ThoughtCrime: 10/02/92
Computer Network Holocaust Debate Closed Down
The latest effort by revisionists to foster open debate on the holocaust
issue over a computer network "bulletin board system" (BBS) has been closed
down by network censors after just three weeks.
On September 9, 1992, the GE-nie computer network permitted the creation
of a new "Auschwitz" BBS discussion topic, which was initiated by revisionist
activist P.LARSEN.
After five days - and 52 messages posted by both skeptics and defenders
of the holocaust story - the system operator responsible for the discussion
area that included the new "Auschwitz" topic, Tony Kendall, warned participants:
"I am not saying anyone has done this so far, but please be advised
that this topic is not to be used for 'the Holocaust didn't happen'
lobby.' That type of discussion is offensive and totally without fact.
There have been problems with this in other parts of GE-nie and I will
not let that happen here. I abhor censorship but GE-nie (and the sysop)
reserves the right (as with editors of other media) to decide subject
content on its services. In the interest of covering all facets of Germany,
not only the good, I am allowing this topic..."
By September 27, more than 140 public messages had been posted on the new
"Auschwitz" discussion, in which the revisionist side was clearly prevailing.
Institute for Historical Review Associate Editor Greg Raven joined the heated
discussion on September 30 with a few brief, to-the-point messages.
Sysop Kendall removed all of Raven's messages from view, and closed
the area to further discussion. On October 2, the topic itself was expunged.
In all, though, 356 messages had been posted before the "Auschwitz" discussion
was shut down.
Adapted from: IHR Newsletter, November 1992, Number 90. Institute for Historical
Review (PO Box 2739, Newport Beach, CA 92659.)
The THOUGHTCRIME ARCHIVES is a series designed as a cooperative effort
to aid and assist the entire community by reporting acts of censorship,
violence, and other outrages perpetrated against individuals with unpopular
or revisionist views.
"Thoughtcrime does not entail death: thoughtcrime IS death." George Orwell
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