My Right to Not Be Offended

is more important than your right to free speech. That is, if I belong to a protected group. Welcome to LIberal Fascism.

Celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

On December 10, 1948-63 years ago today-the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted; 48 nations voted in favor, 8 abstained, and none dissented. The Declaration proclaimed a simple idea: that all human beings are born equal and free in dignity and rights. The Declaration also made it clear that rights are not conferred by governments. They are the birthright of every human being regardless of where they were born, what the color of their skin is, or what religion they practice. These rights include the right to freedom of expression and opinion, as enshrined in Article 19 of the Declaration.

Read the whole thing.

(Via First Things: On the Square.)

Persecution

isn't a subject in many sermons nowadays. (I'll omit ranting a out abortion, contraception and the other elephants in the room.) But my growing sense of unease in our culture of comfort and self is tweaked by little signs of a coming storm.

“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
(Matt 5:10-12 NAB)

We are too comfortable, too sheep-like in the presence of the increasing hostility of the world elite towards Jesus, His teaching and His disciples. We need to prepare ourselves and our children for the troubles that are coming.

Ok, sermon over. Now to the news:

Catholic prof fired for giving Church teaching on homosexuality:

Our good friend and fellow Catholic convert, Dr. Kenneth Howell, who worked for St. John's Catholic Newman Center as Director of the Institute of Catholic Thought, and taught Introduction to Catholicisim and Modern Catholic Thought at the University of Illinois, Urbana, has been fired for relating the Catholic teaching on homosexuality in his class:

• "Illinois professor fired for giving Catholic teaching on homosexuality" (CNA, July 9, 2010).
  
  
• "University of Illinois Instructor Fired Over Catholic Beliefs" (FOX News, July 9, 2010).
  
  
• [Advisory: this article is vile, anti-Catholic, and illustrates why a secular academic climate today could get a good and decent Catholic professor fired]: P.Z. Myers, "Honesty about sex is going to disqualify a lot of professors of Catholic dogma" (Pharyngula, July 9, 2010).

Read the whole thing.

(Via Musings of a Pertinacious Papist.)

Damnatio Memoriae

was an old Roman way of erasing an enemy from the record. Is Google the new technology for this? Google allegedly "sandboxes" sites, which effectively erases them from being searched by the search engine. Read and decide for yourself.

Currently, the fearless Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugged has been deliberately Google-Damned. Google has long ago morphed from a democratical new-tech garage service to a do-goody power-mongering octopus, with an ever-larger intrusion into our digital and private and real-world lives....

Read the whole thing.

(Via Free Mark Steyn!.)

Intellectual freedom in Canada: Prof hired to examine (whitewash?) the "human rights" commissions turns on them!

I haven't blogged on the on-going issues of late. But this item is making waves:

Intellectual freedom in Canada: Prof hired to examine (whitewash?) the "human rights" commissions turns on them!: The Canadian blogosphere is alive with this story, so I will only post a few items:

Read the whole thing.

(Via Post-Darwinist.)

Liberal fascism?

Everything you need to know and were too ignorant afraid to ask:

Liberal fascism: What it is and why you should care: Recently, I read a book by an American political analyst Jonah Goldberg, Liberal Fascism, which helped me understand a political landscape that I have watched with growing concern: increasingly authoritarian government and increasingly supine citizens.

Culturally, it reached the point recently where the term denialist began to characterize anyone who departs from a consensus - as if departing from a consensus were not part of the engine of progress in the Western world.

Goldberg calls the new mood "liberal fascism."



Read the rest...

(Via Post-Darwinist.)

I AM A FREE CANADIAN

In the misty time of pre-consciousness, just before you wake up, I was explaining to someone this morning why it's important to vote. It boiled down to being a duty to exercise our free will to build up our humanity, rather than abandoning ourselves to the forces of history--which is just other people exercising their free will.

Apropos of that, let us join the blogburst for freedom:

BIG BLUE WAVE: I AM A FREE CANADIAN: In the spirit of Kathy Shaidle's call for a blogburst on freedom, I would like to say that I am a free Canadian because I am prepared to fight for my rights. I will not submit to any power that opposes my conscience when it comes to saying and doing what I think is right and necessary. Any power that tries to stop me is a tyranny, and I will not suffer to be oppressed.

'I am a Canadian,
a free Canadian,
free to speak without fear,
free to worship God in my own way,
free to stand for what I think right,
free to oppose what I believe wrong,
free to choose those who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold
for myself and for all mankind.'

Read the rest...

(Via Big Blue Wave.)

Whither the Human Rights Industry?

Are we slowly heading into an Orwellian nightmare for those who don't think correctly?

Catholicism - A Hate Crime in Canada?:

‘If one, because of one’s sincerely held moral beliefs, whether it be Jew, Muslim, Christian, Catholic, opposes the idea of same-sex marriage in Canada, is that considered ‘hate’?’

The question was not rhetorical. Nor was it theoretical. Fr. Alphonse de Valk,…

(Via Catholic Exchange.)

A Long Read

While recuperating. The ideas presented here are thought provoking and don't fall into the usual "good guy/bad guy" typology. The writer's hope that un-elected bodies can be set up (by the very politicians who are responsible for this current mess) to define truth disinterestedly seems naive to me. To attempt to define truth as an objective reality you must first believe it exists and then believe that we are at least theoretically capable of knowing it. The present generation trained in the same university system as the complainants may not be able to grasp those ideas.

But the post is worth a read for it's dispassionate take on the conflict being acted out in the basement of the Law Courts building:

Covenant Zone: "Thoughts on seeing a human rights tribunal in action
I have been reflecting on a little time spent at the British Columbia Human Rights tribunal on Monday, mostly spent listening to the testimony of Khurrum Awan, the young man largely responsible for starting the ball rolling on what became the Mohamed Elmasry/CIC complaint against Maclean's. "

(Via Andrew Coyne's Blog.)

This is Not Therapeutic

But several of the blogs I follow are ablaze with the Mark Steyn/Maclean's magazine prosecution in a B.C. Human Rights tribunal, now in it's second day. I've had some experience with quasi-judicial bodies, having been before the Labour Relations Board, once as a complainant.

What struck me then, in my callow youth, was how chummy all the lawyers on all sides (Union, Employer & LRB) were. This was conducted in a less formal version of court, but had well established procedures and precedents, all administered by or at least vetted by competent lawyers.

The HRC's, on the other hand, act as if quasi-judicial means "make it up as you go along". A less competent group to decide whose speech will be free cannot be imagined. And we owe this to politicians trying earn votes by sloppily crafting laws and handing over their administration to apparatchiks and grievance-mongers. This is isn't helping my recovery at all:

Steynianism 159: "~ AND JUST WHO ARE these three kangaroo court ‘judges’?; The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal: we have jurisdiction over all political discourse!; on B.C.’s quirk; looks like Triple jeopardy; Now Faisal Joseph wants to have the Tribunal discuss the TVO show; Now Awan is blaming TVO!; This isn’t a law suit; Memories of Khurrum; Awan can dish it out — but he can’t take it; Who died and made Elmasry the Muslim Pope? Like Mohammed Elmasry, I blame the Jews …. (ezralevant.com)"

(Via Free Mark Steyn!.)

The On-Going Saga

of Canadian attempts to muzzle bad thoughts being expressed over the phone or on the Internet is discussed at Wikipedia:

Steynianism 143: "~ WIKIPEDIA– ‘Section 13.1 of the Human Rights Act’ …. (wiki)"

(Via Free Mark Steyn!.)

Presenting Richard Warman

The spotlight is on Mr. Warman. It is an interesting read:

MUST-READ Warman Article from Maclean’s: "

Original Link

Righteous crusader or civil rights menace?

Richard Warman says he’s fighting hate. Critics say free speech is the real victim.

Our Copy (no page breaks)

Hat-tip, The Shaidle of Evil

"

(Via Free Mark Steyn!.)

Conform--or Else!

The British Columbia College of Teachers has achieved significant new milestones in muzzling non-conformist teachers. For example, teachers may not publicly communicate their opposition to same-sex "marriage", even if they are in the process of running for public office and discussing the issue in the context of legislation they might have to address in office. Teachers speaking freely on their own time is a danger to the cultural ascendancy of the elite. It must be stamped out.

Conduct Unbecoming a Free Society: "By Chris Kempling'
April 9, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On the first day of the counselling psychology class, the instructor asked us to share what was the most important fact about ourselves. Jim (not his real name) identified himself as gay. I identified myself as a Christian. I decided to..."

(Via LifeSiteNews.com Headlines.)

Centre Stage: Richard Warman

He was conspicuously absent from the March 25th public hearing on his complaint against Marc Lemire. But now, perhaps, the full light of the public scrutiny will be shown on this amazing person:

Richard Warman Tells Canada’s Top Conservative Bloggers: “SILENCE!”: "

The rubber has met the road. The game is afoot. Richard Warman, a former employee of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, who has famously taken the inside knowledge of the workings of section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act to create himself a lucrative channel of cash, has taken his hurt feelings to the court system, serving the National Post, Kathy Shaidle, Kate McMillan, Ezra Levant and Free Dominion with a lawsuit for defamation.

What he is really saying to every single Canadian Conservative who writes anything on the internet is ‘Shut the hell up!’ He wants us silent, so that he can go on extorting funds from libraries, students, and everyone who dares to think differently from his brand of political orthodoxy.

This lawsuit will be won, but the costs are being footed by the defendants in these early stages. Their fight is our fight. Their fight is for every conservative voice in Canada. I for one stand behind them 100%.

If you read this, stand up for freedom of speech. Pick one or all of the defendants, and give through their sites to their paypal, to support their defence. Not all of them have responded on the net, but here is Kathy’s post on the subject - a link to her paypal is at the bottom. Here is Ezra’s. Here is a post from Free Dominion.

"

(Via ThePolitic - Canadian Political Weblog.)

Free Speech Restored?

Abortion Debate Back On: "

The Queen Twit who cancelled this debate seems not to have unlimited powers after all…. 

If you’ve been following the event at York University in Toronto earlier this month, you’ll know that I was banned from speaking at York Student Federation property. I was to debate a student from the atheist society but the student federation claimed the abortion debate was akin to debating whether or not a man can beat his wife, and cancelled it last minute.

York University promised to allow us to do the debate again and as of yesterday (I don’t understand the delay) they told us we can debate again this Tuesday. My opponent is still willing to debate.

If you are able to come to Toronto, please join us for this. If you aren’t in the area, please let others who are know about this. We appreciate any of who are also willing to pray for this event too:

Event: Abortion - A Woman’s Right or a Moral Wrong?

Day and Time: Tuesday, March 18th at 5:30-7:00pm

Location: Curtis Lecture Hall E, Keele Campus at York University; the

building is by Scott Library

Jojo Ruba

Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform (CCBR)

"

(Via SoCon Or Bust.)

Time for a History Lesson

All right class, settle down. Reference is made from time to time in popular culture to "Star Chambers". What were they? No fair going to Wikipedia to get a quick answer.

Once you have your answer the follow-up question is: Do some Human Rights Tribunal Hearings resemble Star Chamber proceedings, and, if so, how?

No credit will be given to those who argue that free-speechers should be silenced.

Star Chambers Behind Closed Doors, No Admittance: "

From Connie Fournier at FD… 

Lemire’s March 25th Hearing to be a Secret Star Chamber!As many of you know, Marc Lemire’s Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearing is scheduled to resume on March 25, 2008.The defence team is planning to question Dean Steacy, a Human Rights Commission investigator, about why he registered on Free Dominion when we were not under investigation (something he claimed never to have done), and to ask about the CHRC complaint that was lodged against us over a post that was made just days after Steacy registered here.I sent the following email to Carol Ann Hartung on March 6th:

Connie wrote:

Dear Ms Hartung,My name is Connie Fournier and my husband and I were administrators of the website Free Dominion when a person named jadewarr signed up as a member.It has come to our attention that this matter will be discussed at the March 25th tribunal hearing of Warman v. Lemire, and we would like to request permission to sit in on the hearing since the evidence concerns a website that belonged to us.Please let us know if this is agreeable. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Connie and Mark Fournier

Hartung wrote back on March 7, 2008:

Quote:

Ms. Fournier,The testimony of the witnesses on March 25th in the above-cited matter is a continuation from a previous sitting with these witnesses which was held in camera, pursuant to an order by the presiding Tribunal Member. Unless the parties indicate that this is no longer required and if the presiding Tribunal Member agrees, the hearing of the testimony of the scheduled witnesses will remain closed to the public.Regards,Carol Ann Hartung Carol Ann Hartung Registry Officer/Agente du greffe Canadian Human Rights Tribunal/Tribunal canadien des droits de la personne 160 rue Elgin Street Suite 1100 Ottawa ON K1A 1J4 (613) 995-1707 ext./poste 313

It’s time to light the blogosphere aflame.  E-mail, write, or phone Ms. Hartung and demand your right to know what’s going on in the nation’s kafka kourts.It’s time to split the banana chambers.Email address: cahartung@chrt-tcdp.gc.ca

"

(Via SoCon Or Bust.)

Don't Read This Article

Because, if you end up agreeing with it, you'll be labelled a "free-speecher" and, Lord knows, you don't want to be called, gasp, names. After all, the highest good is to stamp out hate. Of course, real free speech means allowing inhabitants of our country to publicly advocate the murder of our soldiers. What? What contradiction? I don't see one:

Steynianism 48.0: "Mark Milke wonders what about treason? …. (rjjago.wordpress.com, canada.com)"

(Via Free Mark Steyn!.)

God Bless Bishop Henry

And here I was thinking nothing good would ever come from Calgary:

In other Episcopal Spine News... Bishop Fred Henry and...: "In other Episcopal Spine News...

Bishop Fred Henry and various other Catholics are battling the soft tyranny of the Canadian Human Rights Commission attempts to crush free speech."

(Via Catholic and Enjoying It!.)

Universities Should be Bastions of Free Speech

So I'm disappointed to see that part of my student fees go to this fascist authoritarian organization:

Canadian Federation of Students’ Dangerous Waters: "

Due to recent scandals in which student unions across the country have begun usurping the freedoms of expression and from discrimination, it was only a matter of time before the CFS decided to comment on this issue. Now, I’m not sure on how correct Warren Kinsella is when threatening people every time he feels offended by their blog posts, but if his latest threat to a blogger who implied that he was a Nazi has any merit, the following comment might be trouble for the CFS:

When asked whether Ryerson students should be exposed to both sides of the abortion issue, Hudson said allowing an anti-choice group would be like allowing a white supremacist group on campus.

If there’s a lawyer out there that can share some insight on this, I’d be most grateful. More as it develops…

"

(Via ThePolitic - Canadian Political Weblog.)

Is That A Light at the End of the Tunnel?

The Centre of the Universe has re-discovered free speech:

Power to the Bloggers; MSM Lock Busted: "

Well, if you can’t even count on the Globe & Mail to come to your rescue, you know things are bad for the ‘perpetually-a-victim, my-FEELINGS-NOTHING-MORE-THAN-FEELINGS!-are-really-really-hurt’ crowd.

Hey Shirley!  Yo Laurie!  Time to start looking for a new gig. 

There comes a time that belonging to a pariah organization - even if it is sponsored by the gov’ment - is still not that great for one’s own reputation.

When this ship finally sinks, we need to have a party, man.

Still, it is a positive sign that the Left is split on this issue. It means that they are thinking outside of the gulag they helped to create these past forty years.  Maybe it will mean more critical examination of the other foolish dogmas they try to enforce on the sheep in Canada.

The MSM tried to protect their lock on our reality by virtually ignoring this story for three weeks. Only when Keith Martin started making some political movements did they start to wake up, but even then, they attempted to warp the coverage into some kind of ‘white supremacist’ cause.  How thoroughly bankrupt and pathetic they are.

Power to the Bloggers and YouTube for once again showing the utter irrelevancy of the MSM.  People saw Ezra’s ‘Braveheart’ performance 500,000 times before the MSM finally rolled out of their beds.  Wake up guys, you’re three weeks late and are taking up airwaves.  Message to the MSM: ‘Why don’t you step aside and let real reporters do the job that you refuse to do?’ 

The thing about free speech that we all have learned through this whole debacle is this: IF YOU DON’T USE IT, YOU’LL LOSE IT.  If Ezra had not published those cartoons, we’d still be sinking further and further into the socialist, islamic gulag without even knowing it. Sometimes, you need some shock treatment and, boy, did Ezra ever push the right button.

During the last Ontario provincial election, there was a record low 52.6% turnout.  That kind of gives you an indication what Canadians think of exercising their free speech.  Materialism and self gratification leave little room for pushing back a tyrannical kangaroo kourt abetted by decades of socialist group-think legislation when you’re on the dole and your biggest complaint in life is not getting a clear signal on the dish.

"

(Via SoCon Or Bust.)

Ok, Just One More

Are the Liberals in favour of free speech or not?

Is It Time For Keith Martin To Return His Original Team?: "

I’m a little surprised as I read around the blogsphere to find that many Blogging Tories who are giving Liberal MP Keith Martin his due praise haven’t been making mention of his past history and drawing up some obvious questions that his new landmark human rights legislation are putting in my head. Namely, is it time for Keith Martin to come back to his natural party?

Martin, you see, is the lesser known defector to the Liberal Party in December, 2003 after the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties ratified a merger agreement, the other being former every-party leadership contender and cabinet minister Scott Brison. I think a lot of history’s forgetfulness of Martin stems from the fact that Brison hailed from the PC Party (and was therefore considered ‘moderate), which Martin came from the Alliance benches. In fact, I’m still puzzled as to why Martin joined the Liberals to this day since, unlike Brison, he was never offered a cabinet position in Paul Martin’s government and has largely faded into the woodwork of a caucus that supports initiatives that Keith Martin, the dark horse Canadian Alliance leadership candidate of 2000 would be cringing over.

News that Stephane Dion’s office will now ask Martin to withdraw his human rights motion for fear of upsetting the ever-restless Liberal base might trigger Martin to examine whether he should be sticking it out with the Liberal caucus or not. Again, I’m not sure what led an MP to leave a then-leaderless party but it appears that Martin’s attitudes haven’t chanced that much from when he was a CA MP and hence, he’d find more friends in the government caucus these days than he would among his current colleagues.

"

(Via ThePolitic - Canadian Political Weblog.)