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March 13, 1998

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

"I nominate as one of the many stories under-reported by our media the growing assault on freedom of speech and academic expression. This attack is evident anywhere that the 'politically correct' hold sway (such as in American universities and the public education (sic) system). One campaign that I wish to point out is the widespread attempt to stifle research, debate and discussion of what actually happened during World War II.

"The specific issue here is that of German policy towards the Jews during that war. As you know, there is an army of researchers and writers known as Revisionist Historians who question the received story about an alleged Nazi plan to exterminate the Jewish race, the use of homicidal gas chambers and the figure of six million Jews killed during Nazi occupation. One must always point out in this context that revisionists do not deny that crimes and atrocities were committed by the Nazis and by others. They simply wish to clear away the wartime propaganda (after more than fifty years!) and report what really happened. The issue here is not that anyone should automatically endorse what any revisionist is saying. It's simply that revisionists AND EVERYONE ELSE have the right to express their views and to criticize the views of others.

Unfortunately, the received story has taken on the trappings and aura of theological dogma in many circles. Nations such as Germany, Austria, France, Canada and others have laws, general or specific, under which people can be prosecuted for so much as questioning the dogma. This is a clear violation of indidivual rights, and it should be denounced from the mountaintops of journalism. But, of course, it is not. Our "journalists" would rather fawn over Clinton's mutt or dote on the number of female construction workers hired.

Consider just a few of the incidents and trends of 1997:

· St Martins Press backs out of its deal to publish David Irving's "Goebbels: Mastermind of the Third Reich" after pressure from various Jewish groups and death threats from thugs.

· Lady Jane Birdwood of England was hounded during 1997 and is on trial now facing charges of "inciting hatred" by virtue of publishing a booklet that cites bigoted Jewish statements, including some from the Talmud. (Bigotry is big business around the world.) This woman is on trial NOT for inciting to riot or injuring anyone but for citing and criticising certain statements!

· Recently Jean Le Pen of France was fined for saying that the issue of alleged gas chambers was a footnote to history. Obviously, one can understand that many people might feel quite strongly about such a statement and wish to contest it. That is their right­p;and more power to them. Nevertheless, no one ­p; including the pompous French government ­p; has a right to fine a man for simply making such a statement.

· In Canada, which no doubt prides itself on being among the vanguard of the "Free" World, Mr Ernst Zundel has been harassed and persecuted for years because he published a booklet that asks "Did Six Million Really Die"? The answer to that question is not altogether clear. What in the world is wrong with asking it? Mr Zundel has recently been under attack by the Canadian Inquisition because some of his writings that the "free" nation of Canada has cravenly seen fit to ban can be found on an American website. The Canadian government and its allies raid the public treasury to persecute a man for questions he has asked, while this brave man has to spend his own money and whatever he can raise from voluntary supporters and benefactors.

It is sickeningly ironic that the Canadian government saw fit this week to issue an appeasing "apology" to the Indians that roamed North America at the time the Europeans arrived. No doubt there were acts of evil done by the white man. No doubt there were acts of evil done by the red man. What business have today's Canadian bureaucrats issuing an apology on anyone's behalf but their own? They ought to issue an apology­p;and a hefty refund­p; to Ernst Zundel.

There were many other such stories in 1997 and many continuing right now. Freedom of speech is obviously vital to intellectual progress. It's under attack in many other areas too. Consider our public education (sic) system's cowardly evasion of the existence of Christianity. Consider the candy-coated inanaities that pass for "dialogue"on the question of race in America today. You can surely think of other trouble spots as well.

I hope you find this interesting."

(posted with permission)

Thought for the Day:

"Journalims largely consists in saying 'Lord Jones dead' to people who never knew Lord Jones was alive."

(G. K. Chesterton)