Posted on 02/16/2006 9:33:52 AM PST by canadianally
A Letter from the only magazine of Canada to reprint the cartoons:
Dear Western Standard reader,
By now you have probably heard about our decision to publish the Danish cartoons -- those same cartoons that have been the excuse for riots around the world.
We believe that reprinting the cartoons is essential to properly telling that news story, which is why we did it. We also published them as a symbol of our freedom of the press, and in defiance of those around the world who would censor us through threats of violence.
I've never been more proud of our magazine.
Not everyone is happy with us, of course. A Calgary Muslim leader has reported us to the police, trying to get them to charge me with hate crimes. He has also filed a complaint against us with the human rights commission on the same grounds. Ironically, he has called our freedom of the press "intellectual terrorism".
Those are nuisance suits, of course. But the idea is to cost us money and time, break our spirit, erode our freedom of speech, and teach a lesson to all other media: that anyone who doesn't censor themselves will be made to wish they did.
The threats are working. Already, many Canadian magazine retailers who normally carry the Western Standard have caved in, announcing -- even before they see our new issue -- that they won't put us on their shelves. Again, the purpose of the censors is obvious: hurt our magazine economically, and make an example of us as a warning to all other media.
That's why I'm writing to you today: to ask for your help. Please do three things:
1. Let me know how you feel.
If you support our magazine's decision, let me know. Send me an e-mail to info@westernstandard.ca and I'll share it with the rest of our staff, to help buoy their spirits as we face this hurricane, to let them know we're not alone.
2. Encourage your local retailer to stock the Western Standard
Magazine retailers need to know that you value freedom of the press and your freedom to make up your own mind, and to not be censored by them or anyone else. Ask them to stock the magazine, or even to order it in just for you. You'll not only help us survive the boycott, but you'll put some steel in the spine of your local retailer.
3. Help us out directly.
If you're not yet a subscriber, now's the time to sign up -- a subscription is 37% cheaper than buying the magazine at the newsstand, and the money goes directly to us. If you're already a subscriber, consider renewing your subscription today, or extending your subscription, or even joining one of our clubs for enthusiasts by becoming a Sustaining Subscriber or a member of the Publisher's Circle.
You can find out more and do all of that right online, at http://www.westernstandard.ca/subscribe
It's fast, easy and secure -- and it helps us stay strong, and keep growing.
When we started the Western Standard nearly two years ago, I never imagined that we would have been at the center of a fight for our culture's basic freedoms -- or that the rest of Canada's media would be so silent, leaving us to fight this fight by ourselves.
But we're not all by ourselves. We have you.
Thank you for your help -- I look forward to your e-mails.
Yours truly,
Ezra Levant Publisher
P.S. The best way to help us right now is to click on http://www.westernstandard.ca/subscribe
Support Free Speech Ping!
Yeah, and support Danish products!!!
I went to the store to get carlsberg, which they didn't have. So I started checking mfg's and found Brummen, which is made in Holland. Pretty good beer.
Air Canada will not carry WS on its flights. Just chalk that up to reason 101 I will never fly with Air Canada.
Chapters-Indigo was one of the first to pull WS.
Just sent him an email with my support!
I agree about the article, but this part of your reply confused me. What were you trying to say?
Her point, although it may have been in jest, is that the US has justification to go to war against Syria, since it has sponsored attacks on the Danish embassy.
Dear Mr. Levant,
With reference to your letter of Feb 1, 2006, I absolutely support your decision to publish the cartoons in question. I will further support your paper for doing so by subscribing to it. Shame on all those who claim to be for free speech but are allowing themselves to be intimidated into silence.
Here’s something you can do for me (and others). I already avoid Chapters Indigo like the plague because of Heather Reisman’s penchant for pushing both liberal/Liberal points of view while doing her utmost to squelch any form of conservative views. All one has to do is walk into the store it is immediately obvious… a proliferation of Michael Moore books down the centre section on tables (and Chapters tells me that Ms. Reisman personally selects what goes there) while anything that has any hint of a conservative point of view is nowhere to be found in the store. I know people that are totally amazed that such books exist because they are like a phantom never to be found. How the shareholders put up with it is a complete mystery.
What I would like to see is a complete listing of the book/magazine/paper sellers like Crapters who have pulled the Western Standard off the racks. Boycotts work two ways and I want to be the first to say that I am now going out of my way to buy Danish products AND will not buy at any store that pulls your paper for the stand you have taken. As a matter of fact, I realized this weekend that I needed a couple of pairs of dress shoes and the only company I’m going to consider is Ecco for no other reason than they are made in Denmark.
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