http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=976870941610001004#http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-441640420550012012#tl;dw
The holocaust didn't happen. Jews, POWs, gypsies, and other "undesirables" were sent to concentration camps just like all other countries did. Many people did die, but most were due to normal deaths under those conditions, not to gassings. The gas used was also used to clean. The gas chambers didn't have the same residue as the cleaning chambers. Much of the data about the holocaust was obtained from the allied militaries, which means there is a high likelihood of propaganda. Tour guides and people who run the tours and camps are all human, and make mistakes (which incidentally is why you should never talk to the police, just in case you get caught in a hypocrisy).
My topic has 2 sections to it:
1. Do you agree with the overall claim of this video (that the Holocaust didn't happen)?
2. What do you think about these conspiracy/documentary videos?
Are most of them ridiculous? Or do they tend to make a persuasive argument for you?
My thoughts
1. No. I can't bring myself to ignore that the jews were discriminated against, or that terrible things happened, but I can't say for sure that 6 million jews died in the holocaust, so I can't make any claims either way. I've always thought it was remarkably stupid of the Nazis to systematically kill their prisoners in such a way. They could have simply worked them to death. I don't think the number was 6 million. I also don't think it should be treated any differently from the other countries which torture and starve people to death, nor that it should be illegal in countries to question, which is why I support even the "loose change" video I linked, but don't believe most of it.
2. While watching the video I find it hard to dismiss the arguments, even some of the crazy ones. There is an explanation for everything, but the authors of the documentaries have a knack for asking very difficult questions, which are incredibly difficult to answer, and the editing that goes along tends to have a highly persuasive effect on me (and I'm presuming many other people). Perhaps a Psych major can shed light on this phenomenon, but it's truly an amazing thing. The authors also manage to point out hypocrisies to the viewers, but not to the interviewees, not that it would be fair anyway in an interview. On difficult questions, the best I could do is "I don't know".
As I said before, I love the fact that we can say just about anything in the US, and that it's right to question, even if the question is stupid.
If you just read the tl;dw section, please say so.
"Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Chairman - do we have to call the Gentleman a gentleman if he's not one?"