Because our country has lost 6 million people in WW2 and the holocaust, estimated 1/5th of total population. Saying that it hasn't happened is more than just a lie - it's attacking the core being of our identity and denying the atrocities that were done against us. It should be illegal and luckily it is.
Like - imagine if US was attacked and the attacker killed 60 million Americans. I can almost guarantee that no matter how strongly Americans believe in the 1st amendment, saying that it hasn't happened would be made illegal.
> Like - imagine if US was attacked and the attacker killed 60 million Americans. I can almost guarantee that no matter how strongly Americans believe in the 1st amendment, saying that it hasn't happened would be made illegal.
Why would scale change people's values compared to say 9/11? It's important to me that we're the deciders of truth for ourselves. I believe people fighting in those wars have fought for my right to believe what I choose and not what a government tells me.
Think about this in the context China, even today and I think you'll see why I feel this is an incredibly valuable right. Governments can lie too, the American one has many times throughout history and we should and do demand a right to question it.
I very much agree. I'm personally of the opinion that anti-climate change propaganda needs to be made illegal as well. I consider the failure to allow anti-climate change speech as an act of hatred against future generations.
200 years ago, I understand the need for free speech, particularly when powers were so evenly spread, socially, between the church and other powers. Limiting speech would have most likely meant limiting scientific and social development. That process has now reversed, I think, and currently unlimited free speech aids in producing one of the most sophisticated and powerful propaganda systems that has ever existed.
I don't think that humans can deal with this in any natural, social way. The parts of the human brain that it takes advantage of is so pervasive that without extensive personal training, most people can't actually work their way around it.
EDIT: I think I should clarify. I don't mind the person on the street saying whatever they please, but no one person deserves a soap box on which to lie. The powers of the FCC regarding propaganda need to be expanded so that news organizations are required to inform the truth.
No kidding. Remember all those U.S. laws enacted to censor 9/11 conspiracy theorists? Oh wait. That didn't happen because such laws would be unconstitutional.
Like I said in my other reply - if 60 million(5th of current population) instead of 3000 people died in those attacks, I strongly believe even US would reconsider such position.
If your values change based on the magnitude of an atrocity then I suggest considering whether you hold those values at all. I certainly feel for the Polish people and the extreme suffering endured in the 20th century. But in my experience, suffering builds resolve, and it may jus be that Poland does not consider free speech a fundamental right. My homeland doesn't either, much to my disappointment.
At least if private entities implement this kind of thing, those who wish can still discuss it someplace else.
Though pushing these things under the rug doesn't have the best reputation (see recent 8chan tied shooting).