Um, Bigfoot - there have been many attempts by "scholars" to refute the generally accepted figure. Most have approached it from the logistical point of view. None have withstood scrutiny.
Look, during Partition (between Pakistan and India), over a million people perished. In about a year. Without the assistance of a streamlined army and state apparatus. Madness on this scale CAN happen.
Even if you halved the number, would it matter? Its still a huge crime. Discussing whether or not it happened is offensive. Trying to minimise its impact is equally offensive.
Unfortunately, bound up within this is the unspeaken assumption that one should not discuss what that crime has been used to justify. The longer this assumption holds, it becomes harder to untangle. Injustice, leading to injustice. Forming a never ending cycle.
If that conference in Tehran focused on just the 2nd point, while FIRST widely publicising and educating people as to real horrors of the 1st - then it might achieve something positive.
Something like this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6171503.stm
Unfortunately, much of the focus behind this conference seems to be a reaction to those Danish cartoons. A demonstration that they have things they don't like mentioned either.
Not very constructive. Just as dumb as the original cartoon crap.
