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Mark Steyn: Free speech senators
"This debate is extremely pertinent. This very week, a comedian is on trial for his jokes. And, if that seems like some wacky anomaly in an otherwise sound system, don't be fooled."
Read more...Senate Free Speech Inquiry: Senator Wallin Articulates Value of Free Speech
For immediate release Senator Wallin Articulates Value of Free Speech
March 31, 2010
“Honourable senators, I am pleased to participate in this inquiry today, which was launched by my colleague, Senator Finley. The right to free speech is not the same as the right to be heard, but their coincidence is at the core of our democracy and is the essence of what democracy is truly all about: The right to say what you mean and the right to be heard.
The first issue is free speech. Since men and women first put pen to paper, or chisel to stone, or since the first political speech was shouted from a corner, or since the first actor took to the stage, many have joined the fight for free speech.
Last century and this one, we have even asked our soldiers, even to this day, to preserve that hard-won right to speak freely and to speak our mind. My mother always counselled me to speak my mind, but only once my mind was informed. I try to follow her advice.
That said, for better or worse, free speech is also about the right to uninformed speech or to speech for those with whom we may most vehemently disagree. Their words may appal us, offend our sensibilities, or make us angry or sad. We have laws, as we must and should, to contain and punish those who spread hate with their words or who demean others based on their race, gender or sexual preference. There are libel and slander constraints, as well.
However, the critic, Noam Chomsky, once stated: "If we do not believe in freedom of speech for those we despise, then we do not believe in it at all." The recent case of Ann Coulter, a provocative media pundit, mentioned by the honourable senator, is a case in for the many who despise her. If you do, turn off your TV; do not buy her book; debate her; even mock her; but please do not censor her. My colleague quoted Voltaire, the French writer and historian, who also cogently wrote, as Senator Finley mentioned, that "I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
In more contemporary terms, others have turned their mind to this issue. A one-time candidate in the United States, Adlai Stevenson, once said: "My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular." I think that is an important idea and concept. Perhaps even more compelling was his comment: "The sound of tireless voices is the price we pay for the right to hear the music of our own opinions."
The Internet discussion that ensued following Ann Coulter's arrival in Ottawa was filled with calls for action: to denounce her, to throw eggs or pie, or to spew their venom. I read a lot of them. Somewhat of an online frenzy of hate was whipped up out of ignorance and intolerance. It was abusive and threatening. Such acts demean us all. Institutions of higher learning should be the last place to expect stifled thought.
One honourable senator today mentioned the case of the professors in Regina. I was truly saddened by the selfish and mean-spirited response of professors there — it is my alma mater — regarding the Project Hero scholarship that provides financial aid to children of fallen soldiers so they might have an education. These are parents who are at war because their country asked them to do so. They are there fighting so that young Afghans can go to school and we think that maybe our soldiers' children should have the same right.In my profound disagreement with them and others, I will still defend their right — the right of the protestors and the professors to speak — even though I disagree. I use my voice to reply to them and I want my right to do that.
The only way to ensure that you and those you agree with have the right to speak is to support the right to speak of those you despise or do not like — the people with whom you do not agree.
Wendell Phillips once said: "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." That is why the honourable senator was right to launch this inquiry. Each time we remain silent in the face of an attack on free speech, we erode it. We lose a little liberty each time someone is silenced.
While Ann Coulter may not share the status of others who have been silenced, such as Nelson Mandela, Charles Darwin, Anne Frank, J. D. Salinger, Alice Walker or even The Beatles, the principle is the same.
These are the words of Alexander Solzhenitsyn:
Woe to that nation whose literature is cut short by the intrusion of force. This is not merely interference with the freedom of the press but the sealing up of a nation's heart, the excision of its memory.
He is one who knows what is it is to be silenced.
It does not matter whether it is a Harry Potter book or the comedy of George Carlin, we must rail against unduly restricting free speech. Carlin said: "I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and to cross it deliberately." He at least tried to do so and, with humour and a willingness to fight through the courts for his right to be offensive to some and funny to others, he eventually prevailed.
When free speech is taken away by force or a court, I suppose they can restore it in some senses. However, if we give up free speech without a fight, then it is lost forever.
George Washington said: "If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." Our American friends have been having this battle for centuries. The only legitimate restraint on free speech, they argue, is if it creates clear and present danger. They have modern interpretations of that term. Free speech is one of their inalienable rights.
Through our own French and British cultures and histories, we too have taken on this issue. In fact, the history is long, from Socrates to the Magna Carta, from Milton in 1644 to the English Bill of Rights in 1689 and to the French Revolution, where the Declaration of the Rights of Man in 1789 called for freedom of speech.
The U.S. Bill of Rights declared in 1791 that freedom of speech was an inalienable right. In 1929, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes gave voice to some of the sentiments expressed here today. The principle of free thought is "not free thought for those who agree with us, but freedom for the thought that we hate."
We still have much to battle these days. There are threats to free speech all of the time — too many examples for any of us to cite today. I will leave honourable senators with a final thought. If A.J. Liebling is correct that "freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one," then let us take a page from his legendary book and remember that we own our own thoughts, ideas and speech. We own them, so let us use them and defend them. It is our responsibility as citizens and as representatives of the people of Canada.”
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Speeches By Senators Finley, Duffy & Tkachuk
"Those of us who signed the letter have been subjected to virulent hate mail and argument by decibels and epithet." - Good;)
Hahahahahha, Joyce Green and Darlene Juschka are a couple of the idiot leftist profs from the University of Regina who were deservedly raked over the coals for wishing to deny education benefits to the children of our forces personnel killed on duty because they objected to calling soldiers "Heroes". They are now mewling pitifully - Why do those hateful rightwing haters hate us! Well gee whiz Baby Cakes maybe it's because jackasses like you hate us.
"One of our concerns with the language of "Project Hero" is that such language normalizes militarism, and shuts down democratic and academic space for discussion. Our experience proves us right."
My concern is that the language of the above statement attempts to normalize marxist groupthink, and the worship of a murderous ideology responsible for the death of hundreds of millions.
Such nonsense, the only victims here are your students ladies. There's been plenty of discussion girls, you made an incredibly stupid statement and have received an appropriate degree of public scorn in return. Grow a pair.
Just In: Senator Pamela Wallin Senate Free Speech Inquiry
"One honourable senator today mentioned the case of the professors in Regina. I was truly saddened by the selfish and mean-spirited response of professors there — it is my alma mater — regarding the Project Hero scholarship that provides financial aid to children of fallen soldiers so they might have an education. These are parents who are at war because their country asked them to do so. They are there fighting so that young Afghans can go to school and we think that maybe our soldiers' children should have the same right."
H/T Geoffrey
Professor Ozlem Sensoy, a critical theorist who has decided who should have free speech and who must be censored
"There is a War being fought by Radical Islam against the Western liberal democracies. By the preposterous arguments of critical theory, your Professor Sensoy is with the enemy. At some point, preservation of our rights as a free people, demand that university administrators stand up to those who would deprive us of our historical freedoms. We are privileged to live in Canada. However, the propagation of inherently racist and Marxist teachings to those who will form our future educators is improper and is in no way respectful of “diversity”.
Because in the end, Sensoy is not about diversity; she is about control and power by the very sorts who are least likely to extend the goal of respecting diversity. "
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Hear that Jennifer Lynch? You like Sensoy are the enemy.
Guy Earle Trial: Pardy Pooper! - She Heckled Says Witness
Get the dirt at Covenant Zone. More updates as the arrive, if anyone gets into the room that is.
Read more...Senate Freedom of Speech Inquiry
Tory Senators call for changes to Canada's Human Rights Act
"...But Tuesday's Senate inquiry was not led by just any senator. Finley is a close confidante of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the architect of both of Harper's election victories. He is also the spouse of Human Resources Minister Diane Finley. And that section of the Human Rights Act has been particularly irksome to many conservatives in Canada who view it as a symptom of the worst excesses of the politically correct left.
Senator Finley said he has encouraged his colleagues in cabinet, particularly Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, to review the speech he gave in the Senate Tuesday with an eye toward reconsidering a re-write of one part of Canada's Human Rights Act. That section, which prohibits speech that is likely to expose a person or a group to hatred or contempt, has been used as the basis of complaints against journalists and others."
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Speeches By Senators Finley, Duffy & Tkachuk
Jennifer Lynch - An arrogant stupidity
From the CHRC's 2009 Annual Report
"Recently, many Canadians have been engaged in a passionate debate that questions Canada’s current mecha-nisms for preventing hate messages. The Commission’s role and its mandate in Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act have been at the centre of this discussion.
This debate became focused on a complaint brought against Rogers Communications, owner of Maclean’s magazine, by complainants who believed that an article in the magazine constituted hate messaging within the meaning of the Canadian Human Rights Act. The Commission dismissed the complaint in 2008 because the content in question did not meet the narrow definition of hate messaging and therefore further inquiry before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal was not warranted:
The writing is polemical, colourful and emphatic, and was obviously calculated to excite discussion and even offend certain readers ... Overall, however, the views expressed ... when considered as a whole and in context, are not of an extreme nature as defined by the Supreme Court in the Taylor decision.
Decision of the Canadian Human Rights Commission in Canadian Islamic Congress v. Rogers Media Inc. (June 25, 2008)
By dismissing the complaint, the Commission upheld the respondent’s right to freedom of expression, yet still some claimed that the respondent’s rights were violated by the fact that the Commission received the complaint at all."
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Some Claimed? That's a whopper even by the Liar Lynch's generous standards. How about virtually every newspaper, magazine & broadcaster in the country? Not to mention the vast majority of citizens who are fed up with you and your little STASI WET DREAM Lynch. Let's not forget the numerous advocacy groups that range from PEN Canada to EGALE & The Canadian Civil Liberties Union who oppose Section 13 or the mounting judicial setbacks suffered by you and your fellow Human Rights Bigots Lynch. Then there's the mounting political opposition.
Must I go on? How is it that this ignorant woman is allowed to continue to lie to the public with seeming impunity? Fire her lying Ass.
Now if Harper would just man up and act on principle and the wishes of the party he leads rather than seek the counsel of rentseekers Section 13 and Jenny could be guillotined at the stroke of a pen.
What the Hell don't you get Lynch? Do you honestly believe anyone is buying your bullshit? We don't give a damn for you or your ludicrous "rights" balancing act. STFU.
"Despite our 400 year tradition of free speech, the tyrannical instinct to censor still exists, ...We saw it on a university campus last week. And we see it every week in Canada’s misleadingly-named human rights commissions." Senator Finley
"The bureaurats love the idea of "balancing" our rights so much because it is the key to their power as the Grand Balancers in Chief, the Bureau of Weights and Measures for the New Millennium" Trupeers Read more...
Free Speech Fiasco?
"For years, there’s been a public campaign—driven mainly by bloggers and editorial writers—to bring this issue to the government’s attention. The campaigner’s forlorn hope is to have this censorship clause repealed, so that Canadians are no longer punished for their words, feelings and opinions.
You'd think this issue would be a no-brainer for our government.
If you did, you thought wrong."
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Too young to be so cynical, see here & here
Freedom of Speech Inquiry: Senator Tkachuk Advocates Importance of Freedom of Speech
For immediate release Senator Tkachuk Advocates Importance of Freedom of Speech
March 30, 2010
“On March 23, 2010, a mob prevented Ann Coulter, a political provocateur, from speaking at the University of Ottawa. Their actions were explicitly encouraged and given prior sanction by the Provost of the University, Mr. Francois Houle.
“He wrote a letter to Ms. Coulter before her arrival in Canada. The obsequious words of welcome that began the letter were suspiciously warm and completely disingenuous: “we are, of course, always delighted to welcome speakers on our campus” he wrote, followed by “We have a great respect for freedom of expression in Canada”. After which he should have written “Except when we don’t like what you have to say and how you say it”.
“After making clear for Ms Coulter the differences between free speech in Canada and the United States he basically accused her of trafficking in hate speech, which in Canada by the way, and I will quote his letter again: “could in fact lead to criminal charges.”
“The letter closed with a line that could have come straight out of the re-education camps of Pol Pot’s Cambodia: “Hopefully you will understand and agree that what may, at first glance, seem like unnecessary restrictions to freedom of expression do, in fact, lead not only to a more civilized discussion, but to a more meaningful, reasoned and intelligent one as well.”
The mob took its cue from the Provost. Their actions so physically intimidated the police that the guardians of free speech, fearing for her safety, advised Ms. Coulter against speaking.
After the fact, the leadership of the University incredibly failed to support what to me is the very foundation of our academic institutions: freedom of speech. The tepid response from University of Ottawa President Allan Rock came with his head firmly planted in the sand: He wrote, and I quote: "We have a long history of hosting contentious and controversial speakers on our campus. [Tuesday] night was no exception, as people gathered here to listen to and debate Ann Coulter's opinions," In other words: ”It wasn’t us that stopped her from speaking”. Which is a little like the owner of an arena saying we didn’t say you can’t play hockey, while he let the ice melt.
“At the University of Ottawa, a mob carried out the will of the governing body of the university.
“Prior restraint – regulating speech or expression before it occurs -- is usually exercised through judicial or administrative regulation. Not at the University of Ottawa. At the University of Ottawa the mob exercised prior restraint and the administration took cover behind it.
“The mob went so far as to prevent the speech itself. Not the courts, not the law, but the mob on the excuse of what Ms. Coulter might say. They prevented their fellow students from hearing her – students who were voluntarily there to listen and debate and make up their own minds. They were prevented from debating her by the mob. They were prevented from taking her on if they so chose.
“That this took place at a University is all the more troubling. We depend on them to promote the free exchange of ideas. We depend on them to teach our kids, our future leaders, about the value of free speech, its meaning and its origins. But the University of Ottawa has yet to learn the lesson itself it seems. How could they overlook some of the most elemental teachings of free speech such as these words on the subject by Justice Louis D Brandeis:
“If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the process of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.
“The taxpayers of Canada fund the University of Ottawa. These same taxpayers, ordinary Canadians or, rather, extraordinary Canadians, are willing to allow citizens to advocate the breakup of Canada, allow them to form political parties advocating that idea, allow them to run candidates for office who if elected sit in our Parliament.
“While the administration of the University of Ottawa and their faculty are entrusted by taxpayers to teach these values to our young, they have failed us. They have failed the parents of these young people and they have failed the country.”
Free Speech Inquiry: Senator Duffy Emphasizes Value of Free Speech
For immediate release Senator Duffy Emphasizes Value of Free Speech
( See also "Senator Finley Opens Up Freedom of Speech Inquiry" here)
March 30, 2010
“Mr. Speaker; Honourable Senators,
“I rise to join my colleague, Senator Finley, in support of an inquiry into the state of freedom of speech in Canada. “I share Senator Finley’s love of freedom and his concern about the growing phenomena of censorship. “I approach the subject from the perspective of someone who, as a journalist for more than forty years, has used freedom of speech every day of my life, and has seen its essential role in keeping our democracy healthy. “And that’s my first observation: freedom of speech is much bigger than just politics.
“It’s about our right as free men and women to express ourselves in any way we choose – not just politically, but socially, musically, artistically and through every other human endeavour.
“Our freedom of expression is inextricably linked to our right to think for ourselves, to choose our place in the world, to talk back to the world, and even to fight against the world. “If you doubt that, ask any high school rock band why they do what they do! “So while it’s often political speech that grabs the news headlines – we should never forget that millions of Canadians put freedom of speech into action every day, from film-makers to authors, to stand-up comedians, to advertising agencies to PTA meetings and Rotary Clubs. “Free speech is a thread of personal liberty that is woven into every part of Canadian society.
“As a journalist, I exercised my freedom of speech every day. “And I was proud to offer a platform to many whose ideas were sometimes controversial. Senator Cools for example was often a guest on my program, as she fought for the rights of fathers. “And there are many other examples, involving both Senators and members of the “other place.” “Free speech oils the gears of democracy, to keep them running smoothly, especially in times of great controversy. “Freedom of speech doesn’t just help the system work; it invites people into the system; it gives them a seat at the table of national discussions. “It turns dissidents into participants; it invites people to opt in, not to drop out. “We sometimes take that for granted, but we shouldn’t. “Because in countries where there is no freedom of speech, people who feel marginalized can’t voice their grievances peacefully. “They don’t have the safety valve of public debate in which to vent their passions. “It is no coincidence that many of the countries with the least freedom of speech are countries with the most political violence.
“Some people say that if we ban offensive or rude opinions in Canada, society will be more harmonious.
“But experience around the world shows that’s just not how it works; and if we stop people from expressing themselves verbally, even in ways we find distasteful, they might be tempted to express themselves violently.
“Free speech is our national safety valve! “I’m impressed by how many grassroots Canadians have joined the ranks of democratic, participatory journalism through blogs and YouTube and social media like Facebook and Twitter.
“Journalism was once seen as a private club. There were enormous barriers to entry. “Ordinary people couldn't join in the national discussion. They were reduced to the role of spectators, with little chance to participate beyond shaking their fists at the TV set, or writing an occasional letter to the editor. “But now, anyone with a laptop – or a camera, – can help make the news and have their say, and through the power of their ideas, reach millions of people, and sometimes even change the world. “It’s not just healthy for journalism, it’s healthy for democracy too. And it's young people at the vanguard.
“That's free speech.
“Just ask the hard-liners of Iran, who are losing the battle of ideas against university students armed only with the power of Twitter. “Or consider Communist China. “During the events in Tienamin Square, our distinguished colleague Senator Munson provided Canadians with a window on that historic event. “Today, thanks to technology, instead of just a few valiant journalists, the main voice for reform in China is that country’s 20 million bloggers, blowing the whistle on corruption and pressing for greater liberty.
“So, even if censorship were morally correct, and it's not, it has been rendered obsolete by technology.
“The Canadian Human Rights Commission, has shut down offensive websites here in Canada. “But persistent dissidents can simply move their websites to the United States or to Iceland, which has announced its plans to be the world's leading free speech jurisdiction. “And there's another paradox of censorship in the Internet age: out of the billions of pages on the Web, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre estimates that around 8,000 sites are serious purveyors of racism or anti-Semitism. “But by prosecuting these obscure Web sites, we give fringe, marginal ideas more attention and publicity than they would ever have received on their own.
“There is a better way.
“There may be thousands of hate sites, but there are millions of amateur bloggers out there ready to expose and rebut racist lies. “People like Ken McVay of British Columbia, a righteous Gentile who has spent thousands of hours meticulously rebutting Holocaust denial on the Internet. “He doesn't sue anyone. But he'll debate anyone. His website. www.nizkor.org, is now one of the most comprehensive archives of knowledge about the Holocaust anywhere. “Ken McVay hasn't created celebrity haters, like our censorship laws have. But he's been tremendously effective at rebutting racist lies, as a citizen blogger.
“Of course, we all agree that anti-Semitism and Holocaust denials are odious ideas. But one of the problems with censorship is that the definition of what's offensive is open to political bias. “Maclean's columnist Mark Steyn was put on trial for a week in Vancouver for merely expressing his political views. “Ezra Levant and the Western Standard magazine were prosecuted for 900 days for illustrating a news story about the Danish cartoons of Mohammed with eight of those cartoons. “Prosecuting those acts of journalism was clearly not the intention of Parliament when hate speech laws were enacted.
“And the chilling effect has been much wider than just these and a few other notorious prosecutions. “How many other journalists have quietly decided to pull their punches on controversial issues, just to avoid a nuisance suit or human rights complaint? “How many TV and radio stations have avoided vigorous discussions of controversial issues, out of fear of censorship from the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, acting on behalf of the CRTC? “(And why is it the CBC has an in-house Ombud to deal with questions of fairness, while private broadcasters have a different regeime?)
“ This not hypothetical; in 2004, a handful of complaints convinced the CRTC to yank the licence of CHOI-FM, one of Quebec's most popular radio stations. “Imagine that -- a government order that, had it been allowed to stand, would have destroyed dozens of careers, a successful business, all because of hurt political feelings. “That's how Hugo Chavez handles radio stations he doesn't like. But that's just not the Canadian way.
“That’s why non-partisan NGOs like PEN Canada, the Canadian Association of Journalists, the Canadian Constitution Foundation and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association have all condemned government censorship, and section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act in particular.
“Even anti-hate groups like B’nai Brith Canada have expressed grave reservations about human rights commissions, which were created to be a shield to protect Canadians and their rights, have instead become swords, used to destroy our rights. “B’nai Brith itself was the subject of just such a nuisance complaint.
“My last observation is that as technology has enhanced our freedom of speech, Canadian courts have too.
“In the 2008 Supreme Court case about defamation law, -- “WIC Radio versus Simpson.”
“The court unanimously ruled that: "[w]e live in a free country where people have as much right to express ridiculous and outrageous opinions as moderate ones." “And just last September, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal declared section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act unconstitutional.
“Mr. Speaker, censorship was never a moral idea, but now it's impractical too. “Technology and human innovation came first, making the censors obsolete. “Our judges were the next to weigh in, reaffirming that censorship is a violation of our Charter values of free speech. “So now it's time for Parliament to modernize our laws, and remove the archaic censorship provisions. They are unwelcome remnants of a different era.
“It is my hope that this Senate inquiry will begin the process by which Parliament brings our laws into synch with Canada’s values:
“Our love of freedom;
“Our ability to handle differences of opinion peacefully;
“Our national embrace of the technologies of communication; and
“A clear message from the courts that Canada as a country must live up to our national promise of freedom for all.
“As a journalist, I know the value of free speech. And as a Senator, I have a duty to protect it. Thank you.”
Senator Finley Opens Up Freedom of Speech Inquiry
For immediate release Senator Finley Opens Up Freedom of Speech Inquiry
March 30, 2010
“Honourable Senators,
“I rise to call the attention of the Senate to the erosion of freedom of speech in Canada." “There could scarcely be a more important issue than this. “Freedom of speech is, and always has been, the bedrock of our Canadian democracy.
“The great Alan Borovoy, who was the head of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association for more than forty years, calls freedom of speech a “strategic freedom”. “Because it is the freedom upon which all of our other freedoms are built. “For example, how could we exercise our democratic right to hold elections, without free speech? “How could we have a fair trial, without free speech? “And what would be the point of freedom of assembly, if we couldn’t talk freely at a public meeting? “It is the most important freedom. Indeed, if you had all of your other rights taken away, you could still win them back with freedom of speech.
“Benjamin Franklin once said that “Without Freedom of thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of speech” “Freedom of speech is embedded in Parliament’s DNA. The word Parliament itself comes from the French word, parler – to speak.
“And as Parliamentarians, we guard our freedom jealously. No Member of Parliament or the Senate may be sued for anything he says in here. Our freedom of speech is absolute. “And yet just last week, only a few miles from here, censorship reared its ugly head.
“Ann Coulter, an American political commentator, had been invited to speak at the University of Ottawa.
“But before she even said a word, she was served with a letter from Francois Houle, the university’s vice-president, containing a thinly-veiled threat that she could face criminal charges if she proceeded with her speech. “And on the night of her speech, an unruly mob of nearly 1,000 people, some of whom had publicly mused about assaulting her, succeeded in shutting down her lecture, after overwhelmed police said they could not guarantee her safety. “Colleagues, it was the most un-Canadian display I have seen in years.
“It was so shocking that hundreds of foreign news media covered the fiasco, from the BBC to the New York Times to CNN.
“It was an embarrassing moment for Canada, because it besmirched our reputation as a bastion of human rights, a reputation hard-won in places like Vimy Ridge, Juno Beach, and Kandahar. “More important than international embarrassment is the truth those ugly news stories revealed. “Too many Canadians, especially those in positions of authority, have replaced the real human right of freedom of speech with a counterfeit human right not to be offended. “An angry mob is bad enough. That might be written off as misguided youths, overcome by their enthusiasm. “But such excuses are not available to a university vice president who obviously wrote his warning letter to Ms. Coulter after careful thought.
“Ann Coulter is controversial. She is not to everyone’s taste. But that is irrelevant. “Because freedom of speech means nothing if it only applies to people with whom we agree. To quote George Orwell, “Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” “In a pluralistic society like Canada, we must protect our right to peacefully disagree with each other. We must allow a diversity of opinion – even if we find some opinions offensive.“Unless someone actually counsels violence or other crimes, we must never use the law to silence them.
“Freedom of speech is as Canadian as maple syrup, hockey and the Northern Lights. It’s part of our national identity, our history and our culture. “It is section two of our 1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms, listed as one of our “fundamental freedoms”. “And it’s in the very first section of Canada’s 1960 Bill of Rights.
“But our Canadian tradition of liberty goes much farther back than that. “In 1835, a 30-year-old newspaper publisher in Nova Scotia was charged with seditious libel for exposing corruption amongst Halifax politicians.
“The judge instructed the jury to convict him. At the time, truth was not a defence. “But the publisher passionately called on the jury to, quote "leave an unshackled press as a legacy to your children”, unquote. After just ten minutes of deliberations, the jury acquitted him. “That young man, of course, was Joseph Howe, who would go on to become the Premier of Nova Scotia.
“Our Canadian tradition of free speech is even older than that. It is part of our inheritance from Great Britain and France. “Les Québécois sont les héritiers de l’article 11 de la Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen de 1789. “L’article stipule que : « La libre communication des pensées et des opinions est un des droits les plus précieux de l’homme; tout citoyen peut donc parler, écrire [et] imprimer librement … »
“La France a produit le défenseur de la libre expression le plus réputé dans le monde, François-Marie Arouet, mieux connu sous son nom de plume, Voltaire. “Voltaire était un provocateur, qui usait de la satire et de la critique pour faire pression en faveur de réformes politiques et religieuses. Il en a payé le prix personnel, face aux censeurs et aux menaces de poursuites.
“Voltaire put it best when he wrote “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” “His passionate advocacy helped shape liberty on both sides of the Atlantic.
“English Canada has an impressive legacy of free speech, too. Like Voltaire, John Milton, the great poet who wrote Paradise Lost, was constantly hounded for his political views. “His 1644 pamphlet on free speech, called Areopagitica, is perhaps the greatest defence of free speech ever written, and it is as relevant today as it was 350 years ago. “In it, Milton wrote, quote, “let [truth] and falsehood grapple; who ever knew truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?” and “Who kills a man kills a reasonable creature… but he who destroys a good book, kills reason itself.”
“Yet, despite our 400 year tradition of free speech, the tyrannical instinct to censor still exists. “We saw it on a university campus last week. And we see it every week in Canada’s misleadingly-named human rights commissions. “This week, in Vancouver, a stand-up comedian named Guy Earle goes on trial before the B.C. human rights tribunal for the crime of telling jokes that someone didn’t find funny. “An audience member who heckled him is suing him for $20,000 because she found his retorts offensive.
“They may have been offensive. But what’s more offensive is that a government agency would be the arbiter of good taste or humour. “Nobel Prize winner Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was sentenced to eight years of hard labour for telling a joke about Stalin’s moustache. It’s a disgrace that Canada is now putting comedians on trial, too. Earle has already spent $20,000 defending himself.
“There is not a lot that the Senate can do about the B.C. human rights tribunal. But our own Canadian Human Rights Commission has egregiously violated freedom of speech – without any shame.
“In a censorship trial in 2007, a CHRC investigator named Dean Steacy testified[1] that, quote “freedom of speech is an American concept, so I don't give it any value.” “He actually said that. The Canadian Human Rights Commission actually admits they don’t give free speech any value.
“That’s totally unacceptable.
“Freedom of speech is the great non-partisan principle that every member of Parliament can agree on – that every Canadian can agree on. “I will never tire of quoting the great Liberal prime minister, Wilfred Laurier, when he said “Canada is free, and freedom is its nationality.” “And I will readily give credit to Keith Martin, the Liberal MP from British Columbia, who, two years ago, introduced a private member’s motion to repeal the censorship provisions of the Canadian Human Rights Act.
“Fellow Senators, I called for this inquiry to accomplish five things:
1. To reaffirm that freedom of speech is a great Canadian principle, that goes back hundreds of years;
2. To put Canada’s censors on notice that their days of infringing upon our freedoms with impunity are over;
3. To show moral support for those who are battling censors;
4. To inquire into the details of what went so desperately wrong at the University of Ottawa, to ensure those awful events never happen again;
5. To inspire a debate that may lead to a re-definition of Section 13.1 of the Human Rights Act;
“Colleagues, there are times for partisan debate, when the parties must naturally be at odds with one another. This is not one of those times. “Freedom of speech, and respect for differing views, is the foundational principle of our entire Parliamentary system – indeed for our entire legal system as well. “I look forward to the constructive comments of my friends on both sides of the aisle, to build on the bi-partisan history that Canadian free speech enjoys. “If we can rededicate our parliament to protecting this most important right, we will have done our country a great service. “But if we fail to stop and indeed reverse this erosion of freedom, we will have failed our most basic duty – the duty to uphold our Constitution and the rights it guarantees for all Canadians.
“I know that, like so many generations of Canadians before us, we will meet the challenges of our time, and live up to our responsibility to pass on to our children the same freedoms that we inherited from our parents.
“God keep our land, glorious and free.”
More on the Guy Earle Trial as updates arrive....
Here's a good take on events thus far:
"She had thrown water over him to snap him out of his rage, she said.
What movie is running in your head lady? Would you throw water on a grease fire? You probably would. "
....
That’s some Catch that Catch-22
Top-Secret diagram of hearing room revealed!
DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS.
Signage of the times.
...
Bulletproofcourier will (hopefully) decide to attend Day 2 of the Guy Earle BCHRT hearing.
Lund to appeal Boissoin Ruling
Reports are circulating that Darren "It's ok to discriminate against Christians" Lund is appealling the judicial review of the infamous Boissoin decision, widely hailed as a victory for free speech against the intemperate bigots of the "human rights" cult.
Wonder who's funding this?
Free speech is not ripe for cherry-picking
Rob Breakenridge Calgary Herald
"The "Silence Ann Coulter" mob is awfully free-speechy about radicals with whom they share opinions."
Levant on CPAC on Coulter
Here's the link.
Idiot U of Zero student Mike Fancie "in having Coulter cancel her speech...what we have reinforced that we are a diverse and tolerant group.....that values that diversity and tolerance...as opposed to letting somebody come on to our campus who is going to attack specific people based on their race..based on their religion..based on their gender...we have reinforced that racist views and hateful views have no place on our campus" Except for IAW week of course eh Mikey.
H/T Sanwin
KavalKade of Kangaroo Justice: Guy Earle Hearing - First we'll find ya guilty...then we'll decide if it was legal for us to put you on trial
Uppitiestdate: Pardy says she suffers from PTSD - Post Traumatic Strap - On???
More Pardy testimony.
"It turns out the tribunal hasn't ruled on jurisdiction yet, but intends to hold the hearing now and rule on jurisdiction later."
WTF???? I'm not a lawyer but I'm pretty sure that ain't legal. Maybe they'll make Guy move to whatever jurisdiction they find him guilty in - say Germany circa 1938
Earle's Lawyer has boycotted the hearing which I am told is likely pointless unless "he trotted off to the BC Supreme Court for an injunction preventing the hearing from going ahead" - He is.
What the Lawyer said - You so Crazy!
Upperdate: Video- Guy Earle's Lawyer Walks Out, Addresses Press
Update - good thing I'm not a lawyer - A lawyer notes - "Sadly, it is "legal" in the sense that where the question of jurisdiction is raised the tribunal can either rule prior to the hearing or after the hearing. It is a weird little quirk in administrative law."
That's some quirk. - "Well it rests on the presumption that a tribunal does have the jurisdiction to hear matters before it including questions going to its jurisdiction...Circularity is a feature not a bug in law"
...
Update2: Raphael is at the hearing but didn't get a seat, Covenant Zone did make it in.
University of Ottawa Scolds Ann Coulter, Embraces Castro’s ‘Witch Doctors and Shamans’
"...To wit: this very University of Ottawa, so hyper-sensitive to human rights and so vigilant against ethnic sensibilities that it proscribes Bing Crosby’s lines from Road to Morocco is also a long-time partner with Fidel Castro’s Stalinist regime."
H/T MyLeftNut
Banned from Babble...and other encounters with the politically correct
One man's shocking tale...of apartheid like ostracism!
Plus - It's not a good day if I haven't committed 2 hate crimes by noon!
A conversation with Morley Walker
Tolerating the intolerant
Canadians jump through hoops trying to accommodate Muslims from countries that refuse to accept other religions
"If we decide to stay silent and accommodate the same hatred, closed-mindedness, tribalism, and violence in the Islamic world, we will be on a slow, but sure, path to decline as a society."
Why this Sherif Emil guy sounds like some kind of redneck racist!
Bumped: All things Guy Earle Trial....Starts March 29th
Bulletproofcourier will be live blogging the Guy Earle BCHRT hearing and has set up a dedicated web site "The Guy Earle Trial" - sounds like a good o'l hurtin song in the makin.
"The trial takes place on March 29, 2010 at 605 Robson street in Vancouver BC Canada. The public is welcome to attend. "
I suspect we will hear from other local bloggers - look to Uambig & Covenant Zone.
...
Sounds like a really bad first date: Drink throwing and sunglass smashing later - "Earle countered by calling her unattractive and suggested male genitalia should be inserted in her mouth."
...
"Evil Guy Earle"
Evil Guy Earle - he insulted some girls
C'ept they wor'nt the kind fer ribbons & curls
With zingers he smacked 'em
and he can't retract em
A dyke has done broke
and soon he'll be choked....
in the ragin sea ...of PC cruelty
I know how I'm spending this Good Friday....
Well at least the afternoon. I'll be at the Anti-Palestine House protest organized by the JDL over this cretin's anticipated presence - Abdul Bari Atwan:
“If the Iranian missiles strike Israel, by Allah, I will go to Trafalgar Square and dance with delight.”
See you there.
New layout - any problems so far please report em...
Any problems viewing the site now that the new template is up? Let me know.
And "yea I can still read it" doesn't count;)
Update: Thanks to all who have offered their assistance, much appreciated! Still work to do, but we're gettin it done.
Sound familiar?
"A large, well-organized mob of University of Ottawa Students Islamist fundamentalists in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, on March 26 attacked an international conference led by ILGA-Asia, a branch of the International Lesbian and Gay Association."
Don't tell me, a U of Zero field trip right?
...
Related:
"In its search for tribunal members to judge acceptable speech, the Alberta Human Rights Commission recently posted an ad listing desirable attributes in applicants. "A solid knowledge of human rights principles" and "superior analytical" skills were at the top of the list. This would be the same entity that, a few years back, persecuted Ezra Levant and the Western Standard for daring to print Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The commission relaxed its grip only after Levant publicly embarrassed the kangaroo court,"
Perfect job for the aspiring U of Zero Grad!
In Canada, we are no longer free.
Don’t let it happen to you. You’re the world’s last hope.
Read more...Eat Crow And Chew Carefully
"When a vast aggregation of your peers feel it is necessary to rebuke you for having embarked on a really, seriously stupid course for someone who is in the business of deep thinking, surely that is an indication of how egregiously wrong you've been...?"
Read more...As critics know, freedom of speech is not an Ontario thing
"When I criticized the average service in a Chinese dirty spoon, I was accused of being RACIST."
Read more...Best Comment On Ann Coulter Yet!
"Mr. Speaker..."
"...the member has raised a very important question about an American commentator who has come to this country with some outrageous comments... comments supporting the Iraq war, comments supporting the use of torture, and comments referring to Israel as a war criminal..."
"But enough about the leader of the Liberal Party."
Coulter and the Camel
Did Ann Coulter have a point when she recommended camels over airplanes?
"I believe the only one who should feel slighted is the camel, who has furnished transportation over the millennia through drought, heat, sandstorm, and mirage with nary a complaint."
CANCELLED - GUMFIGHT!! - Ann Coulter Fallout - Ezra Levant to debate Seamush Wolfe El Presidente of the Young Communists of the University of Ottawa
Update: Shamemush Woof...dropped out of our CPAC debate for the second time in four days. At the last minute, like last time.
CPAC 11 AM ON SUNDAY ......... This is in relation to the freedom of speech issues surrounding the cancellation of Ann Coulter's speaking appearance at U of Ottawa on Wed night
Details as they become available.
Update - Tentatively confirmed: The debate will occur today but be televised on CPAC
Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!
Harper Closes CHRC Offices In Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax!!!! - Well It's a Start
Update: Call off the Kegger - CHRC to EXPAND!
"While the union sees this as part of the Conservative government’s attempts to undermine human rights groups, documents filed with Parliament show the CHRC is set to grow, not shrink. Despite the looming office closures the CHRC’s budget is expected to grow from $21.5 million in the current fiscal year to just under $23 million in 2011-2012 fiscal year. The number of employees is set to rise as well from 197 full-time equivalencies to 203."
Harper you got some splainin to do....
...
Original post:
The Public Service Unions are mighty upset too. Good;)
"For John Gordon, National President of PSAC, the closures are indicative of a strategy by the Conservative government to destabilize human rights organizations and women's groups in Canada."
Woo Hoo!
...
Definition of Heaven - email response from a reader at the news:
don.sharpe@$$$$$$ to me
show details 8:20 PM (0 minutes ago)
I'm standing next to Ann Coulter!
You give the progressives an inch and every single time they’ll take a mile
"The entire concept of free speech seems to have become so distorted that many Canadians now believe that it is reasonable and democratic to limit this fundamental human right to prevent hurt feelings."
Read more...Ann Coulter's value can be accurately measured
"Ann Coulter's value to Free Speech and Democracy was evident last night, if you consider nothing else then the fact that she exposed how stupid the average leftist university student is."
Wrong there are only below average leftists.
Not to go all Ann Coulter on you, but ...
"Not to go all Ann Coulter on you and suggest Muslims catch a camel instead of Air Canada, but legislating our society's gender equality over misogynist religious fashion imports would be good policy and politics for the federal Conservatives."
Read more...Ann Coulter speaks in Calgary tonight
Ezra Levant
"The U of O indulges some of most offensive conduct in the country on their campus. Each year, for example, they happily host an anti-Semitic festival called Israel Apartheid Week."
...
Coulter's treatment disgusting, shameful
"It was bad enough the provost of that university in that smug, smarmy,we-Canadians-are-so-much-more-civilized-than-you-Yanks hectoring manner warned her she could be liable for criminal prosecution if she engaged in hate speech..."
Interview with the insiders on the Ann Coulter issue
Mark Sutcliffe Ann Coulter show from Vlad Tepes on Vimeo.
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How left-wing thugs shut down Ann Coulter's speech...
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Saved! The Precious and Impressionable Dears of the University of Ottawa
"It is good to see that the University of Ottawa, which provides a salary to mad 9/11 truthers like Michel Chossudovsky, is teaching its students that to resolve conflicts and agitate for human rights, one only needs to prevent speech they deem “discriminatory.”
...
Ex-human rights commission worker sounds like a bigot to me
"...in her letter, Cooke-Browne makes what sounds to me like a libelous charge when she writes “She [Coulter] needs to be charged with hate crimes under the Criminal Code of Canada; Sections 318, for advocating genocide, (for saying Muslim clerics should be killed) and 319, for publicly inciting hatred.”
"I pity the poor souls in Newfoundland and Labrador, who are served by a human rights commission that would have employed this bigot as an investigator. And shame on that human rights commission."
...
A reader writes:
"Because I'm an alumna of the University of Ottawa, I received the following e-letter in my inbox this evening, courtesy of the school's Alumni Association. It's a masterpiece of evasion:"
Dear Alumni and Friends,
On Tuesday, March 23, an appearance by Ann Coulter was scheduled on our campus, organized by the International Free Press Society Canada and the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute.
The University of Ottawa has always promoted and defended freedom of expression. For that reason, we did not at any time oppose Ann Coulter’s appearance. Whether it is Ann Coulter or any other speaker, diverse views have always been and continue to be welcome on our campus.
Last night, the organizers themselves decided at 7:50 p.m. to cancel the event and so informed the University’s Protection Services staff on site. At that time, a crowd of about one thousand people had peacefully gathered at Marion Hall.
"Freedom of expression is a core value that the University of Ottawa has always promoted," said Allan Rock, President of the University. "We have a long history of hosting contentious and controversial speakers on our campus. Last night was no exception, as people gathered here to listen to and debate Ann Coulter’s opinions.
I encourage our students, faculty and other members of our community to maintain our University as an open forum for diverse opinions. Ours is a safe and democratic environment for the expression of views, and we will keep it that way."
Sigh. I read what you said about not voicing our opinions anonymously. I know you're right. My fear isn't of losing my job, though, it's of never working again. Still, I'm beginning to think I'd rather not, at least not in the Canadian civil service. Or Canadian academe.
...
...
The 2010 Irony Award Goes to....
The University of Ottawa!
An Apology to Ann Coulter
"Let me first start with the official alumni newsletter I received earlier today."
Read more...Steyn on Coulter..figuratively speaking
The saddest aspect of this sad day is the number of people who've sent e-mails denouncing the Ottawa bullies but ending with the words "If you print this, please don't mention my name." Don't you realize that that's part of the problem?
Indeed
How did I miss Flea's post?
Mob rule in Ottawa as leftist thugs used violence, intimidation and the threat of anarchy to prevent Ann Coulter from speaking at a local, bush league university.
That which does not kill you makes Ann Coulter's point.
Meet one of the agitators against Ann Coulter
Meet Anewsocialcontract Anew' was one of the professional "protestors" who disrupted last nights Ann Coulter event at Jew Baiter U, Anew' was kind enough to photograph the events as they unfolded.
Hi ya.
I'm 30 years old, and living in Ottawa, Canada. I'm shooting now-a-days with a Nikon D90, before it was a Canon PowerShot S3.
I'll be adding more photos here when I can, please feel free to leave a comment. Also just feel free in general.
Love Always,
John D
Oh my John D is also - an "anti-authoritarian dadad" who lists his occupation as "full time student" and who may be raising his child a "vegan" which I suspect should be declared abusive if it isn't already. I wonder if Anew' is a student at the U of Ottawa?
Probably.
The captions reference to "capitalists" speaks volumes about John D's world view
Olivia Chow Declares Hamas Bagman George Galloway "Pro-Peace" & Ann Coulter Pure Evil!!!!
"For this government, a pro-peace British MP is a threat" and Ann Coulter is Pure Evil!!!!
Did Olivia attend the U of Ottawa?
H/T Sassy
B'nai Brith declares University of Ottawa "Jew-Baiter U"
“It seems to be the case that when a speaker tries to come on campus with views that campus left-wing radicals and anti-Israel agitators disagree with, our university administrators are cowed into either canceling the event altogether or placing insurmountable obstacles in the way of the organizers."
You go Frankie!
Bumped: University of Ottawa Disgraces Itself in Eyes of the World - Ann Coulter Cancelled by Vandals
Update: Rock crumbles before student thugs that mar U Of Ottawa campus, issues disingenuous statement that "blames" Coulters Security for cancellation.
Ottawa Sun - Security concerns cancel Ann Coulter's University of Ottawa talk - vandalism by our coddled barbarians
What a disgrace to Canada but what can you expect from a University that promotes Israeli Apartheid Week.
You just know the U of Ottawa is a crazy leftist racist sh*thole when the lunatic in charge of "human rights & equality" one Francine Page defends IAW week and let's not forget that the U of O is also home to alleged (HaHa) terrorist murderer Hassan Diab.
...
The U of Ottawa was all free-speechy when this hypocrite spoke at Whack-A-Jew-Week
...
Brian Lilley: "One of the loudest protestors outside was Sameena Topan, the young woman holding the “safe place” sign. Sameena told me she brought that sign because, “This is a space for all students from all backgrounds to come and feel welcome.” Sameena went on to say that no student should feel threatened or marginalized. Asked if she had protested, complained or tried to shut down Israeli Apartheid week, Sameena first seemed shocked at the question, then answered no"
...
Quote from attendee: ”They had Israeli Apartheid Week here last week, and those young ladies there started it, they had a whole week to bash the people of Israel. And they were not chanted against, they did not have the door slammed against them. There is free speech in this country. Yes, I am a conservative, and I am a very proud conservative. And they won’t let me have the people that I want to listen to in a school that my taxpayer dollars pay for? Shame on them. SHAME ON THEM! They should all be expelled from school.”
...
One gal was waving one of Ann Coulter's books around asking whether they should burn it. "Let's debate this," she says.
...
Zionhass at the U of Ottawa - Includes Ezra Levant Khaled Mouammar interview
...
What happened last night was shameful, frightening and profoundly sad.
Shameful that an institution that should encourage debate instead incites censorship and bully tactics....
...
National Post: Free Speech in Canada leaves much to be desired
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Free Speech in Canuckistan Derailment Watch
...
Our media at "work": “I was watching the local news, which was all hockey and Ann Coulter, and some nut came on claiming that he was the organizer behind my speech. [murmurs in background] OK, his name is Craig Chandler. I sent an e-mail to my bodyguard saying Craig Chandler is disinvited from the event in Calgary. He’s on TV claiming to be the organizer and denouncing me!” Update: CBC Apologizes to Craig Chandler see comments.
...
A mob of child-censors has successfully shut down a speech by Ann Coulter at the University of Ottawa.
"When the protesters showed up, chanting “Free speech, not hate speech!” and carrying, of all things, a police siren, I was reminded of why I left. Their insipid slogans and aggressive posturing, culminating in a mad rush to break into the lecture hall, were all too familiar. All too Canadian."
...
M. Houle gets his wish - Lefty Freikorps silence Ann Couter
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Ann Coulter Riot Part 2
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Francois Houle is looking for hate speech. I suggest he look at his own desk. Ann Coulter was not going to say anything that would actually incite people to violence. Mr. Houle came within half an inch of doing so. If it wasn't for the presence of nine police squad cars who knows what might have happened. He gave his students a license to stop Ann Coulter and they ran with it.
...
Angry, Fascist University Mob Too Much of a Security Risk to Allow Coulter to Speak - "the University of Ottawa has become nothing more than a Left Wing Violent Ghetto "
...
Our Media At Work: "Media reports suggest that there were “2,000 protesters” present, but this is an absurd lie. There were maybe that many people, to be sure, but the initial party of protesters was quite small, as I noted above, and would grow to maybe 200 at its height, many of them sprinkled throughout the crowd. I find it particularly irresponsible for the media to be spreading this number, as they are, given that all the reporters and cameramen I saw had to slowly push their way through the giant, silent, unprotesting crowd so that they could get good footage of the actual protesters, who stood on the other side."
...
When the POLICE choose who gets to speak – and who does not…
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Houliganism: Ann Coulter cancelled by Barbarians at OttawaU
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Ann Coulter Q&A from UWO on video
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If you liked living in Germany in the 1930's...
...
“I'm guessing the scores to get into the University of Ottawa are not very challenging.”...
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Ezra Levant to represent Coulter before CHRC in Hate Crime case against "The Black Houle of Ottawa?"
...
Our Media at Work: Photo's and reports of a timid Police response - Irresponsible journalism at the public expense
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Ann Coulter Cancelled by University of Ottawa! ...Americans May Be A Protected Minority In Canada, But Who's Going To Protect The Majority?
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Susan G Cole makes an ass of herself on Fox News - "Students sign off on all kinds of agreements as to how they'll behave on campus, in order to respect diversity, equity, all of the values that Canadians really care about. Those are the things that drive our political culture. Not freedoms, not rugged individualism, not free speech. It's different, and for us, it works." STFU Suzy
"anti-racist" creeps rushed door threw table volunteers had to flee".
Funny how it's always the "anti-racists" who are the Nazis, odd they never turned up to protest the University of Ottawa's Whack-A-Jew-Week festivities.
Oh my what a nice keffiyeh!
Coulter on Coren thanks to Mississauga Matt who has more.
Part 1
...
Event organizers to sue University of Ottawa - ...rumoured the people who organized Israeli Apartheid Week are the Nazi vandals
Follow events on Twitter Read more...
Poor Fatima Al Dhaher - The girl offended by Ann Coulter - Hates Israel
Fatima Al Dhaher that poor thing who was offended by Ann Coulter's camel comment, just happens to be a fan of a Facebook group that offends everyone - It's Called Palestine Not Israel!
Dear Fatima, Gotcha sweety even though you have deleted your Facebook page we have the screenshot with the reference to your little hate group;)
Update: Frumpy has a pic of the outraged Muslima reading her "question" to Ann Coulter from a blackberry, leading me to suspect that like the Maclean's sockpuppets this kid did not act uninstructed.
Update: Frumpy has a pic of the outraged Muslima reading her "question" to Ann Coulter from a blackberry, leading me to suspect that like the Maclean's sockpuppets this kid did not act uninstructed.
Fatima Al Dhaher UWO 13
Here's a post from Fatima's group all about Zionazis & Kikeroaches & Subhumans.
Thanks to Mississauga Matt for the Vid. Read more...
Those “Stone Throwing” Youth
We had the pleasure of dining with Aussie Dave of Israellycool on our excursion, he runs a fine blog.
"With the mainstream media doing its utmost to portray the palestinian’s use of stones against Israeli soldiers as a Goliath and David situation, the truth is something else."
Visit.
London, Ontario: Ann Coulter at UWO, March 22, 2010
'Camel! the Ann Coulter Story'
PS: to the guys who guffawed theatrically when Ann Coulter called John McCain a "war hero," I hereby volunteer to break both your arms.
.....
"Despite the threat from Princess Fairy Pants and the censoring-crazed suckies who question why UWO was allowing her to speak, Ann Coulter entertained a packed house tonight in London, Ontario. And guess what? The world didn’t come to an end, and tomorrow UWO students will return to classes to continue their indoctrination education."
Moose n Squirrel was there!
..
Strictlyright has pics
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To intrepid reporter Jane Taber of Globe & Mail "read it on Michael Coren's site" becomes "leaked to the National Post" Good work Jane, sure glad you're in charge of the gate.
More links as they arrive send by e-mail or put em in the comments
The University of Ottawa Stands for Free Speech Sorta! Demented Harpies Yes Ann Coulter No!
The University of Ottawa's
Read more...
Ann Coulter to file Human Rights Complaint Against Black Houle of Ottawa
Hahahahahahahahahahaha
....
Free speech: Messy and unpredictable
"In other words, we don't have free speech here in Canada, at least not officially. What we do have, alas, are a whole lot of Houles, self-righteous bossyboots who get the vapours when someone like Ms. Coulter says something "rude" and who have made it their business to tame the rough and tumble of public discourse."
Letter to the editor National Post
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Q & A With Ann Coulter: Vegas, Baby!
"Don’t worry. They’re not sending Mounties, just the usual whiny liberals."
And now for something completely different....for this blog;)
Good writing is about more than just grammar - Mark Mercer
"The University of Waterloo requires prospective students to pass an easy exam on English spelling and grammar before being admitted. The director of the exam said recently that 30 per cent of applicants the university would otherwise happily admit fail the test the first time they take it. And that's up from 25 per cent just five years ago."
Fer sure!
Ann Coulter - Welcome to Canada!
"Most people aren't liberal, but they think liberal sounds nice . ... something I'm trying to end."
Read more...Pedagogy at the University of Ottawa
"This vantage point gave him a unique look at the changes that befell the German school system after Adolf Hitler's rise to power in 1932-1933, and the type of children that emerged from the "Nazi education" methods..."
Scary Movie Included
Why Allah Sews Socks In Hell Part 337,655
"Some of Yemen's most influential Islamic leaders, including one the U.S. says mentored Osama bin Laden, have declared supporters of a ban on child brides to be apostates."
Go Apostates!
Palestine House Update
Just a note to let all those who donated know that the ATI requests are in process with Citizenship & Immigration. You'll be happy to note that I am keeping a small army of public servants employed.
Some of the information requested is being reviewed by various committee's to determine if it can be released (NB - due to the nature of my search request not all may be related to Pally House).
Volume and the response rate of the committee's may dictate a partial release schedule of documents.
Think of it as money well spent and a special Thanks to all who donated to cover the additional costs.
Bloc Quebecois Declares Itself A "Resistance Movement"
Vows to continue to resist all efforts to end extortion of Canadian Tax Payers.
Can we sell Quebec to Nigeria or maybe Sudan?
H/T Sassy
Ann Coulter Guilty of Pre-Crime! Free Speech in Canada – A Fairy Story.
Dear Ms. Coulter
...We have a great respect for freedom of expression in Canada, as well as on our campus, and view it as a fundamental freedom, as recognized by our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I would, however, like to inform you, or perhaps remind you, that our domestic laws, both provincial and federal, delineate freedom of expression (or “free speech”) in a manner that is somewhat different than the approach taken in the United States. I therefore encourage you to educate yourself, if need be, as to what is acceptable in Canada and to do so before your planned visit here. You will realize that Canadian law puts reasonable limits on the freedom of expression. For example, promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges..."
Blah Blah Blah......
Sincerely
François Houle
Asshole in Residence
Université d’Ottawa / University of Ottawa
550, rue Cumberland Street
Ottawa (ON) K1N 6N5
téléphone / telephone : 613 562-5737
télécopieur / fax : 613 562-5103
www.uOttawa.ca/vr-etudes-academic
...
Maybe it sounded better in the original German? Bear in mind that the U of Ottawa also banned the infamous Whack-a-Jew-Week- Poster however they did not ban Israeli Apartheid Week itself.
...
Update: sanwin said... francois.houle@uottawa.ca
You know you want to do it...
...
Readers write Monsieur Houle:
Dear Sir,
I had been advising a close family member to apply to University of Ottawa law program. Having read your letter to Anne Coulter, I am quite pleased that my advice was ignored. You clearly do not believe in the kind of law that I would want someone in my family to know. If however, she decides to make a career in North Korea, or perhaps Venezuela, I’ll suggest that she look again University of Ottawa.
As a PhD student, I would add that you have cheapened the value of academic certification by your buffoonery.
Heh;)
...
Dear sir,
I was delighted to read your letter to Anne Coulter.
Rarely have I seen the law so badly mangled to such an ill advised purpose.
Realistically, Ms. Coulter would have to call for a genocide to invoke the criminal law.
Which, if you were not quite so dim, you would already know as, I am sure, Ms Coulter does.
Enjoy your stupidity,
Cheers,
Jay...
...
Canada is not a fascist country. Take your narrow-minded fascism to North Korea, or maybe Iran, where you can find-like minded leadership.
....
Dear Mr. Houle:
Friends directed my attention to your recent letter to Miss Ann Coulter, an American author and columnist who is on a speaking tour of Canada.
In that letter, you claim Canadian freedom of speech isn't free, thus she might be arrested. Is this the state of modern universities and political science today at the Université d’Ottawa / University of Ottawa?
Your letter is ungracious, dishounourable, soft-totalitarian, and risable.
You are a teacher at a publicly funded university. Were you advised by university lawyers or Governors/ Senate to write this letter? By whose authority and in whose name is it written? Do you profess to speak only for yourself, or presume to represent the university leadership, or the entire university student & faculty body, or merely to speak for all Canadians?
Against your deeply intolerant letter via the University of Ottawa in 2010, I stand proudly with the remarks of a proud and tolerant Quebecer and McGill grad (Class of 1864):
“Canada is free and freedom is its nationality.... The good Saxon word, freedom; freedom in every sense of the term, freedom of speech, freedom of action, freedom in religious life, and civil life and last but not least, freedom in commercial life.”
~ 7th Prime Minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, 1894
http://tinyurl.com/ycjre9p
Perhaps-- for his extreme freedomist views-- Mr. Laurier would be sternly scolded via the new & improved University of Ottawa, where censors and opinion-police protect everyone from open debate and free discussion, lest their feelings get hurt and sloppy thinking gets corrected. That's not Canadian, or the best of our law & traditions: that's Soviet. Those many of my family who served-- and one who died-- defeating the forces of fascism in World War 2 did not offer up their lives so that such narrow-minded fascism might prosper here at home 65 years later..
Shame on you, Mr. Houle. You owe Miss Coulter and all freedom-loving Canadians-- and free people everywhere-- an apology. It's examples like yours which make this honours-list post-grad student glad not to have gone on to Ph.D. studies, which too often involve a lapse of humility, common sense, and honour.
Sincerely yours,....
....
Dear Professor Houle,
I read your e-mail to Ann Coulter regarding her upcoming talk at the University of Ottawa with interest. As you will be aware, it has been widely circulated on the Web, and has attracted much negative comment.
The letter you sent her seems to be at first fairly standard, a sort of reminder to visitors to Canada. It recalls similar briefings before visiting the Soviet Union: "please remember at all times that you are in a socialist country, etc. etc."
I note, however, that your e-mail takes the further step of including the wording "For example, promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges." Recently the University of Ottawa hosted "Israeli Apartheid Week", which has included presenters from outside Canada that some might find controversial, and might even be accused of spreading "hatred" and "anti-Semitism". In this context I am sure that you yourself, or some other senior University official, would have sent similar messages to such presenters before they arrived at the University.
My purpose in writing this e-mail is to urge you to make public such messages as may have been sent in the past, especially those involving "Israeli Apartheid Week", in order to avoid any appearance of singling out Miss Coulter, or any bias and prejudice against her and the students who arranged for her talk.
Sincerely,
....
Upperdate: Mark Steyn - She was asking for it!
...
Uppitierdate: Contact the Ottawa University Czars
And: Hiring an 'Out Of Town Shooter'
What explains the Bully (Pulpit) at the University of Ottawa?
Binks on Houle
Canada...How Cool Are We?
Ann Coulter derangement syndrome at fever pitch in Canada
A ‘Houle’ in the moral fabric of Ottawa University
A-Houle!
All you need to know about Globe & Mail readers: "there are hate-speech laws in this country, How did she get across the border?"
Chariots of the God Awful...Notes on Capharnaum
Our tour took us to Capharnaum ,The Town of Jesus, on the Sea of Galilee.
Evidently Jesus lived in a gated community
Capharnaum is historic for many reasons, not least of which is that the first episode of "Wagon Train" was scripted here, below is a shot of the story board. Ok, Ok, this may be the one of the earliest depictions of the Ark of the Covenant "in transport".
The Temple at Capharnaum
Arab Graffiti Defaces Temple!
Well not really;) "Arab Games" was placed there to indicate that this section of the Temple was the "Kidzone" complete with children's games carved into the floor.
A Crusader Fortess - remarkably well preserved
Actually it's home to the Franciscans who run "Capharnaum", the people who brought you this architectural bewilderment which sits literally on top of the St. Peter's "House" excavation.
"And on this house I shall build my Spaceship Jesus"
Apparently the Franciscan's believe Jesus was very short, the beams visible support the floor of the Spaceship.
By the Sea of Galilee
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