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Saturday, February 23, 2008
Make free speech an election issue in Alberta
In her column in today’s Calgary Herald, Licia Corbella calls on Albertans to make free speech an election issue.
It's time our most basic right became an election issue
It's time freedom of expression became an election issue and Albertans secured a promise from Stelmach to protect it. As his quote would indicate, he needs help understanding what needs to be done, so let's tell him. Call him and tell him you want Section 3(1)(b) removed from Alberta's human rights act. Tell him you want him to stand up for your most fundamental right.
You can call 780-427-2251 or toll free at 310-0000 and ask for the premier's office. Because of the election, his e-mail address is shut down. However, you can fax him at 780-427-1349. Or send a letter to: Premier Ed Stelmach, Executive Branch, 307 Legislature Building, 10800 97th Ave., Edmonton, AB T5K 2B7.
Democracy requires free speech. By practising both now, you'll help protect both for the future.
If any Western Standard readers know of Alberta candidates who are committed to at least removing Section 3(1)(b) from the human rights act, let us know.
Posted by Matthew Johnston on February 23, 2008 | Permalink
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Comments
I'm running as an Indpendent in Calgary Lougheed, and yes, free speech/abuse of HRCs is a very big issue for me.
The problem is trying to get a message out there. The local PC candidate is apparently "to busy" to attend anything so banal as an all-candidates forum.
The Herald, itself, has been running considerably behind in terms of keeping current in the "nominated candidates" section of their Alberta Votes section of the paper. The Leaders, themselves, are not making this an issue so the PCs are getting a free ride on this issue.
Can this be the very same Licia Corbella who a very short time ago was writing (editorial) how allowing a kirpan into the courthouse is fine - if there is a rule against this then it should be changed in the name of "gracious accommodation" (her words).
I talked with her on the phone a couple weeks ago about the HRC issue and she pretty much dismissed me as - you know, we have put out a lot of items on this issue and if you missed it then there is not much I can do about it. Right. Count them up. I guess better late than never for her to put in some kind of an appearance - after the CAJ has come out.
G. Keith Laurie
gkeithlaurie.com
Independent - Calgary Lougheed
Posted by: calgary clipper | 23-Feb-08 10:32:44 AM
...two things.
One, Liberal infest. From just walking around my neighbourhood here in Scenic Acres, I can't believe the amount of those red VOTE Liberal signs up. Good thing I use a water filtration system in our house...
Two. Licia. While I appreciate her article, I'm not sure where she stands on things when she started calling the Polish guy who got tasered to death at YVR mental.
Posted by: tomax7 | 23-Feb-08 11:24:31 AM
Keith and Tomax,
Why do you shift the issue from that of free speech to whether or not Licia Corbella is a good guy or a bad guy? So she disagrees with one of you on kirpans and with the other on tasers. Whoop-dee-freakin'-doo. Licia Corbella is not the issue. Section 3(1)(b) of the AHR&MA is. Please try to focus, people! Even if the column had been written by a neo-nazi it would be a good one and one worth getting behind. Leave the ad hominem to others. It's just a pointless diversion.
Matthew,
Thanks for spreading the word on this. I hope many people write or call about it. It would be nice to see it actually gain some traction.
Posted by: Fact Check | 23-Feb-08 11:48:01 AM
tomax7: You think he wasn't mental? He sure acted like it.
I hope to raise this question of the HRA at an all candidates forum in my area. My guess is I'll get a few blank stares though.
Posted by: Markalta | 23-Feb-08 12:56:15 PM
Free Speech should also be an issue in the next Federal Election. Let's see if ANY of the Politicians have the Courage to say they want to dump the Human Rights Commissars.(HRCs) Somehow, I don't think they will. Canada is NOT a free country until these HRCs are given the BOOT along with many cowardly politicians who hide behind these COMMISSARS.
Posted by: Stephen J. Gray | 23-Feb-08 1:23:09 PM
Lisha Corbella of the Herald calls free speech the "most basic right". It is not. Property rights are. As long as this is misunderstood by Canadians and their dim media editorialists like Ms Corbella, free speech will remain elusive forever. You can tinker with subsections of bad human rights laws, but you will never get to the root of the problem.
I am surprised the Western Standard has now thrown in behind tinkerers and confused people like Corballa at the Calgary newspaper.
Ms Corballa calls the threat to free speech in Canada "Saudi or Syrian values"? Really? Did Saudis or Syrians set up the HRCs in the country of Canada? Or did Canadians, very like Lish Corballa, who dont understand what freedom or property rights are?
If Calgary Herald is leading media outlet in province of Alberta, then freedom will be very far away. The Weestern Standard was supposed to speak the words that the MSM would not... not parrot the silliness of Corballa at the Herald.
Posted by: Paul Chan | 23-Feb-08 2:59:21 PM
Markalta, The Polish man who was killed in the Vancouver airport was a chain smoker and he had not had a cigarette all day. He was strssed and perhaps he had taken too many nicotine laced drugs to 'help him through the day'(remember mother's little helper song)? The lack of tobacco would likely not have been a problem if he had found his Mom. His mom had been sent home, this man had lived under Communism...his nerves were cracking up and some people have the Gaul to call him 'mental'.
You maybe like your Premier's bazarre anti tobacco new ban to put the big boot to all smokers of tobacco. NO respect for individual or property rights...Comrade Ed approves of crow barring open the doors of private trucks to see if the owner of that truck was 'illigally' smoking a legal product inside...on the public roads of Alta..in Canada..I'm not making this up...
Eddie has already shown, by his actions, which side of the Liberty question he sits on....why ask?
Posted by: jema54j | 23-Feb-08 3:09:16 PM
Sorry for my spelling mistakes of before..."Licia Corbella" is proper name.
In Canada and the province of Alberta, freedom is something to talk about but not to have. Premier Ed Stelmach, editorialist Licia Corbella pretend to have their differences in western democracy, but they are illusions. Both of these elites are not intelligent persons. They make their money and power by posturing.
The Western Standard should cease attacking China all the time and fight for freedom in the West of Canada. I laugh at your political people and newspaper people as fools.
Posted by: Paul Chan | 23-Feb-08 3:20:45 PM
jema: I actually do not smoke, but agree with you about the ridiculous lengths the Pc's have gone to in Alberta for anti-smoking laws. That needs to be brought up at election time also.
Back to the Pole...he was in a foreign country, and while there was obviously a problem with the airport, and stupid mistakes made, he was acting like a mental patient. What normal person would go off like he did in a strange country?
Posted by: Markalta | 23-Feb-08 4:31:30 PM
...without starting a firestorm of blog postings, mental or not, the RCMP did not act accordingly.
A man died on their watch and in their custody.
"What normal person would go off like he did in a strange country?"
- Define 'normal' without hurling insults. The man was stressed out, don't tell me you've never got stressed enough to kick something.
I get that way using Vista. With Novell I've busted a few keyboards. With Win98 I've drop kicked a unit (being single at 35 didn't help either.)
Posted by: tomax7 | 23-Feb-08 6:18:40 PM
Markalta, I am not an Albertan but I care about Albertans. I was an Albertan for many years, however; I was in Grand Prairie when the NEP came down the pipe from PET. I knew people who killed themselves because they were so panicked and depressed by the totalitarian actions of the PET thug in Ontario. We never dreamed that anyone in Canada could or would do something like the NEP - some people cracked up, not because they were weak but because they were BETRAYED with false beliefs - belief that we lived in a Free Country and that we did not have a Dictator. You have no idea how devastating this was if you were not there - maybe Mr. D. (from Poland) thought he was coming to a Free Nation where people had individual rights and were not shot, harassed or told what to do and think by a big brother government. He met PC mother corps at the gate to Canada didn't he?
Have you ever been detained in a foreign country, in a metal 'pen' where you did not speak the language; Markalta? Do you really know how strong your nerves are? Have you ever been a smoker or an alcoholic, caffeine addict or a druggie? Do you have any personal experience with which to base your judgement of this man?
Just curious
Posted by: jema54j | 23-Feb-08 6:37:59 PM
Living in BC I naturally have no vote or official say concerning the up-coming elections in Alberta, but I totally agree that this issue of freedom of expression, of the press and the never-ending abuses of the AHRC should be kept on the front burner.
Yes, Mr. Chan is also correct that our lack of property rights in Canada is a most important issue that politicians continue to ignore. However perhaps we need to take it one step at a time, going for dismantling these kangaroo tribunals and even the HR acts first while the opportunity is there. We should not forget however the need to have private property rights recognised.
jema54j - no, you are not incorrect concerning the extreme anti-smoking zealots in Alberta, beginning the their Premier. No doubt the cops there will not have much if any time for dealing with real crime, since they will be kept so busy inspecting the cabs of truckers to see if the lone drive had dared to smoke while driving. I must admit that I had difficulty believing this latest ban considering that it was Alberta. Had it been my loony province of BC with our premier, nothing much could shock me anymore, but Alberta of all places.
Posted by: Alain | 23-Feb-08 8:36:00 PM
jema: I didn't mean to offend you. I just called it the way I saw it. I have travelled in a few foreign countries, and I can't think of any excuse to behave like he did. I don't think being an addict is a very good excuse.
By the way, the Pole did come
"to a Free Nation where people had individual rights and were not shot, harassed or told what to do and think by a big brother government.'
At least as long as they follow directions, and do what the Police want them to. I'm sure the Police in Poland don't allow men to throw things at windows and threaten people either. Did he deserve to die? Of course not.
Back to the topic of free speech, eh?
Posted by: Markalta | 23-Feb-08 8:43:53 PM
tomax: normal people don't throw chairs at windows in public places, at least in my definition of normal...no insults there, okay?
Posted by: Markalta | 23-Feb-08 8:46:38 PM
Right you are Alain, Alta has gone way over to PC mother corps and Markalta, you did not insult me but you did not answer my question.
That Polish man in Vancouver was alone and desperate. He was also having a nicotine withdrawal or a nicotine laced drug overreaction. Tobacco is a LEGAL substance in Canada - why are there NO smoking rooms in airports? Why did the people at the airport tell Mr. D's Mom to leave because her son was not there? Why did that Polish speaking person at immigration not help Mr. D through the airport? Something happened here and I am almost positive it had to do with the PC mother corps tobacco police.
Eddie is way too PC for me and I pity Albertans being stuck with him. If I were in Alberta, I would vote for the Wildrose Alliance Party and let the chips land where they may - at least I would be true to myself. If I were you Markalta, I would spoil my ballot rather than vote for any of the contenders - Lib, Dipper or PC.
Posted by: jema54j | 23-Feb-08 9:55:55 PM
Gee - I'm thinking our most basic right would be the right to life on a counta the rest are pretty meaingless without that one.
Posted by: Nbob | 24-Feb-08 2:51:04 AM
I can not believe the shallow commentary of this nit wit columnist at the Calgary Herald. I feel like I am knee deep in old news with this woman, and keep hoping for something deep or meaningful, but just get warmed over right wing stupidity.
Of course, Mr. Chan, property rights are paramount, but we should take back any freedom that presents itself for any reason. As you can see I agree wholeheartedly with you that this Licia Corbella is an airhead neoconservative probably working her first real job in the newspaper business. But we must not let the vacuousness of the messengers besmirch the message itself and the good that can come of it. During my time in Canada, Mr. Chan, I was shocked at how there are effectively no propertry rights for the people; but you must make an effort to improve things, bit by bit.
Posted by: The Real Joni Mitchell | 24-Feb-08 2:56:35 AM
Of course it is wisest to proceed cautiously, BUT
I encourage you folks to do what every one of you has stated above, i.e. DO IT ALL!
Nbob - is the Gold Ribbon winner. Protecting all innocent human life is the basis or you have nothing but Totalitarianism (ultimately).
Paul Chan - can we award TWO Gold Ribbons? The profound respect for private property absolutely changes slaves into free men. Everything of respect and hope and future and improvement depends upon the basic instinct to protect what you OWN, to nurture and improve, etc. AND TO PLAN FOR YOUR FAMILY, etc. Everything good!
Matthew, Markalta (where's Luke? et al) Stephen, FACT CHECK all of us, again, Gold Ribbons on the confidence infusing engine for thought and study and "community building" - everything of making and strengthening the NATION is underlaid with FREE SPEECH rights, irrevocable.
jema54j - the sense of dignity of the individual human person, above all other values (and clearly connected back to protecting innocent human life - but in this case - the dignity accorded to everyone right or "wrong" in our culture, making the place worthy of respect.
Every single voice here is speaking the same plea, the demand for review of and return to basic values upon which all our freedoms stand.
PLEASE agitate and campaign and petition and work to get Ezra Levant to convene a Canadian Constitutional Convention on the Internet, and through the Western Standard blog keep the Convention Hall open 24/7/365-6 until you all develop that document for Ezra to carry forward to your good Prime Minister Harper and help him find the grit to boldly propose a strengthening of human individual sacred rights for all of your citizens by means of a decided reduction in the reach and spread of government.
You folks are actually of the intelligence to do this (many of the other highly intelligent voices don't happen to be attending this particular thread of conversation at this time, but I think you really have the quality of mind as our American Founders had).
Great undertakings always have risk, but truly Canada is at a significant tipping point. You have the moment. You have a huge nation. You have the intellectual - education - cultural resources, and the entire future will be effected for the good.
Contact Ezra, convene your Convention and assure bold free welcoming liberty for yourselves and for your descendants.
Posted by: Conrad-USA | 24-Feb-08 11:52:09 AM
"If any Western Standard readers know of Alberta candidates who are committed to at least removing Section 3(1)(b) from the human rights act, let us know."
Within the Edmonton Beverly Clareview Riding I have done my best to highlight this issue personally speaking with each candidate about their consideration in bringing forth a private members bill to limit the powers of the AHRC and warning each one that the same question will be brought up at a candidates debate and their response recorded (no candidates debate scheduled so far).
Currently the incumbent Ray Martin (NDP) has stated he will noncommittally review the issue following the election and consider bringing forth a bill in spite of knowing his party fully supports the AHRC as it stands.
Brian Dell (Wildrose Alliance) and Tony Vandermeer (PC) have both stated they are well aware of the issue and if elected will bring forth the private members bill to limit the powers of the AHRC without hesitation. All other candidates spoken to in the riding fully support the AHRC as it stands. Disturbingly, all candidates regardless of their political affiliation within the riding professed that I am the only one who has brought forth this issue.
In addition to my request, I informed both Mr Dell and Mr Vandermeer that should one of them win I will be joining their constituency association and will also bring forth the power of a petition (if necessary) of like minded people in the riding to ensure that the private members bill is carried out in as expeditious a manner as possible.
I am currently throwing my support and minor community influence behind Mr. Vandermeer though my heart belongs to the Wildrose. I believe Mr. Vandermeer has the best chance of unseating Mr. Martin and actually following through on his promise as we have managed to elect Tories in this riding in the past when I was a policy VP, and I understand that a left leaning candidate is far from a forgone conclusion. Further, of all the candidates, Mr. Vandermeer seems to have the best grasp of this issue as it stands, the future implications of inaction and the highest integrity in actually following through on a political promise.
BTW, The loss of the Western Standard has sadly left a huge hole in my literary life, any hope of a reserection of the print magazine?
Cheers
Darren Richard
Posted by: Darren Richard | 24-Feb-08 7:31:15 PM
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