Poland criminalizes accusing the country of complicity during the holocaust

[Belsnickel]

(02-07-2018, 04:38 PM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: I know we agree on this issue.  I point these things out because it's important to realize that Poland is not operating in a vacuum.  They are operating under principles and mores that have been well established by other countries in Europe.  I'm all for criticizing Poland regarding this law, it just needs to be done in the same breath as criticizing Germany, the UK and any other country with such strict limits on, and criminalization of, speech. 

I will say, though, that it is interesting to look at this contextually. Where Germany criminalizes denying the Holocaust, Poland is moving to criminalize claiming Poland was complicit. So Poland is making it illegal to be critical of Poland's role in the Shoah. Now, restricting speech is restricting speech is restricting speech. None of that is good. But when looking at other political events in Poland and Europe (because you're right, it isn't in a vacuum) and looking at who is doing this and the kind of precedent it can set going forward for the country, it paints quite an intriguing picture.

(02-07-2018, 04:39 PM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: I completely agree.  Better to refute someone with logic and facts than to make them a martyr on the pillory.

If only logic and facts worked on most people. This is about a year old, but it's a good read: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/02/27/why-facts-dont-change-our-minds