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When "tolerance" trumps freedom
The Denver Post ^ | June 16, 2008 | David Harsanyi

Posted on 06/17/2008 7:02:10 AM PDT by Uncle Ralph

In certain parts of Europe, "hate speech" already is a criminal act. When the late journalist and author Oriana Fallaci wrote books critical of Islam in 2002, she was sued in France. Later, Swiss and Italian judges ordered her to stand trial for "defaming Islam."

In France, Brigitte Bardot — the former film starlet turned animal rights activist — has been convicted five times of "inciting racial hatred." In one instance, her crime was writing a letter to French officials, objecting to the ritual slaughter of sheep by Muslims.

Sheep to the slaughter, sadly, is a perfect analogy for European states that allow Muslim activist groups — which rarely object to the near-complete lack of freedom of expression in the Islamic world — to dictate what is and isn't tolerable speech.

But Canada?

The Mark Steyn affair is the most disturbing demonstration of the creeping authoritarianism of political correctness — not only because of Canada's geographical proximity but also its moral proximity...

(Excerpt) Read more at denverpost.com ...


TOPICS: Canada; Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: crushislam; darkages; davidharsanyi; eu; freespeech; islam; marksteyn
"If the freedom of speech is taken away
then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
-- George Washington.
1 posted on 06/17/2008 7:02:10 AM PDT by Uncle Ralph
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To: Uncle Ralph; Jim Robinson

I absolutely agree with you. Free Republic is one of the greatest examples of free people expressing themselves left in the world today.


2 posted on 06/17/2008 7:04:34 AM PDT by Old Mountain man (Official FR PITA)
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To: Uncle Ralph

Good article. Thanks for posting.

The name of the trojan horse collectivists rode in on is “Hate Speech”.


3 posted on 06/17/2008 7:21:46 AM PDT by PGalt
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To: GMMAC; fanfan

Kangaroo courts ping.


4 posted on 06/17/2008 7:25:21 AM PDT by Squawk 8888 (TSA and DHS are jobs programs for people who are not smart enough to flip burgers)
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To: Squawk 8888; GMMAC; Clive; exg; kanawa; conniew; backhoe; -YYZ-; Former Proud Canadian; ...
Thanks for the ping, Squawk 8888.


5 posted on 06/17/2008 7:31:50 AM PDT by fanfan ("We don't start fights my friends, but we finish them, and never leave until our work is done."PMSH)
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To: fanfan

The Denver Post actually printed this story?

Excuse me while I get my jaw up off the basement floor.

I’m shocked that the old rag would admit that a story like this existed on the planet, let alone print the thing.

Maybe somebody on their staff does have braincells and the tiniest bit of spine/integrity left to start the long trip back to the point that they can claim the title “journalist”. I thought the species had gone extinct.


6 posted on 06/17/2008 7:48:44 AM PDT by Unrepentant VN Vet ("...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed... ")
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To: Unrepentant VN Vet

But, I bet the Denver Post would not print an article critical of the fairness doctrine or some of the things going on right now at the FCC.


7 posted on 06/17/2008 8:22:01 AM PDT by MtnClimber (http://www.jeffhead.com/obama/nobamanation-sticker.jpg)
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To: Unrepentant VN Vet
The Denver Post actually printed this story?

Yes and no ... typical though. Denver Post DID PRINT THIS in the meaning that it is in that paper and they chose to include it. However in your terms of ...

Maybe somebody on their staff does have braincells and the tiniest bit of spine/integrity left to start the long trip back to the point that they can claim the title “journalist”.

No, this is an OPINION PIECE. Not knowing the writer, it may or may not have been a person on the Denver Post staff or a regular or syndicated columnist.

8 posted on 06/17/2008 8:30:59 AM PDT by SES1066 (Cycling to conserve, Conservative to save, Saving to Retire, will Retire to Cycle.)
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To: SES1066; Unrepentant VN Vet
Oops, correction, it IS A STAFF MEMBER OF DENVER POST! The article gives a Denver Post email address - Reach columnist David Harsanyi at 303-954-1255 or dharsanyi@denverpost.com.

My kudos to him and maybe we can give him some "Attaboys"!

9 posted on 06/17/2008 8:35:11 AM PDT by SES1066 (Cycling to conserve, Conservative to save, Saving to Retire, will Retire to Cycle.)
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To: SES1066

Better not identify yourself as a FReeper if or when you do.

Praise from us nasty neocon/racist/capitalist/homophobes is the sure kiss of death.

Next thing you would hear, the poor guy would have had his entire existence declared non-PC.

Add my BRAVO ZULU, anyway.


10 posted on 06/17/2008 8:48:31 AM PDT by Unrepentant VN Vet ("...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed... ")
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To: Unrepentant VN Vet

It is encouraging, isn’t it.


11 posted on 06/17/2008 8:49:54 AM PDT by fanfan ("We don't start fights my friends, but we finish them, and never leave until our work is done."PMSH)
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To: Uncle Ralph

Dear America,

Please attack us now.

I’ll have the cold beer waiting.

Regards,

CC


12 posted on 06/17/2008 8:57:41 AM PDT by Catholic Canadian ( I love Stephen Harper!)
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To: nutmeg

bookmark


13 posted on 06/17/2008 8:59:16 AM PDT by nutmeg (Imagine Commander-in-Chief Barack Hussein Obama)
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To: Catholic Canadian

I’ll take a rain check on that beer until we finish flushing OUR librats, and if you Canuks can get those HRC commissars of yours on the unemployed list, I’ll meet you at the border with my own nice cold case of Montana (real, that is) beer and we can have a joint celebration.


14 posted on 06/17/2008 10:20:27 AM PDT by Unrepentant VN Vet ("...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed... ")
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To: Uncle Ralph

Based on liberal interpretations of the 2nd Amendment, and the proliferation of hate speech legislation, Free Speech will soon be reserved for the Government Printing Office.


15 posted on 06/17/2008 11:30:59 AM PDT by PsyOp (Truth in itself is rarely sufficient to make men act. - Clauswitz, On War, 1832.)
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To: Unrepentant VN Vet

Alright, sounds good, then we’ll do some sporting clays....


16 posted on 06/18/2008 8:19:20 AM PDT by Catholic Canadian ( I love Stephen Harper!)
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