French academic convicted for holocaust denial

AFP via The Tocqueville Connection ^ | 10/03/2006

[Republicain]

PARIS, Oct 3, 2006 (AFP) - Retired literature professor Robert Faurisson, 77, was convicted for Holocaust denial by a Paris court Tuesday over remarks he made on Iranian television, and given a three month suspended prison term.

Faurisson, who is well-known for his revisionist views, was also fined 7,500 euros (9,500 dollars).

Speaking on the Sahar 1 satellite channel in February 2005, Faurisson said there "was never a single execution gas chamber under the Germans... So all those millions of tourists who visit Auschwitz are seeing a lie, a falsification."

Faurisson was found guilty of "complicity in contesting the existence of a crime against humanity".

[BW2221]

As nutty as it is to deny it, this shouldn't be a crime.

[RegulatorCountry]

Noam Chomsky wrote the foreword to a book by this Faurisson. Being the renowned "linguist" that he is, Chomsky later denied ever having read the book, when questioned about his association with a holocaust denier.

[Tzimisce]

Is this what Libs mean when they talk about "free speech"? This is France after all....

[Mi-kha-el]

As nutty as the law is, laws should be enforced.

[kinoxi]

Faurisson was found guilty of "complicity in contesting the existence of a crime against humanity".

The thought police should have considered his mental state before passing judgement me thinks. Or their own for that matter.

[SmoothTalker]

Stupid opinions should not be criminal.

[Talking_Mouse]

As nutty as it is to deny it, this shouldn't be a crime.

Because the French had so many of their citizens collaborate with the Nazi, denying the Holocaust also denies French guilt in collaboration. The resistance movement, who became powerful in the government after the war, would not let the collaborators off that way.

[Star Traveler]

You said -- "Stupid opinions should not be criminal."

These particular kinds of "stupid opinions" are the ones used by the Muslims to set up the *next Holocaust*. You can see them using these very same stupid opinions in their own countries -- and -- you can see the *results* of those stupid opinions. They are having "real world effects" right now (on the Jews).

Regards,
Star Traveler

[Ajnin]

These particular kinds of "stupid opinions" are the ones used by the Muslims to set up the *next Holocaust*. You can see them using these very same stupid opinions in their own countries -- and -- you can see the *results* of those stupid opinions. They are having "real world effects" right now (on the Jews).

So, you agree with the criminalizing certain type of speech? What's your point?

[Star Traveler]

You said -- "So, you agree with the criminalizing certain type of speech? What's your point?"

I'm not sure about the criminalizing part. I think we should just shoot them. It's a simpler solution (just like with the radical, fascist Islamics). Or better yet, make them live with the Muslims and tend their goats in Saudi Arabia. Either solution -- doesn't make any difference to me...

Regards,
Star Traveler

[monday]

"Stupid opinions should not be criminal."

#1- this isn't a "stupid opinion", it is a bald faced lie. The man isn't stupid and he isn't giving an opinion. He is attempting to rewrite history.

#2- I agree that this shouldn't be prosecuted as a criminal case, it should be prosecuted as a political/ideological case. Since it is the official position of the French government that the holocaust did in fact happen, and in so far as this guy is disputing an official ideological/political position of the French government, he should be tried for treason, and deported, at the very least.

All nations have the freedom to allow or disallow those who espouse different political beliefs to propagandize within their borders. In the US we believe in freedom of speech so we tend to allow anyone to say just about anything, however, even that has limits. Try preaching the overthrow of the government and you will be charged with sedition. Likewise if you encourage violence or terrorism you could be charged as an accessory to the crime.

Finally there is the propagandizement of ideologies contrary to the constitution. It is a gray area and while we tend to allow it, we also try to ostracize and marginalize those who do it. Communism in the 50's, and inevitably Islam in the very near future.

Both ideologies expressly forbid the freedoms enumerated in the constitution. It would be nice if we could tolerate the propagandizment of these ideologies, but if one tolerates an ideology that refuses to tolerate other ideologies, very soon, the only ideology tolerated is the non tolerant ideology.

Islam, like communism, is such an ideology. France has no great tradition of tolerance and freedom of speech. If anything this guy is getting off easy. Others have gone to jail for simply criticizing another race or religion. What this guy did is twice as offensive as mere criticism.

[opinionator]

As nutty as the law is, laws should be enforced.

After all, the Nazis were only enforcing their laws.

Seriously, you can think of no laws in American history that shouldn't have been enforced?

[opinionator]

#1- this isn't a "stupid opinion", it is a bald faced lie.

I've heard the same thing said about those who deny global warming.

What if he had said that instead of 6 million, only 5 million had died? Is this a stupid opinion or a bald faced lie? Jail, or no Jail?

[monday]

Those are opinions, not demonstrable lies. Are you logic impaired?

A rule of thumb for the logic impaired. If a statement can be scientifically proved or disproved, they are not opinions but either facts or lies. If a statement cannot be scientifically proved or disproved, they are opinions.