Posted on 03/21/2010 9:56:28 PM PDT by Entropy Squared
Ann Coulter is currently on a speaking tour in Canada. She will be speaking in Ottawa on Tuesday and a far leftist official from the University of Ottawa has sent her a notice of pre-emptive censorship.
There may be fireworks in Ottawa to great Ann.
Full text of letter to Ann Coulter:
Dear Ms. Coulter,I understand that you have been invited by University of Ottawa Campus Conservatives to speak at the University of Ottawa this coming Tuesday. We are, of course, always delighted to welcome speakers on our campus and hope that they will contribute positively to the meaningful exchange of ideas that is the hallmark of a great university campus. We have a great respect for freedom of expression in Canada, as well as on our campus, and view it as a fundamental freedom, as recognized by our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I would, however, like to inform you, or perhaps remind you, that our domestic laws, both provincial and federal, delineate freedom of expression (or free speech) in a manner that is somewhat different than the approach taken in the United States. I therefore encourage you to educate yourself, if need be, as to what is acceptable in Canada and to do so before your planned visit here. You will realize that Canadian law puts reasonable limits on the freedom of expression. For example, promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges. Outside of the criminal realm, Canadian defamation laws also limit freedom of expression and may differ somewhat from those to which you are accustomed. I therefore ask you, while you are a guest on our campus, to weigh your words with respect and civility in mind. There is a strong tradition in Canada, including at this University, of restraint, respect and consideration in expressing even provocative and controversial opinions and urge you to respect that Canadian tradition while on our campus. Hopefully, you will understand and agree that what may, at first glance, seem like unnecessary restrictions to freedom of expression do, in fact, lead not only to a more civilized discussion, but to a more meaningful, reasoned and intelligent one as well.
I hope you will enjoy your stay in our beautiful country, city and campus.
Sincerely,
François Houle. ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ Vice-recteur aux études / Vice-President Academic and Provost Université dOttawa / University of Ottawa 550, rue Cumberland Street Ottawa (ON) K1N 6N5 téléphone / telephone : 613 562-5737 télécopieur / fax : 613 562-5103 www.uOttawa.ca/vr-etudes-academic
Fascist baste-rd.
Bomb Canada.
>>Hopefully, you will understand and agree that what may, at first glance, seem like unnecessary restrictions to freedom of expression do, in fact, lead not only to a more civilized discussion, but to a more meaningful, reasoned and intelligent one as well. <<
No, they just lead to fascism. Free speech for me but not for thee.
“in a manner that is somewhat different than the approach taken in the United States.”
Yes.
We have freedom.
They do not.
Too many of these Canadian embrace fascist solutions for my comfort. Eventually we’ll have to go up there and rid that country of such notions. Presumably we’ll rid our own countrymen of the same ideas.
ping
The censors in Canada are on a rampage. They have now progressed from censoring words that have already been written to censoring words that may someday be spoken.
. . .
. . .
...
What country have you been living in recently?
>>Presumably well rid our own countrymen of the same ideas.<<
Not until 2010 at the earliest — and, God willing, 2012 at the latest.
I wonder what would happen if they tried to press charges against Ann?
I have many customers up there and they all think the Clintons and Obama’s are loved universally in the U.S.
I tell them to take their collective heads out of the anus of CNN and MSNBC.
Shouldn’t François Houle be arrested for hatefully threatening American visitors?
I’m scared to visit Canada now!
We should have the British and French bastards out of Canada 200 years ago. We should block those damned Canucks from wintering in our country. I’ll be on a look out for them on the road and might make their journey back to Canada a little more interesting.
It's unlikely they would dare, the official censors have been taking a beating by the public lately in Canada so they would likely be too cowardly to try to take on Ann Coulter. I think for the most part this was a threat for domestic consumption.
That Canadian bitch should be brought up on charges for her hate speech in her letter.
Of course at a university, the restrictions on speech should be even less. They should tolerate and encourage the expression of event the most fringe ideas.
At least, that’s what they say when a Marxist advocates violence.
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