Rights group defends itself

That's the headline. Three months ago, the idea of an HRC on the PR defensive was unthinkable. Now it's a national news story.

Facing calls for its abolition or reform, commission moves to rebut 'misinformation'

Even more improbable three months ago was the idea of reforming these commissions, let alone abolishing them. Now it's a serious enough threat that the CHRC has gone to the barricades. But my favourite part about this sub-headline (a "deck" as it's called in newspaperology) is the commission's condescending approach: Canadians are simply misinformed. "Shoo! There's nothing to see here, little people," they say. "Now stop telling fibs about us, or we'll have to re-educate you -- or even charge you with some trumped up offence".

I love the denial. Not only because it is so patently unbelievable -- coming the day after the Privacy Commissioner herself has joined the fight -- but because it shows the bunker mentality at the CHRC. A savvier, politically aware CHRC would acknowledge its errors, issue some bumf about being more responsible, announce a few token reforms on its own initiative, and try to let some air out of the balloon. But that kind of reasonableness just isn't in the DNA of these people. How could it be? It takes an especially arrogant person to censor the thoughts of his neighbours; it take an even more arrogant person to break the law and violate natural justice to do so. Could such bullies even fake contrition, let alone feel it? They just don't get it; they still think they're beyond criticism and above accountability. The Greeks called it hubris; Sun Tzu saw it as a weakness; I say we're lucky to be pitted against such arrogant fools. 

http://ezralevant.com/2008/04/a-panicky-chrc-tries-damage-co.html  

Lets hope the days when it was a crime to be Christian are over. 

I'll put most of the blame on Ezra for this. 

xposted@mad 

Luckily rights can be cherry picked from right wingers.

From the Charter of Rights,

Fundamental freedoms

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

a) freedom of conscience and religion;

b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and

d) freedom of association.

http://marginalizedactiondinosaur.net/?p=855

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