FSU Gay Pride

[The Natural]

All Western democracies, with perhaps the exception of the U.S., have "hate speech" laws.  In Canada, the Court has established an objective test of what is prohibited speech (as this is a criminal offence).

Scary thought. But here in Norway we don't have any prohibited themes that are illegal to talk about. But I know that some western countries, including Canada, have. It is, for example, in several European countries illegal to argue that any number less than 6 million jews were killed by the Nazis!

[Boethius]

The purpose of Canada's laws is to prohibit speech which promotes hatred.  One can dispute the Holocaust happened in Canada.  One cannot state that any group controls levers of power and should be eliminated.

[The Natural]

One can dispute the Holocaust happened in Canada. 

Not exactly. One man, his name escapes me at the moment, questioned aspects of this, was arrested and sent to Germany where he did several years of prison time.

[Boethius]

Ernst Zundel.  But the Supreme Court overturned that conviction, stating Holocaust denial was not illegal, as Zundel was entitled to freedom of speech under Canada's constitution.

Zundel wasn't a Canadian citizen, so he was deported because he had ties to violent neo Nazi groups.

[BC]

Ernst Zundel.  But the Supreme Court overturned that conviction, stating Holocaust denial was not illegal, as Zundel was entitled to freedom of speech under Canada's constitution.

Zundel wasn't a Canadian citizen, so he was deported because he had ties to violent neo Nazi groups.

.. and for German Citizens or others residing in Germany that is an offense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech_by_country#Germany

Interesting that blasphemy against religions is also an offense - and not a bad one considering...

[Boethius]

Depends on the religion though, I suppose.

In Paris recently, gay activists held a "love in" at Notre Dame Cathedral, where they kissed, and some had sex in the Cathedral. 

Try that at a mosque!

[Muzh]

Depends on the religion though, I suppose.

In Paris recently, gay activists held a "love in" at Notre Dame Cathedral, where they kissed, and some had sex in the Cathedral. 

Try that at a mosque!

THAT I have a problem with, regardless of sexual orientation. I'm no a religious man, I think religion is superstition, but you should show respect towards others beliefs.

[Boethius]

I agree, Muzh.  I have a problem with it as well. 

[BC]

Depends on the religion though, I suppose.

In Paris recently, gay activists held a "love in" at Notre Dame Cathedral, where they kissed, and some had sex in the Cathedral. 

Try that at a mosque!

Not limited as far as I know so applies to all IMHO.  The problem in Germany is for a religion to be recognized by the government.  I recall they had problems with Scientology and such which did not get accepted.

France has laws against hate speech against gays.  Paris is Paris..  The cemetery is a pretty popular place to have sex.  Don't ask me how I know.. LOL

[tfcrew]

I read that the gays planned this event at Notre Dame but it did not actually transpire.... fortunately.

found only a blog type link...



http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?p=6297119

[Blues Fairy]

All Western democracies, with perhaps the exception of the U.S., have "hate speech" laws. 

Too bad for those countries; some hypersensitive cultures are already abusing the hate speech laws to promote their cultural norms at the expense of their host countries' established values.   

[Boethius]

I disagree.  A free society does not mean one has the right to foment hatred against certain groups. 

[BC]

Too bad for those countries; some hypersensitive cultures are already abusing the hate speech laws to promote their cultural norms at the expense of their host countries' established values.

Care to name some examples?

[Steamer]

I disagree.  A free society does not mean one has the right to foment hatred against certain groups.

So free speech has selective topics?

[The Natural]

Ernst Zundel.  But the Supreme Court overturned that conviction, stating Holocaust denial was not illegal, as Zundel was entitled to freedom of speech under Canada's constitution.

Zundel wasn't a Canadian citizen, so he was deported because he had ties to violent neo Nazi groups.

He lived in Canada for over 40 years and was handed over to Germany and a 7-year jail term for only questioning the magic number of 6 million jews killed during the Holocaust. Yes, that's real freedom today I suppose.
 
For further illumination:
 
http://www.revisionists.com/revisionists/zundel.html

[Boethius]

Steamer, Justice Holmes, a brilliant jurist, stated "The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic.... The question in every case is whether the words used ... create a clear and present danger."

Recently, amazon.com withdrew a self published work by a pedophile which was a "how to" on how to groom a child for sex.  Should that "free speech" be protected free speech?

He lived in Canada for over 40 years and was handed over to Germany and a 7-year jail term for only questioning the magic number of 6
million jews killed during the Holocaust. Yes, that's real freedom today I suppose.

He left Canada twice, the first time, vowing never to return, and lived in the U.S.  He wasn't deported from Canada for his views, but because he was denied citizenship and was in the country illegally.  What Germany decided to do is irrelevant for Canadian purposes. 

[The Natural]

   He left Canada twice, the first time, vowing never to return, and lived in the U.S.  He wasn't deported from Canada for his views, but because he was denied citizenship and was in the country illegally.  What Germany decided to do is irrelevant for Canadian purposes.   

   So where do Old Canada draw the line? I mean, sending a man wrongfully to a 7-year prison sentence is no problem. What about illegals coming from countries that practise torture and executions on people who practise free speech? No problem sending them either, or?     Besides, I find it hard to believe that it was all of a sudden very urgent to send a man who's lived in Canada for over 40 years to Germany which is known for punishing free speech on this matter.

[BC]

   So where do Old Canada draw the line? I mean, sending a man wrongfully to a 7-year prison sentence is no problem. What about illegals coming from countries that practise torture and executions on people who practise free speech? No problem sending them either, or?     Besides, I find it hard to believe that it was all of a sudden very urgent to send a man who's lived in Canada for over 40 years to Germany which is known for punishing free speech on this matter.

All pretty clear and concise here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Z%C3%BCndel

As a German citizen I would think that political pressure was applied in order to bring their own wayward citizen for breaking their laws.  That he broke civil and immigration laws in two other countries as well probably did not help his case.

[Steamer]

Recently, amazon.com withdrew a self published work by a pedophile which was a "how to" on how to groom a child for sex.  Should that "free speech" be protected free speech?
 

   How do you decide which freak show should be protected? Pedophiles do hurt kids so they're not a good comparison. How about necrophiliacs? They don't hurt anyone and I'll bet they'd put on quite a parade.
 
I know that the gay culture is the cause Du Jour but these gay pride parades especially in S.F. and other places are a huge assault on peoples sensitivities. I believe in live and let live but sometimes a sock in the nose also seems very reasonable.