Quote:
Originally Posted by Skybird
That causal conclusion is illogical. The ban itself holds no info on whether the issue is superfical an issue or not. But you m ake a big deal of it, while it is not really, and certainly is no indication in itself for a crackdown on free speech.
The swastika ban simply means so little for many Germans that many of us simply prefer to not care much for the "issue" at all. It's there, fine. If it wouldn't be there, most people would not care also, except maybe the Central Committee of German Jews. NSA scandal, Snowden revelations, the intimidation of sources for reporters, global communication control and privatesphere being hacked, and Patriot Act - that is what should get your attention much more, because it does much more damage in the present, leads much further than the swastika ban, and holds much more substantial a description of contemporary society and the way it is moving in the US. Compared to that, your indignation over partial bans of Nazi symbols in Germany is theatrical, sorry. If at least you would have started about the several eastgerman counties where the Nazis have become the dominant political faction again, then at least you would have had a relevant point, but - this...?
You remind me of this saying a bit, regarding the splinter in the other's eye, while ignoring the beam in one's own. There are more serious threats to free speech and free mind, than the German swastika ban.
|
Whether you think this issue is minute or not doesn't make it any less valid of a discussion. A breach of freedom of speech, no matter how small, is still a breach. You can discuss the violations of FoS that you wish, and I'll discuss the ones that I wish. Or are you trying to limit my Freedom of Speech do debate this topic?
I think alot can be learned about the ban. It goes to show that wars last much longer than the treaties or unconditional surrenders that are supposed to end them take effect. Banning a symbol or a persons name is a stepping stone to banning much greater and more important things if the people are convinced that such a ban is just.