Anti-Free Speech Workaround: Just Call Speech You Dislike "Bullying"
It happened recently with criticism of a newscaster's weight in the USA.
About Canadian attempts to stop speech, Joanne Jacobs writes:
Politicians are trying to suppress political speech by calling it "bullying," charges Hans Bader. He's got a doozy of an example from Canada: Ontario Education Minister Laurel Broten says Catholic schools can't tell students abortion is wrong because anti-abortion speech is "misogyny," which is banned by Bill 13, the anti-bullying law.
Bader's entire piece is here, at Open Market.
Not sure why you have such a problem with the newscaster... maybe I misread the article, but no where does it say the guy's speech was squelched.
He has the right to call her fat, she has the right to call him a bully. Her supporters have the right to support her.
Not seeing the problem.
The Canadian issue, however, is another matter.
NicoleK at October 18, 2012 2:00 AM
Canada apparently needs more free speech.
I still think the story of the week is France trying to outlaw homework.
Nothing could more clearly portend the death of Western Civ.
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at October 18, 2012 5:08 AM
"I still think the story of the week is France trying to outlaw homework."
I hate to think of France as a bellweather for the rest of Western Civilization, but I don't guess I have a counterargument.
Old RPM Daddy at October 18, 2012 7:12 AM
Well, they were supposed to be a bulwark as well as a bellwether... They are, after all, a nuclear power. Permanent seat on the UN, etc.
Please tell the children in your life that if they want to grow up to place their thumbs on the release buttons for nuclear weapons, it's totally cool with me if they want to do some homework on school nights. I'm completely OK with that.
Crid [Cridcomment at Gmail] at October 18, 2012 10:03 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/10/18/anti-free_speec.html#comment-3387380">comment from NicoleKNicoleK, a sour comment in every single post you've remarked on today. Did somebody put something yucky in your Cheerios this morning?
Not sure why you have such a problem with the newscaster... maybe I misread the article, but no where does it say the guy's speech was squelched
Deeming speech bullying is a way to squelch it.
Amy Alkon at October 18, 2012 10:44 AM
"Deeming speech bullying is a way to squelch it."
_Particlularly_ when referring to an "anti-bullying" law that makes "bullying" something to ban. It's not a case of responding to speech one doesn't like with more speech (Free Speech in action) but rather a case of using the law to suppress speech one doesn't like leaving only speech with which one agrees.
David L. Burkhead at October 18, 2012 11:22 AM
"Deeming speech bullying is a way to squelch it."
Only if there's a law to back it up, as there is in Canada, apparently. Otherwise, deeming speech bullying isn't squelching. What Jennifer Livingston and her husband were doing was whining, apparently successfully. But that's allowed, too.
Old RPM Daddy at October 18, 2012 12:04 PM
"Bullying" is such a lame complaint anyway, coming from an adult. That's something kids do. When you're grown up, it's "intimidation."
And being rude or critical doesn't rise to the level of intimidation IMHO.
carol at October 18, 2012 1:58 PM
> being rude or critical doesn't rise to the
> level of intimidation
JJ.
Crid [Cridcomment at Gmail] at October 18, 2012 2:29 PM
True, JJ. Although, as Betty White said:
Why do people say "Grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive! If you really wanna get tough, grow a vagina! Those things take a pounding!
So don't be a pair of balls, people.
Jess at October 18, 2012 3:00 PM
But they look so good!
Crid [CridComment at gmail] at October 18, 2012 6:22 PM
Wanna bet?
Jeff Guinn at October 18, 2012 6:40 PM
Only some parts of Western culture are worth having. It's about time that gay and other "deviant" forms of marriage were tolerated and accepted by governments everywhere.
But Canada goes too far, and is likely to make martyrs of some people for being Christians. They should read up on France's Reign of Terror before they learn the same lesson the hard way.
John David Galt at October 30, 2012 5:25 PM
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