David Irving

[salhus]

No matter how offensive his views, there is no reason why David Irving would have risked his career in questioning the Holocaust if HE was not convinced it happened as depicted. If HE is not convinced then why in a so called free Europe should be imprisoned for what he believes?

[noxlumos]

David Irving is famous ONLY because he's a holocaust denier. His entire sorry career is built upon it.
All of that being said and despite my wife having relatives that survived the camps (and some who didn't), yes I do think the tragic apology for a man should be free to voice is jaded and ill concieved opinions, as that is what makes us different from the Nazi's, the fact that we should embrace all freedoms, be they to religious or racial freedomk or to the freedom of speech to say things which we find unpalettable.
I do have issues with his ideas being put forward as facts , as they are blatantly untrue, but he should be entitled to say in my opinion this ........ whatever the hell it is he exactly thinks. Then people can see him for the poor taste joke he really is.

[johnlambert]

Once again I am in agreement with Nox, however, are you aware that Irvng's degree is not in History or anything to do with history? I discovered that at uni while I was gaining my degree (History with Hons). I was contemplating doing my disertation on the Holocaust but a fellow student beat me to it.
Anyway I digress, although Irving has no formal History qualification, he does thoroughly research his subject matter, and presents his findings as "fact" according to his own extreme right wing political views.

[merlin58]

In my personal view;

Any sane person that truly beleves that the Holocast did not happen and supports such a case in the public eye, in the face of such overwhelming tragic evidence, cannot be taken seriously. He/she should be regarded as a fool or a misfit.

Of course, if that person is not sane or deranged, then thats another matter. Perhaps they might also be a genuine racist.

Could David Irwin be one or more of the above?

A free Europe? Thats a joke. There is no such thing. We might perhaps be a little more free than some parts of the world but thats about it. True freedom was lost long ago in England. And Its never coming back, people. Get used to it.

[johnlambert]

Tell us about this true freedom merlin?
where and when was it lost?
why is it never coming back?
explain please

[Grunty]

I believe that the Holocaust happened and I have seen things in Eastern Europe that reinforce that belief. I also believe that people should not be silenced because their beliefs are not the same as ours. This is happening more and more every day, and is, I suspect, what Merlin means in the last paragraph.

[paddywak]

Thousands of brave men and women died to give the rest of us certain rights including the freedom of speech, and this must apply to everybody even if they they do talk thru their a**e

[noxlumos]

I actually didn't know his degree was not History John, you live and learn. Having read a little of his "ideas" and i use the term loosely, he's not particularly charismatic or even informed as writer so that might explain it.

[johnlambert]

as far as I can remember Nox, he has a Law degree but didnt follow it up at the Bar

[jno]

as nox says, he hasn't risked his career, he's become famous by denying the holocaust. I don't think he should be locked up for his unpleasant views, and he can't be in Britain (yet); but I do understand if the Austrians feel a lot more sensitive about the subject.

[salhus]

David Irving was one of the leading historians on World War 2. The tragedy of the war did not just affect Jews. In fact, the irony of the war is that not only did the Jews expel a whole nation in Palestine, they used tactics which the Nazis would have been impressed with.

[jno]

no they didn't. I believe the Palestinians are unjustly treated, but to suggest they are victims of genocide is just wrong.

[noxlumos]

From your rather jaundiced view salhus, and your opinion that David Irving is a credible historian, one might be forgiven for thinking you are a Holocaust denier.
I too am appalled at some of Israel's actions, as is my wife actually who is Jewish, that however has no bearing on whether the Holocaust took place or not, not does it make the Israeli's ANYTHING like the Nazis.

[Keeprockin]

Ther's a couple of paragraphs on this site concerning the holocaust http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/1941.html
Figures seem to vary from Institute to institute.
\make your own mind up if any are accurate

[salhus]

The reaction of the pro Zionists is laughable..If anybody is racist it is the Israeli government with its apartheid policies. Its easy to deny the Holocaust of Palestinians for 60 years. And it is ongoing and systematic...

[salhus]

Also, if i wish to be a Holocaust denier or not that is my choice based on evidence. There is lots of evidence that is not even mentioned by the mainstream media. To question the Holocaust leads to insults. I do not care. I will make my judgement when I have analysed all the facts...that is my choice!

[salhus]

the Israelis are worse than the Nazis and no amount of tantrums or forcing your views on me will change that. I would change my mind based on evidence. The statemenst of numerous Israeli leaders about the "goyim" have long proved that racism is far from a Nazi monopoly. The collective punishment of entire Palestinian villages and starving them from food and water would make even Rommel blush.

Shooting stone throwing children by cowards in tanks is an Israeli monopoly.

Ramming the Holocaust down everyones throats to justify an illegal occupation is now being seen for what it is.

Nobody has the right to force opinions on others.