| The Greatest Hate Crime: Book Burning |
In 1454, Gutenberg began to print the first book made by movable type.
He put six presses in operation. He set type for his most monumental task:
printing the entire Bible. His excellent workmanship paid off. Gutenberg’s
Bible was the first book ever printed and many people consider it the most
beautiful book as well. Each Bible had 1,282 pages with 42 lines on a page
divided into two columns. He printed 300 copes of each page and bound
them together to make 300 identical Bibles. In 1519, there were only 900
books printed in Germany. By 1521, there were half a million Luther bibles
alone printed.
He put six presses in operation. He set type for his most monumental task:
printing the entire Bible. His excellent workmanship paid off. Gutenberg’s
Bible was the first book ever printed and many people consider it the most
beautiful book as well. Each Bible had 1,282 pages with 42 lines on a page
divided into two columns. He printed 300 copes of each page and bound
them together to make 300 identical Bibles. In 1519, there were only 900
books printed in Germany. By 1521, there were half a million Luther bibles
alone printed.
Until the advent of the printing press, Bibles were rare and hard to find. Martin Luther did not see a
complete Bible until adulthood. Soon German Bibles, not Latin, were published at a low price so that
for the first time the masses could own and read one without priestly interpretation. Previously,
hand-scribed books existed in only one or a few copies and burning them guaranteed that no one
would ever read them. Within 50 years, more than nine million copies of books had been printed,
and book burning was no longer effective.
complete Bible until adulthood. Soon German Bibles, not Latin, were published at a low price so that
for the first time the masses could own and read one without priestly interpretation. Previously,
hand-scribed books existed in only one or a few copies and burning them guaranteed that no one
would ever read them. Within 50 years, more than nine million copies of books had been printed,
and book burning was no longer effective.
Little is known about Gutenberg himself and not a single portrait of him exists, but he may have
looked down from the heavens as Germany’s first official censorship office was established 20 years
after his bible was printed and a local Archbishop pleaded with town officials to censor “dangerous
publications.” In England, Henry VIII required printers to submit all manuscripts to Church of
England for approval, and he outlawed all imported publications in 1529. French king Francis I issued
an edict prohibiting the printing of books in 1535. By 1559, in reaction to the spread of Protestantism
and scientific inquiry, the Roman Catholic Church issued the Index Librorum Prohibitorum to guide
censors as to which publications to allow. This Index, having grown to 5,000 titles, existed until 1966.
looked down from the heavens as Germany’s first official censorship office was established 20 years
after his bible was printed and a local Archbishop pleaded with town officials to censor “dangerous
publications.” In England, Henry VIII required printers to submit all manuscripts to Church of
England for approval, and he outlawed all imported publications in 1529. French king Francis I issued
an edict prohibiting the printing of books in 1535. By 1559, in reaction to the spread of Protestantism
and scientific inquiry, the Roman Catholic Church issued the Index Librorum Prohibitorum to guide
censors as to which publications to allow. This Index, having grown to 5,000 titles, existed until 1966.
While the European kings and priests were busy burning, over in the new world of 1650, the Puritan general court in
Massachusetts confiscated and condemned a religious pamphlet by William Pynchon and it burned in the Boston
marketplace in what was probably the first American book-burning.
Massachusetts confiscated and condemned a religious pamphlet by William Pynchon and it burned in the Boston
marketplace in what was probably the first American book-burning.
Beginning with the 1735 trial of New York publisher John Peter Zenger, however, the laws
governing censorship in the United States have been clear. Truth is an absolute protection for
anyone charged with making hurtful, damaging, or embarrassing statements about anyone or
anything. British authorities charged Zenger with publishing articles “tending to raise seditions and
tumults among the people of this province, and to fill their minds with contempt for his majesty’s
government.” Zenger was arrested, jailed, and tried. Jurors, however, were persuaded that “truth
ought to govern the whole affair of libels,” and in concluding that what Zenger had written was true,
Zenger was set free and, in effect, the law rewritten. James Alexander, one of the lawyers who
defended Zenger, later wrote: “Freedom of speech,” “is a principal pillar in a free government: when
this support is taken away, the constitution is dissolved and tyranny erected on its ruins.”
governing censorship in the United States have been clear. Truth is an absolute protection for
anyone charged with making hurtful, damaging, or embarrassing statements about anyone or
anything. British authorities charged Zenger with publishing articles “tending to raise seditions and
tumults among the people of this province, and to fill their minds with contempt for his majesty’s
government.” Zenger was arrested, jailed, and tried. Jurors, however, were persuaded that “truth
ought to govern the whole affair of libels,” and in concluding that what Zenger had written was true,
Zenger was set free and, in effect, the law rewritten. James Alexander, one of the lawyers who
defended Zenger, later wrote: “Freedom of speech,” “is a principal pillar in a free government: when
this support is taken away, the constitution is dissolved and tyranny erected on its ruins.”
Zenger was a German immigrant who came to America as an indentured servant and experienced tyranny in his
new homeland first hand. Against incredible odds he succeeded in a world which had regarded him as an inferior.
Yet so strong was his faith in freedom and in the rights of man to form his own opinions, that he put his life on the
line for these tenets of a free society. Was in all in vain? Zenger's Trial
new homeland first hand. Against incredible odds he succeeded in a world which had regarded him as an inferior.
Yet so strong was his faith in freedom and in the rights of man to form his own opinions, that he put his life on the
line for these tenets of a free society. Was in all in vain? Zenger's Trial
During the Age of Enlightenment, more freedom as to reading material was enjoyed in Europe than
in today's European Union, and this undoubtedly contributed to a more intellectually curious society.
But soon calls for censorship arose, cloaked in sanctimonious prattle such as "preventing corruption
of the young," ironically a concept often cited in current German censorship laws!
in today's European Union, and this undoubtedly contributed to a more intellectually curious society.
But soon calls for censorship arose, cloaked in sanctimonious prattle such as "preventing corruption
of the young," ironically a concept often cited in current German censorship laws!
Nobody was giggling in 1995 when forty policemen along with their District Attorney searched the publishers' building of
Edition Kunst der Comics in Sonneberg, Germany and confiscated and burned more than 150 different comics on
accusations of pornography, violence and "propaganda for the Third Reich." Among the confiscated materials was French
artist Paul Gillon's comic album "Schrei nach Leben," previously nominated for a peace prize! It was simply an
educational album. Ironically, however, when a group of German "right wingers" burned the Diary of Anne Frank in
2006, they were arrested and charged with "disrespecting the dead." To burn or not to burn was the question which
made a mockery out of established legal protection.
Edition Kunst der Comics in Sonneberg, Germany and confiscated and burned more than 150 different comics on
accusations of pornography, violence and "propaganda for the Third Reich." Among the confiscated materials was French
artist Paul Gillon's comic album "Schrei nach Leben," previously nominated for a peace prize! It was simply an
educational album. Ironically, however, when a group of German "right wingers" burned the Diary of Anne Frank in
2006, they were arrested and charged with "disrespecting the dead." To burn or not to burn was the question which
made a mockery out of established legal protection.
| The Greatest... and least spoken of... Book Burning in History. |
The first such list of material was followed by three supplements, totaling 35,000 books and a ban
was applied to all textbooks published from 1933 to 1945. All such publications and materials were
ordered by the Allied "re-education" teams, working hand in hand with the Soviets, to be "released to
the Commanders of each Zone to be destroyed" and all books having "National Socialist propaganda,
racial teachings and calls to violence or propaganda directed against the United Nations" were
removed from all libraries, schools, universities, research institutes, academies, technical or academic
societies, bookstores, publishing houses and even from some private homes...and then destroyed.
This massive cultural destruction was done haphazardly and by unqualified people from 1946 to
1952, and many books were lost forever due to careless storage and handling.
was applied to all textbooks published from 1933 to 1945. All such publications and materials were
ordered by the Allied "re-education" teams, working hand in hand with the Soviets, to be "released to
the Commanders of each Zone to be destroyed" and all books having "National Socialist propaganda,
racial teachings and calls to violence or propaganda directed against the United Nations" were
removed from all libraries, schools, universities, research institutes, academies, technical or academic
societies, bookstores, publishing houses and even from some private homes...and then destroyed.
This massive cultural destruction was done haphazardly and by unqualified people from 1946 to
1952, and many books were lost forever due to careless storage and handling.
| Who decides if it's History or Hate? |
The United States, with its foundations rooted in individual liberty, does not have censorship laws
yet, but is being pressured in that direction."Hate crime" laws merged with censorship laws are an
insidious first step. These laws, however innocuous they may appear, quickly escalate into full
fledged assaults upon our individual liberties and cherished legal traditions of free speech. Laws that
forbid “incitement of hatred” are totally arbitrary and are based solely upon supposition: what one
might do, how one might react, and not on what one has done or is doing. The prosecution only
needs to show that someone became or could become a "hater" due to reading the offending book,
viewing an offending website or listening to an offending speech or song. That someone became a
"hater" after reading the Bible is possible. In fact it happened, as hundreds of bloody religious wars
attest to. Should 2,000 year old books be banned? According to censorship fans, yes. Some have
suggested banning the writings of Luther and Bach's St. Mathew Passion for their "overtones".
yet, but is being pressured in that direction."Hate crime" laws merged with censorship laws are an
insidious first step. These laws, however innocuous they may appear, quickly escalate into full
fledged assaults upon our individual liberties and cherished legal traditions of free speech. Laws that
forbid “incitement of hatred” are totally arbitrary and are based solely upon supposition: what one
might do, how one might react, and not on what one has done or is doing. The prosecution only
needs to show that someone became or could become a "hater" due to reading the offending book,
viewing an offending website or listening to an offending speech or song. That someone became a
"hater" after reading the Bible is possible. In fact it happened, as hundreds of bloody religious wars
attest to. Should 2,000 year old books be banned? According to censorship fans, yes. Some have
suggested banning the writings of Luther and Bach's St. Mathew Passion for their "overtones".
| What if Fear of "Hate" Destroys Freedom? |
By now, thousands of people have been convicted of, by simply expressing an opinion, violating
German and Austrian laws, which in itself violates their own constitutions' guarantees of freedom of
expression. "To have failed to write about a particular historical event in a balanced manner" (?) is
also a crime that can send a maverick historian to jail. Web search engines in Germany also block
"offending" internet sites without explanation so that Germans aren't even aware of it.
German and Austrian laws, which in itself violates their own constitutions' guarantees of freedom of
expression. "To have failed to write about a particular historical event in a balanced manner" (?) is
also a crime that can send a maverick historian to jail. Web search engines in Germany also block
"offending" internet sites without explanation so that Germans aren't even aware of it.
| Since when did Sentimentality dictate History? |
| So Why are we still rounding up Heretics? |
Today, centuries after the Malleus Maleficarum was published in 1486 bringing
the elements of heresy and witchcraft together, the same techniques are again
in service with the use of evidence from secret informers who act without fear of
legal reprisal readily accepted in "denial" trials! Going after people nobody
much likes anyway brings no rebuke even though it endangers and erodes all
of our basic freedoms. The modern western world who collectively stood
aghast at the techniques used by the KGB utters not a sigh as Global History
Police, with the power of government behind them, zealously rid the world of
"hate" and snag those who simply spout off unpopular viewpoints. This may
have had its insidious roots in the unconstitutionality of the Nürnberg Trials.
the elements of heresy and witchcraft together, the same techniques are again
in service with the use of evidence from secret informers who act without fear of
legal reprisal readily accepted in "denial" trials! Going after people nobody
much likes anyway brings no rebuke even though it endangers and erodes all
of our basic freedoms. The modern western world who collectively stood
aghast at the techniques used by the KGB utters not a sigh as Global History
Police, with the power of government behind them, zealously rid the world of
"hate" and snag those who simply spout off unpopular viewpoints. This may
have had its insidious roots in the unconstitutionality of the Nürnberg Trials.
Amnesty International will not intervene on behalf of imprisoned "Holocaust revisionists". It excludes
from prisoner of conscience status those who are imprisoned for "advocacy of hatred". They took this
step on the grounds that any dissent from "accepted" or traditional views on the Holocaust means
that one must have advocated "national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence". But will they continue to stand mute and unwilling to assist
anyone who utters opinions which cause distress or controversy as the definitions of "denial" and
"hate" are being continually broadened to include skepticism, curiosity, honest debate and even the
mere questioning of a specific statistic or account? After all, those are the majority of people who
have been sent to the new global gulags for violating these arbitrary and capricious denial laws.
from prisoner of conscience status those who are imprisoned for "advocacy of hatred". They took this
step on the grounds that any dissent from "accepted" or traditional views on the Holocaust means
that one must have advocated "national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence". But will they continue to stand mute and unwilling to assist
anyone who utters opinions which cause distress or controversy as the definitions of "denial" and
"hate" are being continually broadened to include skepticism, curiosity, honest debate and even the
mere questioning of a specific statistic or account? After all, those are the majority of people who
have been sent to the new global gulags for violating these arbitrary and capricious denial laws.
On October 31, 1992, 350 years after Galileo's death, Pope John Paul II gave an address on behalf of the
Catholic Church in which he admitted that errors had been made by the theological advisors in the case of
Galileo. He declared the Galileo case closed, but he did not admit that the Church was wrong to convict Galileo
on a charge of heresy because of his belief that the Earth rotates round the sun.
Catholic Church in which he admitted that errors had been made by the theological advisors in the case of
Galileo. He declared the Galileo case closed, but he did not admit that the Church was wrong to convict Galileo
on a charge of heresy because of his belief that the Earth rotates round the sun.
| "The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is that it is robbing the human race, posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth produced by its collision with error." ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859 |
There has never before in history been such severe censorship imposed on historical events as has
been dictated on events of the Second World War, nor have we ever been under as grave a threat
of losing our basic liberties as we are today. Pressure is being brought upon the EU and the UN to
tighten restrictions even further on what people can or cannot read, see or listen to relative to that
momentous human event. General Patten probably never envisioned this when he sent his young
soldiers off to die for democratic values...or maybe he did. Book burning is alive and well, cloaked
in politically correct rhetoric: it is okay to burn some books, those the History Police deem as
"revisionist" or "dangerous" or otherwise thought provoking in that they dare question the standard
version of events or analyze the veracity thereof. How dare they?
been dictated on events of the Second World War, nor have we ever been under as grave a threat
of losing our basic liberties as we are today. Pressure is being brought upon the EU and the UN to
tighten restrictions even further on what people can or cannot read, see or listen to relative to that
momentous human event. General Patten probably never envisioned this when he sent his young
soldiers off to die for democratic values...or maybe he did. Book burning is alive and well, cloaked
in politically correct rhetoric: it is okay to burn some books, those the History Police deem as
"revisionist" or "dangerous" or otherwise thought provoking in that they dare question the standard
version of events or analyze the veracity thereof. How dare they?
In recent years, several arrests have been made of "deniers" worldwide, and they are
in prisons throughout Europe, often for long periods without charges. They are not all
people who espouse hate, sanction violence or call for an overthrow of government.
Neither are they terrorists, but scientists, professors, politicians and historians, most of
them family men whose only crime is one sort of "denial" or another. Denial laws have
taken the place of the thumbscrew.
in prisons throughout Europe, often for long periods without charges. They are not all
people who espouse hate, sanction violence or call for an overthrow of government.
Neither are they terrorists, but scientists, professors, politicians and historians, most of
them family men whose only crime is one sort of "denial" or another. Denial laws have
taken the place of the thumbscrew.
The British Library was so disgusted and frightened by German books that it alone possesses about 12,000 books the
Allies seized from German libraries and institutions between June 1944 and 1947. The French take is unclear, but the
Soviets stole a lion's share, especially rare illuminated medieval manuscripts, but they were at least direct: since "Germany
started the war" they deserved to loot German cultural history. The US Library of Congress was so appalled by
dangerous German books that it obtained over 819,000 Allied confiscated German books by 1948 and 2 million other
pieces of German literature. Congress kept 28% of the stock, including Hitler's private library, and sent 72% to the
Association of Research Libraries. Only a small portion was ever returned to Germany. Millions of other German books
that survived the bombings were stolen by occupying soldiers.
Allies seized from German libraries and institutions between June 1944 and 1947. The French take is unclear, but the
Soviets stole a lion's share, especially rare illuminated medieval manuscripts, but they were at least direct: since "Germany
started the war" they deserved to loot German cultural history. The US Library of Congress was so appalled by
dangerous German books that it obtained over 819,000 Allied confiscated German books by 1948 and 2 million other
pieces of German literature. Congress kept 28% of the stock, including Hitler's private library, and sent 72% to the
Association of Research Libraries. Only a small portion was ever returned to Germany. Millions of other German books
that survived the bombings were stolen by occupying soldiers.
Books about birds made the list as well as books by Friedrich the Great and Bismarck and rare
European military history books. Popular children's books, including rare editions of the Brothers
Grimm, were burned on the grounds that they "provoked violence." Everything about the Olympic
Games of 1936 was banned. Books by the ancient poets were burned. Even books once banned by
the Nazis were destroyed! Sloppy handling caused the loss of the entire works of Richard Strauss
and several Gutenberg bibles were fried in this orgy of stupidity. TIME Article
European military history books. Popular children's books, including rare editions of the Brothers
Grimm, were burned on the grounds that they "provoked violence." Everything about the Olympic
Games of 1936 was banned. Books by the ancient poets were burned. Even books once banned by
the Nazis were destroyed! Sloppy handling caused the loss of the entire works of Richard Strauss
and several Gutenberg bibles were fried in this orgy of stupidity. TIME Article
Our modern brand of censorship ironically revolves around events back in World War Two, a
conflict which was fought in the name of democracy, liberty and freedom. There is, for example, the
ridiculous 1990 French Gayssot law crafted by Jean-Claude Gayssot, a longtime Communist party
officeholder: "No one is to dispute the genocide or other crimes against humanity for which the Nazi
leaders were put on trial at Nürnberg after the war." One goes to prison for its violation and many
already have! Europeans and Canadians are apparently quite accepting of laws that have no clear
meaning and depend on vague wording such as "insulting the dead," and there have been many
convictions under such absurd pretexts.
conflict which was fought in the name of democracy, liberty and freedom. There is, for example, the
ridiculous 1990 French Gayssot law crafted by Jean-Claude Gayssot, a longtime Communist party
officeholder: "No one is to dispute the genocide or other crimes against humanity for which the Nazi
leaders were put on trial at Nürnberg after the war." One goes to prison for its violation and many
already have! Europeans and Canadians are apparently quite accepting of laws that have no clear
meaning and depend on vague wording such as "insulting the dead," and there have been many
convictions under such absurd pretexts.
European “Anti-racism” laws have generally taken the form of forbidding the expression of opinions
that might stir up “hatred” against any racial or ethnic group. But almost all prosecutions have taken
place in connection with what is called Holocaust "revisionism” or “denial” and therefore go
unchallenged. Merely questioning an aspect of this historical event is illegal in most of Europe, and
Germany is currently pushing for the entire E.U. to pass laws similar in scope to theirs, even
suggesting that the E.U. demand standardized school books to mandate the current view of history.
that might stir up “hatred” against any racial or ethnic group. But almost all prosecutions have taken
place in connection with what is called Holocaust "revisionism” or “denial” and therefore go
unchallenged. Merely questioning an aspect of this historical event is illegal in most of Europe, and
Germany is currently pushing for the entire E.U. to pass laws similar in scope to theirs, even
suggesting that the E.U. demand standardized school books to mandate the current view of history.
Beginning with "re-education" at the end of the Second World War, Germany has continued the
strict censorship laws imposed by the Soviet and the Allied occupiers. Even today, using the "special
history" excuse, old war songs and some salutes and symbols are illegal even in private in Austria and
Germany, and Germany has been aggressive trying to expand the effects of its own laws beyond its
borders. And what of lands with no "special history"? If Germany has its way, Sweden, which has
unrestricted freedom of speech and no "special history", will have German style censorship imposed
upon them. The German-banned Mein Kampf, although historically relevant, would be permanently
banished forever worldwide if German governmental pressure had its way. They have decided,
despite its historical importance and influence, we cannot read it. It is, however, totally legal to read
Karl Marx or to hero-worship communist thugs, or to wave a Red Army flag.
strict censorship laws imposed by the Soviet and the Allied occupiers. Even today, using the "special
history" excuse, old war songs and some salutes and symbols are illegal even in private in Austria and
Germany, and Germany has been aggressive trying to expand the effects of its own laws beyond its
borders. And what of lands with no "special history"? If Germany has its way, Sweden, which has
unrestricted freedom of speech and no "special history", will have German style censorship imposed
upon them. The German-banned Mein Kampf, although historically relevant, would be permanently
banished forever worldwide if German governmental pressure had its way. They have decided,
despite its historical importance and influence, we cannot read it. It is, however, totally legal to read
Karl Marx or to hero-worship communist thugs, or to wave a Red Army flag.
Millions of German books were destroyed in the hysteria of both World Wars and approximately
25,000,000 books in Germany were destroyed by Allied bombs in World War Two, 50,000 in
Leipzig alone. Then there was unfettered plunder and looting of libraries and schools. But that was
nothing compared to what was to come now when all literature and works of "National Socialist and
militaristic character" found in both the Soviet and the Western Occupation Zones was condemned.
Unfortunately, those in charge of disposal often didn't know Goethe from Goofy, and thousands of
innocuous, even rare, books burned or were "pulped".
25,000,000 books in Germany were destroyed by Allied bombs in World War Two, 50,000 in
Leipzig alone. Then there was unfettered plunder and looting of libraries and schools. But that was
nothing compared to what was to come now when all literature and works of "National Socialist and
militaristic character" found in both the Soviet and the Western Occupation Zones was condemned.
Unfortunately, those in charge of disposal often didn't know Goethe from Goofy, and thousands of
innocuous, even rare, books burned or were "pulped".
Special Agent of the U.S. Post Office Anthony Comstock founded the
"New York Society for the Suppression of Vice" in 1872 and convinced
Congress to pass the “Comstock Law” which banned the mailing of “lewd,
indecent, filthy or obscene” materials which included, among other classics,
The Arabian Nights, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and Aristophanes’
Lysistrata. Authors Censored under the Comstock Law include Ernest
Hemingway, James Joyce, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Victor Hugo, D.H.
Lawrence, John Steinbeck, and Eugene O’Neill.
"New York Society for the Suppression of Vice" in 1872 and convinced
Congress to pass the “Comstock Law” which banned the mailing of “lewd,
indecent, filthy or obscene” materials which included, among other classics,
The Arabian Nights, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and Aristophanes’
Lysistrata. Authors Censored under the Comstock Law include Ernest
Hemingway, James Joyce, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Victor Hugo, D.H.
Lawrence, John Steinbeck, and Eugene O’Neill.
While we are now able to discover new aspects of life in Herculaneum, or explore details of a Civil War battle, or delve
into the fate of a sunken ancient Greek ship, we are forbidden anything but a cursory probe into the historical events of a
major World War! What we know now is all we are supposed to know, and for all time we shall be forbidden
introspection, new theory or fresh analysis. Curiosity be damned. This intellectual bullying should be an outrage to any
scholar. It deals a death blow to freedom of speech and freedom of thought. One man's revisionism might be another's
careful study...some historical events take hundreds of years to accurately define and record, and history is never without
dissent or revision. Generally, truth can withstand scrutiny.
into the fate of a sunken ancient Greek ship, we are forbidden anything but a cursory probe into the historical events of a
major World War! What we know now is all we are supposed to know, and for all time we shall be forbidden
introspection, new theory or fresh analysis. Curiosity be damned. This intellectual bullying should be an outrage to any
scholar. It deals a death blow to freedom of speech and freedom of thought. One man's revisionism might be another's
careful study...some historical events take hundreds of years to accurately define and record, and history is never without
dissent or revision. Generally, truth can withstand scrutiny.
This was the greatest campaign of book burning of all time and ended up being applied not only to the
offending books, but to poetry, philosophy, musical verse, calendars, horse books, books about trade
and agriculture, driving manuals, books about flowers, home building, barns, astronomy, plumbing,
poets, tennis and books about gardening. Hundreds of years of German history and culture were lost
due to incompetence and ignorance.
offending books, but to poetry, philosophy, musical verse, calendars, horse books, books about trade
and agriculture, driving manuals, books about flowers, home building, barns, astronomy, plumbing,
poets, tennis and books about gardening. Hundreds of years of German history and culture were lost
due to incompetence and ignorance.
Reading media accounts of their trials is chilling in that they are reminiscent of medieval inquisitions,
the only difference being that the inquisitors are assigned by a prosecutor's office rather than by a
Priest. To achieve this intellectual cleansing, the thought police have used various tactics which
should be seriously condemned. We have seen "deniers" who, although never committed any actual
crime, are pulled naked from their beds in the dark of night, torn from their families and illegally
deported, we have seen international governments collaborate in blatant political kidnappings, and we
have watched as "deniers" are held without due process and sent off to rot away in foreign jail cells
with nary a peep of protest by those who deem themselves guardians of civil liberties and champions
of human rights.
the only difference being that the inquisitors are assigned by a prosecutor's office rather than by a
Priest. To achieve this intellectual cleansing, the thought police have used various tactics which
should be seriously condemned. We have seen "deniers" who, although never committed any actual
crime, are pulled naked from their beds in the dark of night, torn from their families and illegally
deported, we have seen international governments collaborate in blatant political kidnappings, and we
have watched as "deniers" are held without due process and sent off to rot away in foreign jail cells
with nary a peep of protest by those who deem themselves guardians of civil liberties and champions
of human rights.
The Allied consensus upon victory was the doctrine of collective guilt: all Germans shared the blame,
not only for the war but for any atrocities as well. The idea was entrenched enough that it caused no
surprise when U.S. President Harry S. Truman refused to alleviate the induced famine of the
German population in December, 1945, stating : “though all Germans might not be guilty for the war,
it would be too difficult to try to single out for better treatment those who had nothing to do with the
Nazi regime and its crimes.” While German cities were in rubble, millions were dead or missing and
the whole population was confused, dazed and awash with grief, both the British and the Americans
took control of German media to instill a sense of collective guilt in the population. The Psychological
Warfare Division of SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) immediately
embarked upon an intense psychological propaganda campaign for the purpose of developing a
German sense of collective responsibility and, using the American controlled German media,
launched a collective guilt campaign to shock and humiliate the German public into accepting that
they were collectively guilty of crimes against humanity.
not only for the war but for any atrocities as well. The idea was entrenched enough that it caused no
surprise when U.S. President Harry S. Truman refused to alleviate the induced famine of the
German population in December, 1945, stating : “though all Germans might not be guilty for the war,
it would be too difficult to try to single out for better treatment those who had nothing to do with the
Nazi regime and its crimes.” While German cities were in rubble, millions were dead or missing and
the whole population was confused, dazed and awash with grief, both the British and the Americans
took control of German media to instill a sense of collective guilt in the population. The Psychological
Warfare Division of SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) immediately
embarked upon an intense psychological propaganda campaign for the purpose of developing a
German sense of collective responsibility and, using the American controlled German media,
launched a collective guilt campaign to shock and humiliate the German public into accepting that
they were collectively guilty of crimes against humanity.
By July, 1946, the Information Control Division of the U.S. Army had taken control of 37 German
newspapers, 6 radio stations, 314 theatres, 642 cinemas, 101 magazines, 237 book publishers, 7,384
book dealers and printers and one of its main criteria was to strictly prohibit any criticism of the
Allied forces of occupation and even stifle any criticism of Allied war time actions such as the
homicidal civilian bombing campaigns. In addition, on May 13, 1946 the Allied Control council
issued a directive for the confiscation on all media that could contribute to Nazism or "militarism".
newspapers, 6 radio stations, 314 theatres, 642 cinemas, 101 magazines, 237 book publishers, 7,384
book dealers and printers and one of its main criteria was to strictly prohibit any criticism of the
Allied forces of occupation and even stifle any criticism of Allied war time actions such as the
homicidal civilian bombing campaigns. In addition, on May 13, 1946 the Allied Control council
issued a directive for the confiscation on all media that could contribute to Nazism or "militarism".
120 tons of printed works were confiscated and 3,500 people were prosecuted. This trend continued
when Dr. Fredric Wertham published "Seduction of the Innocent" in the 1950's claiming that comic
books caused juvenile delinquency. The U.S. Senate held hearings to investigate Wertham's claims,
and the Comics Code Authority formed to prohibit any controversial comics.
when Dr. Fredric Wertham published "Seduction of the Innocent" in the 1950's claiming that comic
books caused juvenile delinquency. The U.S. Senate held hearings to investigate Wertham's claims,
and the Comics Code Authority formed to prohibit any controversial comics.
"Re-education" had its critics. General George S. Patton was one figure who was outspoken in his disagreement with the
severity of the Allied "re-education" programs instituted to "detoxify"-the German people. On September 22, 1945, while
speaking to reporters, Patton compared the "denazification thing" and the controversy over Nazism to a "Democratic and
Republican election fight". Eisenhower consequently removed him as U.S. commander in Bavaria and transferred him to
the 15th Army Group. Three months later, in December 1945, Patten conveniently suffered a broken neck in a car
accident and died less than two weeks later at the age of 60. Eisenhower went on to implement these oppressive policies
emanating from Washington, and he strictly censored any vocal or written opposition to any part of the anti-Nazi
program by the military. The program, left without any brave watchdogs, soon became even more severe,
severity of the Allied "re-education" programs instituted to "detoxify"-the German people. On September 22, 1945, while
speaking to reporters, Patton compared the "denazification thing" and the controversy over Nazism to a "Democratic and
Republican election fight". Eisenhower consequently removed him as U.S. commander in Bavaria and transferred him to
the 15th Army Group. Three months later, in December 1945, Patten conveniently suffered a broken neck in a car
accident and died less than two weeks later at the age of 60. Eisenhower went on to implement these oppressive policies
emanating from Washington, and he strictly censored any vocal or written opposition to any part of the anti-Nazi
program by the military. The program, left without any brave watchdogs, soon became even more severe,
"The Nuremberg Trials had been popular throughout the world and particularly in the United States. Equally popular was
the sentence already announced by the high tribunal: death. But what kind of trial was this? The Constitution was not a
collection of loosely given political promises subject to broad interpretation. It was not a list of pleasing platitudes to be
set lightly aside when expediency required it. It was the foundation of the American system of law and justice and [Robert
Taft] was repelled by the picture of his country discarding those Constitutional precepts in order to punish a vanquished
enemy." U.S. President, John F. Kennedy; Profiles in Courage
the sentence already announced by the high tribunal: death. But what kind of trial was this? The Constitution was not a
collection of loosely given political promises subject to broad interpretation. It was not a list of pleasing platitudes to be
set lightly aside when expediency required it. It was the foundation of the American system of law and justice and [Robert
Taft] was repelled by the picture of his country discarding those Constitutional precepts in order to punish a vanquished
enemy." U.S. President, John F. Kennedy; Profiles in Courage