Re: EU thought crimes

[Jon Gabriel]

From: Erik Reuter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: Killer Bs Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Killer Bs Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: EU thought crimes
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 15:52:36 -0500

On Wed, Feb 19, 2003 at 01:19:05PM -0500, Jon Gabriel wrote:

> Do you believe it should be illegal to scream "Fire!" in a crowded
> building? Your imho, rather radical opinions on the subject of free
> speech have been well stated onlist, but I don't believe I've ever
> asked you this.

You call my opinions radical, and you just advocated criminalizing
denying the Holocaust?

I was kidding about the trolling btw. :)

I called your opinions on freedom of speech radical because as far as I've seen they are just that. You advocate a position on this subject that is much more liberal than anything I've seen in any US or Canadian polls.

I also never said that I was (a) in the minority in my opinion or (b) didn't hold radical views myself on the subject of Holocaust deniers. :)

However stupid that may be, it is not equivalent
to yelling fire in a theater.

I may be in error, but that's being mistaken, not stupid. I don't call your opinions stupid and I'd appreciate it if you'd give me the same courtesy.

Yes, I believe that should be illegal --
there is no opinion or information in such a prank, and it is clearly
and immediately harmful.

I could argue that the act is potentially immediately harmful, but am not entirely sure I'd have a leg to stand on. :) I'll agree by default.

Denying the Holocaust does contain an opinion,
even if stupid, and it is not clear that it is harmful (eg., it could be
credibly argued that as long as there are only a few Holocaust deniers,
and they are always loudly and competently refuted by other people, it
keeps the true history focused in people's minds and actually helps
prevent similar things happening).

I do understand your point, but I still disagree. The idea that the Holocaust was invented by Jews is being actively used as propaganda by American hate groups. The fact that a "prominent" historian gives credence to such lies gives those hate groups' claims a certain amount of power. How does providing them with greater credibility prevent similar events from happening?

Jon

_________________________________________________________________
The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l