German Amazon sued over anti-Semitic books

German Amazon sued over anti-Semitic books

jta.org

German Amazon sued over anti-Semitic books

July 26, 2009

BERLIN (JTA) -- A Jewish organization in Germany is suing the German version of Amazon for hate crimes over the sale of books that it says have banned content.

At issue are some 50 titles that push anti-Semitism, downplay National Socialist crimes and deny the Holocaust, according to the German office of the American Jewish Committee, which filed its suit Friday with the state prosecutor in Munich.

Deidre Berger, AJC's Germany director, said in a public statement that the failure to act against the sale of such material und

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I say Mohammed cartoons anyone? I say Mohammed cartoons anyone?

Has anyone heard of such a thing as an illegal book? Not me. You can get the foulest and most dangerous books everywhere but you can't touch Semitic matters even for the sake of art. You can desecrate the Bible but you can't squat about Israel in Germany.

You do realise that Flemming Rose, the purveyor of anti-Islamic cartoons, is Jewish.


jta.org
(visit the link for the full news article)

Welcome to Germany. You can't say anything bad about jewish people there ever. They don't have the same freedom of speech that we here in America have.

Germany is heavy into censoring. The extreme left and right have to watch their mouth if they don`t want to get into serious trouble. That makes angry people even more angry. It really annoys me, you can have no propper discussion with those people when they are not allowed to speak.

Germany is, for better or for worse, still dealing with guilt from the atrocities commited during the Nazi regime. They are extremely sensitive to it, as are European Jews. Were I a Jew, I'd be a little scared, and concerned, too. The young generations are forgetting, or not being taught, what happened only some sixty some years ago. Yep, I'd be concerned, too.

I can understand the thinking behind these laws, and I, once upon a time, agreed in large measure with them.

But even twits with nothing better to do then foment hatred have a right to do so, even though it makes me ill just wading through their hate-filled screeds.

reply to post by seagull


I am from Germany and what you say is true. The thing is, it is not possible to openly argue with people who denie the holocaust. When they would honestly say what they think and present their 'evidence' they would end in jail. The fact that it is such a great taboo and that it is forbidden attracts many young people. You know, everything forbidden is considered cool. I think an open discussion should be possible.

[edit on 29-7-2009 by derpif]

reply to post by derpif


Much as I would love to see many of these folk just go away, and find something, anything, else to do, I agree with you. It needs to be out there...the hate, the falacies, right along with the truth.

reply to post by seagull


You assume that German youth will behave as those of another generation, that somehow Germans are genetically inclined to act like their forefathers. I put to it you that all societies are capable of persecuting a minority and eminently capable of committing crimes against humanity but the German people are uniquely concious of this predicament.

Any considerations by the world of this human propensity is good, but to hold the German people solely accountable is unfair and unjust; what about the peoples of Cambodia, Rwanda and of course the Palestinians and those that violate them?

[edit on 033131p://pm3117 by masonwatcher]

World War Two really screwed up the European psyche.

I thought the most effective form of objection one could undertake against a book was not to buy it and subsequently, not to read it.

What is the purpose of banning thoughts? All it does is force the thought into a more intensely focused and narrowly confined quarter. But you can't eliminate it.

I consider this kind of railing against speculative writing was more of a form of 'blow-back' from the endless years of decrying the holocaust as a 'specifically Jewish' tragedy. Had they been less prone to sensationalize their plight over that of all the others, people might not be so inclined to point out the apparent discrepancy in their historic records....

Soon everything will be anti-semitic, even pizza

I remember my dad buying "the satanic verses" book because he said it would be banned within a few days or so and thought he could make some extra cash after owning a banned book.

I think the usage of the term anti-semitic is very much anti-semitic
It's just ludicrous now

Remember that seinfeld episode where jerry's uncle thought everything was anti-semitic?

Genocide does not really have any specific heritage. Any Nation and almost every famous nation has done it at some point in history. The most simple organisms commit it every day, the worst thing would be in my opinion to shut up the discussion or try to hide the arguments behind speech codes, etc.

reply to post by masonwatcher

You are missing an important point. Selling, transporting or otherwise trafficking in anti-Jewish, Holocaust denial or racist literature, clothing, music or other items is a serious crime in Germany....and for good reason if you look at the last few hundred years of their history. Anti-semitism is not a 20th century invention there. They already are having severe problems with pro-Nazi and skinhead groups at the moment thanks mostly due to US organizers, do you really think they should allow this stuff to be sold on the general market?

reply to post by secretagent woooman


The question is whether there is freedom of speech or not? If there is not, then why are there no restrictions across the board? Why are genocides after 1945 not dealt with in the same manner everywhere? The laws in German are simply the first that will be be implemented in the US and UK.

The laws are not simply about Holocaust denial. I think Holocaust Denial is asinine and terrible ignorance and needs to be dealt with through education and those peddling this nonsense penalised for incitement. What I am talking about is the lack of similar attitudes with regards to other genocides and ethnic cleansings. There are also a whole load of other regulations railroaded through that classify criticisms and boycotts of Israel as anti-Semitic.

[edit on 043131p://pm3140 by masonwatcher]

What scares me is the Jews are doing exactly what Hitler did one day after the Reich stag fire.

Restrictions on personal liberty, on the right of free expression of opinion, including freedom of the press; on the rights of assembly and association;

We need to fight those that want to restrict your freedoms, opinions, thoughts etc NOW.

I have to admit we spend way to much time on the Holocaust (Jews). How long should the people of Germany be punished for a previous generations crimes.
If someone wants to call me Anti-Semitic that's fine, but it beats doing the same things that Hitler did.

If people don't grow a spine and quit whining every time somebody 'hurts their feelings', we're going to head in the same direction here in the US (see "hate crime laws"). Political correctness is verbal fascism, and should be dealt with as such. It's time everyone grew up and accepted the fact that they don't have the right to not have their feelings hurt.


TA

reply to post by masonwatcher


Germany doesn't have what you would call a great track record concerning antijewish sentiment, and actions. The events of WWII weren't even remotely the only ones. Infact, Europe in general hasn't been kind to the Jewish people...

No, the Jews have reason for their paranoia. History bears it out.

That doesn't mean that the opinions shouldn't be out there for all to see, and judge.

Any considerations by the world of this human propensity is good, but to hold the German people solely accountable is unfair and unjust; what about the peoples of Cambodia, Rwanda and of course the Palestinians and those that violate them?

The topic was, I thought, this lawsuit in Germany concerning the banning of books with antijewish overtones? Cambodia's horrors, and Rwanda have little to no bearing. ...and I am far from holding Germany fully to blame for the horrors of the Holocaust, a lot of European nations went along for the ride, and are welcome to share in the blame. If you'll take the time to look around, you'll see that many countries in Europe have the same laws on the books.

[edit on 7/30/2009 by seagull]

Not only do they ban books about Jews and such, they ban incandescent light bulbs!
The Jewish politicians and powerful wealthy people in Germany have brow beaten the locals into submission.
If they are not careful.... history will repeat.

Originally posted by masonwatcher
The question is whether there is freedom of speech or not?

Freedom of speech is an inalienable right so every human on earth has freedom of speech. But most governments punish people who exerise this right. Most of Europe falls into this catagory, at least as far as WWII history is concerned. Solution? Civil disobedience? Do not obey the law and convince others to disobey as well and fill the prisons with polital prisoners. Not a pleasant solution to execute but in my opinion possible.

Vas