The Washington Post recently ran a lengthy obit for an old German named
Paul Schaefer who died at the age of 89. It turns out that old Paul wasn't exactly the type of guy you look up to. He was:
- An evangelical preacher - I'd say hit or miss on this one;
- Who led, "the world's most notorious anti-Semitic and apocalyptic sects" - not good.
- Who was serving 20 years for sexually abusing children - neither good, nor surprising.
- Suspected in the death of an American mathematician - weird, but definitely not good.
- Fought for the Luftwaffe in WWII - he was born in Germany, we'll give him the benefit of the doubt here...
- Traveled the German country side preaching abstinence after the war - Red flag!
- Until he was accused of molesting two boys and fled to Chile - Of course.
- Allegedly tortured political dissidents during the rule of Pinochet - German roots run deep.
I could go on... read the piece yourself if you want to know all the details on what a quality human being he was. But here's the fun part:
He had a glass eye, having accidentally gouged out his right eye while trying to untie a shoelace knot with a fork.
Perhaps it's just bad luck, but I'd like to think there's at least a little Karma working here...
