The Ann Coulter thing

[Velvet]

Well, that's pretty embarrassing huh?

[Basher]

Let's see.

She got paid^, made news and didn't even have to speak?

Ottawa = pwn'd

^ An assumption of mine.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Guest

[Velvet]

The rep from the U of Ottawa said on the radio a while ago that based on the speech Ann gave in London that they knew what she was going to say and it was hate speech.

Sounds like the London Police Force fell down on the job huh?

[jaybone]

I think it was her choice not to speak.

When I first heard of this story, I assumed the university had shut her down.

I'm all for free speech both for the speaker and the protesters.

I wish she had spoke and that her ideas could be considered, debated and either accepted or refuted by the students.

[Schwa.]

Debating her ideas is like debating whether or not it's ok to punch a pregnant woman in the gut. She's a hate monger as I see it and should have been arrested in London for telling that muslim kid to ride a camel to school. That being said, I am grateful to have the freedom to express my view here.

Perhaps a better debate would have been "what exactly is free speech?"

racist.

[Davey Boy 2.0]

I was amused when I read that it got shut down due to security concerns- good on the protesters was my initial reaction

I think this filthy racist bint should simply be ignored.

End of.

[phishtaper]

Well, that's pretty embarrassing huh?

for whom? and why?

[Velvet]

Hippiecrites.

[Freak By Night]

You guys should join the elitists discussing this matter over the politics forum.

[Ms Zimmy]

It would have been better to listen to her and have everyone laugh when she said something absurd.

[Velvet]

I think it's embarrassing that a university refused to hear opposing views, I think it's embarrassing that a university rep deems themselves an authority on crime, I think it's embarrassing that a speech was deemed unfit for hearing before it was heard, I think it's embarrassing that 200 protesters trump 1,000 paying customers, I think it's embarrassing that liberals are so afraid of what conservatives have to say, I think it's embarrassing that the protesters played so well into Coulter's hand and dealt her such a clear victory.

And I'm utterly shocked that I'm in the minority view. Hope I don't get gagged.

[phishtaper]

She got paid

yes, by two US based, conservative organizations in promotion of her new book, not by UofO.

[Velvet]

Any idea what the tickets cost?

[phishtaper]

I think it's embarrassing that a university refused to hear opposing views, I think it's embarrassing that a university rep deems themselves an authority on crime, I think it's embarrassing that a speech was deemed unfit for hearing before it was heard, I think it's embarrassing that 200 protesters trump 1,000 paying customers, I think it's embarrassing that liberals are so afraid of what conservatives have to say, I think it's embarrassing that the protesters played so well into Coulter's hand and dealt her such a clear victory.

And I'm utterly shocked that I'm in the minority view. Hope I don't get gagged.

hold on thar little lady, the talk was canceled by her own organizers. UofO did not cancel her talk. her own people canceled it because of security concerns resulting from the large crowd gathered outside.

yes, the provost's letter likely prompted many to gather outside before the talk but so too did coulter's own comment at UWO two days ago that a muslim student should ride a camel instead of her flying carpet when she travels. satire? or insult? that's the coulter game and she burned herself this time.

[phishtaper]

Any idea what the tickets cost?

free for all students

[Kanada Kev]

Come join the elitists

http://www.jambands.ca/sanctuary/showtopic.php?tid/256318/all/1/

[Asparagus]

The initial email to her from the provost seemed to me to be a legitimate warning that she should take care with regards to what is acceptable speech in Canada. In the past, she has said things that, at least on the surface, incite violence, which as far I understand, is not protected speech under the charter.

Until she makes a repeat performance of such speech, she should have been allowed to carry on.

I agree with you, Velvet, it is embarrassing.

[Schwa.]

100% agree with ya phishtaper. the media spin that she's been able to put on this just speaks to her experience with said media and how they starve for stories like this. it's all ratings folks and i'm certain that this all stems from the racist comments put forth by her in London. There's no such thing as bad publicity when you're trying to sell a book.

I would say it's a shame she didn't speak, but certainly not embarrassing considering SHE canceled.

[Asparagus]

I would say it's a shame she didn't speak, but certainly not embarrassing considering SHE canceled.

Fair enough. Better worded'd.

[Davey Boy 2.0]

I think it's embarrassing that someone like that even gets to talk at a post-secondary institution

[Booche]

I think it's embarrassing that 200 protesters trump 1,000 paying customers

Reminds me of this.

[AD]

I think it's embarrassing that a university refused to hear opposing views

It was her security guard that made that call. And the university had nothing to do with anything, except the site for the talk. What opposing views do you mean? There is her view and then the university's view? Universities are filled with so many unique views it's impossible to generalize the statement that much.

I think it's embarrassing that a university rep deems themselves an authority on crime.

If you're talking about the Provost, I did a quick check on the UofO webpage and it appears he's an expert on many things. He's published books on multiculturalism in Canada, has a PhD in Government and Politics, a Masters of Law, Masters of Political Science, Bachelor of Social Science. I think it's safe to call him an authority. Here's his details.

I think it's embarrassing that a speech was deemed unfit for hearing before it was heard

It wasn't deemed unfit. It wasn't deemed anything.

I think it's embarrassing that 200 protesters trump 1,000 paying customers,

The numbers differ everywhere, but yeah, it's too bad that for whatever reason people couldn't get what they came for.

I think it's embarrassing that liberals are so afraid of what conservatives have to say,

In this case, I think sane people were fed up with the racist ridiculous ramblings of just one conservative who spends a lot of time in the limelight.

I think it's embarrassing that the protesters played so well into Coulter's hand and dealt her such a clear victory.

Agreed. Although it was her security that ultimately made the call to cancel, at the recommendation of the police.

I'm glad nobody got to hear her last night. But it's really too bad more people are hearing about her today because of that.

[Davey Boy 2.0]

:chug:

[bONES]

[Freak By Night]

I remember a very similar event that occurred in the mid-1990s, at the Ottawa Congress Centre, mere blocks away from the University.

A scheduled performance by an androgynous public figure known for controversial material was met by a mob of angry protesters.

The difference back then? Marilyn Manson didn't cancel!