The joys of the discursive method
Heartened to see that the Oxford Union is hosting a debate featuring BNP leader Nick Griffin and holocaust-denier-in-chief David Irving. The whole point of free speech is that people who believe odious claptrap will have their views subjected to vigorous debate and shown up for precisely what they are. Sweeping them under the carpet is nothing like as effective - there's no disinfectant like sunlight, and it's nice to see my old alma mater taking on the dirty but oh-so-necessary job of debunking both men in public.
Unless these two men intend to take the Arthur Scargill approach of debating, I cannot see what the problem is. As I understand it, the motion is not entitled, "All Jews should be hanged from the nearest tree"; it is "A Night of Discussion on the Limits of Free Speech".
Who better to discuss the outer limits of free speech than those who have dwelled beyond those limits throughout their careers?
Posted by: Rick | November 26, 2007 at 04:41 PM