buckled under the fallout of that scandal but quickly sided with his beleaguered friend. It seems he has chosen to repeat his endorsement this year with odd soliloquies about fascist leaders and tyranny being a more efficient form of government.
“Politicians are too worried about elections,” he said. “We did a terrible thing when we supported the idea of getting rid of Saddam Hussein. He was the only one who could control that country. It was the same [with the Taleban]. We move into countries and we have no idea of the culture. The Americans probably thought Bosnia was a town in Miami. There are people starving in Africa and we sit back and do nothing but we get involved in things we should leave alone.”
“All these guys, Gordon and Tony, are trying to please everybody all the time.
“Max would do a super job. He’s a good leader with people. I don’t think his background would be a problem.”
Ultimately Ecclestone’s espousal for Mosley seems to be an endorsement for Prime Minister and to extol the virtues of dictatorial leadership. If Ecclestone was trying to defend Mosley from the F1 team’s criticism, he went a bridge too far. Fascists leaders, tyranny, dictators, genocide, Hitler and Hussein all used on behalf of his friend Mosley for Prime Minister seems like padded-room logic.
All of this coming from the mouths of Formula 1’s leaders is, in this writer’s opinion, just too much. Mr. Ecclestone would do well to remember that fascism, dictatorial leadership tactics and “towns in Miami” (Miami is a town/city, not a state) didn’t help him become a billionaire nor would he have likely become one under such ideology. No, the very system he criticizes has fattened his calf and afforded him wealth of immeasurable amounts allowing for the bravery of being out of range.
This is a sport being errantly controlled by two men who were not savvy enough nor polished enough to make it in real politics and chose to exact their revenge on a sporting fiefdom that have tired of their lord’s keep and started a revolution. If you are a fan of fascism, genocide, Hitler, Hussein, dictators and tyranny; go play politics in government halls and leave the sport to those who appreciate it for what it is—a sport. A sport that is in desperate need of new leaders and serious flushing of these two fascist fawning dictators who have passed their “sell-by” dates. The sport has enough politics without throwing ideology into the mix. Irrespective of how capitalist, fascist, communist or centrist you might be; no one particularly wants to hear it whilst trying to watch Formula 1 racing. Perhaps retirement may afford both gentlemen the precious time they need to fawn poetically over long sought ideologies and utopia on earth under a dictator in fatigues.
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Maybe I’m seeing far too much in this, but I found it an interesting idea:
Max has said he might stand again despite his agreement with FOTA. Bernie knows that 1. Max has the voting sewn up with tiny clubs and 2. If Max stays then FOTA would walk. Bernie can’t be seen to be telling all the voting clubs who to vote for or to try and undermine the FIA so he “supports” Max by comparing him to Hitler and strengthening the link between the two in the public (and voting members’) mind.
Or Bernie is just stupid, but I quite like the first option.
we do like a good conspiracy theory and Gordon, yours is shaping up nicely my friend. :)
You think Max is sitting at home saying to himself
“Thank god Bernie is supporting me by referencing Saddam, Hitler, and the Taliban. I just wish he had mentioned Kim Jong Il, and IDi Amin as well”
Really he couldn’t think of a better argument or could he not think of a better argument that would offend MORE people
That same thought I had. Max has to be saying, WTH? Support me by talking about Taliban, Hussein and Hitler? sheesh…I’m never going to get re-elected now! Thanks Bernie!
I think these two have a rolling bet on who cat get away with saying/doing the most ridiculous things and still retain power…Max was about to take the pot and Bernie just doubled down.
I just erased everything I wrote. Suffice it to say, it would have made Noddy blush.
I will add this, though. Looks like Fernando linked to a story on this via Twitter.
fernandoalonsoPrefiere los regímenes totalitarios (El Diario Vasco): Rellene todos los campos con sus datos. Bernie Ecclestone.. http://tinyurl.com/kro6ju
3 minutes ago from twitterfeed
I saw that as well. Interesting Fernando thought it worthy of pointing out.
That is not Fernando. It seems a private channel that follows F1 news
Well, if anyone ever wondered why Bernie and Max were such good buddies, I would say that these comments make it perfectly clear.
I agree Gary. The common thread between them is apparently ideology and affinity for control or dictatorial rule at best and fascism/tyranny at worst. I have often wondered how you can be the son of a fascist leader and not be affected by its bludgeoning. Max, in my reading, has never really outright claimed a disdain for his father’s cause and even campaigned for him. Is it any wonder these two would be friends with admiration for such leaders and ideologies?
Come on guys, lighten up! Between Max’s penchant for circa 1940s uniformed German speaking whip bearing ladies of the night and now this, it’s clearly just time for the German GP!
After the embarrassment that the Turkish attendance was, this is just Bernie’s misguided attempt to sell the German race and sell some seats, no?
He’ll probably be saying the same things about Mussolini in September!
Smiles?
LOL. Silly me. How could I miss this as a way of creating ticket sales. Nice one DD.
OMG. What is this old fart talking about now? I read the comments about conspiracy theories so auto clubs don’t vote for Max, but I really think he is genuinely saying these things and believing in them as well.
Bernie and Max are the ones brining F1 into disrepute not the team owners who, in my view, are trying to disassociate themselves and the sport from these two. This is why I wanted the Breakaway.
Hey great news. I was just on MSNBC’s website and they are talking about F1…oh wait their talking Bernies Hitler comment….Someone remind me why everyone thinks this guy is a great promoter
Nothing like talking about F1 for all the wrong reasons. Like Mayfield, drugs and NASCAR. Sheesh.
Oddly, Bernie’s comments of starving people in Africa is nonsensical to me as well. Those people are starving because they are living under the rule of tyrants that he heaps praise on. Care to explain how a repressed population under tyrannical rule in Africa is something to be admired Bernie?
Be fair, pal, he has a point here (and only here). Tyrants constitute a very small portion of Africa’s problems. Climate, agrciultural subsidies, a broken development aid system, and general extortion (from within and from “trade partners”) do the bulk of the damage.
But we all make far too much money from the system to change it! Just give them a World Cup instead.
However, every other word coming from Bernie’s mouth here is basically reprehensible, and even this point is made with no thought of a wider context.
Suffice to say that it is patently obvious why Bernie prefers a dictatorship to democracy: NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS WOULD EVER VOTE FOR HIM!
Wow. Where to begin. Ecclestone has confused what a great leader like Maggie did, implenent the will of the majority, and what Mosley is currently championing. Namely, imposing the will of the minority upon the majority (oddly mirroring reality in a certain superpower nation). Much like what happened in Russia during the revolution the minority called themselves the majority (Bolsheviks) and they called the majority the minority (Menshiviks). It holds true that if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth. The teams would have made the necessary adjustments to cope with current economic conditions regardless of FIA machinations and the racing would have continued. Max and Bernie came quite close to killing the golden goose in order to appease a handful of what I believe will turn out to be non-viable teams seeking entry into F1. And Mosley as prime minister? Seriously? I can only assume Bernie realizes Mosley’s time at the FIA is over and is looking for a soft place for him to land.
I just know that neither of them make political moves without intent and focus. I am not sure what the desired result of this diatribe is.
I can only assume Bernie believes there is no such thing as bad publicity. I think he’s wrong but we will see where this leads.
I know he believes in that mantra but with new media; it is becoming increasingly difficult to pull at the threads and not leave your audience nude. I think people are catching on. We’ll see.
I suggest Bernie, you sell all and move to North Korea or even Iran. I am sure these countries will give you ample scope for the free market values and freedom you seem to take for granted. What is this guy on. After all the bad press in F1 for the past ? ? years, which I thought was over, he comes out with this trash talk. Im sure the car companies and Sponsors are well impressed with more gutter press.
Yeah, I was fixin’ to get just to this point. A guy who’s made BILLIONS is arguing against democracies that are where capitalism thrives?
It’s all ways unbelievable, and maybe — just maybe — this will be one he can’t escape from. Some things just aren’t part of a legitimate dialogue.
I’m with you in that I hope neither of them can escape this mess. What reasonable person draws that kind of analogy as a means of support? What more will it take to change both top positions? Clearly, both of these “gentlemen” have lost the plot.
Thankfully our friends at ESPN filled their required semi-annual Formula One coverage with Mr. Ecclestone’s quote on their ticker at the bottom. Between this and their half second shot of Jenson Button on the podium at Monaco, I can’t wait to see what is next!
A photo of Lewis Hamilton with his Pussy Cat Dolls girlfriend at the premiere of Transformers 8 – The Attack of The Ocho. That will be all about F1 for “the world wide leader in sports”. LOL
Considering how much the people – especially the German manufacturers – were offputted by Max’s escapades I wonder what will happen with Bernie moronic and repulsive diatribe?
I’m sorry, but shouldn’t we start to call him Darth Bernie at this rate?
apart from prejudices,no dpoubt totalitarian regimes get things done,demacracy come to being the statistics dictatorship,everybody should not be allowed to vote cause it make no sense since not every vote should count the same
At least we don’t have to worry about Spa losing it’s race so we can have a Grand Prix of Jerusalem now
It just occurred to me. Bernie wins the Bravado award one week for saying nothing, so next week he wants to win for saying the most stupid, most offensive thing he can.
Bravo, Bernie, bravo. I’ll remember this next time we run into each other.
In other news Margaret Thatcher has called Bernie morally repulsive for comparing her to Max Mosley
Can anyone actually explain to me why exactly FOTA thought they were better off with these two miserable old fools?
I wanted to be shocked and surprised by this… But hey, it’s Bernie!
Had he said that he has a witch abduct poor children off the street and drinks their blood to stay young, I would have thought the same thing as when I read this, “huh.. yea I can see him saying that.”.
If you get a chance, read on to the end about female drivers – another warm fuzzy. What’s that about the growing female fan base? This does not help!
i can’t wait seing Bernie’s new look with little moustaches.. the height and weight are the same..
these old guys are going mad, it’s a big problem now because they got the game in their hands.. it’s really time to put them out.
Won’t Bernie have been more efficient to just put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger….
And anyway wasn’t the quote that at least Mussolini got the trains to run on time! Or something like that…
John “I’d like Bernie’s job please” Stone
I believe you’re right John, wasn’t that Il Duce quite a guy?
Well ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption tonight mentioned F1 for the first time I’ve ever seen (not even the USF1 was ever mentioned I think) And guess what subject made them suddenly notice F1? Michel Wilbon started the segment off with “It seems we only talk about Formula 1 on this show when it intersects with nazi” Then he proceeded to remind everyone about Max, before starting in on Bernie.
Great publicity guys!
Why is it that every time Hitler, Nazis or such is mentioned, the Bleeding Hearts find fault with the comment said. Sometimes things must be taken in context and not preceived as an insightment or a hate crime. Why is it that any mention of tragedies to other; peoples, religions, sex oriented individuals and such, don’t draw the same “outcry” from these same groups?
To keep this “Hitlerism” going, is probably a way of “keeping their agenda in the public eye” (sympathy/guilt) When is enough ENOUGH? Get over it, ALL are subject to Persecution: Christ, Catholics and Others.
Did the majority/World, USA get it right about Sadaim or did an innocent man die to fulfill the PROPAGANDA, sorry did Hitler/Nazi also use PROPAGANDA.
Talk about bringing the sport into disrepute. My neighbor who isn’t a fan of racing, let alone Formula 1, heard about the Hitler/Saddam quote and was asking me to explain it. He thought it was IRL, but I laughed and asked him if it was really F1. Man, I hadn’t even read about it so didn’t know what to say. Wasn’t it Grace who made the very astute point awhile ago that you never have a friend ask you about the race because it was a good race. All of the crap get sensationalized and ends up representing the sport. Awful. Rant over. -Jeff
Bernie now reminds my of Phil Spectre. Odd but true.
Bernie now reminds me of Phil Spectre. Odd but true.