A Dagger in the Heart of Freedom

Ive been following the story of Mark Steyn and the death of free speech in Canada for about a week now and I must say, it completely beggars belief. Melanie Phillips gives you the brief overlook of the story along with her impressions, which are worth your time.

Details and thoughts after the jump.

Here it is in a nutshell. Steyn wrote an exemplary book called America Alone in which he put forward “…the notion that Islamic culture is incompatible with Canada’s liberalized, Western civilization”. He then spent much of his book proving that thesis using such common examples as honor killings, violent suppression of free speech and free exercise of any religion that isn’t Islam, oppression and violence against young women and gay people, all of which are commanded nearly without contradiction from madrassas all over the Western world. Most Western government are not only silent about all of this but they are in many ways actively encouraging it. Steyn’s point is that these things, which are not minor points of the Islamic faith, are entirely incompatible with modern and free civilization.

He is exactly right. But more importantly, he is entitled to say these things without fear of governmental coercion. Unfortunately, though, his government does not agree. Thanks to an egregious decision by the cowards in the Canadian government who prize the tepid gruel of multiculturalism over everything, he will have to stand before a so-called Human Rights Commission an answer for his words. It is patently ridiculous that he should have to do so. It is anathema to everything a freedom-loving and open society represents that an author should stand before a government court and face potential criminal penalties for writing a book.

If my friends on the left are looking for suppression of dissent and the crushing of artistic freedom, I suggest they look to the north. I’m sure Mr. Steyn will need some help raising money for his defense and their money, when it is needed, would be very welcome.

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Category: Alliances and Allies, Cool Columnists and Wicked Writers, Fighting the Islamists