It is starting to look like Ezra Levant (as crazy as he is) has some pretty good insight on the state of free speech in our supposedly democratic society. Especially considering the numerous talks and rallies for white pride groups, radical imams, etc that occur all the time in Canada. It really irks me that hate speech law prosecution is more focused on who got offended rather than what was actually said.
I am still in shock that a mob of people in our western liberal society have the power to stop anyone from speaking about anything, especially before she actually said anything. This mob mentality is why I personally believe democracy is the single worst form of government. Rule by dummies! (Funny what 4 years of political science will do to a mans faith in suffrage).
Buy a ticket, and ask a mature, intelligent question like a grown up if you don't agree with her. These people just come accross as idiots to me, no different than any other group of rose colored glasses wearing youth protestors who are more interested in establishing their own individuality than furthering any sort of cause.
We live in a sad world. Attention where it is unnecessary, and apathy where it really matters.
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I am still in shock that a mob of people in our western liberal society have the power to stop anyone from speaking about anything, especially before she actually said anything. This mob mentality is why I personally believe democracy is the single worst form of government. Rule by dummies! (Funny what 4 years of political science will do to a mans faith in suffrage).
The problem isn't with democracy but the way it is enforced. Democracy is about more than mob rule. You need to have basic principles upheld strongly and consistently.
University campuses have become by far the worst places to find true democracy in Canada. It is a massive shame that institutions that are supposed to be about sharing ideas have become training camps for those who want to totally styfle anything resembling freedom and democracy.
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The problem isn't with democracy but the way it is enforced. Democracy is about more than mob rule. You need to have basic principles upheld strongly and consistently.
University campuses have become by far the worst places to find true democracy in Canada. It is a massive shame that institutions that are supposed to be about sharing ideas have become training camps for those who want to totally styfle anything resembling freedom and democracy.
I'm not sure what it's like now, but in the early 90's Ontario universities (Carleton, York, Queens in particular) struck me as these perverse islands of Iran in Canada, except that instead of Shia Islam, they were enforcing PC-/Femi-/Homo-Fascism. And I say this as a veeery socially liberal guy (I believe in your right to marry whoever and however many you want, and to screw whoever you want in whatever orifice, and to abort whatever offspring you thus produce).
I'm not sure what it's like now, but in the early 90's Ontario universities (Carleton, York, Queens in particular) struck me as these perverse islands of Iran in Canada, except that instead of Shia Islam, they were enforcing PC-/Femi-/Homo-Fascism. And I say this as a veeery socially liberal guy (I believe in your right to marry whoever and however many you want, and to screw whoever you want in whatever orifice, and to abort whatever offspring you thus produce).
Yup not much has changed. Except now they are finding more and more ways to sneak those view into course content. Now in many areas like law, biology, psychology, etc... your political views will affect your grades.
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Well if it isn't my favourite lack of reading skills friend.
A pleasure as always, Hozy.
As for the rest of your deft defense of"bashing a religion isn't racism, because Muslim isn't a race...", it's an interesting theory.
Coulter once famously said "we should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity".
Now people say stuff like that all the time in the Middle East, but they say "we should invade their country (Israel), kill their leaders and convert them to Islam", would you consider that a form of racism?
Israeli isn't a race. Judaism isn't a race. By your logic, that kind of thing isn't racism. Talking about killing Jews has nothing to do with race, because Jew isn't a race. That appears to be your argument.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HOZ
A nice atheist...that sounds rather like Coulter
My comprehension skills are rearing their ugly head again -- this weird comment doesn't make a lick of sense to me.
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Last edited by RougeUnderoos; 03-24-2010 at 11:54 PM.
The story of her appearance was news nowhere except Ottawa. The story of the UofO official's warning letter got some press on both sides of the border, mostly here. The story of the cancellation is everywhere in the USA media this morning.
Hilarious.
Cowperson
You are correct, but I would have liked to see a little more emphasis in the media about Coulter leaking the email from the VP at UofO. Would there have been a protest and would the event have been cancelled but for her leaking the email to media outlets? I'd say no (based on the UWO speech). In my mind, she manufactured this and reaped what she sowed.
In the end she clearly took advantage of a non-media savy academic and got exactly what she wanted: (a) attention, and (b) to turn the human rights issue on its ear.
The whole thing is hilarious and will end with a whimper in short order.
I am still in shock that a mob of people in our western liberal society have the power to stop anyone from speaking about anything, especially before she actually said anything. This mob mentality is why I personally believe democracy is the single worst form of government. Rule by dummies! (Funny what 4 years of political science will do to a mans faith in suffrage).
And I wonder how you got through 4 years of political science if you think that democracy is the reason she didn't speak at the U of O.
It appears "Rule by dummies" (your words, not mine) is subjective, and your use of the term is ironic. Funny what a few minutes on a hockey message board will do to a man's faith in the self-proclaimed "intelligent".
Treat Ann Coulter like a real life troll. Because that's all she is. She's being smart by getting people riled up by saying offensive things and holds no boundaries.
How do you treat trolls? Ignore them. Just flat out ignore them and they have no attention and they will go away. Unfortunately it's hard to get everyone to ignore a troll completely...
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I was thinking of going tomorrow to boo, but now I really am thinking I just would be feeding a troll.
Apparently you wouldn't only be feeding a troll. You'd be thwarting democracy, denying free speech and generally portending the downfall of western civilization.
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."
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I am still in shock that a mob of people in our western liberal society have the power to stop anyone from speaking about anything, especially before she actually said anything. This mob mentality is why I personally believe democracy is the single worst form of government. Rule by dummies! (Funny what 4 years of political science will do to a mans faith in suffrage).
By that last post, it would seem that the "mob of people" didn't stop the speech from going on. It was a manipulative ploy meant to prove your point. There was nothing stopping her from speaking, but her spectacle was better served by her NOT speaking.
Quote:
Buy a ticket, and ask a mature, intelligent question like a grown up if you don't agree with her.
So if someone comes to town with views that I find abhorrent and offensive the grown up thing to do is to give them money? Oi. In hopes that they have a question/answer period where you can question their POV?
Quote:
These people just come accross as idiots to me, no different than any other group of rose colored glasses wearing youth protestors who are more interested in establishing their own individuality than furthering any sort of cause. We live in a sad world. Attention where it is unnecessary, and apathy where it really matters.
I dunno. Telling someone who is intolerant of other races and religions that they are not welcome here seems a worthy thing to stand up for. I wouldn't call that being 'idiots' but if they are to you, that's your prerogative.
i might go to safeway and ask for any rotten fruit/vegetable they may have then attend the seminar and hand them out for all to hurl. THAT would be awesome. just stand up in the middle.
It is starting to look like Ezra Levant (as crazy as he is) has some pretty good insight on the state of free speech in our supposedly democratic society. Especially considering the numerous talks and rallies for white pride groups, radical imams, etc that occur all the time in Canada. It really irks me that hate speech law prosecution is more focused on who got offended rather than what was actually said.
I am still in shock that a mob of people in our western liberal society have the power to stop anyone from speaking about anything, especially before she actually said anything. This mob mentality is why I personally believe democracy is the single worst form of government. Rule by dummies! (Funny what 4 years of political science will do to a mans faith in suffrage).
Buy a ticket, and ask a mature, intelligent question like a grown up if you don't agree with her. These people just come accross as idiots to me, no different than any other group of rose colored glasses wearing youth protestors who are more interested in establishing their own individuality than furthering any sort of cause.
We live in a sad world. Attention where it is unnecessary, and apathy where it really matters.
Democracy will degenerate into ochlocracy, that's just the nature of the beast. And I agree, liberal campuses (along with liberal media) are speeding up the process.
Democracy will degenerate into ochlocracy, that's just the nature of the beast. And I agree, liberal campuses (along with liberal media) are speeding up the process.
I might agree with the former, but I think the Tea Party and FOX news are a better example of speeding up the process.
Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign.
Exp:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate
I don't get it.
Coulter disparaging people from the Middle East is free speech, and is good.
Students protesting the university giving a forum for this hatred is anti-free speech and is bad.
Can't I say the reverse is true?
Students protesting the university giving a forum for Coulter is proving we do have free speech and is good.
Coulter decrying the protestors is anti-free speech and is bad.
I get what you are saying here, but there is no way I can agree with it.
Anytime that anyone is denied the basic right to speak based on security concerns for their own safety, that can never be spun into being "good'.
Right or wrong, Coulter (who i agree doesnt believe her own stuff) was booked to speak to an audience of people who had the choice to attend or not. She was prevented from doing so because a bunch of folks didnt like what she has to say. That is frightening on any level in Canada or any other free-thinking society.
I would ask this of those who think this happening is a good thing...
What good has occurred?
Those that would have attended are already from the same vein she is, and this will hardly make them think/believe otherwise and in fact may galvanize them even more. A common belief of any section of extremists is that they are fighting against the majority, this will just reinforce that. They have been stifled from expressing their mantra.
Like was said earlier in this thread, the best thing would to of been allow her to talk and give it zero attention. Now, there is a rallying point for those who may have been looking for such an event.
Last edited by transplant99; 03-25-2010 at 05:12 AM.
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And I say this as a veeery socially liberal guy (I believe in your right to marry whoever and however many you want, and to screw whoever you want in whatever orifice, and to abort whatever offspring you thus produce).
