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F1: Hitler Remarks Touch Off Fire Storm
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
07/04/2009
Charlotte, NC
 
Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has become a target of condemnation by criticizing democracy and defending Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein.
In a highly controversial and bizarre interview with Britain's Times newspaper, Bernie Ecclestone said democracy "hasn't done a lot of good for many countries" (Photo: LAT Photographic) ยป More Photos
In an interview with Britain's Times newspaper, Ecclestone was quoted as saying democracy “hasn't done a lot of good for many countries.” And then added:

"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."

The 78-year-old Ecclestone also slammed Britain's decision to support the US in overthrowing Iraq's Hussein because "he was the only one who could control that country".

As for the Taliban in Afghanistan, "it was the same".

FIA president Max Mosley was enraged at the recent suggestion he is a dictator, but Ecclestone said being decisive is a positive trait.

"I like people who make up their minds. If you have to keep referring to your grandmother before you do anything I think that's dumb. I make decisions, sometimes wrong, sometimes right -- so long as you get more things right than wrong then that's ok," he said.

Ecclestone defended Mosley's alleged fondness
for sadomasochistic sex with prostitutes because "people can do what they like", and actually thinks the son of famous fascist Sir Oswald Mosley "would do a super job" as British prime minister.

He also joked that women wouldn't make good racecar drivers because "they might take maternity leave", and that people on unemployment benefits are "scroungers". Ecclestone said he also believes former British PM Tony Blair "probably told a lot of lies".

The Hitler remarks enraged numerous Jewish groups and British politicians.

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.”

"These are extraordinary views,” Conservative British politician John Whittingdale who is the government’s chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee said. “I'm appalled that anybody could hold them."

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