Comments on: The obvious “free speech” post

By: Mark Waters

Mark Waters — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 15:41:17 +0000

If only the Austrians were half as enthusiastic at prosecuting the Nazi war criminals in their midst. It’s interesting to see how the conviction of Irving fits in with Austria’s struggle to come to terms with its own support for the Nazi regime.

On the one hand the conviction could be seen as an attempt to prevent what happened in Austria in the ‘Thirties from happening again, on the other it could be seen as an attempt by Austria to show that it is and always has been a strong opponent of Nazi Fascism.

Either way it’s important to put the conviction in the context of Austrian history especially relating to Anschluss and its aftermath.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 14:23:17 +0000

I think a good counterpoint to this is the case of Orhan Pamuk, who had the bad form to say that there was an Armenian Genocide in his native Turkey. The Turkish government only recently dropped the charges against him.

That, of course, is a case of something obviously true that a government wishes to deny.

I understand the Austrian government’s position, but I don’t agree. Free societies have a way of sorting out jerks like David Irving.

By: maca

maca — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 13:28:23 +0000

I disagree on one thing there Jo, he IS prevented from stating a view (in Austria anyway), because stating his view lands him in jail. Even if his view is demonstrably untrue and also could influence others should he still be entitled to express it anyway without risk of prosecution? If not should people like Ian Paisley also be locked up for their views?
Anyway, personally I don’t care if he gets 10 years for it, it’s the hypocracy which annoys me.

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 10:38:31 +0000

I ran something on this myself. The mans arrogance is unbelievable. Its not that he is prevented from stating a veiw, its that he is knowingly promoting something which is demonstrably untrue,but can influence those who want to believe it and will use his views to justify their hatred and their hate crimes.

If no-one ever acted on words of hate, I’d believe in complete freedom of speech.

By: Antonio from Italy

Antonio from Italy — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 14:44:52 +0000

I think there’s no way to defend the right to a free speech if everytime a man tries to express his opinion is trialed and jailed.
Right now it seems the only people who can say what they want are Arabs. They can march shouting every possible threats (and we know what they are capable to) and they remained untouched.
I think you did hear about that Italian minister that was forced to resign his office on last saturday because a couple of days before he appeared on TV and during the interview he showed the mohammed t-shirt he was wearing under his suit.
In this link a frame of that interview is visible
http://www.ansa.it/main/notizie/ …1940231606.html
His show led to a revolt in many arab countries
If you didn’t hear of that, hust look for “Calderoli” in google news.