Unknown Cross... fake?

[kriztof]

Well, I doubt "true" freedome of speech as you use the term exists anywhere. There are limits and/or consequences of some type in almost every society. In the US, a famous jurist once said that freedom of speech "...does not give you the right to yell fire in a crowded theater." In other words, your speech can be limited by the potential harm it can cause. It is a balance between the right to say what one wants versus the potential harm inflicted on a society, and that balance is different fo each society. In the United States, fascism or Nazi occupation was never a real and present danger, so more latitude is allowed. In the context of Europe in general, and certain countries in particular, there is a broad consensus that certain speech is of great harm to society, given the history involved. Most people on this forum are aware of the laws in Germany and some neighboring countries. Austria, which did not have such laws, might be seen by many in Europe as a "case in point" for just why those laws are needed.

So true and exquisitely worded

Oh yes, I like the award, this is the first one I've seen. Thanks for posting.

Chris

[Kent Muller]

what an interesting item.... thanks for sharing

[peterm]

[ Most people on this forum are aware of the laws in Germany and some neighboring countries. Austria, which did not have such laws, might be seen by many in Europe as a "case in point" for just why those laws are needed.[/QUOTE]

Hi !

Its pure nonsens to declare, that Austria doesn't have such "laws". We have them since 1945. If You want to surch look after "Verbotsgesetz" and "Abzeichengesetz".

Kind regards,

Peter

[DaveNZ]

In the context of Europe in general, and certain countries in particular, there is a broad consensus that certain speech is of great harm to society, given the history involved.

Quite frankly I find it hard to see how having, for example, a swastika flag in your lounge where the neighbours can see it, is of great harm to society.

however to do such a thing is illegal in Germany.

care to comment

[DaveNZ]

[ Most people on this forum are aware of the laws in Germany and some neighboring countries. Austria, which did not have such laws, might be seen by many in Europe as a "case in point" for just why those laws are needed.

Hi !

Its pure nonsens to declare, that Austria doesn't have such "laws". We have them since 1945. If You want to surch look after "Verbotsgesetz" and "Abzeichengesetz".

Kind regards,

Peter[/QUOTE]



or even better ask David irving what he thinks of Austrian law

[LarryHW.]

Austria laws were much more lenient than those of Germany, until recent years. Souval could produce his reproductions there, but would he have been able to do so in Germany? Books, newsletters and other items were published in Austria that could not have been published elsewhere. Austrians were much, much slower to come to grips with their past than Germany was. Some of this stems from an Allied decision, during the war, to treat Austria as Hitler's first "victim", rather than an agressor nation. Some of it stemmed from an internal decision among postwar Austrian leadership to bury the red/brown/socialist/conservative divisions that plauged the country in the 1930's. The result was that Austrians, for many years, got almost a pass on examining the nation's role in the Nazi period. Things have changed in recent times, but it was a long, and often painful, process.

Hi !

Its pure nonsens to declare, that Austria doesn't have such "laws". We have them since 1945. If You want to surch look after "Verbotsgesetz" and "Abzeichengesetz".

Kind regards,

Peter

or even better ask David irving what he thinks of Austrian law [/QUOTE]

[peterm]

How good to see, that US-americans and New Zealand citizens do know SO MUCH more about Austrian laws than an Austrian official... Many thanks for sharing Your great knowledge with me !

Kind regards,

Peter