Re "Defending speech -- all speech, anytime, anywhere," Other views, May 24:

Jay Ambrose doesn't get the meaning of free speech. He is all for free speech, but he says he would deny it to Holocaust deniers.

This perjorative term is used to silence fair and open debate and criticism of the myriad bizarre claims that Hollywood insists on foisting on our children through film and classroom. If the Holocaust cannot be debated, it is a religion that we are required to accept. As such it doesn't belong in the classroom. As a matter of religion, the many Holocaust memorials should not be eligible for government funding.

As British novelist George Orwell said, "If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." That is true free speech. Unless the Holocaust has become the U.S. state religion, it should be discussed.

- Judith Schuchmann

Sacramento Bee - Saturday, May 31, 2003