We would like to request eBay to have serious reconsideration for its policy to not to allow the sale of German Nazi memorabilia on the US eBay site.
As a counter proposal would recommend that eBay allow only US / Canadian sellers and US / Canadian buyers to purchase these items. A special category could be sent up within the "Everything else" section of eBay. This would restrict foreign, underage buyers and casual browsers from being offended or buying something which is against the law in their country.
Items offered for sale in this new category would have to be sold within the following context - Item is offered for sale only as an historic military document and not to propagate or further any political beliefs including but not limited to fascism or to engender any racial hatred or division of any sort. This object is offered for sale only to individuals or educational establishments for historical purposes only. (Its very similar to current German Law).
As a collector, historian and combat veteran I believe that the more evidence of this atrocious regime, the less the "Holocaust Deniers" will have to work with. German Nazi memorabilia represents war trophies of a defeated ideology. One that most Americans fought, suffered and died for to destroy. They represent how my family and others triumphed over that evil. This was why it was collected by that generation and the generations since. One should be able to appreciate the historical significance of the item in question. The swastika now is a symbol of the defeat of National Socialism and The Evil For Which It Stood.
Consider this:
- Thousands of GIs stationed in the Pacific brought home Japanese swords, flags, symbols etc. No one is accusing them of being Imperial Japanese and the evil racial beliefs it represented.
- The Soviet Union under communism was as evil than the Germans (if that can be measured) but not such ban exists on communist era memorabilia.
- One can buy Confederate items from our Civil war or Confederate flags on eBay but they also could be said to represent a undeniable evil of slavery.
- It appears that the German memorabilia has been targeted to appease more than to protect.
- Please don’t forget that the public display and ownership of Nazi flags and other memorabilia in the U.S. is protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
We understand that the policy was originally enacted to protect. A sound approach at that time but like all good or bad things, it is time to have it reconsidered.
Please consider this request.
