Bag's Rants

History - Written by the Victors.

Just looking at the article on David Irvings trial for Holocaust denial again and it suddenly struck me. Why is anyone in the West up for trial for stating an opinion no matter how wild or ridiculous it is? It's a bit like the Middle Ages when the Earth was the centre of the Universe and Galileo was on trial for saying the Earth revolved around the Sun. He repented to save himself and we all look at that and laugh. David Irving looks like he will repent, again to save himself, and we don't see the irony in that. In a thousand years time will the Holocaust be known as greatly exaggerated just as today we now know the earth revolves around the Sun?

As scientists propose theories and then examine the evidence to accept or reject them our understanding grows. When certain things are not allowed to be discussed then you must wonder why? Is it really something that won't stand up to scrutiny in the cold light of day?

Now I personally believe in the Holocaust but only because I read it in a History book. Now, if Historians are not even allowed to enter into discussion on such any such areas then how is it any different from propaganda where it is treason to dissent. Why should I believe one viewpoint on a very complex point in our history? Especially while there are people around to discuss it. Life is usually not black and white. Is there any grey here?

It seems to me that its sole purpose nowadays is to put the Jews in a position that if anything is said against them it is anti-Semitic. They can do what they want but to raise a voice or hand and you are seen as anti-Semitic and the justification is always the Holocaust. In the meantime anything associated with the Germans has to be seen to flog itself and give in rather than even discuss the past.

Now the atrocities done in WWII were things that we do not want to repeat but I don't hear daily about the Chinese who had similar atrocities done to them by the Japanese nor the Gypsies who were treated as vermin by the Germans. Why the Jews? It is a losing battle now 60 years after the events when the only people who were there are reducing fast due to the onset of time. Is it not time to put these issues down as history although one we should always remember and not repeat. After all, 'Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.' - George Santayana

Which makes it all the more puzzling when we see what is happening with our freedoms and how it parallels what happened at the beginning of WW2. But that is a different story.

Now it looks like the Muslims are using this technique against the West as well now. They all cry out about being victims and picked upon and we in the West can't seem to get around any cry about being a victim without putting our hands up and ensuring that no argument is put forward. They are learning from the best.

'History is not a recipe book; past events are never replicated in the present in quite the same way. Historical events are infinitely variable and their interpretations are a constantly shifting process. There are no certainties to be found in the past' - Gerda Lerner

posted by Bag @ 1:22 pm