STATE SPONSORED INITIATIVE

  Wow! Talk of squeezing the orange till there is nary a drop of moisture remaining, and then offering it to a person dying of thirst. Then deem the act one of thought and care! No moisture left in that one at all. Now understand the dried-out term that "state sponsored initiative" is when referring to simple state sponsored programs, such as education mandates or food programs, or draft laws for the military. Simple, right? Harmless, right? Sponsored by the state government, hence "state sponsored initiative" is correct. So, what's the deal here?

The deal is this: the initiative referred to in such bland language, is the program, you should excuse me, to eliminate the entire, worldwide population of Jews down to the last one hiding, or converted, or having Jewish blood from several generations before, or standing proud. Yup, state sponsored indeed. Why there was even a lovely conference to organize this state initiative at a lovely site at Wannsee. The state took care of everything.

The point here is how language can twist deeds and actions into what they are not. It can downplay the harm, the evil intent of a "program" by using bland, meaningless words, or it can be upfront about intent. Why not, for if truly a state sponsored initiative, such a lovely word, initiative, it will be out in the open anyway, so what's the deal here?

The deal is this: does Canada have the right, legally, to mandate that Holocaust denial is a crime, one of hate speech, that fits the current terminology of that crime. After all, what's a word or two among friends?! Well, a word or two makes an enormous difference when discussing historical accuracy, the results of historical imperatives, and the role of "state sponsored initiatives" in interpreting and evaluating history and the roles of states within that context. It also speaks to the problem of whether we intend to learn from history, learn from our errors - and our positive successes - or not. That choice delves deep into the psyche of a nation and its leaders, what the population is willing to swallow, what not, and the ensuing consequences.

Here is the proposed amendment.

The amendment would "prohibit the communication of statements, other than in private conversation, that willfully promote antisemitism by condoning, denying or downplaying the Holocaust."

Here is the mealy mouthed weaseling out of responsibility that appears to be the norm these days, one that can even be deemed a "state sponsored initiative".

"I think it's problematic to criminalize Holocaust denial," said Cara Zwibel, lawyer and director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. "That's not to say that that kind of expression is not harmful. But the truth is, we don't criminalize lying for the most part."

"I think if it adds things that sort of go beyond the narrow definition of what the court has said is hate speech, then it's probably unconstitutional."

 As an aside, nothing bothers the hell out of me more than finding a fellow Jew taking a holier than thou stance, contributing to the growth of antisemitism and the explosive power of that hatred, that canard that simply will not go away. The Judenrat Jews learned, much to their disappointment, that they too were exportable, perfect cattle car filler, in their "state sponsored initiative". So will all these self-denying Jews should these programs, these so blandly labeled programs succeed in their desire. 

Certainly, the Trump regime openly sponsored such an initiative - the denial of truths and the propagation of lies, of denial of historical truth. Unfortunately, these programs have an insidious path by which they burrow into the psyche of the nation, refusing to go away. In fact, it tends to grow and grow, destroying that nation buying into those laws, eating itself from within and without. I don't know too much about the politics of Canada, but for sure, that is the state of the nation today within the borders of the United States of America, the name itself a misnomer, sadly so.

By allowing people leeway, even approval, to dispensing harmful misinformation, strategic disinformation, even encouraging it, a la Trumpian philosophy and methodology, we destroy the entire historical ethic and imperative for the generations to follow. There are times that one must stand up, hold up a hand and shout out "STOP!" There are times that demand firm behavior, strong stands against hate crimes, hate speech, anything that smacks of encouragement to disparage, demonize, even destroy a group of so designated "others" by the vile and violent haters. Along with those who stand silent, refusing to condemn, or perhaps even approving, within the confines of their own homes.

There is no refereeing hatred. It is what it is and must be understood as such. The ability to hide between the lines, to defend it via constitutional justification - cannot be. There is never, ever any such justification. Certainly not speech which whitewashes a murderous, criminal, crime against humanity "state sponsored initiative" such as the Final Solution - the extermination of an entire people. Period. Done and over. Mission accomplished. Now on to the next. Endless.

People grow tired of lies, open perversions of truth. The harm it perpetrates and perpetuates. At saturation, they will openly rebel. One hopes that the rebellion will be a success, turning aside the liars, the destroyers of a nation, the adherents of evil and violence falling by the wayside, useless, shriveled, consigned to the dust heaps of history and historical imperative. 

Would that we, here, in this country of ours, would finally, for G-d's sake, finally, act upon the findings of the Committee, the criminal acts it discovered, the tainting of the organs of government, including the Supreme Court, and discard all traitors. A final resolution to prevent this from ever taking place again.

Lies have a cost, a severe and harsh cost. To be decent in an indecent world, one that rewards lies, satiates the demands of hatred, and remain safe - almost impossible. In fact, there is no safety, for anyone at all, within such corrupt, filthy governments. 

Time we realized that and acted accordingly. Time to act. Period. Apply penalties, indict, fine, imprison and set an example for all who would follow. There is no other way, unfortunately. In fact, the entire world is now facing the deeply earthshaking consequences of another "state sponsored initiative" - the waging of war by Russia upon Ukraine, declared or not. Truth will out. No bland names will suffice to coverup the awful truths as they are. Time we all woke up and smelled not the coffee, but the metallic reek of blood spilled by violence, heard the wails of frightened, orphaned children, of bereft parents, of wounded, of landscapes reminiscent of the moon - rocks and rocks and nothing else. WE are the destroyers of ourselves when we ignore truths. When we call them by names other than the correct ones.

No more state inspired initiatives. Please. We cannot survive another one of such import and weight. Certainly not in any good way.