Friday, January 18, 2008

Why I'm Such A Strong Supporter of the 1st Amendment

Without vigorous defense of the 1st Amendment, you get what's currently happening in Canada.

Ezra Levant was one of the few publishers in Canada to reprint the notorious “Mohammed cartoons” in 2006. Two years later, he’s been hauled before a “human rights officer” to explain why offending the delicate sensibilities of sharia-minded imams is legal, legitimate and necessary. Heather Cook reports on Levant’s video-captured testimony.


Here's what Levant said in his opening testimony:

I am here at this government interrogation under protest. It is my position that the government has no legal or moral authority to interrogate me or anyone else for publishing these words and pictures... I believe that this commission has no proper authority over me. The commission was meant as a low-level, quasi-judicial body to arbitrate squabbles about housing, employment and other matters, where a complainant felt that their race or sex was the reason they were discriminated against. The commission was meant to deal with deeds, not words or ideas. Now the commission, which is funded by a secular government, from the pockets of taxpayers of all backgrounds, is taking it upon itself to be an enforcer of the views of radical Islam.


Mark Steyn is suffering similar persecution--and let's be clear, it is persecution. We Americans need to pay close attention.

1 comment:

Happy Elf Mom (Christine) said...

Scary. I just blogged about some lady protesting abortion being forced to undergo psychiatric evals by the court! Things are way out of hand on both sides of the border. I'm with you on the first amendment protection of all speech that is not immediately dangerous (you know what I mean... the "fire" analogy or telling the enemy where the troops are etc.)