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No problem, dr. bill. I believe that's a fairly standard (though imprecise) term for those who deny that the Holocaust ever occurred.
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The author is culpably insensitive to use the term the way he did. I would be entirely in agreement with you if you felt that the Smithsonian editors ought apologise for it.
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But I do hope that Professor Foster enjoyed the publicity.
I actually had a course with Prof. Foster at Vassar, and though I expect he gripes and moans about the curse of fame, he struck me as the kind of person who greatly enjoys the sound of his own voice. Very intelligent and insightful, but pretty well self-centered.
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The author is stupid enough to use the word 'debunker" in a extra stupid way.
Nice catch, Uncle Bill. I don't know if the author ever apologized, but check out the "To The Editor" section of the November Smithsonian-- another reader brings up the same point you just did:
I find it ironic that...author David Roberts refers to Eric Robert Rudolph as, among other things, a "debunker of the Holocaust." This in an article about word usage. Webster's defines "bunk" as "something pretentious and empty or plausible but erroneous, as a speech, an opinion or doctrine" and "to debunk, to divest of 'bunk.'" Those who would deny the historical fact of the Holocaust are more accurately described as "Holocaust deniers." Facts may be denied by the ignorant or bigoted, but one cannot "debunk" a fact. Norman Fried Oceanside, CA
I find the name "Holocaust deniers" entirely too polite for these poor excuses for human beings, but.
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Dear Rapunzel: Thanks for your post. Now I don't have to write a letter to the editor. I didn't read my Smithsonians until just recently because of vision problem, and then didn't read them in order. your adoring reprobate Uncle Bill
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wwh, I understand how your economical phrase, "psychopathic neo Nazi", covers "white supremist" and "debunker of the Holocaust" but how does it cover "survival expert"? How about "psychopathic neo Nazi survivalist"? BTW what have you got against "debunker of the Holocaust"? One who debunks something, or who attempts to debunk something, is a "debunker", are they not? Or must one actually succeed at debunking the thing debunked before one can be described as a "debunker"?
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apologist for the Holocaust. or "denier".
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Dear plutarch: anybody who tries to deny the Holocaust is a sick son of a bitch.
I think the "survival expert" was mentioned just as additional documentation of his being paranoid, plus an explanation of how he has been able to escape being captured, if he is still alive.
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nutcase ... sicko ... psycho ... but not a debunker I checked out the meaning of "debunk" and you guys are 100% correct ... on ALL counts. A debunker is one who exposes a falsehood, for example, a miraculous drug. A "debunker of the holocaust" is an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. BTW the derivation of "debunk" is quite interesting. It goes back to the 1820s when a Congressman by the name of Walker, representing a District in North Carolina known as Buncombe, persisted in making an empty speech in spite of protests. Afterwards, Walker defended his speech saying he felt the need "to speak for Buncombe". Buncombe was shortened to "bunkum" and later to "bunk". Hence, a "debunker" is one who exposes "bunk". One who speaks "bunk" is not a "debunker" but a perpetrator of "bunk", some of it harmless, even amusing, some of it injurious, even criminal, such as a denier of the Holocaust. What should we call such a person, a probunker? Or perhaps a bunkerator?
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