About That Free Speech Thing

Increasingly, it seems that free speech and freedom of expression are contingent upon whether the powers that be approve of your views. Recent events surrounding the Israel-Gaza war underscore that reality.

Close to home, Humber College has expressed 'regret'  over a recent incident where a student was removed from campus for his views. 

• 
  
  
• X
• Email
• Reddit
• LinkedIn

Dozens of students organized a walkout at Humber College in Toronto on Tuesday after one student was removed from campus for putting up stickers of the Palestinian flag amid heightened tensions on many Canadian university campuses.

Hani Alaf, a Syrian-Canadian postgraduate student, says he plastered about a dozen stickers around Humber's Lakeshore campus last Tuesday. The stickers depicted the Palestinian flag and read "Boycott Israeli Apartheid."

Two days later, he was sitting in class when a staff member of Humber's public safety department approached him and asked him to leave campus and not return, he says.

"[I was told] that I have been accused of spreading hate speech, of spreading antisemitic rhetoric and of desecrating and vandalizing property," Alaf told CBC Toronto.

Told that he would be arrested should he return. Hence the student walkout, and now that the incident has been held up to the sanitizing rays of public scrutiny,  the college has expressed its regrets and he can return to campus.

And slightly farther afield, there is the great exception American Republicans are taking with Palestinian-American House Democrat Rashida Tlaib, who has tried to emphasize the humanity of victims on both sides. To their shame, a number of her fellow Democrats voted for the censure, the final count being 234-188 in favour of her censure.

But she is not prepared to accept this:

In remarks on the House floor, Tlaib defended her criticism of the country and urged lawmakers to join in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“I will not be silenced and I will not let you distort my words,” Tlaib said. “No government is beyond criticism. The idea that criticizing the government of Israel is antisemitic sets a very dangerous precedent, and it’s been used to silence diverse voices speaking up for human rights across our nation.”

She also said she had condemned the Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens several times.

Finally, across the  pond, English PM Rishi Sunak has no tolerance for a pro-Palestinian protest on Armistice Day, one that the Met Commissioner, Mark Rowley refuses to block:

Rishi Sunak has vowed to hold the Metropolitan police commissioner, Mark Rowley, “accountable” for his defiance of demands for a ban on a pro-Palestinian march in London planned for Armistice Day.

Downing Street would not say whether the government would overrule the Met’s decision.

Asked whether it would intervene, the official said: “The Met are operationally independent and obviously the focus on the discussion today is about their approach. It is a poignant weekend of remembrance where people from across the UK come together. Planning a march to coincide with that which, based on previous marches, may include incidents of expressing racial hatred, for which there were a number of arrests last weekend, would be provocative and disrespectful.”

Sterling examples of free speech and freedom of expression, something we are always told are legacies of those who fought and died in both world wars, seem no longer the tradition when dealing with Pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Irony, anyone?

 

• Facebook
• X
• Emai

• Reddit

• 
  

Repost: Sometimes, All You Can Do Is Feed The Birds

Let's face it: life is grim these days, the Israeli-Hamas war but another reminder of our collective inhumanity, not just in the perpetration of evil acts of destruction but also in the very debate about whether a ceasefire in the killing of Gazans should be considered. with over 10,000 Palestinians dead thus far, that the question has become a huge heated topic of debate perhaps tells us a great deal about how far we have sunk. I am reminded of a term that was often used on the television series Law and Order: depraved indifference.

Additionally, given the rapidly deteriorating conditions of the world politically,  environmentally, socially and just about every other way one can think of, rather that simply disengaging in life, and hiding in our caves. is there a solution that is realistic and eminently doable.?

Over a year ago, I posted something about my personal philosophy that perhaps provides a partial solution, at least for me. Here is that post:

For many years, there was a popular saying that everyone seemed to know: "Think globally, act locally." Basically, it was a call to consider the global environmental implications in every decision we make. Not a bad sentiment, but I find myself living by something quite different in these latter days of my life.

In my backyard, which is perpetually sun-challenged, I have an array of drought-resistant perennials ranging from Hostas to Black-eyed Susans to Purple Coneflowers. Unfortunately, I have never had any luck with my Milkweed efforts, but at least the 'garden' offers something for pollinators.

Also in the backyard I keep a birdbath and two bird feeders, both of which I replenish regularly. Seeing the birds come and the bees collecting pollen offers me a small measure of comfort in these dark days. Because, when you think about it, sometimes all you can do is feed the birds.

The above  essentially encapsulates what has become my philosophy of life. Recognizing that the big issues like war, famine, drought, massive climate change, to name but four, have little likelihood of remediation, I was forced to change my outlook in order to keep even a semblance of hope and positivity.

Feeding the birds both literally and metaphorically allows me to maintain my humanity. Metaphorically, it means doing some good, usually locally, where I can. Such acts do not have a world-shaking impact but perhaps might make someone else's life just a little bit better or at least reduce their suffering in a small way.

I will not bore you with details of how I try to practise this philosophy, but opportunities to help abound: community refrigerators, hot-meal programs, volunteering, foodbanks, mentoring, helping a neigbour, providing a sympathetic ear to someone in distress,  just being present for another, etc.. Each of us, in our way, in our own communities, can help to "feed the birds." 

In my life, I have much to be thankful for. I accept the goodness in my life with gratitude, knowing that days of grace are guaranteed to no one, nor are they really ever merited. As grateful as I am, if I can do even a little to show monetary/emotional support for individuals who are suffering, I feel called to do so.

We sometimes really do underestimate what a kind word, a sympathetic voice, a show of support or a small donation can achieve in someone's life.

Nearer My God To Thee

As the Benighted States of Amerika lurches ever-closer to a full-blown theocracy with the election of Mike Johnson as House Speaker, a timely reminder: be careful what you wish for:

Amen.

UPDATED: Powerful Political Leadership

As the war between Israel and Gaza rages on, it is almost too painful to watch the devastation that the former is inflicting on the latter. I have always been steadfast in my view that criticism of Israel, which is clearly warranted in its ongoing retaliation for the horrible Hamas attack, is not a manifestation of anti-Semitism, but rather the valid criticism of a nation-state, something we do regularly when other countries overstep their bounds.

Sadly, however, politics being what it is, most 'leaders' are loathe to engage in anything more than pro-forma declarations of Israel's right to defend itself, while inserting parenthetic sympathy for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Political courage and leadership are most often singularly lacking in the discussion.

Nonetheless, most right-thinking people are undoubtedly appalled by the rising number of anti-Semitic outrages being committed these days under the pretext of reaction to Israel's actions in Gaza. People are being attacked, children are afraid to venture out to school, places of worship are being desecrated. None of this can be justified. 

Germany, which knows well the cost of anti-Semitism, offers an especially lucid and heartfelt analysis of the ugliness that is spreading; given its history, what it says matters. German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck released the following nine-minute video, which merits careful viewing and careful reflection. It makes a clear distinction between legitimate criticism of the Jewish state and anti-Semitic actions. Even if you don't have the time to watch the entire piece, try to watch some of it, as the concern, compassion, balance and historical context contained therein are well-worth your consideration.

UPDATE: Thanks to Toby for providing this link to a full transcript of Habeck's speech.

Two Seasonal Reminders

I guess we never really outgrow Halloween, especially when the auguries spell something scary for Doug Ford.

And editorial cartoonists are certainly trying to put the fear of God into the premier:

H/t Theo Moudakis

A Sunday Thought

With the NDP imploding under the weight of idealists and ideologues, and with some calling for the resignation of Marit Stiles, the following editorial cartoon seems to hit its target:

The only possible victor emerging from this debacle, in my view, will be the Ontario Liberals, especially if they choose Bonnie Crombie (who Doug Ford fears) as their next leader. While one female leader sinks, another will likely rise.

Not A Team Player

 

I have never been much of a joiner. I never really participated in team sports, committees (unless I had no choice), or group endeavours. There is something about the passionate intensity of such pursuits that has always left me cold. And, of course, history teaches us a great deal about happens when we lose ourselves in collective mania.

I therefore feel a measure of sympathy for Hamilton Centre MPP Sara Jama, the erstwhile NDP member ousted from caucus over her refusal to recognize and submit to the party hierarchy. It is not always easy to play nice with others. But my sympathy is limited.

There are many posts on social media decrying NDP leader Marit Stiles' decision to remove Jama. Some profess admiration for Jama's unwavering defence of Palestinians and vow never again to vote for the party. Indeed, someone went so far as to vandalize the window of Stiles' constituency office.

All, of course, are entitled to their opinion, but what they fail to understand in their idealistic fervour is that politics is a team sport. It is something one presumably knows before running for office. And it is a truth that Ms. Jama chose to ignore repeatedly.

Marit Stiles had this to say about her removal from caucus:

NDP Leader Marit Stiles announced Monday that Sarah Jama was removed from caucus because she has “broken the trust of her colleagues,” less than an hour before government MPPs passed a motion that will prevent Ms. Jama from speaking in the legislature.

 Ms. Jama, who was elected last March to the riding of Hamilton Centre, has been the source of controversy for the NDP after she posted a statement two weeks ago about the conflict in the Middle East. The post focused on the plight of Palestinians and human-rights violations in Gaza but did not speak about Israeli lives lost or condemn Hamas for its atrocities against Jewish people.

Ms. Stiles initially demanded that Ms. Jama remove the post, but the rookie MPP did not do so. Instead, Ms. Jama issued an apology to Jewish and Israeli people, condemned Hamas, and called for a release of all hostages and an end to the siege in Gaza. Ms. Jama’s original post, which she has since moved to the top of her social media, remains online. 

It would seem that Stiles worked earnestly to avoid removing her from caucus.

“Ms. Jama and I had reached an agreement to keep her in the NDP caucus, which included working together in good faith with no surprises. Our caucus and staff have made significant efforts to support her during an undoubtedly difficult time,” Ms. Stiles said in a statement.

“Since then, she has undertaken a number of unilateral actions that have undermined our collective work and broken the trust of her colleagues.”

Drilling right done to the essential truth, it is clear that Jama, in her own purist approach to politics, was undermining Stiles' very leadership of the Ontario NDP, as well as offering the gift to the Ford government of diversion from the Greenbelt scandal. These are two facts that the idealists among us fail to acknowledge.

Politics has been called "the art of the possible," a pragmatic perspective that, in my view, speaks another essential truth. By ignoring that truth, Jama has consigned herself to political oblivion and betrayed her obligations to her entire constituency.