Comments on: Shades of Ann Coulter? Christie Blatchford cancels University of Waterloo speech.

By: At Home in Hespeler » U of Waterloo Redeems Itself

At Home in Hespeler » U of Waterloo Redeems Itself — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:57:55 +0000

[...] was disappointed that my alma mater, the University of Waterloo (UW), after the Christie Blatchford debacle last month. Et tu, Waterloo I mumbled to no one in [...]

By: dan kellar

dan kellar — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:41:33 +0000

@WM,

well you may have done those things 40 years ago (though rascism, sexism, and war still all exist, so you didn’t do a very good job did ya), you gave up, sold out, and now don’t give a second thought to the ongoing genocide of indigenous peoples around the world (and right in canada)due to our system of dominance and capitalism.

you may have changed some minds back in the 60s, but you did not change the system. i grew up in your system, i was taught by it, and i now reject it for its utter failures.

By: Jymn

Jymn — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 04:21:05 +0000

But I do understand the US’s “right to gather” principle that is laid out clearly in the “First Amendment”. That’s a perfectly good example of democracy in action. (In a non-democratic country – say North Korea or Saudi Arabia, for example – you cannot gather and protest.) No one was stopping the G&M writer from speaking. She – or the organizers – were too frightened to do so because a small number of people might have shouted questions at her, much like they did at the Galloway rally to which I referred. You might want to take the time to read and evaluate the post before responding like a hand-written sign at a Tea Party protest.

By: ck

ck — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 03:58:32 +0000

Free speech or hate speech? There is a difference. Either way, the protesters didn’t cancel her speech; the organizers did. If she’s goin’ to speek, then she should face and answer her critics. The organizers were going to have none of that.

By: ck

ck — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 03:52:48 +0000

Oh looky here, a new troll! Man, when you decide to take a shit on someone’s site, you make sure to take one of those colon cleansers, doncha? By the by, CK’s a SHE!

By: W M

W M — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 02:14:57 +0000

CK, you’re quite good with your clever ripostes, despite the vulgarity. Now – do you have any solutions for the problems of this planet, as you see them, that don’t involve violating the rights or dignity of people you disagree with?
No, didn’t think so.

By: W M

W M — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 02:13:29 +0000

Yes Jymm – it IS a democracy. That’s why the students should have permitted Blatchford to speak, and then engage her intelligently and civilly on the issues.
You, and CK, don’t understand democracy, OR free speech, that much is quite clear.

By: W M

W M — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 02:08:47 +0000

Guess what Dan Kellar? As youth, we spewed the same silly crap about ‘old white guys’, ‘don’t trust anyone over thirty’ was our phrase. You’ve got nothing on us ‘old, white guys’. And while we were at it, we defeated segregation and the worst of the prejudice against black people – ended the cold war (Ronald Reagan) and broke the glass ceiling so that women could aspire to higher positions.
And we believe in free speech, no matter how much we may not like to hear it. You have some lessons to learn, don’t you?

By: W M

W M — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 02:06:59 +0000

Rabbit, you called ck right on the money. He has no concept of free speech whatsoever – a typical left winger, capable of pretty words but can’t listen to those he doesn’t like. As someone else posted Noam Chomsky’s (a left wing heroine) statement about free speech, I’ll simply refer CK to it. Think it’ll teach him anything?
No, me neither.

By: ck

ck — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:10:19 +0000

Lessee,now….hating the hateful? Yeah, I can see how tricky that can be for you

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:39:06 +0000

ck, your responses are just oozing with hatred.

How can you take a positive stance against hatred and bigotry when you discuss matters with such indifferent hatred?

By: Jymn

Jymn — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:05:09 +0000

Where we juxtapose, CC style. Rightbloggers are suddenly AOK with protesters at speeches – as long as it is wingnuts at a progressive speech. Notice how they love the energy and violent streak of a mob of rightists protesting a lefty speech.

http://sistersagesmusings.ca/2010/11/17/protesting-speeches-where-we-juxtapose-cc-edition/

I say go for it. It’s democracy, people. Innit it?

By: Mohammed Shouman

Mohammed Shouman — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:11:41 +0000

The university has issued an apology:

http://www.bulletin.uwaterloo.ca/2010/nov/16tu.html

========================
Apology after author is silenced
University officials issued a statement yesterday in the wake of a Friday night incident in which Globe and Mail columnist Christie Blatchford was prevented from speaking at a scheduled event in the Humanities Theatre.

A group of protesters took exception to what they called the “racist” attitude of her book Helpless, which deals with the four-year standoff over native land claims in the village of Caledonia in Ontario’s Haldimand County. Blatchford had been invited to campus by the university bookstore to speak about her book. After some time, it was announced that her talk would be rescheduled.

The events of the evening were live-blogged by the Wilfrid Laurier University student newspaper The Cord, and got some media attention yesterday.

Says the statement that was issued by the university yesterday: “The University of Waterloo was disappointed that a guest invited to share a particular perspective on a topic of importance to Canadians was silenced by protesters. Globe and Mail columnist Christie Blatchford was scheduled to appear at the university on Friday night to discuss her new book Helpless: Caledonia’s Nightmare of Fear and Anarchy, and How the Law Failed All of Us. Due to safety issues, the university decided to reschedule the event.

“The university considers Friday’s events as an attack on its presence as a place where issues are explored, discussed and at times debated. The freedom to speak and to learn is fundamental to the institution. Waterloo’s ethical behaviour policy states: ‘The University is an autonomous community which exists to further the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge and understanding through scholarship and teaching. The University aims to ensure an environment of tolerance and respect and believes that the right of individuals to advance their views openly must be upheld throughout the University.’ To ensure there is no doubt of the university’s convictions, Waterloo President Feridun Hamdullahpur apologized to Ms. Blatchford, on behalf of the university community, for Friday night’s disruption. He has asked the community to begin planning for a safe, open and respectful dialogue featuring Ms. Blatchford and her book.”
========================

By: ck

ck — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:17:53 +0000

Please, Bitchford, like Coulter before her, stage their own drama for publicity, as if the drama is more interesting than the speech. Come to think of it, it must be. That was more than likely choreographed.

By: Clancy

Clancy — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:25:08 +0000

I don’t mind a good protest at all. I have been actively involved in social justice movements and environmental issues for years. Which is why I wanted to attend this particular talk. But this protest… this one was specifically designed for mere anarchy and chaos. The protestors here (who bring a legitimate perspective to this subject) actually managed to place themselves in the role of the schoolyard bully, while handing Ms. Blatchford the opportunity to play the victim card. They hurt their cause.

By: ck

ck — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:06:43 +0000

informed on the subject? This is one dimensional clucking Blatchy Bitchford here. What subject could it be? Bigotry, war mongering, Americanize health care-Wealth care for billionaires, Fuck the poor, fuck the planet. I think I’ve covered it in less than 100 words. See how easy that was?

By: ck

ck — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:04:44 +0000

Jymn, my dear, I couldn’t have put it more eloquently.

By: ck

ck — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:02:13 +0000

OK Shaun, why’d you change your name? For openers, as a migraine sufferer who has heard the sound of Bitchford’s voice, I can honestly tell you that driving nails through my skull would more comforting.

Rich! Typical, though. The gospel of Bitchford must spread her shrilly bigotry, hate and war mongering, but no one’s allowed to protest it?? Anyone who was properly raised just gets to shut the fuck up???

By: Clancy

Clancy — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:41:18 +0000

Your comments are patently false. I was there. Blatchford wanted to speak but was strongly persuaded against it when it was clear the protesters were determined to prevent her from being heard over their shouts. Many of us in attendance were appalled that the law was not enacted and the protestors were not removed. The protesters were not going to allow anybody’s opinions to be heard except their own. And what a shame. I would have greatly enjoyed hearing the reasoned opinions of those against Blatchford’s book. But instead, all we got was the shrill shouts of children in tantrum.

By: Jymn

Jymn — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:56:07 +0000

Christie Blatchford is paid an obscene amount of money to use the establishment media to propagate Conservative talking points. She is a conduit for that party to spread its message, sometimes verbatim. These student protesters do not have access to the media the way Blatchford does. She has the talent to put words together and knows the right people. These kids may not have that talent and certainly do not know the power people. The students’ only recourse to get their point across – other than student newspapers or blogs – is to exercise their democratic right to protest. It is up to the organizers or the speaker to arrange for security when that speaker is controversial.

Blatchford – like Coulter before her – was under no threat. The only threat to Blatchford was that people who do not share her particular brand of war love and disdain for people of lesser means were about to challenge her and were occupying the same stage. Freedom of expression is for everyone, not just rich propagandists. If there was a law against what the students were doing or if the protesters offered any real danger to Blatchford, the law should have been called immediately. They were not. She could have spoken but she – or the organizers – chose not to. The protesters exercised their freedom to speak out and challenge peacefully – Blatchford fled.