On a previous thread on the Steyn / Maclean fiasco,
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2028489 "O Stalinoid Canada"
I posted the following ...
Yet Canadians tout their "CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS" as their equivalent of our "Bill of Rights" and better because it is modern and reflects the high ideals of the United Nations. The pertinent part of this document follows;
FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS.
2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
(d) freedom of association.
Now to me in my ignorance, it appears that in Mr.Steyn & Maclean Magazine's case, they should simply stand, plead "Article 2b of the Canadian Charter and then sit down. Of course, I am neither Canadian or a "Queen's Counsel", [Where is Rumpole when you need him anyway?]
Sir, I think that you and I are in full agreement. What a travesty of culture to sell your freedoms for domestic 'feel good'. I wonder how well these would operate under Sharia Law?
Virtually every Communist and Fascist state had (and has) pleasant-sounding stuff in their constitutions about freedom of speech, freedom of religion, etc. But there was always some weasel-words about “maintaining public order and respect” that fatally undermined those guarantees. Same thing about the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.