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Real History, and David Irving’s imprisonment in Vienna The Index to the Traditional Enemies of Free Speech Alphabetical index (text) [images added by this website] Deutsche Welle [a German-government funded propaganda website] “Let All Opinions See the light of day” The British author is now banned from Austria DW-WORLD.DE readers give their opinions on Austria’s release of Holocaust denier, David Irving.
David Irving should never have been sent to prison in the first place. If what he is saying is not true then why should people be so intent on making sure he can’t say it? It could make one think that maybe there is some truth in what he says — if there was no truth in what he says then why should it even matter? — Zac I would be very interested in DW-WORLD.DE doing a comparison of Austria’s jailing David Irving and Turkey’s bringing to trial authors on similar charges.
That is, daring to express opinions that run contrary to what the government authorizes. Turkey at least has the excuse of its culture and recent struggles with “westernization.” Austria and Germany have no such excuses. As long as these countries have such laws on the books, there can be no question of freedom of expression.
Of course, it goes without saying that when an author writes a book such as Irving’s, which was not factual, heavy-handed tactics against the author only cause people to wonder if the author is revealing a truth and the government is trying to shut him up. Self-defeating is the only way to describe it. Let all opinions see the light of day and let the truth win out in the market place of ideas. — J.L.
Ronish To imprison a man for expressing his beliefs, no matter how unpopular or contrary to fact, is incompatible with a free society. Criminalizing speech, like the creation of concentration camps, is a National Socialist concept. — John Boyer, USA Irving says he never denied the Holocaust David Irving should never have been arrested. The law against Holocaust deniers should be repealed. There should be an open discussion about the facts.
Truth will provide the clarity and the rightness of beliefs. — Andrew Schneider Irving’s incarceration was disgusting. One may not agree with him, but free speech is a fundamental human right. Do the Germans and Austrians feel they are genetically programmed for murder and therefore need these oppressive laws or that they are not deserving of intellectual freedom? Why should this one event in history be off-limits to new research, fresh analysis or revision when no other historical event is?
That is how history is defined. How dare anyone tell us what we can read, think or write? Is the EU becoming a vehicle for “thought police” and “history police?” Where is democracy in this? Shame on countries with such restrictive laws. — L. Schaitberger It is outrageous that someone has actually been accused, tried, convicted and served time in jail for denying the Holocaust. I do not condone those events and actions but this put the prosecutors in the same position as the Nazis.
Going to jail for denying something outrageous! Won’t be long till we go