Sunday, January 13, 2008
..through their "Human Rights Commission."
Ezra Levant describes Canadian efforts to intimidate journalists and publishers*:
Here is an exchange between me and Officer McGovern. I talked about the chilling effect that human rights complaints have not just on the victims — e.g. the people and companies named in the complaints, like we were — but on other media who see what could happen to them if they dare upset thin-skinned whiners. It's similar to the phenomenon of libel chill, except it's worse. Libel chill is when reporters are worried about writing a story for fear of being sued. But that's not much more than a healthy fear — if a story's facts are true, it's defensible in defamation law. More than that, any would-be plaintiff would have to finance his own lawsuit, be subject to well-known rules of court, and have to pay the costs of any failed nuisance suits. None of those restraints are checks againt "human rights commission chill": truth is not a defence; plaintiffs complain for free; taxpayers pay for the prosecuting lawyers; rules are arbitrary; legal precedents are not applied consistently; and instead of judges, tribunals are stacked with activists, many not even lawyers.
The worst part is that there is no deterrent to spurious complaints — there is no cost to making false accusations. That's where the "human rights chill" comes in: why would any rational publisher or editor report on sensitive subjects (read: radical Islam) if they knew they would be tagged with a no-win complaint?
That's the point I was making. And after I made it, Officer McGovern said "you're entitled to your opinions, that's for sure."
Well, actually, I'm not, am I?
Videos of Levant's Ring Lardneresque response to the Canadian bureaucracy here and here.
Speaking of bureaucracy, in Bayonne a meter maid recently got in got in trouble for holding up two plainclothes detectives who were actively trying to pursue a drug dealer.
The detectives forgot to feed the meter and she wouldn't let them get in their car until she finished writing them a parking ticket, even after they showed her ID and explained the situation.
Maybe not coincidentally, that meter maid looks a lot like the lady interrogating Levant. Years of just following orders probably gives people like her that banal inexpressiveness...
* Link thanks to Judith Weiss
I knew you couldn't have passed this unnoticed.
There are 6 videos on Ezra Levant's site, along with his explanational posts and extended commentary.
Glad he established the Paypal button for donations: I think he's up for a long uphill battle with Canadian Thought Police and needs all money he can gather (I sent a small offering).
What I find discouraging - and this is something that striked me in the past, while engaged in online discussion with Canadian bloggers - relative silence by Canadian citizens; or their attempts at rationalization and excuses for imam's attacks. Some admitted Mr. Levant was absolutely right to say what he did, but suggested he
should be more tactful", or that he's being too aggressive in his tone towards AHRC's agent.
I think I'll give Mr. Levant a donation too.
I thought Mr. Levant was justified in his response to the bureaucrat, but I'm an American. His was a very American-style response to an attack against free speech. Maybe those Canadians don't get that...?
Yes, and it is reflected in the comment threads: the most direct, outspoken and unequivocal support comes from Americans (granted, some American leftie used strong language too, criticizing Mr. Levant and his supporters) and from blogs abroad: from UK, Greece, Romania, Denmark, etc. Canadians tend to be more...er..careful in expressing their thoughts - and far less numerous. I see it as a direct result of the activities of HRC, "hate laws" and generally the "human rights chill" described by Mr. Levant. When I lived in SU, everyone employed that internal censor, constantly - and my biggest joy, upon arrival on this continent, was realization I never have to, anymore! Apparently, this becoming a reality on the other side of our Northern border.
(Paraphrasing one Canadian de souche...) Tsk, tsk. Such a bully, screaming at the Commissioner like that. Such un-Canadian* behaviour!
From what I see in these video clips, this committee is a modern day version of the Inquisition tribunal. Like those religious courts, they were set up to find out the secrets that reside in a person's heart and mind, to make example of those suspected so as to suppress any form of heresy, and, importantly, they drew their coersive power from the secular authority. They were motivated by piety and concern for the wholsomeness of the society they were brutalizing.
* What, you may ask, is to be un-Canadian?
In my experience, and I have been accused of being un-Canadian, it means not voicing reflexively anti-American opinions, supporting Bush's foreign policies and War in Iraq, hoping for democracy to take hold in the Middle East, calling terrorism terrorism, being extremely sceptical of multiculturalism with its bastard child, "reasonable accommodation", criticising the UN and Louise Arbour, not finding excuses for radical Muslims' preachings, and being against the "notwithstanding" clause that permits Quebec to be in perpetual breach of Canadian Constitution. These are just a few of my favourite attributes that mark out one as being un-Canadian.
The videos are absolutely great.
Canada: Freedom of Speech succumbing to Kangaroo Courts of the Human Rights Commission
Proceedings against Ezra Levant are nothing short of ridiculous, but let's consider the implications for moderate Muslims. This "investigation" will further divide Muslims and non-Muslims in Canada. It will give credence to radicals' claims that the West is at war with Islam. It will antagonize non-Muslims and moderate Muslims will be pushed towards radicalization. Regardless of the outcome, once again Islamists skillfully manipulated Dhimmi justice system and came out as clear winners. Thank you, Human Right Commission!