Another Test for Freedom of Speech in Europe
I’m, if it wasn’t apparent, Jewish. My grandparents escaped Poland in 1940, running away from the Nazis death camps, leaving behind their family to never see them again. I grew up in Israel surrounded by the stories of the survivors of these camps, and I served in the Israeli army for 13 years believing then, and still believe now, that this is the only way to prevent another holocaust. Anti-Semitic remarks make me feel bad and offend me.
And this is exactly why I think that putting David Irving to trial, and probably sending him to Jail, is wrong. While we support the Danish freedom of speech we cannot accept the Austrian law preventing from people to say the most offensive things. I understand that the Austrians need to deal with their past, this isn’t the way. Freedom of Speech is Freedom of Speech period.
Link: British historian pleads guilty in Holocaust trial
“VIENNA, Austria Right-wing British historian David Irving pleaded guilty Monday to criminal charges of denying the Holocaust and conceded in court he erred in contending there were no Nazi gas chambers at Auschwitz.
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A verdict was expected later Monday, with a conviction almost certain because of Irving’s guilty plea. He faces up to 10 years in prison.”
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Ironically, in seeking to protect the truth of the Nazi crimes by stifling dissent, the Austrian laws are making the truth seem less credible.
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Tanner,
I can understand the urge among Jews and Austrian to silence such voices, for both it is very painful - for obvious different reasons. but this is exactly what freedom of speech is all about. I will however take advantage on more important right in the case of David Irving - the freedom not to listen...:)
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I think you might find the following article intersting:
http://www.haokets.org/mail-message.asp?Article...
I'm interested with your opinion.
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