Some relevant reading here: [External Link]
DO read ALL the entries on his webpage relating to the HRC complaint. In particular, Levant's opening statement should be required reading in law schools across this country.
Canadians are allowed to say whatever the government and media approve, didn't Ezra get the memo?
Posted at 2008-01-13 01:14:48 [PermaLink]This unfortunately is the direct result of the "hate" laws that we have in Canada. Jailing or deporting someone for denying the Holocaust is an absolute abomination. I am Jewish and many in my family died in the Holocaust but I still don't believe that someone idiotic enough to believe it didn't happen should go to jail.
If one accepts these kinds of limits, then it is not a stretch to say that denying the "holy" nature of the Prophet Mohammed is also a crime.
And from there, it is also a small stretch to extend this to criticizing or even writing about Islam, as Steyn does.
There are only very few cases where freedom of speech should be restricted (the usual screaming "fire" in a theater) because, as we see from the Levant and Steyn situation, restricting speech is the best example of slippery slope.
If Steyn wins, the the HRC will say..."see, the system works, let's do more of this" and we will lose collectively. If he loses, we all lose.
The only way out of this is that, as Canadian, if someone gets offended, whether Muslims, Jews, gays or any other group, we should all have one simple response: "tough".
Andre,
The only way out of it is for Canadians to demand and receive the full de-commissioning of "human rights" courts.
To play on defense is to eventually lose. Canadians must act assertively: Remove the HRC's. Messrs Borovoy and Co. should be the ones leading the charge.
De-commission the HRC's.
Man, sometimes my sensitivity training really gets in the way...;)
[External Link]