David Irving gaoled for three years.
His solicitor was quoted in a previous Beeb article as saying (and I misquote probably) "he's not a dangerous man, he's an old historian"... or words to that effect.
No, he is dangerous. his books are used by misinformed and stupid neo nazi's across the world to justify anti-semitism. His books help rabid pro-zionists to argue that the threats against the Jewish people are out of control, increasing paranoia and a sense of threat. He is not only a liar, but an evil liar.
Now. His books remain published, and the damage of his appalling career has been long done. Does 3 years in the nick undo that damage? Not At All. Does some kind of bookburning exercise seem justified? Good God no.
So how could this man's disgraceful lies and obscene justification of the Nazi war machine be balanced? the sad story is that it can't be. Making irving state in public that he was wrong is also not enough.
If he could be made to appear publicly in every country in which he has given speeches in the past, and a televised apology for his lies then... then? Neo nazi's would be indignant that he was forced to "lie" by the Jewish conspiracy machine or some such bullshit.
..and so the three years in prison will also be used as a flag of martyredom by the morons.
I don't really know what the answer is. I think we really just had to live with it and argue articulately and well against such awfulness, rather than jailing it.
Posted by cait at February 20, 2006 10:19 PM