NationStates Jolt Archive

No one can deny that Prince Harry made a very big mistake. However, this is emboldening enemies of freedom that carry the banner by the same name. Certain factions in Germany wish to limit free speech across Europe by banning Nazi symbology. And you know what? They may succeed.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/16/content_2468602.htm

notice the huge contradiction...:
"In a Europe of peace and freedom there should be no place for Nazi symbols"

should be "In a Europe of peace and freedom there should be no place for people like to get on a high horse and ban something just because I personally dont agree with it"

Q: Why did it come to this?
A: Because people are too retarded by now to handle such horrendoues symbols with the proper respect AND/ OR sensitivity. Freedom of speech ends, where the freedom of others is violated. It´s like - e.g. - outlawing flag-burning or something.

Now you Europeans have a taste of what we Americans feel like when we have our stuff banned off the T.V.


C'mon! If I wanted Chris Rock to have the f word bleeped out, I would've found some way to get into soccer mom heaven.

i dont know much about european politics in this kind of thing but

who CARES if nazi symbols are banned? are they that dear to you? would it really make a difference in your life if they were banned? and honestly if it DID make a difference to your life, would i really want to support a person like you?

do european countries have freedom of speech in the same what that we have it in the US?

Q: Why did it come to this?
A: Because people are too retarded by now to handle such horrendoues symbols with the proper respect AND/ OR sensitivity. Freedom of speech ends, where the freedom of others is violated. It´s like - e.g. - outlawing flag-burning or something.
I don't believe that. If some Nazi murders Jews, then he can be prosecuted. But here, the threat is just emotional, and no reason to ban it. Remember, Hitler himself banned many things that hurted his emotional state.

I don't believe that. If some Nazi murders Jews, then he can be prosecuted. But here, the threat is just emotional, and no reason to ban it. Remember, Hitler himself banned many things that hurted his emotional state.

It´s not about "hurting people emotional", but banning a symbol which is used by certain political groups which (in most cases) violently oppose fundamental rights and freedoms. Where not talking about banning - e.g. - swastikas out of history books or something.

If there is ONE crucial lesson we have to learn from the whole hisotry of nazism is, that uber-free freedom of speech can destroy a nation. Example: The Weimar Republic. They had no laws to keep the "enemies of freedom" (heck, I thought I´d never ever use that term) in check.

Banning the symbol doesn´t mean banning what it stands for. Neo Nazis can still rally and demonstrate their political ideals if they wish, as long as they stick to the rules.

I seriously doubt bainning a single symbol will cause anyone harm, don´t be ridiculous.

It´s not about "hurting people emotional", but banning a symbol which is used by certain political groups which (in most cases) violently oppose fundamental rights and freedoms. Where not talking about banning - e.g. - swastikas out of history books or something.

If there is ONE crucial lesson we have to learn from the whole hisotry of nazism is, that uber-free freedom of speech can destroy a nation. Example: The Weimar Republic. They had no laws to keep the "enemies of freedom" (heck, I thought I´d never ever use that term) in check.

Banning the symbol doesn´t mean banning what it stands for. Neo Nazis can still rally and demonstrate their political ideals if they wish, as long as they stick to the rules.

I seriously doubt bainning a single symbol will cause anyone harm, don´t be ridiculous.
Still, it doesn't hurt anyone. Anyone who wishes to should be allowed to use Nazi symbology because of that.

Still, it doesn't hurt anyone. Anyone who wishes to should be allowed to use Nazi symbology because of that.

Actually I´d like you to explain me why any half-sane person would like to use nazi symbology anyway? Just because they think it´s cool doesn´t mean it´s legitimate. And - e.g. - dressing up like young Harry is certainly the "I´m a dork - look at me"-variant which I´d personally consider lack of taste and sensitivity. We don´t have to put up with such shit, right?

Actually I´d like you to explain me why any half-sane person would like to use nazi symbology anyway? Just because they think it´s cool doesn´t mean it´s legitimate. And - e.g. - dressing up like young Harry is certainly the "I´m a dork - look at me"-variant which I´d personally consider lack of taste and sensitivity. We don´t have to put up with such shit, right?
I don't know why anyone would want to dress up in a brownshirt and swastika armband. But as idiotic as it is, I see it as morally wrong to prevent that idiocy through forceful means. On top of that, a ban makes the neo-Nazi movement only go further underground. It's the case with anything that is banned, but in the case of speech and symbols, it is silly to do so, and tie up the police more.

If this becomes European Law, the Isle of Man will have a Problem, as its national symbol, The Legs of Mann, is interpreted by some to be a swastika.

They are just being over sensitive to an issue that is one that touches many raw nerves in many countries. National Socialism was a particularly unpleasant combination of political views, but banning the symbolism, will not prevent anyone from holding those views in the future. What it might do is dimm the memory of those who oppose the fascist credo and allow such views to become "respectable" again.

We should remember what happened, and if people like Harry use the symbolism without respect for the views behind this symbolism, then this helps us remember.

I don't know why anyone would want to dress up in a brownshirt and swastika armband. But as idiotic as it is, I see it as morally wrong to prevent that idiocy through forceful means.

Actually, I don´t. There are enough things out there which should be removed from most peoples access. Like those fancy internet pages which feature step by step "How to built a bomb using industrial fertilizer"-kind of crap.

On top of that, a ban makes the neo-Nazi movement only go further underground. It's the case with anything that is banned, but in the case of speech and symbols, it is silly to do so, and tie up the police more.

A band won´t make them go underground, as they still can do whatever they want as long as they don´t use that fucking symbol. As sad as it sounds, in the place I live we had a rather hughe neo-nazi rally including a march through town just a few months ago, right past my own window. They still can´t express themselves as they wish and broadcast their message. They won´t be limited in their freedom by a swastika-ban.

A band won´t make them go underground, as they still can do whatever they want as long as they don´t use that fucking symbol. As sad as it sounds, in the place I live we had a rather hughe neo-nazi rally including a march through town just a few months ago, right past my own window. They still can´t express themselves as they wish and broadcast their message. They won´t be limited in their freedom by a swastika-ban.
This means a lot to them, however. A ban will make more meetings go on in some secluded farmhouse or something, where the swastika can be displayed. Who knows what they may cook up there. This ban may even motivate them to plot against the German government, like killing a judge or something.

This means a lot to them, however. A ban will make more meetings go on in some secluded farmhouse or something, where the swastika can be displayed.

That´s why we keep an eye on them. Actually, most nazi--groups over here actually use symbols of their own - just to discern themselves from other nazi-groups. They´re a couple of popular ones, which I can´t be bothered right now to dig up, but most of those groups got their own trademark flag or something.

Who knows what they may cook up there. This ban may even motivate them to plot against the German government, like killing a judge or something.

They plot against the Federal and state government anyway, most times they got cracked down upon fast enough. And if they do, one more reason to ban and arrest them all, because if that´s what they do, they turn from a political group into a terrorist organization. That´s not a thing I´d loose any sleep over.

It is morally reprehensible to ban something because you don't think the people should know about it. Who the hell are they to decide what's good for the people and what isn't. All speech should be free, including offensive symbols (I despise nazis, mind you.) All that this is is legislating morality under another name, and I am opposed to it.

That´s why we keep an eye on them. Actually, most nazi--groups over here actually use symbols of their own - just to discern themselves from other nazi-groups. They´re a couple of popular ones, which I can´t be bothered right now to dig up, but most of those groups got their own trademark flag or something.
Patriot act style?

I wonder if they'll ever understand that when government makes something like this illegal, it makes it more attractive to the rebellious.

Communism was responsilbe for more deaths throughout Europe than Naziism. Why aren't they calling for a ban on Communist symbols?

Perhaps it's because the whiners who are so ardently against symbols of the Third Reich are the same individuals who promote Communism.

To comment on the recent Prince Harry story, it seems unusual that the one thing a person cannot wear is a Nazi uniform. We are quite free to wear a Soviet uniform or even dress up as Satan (as many do on Halloween). But God forbid one should dress up as a Nazi. That is tantamount to heresy and high treason is the eyes of the P.C., pro-multicult puppet masters. In their eyes, a Nazi is worse than the Devil himself.

If they want to make this an equal-opportunity ban of offensive images, maybe they should include bans on the following:

- images of the former Soviet Union
- images of the Khmer Rouge
- images of Ghengis Khan
- images of Christianity (remember the hateful inquisition)
- images of the American Old West (because of the Indian wars)
- images of the North Korean military
- images of Saddam Hussein's Iraq
- images of Britain (because of their imperial rule for centuries)
- images of the African Hutus or Tutsis
- images of Imperial Rome

...........Ad nauseum