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A selection of letters we have received recently in response to Mark's posts and articles about the Canadian Islamic Congress's case against Mark and Maclean's magazine (Joseph and his amazing technicolor dreamsuit and Let's make a deal). We will add new letters on a regular basis.
NITWITS' CORNER
If I were Ken Whyte I'd offer the CIC 5,000 words unedited for posting on the MacLean's web site. No cost to the publisher, and just think what use those nitwits would make with that much rope. In fact, make it 10,000 words and let them make fools of themselves at even greater length.
Ross McKitrick
AN OFFER YOU CAN REFUSE
Still and all, I wouldn't let your guard down. Kind of interesting that the commissars
release news of this "inverse" settlement the day before their planned press conference
to get you and your gang of "intolerants" to settle?
Carole Priestley
DON’T REF. WRIGHT
If you find yourself inclined to quote from the recent speech by Rev. Jeremiah
Wright, please think twice. This speech obviously constitutes a "hate crime" under
Canadian jurisprudence and you would surely be sucked once again into the maw of the
CHRC human rights juggernaut. Consider yourself warned.
G. Cooney
Southington, Connecticut
THIS YOUNG MUSLIM AGREES WITH YOU
After reading columns after columns about the Ontario Human Rights Commission and
its transgressions - in the National Post, of course - I finally decided to read the
excerpt Maclean's published, titled "The future belongs to Islam". As a young
Muslim, someone who's part of that burgeoning global force that you forewarn
against, I wasn't offended at all by your analysis. You're drawing upon the broader
forces of history to construct your argument. Samuel Huntington and Pat Buchanan
have done the same, yet they have not been the subject of a persecution like
yourself.
I strongly agree with you; Islam (most especially radical Islam) posses a great
threat to Western democracies. Our failure to create a strong national identity in
Canada and other multiracial states is partly to blame for the rise of pan-Islamism
. Young Muslims in the West usually cling to their religious identities, and so when
their sensitivities are provoked, they are willing to let their tribalistic desire
to protect Islam supersede their identities as Westerners. I am, as must be obvious
by now, an exception to that rule. Western culture is far superior to any other
culture. I should know. I've lived in the Muslim world and Canada--and the choice is
clear. We must defend our glorious culture and democracy against radical Islamists.
Mutazalite L
Montreal, Quebec
KIM JONG-IL COMES TO CANADA
"Unfortunately, the Maclean’s article, and others like it, are examples of this. By
portraying Muslims as all sharing the same negative characteristics, including being
a threat to ‘the West’, this explicit expression of Islamophobia further perpetuates
and promotes prejudice towards Muslims and others."
I'm sure that you had a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial
tribunal in which you had assistance of counsel, compulsory process of obtaining
witnesses, the right to confront and cross-examine your accuser under oath, before
having your article officially censured by the Government of Ontario. Or maybe
Barbara Hall just sat in her office one morning and decided that she didn't like the
article, didn't like Macleans magazine, and didn't much like you.
I am also encouraged by Ms. Hall's Kim-Jong-Il style instructions as to the kinds of
political debates we should have in Ontario:
"Clearly more debate on this issue is required in Canada. A comprehensive approach
to the issue should be one of the goals. The discussion should be about how narrowly
or broadly society places limits on freedom of expression in order to protect the
human rights of its vulnerable members."
If we didn't have our Dear Leader's wise guidance and directives, we unwashed
hoipolloi wouldn't know what we should be debating and discussing. In this debate
which the OHRC has determined is "required", is more than one point of view going to
be allowed?
Michael Teper
Toronto, Ontario
WARREN KINSELLA IS GLORIOUS
I have from time to time commented on his web-site and told him so. He seems to
have incorrectly interpreted my comments, taken umbrage, deleted my
comments and banished me. When I go to his comments page I get "Banned by
webmaster. Your comments will not be added" and indeed all attempts to
comment are fruitless. So to speak.
I particularly wished to comment on his post regarding Macleans heartless
refusal to let some smarmy punk-assed lawkids ....comment...on a Macleans
article...for free...at Macleans expense.
The article written by you I think? They claim you mis-spell Stein as Steyn
to hide your Jewish origins, but I know better, you miserable
Islamo-Phobic-Homo-Boy-Jew-Boy-Wasp-Teutono-Nazi, ha, ha.
So perhaps you will publish my comment and bring it to the attention of the
glorious Kinsella. I said:
'I see "Banned by webmaster. Your comments will not be added"
Can this be true? Do you mean me? If so, I have an offer for you.'
Why would he refuse to permit this? Shall I run to the HRC, then offer to
settle? Odd how they have the same initials as the sainted Hillary.
Fred Z
Calgary
ARE YOU A RACIST?
I'm sure that since you're an educated man and that you grew up in England, you know
all about the Island of Malta (that proudly fly's the King George Cross on it's
flag, that was awarded to all the people of Malta for bravery during WWII by King
George himself). My parents immigrated (I know, a dirty word in your books) to
Canada from Malta after the War in 1950. I was born 16 years later. I'm damn proud
to be a Canadian (I even use words like "eh", drink Tim Horton's, play hockey and
snowmobile and ski).`
Now here's my problem. I don't look like the white English Maltese (as so many
Maltese people do). I look more like the darker Mediterranean (although extremely
attractive) Maltese person that is forever being mistaken for Lebanese, Lybian,
Arabic...etc (you get my point right). So when you write an article like "The future
belongs to Islam" you keep the "Fear of anything different" train chugging right
along, and frankly I'm getting sick of the shit. The crap I've had to deal with
since 9/11 is ridiculous. Trying to cross the border in Windsor or Sarnia is a real
treat now, thanks to people like you, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, and George
(thanks for rigging the election) Bush anyone that looks different is an instant
Terrorist.
So, my question is, are you just racist against Islamic Muslims or is it anyone that
isn't 'North Americian'? Just curious?
Dean Pavia
London, Ontario
THIS JIHADIST WENT INTO A BAR…
I'm trying to imagine what would happen if a jihadist entered Bar Le Stud in order to
- I don't know--push a wall onto his waiter. Which party would have the upper hand
with the ensuing human rights case?
And did I hear somewhere that the conviction rate of the Human Rights
Commissions is 100%? That can't possibly be right... can it?
p.s. Just ordered America Alone. I'm downright giddy with anticipation to read it.
Chad Nestor
St. Paul, Minnesota
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
In the past month or two, I've e-mail, telephoned, and visited my MP's office (Minister Of Finance Jim Flaherty ). I just wanted to see which way he was leaning on the upcoming vote regarding the Human Rights Commissions in Canada ( M446 ). After many weeks, no answer. Was it something I said?
Matt Donnelly
Whitby, Ontario
FREEDOM FIGHTERS
You have a lot of public support. Keep up the good work. Those who love freedom are
behind you.
R E Bondon
Sun City, Arizona PEOPLE LIKE YOU WANT PEOPLE TO DIE
I'm tired of reading and seeing people like yourself on the internet and TV
preaching your neo-conservative bull. Stay in American, your attacks on both Trudeau
and multliculturalism is disgusting. If you want assimilation move to the states, oh
you did, good stay there. It's people like your who want people to die because they
cant afford healthcare. You're a black eye on this nation, and while I agree you
should have every right to voice your opinion, I respectivly disagree. You dont
wan't to live in Canada, you want to live in America Jr. Please, you speak for a
samll number of Canadians namly limited to Alberta. I don't much care for the
condescending way in which you portray Liberals. I don't much care for Cons myself,
however I dont bash and completely ignore and blast anything they have to offer. The
world isn't black and white, and politics isn't left, and right. However that
becomes less and less appearent everytime someone like you writes column or appears
on TV.
Matthew A
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
FASCIST REGIMES
The columns, posts and letters re: the CHRC issues are most interesting, and not a
little unsettling. I note that, historically, fascist regimes attempt to control
spoken and written opinion contrary to the regime's real or perceived interests.
Invariably, there are also constraints on reading or listening to such opinion with
serious consequences for those who disobey - a corollary to the sound a felled tree
makes out of earshot. Which begs the question: Can one be chastised by an CHRC for
reading or listening to an offensive comment, or by purposefully buying a book, or a
magazine, or a newspaper containing material offensive to an individual or a group?
Might that person be considered to some degree an accessory to the offense?
If I were a Canadian citizen I would worry because I have read Mark Steyn's America
Alone - more than once.
Norton Rubenstein
Richmond, Virginia
CIVIL RIGHTS IN CHICAGO
Hey Mark..or person who vets his email.
Here's a link to a story on Canoe.ca about the Chicago Lawyer's Committee for Civil
Rights lawsuit against, of all things, Craigslist.
Some people were posting apartment listings with info that indicated, "no
minorities," etc.
Apparently they felt even a simple "Catholic church and beautiful Buddhist temple
within one block" was a "signal of religious preference."
Fortunately the courts told the "Committee for Civil Rights" to go pound salt.
Certainly "no minorities" is somewhat offensive but it really seemed like the
"Committee" was seeking to censor speech...or am I all wrong on this.
Ian Slessor
SWEET SALARY
I just came across a posting for members for the BC Human Rights Tribunal. The
members, who are not even lawyers, apparently start at a salary of $113,500.
That it is pretty sweet considering they probably work bureaucrat hours.
Also, in regards to Richard Warman, the barristers’ and solicitors’ oath requires
lawyers to refrain from “maintenance and champerty,” which is exactly what Warman
is doing with his fake hate postings and subsequent Human Rights complaints. I
wonder if the Law Society is aware of his dealings?
A Bustin
KHAN’T MAKE SENSE OF IT
Naeem Muhammad Khan
How is it that you're up on charges and this guy isn't up on ANY?
My husband and I love hearing you on the Hugh Hewitt Show. Keep up the good work
you're already doing.
Ann Hamilton
Simi Valley, California
HATE-MONGERING
I will make this brief:
Read the following from Friday's National Post if you have not already done so. Make sure you read the Q&A interview here.
Two questions come to mind:
1. Why do we allow this man to live in Canada??
2. This is clearly hate mongering. Where are the vaunted HRCs? Where is Mr. Warman?
Where is the Liberal attack poodle, Mr. Kinsella? Where are they??? MIA??? I guess
Islamofascism gets a free pass? Or perhaps the HRCs and their foot soldiers are too
timid to take them on?
Keep up the good work Mr. Steyn. You are a breath of fresh air in the otherwise
fetid atmosphere of the MSM.
Robert
AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS
It seems that our own Rights industry spokesman can't get the nature of his role correct either at the International Human Rights Forum in China, and the Beijing Torch relay and protests. It appears the developmental stage of China affects the level of human rights, so the poor must wait to China is rich enough to expect the rule of law.
Please see here and here. I am choking on my breakfast .
David Kube
Australia
WELL-INTENTIONED BUT IGNORANT
You really nailed it with your latest missive on the CHRC. I actually believe the practitioners of these policies are well-intentioned, but they are also entirely ignorant of history and the lessons it teaches us about cause and effect. I can only imagine their exasperation that the rest of us
just don't get it, how if we were only more (fill in the blank - thoughtful, caring, liberal,) we'd all see how right they are. In fact, it is their line of thinking that has indeed resulted in the deaths of millions throughout human history.
It's true as Santayana said that that "those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it", but I'm afraid it's not enough just to remember; we need to also understand the past at something deeper than the simplistic level of these politicians. I can only say thank goodness for the Internet and writers like you, as this is one thing unavailable to our forebears that perhaps will enable us to stave off the next in a long line of human tragedies.
Curt Schacker
Piedmont, California
LISTEN TO WAFA SULTAN
Good Morning -- I just received an Al Jezeera clip in which an Arab-American
psychologist blasts the antiquated thinking of Islamists. It is far more direct and
blunt than Mark's comments on Muslims in any of his articles. I thought Mark,
and MacLean's might be extremely interested.
Meanwhile, keep up for the fight for Freedom of Thought and Speech. We don't need
1984 or Brave New World institutions here.
WOW, WATCH THIS BEFORE IT'S TAKEN OFF THE WEB
It is extremely surprising that the Arab financed TV in Dubai would allow this
to air. Be sure and watch this, it is so powerful.
She is one impressive woman. Here is a powerful and amazing statement on Al
Jereeza television. The woman is Wafa Sultan, an Arab-American psychologist from
Los Angeles. I would suggest watching it ASAP because I don't know how long the
link will be active. This film clip should be shown around the world repeatedly!
Doug Murray
Collingwood, Ontario
THE HUMAN RIGHT TO LIVE IN TORONTO
Good Morning Mark - I LOVE your columns, the tears are running down my legs.
Unfortunately, the Human Rights Commission (or the Human Wrongs Commissions
as we call them in our family) are not laughing matter.
A few thoughts - this has been going on since the mid-70's. I had just graduated design school and had started working for a well known German Canadian designer in Edmonton. He hired an architect from Bombay India to do work at his model making firm. The guy was a total joke, must have got his degree because he could design and build sand castles. Anyway, at Christmas break, he visited family in Toronto and decided that Toronto was a warmer city than Edmonton
with its minus 30 weather and snow, snow, snow (guy also could not drive). He never returned to his job, no word from him, until Klaus received a letter from the Alberta Human Rights Commission claiming that Klaus had persecuted this guy and drove him away to live in Toronto. Klaus had to mount a major legal defense (even in the mid-70's this cost quite a bit of money) to prove that the guy had only worked under 3 months, and was always late for work and to boot had
built two models in 2 different scales each. You either use one scale or the other but not two on a job. As a result, both models had to be redone at the company's cost, meaning not only had no profit been realized but extra costs had been incurred. As Klaus said "Vhy do they let these people
in the country??" Klaus was eventually proven right, but at a very high cost.
On another note, Barbara Hall is a major nutbar from way back when. She was mayor of Toronto for 2 years in the early 90's and was promptly booted out because she dithered about. She has been NDP since before God was born and between her, Jack Layton and his wife, Olivia Chow, have managed to destroy that city. I loved living in Toronto but after their tenure starting in the early 90's, it has gone downhill. There is no respect for private property and the garbage and general appearance of the city has deteriorated. Am very glad that I moved to Calgary 6 years ago.
Johanne Matthew, BID
Calgary, Alberta
SILENCED BY LIBERAL DEMOCRACY
I've been avidly following the "Human Rights" suit, and the use of the institutions of liberal democracy to silence you and other critics of radical Islam. I don't think that enough has been made of the fact that these shenanigans prove, rather than disprove, your point.
James H. Ruhland
Fort Hood, Texas
BOOKSTORE CLERK CONVERTS
Hey Steyn!
I'd like to be at your trial to show my support. And I'm going to buy your tee shirt to wear in the Canadian courtroom.
I bought your book, America Alone, after listening to you on the Michael Medved Show
and another talk show in Seattle (I'm ashamed to say I forgot which one). I've
recommended it to everyone I can.
I was also delighted by the reaction of the cashier in Barnes and Noble, Bellevue,
WA who said he has been meaning to read the book and he was very positive. Even the
left-wing woman on the info desk was favorably disposed!
It ain't all bad out there except in Islamic Canada!
Derek Geldenhuys
Bellevue, Washington
WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE?
I am an American and have only recently started reading Steyns' writings and am
puzzled as to how these quasi-governmental entities exercise their powers concerning
free speech. I understand there are differences between the constitutions and
statutes of the U.S. and Canada but I cannot imagine this nonsense happening in the
U.S. Is this a recent phenomenon in Canada and is there any voter outrage to change
this or does nobody gives a crap like the apathetic creatures in my country?
Rob
Bronx, New York
MODERN BARBARISM
So in France and Canada, you can actually be fined for stating a political opinion -
and presumably jailed if you keep doing it? It's so hard to imagine that kind of
barbarism still rears its ugly head in the modern world.
I have to admit I'm sometimes disappointed by the directions American politics take.
But at least I can thank God every morning that I wasn't born in one of those Third
World Countries.
“k”
LOCK AND LOAD
Have you seen/heard of what ol' B. Bardot has been putting up with in France? Check
out this link if you haven't:
If this crap and what you are going through in CA ever comes to this republic, a lot
of people will be thinking "lock and load". Viva pal.
Lloyd Staats
Essex, Peoples Socialist State of NY
NAKED FLAUNTING
When are the Islamists going to go to the Human Rights Commission and complain about
nude beaches in Europe. Naked men and women together, flaunting their hatred of Muslim values. Maybe that would wake up Europe.
Mike Judge
WASHOUT
When you arrive here in Vancouver be sure to avoid the McDonald's on SE Marine
Drive.
To be absolutely safe, you may want to ask at every restaurant you're at whether
they've been served with an injunction by the BC Human Wrongs Commission!
Robert Werner
Vancouver, British Columbia
GERMS' RIGHTS
Good God! I'm not familiar with relationship between various Canadian courts and
the established law of the land. I really hope I'm incorrect in thinking that
henceforth there is no reason to expect cleanliness in any Canadian food handling
facility. Please explain why I'm wrong!
Daniel O'Neill
New River, Arizona
FRIGHTENING FRAUD
I am quite concerned about the lack of information surrounding the self investigation
of CRCH actions whereby a private citizen's internet access was allegedly appropriated
and false hate messages posted to a Website.
If any citizen engaged in that kind of fraud, and who knows what other criminal
violations, there would be severe penalties.
Do these despicable and frightening acts just get a pass as over enthusiatic high
jinks?
Thank you for considering my alarm.
Jim Peterson
Toronto
POURING WATER ON YOUR ANALYSIS
Sir, your description of that ruling as declaring "the human right of a restaurant
employee not to wash his hands" is either mistaken or disingenuous.
The relevant law in Canada seems to be very similar to American employment/disability
law, at least in principle: employers have to make "reasonable accommodation" of
their employees' "qualified disabilities," unless such accommodation would be an
"undue hardship" on the employer.
The tribunal (whose name seems to tick you off more than anything else -- oh, except
for, also, their having come after you personally, which is a different story; I
don't cotton to their speech suppression *at all*) in this case merely decided
that McDonald's hadn't made a reasonable effort to accommodate her, because they
didn't do a "functional assessment of Ms.Datt's capacity to meet job requirements."
Presumably the tribunal thinks McDonald's should have looked into whether she
could just be put on sweeping detail, or man the cash registers but not touch
the food, etc.
Maybe you disagree with the question of whether their efforts were reasonable,
but that's all that was decided here. There is no new human right declared;
it's simply the application of a general civil rights law (barring employment
discrimination on the basis of a disability) to an odd set of facts. And frankly it's
not a decision that would be at all impossible to get from an American jury - far from it.
In practice, therefore, had McDonald's simply performed (and documented) a
reasonably detailed workplace-based analysis of her ability to work there
with unwashed hands (and presented some, um, "evidence" [testimony, published
public health guidelines, etc.] to support their claim that clean employee
hands are necessary for safe food), then argued that she couldn't,
they'd probably have been on pretty solid ground.
Donald J Judy
PAINSTAKING INVESTIGATION
This is worth checking:
Reuters reports "A Canadian man who claims he was discriminated against as a pagan
who practices a form of sadomasochism will get to take his complaint to a human
rights tribunal."
But best of all is the last sentence:"How can the tribunal determine if BDSM falls
within the meaning of 'sexual orientation' if it does not have a full understanding
of what BDSM means?" Justice Anne Rowles wrote for the three-judge panel."
I wish the three-judge panel the best of luck in pursuing a full understanding of BDSM.
Robert Arvanitis
Westport, Connecticut
LAST WORD
Don't stop !!!!!!
E mailed Macleans. A further request - don't stop with the CHRC. It takes a lot to
arouse me but these jokers do. Makes me wonder if I wasted 20 years of my life
helping to protect these idiots...and I am using the term loosely!
You have definitely touched a very tender spot. ( Yes - I spent time living in the
middle east.....)
Dr. J Piekarsaki DDS Maj (ret) CAF
Saint John, New Brunswick |
