Fired TV presenter defends Nazi remarks

BERLIN, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- A German TV presenter is trying to defend herself against criticism of a pro-Nazi comment that led to her dismissal.

Eva Herman says her critics selectively quote from remarks she made at a September news conference to promote a new book, Der Spiegel reports. She called the Nazi era "a gruesome time with a totally crazy and highly dangerous leader," but she also suggested that family values were better at that time.

"But there was at the time also something good, and that is the values, that is the children, that is the families, that is a togetherness -- it was all abolished, there was nothing left," she said.

Herman was already controversial for blaming feminism for the low German birth rate.

This week, Johannes Kerner interviewed Herman on his television show.

"If one isn't allowed to discuss Nazi family values, then neither can one talk about the German autobahns, which were built during the Third Reich," Herman said in response to a question on whether she would say the same thing now.

Kerner eventually ordered Herman to leave the set. The show was taped in advance, and his move was heavily promoted.