The Thought Vox

Conservative political commentator, Ann Coulter’s University of Ottawa appearance was canceled for “safety reasons” after 2000 gathered to protest her presence.

Coulter is no stranger to controversy. She is infamous for using inflammatory language to make political points, or perhaps, to garner attention/sales for her anti-Liberal books.

Coulter’s London Ontario speaking engagement fueled the latest public backlash. During that appearance a 17 year-old Muslim girl asked Coulter if she should be “converted to Christianity” and what mode of transportation she should use for travel, as she didn’t “own a magic carpet.” These questions, inspired by previous statements Coulter made in an interview with, The Guardian:

“We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity…”

“I think airlines ought to start advertising: ‘We have the most civil rights lawsuits brought against us by Arabs.’ ” As to how Muslims would travel, Coulter said, “They could use flying carpets.”

When prompted by the crowd to answer the 17 year-old student/Canadian Citizen’s question Coulter said,

“Take a camel. Next question…”

Prior to Coulters trek into Canada she was sent the following letter from the University of Ottawa:

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.

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.

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,

Francois Houle,
Vice-President Academic and Provost, University of Ottawa

The letter was “mysteriously” leaked to Conservative US news factions and Coulter, who abhors “Liberal victims,” claimed to be the victim of a “Hate Crime.” The letter has stirred up questions/arguments about freedom of speech. There are those who say we don’t have to agree with what Coulter says, but she has a right to say it. Coulter, it seems, is not in agreement with this notion:

“[Democrats are] always accusing us of repressing their speech. I say let’s do it. Let’s repress them. Frankly, I’m not a big fan of the First Amendment.” ~ Coulter on free speech, 10/20/05

I believe people are entitled to their opinions, and should have the right to express those opinions: to a point. We have laws in this country (Canada) about hate speak. Those laws were made for reasons of safety and human rights/equality. Anyone who advocates hatred towards another group of people should be held accountable in a just society.

Stated in the Hate Provisions section of the Criminal Code of Canada:

Section 319(1): Public Incitement of Hatred
The crime of “publicly inciting hatred” has four main elements. To contravene the Code, a person must:
. communicate statements,
. in a public place,
. incite hatred against an identifiable group,
. in such a way that there will likely be a breach of the peace.
Under section 319, “communicating” includes communicating by telephone, broadcasting or other audible or visible means; a “public place” is one to which the public has access by right or invitation, express or implied; and “statements” means words (spoken, written or recorded), gestures, and signs or other visible representations.

All the above elements must be proven for a court to find an accused guilty of either:
. an indictable offence, for which the punishment is imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years; or
. an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Section 319(2) defines the additional offence of communicating statements, other than in private conversation, that wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group.

Section 319(3) identifies acceptable defences. Indicates that no person shall be convicted of an offence if the statements in question:
. are established to be true
. were relevant to any subject of public interest, the discussion of which was for the public benefit, and if on reasonable grounds it was believed to be true
. were expressed in good faith, it was attempted to establish by argument and opinion on a religious subject
. were expressed in good faith, it was intended to point out, for the purpose of removal, matters tending to produce feelings of hatred toward an identifiable group in Canada

It could be argued that Coulter communicates statements, “in a public place, that incite hatred against an identifiable groups, in such a way that there will likely be a breach of the peace.” There was a definitely a breach of peace in Ottawa on March 23rd.

Describing herself Coulter once quipped,

“I’m a Christian first and a mean-spirited, bigoted conservative second, and don’t you ever forget it.”

She’s infamous for her mean spirited blurting against others who are not just like her. Here are a few more of Coulter’s thoughts on Muslims:

“I believe our motto should be after 9/11: Jihad monkey talks tough; jihad monkey takes the consequences. Sorry, I realize that’s offensive. How about ‘camel jockey’? What? Now what’d I say? Boy, you tent merchants sure are touchy. Grow up, would you?”

“They’re never very high in anyone’s caste system, are they? Poor little Pakis.” (8/16/04)

“Bumper sticker idea for liberals: ‘News magazines don’t kill people, Muslims do.’” (5/18/05)

“I think our motto should be, post-9-11, ‘raghead talks tough, raghead faces consequences.’” (2/10/06)

“Six imams removed from a US Airways flight from Minneapolis to Phoenix are calling on Muslims to boycott the airline. If only we could get Muslims to boycott all airlines, we could dispense with airport security altogether.” (11/22/06)

In addition to her outlandish behavior, Coulter is often criticized for misquoting people to serve her own agenda. As well as making blanket generalizations that are not based on fact. Case in point:

“Not all Muslims may be terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims.” (9/28/01)

The notion that “all terrorists are Muslims,” is absurd! Here’s a list of just a few terrorists/acts of terrorism in recent history, having ZERO Muslim connection:

Ku Klux Klan – (KKK)- used violence, arson, and murder to further its white supremacist, anti-Communist, anti-semitic and anti-Catholic agenda.

Neo-Nazis/ White Power Skinheads – Domestic terrorists with agendas similar to the KKK

Unabomber – American Math Professor, Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski (from 1978-1995) sent letter bombs to academics and individuals associated with modern technology.

Oklahoma City bombing – right-wing extremists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols killed 168 people (truck bomb) – the deadliest domestic-based terrorist attack in US history.

Centennial Olympic Park bombing – July 27, 1996 Atlanta, Georgia, Eric Robert Rudolph, former explosives expert for the United States Army, sets of bomb. Two people died, and 111 were injured.

2001 anthrax attacks – 2001 Letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to several news media offices and two Democratic U.S. Senators, killing five people and infecting 17 others. FBI narrowed its focus to Bruce Edwards Ivins, a scientist who worked at the government’s biodefense labs at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. Ivins was told of the impending prosecution and on July 27 committed suicide.

Holocaust Memorial Museum shooting – 2009 James W. Von Brunn, 88, from Maryland, believed to have ties to neo-Nazi groups, opened fire in the Washington museum, killing one guard.

“My only regret with Timothy McVeigh is he did not go to the New York Times building.” ~ Coulter on McVeigh (8/26/02)

To assume that Coulter only takes issue with Muslims would be incorrect. She seems to take umbrage with all those who are not just like her. Some more of her scandalous quotes have been aimed at gays, immigrants, single mothers, mixed race celebrities, Canadians, and Jews.

“If Gore had been elected president, right now he would just be finding that last lesbian quadriplegic for the Special Forces team.” (10/14/04)

“I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word “faggot,” so I – so kind of an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards.” (3/2/07)

“And why is it “homophobic” for Senate Republicans to look askance at sex in public bathrooms? Is the Times claiming that sodomy in public bathrooms is the essence of being gay? I thought gays just wanted to get married to one another and settle down in the suburbs so they could visit each other in the hospital.” (9/5/07)

“I’d build a wall. In fact, I’d hire illegal immigrants to build the wall. And throw out the illegals who are here. It’s cheap labor.” (4/14/06)

[Canadians] better hope the United States does not roll over one night and crush them. They are lucky we allow them to exist on the same continent.” (11/30/04)

Coulter is often questioned as to whether she is serious, or just attempting to shock people. Regarding her comment about Jews needing to be “perfected,” she was serious. When shit hit the fan, Coulter did what she often does: Accused the Liberal Media of taking her out of context. A lawyer, Coulter is gifted where “double-speak” is concerned.

“No, we just want Jews to be perfected, as they say…. that’s what Christianity is. We believe the Old Testament, but ours is more like Federal Express. You have to obey laws. That is what Christians consider themselves: perfected Jews. We believe the Old Testament. As you know from the Old Testament, God was constantly getting fed up with humans for not being able to live up to all the laws. What Christians believe — this is just a statement of what the New Testament is — is that that’s why Christ came and died for our sins. Christians believe the Old Testament. You don’t believe our testament.” (10/8/07)

There was another fellow, in history, who thought Jews should be “cleansed.” “perfecting Jews,” may be less violent/less an act of madness, yet, it is no less offensive! Coulter should just cram all of her bullshit into one condensed volume and title it “Mein Kampf: The Sequel ~ If You Aren’t A WASP, Get Off My Planet!”

“I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord.” ~ Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf

OPEN LETTER TO A SELF PROCLAIMED BIGOT:

Dearest Ms. Coulter,

You have the right to hate who you want, but don’t expect to come to Canada and feel entitled to a forum to spread that hatred.

In the end we all face the Divine Creator. We all answer for our behavior during our earthly visit. You may want to consider dialing down the “wrath” side of Christianity and try embracing the “compassion” side for a wee while. You are an educated, woman; yet when you go off on one of your tangents, I find that the only difference between you and that nutter, Shirley Phelps-Roper, is that you have better lighting and a more expensive wardrobe. This is not something to aspire to.

Sure, you’ve made millions off your books, but you seem to be angry all of the time. I can’t imagine this makes for a good quality of life. Nevertheless, I wish you well. I also wish you off Canadian soil.

It’s closing time ~ you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here…

Warmest Regards,
Pamela

ANN COULTER ~ IN HER OWN WORDS:

Toronto “the clean” is fast becoming: Toronto: the stinky dung heap. Not only is it unhealthy and disgusting, it’s an unnecessary shame. Yes: this is the point where I piss off the union/sanitation workers.

On June 22nd 24,000 city workers walked off the job due to a contract dispute. Tomorrow marks one month without trash pickup, water and sewage workers, and city run daycare. The main issues include job security, seniority/scheduling, and a sick leave plan that would remove employees’ ability to bank sick days and cash them out.

Job security is a myth. Nobody has a guaranteed position for life; not even undertakers, whose services will always be necessary. A huge amount of NON-UNION workers (who work their arses off for far LESS pay) don’t even get sick days. Nor, is everybody guaranteed health benefits. Lots of good people work shit jobs for little respect or reward. Expecting to get some guarantee in life is a lot to ask. I don’t know what it is that makes government employees so special that they should be guaranteed more than the rest of us. However, I’m open to explanation. Anyone?

I appreciate a job well done by anyone. I don’t feel I’m better than anyone or above doing any sort of work. I’ve slugged away on 12hr shifts in a factory, I’ve been a dishwasher, retail sales associate, nightclub DJ, team leader in the financial district, and a production manager in aerospace overhaul. Never ONCE was I quarantined a position for any length of time. Not in “unskilled” labor positions, and not in “Educated” management positions.

After 9-11, when commercial aircraft travel took a substantial hit, my company had to cut benefits and all bonus programs. The choice was: make cuts or lay off. Most of us were happy to still have jobs. The benefits we lost were supposed to be back in 6 months. When I left 5.5 years later they had not been reinstated. Why? The drop in the US dollar killed our revenue, with 99% of our clients paying in US funds.

What’s my point? Again: There are NO guarantees in life. Things come at us out of nowhere. Stomping our feet and demanding more money is not a human right. It would be nice if life were that easy – alas, it isn’t. To the guy working at MacDonald’s for $9 an hour, I’m pretty sure that $18 – $25 looks pretty good, even without a contract. I’m also pretty sure he isn’t treated with any more respect than sanitation workers. Working in the service industry is tough. Some people are assholes and service jobs are the front line.

There is a lot to be said for living within ones means. I use to live a fancier life, when I had a corporate income. I lived in a more expensive neighborhood, had a car, went on trips, bought what I wanted, went to the dentist, had my eyes checked, bought groceries every week, etc. Things changed, life threw me a curve ball or two and I had a CHOICE: sit and feel sorry for my self after I lost everything, OR, make my life fit my miniscule budget. I chose plan B.

Money is a comfort. It gives us the security of a food and shelter. Outside of the necessities, money is merely a convenience/comfort. I would like to have a lot more of it, who wouldn’t? However, I refuse to sit and lament about what I haven’t got when I have so much that really counts.

My friends are largely made up of creative sorts. I’m not going to get into net worth here, but I can safely say: We’ve all struggled/struggle with finances from time to time. We could all use a few more dollars to make life more manageable. Yet, we don’t spend time doing the “woe is me, I’m broke,” song and dance. Mainly because it’s energy wasted on a fact that isn’t easily changed. I believe we’ve spent more time laughing about how broke-arse we are on the days we have to scrape together transit fare.

The beauty of having a group of friends who love each other is: We do things for each other all the time. The barter system seems to have come into play, unintentionally. We trade the things we’re good at with each other. For instance: My BFF Jake does my hair, and I help him with edits and whatever else I can do. My pal Glamma does my tattoo work and I take photos/do web edits when he needs them. Nobody is keeping score of who does what for whom – we just instinctively give each other a hand up when needed.

None of us is going without a meal, or a place to sleep. There are times when we’ve been without homes, but we’ve NEVER been on the street. There is a big difference!

Stuff is just stuff. If you are struggling with a big mortgage, sell the house you can’t afford and move to a neighborhood you can afford. Lay off meals in restaurants, cut out $5 coffees, don’t buy the shoes you don’t need, cut back on the cigarettes, video games and toys your kids don’t play with, and live within your means.

I hope the strike doesn’t go on for a second month. I hope the city workers can settle on a sense of “security” and realize that it’s more than most will ever have. Mainly I hope that people will start to give more to each other without money changing hands. Lets return to the old days of: “I give you two chickens and you give me a house.”

When you give with a free hand the unexpected rewards that come your way are amazing!

Canada is the true Land of the Free – Home of the Gay

This is a sad day for the state of California. It is a setback in the quest for equality in a country that prides itself on being free. I have friends in California, some straight; some gay: all in favor of equal rights for everyone.

I’ve been watching the news and following the explosion of thoughts on twitter. There was a PRO 8 minister on CNN. He went straight to the argument about marriage being between a man and a woman. Then he went to the natural progression: People will want to marry animals and children. This is the leap that always astounds me. I’ve never met a queer who said they wanted to marry a goat or a child. This concept seems to be in the minds of good upstanding heterosexual Christians. I have to say: it’s a LOT warped the way some people think.

The “sanctity of marriage” has not been well respected by heterosexuals. Divorce rates are what? 50%? Men and women mess around all the time. Some cultures encourage concubines. Seriously! What is it that two women or two men can POSSIBLY do to besmirch the sanctity of marriage?

This minister also said that it is proven that “The strongest families in America have a man and a women” at the helm. Again, SERIOUSLY? This guy has to check his statistics. There are rehabs filled with kids from “Normal” homes. There is NO recipe for a solid family with stable kids. We do the best we can and hope the lessons are learned.

I am from a broken home. My mother had the sense to leave my alcoholic father and give my sister and I the chance for a good life. My sister and I have done well. She, with her “Natural :Opposite Marriage,” and me with my queer life.

Sonia Sotomayor, a woman from Bronx, raised in poverty by her single mother (her father died when she was nine) is the next appointee to the Supreme Court. We are who we are and we become what we can be regardless of who our parents are. The best is IN US – it is up to us to unleash it.

I believe today’s upholding of Proposition Hate is a setback. It may take years more to right this wrong, but it will happen. There are those who would happily still own blacks as slaves of they could. But they cant! That hideous practice, once condoned buy the governing bodies, is dead and gone. One day the hideous practice of hindering equal rights, condoned by the government, will also be a thing of the past.

Stonewall. June 28, 1969. It has taken us 40 years to come this far. Momentum is gaining. There will be equality for all: it will not take another 40 years. My prediction: 10 years tops.

I’m with you in spirit, California!

I was not up to being at City Hall in Toronto to support the Coalition Government, but Joey was there and I was with him in spirit.

He has posted a great blog about his experience spending time with Feist, Ashley Macisaac, Broken Social Scene, & Mary Walsh. For a write up about his experience and some great photos head over to his page and have a read. Also leave a comment if you have an opinion on the subject one way or another. Apparently he and Ashley argued (in a civil manner) in favor of and against the Coalition; for more about this: http://www.shelloftheuniverse.com

I watched the US election results along with the world, hoping and praying for an Obama Presidential win. My friends and I welled up as president-elect Barack Obama spoke about renewed hope for the future. To see people celebrating the world over was uplifting. The thought that estranged leaders might extend an olive branch and begin peace talks seems possible. Something monumental happened at 11pm November 4th, 2008. Something not seen since 1961 when an Irish Catholic named John F, Kennedy won the Whitehouse. Though I am Canadian, watching Obama, I felt like I won – like hope won!

In a bittersweet turn, just hours after Obama spoke the words,

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,”

Proposition 8 has passed in California; this, on the heels of Florida and Arizona supporting a gay marriage ban, and Arkansas banning fostering or adoption by gay couples. Throw- away kids, it seems, are better off as orphans who feel unwanted as opposed to being taken in by people who want to love and nurture them.

‘CHANGE HAS COME TO AMERICA.’ This was the basis of Mr. Obama’s victory speech. He spoke of slavery and freedom. He spoke of blacks and women getting the right to vote. He spoke of the change that is to come and equality for Americans. I was moved by his words, yet disheartened by the numbers filtering in on the Prop 8 initiative in California; which I don’t believe should have been on the ballot. When the Supreme Court passes a human right it is passed and should never be overturned. The abolition of slavery was a human rights issue – what if the religious rite wanted to challenge it today?

Until 1954 the Supreme Court upheld the “Separate But Equal” notion that blacks were no longer slaves and were to be treated equal, but not completely equal in that segregation was legal. This argument was held up because the bible stated that blacks were not completely human and they were to be owned and beaten within an inch of life if they didn’t behave. (Some verses used to enslave: Acts 17:26, Leviticus 25:44, and I Timothy 6:1)

Things started to change when Brown vs. the Board of Education forced the boundaries of Segregation. Yet as recent as 1965 Religious fundamentalist Rev. Jerry Falwell was speaking pro-segregation. He gave a sermon at Thomas Road Baptist Church criticizing Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, which he often called the Civil Wrongs Movement, as it was against God. Thankfully the Civil Rights Movement was successful and blacks began to see the rights and respect that was deserved.

There was also a time when blacks and whites were not allowed to marry. In 1869 The Georgia Supreme Court based its interracial marriage ban on natural law, stating that,

“the God of nature made it otherwise, and no human law can produce it, and no human tribunal can enforce it.”

Maryland was the first state to lift the ban on interracial marriage in 1964. South Carolina didn’t remove the ban on interracial marriage until Nov 3rd, 1998. Only 10 years ago. When Barak Obama was born in 1961 his white mother and black father were breaking the law in many states (by being married). Ironically, a biracial man is now slated to be leader of the United States.

At this time many of the religious rite state that gays should be “tolerated” as sinners who are ill – and the bible says so. The powers that be in religious circles want gays to have limited human rights. Just as they demanded blacks have limited human rights because it was Gods will. The hatred makes me tired. Lesbian and gay rights groups have started filing lawsuits challenging the validity of Proposition 8.

It is times like this that I wonder, “Who’s Next?” It seems that when one people is liberated religious leaders and governing bodies have a need to find someone else to oppress. Many of these leaders are men of “freedom.” It is my sincere wish that these people in power take a look backward and realize that the same arguments that held them down are now being turned on the LBGT community.

The world needs change that respects the dignity of all human beings.