This is a Little Bit Better . . .

Free Speech is the foundation of democracy.  Without it there is no way for people to express any opinion that might affect the votes of citizens.  We restrict free speech in ways that make sense such as libel and slander, although I think Canada's laws are too strict on those. We also restrict speech where it causes immediate harm to another person, such a the hackneyed "fire in a theatre".  I personally think we go too far when we equate the harm of being trampled to death with the harm caused by racists and bigots.  Causation is obvious in the first and it's hard to argue the theatre isn't ablaze during a stampede.  However, the harm is not obvious with racist speech and we have the ability and the duty to refute such arguments.

Obviously, I think the kangaroo courts otherwise known a human rights commissions are an atrocity against the most basic freedoms we have.  The courts are a little better because at least truth is a defence there.  How 1984 is it that truth is not a defence in an HRC  hearing?  Well, this story at least restores a tiny bit of faith in the system:

White supremacist can seek help online in attempt to prove racist claims: court

The court has said that truth is defence and that Mr. Tremaine is allowed to seek evidence of the truth of his statements.  Statements like "Jews are a “parasitic race,” that “blacks are intellectually inferior to whites” and “Hitler was a lot nicer to the Jews than they deserved.”".

What a concept it is to let the truth decide his guilt!  While I still think this guy should be allowed to say whatever he likes until he says, directly, "Kill the Jews!" At that point he is inciting violence and I think criminalizing that is a reasonable restriction on speech.  I am happier, still, to see that Canadian judges have enough confidence in rational society to let this guy argue the ridiculous and have the crown refute it.

That is a little bit better.