Gay Parents Are Just Like Other Parents?

Is there some room to express doubt about that?

Life on GLAAD’s Blacklist | LifeSiteNews.com:

America doesn't know that this is part of same-sex parenting, because Americans have been blocked from hearing from me, Dawn Stefanowicz, Jean-Dominique Bunel, "Janna," Manuel Half, Rivka Edelman, and the blogger known as "the Bigot" -- just some of the many people I've come to know over the last year and a half, who have the human stories to dispel the myth that all is well with "gay families." This scares the crap out of people at GLAAD. It scares the crap out of them that I'm a professor and fluent enough in the way research works to know that the "consensus" on same-sex parenting is a fraud. It scares the crap out of them that I have a scholarly record in African-American Studies and queer readings of Thoreau and Whitman, so they can't write me off as a wacko, unwashed homophobe.

Read the whole thing.

(Via LifeSiteNews.)

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.)

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.)

The Light Shines in the Darkness

(John 1:5) The National Post has a long entry (six pages) on the CHRC controversy; specifically on the opening up of the Lemire hearing to the public.

Steynianism 88.0: "~ STEYN3– SCRUTINIZING THE HUMAN RIGHTS MACHINE: A gargantuan front-page story in The National Post - plus: Kevin Baker wants ‘some of that CHRC hate-love’ …. (np)"

(Via Free Mark Steyn!.)

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.)

Argument, Discussion, and Debate

is a fine old text by Professor Craig Baird that I borrowed and luxuriated in for a couple of years or more. The civilized ideal of democracy is the forum of public debate and argument. But the era we live in doesn't have the energy to listen to two or three hours of patient, well-developed arguments. We want a fifteen-second sound bite. Alas, for us, the clever, unsound argument is more attractive than the hard work of thinking through the facts and the relationships amongst them. And so, Universities are becoming places to protect us from thoughtcrime:

Abortion Debate Cancelled by York University Student Union: "

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

March 1, 2008

Abortion Debate Cancelled by York University Student UnionThe York University Student Centre shut down an event entitled ‘Abortion Debate: A Woman’s Right or a Moral Wrong?’ at York University only a couple of hours before it was scheduled to take place late Thursday afternoon.

Margaret Fung, President of Students for Bioethical Awareness (SBA), one of the hosting clubs, describes what happened: ‘I was told in a meeting by members of the York Federation of Students that debating abortion is comparable to debating whether a man should be allowed to beat his wife. They said that there is freedom of speech to a limit, and that abortion is not an issue to debate. They demanded that the event not take place and shut us down.’

Present at this meeting in addition to Fung were Jeremy Salter, Executive Director of the York Federation of Students (YFS), Fuad Abdi, VP Operations of the YFS and also the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Student Centre, and Amir Mohareb, President of the York Debating Society.

SBA, an official York University Student Club, worked with the York Debating Society to organize the debate. The debaters were Michael Payton from Freethinkers, Skeptics and Atheists at York for the pro-choice side and Jose Ruba from the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Awareness for the pro-life side. It was to be an organized debate moderated by the York Debating Society. Both sides were ready and willing to debate, but after it was demanded the event be shut down, dozens of students planning on attending the event were turned away at the door.

Commenting on her feelings about what took place, Fung continues, ‘The Student Centre has made sure that anyone with different views than theirs can’t express themselves, even if both points of view are represented. They don’t seem to understand that we live in a free, democratic society. A university is supposed to be a marketplace of ideas not a propaganda machine for political extremists.’

This action at York University comes in the wake of statements by the Canadian Federation of Students (of which the YFS is a part) comparing pro-life student groups to the KKK, and announcing their intention to support student unions who ban pro-life student clubs. ‘Salter also compared pro-lifers to the KKK,’ concludes Fung, ‘And such comparisons are incredibly ignorant and, quite frankly, hurtful’.

For more information, please contact:

Margaret Fung, Co-President, Students for Bioethical Awareness: (416)650-8870, mfung08@schulich.yorku.ca

Maria Smolkova, Co-President, Students for Bioethical Awareness: (647)654-6023, marienka@yorku.ca

The Leftist brownshirts no doubt think they have won a major ‘victory’ in suppressing free speech about abortion.  But the only thing they have shown us is that abortion is on the way out. Once you cannot intellectually defend your position but must resort to the jackboot to achieve some sort of perverse ‘victory’ for your side, it’s only a matter of time before public opinion against not only your tactics but your position itself begins to turn.

This is a very promising sign for pro-lifers.  It shows that there is a recognition that abortion simply cannot be defended in a debate and the pro-aborts must call in the union thugs to ensure darkness prevails on Canadian campuses.

Canadian universities have become nothing more than whores for the abortion lobby.

Pathetic.

"

(Via SoCon Or Bust.)

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!.)

Is the News Leaking Into the MSM?

Mind you, does the Calgary Herald count as MSM?

Thanks to Free Mark Steyn!

Who is Richard Warman?

And why does the Human Rights Commission agree with him all the time?

(On the other hand a 100% conviction rate must mean the Human Rights Commissions are perfectly effective, right?)

Coming Soon

Our American cousins are watching developments here with some concern. Can't wait to see how those hate crime laws work out, eh?

Human Rights vs. Free Speech: "

David Warren at Real Clear Politics has a very good article on Canada’s ‘human rights commissions,’ which put people on trial for saying things that these human rights commissions dislike. That’s a bit glib, but only a bit. Ezra Levant published the Danish cartoons on the Prophet Mohammed to show his readers that all the fuss was overblown. He is now on trial before an Alberta human rights tribunal. Catholic Insight, a monthly magazine published in Toronto, is being prosecuted by a man in Edmonton for upholding the Church’s teaching on marriage and homosexual behavior. Even if he differs with the content or tone of such publications, an American can be grateful for the freedom of speech. Not so for Canadians, it would appear. Warren describes the situation as follows:

There are other meandering cases in the works, or that were in the works, often against Internet website owners or the contributors to their online forums. It is almost impossible to get clear information about these. In the notification process, the recipient of a human rights complaint need not be told who the complainant is, or what he is alleging. The recipient is just left to guess for a while, as the bureaucratic machinery of quasi-legal ‘justice’ proceeds at its glacial pace. Truth and rumours become hard to distinguish in this kafkaesque environment.

These human rights commissions are worth keeping an eye on. Though a healthy respect for the freedom of speech exists in most of America, let us hope that these ‘human rights’ commissions can be quarantined and eliminated in Canada lest they spread south.

"

(Via First Things.)

Where Do I Go to Become a "Human Rights Expert"?

It's not just here in Canada (not Soviet Canuckistan) that there are problems with the Human Rights Industry. I can hear the sardonic laughter of George Orwell...

Freedom of Speech Is Not Newsworthy

especially if you're in the process of becoming an unperson. The Blogosphere has been alive with coverage of the tribulations of some of those being prosecuted via the HRC's.

One of the defendants from one of the cases explains chill as it compares to libel chill. Various overviews have been offered. And a petition calling for human rights commissions in Canada to be suspended until a review can be conducted is here.

While I've been following these and similar cases over the years, today's post was precipitated by this:

Biggest story breaks, Media no where to be seen: "

It’s been a busy few days since my ‘human rights’ interrogation on Friday afternoon. As of yesterday, the video clips I uploaded were viewed nearly 200,000 times, making them the 5th most watched ‘channel’ on YouTube. I’d like to thank the blogosphere for covering a story that has been under-reported by the mainstream media, and I’d like to thank generous visitors for their financial support for our legal defence via PayPal. (Ezra Levant.com)

Yet another shining example of how useless and irrelevant the mainstream media is given their ‘coverage’ of it. All I have to say is thank the Lord for the internet.  It’s a sobering thought to think where freedom loving people would be without it. It’s not surprising that the Commission sought to restrict Ezra’s video postings of their steroid pumped, Rodney King like ‘can’t-we-all-just-get-along’ court.

Yet another disaster and embarassment for these chumps. Why do they even bother calling themselves journalists?  After a while the label gets a little tiring and hard to believe.

"

(Via SoCon Or Bust.)