Coren on the Coulter Controversy

From the Toronto Sun:

Ann Coulter came to Canada last week to deliver three university lectures and to give a one-hour television interview on The Michael Coren Show.

And we all know what happened. Before she even set foot in the country, a vice-president of the University of Ottawa wrote to her with a warning, or perhaps threat, about how we treat people who offend the status quo in Canada:

“Our domestic laws delineate freedom of expression in a manner that is somewhat different than the approach taken in the United States. I therefore encourage you to educate yourself as to what is acceptable in Canada and to do so before your planned visit here. You will realize that Canadian law puts reasonable limits on the freedom of expression. For example, promoting hatred against any identifiable group would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges.

“Canadian defamation laws also limit freedom of expression and may differ somewhat from those to which you are accustomed. I therefore ask you, while you are a guest on our campus, to weigh your words with respect and civility in mind. There is a strong tradition in Canada, including at this university, of restraint, respect and consideration in expressing even provocative and controversial opinions and urge you to respect that Canadian tradition while on our campus.”

Some tradition. The Ottawa speech did not take place because a gang of student protesters caused enough trouble for the local police to advise that the whole thing be called off. Which says a great deal about leftist thugs, weak cops and freedom of speech in Canada...

Indeed. And what is says is that the thugs are strong, the police are wusses, and freedom of speech in Canada is viewed with the same sort of abhorence that would normally be reserved for something really shocking and abnormal--like, say, necrophilia. It also says that our elites, our intellectual "superiors," are a bunch of anally retentive, mush-brained Trudeaupian cry-babies.