Who was Simon Wiesenthal and What Impact Did He Have?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the life and impact of Simon Wiesenthal, particularly in relation to his efforts in seeking justice for Holocaust victims and bringing war criminals to trial. Participants express a range of opinions on his legacy, touching on themes of justice, morality, and the implications of his actions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses deep respect for Wiesenthal, highlighting his civilized approach and contributions to justice.
  • Several participants express negative sentiments towards Wiesenthal, suggesting he was motivated by greed and questioning the validity of his actions.
  • Another participant argues that Wiesenthal instilled fear in potential war criminals, suggesting that his work has lasting significance in deterring future atrocities.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for Wiesenthal's actions to provide ammunition for revisionist narratives regarding the Holocaust.
  • Some participants challenge the criticisms of Wiesenthal, indicating that there is no solid case against him.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on Wiesenthal's legacy, with some viewing him as a hero and others as a controversial figure whose actions may have had negative consequences.

Contextual Notes

Critiques of Wiesenthal's motivations and the implications of his work remain unresolved, with participants expressing varying degrees of skepticism about the criticisms leveled against him.

arildno
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One of those individuals I have respected the most, is now dead, aged 96.
Simon Wiesenthal, who lost most of his family in the Nazi death-camps was a tireless searcher for justice, and brought many war criminals to court.

At the same time, he never fell into unjust demonization of others; he was thoroughly civilized and never engaged in frenzied witch-hunts.

I'm saddened by our loss, but grateful for what he has meant to all of us.

Here's a CNN article:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/20/obit.wiesenthal/index.html
 
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Good riddance.
 
Last edited:
stoned said:
Good riddance.

Yeah, those poor nazis never stood a chance.
 
I think his greatest contribution was to instil in would be mass murderers the fear that war criminals will be punished no matter how long it takes. Without him I doubt that would be the case today.
 
We just talk about respectable people when they die!:frown:
 
TRCSF said:
Yeah, those poor nazis never stood a chance.

Pffffwew, a relief. Thought he'd get me one day :devil: :devil:
 
TRCSF said:
Wow, Smurf, I didn't know that greedy Jewish holocaust survivor was in the nazi-hunting business for the money.
If the criticisms are true then he has apparently impeded the very cause that he has been working toward without apology. He has also very likely given ammunition to the revisionists to persuade even more idiots into believing them. AND the making money off of this is really just the kicker.
 
  • #10
TheStatutoryApe said:
If the criticisms are true then he has apparently impeded the very cause that he has been working toward without apology.
Which there really isn't a very solid case for
He has also very likely given ammunition to the revisionists to persuade even more idiots into believing them.
Which is really what I'm worried about. Frankly I couldn't really care less if a few ex-nazi's got pulled out of their retirement homes in South America, but rewriting history in your own view is inexcusable.
 

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