What Does Intent Have To Do With Free Speech? Nothing.

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Ezra Levant, like so many other Canadians, have been brought before the HRC (Human Rights Commission) in Canada for their expressions of free speech & thought, believe it or not. In the mix, the HRC demands to know the intentions of the speech expressions and sanctions individuals, businesses, the press and Internet users for their speech and their thoughts. This is not the example of freedom in the Western World. In the name of "tolerance", this corruption has taken over Canada, via Europe, and is making its way south to the founders of Freedom.

We should not be punished for our speech, except in VERY few instances (e.g. fraud, true defamation, assault and inciting violence). We should never be punished for our thoughts. The HRC has the compassionate "balls" to ask what Mr. Levant's "intent" was in publishing the Danish cartoons that make fun of Islam and depict pictures of the deceased prophet Mohamed. The Complaint was made by a Saudi trained Imam, whose legal fees get paid for by the Canadian government. The legal fees of Mr. Levant are, of course, paid for by Mr. Levant. This is the number one effective deterrent of free speech, the indirect manner in which free speech is stifled. There is no cost for making an HRC complaint. This is not only legalized harassment, but it is the beginning of the end of free speech as we once knew it. A similar commission is currently being formulated through the U.S. Legislature.

What does "intent" have to do with free speech? Nothing.




HRC: What was your intent and purpose of your article with the cartoon illustrations published on February 27, 2006?

Ezra: Why is that a relevant question?

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The words and the pictures speak for themselves. Are you saying that one answer is wrong and one answer is right?

HRC: No.

Ezra: Is a certain answer contrary to law?

HRC: No.

Ezra: So if I were to say, hypothetically, that the purpose was to instill hatred, incite hatred and cause offence, are you saying that's an acceptable answer?

HRC: I'd have to look at it in the context of all the information and determine if it was indeed.

Ezra: I think you are playing sillybuggery here, I think you know that the answer here, that that answer, would be illegal.

HRC: Anything is possible, I guess? But again I look at it . . . this kind of section 3 case takes a lot of analysis, so there is a lot of things I have to look at. That piece of information is just one.

Ezra: My Answer to your question is as follows:
We published those cartoons for the intention and purpose of exercising our inalienable rights as free-born Albertans to publish whatever the hell we want, no matter what the hell you think . . . it's my bloody right to do so and its my right to do so for reasonable intentions and its my right to do so for extremely unreasonable purposes. I refuse to concede to you that what my political thoughts in my mind are or in my heart are will determine whether or not an artifact is legal or illegal . . . I published those cartoons to use the maximum freedom allowed. And so, I say to you I published it without reservation, I published it in the most unreasonable manner.

HRC: So what do you mean by "unreasonable manner".

Ezra: Whatever offends you. I reserve the right to publish it for whatever offensive reason I want. I see in these hand-scrawled complaints, especially by the Saudi trained Imam, that he's offended . . . that I've offended the prophet Mohamed. Well, he's dead, by the way, so I don't think I've offended him. But I reserve the right to have done exactly what they accuse me of doing . . . I reserve the right to publish those cartoons for exactly what they complain about. I reserve the right to publish those cartoons to do every offense thing that they claim is in my heart . . . I have the full right to do everything in here that they accuse me of. I am not a racist . . . but I have the right to publish cartoons even if I am informed by racists sentiment . . . that is my right and I will not minimize my reasons so that they are palatable.


There is a whole string of interviews that Ezra recorded with the HRC. I'd suggest viewing them if interested. (Click HERE). My two favorites are linked on this Blawg.
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