02-07-2018, 04:25 PM
(02-07-2018, 03:27 PM)BmorePat87 Wrote: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/06/world/europe/poland-death-camp-law.html
Poland has a troubled history with regards to Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. Poland was a victim of the Nazis, but many Poles also aided the Nazis, killed hundreds of Jews, and took the homes of Jews. Like many nations, survivors and descendants remember the pain but do not forget the actions of some who allowed it to happen.
Poland's nationalist government has decided that Poland's role of a victim in the Holocaust is forgotten over the role of some Poles in helping commit the atrocities. Their solution is to criminalize anyone who suggests that Poland played any sort of role in the atrocities of the Nazis. A fine and up to three years in prison can be faced by anyone who dares to remember the full history of Poland in the Holocaust.
Limiting free speech is sure to create the narrative they want...
(02-07-2018, 04:10 PM)Millhouse Wrote: I read about this while back, and shook my head. It is a well established fact that many throughout Europe aided the Nazis in rounding up Jewish and non-arian peoples like Gypsies just so they can keep intact their power in areas, like the Vichy France government and the region of where the former Yugoslavia was.
Trying to ban people from bringing out truths from the past is archaic and a wrong path to go down.
(02-07-2018, 04:17 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: It's a fascist move, plain and simple.
I'm against criminalizing any speech that does not directly call for harming others, or the proverbial "fire" in a crowded theatre. Unfortunately, Europe has a well established track record with this type of legislation. Denying the holocaust or any pro-Nazi speech is a criminal act in Germany. The "hate speech" law in the UK is obscenely broad, vague and all encompassing when desired (and an effort is now being made to extend it to protecting politicians from criticism they deem offensive). I'm certain I could find many more examples if I had the inclination.
As offensive as I find the new Polish law I see little to no difference between this and what is already the norm in many European countries that are considered "more liberal" than the US.
