Ken Berwitz

First it was Ezra Levant.  Now it is Mark Steyn

After months of an imbecilic, fascist inquisition inflicted on Steyn by one of Canada's "Human Rights Comissions" (in the states we call them "kangaroo courts") he has been found innocent of hate speech. 

For the record, Steyn's "hate speech" was an opinion piece in Maclean's magazine which was critical of radical Islam - not Islam in its entirety but the radical lunatics within it. (I often express the same criticism in this blog.  Lucky I don't live in Canada). 

These commissions are a pathetic affront to every Canadian who values freedom.  Their effect on free speech has become so profound that Kathy Schaidle and Pete Vere wrote a book about them titled "The Tyranny of Nice".  It has become an immediate bestseller in Canada.

Here is Schaidle's press release regarding Steyn's acquittal:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARK STEYN NOT GUILTY OF “FLAGRANT ISLAMOPHOBIA,”
SAYS TRIBUNAL

AUTHORS OF NEW BOOK ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS
CALL VERDICT THE EXCEPTION WITHIN A SYSTEM
STACKED AGAINST THE ACCUSED

TORONTO (October 10, 2008) — Today, the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal handed down a not-guilty verdict in the case of Maclean’s magazine and its columnist Mark Steyn.

The case, prompted by charges of “flagrant Islamophobia” made against Steyn and Maclean’s by the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC), focused critical attention on Canada’s controversial Human Rights Commissions. Today, the Tribunal ruled that Mark Steyn and Maclean’s did not violate the human rights of the complainants merely by reporting facts and accurately quoting sources.

The Steyn trial, along with other lesser known but equally troubling cases, are chronicled in the new book The Tyranny of Nice: How Canada crushes freedom in the name of human rights, written by Kathy Shaidle and Pete Vere (www.TyrannyOfNice.com)

Authors Kathy Shaidle and Pete Vere commented today on the verdict in the Steyn & Maclean’s case:

“Unfortunately, this decision is only a partial victory for Mark Steyn, Maclean’s magazine and every other writer and publisher in Canada.

“This Kafkaesque trial cost taxpayers dearly, while many Canadians struggle to make ends meet. More importantly, it cost Canada its international reputation as a free, just and tolerant country. While Steyn and Maclean’s won, most defendants are found guilty; the HRCs boast of a nearly 100% rate of conviction.

“We can only hope that this case and all the others chronicled in our book will help make the continued existence of Canada’s out of control, draconian Human Rights Commissions an issue in the coming federal election.

“If elected Prime Minister, what will Stephen Harper, Stephane Dion, Jack Layton or Elizabeth May do to rein in the powers of human rights commissions and protect freedom of speech and freedom of the press?”

Earlier this year, Ezra Levant, another Canadian writer who had the temerity to speak his mind candidly, also was subjected to one of these kangaroo courts.  Like Steyn, he was acquitted.  His reaction to the acquittal was dead on target - and bone-chilling for anyone who values a free society:

“I haven’t been given my freedom of the press. I’ve simply had the government censor approve what I said. That’s a completely different thing.”

High profile people like Levant and Steyn are able generate enough publicity so that their kangaroo courts are watched closely.  And the closer a kangaroo court is watched, the more embarrassed it is to perpetrate its BS.  I have to believe that is the only reason these men - after months of time and untold monetary and emotional cost - have been acquitted. 

Other less well-known victims are not so lucky.  One of them is a Christian pastor named Stephen Boisson, who dared to express his views about the evils of homosexuality and the fact that his religious faith considers it a sin.

As a matter of personal disclosure, I have no problem at all with homosexuality.  And even if I did, it is not my business to judge anyone's else's sexual orientation any more than it is their business to judge mine.  As such I could not disagree more strongly with Mr. Boisson. 

But I certainly recognize his right to disagree with me. There is no reason in the world why Stephen Boisson should be prevented from expressing his opinions/religious beliefs.

If you want to read the insane ruling against Boisson and the unbelievably arbitrary, fascistic, mind-deadening requirements he is being forced to adhere to, just click here.  You won't believe your eyes.

I remember when Canada was a free country.  It was not that long ago.  I hope Canadians can regain their freedom someday soon.