Mark Steyn vs. the Canadian Islamic Congress

[Admiral Beez]

After reading Mark Steyn's piece in Mcleans a few issues back on Islam's takeover of Europe, a few recent letters to the editor in Macleans, and now hearing of the CIC's "suit" against Steyn at the Canadian Human Rights commission, I had to go to the Library today and pick up a copy. From what I've read thus far I don't see anything inciting hate.

 

[ganjavih]

I wonder what the reaction would have been if "Muslims" was replaced by "Jews" in the article.

 

[Admiral Beez]

I wonder what the reaction would have been if "Muslims" was replaced by "Jews" in the article.

Not the same, IMO. Jews are a people (notwithstanding those who convert for marriage, and then never visit a temple again), while Muslim is a religion consisting of over a dozen separate ethnic backgrounds.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

i saw a cnn debate where some lady was saying that atheists were ruining america and that america would turn into europe. she said that europe was being invaded by islam and it's all thanks to atheists.

so the lesson was that if you wanna keep out those pray who bent over, you gotta force everyone in the land to pray on their knees. when reduced to those two choices, would you rather bend over or get down on your knees?

 

[syn]

Not the same, IMO. Jews are a people (notwithstanding those who convert for marriage, and then never visit a temple again), while Muslim is a religion consisting of over a dozen separate ethnic backgrounds.

They aren't really a people though. Anyone can be Jewish, just as anyone can be Muslim.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Of course the Jews are a people. Much like the Greeks, or Iroqious, Japanese, etc. are people. Yes, anyone can go to Japan and apply for Japanese citizenship, but that doesn't make you Japanese.

 

[billonlogan]

After reading Mark Steyn's piece in Mcleans a few issues back on Islam's takeover of Europe, a few recent letters to the editor in Macleans, and now hearing of the CIC's "suit" against Steyn at the Canadian Human Rights commission, I had to go to the Library today and pick up a copy. From what I've read thus far I don't see anything inciting hate.

Though the language he used was strong, there was no inciting hatred or death to muslems in the piece I read. On the other hand, the punks who spray paint "kill the fag" "kill the jew" at our local rink get away with a slap on the hand. What gives? or is it just political correctness of far-right wing opinion which offends some. The CHRC needs to be careful how it proceeds with this and not turn out to be some form of 'thought police', which is probably alot worse when it infringes on our freedom of speech and thought.

 

[unimaginative2]

Uhh, there's a bit of a difference in terms of impact between a few kids spray-painting at an arena and someone publishing an article in Canada's major newsmagazine.

And, no, Beez, nobody can go to Japan and apply for Japanese citizenship. Citizenship is restricted entirely to Japanese by blood. Even Koreans who've lived there for dozens of generations are not citizens. Israel, on the other hand, will grant automatic citizenship to anyone of Jewish faith.

 

[billonlogan]

Uhh, there's a bit of a difference in terms of impact between a few kids spray-painting at an arena and someone publishing an article in Canada's major newsmagazine.

what is the difference? what do I tell my 9 year old son and his friends when they can't play at the rink because of hateful language sprayed all over the place? get your head out of the sand, you can't pick and choose what is hate because you are blinded by your own bias.

 

[urbandreamer]

As I've been told over and over again by folks on jdate if "your mother ain't jewish" you're not jewish. You can be a convert but you're not part of the "tribe." That simple. That's the difference between Muslim and Jew (well not really many ethnic muslims have similar "rules.") Now of course sephardim/ashkenazi divisions are very real in the jewish community.

Mark Steyn can get away with anything: he's an "insider." Eventually, the newer immigrants/religious groups will be in similar positions of power. That will be an interesting day (not in my lifetime I reckon.)

Now I haven't read Maclean's Magazine (spell it right folks!) in over a decade but maybe I'll read this article--except that's exactly what Mark wants: an audience. Which is why I've chosen to tune out jerks like him.

 

[ganjavih]

Not the same, IMO. Jews are a people (notwithstanding those who convert for marriage, and then never visit a temple again), while Muslim is a religion consisting of over a dozen separate ethnic backgrounds.

So the Jews are a single ethnicity? Looks like Beez hasn't been doing his homework. Tsk, tsk.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Now I haven't read Maclean's Magazine (spell it right folks!)

You know, I never saw the apostrophe before. I wonder who or what Maclean is, and what they're owning. Presumably it's referring to the magazine owned by Maclean, giving us Maclean's. Per wiki, the magazine was founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, but he's been dead since 1950, so it's not his magazine. There was also Maclean-Hunter, but they were bought up by Rogers in the early 1990s, so there is no company or person associated with the magazine. They insinuate possession by Maclean in the title of Maclean's, but there's no one by that name owning the thing. It should be called Roger's, or Ted's.

 

[theman23]

Though the language he used was strong, there was no inciting hatred or death to muslems in the piece I read. On the other hand, the punks who spray paint "kill the fag" "kill the jew" at our local rink get away with a slap on the hand. What gives? or is it just political correctness of far-right wing opinion which offends some.

Did you file a complaint?

 

[Admiral Beez]

Did you file a complaint?

Good point. We must remember, anyone, even Jihadist monkeys can file a complaint with the HRC. It's up to the Commission to decide what's considered worthy of further investigation.

 

[allabootmatt]

So the Jews are a single ethnicity? Looks like Beez hasn't been doing his homework. Tsk, tsk.

Naw, not really. But we sure as hell are a lot closer to being one than are Muslims or Christians...part of that is just a function of population size, of course. But also has to do with Judaism having never really been a universalistic--ie convert-seeking--religion. Ever heard of a Jewish missionary? Even if you do want to convert, it's pretty hard in most synagogues--takes years. I believe there was a 'Sex and the City' subplot to that effect.

Then again, large components of the Jewish population do share similar genetic predispositions...like the ones for Tay-Sachs and testicular cancer among Ashkenazis. I mean, I guess that's on OK trade-off for our getting to run the banks and Hollywood, but still....