Bloody Idiots

I'd read about David Irwing (hoocaust denier) being jailed in Austria and some opinions about the jailing (here, here and here). Free speech, even hateful and stupid speech should be protected, even when the bastards are saying things we don't like (inciting violence is a different story).

And on a tangentially related note...

On the other hand, there was an incident where someone attempted to burn down the Holocaust History Projects building. Orac at Respectful Insolence who has more details. This is just reprehensible. While I can understand the Austrian laws and the background too them, even if I don't agree with them, the attempted arson however, is just beyond the pale.