VIENNA, Austria - Right-wing British historian David Irving was sentenced to three years in prison Monday after admitting to an Austrian court that he denied the Holocaust — a crime in the country where Hitler was born.

I’m not saying that Irving isn’t a deficient historian, a terrible person, or that the CEO wouldn’t hit him with a stick should his form ever darken the HQ’s door. But he absolutely should not be in jail. Free speech is free speech is free speech. The solution to the bullshit that Irving (or any other crazy asshat) puts out there is rational, responsive speech, not the suppression of the initial asshattery.

In this day and age especially there are very few reasons for denying anyone, stupid though they may be, their right to speak/publish/film/email/etc on any topic they so desire. In 2006 informed rebuttal is just too easy. Calls for limitations on free speech seem to always come from those who hold opinions or beliefs that can’t otherwise compete in the marketplace of ideas. Frustration sets in: Bad Idea Mad!! Bad Idea Smash Free Speech!!!

I hate to say it, because I know that their anti-Nazi goals are noble, but Austria should be ashamed. Wouldn’t it really be more anti-totalitarian to allow Irving to spout his idiocy, and then let free speech fulfill it’s corrective function? Jailing someone for their expression, no matter how wrongheaded they may be, is not the way civilized people ought to act.