The fundamental right to speak your mind is under attack, and its supposed champions are leading the charge against it. This is how we lose democracy, and freedom.
It is important for all of us to educate ourselves on two things: 1. the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and what it has to say about free speech; and 2. the Jim Keegstra case.
There has always been bigots and people prepared with fervour to shout their tribalist views into the wind. One could choose to listen to walk the other way. Today with fewer people educated at all in history or philosophy and more craving like toddlers nothing but attention we find ourselves here. Educated people must speak out in the real world. Free speech is a crucial in a democracy as you say and it's time our political leaders in Canada addressed this publicly, providing context and some understanding to those who merely follow the crowd. The mob rule in the US is a huge concern. I have no doubt John Q Public is concerned but hardly knows what to think amidst all the noise. Thank you David for your thoughtful piece.
It is amazing that the so-called “right” lauds the so-called “free speech” of Kirk, then curtails any criticism. I guess though, that is the modus operendi of all fascist governments.
Keeping warped US media out of Canada or at least warning Cdns about news consumption? When that government controlled media points at Canada, we are in trouble
I whole heartedly agree David. Listen to all voices inclusively and carefully. In America, those on "left" are all "Antifa now because the left dismissed "them" categorized & labeled "them", dehumanized "them" as " a basket of deplorables" as "moronic anti-vaxxers" And NOW in America with the right having more power it is projecting that dismissive categorization back on the Democrats as the deplorables. When the whole way we categorize-label and dismiss, the whole way we tend to attend to the world is deplorable. Canadians only have slightly better attending habits than my American examples. So, we too need to look seriously at how we attend, categorize dismiss and dehumanize with our reactionary responses.
I feel the climb here is beyond steep. The impluse to censor as opposed to simply exercise one's right to ignore speech that one finds odious is deeply ingrained, certainly more so than when the Smothers Brothers were booted from CBS back in 1969.
I need a clear definition of 'free speech', what is IS, and IS NOT. Then some laws, guarantees. Where do 'facts' fit?
'Inconvenient facts'? I see Canada 🇨🇦 in a shaky position, where 'facts' can be completely 'incorrect', and no one 'hears it'. And, to me, the alternative to Mark Carney, who I think has the background and experience to know what he's doing is revolting and unreasonable.
And there's NOTHING I can do. I'm not sure ANYONE'S listening or cares enough. There are no MPs forming groups to help Mark Carney see this through. To me,
PP is a destroyer. A book, RIPPER (Amazon.ca) books was written by David Bourrie. I read there that the book said Pierre had DESTROYED some people. Now he's trying to destroy Mark Carney. Just look. Then see the opposite with supporters. Dangerous times.
It is important for all of us to educate ourselves on two things: 1. the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and what it has to say about free speech; and 2. the Jim Keegstra case.
There has always been bigots and people prepared with fervour to shout their tribalist views into the wind. One could choose to listen to walk the other way. Today with fewer people educated at all in history or philosophy and more craving like toddlers nothing but attention we find ourselves here. Educated people must speak out in the real world. Free speech is a crucial in a democracy as you say and it's time our political leaders in Canada addressed this publicly, providing context and some understanding to those who merely follow the crowd. The mob rule in the US is a huge concern. I have no doubt John Q Public is concerned but hardly knows what to think amidst all the noise. Thank you David for your thoughtful piece.
I hope it is not too late. People in the USA still believe they can course correct in the upcoming midterm elections
It is amazing that the so-called “right” lauds the so-called “free speech” of Kirk, then curtails any criticism. I guess though, that is the modus operendi of all fascist governments.
Keeping warped US media out of Canada or at least warning Cdns about news consumption? When that government controlled media points at Canada, we are in trouble
I whole heartedly agree David. Listen to all voices inclusively and carefully. In America, those on "left" are all "Antifa now because the left dismissed "them" categorized & labeled "them", dehumanized "them" as " a basket of deplorables" as "moronic anti-vaxxers" And NOW in America with the right having more power it is projecting that dismissive categorization back on the Democrats as the deplorables. When the whole way we categorize-label and dismiss, the whole way we tend to attend to the world is deplorable. Canadians only have slightly better attending habits than my American examples. So, we too need to look seriously at how we attend, categorize dismiss and dehumanize with our reactionary responses.
Right-Left, they use the same tactics and complain when it is used against them.
But keep in mind the differences.
I feel the climb here is beyond steep. The impluse to censor as opposed to simply exercise one's right to ignore speech that one finds odious is deeply ingrained, certainly more so than when the Smothers Brothers were booted from CBS back in 1969.
When one thinks he is correct the other is always wrong.
I need a clear definition of 'free speech', what is IS, and IS NOT. Then some laws, guarantees. Where do 'facts' fit?
'Inconvenient facts'? I see Canada 🇨🇦 in a shaky position, where 'facts' can be completely 'incorrect', and no one 'hears it'. And, to me, the alternative to Mark Carney, who I think has the background and experience to know what he's doing is revolting and unreasonable.
And there's NOTHING I can do. I'm not sure ANYONE'S listening or cares enough. There are no MPs forming groups to help Mark Carney see this through. To me,
PP is a destroyer. A book, RIPPER (Amazon.ca) books was written by David Bourrie. I read there that the book said Pierre had DESTROYED some people. Now he's trying to destroy Mark Carney. Just look. Then see the opposite with supporters. Dangerous times.
Will try to remember to give you credit every time I use this:
But the right tends to embrace a pantomime of devotion to freedom in such a way that makes their attacks on political expression more than a bit much.