World-renowned journalist Ann Coulter is coming to speak in Canada on Monday and is giving me an exclusive one-hour interview on The Michael Coren Show. In this country our publicly funded universities regularly host speakers who accuse Catholics of being murderers and child-rapists, evangelicals of being bigots and Gay-bashers, Zionists of being genocidal madmen and conservatives of being mentally ill and sadistic. There have been calls for Christians to be killed, pro-lifers have been threatened and silenced, scientists who question global warming have been banned and Jewish students report being frightened of being publicly identified. In this context I bring you a letter written by the Vice-President of the University of Ottawa to the award-winning and best-selling author Ms Coulter. As she herself said today, “The provost of u of ottawa is threatening to criminally prosecute me for my speech there on monday before I’ve even set foot in canada!”
=============================================================
“Dear Ms. Coulter,
I understand that you have been invited by University of Ottawa Campus Conservatives to speak at the University of Ottawa this coming Tuesday. We are, of course, always delighted to welcome speakers on our campus and hope that they will contribute positively to the meaningful exchange of ideas that is the hallmark of a great university campus. 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. Outside of the criminal realm, Canadian defamation laws also limit freedom of expression and may differ somewhat from those to which you are accustomed. I therefore ask you, while you are a guest on our campus, to weigh your words with respect and civility in mind. There is a strong tradition in Canada, including at this University, of restraint, respect and consideration in expressing even provocative and controversial opinions and urge you to respect that Canadian tradition while on our campus. 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.
I hope you will enjoy your stay in our beautiful country, city and campus.
Sincerely,
François Houle.”
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑
Vice-recteur aux études / Vice-President Academic and Provost
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
===========================================================
The last line about “our beautiful country” sounds oddly like the sort of letter that was sent out by Soviet bloc embassies in the 1970s and still does the rounds today when various thug regimes in Africa and the Middle East write to guests. Is this Canada the free? Remember, you’re paying this person’s wages.
Canadian law also prohibits extortion: see section 346 of the Canadian Criminal Code. Threats to institute civil proceedings are excluded from the offence: section 346(2) of the Criminal Code. Threats to institute criminal proceedings are not excluded.
I absolutely agree she should be allowed to speak. But she’s dumber than a brick. All Houle has said is not to be offensively hateful, as Coulter is wont to do. No idea how she became famous, and certainly shouldn’t be considered more than a low class entertainer.
Blazingcatfur:
you’re right: I wanted to – and i did do it:). Now, I am waiting to be hauled up before one of our star chambers (that’s a synonym for HRCs) for having the audacity to hurt Monsieur Houle’s feelings by suggesting that he is a buffoon and contemptuous of the basic rights that allow a nation to be democratic, free and a land of ideas.
It should be interesting hearing Ann’s response to this letter of threat to our right of free of speech from Comrade Pie Houle.
I can’t wait to see the Michael Coren Show on Tuesday !
http://tinyurl.com/ybesdlj
Those living in Canada and throughout Europe alike, are told they are free, so they believe they are. What is bestowed upon the people by their government is quite different from what is an unalienable right bestowed upon us by our Creator.
The poor Provost is deluded. Imagine, expecting “restraint, respect and consideration” from Ann Coulter or any US or Canadian neandercon!
Anti-Coulter comments by leftists all miss the point. By insulting, attacking and demeaning Ms. Coulter rather than addressing the issue of free speech to be curtailed in advance by University of Ottowa official Houle, the left unknowingly admits it has conceded the debate. Attacking the messenger is the ultimate refuge for non-thinkers.
Since when do Canadian universities welcome speakers with a golden shower?
Using Francois Houle’s letter as a model, I wrote to Mr. Houle inviting him to my upcoming family reunion as follows:
Dear M. Houle:
On behalf of my family, I wish to invite you to attend the MacGregor Family Reunion in Toronto on April 3, 2010. The MacGregor Family is always delighted to welcome guests to our reunions and hope that they will contribute positively to the meaningful exchange of ideas that is the hallmark of a great family reunions. Well-known American political commentator Ann Coulter may also attend this event.
Mr. Houle, the MacGregor Family has a great respect for personal freedoms, and view same as fundamental to our way of life and protected by Canadian legislation/law. In extending this invitation to you, I would, however, like to remind you, that our domestic laws, both provincial and federal, extend particular protections to children, especially regarding sexual interference. Many MacGregor children – both male and female – will be in attendance at our Family Reunion. As such, I encourage you to educate yourself, if need be, as to what precise protections are extended to MacGregor children as young Canadians before you accept this invitation to attend the MacGregor Family Reunion. You will realize that Canadian law puts significant limits on adult sexual expression vis-a-vis children. For example, enticing a child with the promise of candy in order to secretly expose your genitalia to the child is not only considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges. I therefore ask you, should you choose to accept this invitation and attend the MacGregor Family Reunion, to weigh your words and behaviours with respect and civility in mind. There is a strong tradition in the MacGregor Family, and indeed in Canada, to respect and protect the innocence of children. Hopefully, you will understand and agree that what may, at first glance, seem like unnecessary restrictions on personal behaviours do, in fact, lead not only to a more civilized lifestyle, but to a more meaningful, reasoned and intelligent life overall.
Please respond via email at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Raymond said it best:
“Anti-Coulter comments by leftists all miss the point. By insulting, attacking and demeaning Ms. Coulter rather than addressing the issue of free speech to be curtailed in advance by University of Ottowa official Houle, the left unknowingly admits it has conceded the debate. Attacking the messenger is the ultimate refuge for non-thinkers.”
I sent M. Houle a letter, too.
” Dear M. Houle,
There may come a time when you see fit to visit the United States of America. As you took pains to warn Ann Coulter of the threats she faces in your great nation, it seems only fair to warn you of the threats you would face in mine.
You will find here, sir, a nation steadily recovering from the world’s grim heritage of racism, working towards an ideal of equality. Though you may encounter racists — or even people who form preconceived notions of others based on “social condition” — by and large you will find that Americans judge people based upon how they act and what they accomplish.
You might encounter a few racists. You may also encounter a few jackasses — people of the sort who are not necessarily racist, but who find racial humor amusing. I bid you to sit down for this next part, sir, and perhaps fix yourself a fortifying fair-trade coffee before reading it. You will discover that in this nation, assholes cannot be jailed or sued simply because they are assholes. There are no universal help lines to call if you find yourself offended by something that somebody said about some third party, or even about you. You might want to call ahead to locate some welcoming university faculty meetings to which you can turn for emotional succor should this prove overwhelming.
No, here you will find that assholes can only be prosecuted or sued reliably if their conduct rises to the level of true threats or advocacy of imminent likely lawless action. Our primitive citizens remain hopelessly mired in the quaint idea that when it comes to rude and abrasive speech, a free people can take care of themselves by talking back, and eventually prevailing in the public discourse. You may encounter snatches of folk sayings along these lines, such as “free speech” and “marketplace of ideas” and “Oh, for Christ sake grow a pair, you big girl’s blouse.” Though occasionally correct-thinking local officials and university administrators succeed in holding miscreants officially accountable for incorrect thought, the tide is against them.
What may be more upsetting to you, sir, is that you will encounter a rough populace largely unreceptive to the proper role of government and its preferred elite, such as (you will, modesty aside, acknowledge) yourself. You will find many Americans skeptical of the idea that it is the role of government, or university professors, to tell them what to think, what to say, how to live — even when government committees and university ovulars have committed months of intense study to those subjects and made powerfully insightful recommendations. Rest assured that there are still large pockets of citizens who look to the government for instruction. Can you find some? Yes, you can.
I wish you, sir, a felicitous journey. Terribly sorry about all the English everywhere. “
“pro-lifers have been threatened and silenced”
Hopefully none were shot and killed in their place of worship.
/Ann Coulter is one angry dude.
Colin,
You claim that Ann Coulter is dumb as a rock. That is afterall your very uninformed opinion that seems to me to be based upon your probable dislike of her political opinions. The statement that Ann is dumb would come as a suprise to those who actually know her. I know two people, one is the lead corporate lawyer for AT&T and the other is a partner in a law firm in Detroit, both of whom graduated with Ann from University of Michigan Law School. Both are opposed to her politics, one is a left of center liberal the other is very far left, but obth have on many occasions told me that Ann is one of the most brilliant people they have ever met. One told me that while in law school Ann enver lost a single debate, in fact he told me “it always seemed that Ann’s debate opponents were shooting at her with .22 caliber pistols and she was always able to shoot back with nuclear bombs and utterly destroy her opponents arguments”. He also stated that this was true when the debaters had to defend the oposing opinions, in other words Ann would win the debate on abortion when she was representing the pro-life argument and then she could turn right around and win the debate when she represented the pro-choice argument. I have heard stories from both of these guys independently and for those who know her or have opposed her in a debate she is an absolutely brilliant debater. It is only those you, like Colin, that believe she is dumb and then only because she has a different opinion, which shows how really sad people like Colin are.
That was a very civilized letter advising her – or maybe warning her – not to bring her particular brand of conservative hatred to the University campus.
Those who are upset might want to take a look at some of the truly hateful things Ms. Coulter has said in the past. She is not a political figure, she is not a legitimate author, she is an “entertainer” in the model of Rush Limbaugh.
Mr. Coren, you might want to do a little more research before your protests.
No one can stop you from saying anything you want. Anywhere in the world.
There are no guaranties of protection from the consequences of your speech.
I think it is safe to say that these thinly veiled euphemisms coming from the self-appointed elites at the universities and students unions are but the first shots across the bow. I see a “section 13” CHRC complaint being levelled at Miss Coulter and Mr. Levant in the coming weeks. Good.
The “human rights” commissions’ routinely violate the Charter of Rights, the bill of rights, 1000 years of common law, flaunt due process, disregard rules of evidence, and subsequently bring the administration of justice in Canada into total disrepute.
If these human rights commissions operated in the United States, the participants would have be brought up on racketeering and extortion charges twenty years ago.
One can only hope the self-congratulatory, self-appointed elites will lodge a complaint, as any complaint would re-expose the farce that “human rights commissions” are in Canada, and allow the people of Canada the opportunity to have these commissions dragged before a real court and declared unconstitutional.
BobbyB says:
“Anne Coulter should be allowed to speak in Canada, but only if…”
Get over it Bobby, Canada is a free Country and Ann is free to speak here and is speaking here.
It is my right to speak as it is yours not to listen.
Colin & Herb,
Both of you want to bash Ann Coulter because her ideas are different from yours. It’s possible for people to have different opinions and positions than you have. But why is name calling OK when you’re a liberal, but it’s hate speech when the speaker is a conservative?
would bill mahr or jon stewart get a similar letter?
What constitutes “promoting hatred against any identifiable group”?
Are “illegal aliens” an identifiable group?
It’s nice to see the leftwingers have enough sense to surrender to Ann before she evens starts her address.
I guess they too understand they have no ideas or thoughts to counter her arguments so their only option is an indignant surrender.
How else can one interpret their reluctance to debate her ideas and instead simply try to silence her?
Chris,
I have not attacked Ms. Coulter’s ideas, nor have I called her any names. What I have pointed out is that restraint, respect and consideration are not to be expected from the lady, nor from devout neocons or Cons. Ever watch Question Period?
I have watched Coulter perform on TV and have read some of her stuff. Have you? Some “journalist”!
Loved your comments too, Kirk West and Raymond.
Ann Coulter might get a little respect if she tried giving a little respect once in a while. She seems content to advocate violence against people who disagree with her.
Coulter is a free citizen and should be allowed to say whatever he wants.
The letter that F. Houle sent is a disgrace for Canadian academia, and for Canada in general. This man does not deserve to be an academic (just as, in fact, 85% of the Canadian and North American academics).
Pedagogy at the University of Ottawa ( Scary Movie Included) – http://covenantzone.blogspot.com/2010/03/radio-memories-learning-to-hate.html
Reading the letter from François Houle, Vice-recteur aux études / Vice-President Academic and Provost, leads me to believe that composition is not taught in Canadian schools. Apparently, no one ever taught Mr. Houle the use of paragraphs.
Perhaps the University of Ottawa needs to institute a remedial writing program. Mr. Houle obviously would benefit from taking it.
Has she finally admitted that Canada had no part in the Vietnam war?
Free speech is one thing. I can accept that.
Full out lying is another. She’s shown that she, like many of the conservative punditry, is willing to lie in order to further her talking points. I don’t see why anyone would want to listen to her but I don’t see any reason to stop her from spewing her filth in this country. She’d better clean it up though before she leaves. She really is a waste of oxygen.
To the Canadian leftists in general: I’ve been reading Coulter’s columns for several years. She exactly reflects the way leftist pseudo-intellectuals process their ideas. She does this for irony. Don’t you get it? Leftists have no sense of humor.
(I attended U of O 1977-1982, and was interested in the fact there is some life at U of O after all. Is “la Rotonde” newspaper still run by communists?)
This is “lefty freedom of speach” commonly known in Canada as ” think as we think, and speak as we speak.” This academic would have fit in very well with the Soviet style mantra. It’s no wonder the God of Liberal thinking, Trudeau, was such a good friend of Breshnev, Castro and Mao. You know, birds of a feather………….
I don’t feel like I can speak freely where I live. I fear if I did my door would be kicked in my computers seized and bunged away in a cell on some bogus morals charge. Red Deer, Alberta Canada. Strong and Free? Not a bit of it. Go ask Ezra Levant how free he feels to express himself when radicals toss bricks through his synagauge’s window? He screams bloody murder, and they sue him using our own draconian anti-speech laws. IMO there is nothing civil about a discourse that is censored. I think Levant is a tool, and Coulter is the exact same flavor of stupid. But again, I don’t feel free to express myself, they don’t, so who are these people who are free to express their every thought? I’m a far lefty and I can’t come out and say, “we put a prize winning poet in jail because of his poetry involving an underage girl” If I bring that up, now I’M under suspicion. Free speech in Canada is as bullshit as the RCMP.
The less-than-veiled threats couched in ‘niceties’ in Houle’s letter to Ann, carry a typical Leftist ignorance – and cowardice – like a bad cologne sprayed on a emotional letter that is regrettably mailed; it’s true intent, immediately disavowed by it’s writer.
Ann Coulter; legitimate author and legitimate political analyst, like most, morally based and reason-capable individuals, hates the Left’s idiology and it’s message and she – at least seldom – attacks the ‘personal’ of the messenger.
Leftists – no matter their emotional IQ or degree of intellectualism – fear the message and hate the messenger. They are seldom able to debate the merits of the challenge; instead they prefer to rely on the ‘messenger shredder’. Of course, in Ann’s case per Houle’s letter; it is only a warning . . .And so we see from Francois Houle; an all to pathetic and typical push back from an elite Leftist. An effort that carries an odor, so subtle, but potent; that a canary, if near; would fall with every reading.
Liberalism is not only a special brand of repugnant ideological narcissism parading as the politics of a ‘love thy neighbor – do goodness’; it is embedded with a cowardice that simply stinks, and has far greater consequence than any CO2 emission.
Truth IS liberating and consequently, EMPOWERING; and so it is, the narcissistic, self-serving and totalitarian Leftist can never embrace the ‘truth that sets one free’.
Or more specifically; they can never embrace the truth that sets ‘us’ free – from them.
Canada absolutely was involved in Vietnam. I’ll assume you are not lying, as you accuse Coulter. You are just ignorant of the facts, as Coulter is not.
http://kerfuffle.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/canadian-vietnam-vets/
Pssst! Hey Canada!
Keep her while she’s there. After all, we gave you hockey gold (nah, you earned it)!!!
Sincerely, your party friends to the South,
USA.
“I absolutely agree she should be allowed to speak. But she’s dumber than a brick”
Lovely, and how books have you published? Oh.
I have sold zero books, but I am also not a writer. Besides, what does that prove. If she had some academic writings I would be impressed but it’s all populist attack fiction. She gets published because she sells, simple. Same way Dan Brown is a poor writer but sells millions.
I see her as someone who poisons the political landscape and causes division to get her name out and sell books. I just don’t see a place for this sort of persona and it’s too bad people have to snap at each other over someone who is simply not important. I think the same of liberals doing the same, but it seems to me that it is mostly conservatives who are using fear as a tactic in this way. It just does not solve anything.
The only people venting hate on this board have been the lefties. Ironic, since they are the ones who are so concerned about having politically correct debates.
If you agree with the left then you are free to speak your mind, if you disagree with them and stand up for your beliefs then what you say is ‘hate speech’ and you will be verbally assaulted, abused and intimidated.
Free speech in Canada is for one class of people only, the left. Haven’t the rest of you learned this by now? Maybe you need to be sent to reeducation camps (universities) to learn this lesson. Shame on you for thinking Canada is a place where you can speak your mind !
No free speech in Canada, just look at Quebec.
I wonder if people realize what’s going on in this country. Quebec has spent the last 5 decades wiping out the English language and culture from the province with racist, anti-English language laws such as bill 22, 178, 101…This is a fact. Racism, intolerance, bigotry, ethnic language cleansing and human rights violations still going on in the province of Quebec.
Ya, Quebec, where the English, Scottish, Irish, United Empire Loyalists… built up the province of Kebec (original native spelling) since 1763. Yes, the same province of Kebec where the Union Jack and Red Ensign flew until 1950. Again, just the facts…This lie, this hoax, this revisionist nonsense that Quebec is a French province and that Canada is bilingual is just that, an outright lie. Fact: We have been part of the British Empire since 1763.
Almost 1 million people have been forced out of the province of Kebec due to this type of hatred/lie/spin… While all this is going on in Quebec they are forcing the French language outside Quebec in every province. Everything and anything the French demand they are getting across this entire country. They call it bilingualism (another lie never clearly defined on purpose). What are they really up to? “First Quebec, then we take over the rest of the country, one step at a time…through bilingualism…” PT, “How to take over a country through bilingualism…” SD. That’s what’s really going on. Wake up, people!
Oh, and by the way, I always say to people, don’t believe me; please go and read a few books on the subject just to see how bad things really are. Just 3 books:
1. The Tragedy Of Quebec 2. His Pride, Our Fall 3. The Monstrous Trick.
She should be allowed to speak without harassment if she does not insite hate, this letter is pointless and not well thought out, but i you can see why he thought he should send it.
Google Ann Coulter quotes racism.
I enjoy listening to Michael who I disagree with at least %50 of the time because he is a reasoned person with reasoned arguments for his beliefs. Coulter spits whatever comes out of her bigoted irrational mind without filter or pause.
@Gloveshack
Nice try at spin. Canadians joining the american army to serve does not mean Canada was in the Vietnam war. But if it helps you sleep at night you can believe want you want.
I’m sure you lie to yourself all the time. I’m sure your belief will make it true.
Colin:
I see Bill Maher as someone who poisens the political landscape, panders to the lowest common denominator, lies, distorts & misleads – and all in an attempt to gain attention. He is neither a writer, nor a film maker, nor an actor, nor a comedian, altho he fancies himself to be all that and more.
Should he be allowed to speak at Colleges and Universities?
Should he be sent a letter asking him to keep his comments about Christians & Religion – since his language on the subject is always defamatory & insulting, and has no basis in fact.
Should Irshad Manji have been sent a similar since her books and commentary on Muslims is highly complimentary and frequently viewed as insulting, demeaning and hate filled by Muslims themselves.
When Muslim clerics were offended by Salmon Rushdie he had to go into hiding.That has yet to happen to to liberals whose hate speech towards conservatives, Israel, Christianity, pro lifers, and anyone who disagrees with them, Perhaps I should invoke a fatwa against all of you – oh wait. Only Muslims can do that. Only Muslims can threaten a cartoonist for expressing himself in his art. If Christians do it, they are evil hateful people. When Muslims do it, they are victims.
The liberal hypocrisy expressed from Houle & many of the commenters here is so utterly contemptible and you’re attempts to silence those you oppose make you no different that the Muslims who issued a fatwa against Rushdie & who killed Theo Van Gogh.
*corrected the typos*
Colin:
I see Bill Maher as someone who poisens the political landscape, panders to the lowest common denominator, lies, distorts & misleads – and all in an attempt to gain attention. He is neither a writer, nor a film maker, nor an actor, nor a comedian, altho he fancies himself to be all that and more.
Should he be allowed to speak at Colleges and Universities?
Should he be sent a letter asking him to censor his comments about Christians & Religion – since his language on the subject is always defamatory & insulting, and has no basis in fact.
Should Irshad Manji have been sent a similar letter since her books and commentary on Muslims is NOT highly complimentary and frequently viewed as insulting, demeaning and hate filled by Muslims themselves.
When Muslim clerics were offended by Salmon Rushdie he had to go into hiding for years. That has yet to happen to to liberals whose hate speech towards conservatives, Israel, Christianity, pro lifers, and anyone who disagrees with them is legendary. Perhaps I should invoke a fatwa against all of you – oh wait. Only Muslims can do that and be celebrated for doing so — Only Muslims can threaten a cartoonist for expressing himself in his art. If Christians do it, they are evil hateful people. When Muslims do it, they are victims.
The liberal hypocrisy expressed from Houle & many of the commenters here is so utterly contemptible and you’re attempts to silence those you hatefully vitrolically and without reason oppose simply because they don’t agree with you – make you no different that the Muslims who issued a fatwa against Rushdie & who killed Theo Van Gogh.
Gloveshack says: “Canada absolutely was involved in Vietnam. I’ll assume you are not lying, as you accuse Coulter. You are just ignorant of the facts, as Coulter is not.”
Try listening to your own reference. She says “Canada sent troops to Vietnam.” which is not true. Canadians may have participated; Canada did not send troops.
“World-renowned journalist Ann Coulter” … ‘journalist’??? HUH? Coulter is not regarded as a journalist! Now if you would have started your article with one of the flollowing:
-World-renowned facist Ann Coulter
-World-renowned ‘woman’ with an adams apple Ann Coulter
-World-renowned right wing ranter Ann Coulter
-World-renowned racist Ann Coulter
-World-renowned hate monger Ann Coulter
-World-renowned anti-semite Ann Coulter
-World-renowned right wing anorexic Ann Coulter
-World-renowned psycho Ann Coulter
DangerGirl, where did the rant about muslims come from? I don’t think you are going to see many liberals agreeing with conservative muslim actions such as reactionary fatwas. But I also don’t think you could deny that if the bible banned Jesus from being shown visually, (and why not, it speaks out very clearly against idols), that a lot of christians would be very upset when it happened. Sure violence should not be the solution but the history of the middle east is very different than western Europe. I am not saying it is right but that there are reasons, and changing long held views on this stuff is not easy. War, xenophobia and angry dialogue is only going to harden attitudes.
As for Bill Maher: “He is neither a writer, nor a film maker, nor an actor, nor a comedian, altho he fancies himself to be all that and more.”
And there is the difference! Even if you don’t see him as being funny he does promote his views in an entertainment format. Coulter makes no such distinction.
And finally your last paragraph is unwarranted. I see you as a hypocrite for saying “many of the commenters here is so utterly contemptible and you’re attempts to silence those you hatefully vitrolically and without reason oppose simply because they don’t agree with you” and then finishing with “make you no different that the Muslims who issued a fatwa against Rushdie & who killed Theo Van Gogh.” Do you not see this? Your view is in the minority in Canada, but that does not mean there is some major conspiracy going on.
I do so enjoy reading well-expressed, intelligent posts like those from Ken, Catherine & DangerGirl, particularly because contributors on the right can sometimes be wince-inducing, if not downright embarrassing. Such clear thinking is exhilarating and I’m always pleasantly surprised and hopeful when the source is a female.
As for my own comments: I’m getting mighty sick of the word “hate”. It’s the mot du jour, about to replace the tired “racist”. Expressing opinions about contentious subjects is not the equivalent of spreading hatred. Liberals latch onto a word and work it to death. As well as having no sense of humour, they’re not very original.
“World-renowned journalist Ann Coulter” – who is this woman, and what have you done with the unstable, right-wingnut ideologue whack-job that we are all familiar with? You know, the parrot in semi-human form – the one that regurgitates empty platitudes and party sound bites. The one with the seeming inability to have a rational thought, or analyze information in an objective fashion.
I think you must have invited the wrong person.
Nobody is preventing Coulter from speaking. The U of O merely outlined the way in which Canadians restrain themselves from speaking offensively against others, and that we actually have hate speech laws, something they do not have in USA. I see nothing wrong with that. There is no denying these laws exist. Have any of you left-bashing people actually heard Coulter speak? I have, and she has said some pretty offensive things that some people could consider as hate speech. Mr. Houle was simply protecting his university and offering Ms. Coulter some simple advice, coming from one country to another. Canadian right-wingers are nowhere near as radical as they are in the US, but thanks to visits from people like Palin and Coulter, radical conservatism is right around the corner. Thanks goodness for laws that prohibit hate speech.
Having said this, Coulter is a wretch for taking this to the HRC. Canada’s Human Rights Commission shouldn’t be bogged down with this nonsense, it needs to look after real human rights violations. How typically American of Ms. Coulter, to call her lawyer.
Heaven forbid somebody says something other then the banal, mundane, politically correct, wishy-washy, mainstream media drivel we hear every day. Canadians are good little socialists; they don’t need or want to hear anything that might upset their brainwashed, leftist, free speech is bad, thought control is good, world.
“I’m too sensitive to hear anything other that what I’ve been programmed to hear,” is what you Ann Coulter haters are really saying. “Humans Rights Commissions, save me before somebody makes me think for myself !”
Fascism is becoming a part of our cultural identity along with the beaver and hockey.