posted December 12, 2006 05:47 PM            

Tuesday , December 12, 2006

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's conference questioning the Holocaust came to an end Tuesday, but not before hearing former KKK Imperial Wizard David Duke say that gas chambers were not used to kill Jews.

"The Zionists have used the Holocaust as a weapon to deny the rights of the Palestinians and cover up the crimes of Israel," Duke told a gathering of nearly 70 "researchers" in Tehran at Ahmadinejad's invitation.

"This conference has an incredible impact on Holocaust studies all over the world," said Duke, a former state representative in Louisiana who twice ran for president.

"The Holocaust is the device used as the pillar of Zionist imperialism, Zionist aggression, Zionist terror and Zionist murder," Duke told The Associated Press.

Also at the end of the conference, Mohammad Ali Ramini, an Ahmadinejad adviser who has called the Holocaust a "myth," announced that he will chair a committee to find "the truth on the genocide of Jews."

Other members of the committee will be Robert Fuerisson, a French professor who denies the existence of gas chambers, along with Holocaust deniers from Syria, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, the United States and Bahrain.

Tuesday's speeches included Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour, a former interior minister and one of the founders of Lebanese militia Hezbollah, who labeled the Holocaust as a "tale."

"All the studies and research carried out so far have proven that there is no reason to believe that the Holocaust ever occurred and that it is only a tale," he stated.

Austrian historian Wolfgang Froehlich, who served a two-year jail sentence in his home country for denying the Holocaust, did not read out his speech — which was handed out to participants — for fear of being jailed again. Denying the Holocaust is a crime in a dozen European countries, including Austria, where British historian David Irving was jailed in February for three years for denying the Holocaust.

Nabil Soleiman, an adviser to the ministry of religious affairs in Syria, said, "If the Holocaust ever occurred, it was a conspiracy against the Arab-Islamic world as today the Middle East is still paying the consequences."

Ahmadinejad opened Tuesday's session by thanking God that the Zionist regime was declining, telling conference participants, “its lifetime will be over and their interests as well as reputation will be endangered,” the Islamic Republican News Agency reported.

International condemnation continued to pour in against the government-sponsored conference in Tehran, which has drawn Holocaust deniers from around the world.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was "shocking beyond belief" and called the conference "a symbol of sectarianism and hatred."

He said he saw little hope of engaging Iran in constructive action in the Middle East, saying, "I look around the region at the moment, and everything Iran is doing is negative."

The United States, which also condemned the gathering, has been considering whether to open a dialogue with Iran to get its help in calming neighboring Iraq. President George W. Bush has so far refused to approach Iran, accusing it of backing terrorism.

The White House condemned the gathering of Holocaust deniers in Tehran as "an affront to the entire civilized world as well as to the traditional Iranian values of tolerance and respect."

A statement from press secretary Tony Snow noted the meeting coincided with International Human Rights Week, which renews the pledges of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights drafted in the wake of World War II atrocities.

"The Iranian regime perversely seeks to call the historical fact of those atrocities into question and provide a platform for hatred," Snow said.

Earlier this year, Ahmadinejad described the Holocaust as a "myth" that has been used to impose the state of Israel on the Arab world and called for Israel to be wiped off the map.

"Ahmadinejad's Holocaust comment opened a new window in international relations on this issue. Twenty years ago, it was not possible to talk about [the] Holocaust and any scientific study was subject to punishment. This taboo has been broken, thanks to Mr. Ahmadinejad's initiative," Georges Theil of France told conference delegates on Tuesday.

Theil was convicted earlier this year in France for "contesting the truth of crimes against humanity" after he said the Nazis never used poison gas against Jews.

Michele Renouf, an Australian socialite supporter of "Holocaust skeptics," called Ahmadinejad "a hero" for opening a debate about the Holocaust. Renouf, a blonde former beauty queen, addressed the audience wearing a green robe and Islamic headscarf, abiding by Iranian law requiring women to cover their hair.

Frederick Toben, an Australian who in 1999 served jail time in Germany for his Holocaust views, told the conference in no uncertain terms that the number of Jews killed in Nazi death camps — an estimated 6 million — is a myth.

''The number of victims at the Auschwitz concentration camp could be about 2,007,'' Toben said. ''The railroad to the camp did not have enough capacity to transfer large numbers of Jews."

Among the 67 participants from 30 countries, who included some of Europe's most prominent Holocaust deniers, were two rabbis and four other members of the fringe group Jews United Against Zionism.

They were dressed in the traditional long black coats and black hats of ultra-Orthodox Jews. The group says the creation of the state of Israel violates Jewish law and argues that the Holocaust should not be used to justify its founding.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,236014,00.html

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The democratic world believes that it is not the terrorists that are to blame, but us. Us, the westerners.
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the sooner you eliminate this misconception from your minds, the better.
We are NOT to blame. It is the freaking terrorists and the freaking terrorists only!!!! They are the bad guys. They do not understand concepts like peace, democracy, and respect for human life. They are, pure and simPle, EVIL!!!!! Behind all their political manipulations, if you carefully look at the actions of these MONSTERS, they are EVIL!!

http://www.mideastweb.org/log/archives/00000489.htm

posted December 12, 2006 06:10 PM            

If you analyze U.S. and British forigen policies, you'll get the idea as to why the U.S. and many other western nations aren't particularly liked. Even now, the current U.S. admimistration is bungling its trade relations with China who can very well be descibed as the current Economic Giant.

posted December 12, 2006 06:19 PM            

As an American I can post whatever I want, when I want. It is my right (you may want to look that up in case you forgot). Since David Duke represents the twisted views of a small, mentally challenged group of American's his views are relevant to this "Global Unity" website as well as to our people as a whole.

I understand you take a different view and would have anyone that questions someone of whom you extol the praises of (which I wonder why you are so protective of someone such as Ahmadinejad) quieted. Too bad...

Last time I checked you were neither a moderator nor were you given a badge to be the "free speech police".

Until then... you have the right to say what you want. If you don't like what I have to say, you don't have to read it. If you agree with dear Ahmadinejad's theory, well go right ahead, but be prepared for people to flip it back.

PS... are you new or did you change your username. You seem very familiar.

posted December 12, 2006 07:47 PM            

I found this utterly annoying

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They were dressed in the traditional long black coats and black hats of ultra-Orthodox Jews. The group says the creation of the state of Israel violates Jewish law and argues that the Holocaust should not be used to justify its founding.

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posted December 12, 2006 07:55 PM            

The value of any discussion is to find "Tangible" solutions to problems; Not go on a shouting spree. Its what I refer to as the "Gung Ho medium;" Jumping to conclusions without coheret thought. Who says I defend him? Did I mention it? No. My point is clear; If the U.S. govenment is so self-centered to recognize that it played no part in what lead to current U.S. negitive views, its so sadly mistaken.

The current administration has a lot of tough questions to answer, begining with why it chooses to ignore so many WTO protocals, Defy UN mandates, Continue to bungle up the U.S. economy (including a MASSIVE defence budget that truly doesn't need to be THAT massive; Dick Cheny needs to answer to that) and possibly accounts for human rights violation.

To point at other countries and say "You guys need to be like us" is a total imperalistic view; Which might I add, goes totally against the very ideals the U.S. nation was founded upon.

posted December 12, 2006 08:20 PM            

And thank you Petron, your right I havnt been here long enough. But i have been noticing (not you particularly) that people's old grudges seep into new threads. Im honestly unbiased and am not choosing anyones side (in members i mean) and perhaps Pid has done something to offend people but i have seen her appologize numerous times and a lot of people still go into her threads just to say something nasty. Im not saying you did it at all, but it just bothers me a lot that people dont let go. And thank you for your kind wishes, have a wondeful day as well.

posted December 12, 2006 08:28 PM            

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Actually U.S. defense budget is relatively not that massive compared to what it was during Cold War. Its actually below 20% if im correct (i may not be...didnt pay attention in class that well on this topic)

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It was when the Administration took office in the begining.

To put it in prespective to you:

"Defence expenditure in the US will equal that of the rest of the world combined within 12 months."

posted December 12, 2006 09:53 PM              

RAND STUDY PREDICTS CHINA'S DEFENSE SPENDING IS LOWER THAN PREVIOUS OUTSIDE ESTIMATES

A RAND Corporation report issued today estimates that China's defense spending is between 2.3 and 2.8 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product. This is 40 to 70 percent higher than official Chinese government figures — but substantially lower than many previous outside estimates of the share of GDP that China devotes to defense.

The study estimates that the purchasing power of current Chinese military spending runs between $69 billion and $78 billion in 2001 dollars, and could reach $185 billion in 2001 dollars in 2025. This amounts to more than 40 percent of current U.S. defense spending.

posted December 12, 2006 11:27 PM            

Second, the US reacts to trading partners fudging their obligations under the WTO...the WTO which I would scrap in a second. Such as France and Britain subsidizing Airbus and the Concord among other subsidized European industries just so they can compete.

Third, this statement displays colossal ignorance.

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Continue to bungle up the U.S. economy

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The GDP of the US is about 25% of the entire world's GDP. Larger than the entire EU, larger by a third than China. This with far fewer people, in the case of China, far, far fewer. Further, the US is subsidizing the economies of both Europe and China...as well as Japan and the rest of Asia. We have the balance of trade deficits to prove it.

Our economy has paid a huge price for putting people to work in other nations and profits in the pockets of foreign corporations. Make no mistake, we really could make it..whatever it is..right here. Reforming our own economy to a service economy was expensive and we paid the price of supporting all those laid off employees with our tax money while they switched careers or found new jobs.

Inflation is almost nil. Unemployment is about 4.5% and considered almost full employment.

I really don't know what the hell you're talking about. The Fed has been raising interest rates to cool the economy off.

Perhaps too many sessions in front of the TV watching CNN or perhaps the garbage that passes for news in the NYT, Newsweek, Time and the Washington Post accounts for it.

When I look at the economies of Middle East nations, it's easy to visualize them drying up and blowing away. One day, if they don't take a page out of Israel's book and actually do something with that desert land, they will dry up and blow away. The handwriting is on the wall, oil is finished in the long run. But even if that weren't true, the US has found oil reserves rivaling those of Saudi Arabia. All we need do is drill it, pump it, refine it and use it. Canada has vast reserves of tar sands and the US has 200-250 years of oil locked up in shale just waiting to be developed.

You seem to be critical of the United States. Would you like for me to really start in on the middle east. I can do that and every word will be true; unlike most of your anti-American BS.

posted December 13, 2006 03:47 AM            

quote:

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Theil was convicted earlier this year in France for "contesting the truth of crimes against humanity" after he said the Nazis never used poison gas against Jews.

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posted December 13, 2006 09:59 AM              

is the defense budget of other countries off limits to u.s. citizens then?

posted December 13, 2006 11:49 AM              

Naiad I was thinking the same thing. That seems like just a very isolationist thing to say about the US economy. And I am a US citizen, but myself and Xodian for instance might hold very similar views, does that mean that I can voice mine but he cant even comment because he is not a US citizen? US citizens have the right of free speech but no one else does, and no one else even has the right to THINK anything about the US economy that might not be positive? Anyone realistic would know that the US like any country makes mistakes, and even major mistakes. To shut out peoples opinios becoz you dont 'like them' is not a viable solution and will not work in the long run--its very reminiscent of sticking fingers in ears and sayin 'lalallala i cant hear u' ala Kindergarteners.

posted December 13, 2006 11:55 AM              

i can be critical of policies and actions that damage them.

posted December 13, 2006 12:01 PM            

LOL.... you have a funny way of stating things. How can I fix racism? Well, as a global community we can begin by holding people like those that at the "I Don't believe in the Holocaust" conference accountable for their statements. Not condoning or defending people like David Duke (one of our own home grown embarrassments) and Ahmadinejad's (representative of the mindset of many Arab / Islamic points of view) would also be a great start.

Pointing fingers? How? By pointing out a current event that may change the course of the future? This conference is no different than the Nazi rallies in early Germany. Maybe you should brush up on your history. LOL....

jwhop.... another great post by another great Leo.

posted December 13, 2006 12:25 PM              

let's face it, the World wants someone
to blame
and they want to blame
The United States of America. ...

The One who helps everyOne...

Logic and Common Sense are needed...
not emotions...

posted December 13, 2006 01:10 PM            

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jwhop ~ does your statement about the u.s. defense budget apply to u.s. citizens as well?

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quote:

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is the defense budget of other countries off limits to u.s. citizens then?

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does the u.s. really not concern itself with other countries' defense budgets out of respect of privacy, or as none of their business?

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We also have an interest in the military budget of China. Since the United States is subsidizing the Chinese economy in order to put their people to work and stabilize their nation, we have an interest in why the Chinese are building their military on funds we are subsidizing at the expense of American jobs.

posted December 13, 2006 01:32 PM              

individual people do compose the content of countries. so i would submit that an individual, whether sitting in a government office, or as a private citizen, in any country, would fall under the umbrella of those you deem unworthy to concern themselves with another country's economy.

"The position of a foreigner with complete command of the same language has great advantages. I can take an objective view of England, which no Englishman can."

--George Bernard Shaw

posted December 13, 2006 01:49 PM              

quote:

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We also have an interest in the military budget of China. Since the United States is subsidizing the Chinese economy in order to put their people to work and stabilize their nation, we have an interest in why the Chinese are building their military on funds we are subsidizing at the expense of American jobs.

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