Oxford votes on whether Irving and Griffin should address Union
"The issue at stake was whether an invitation to the Holocaust-denying historian David Irving and the leader of the British National Party, Nick Griffin, to address a forum on free speech at the Oxford Union on Monday should be withdrawn".
I am more certain that the Holocaust occurred than I am that there is a God. There are some accounts of history that are not as truthful as they should be. Surely, any historian worth his salts must accept that the Holocaust did happen and that it was a shameful display of mans inhumanity towards man?
Legally, freedom of speech in this country is more limited than in the USA. We do not have the human right to absolute freedom of speech. I do not have a problem with anyone debating what I deem to be unacceptable views, their views could and should be defeated by counter arguments. I hope Oxford University can rise to the challenge rather than cop out by gagging speakers. I think it would be hypocritical to have a debate on free speech if those who pulled out dictated who should not be allowed a voice. Surely the students are mature enough to listen to both sides and vote on the debate rather than vote to silence views they are opposed to?
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
Indeed Irving should speak and then people can see the crap that he puts out for themselves, having met many years ago a survivor from a Nazi death camp I would have a few things to say to Mr Irving.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with you John. Freedom of speech isn't the issue here it is a matter of expediency by a right-wing candidate for the student union vote who wants to use these Nazi sympathisers for his own end. Also, what sort of elitism suggests that Oxford University students are 'mature enough' to make up their own minds about Nazis? What are you saying, that it is alright for them but we shouldn't let the nazis talk to the working class? Personally, I'm sympathetic to the 'no platform for nazis' line.
ReplyDeleteBob: It was about free speech simply because that is the nature of the debate.
ReplyDeleteI think Oxford and Cambridge along with Eton and Harrow are elite institutions. That is not to say I agree that they should be.
It does appear in some areas that the BNP has made headway with working class audiences.
As you can see from today's post, the Oxford union has voted 2-1 to allow them to speak. I suspect that neither Irving nor Griffin will win the debate. If they won, then I think it would be cause for concern.