Why Let Galloway In?
Why Let Galloway In? - by Ezra Levant
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/ezra_levant/2010/10/04/1558...
"Galloway flew to Canada over the weekend. And border security waved him through with a smile. Galloway's odious political views aren't illegal. But fundraising for Hamas is. So why was Galloway, bankroller of Hamas, let in?
It's a question Stephen Rigby, the dozing head of Canadian Border Services Agency, must be called on by Parliament to answer.."
the portrayal of Galloway as some kind of nut and terrorist continues...
Comments
Hi MCSquared.
Farber is a public personality and is immune to the charge of "personal attacks", even if you disagree with what some folks here have said.
I read the interview and now my head hurts. The things I do for you all in order to moderate effectively I tell ya.
In the interview linked above Farber makes a number of allegations and implications that are misleading, deliberately casting aspersions onto Galloway without really saying anything. Honesty is not something that comes to mind when seeing his mean, hate-infused tone with respect to Galloway.
Hamas is the elected government. Canada calls this a terrorist government. I called both Bush regimes that, since for certain the first one was not legally elected. Sadly, my word doesn't make Canadian policy and various USian war criminals and terrorists (Bush, Cheney, Rice, others) have had speaking tours here in Canada, and have had no problems getting across the border.
Calling Farber's inane point-of-view hate-speech doesn't violate babble policy.
I've done a bit of tooling around here and I now get the Farber thing here. Or at least see where it comes from. The mere mention of his name seems to set people catatonic; and he is a centrist voice in the Jewish community. Wow!
We babblers and Farber go back a long way. It's no mishtery why some of us loathe whatever his fevered mind emits.
Maysie thanks for the analysis. And I tend to agree since you are the moderator and you make the rules. As for Galloway, not a man I really like but that and 50 cents won't buy you a cup of coffee. Farber, well he can be a frustrating guy no doubt.I've seen him write eloquently on subjects dealing with his family and the Holocaust. I have seen him write with deep anger and hostility on those who he perceives as anti-Semitic and anti-Israel. And yes I have some trouble with that at times but not near as much as some on Babble.
I guess in the end we are all welcome to our views.
Now as someone who has worked in the legal field at one time let me make one important point; a public personality is NOT immune as you put it to the charge of personal attacks that can be libelous. Operating under that assumption will get you and Babble into trouble. If someone here libels Farber or anyone else public or not, a notice libel can be forthcoming. Defendants have tried to use "public persona" as a defense but that has raely factored in if a genuine libel has taken place. Accusing Farber of commiting a criminal act (and yes MCsquared is right, Section 318 makes it a criminal act to promote hatred) can very well be seen as libel. Just a word to the wise. Check with your own legal counsel to be sure.
I have seen him write with deep anger and hostility on those who he perceives as anti-Semitic and anti-Israel. And yes I have some trouble with that at times but not near as much as some on Babble.
One reason for that is he threw around a few insults, and made accusations of antisemitism, here.
Hi Woolfman.
As a moderator I read "Farber is a long-necked goose" as "I THINK Farber is a long-necked goose" or "IN MY OPINION Farber is a long-necked goose". This way, such statements get read as opinions, which I may or may not agree with.
There are not tons of Farber-fans here on babble, and there are quite a few Galloway fans here. This will tend to skew who gets praise and who gets targeted for dispute, to say the least. I'm okay with that, since babble doesn't claim to present, or to want to present "all sides of a story" or an issue.
As for libel, this covers us. And for this thread, nothing has gone over the line into being changed or deleted, which as moderators Catchfire and I will do if it crosses the line.
I've done a bit of tooling around here and I now get the Farber thing here. Or at least see where it comes from. The mere mention of his name seems to set people catatonic; and he is a centrist voice in the Jewish community. Wow!
Hi all, just thought I'd delurk to point out two things:
1. Debating about angels on a pin with pro-Israel zionist apologists was obsolete in democratic circles by 1980 (and I'm being generous). This is 2010.
2. There is no such thing as a "Jewish community". That's an anti-semitic slur. Only the anti-semites (and the zionists - same difference) have historically sought to separate Jews from the rest of the COMMUNITY - indeed, to send them to their "own" home - ghettoes, Birobidjan, Palestine, death camps, the form changes, the content remains the same: Jews are not part of the nations where they have lived for centuries and millennia.
Bastards like Farber cease to exist and make money once the elementary truth is recognized that Jews are from Earth, not Jupiter. And we are here to stay - here in Montréal and Toronto and Prince George and Yellowknife and everywhere else.
As a non-Jew I find the statement above highly offensive.
The Jewish community exists as much as any other ethnic or faith community.
Well as a Jew I find it obnoxious. I belong to a Jewish community and I am proud to be Jewish. Are Jews not permitted a community? Is babble OK with that? Am I now an anti-Semite because I believe in a Jewish community? I have read the rules, I thought that attacking an entire community (and what could be worse than to claim the Jewish community is not legitimate?) would be against the rules. Also understood that personal attacks were not permitted. Please elaborate.
Jebus crebus, here they come. I came to babble so I would not have to re-debate first principles of progressive politics - let alone with champions of Israel, Jewish ethnocentrism, and self-isolationism. Just because these characters keep coming back with new not-so-creative nicknames doesn't change our basic stand. Listen to them! What a fucking farce!
Really U. Can the mods please find out of these newest Zionist trolls are previously banned trolls?
And you, Woolfman, are despicable. The CJC is not "the Jewish Community". no more than Aboriginal Affairs is the FN community.
Farber DOES NOT represent Jews. He is NOT the voice of the Jewish community. For you to come to babble and contunually try to play the justiied criticism of Farber as hate speach is beyond despicable.
I'm flagging your post and hoping to hell your ass is banned.
Attacking an entire community? The CJC and Farber is an "entire community"? You're a hateful wee man aren't you? All the many Jewish people, who truly uphold the Jewish tradition of respect, tolerance, compassion and intellect are NOT members of your pro-Zionist organization and they are the Jews I know and love. The same people who taught me the best principles about social thought, community, humour...and dude, the CJC does not represent them. Peddle you Zionist tripe somewhere else.
I guess in your twisted wee mind a Jew who doesn't support the CJC is not a part of the "Jewish community". You make me sick
Why can't there be a Jewish community? I mean, there are Muslim, Christian, "animist", Buddist, communities. There are FN communities. Everyone gets a community except Jews? How very odd...
You clearly have no idea of what you're talking about, nor know much about the CJC.
And can you seriously say there is one FN organization that represents ALL FN people? I don't think so.
As a non-Jew I find the statement above highly offensive.
And as a non-comedian, to what degree are you offended?
Unionist claimed that there was no such thing as a Jewish community. See below:
Hi all, just thought I'd delurk to point out two things:
1. Debating about angels on a pin with pro-Israel zionist apologists was obsolete in democratic circles by 1980 (and I'm being generous). This is 2010.
2. There is no such thing as a "Jewish community". [my emphasis] That's an anti-semitic slur. Only the anti-semites (and the zionists - same difference) have historically sought to separate Jews from the rest of the COMMUNITY - indeed, to send them to their "own" home - ghettoes, Birobidjan, Palestine, death camps, the form changes, the content remains the same: Jews are not part of the nations where they have lived for centuries and millennia.
Bastards like Farber cease to exist and make money once the elementary truth is recognized that Jews are from Earth, not Jupiter. And we are here to stay - here in Montréal and Toronto and Prince George and Yellowknife and everywhere else.
He was not referring to the Jewish Congress. He was quite obviously referring to a "Jewish community".
This now has nothing to do with Zionism or pro or anti-Israel.
I repeat my query; is it ok to claim a "Jewish community" doesn't exist" on Babble?
I really hope George comes back and makes the life of Jason Kenny a living hell. It's only fair. Like howling wolves, braying mules, barking dogs, wailing banshees, hissing snakes, and sneaking bail-jumpers, the Conservatives are trembling before George like Charles I before the axe.
Swishhhhhhh ...
- imagine Levant referring to 'odious political views ..'
We should always keep in mind that Galloway's continued and copious pissing in the giants' cornflakes, by raising awareness and taking actions that seriously jeopardize a number of agendas both in the middle east and here in' Netanyahu's consulate' Canada, means that he is indeed a target for perhaps the most demonstrably malevolent constellation of powers the world has ever seen.
I hope his return is successful. The domestic political scene is so devoid of hope or promise that a Galloway seems like a breath of fresh air with his courage and ability to speak clearly and forcefully on things, instead of the mealy mouthed, neither-fish-nor-foul mendacities that are the common political fare hereabouts.
Ezra is a flake. The problem is corn flakes are all the rage the last 10 years or so. When will the MSM start reporting fact and educating people...oh sorry hockey is on(and I do watch a LOT) -and battle of the blades for all you ladies....go back to sleep. I never thought I would see a time i was ashamed of my country... disappointed yes, upset certainly, ashamed? DIdn't think it would happen. Problem is much as the villification of all germans in the 40s, people of conscious won't be counted. We only like black and white.
Two other views from "The Mark"
http://www.themarknews.com/articles/2676-should-galloway-go-away-a-q-a
http://www.themarknews.com/articles/2712-the-real-and-imagined-threats-to-canada-s-security
Yes, well, Bernie Farber trashed his reputation as a legitimate human rights activist years ago. Can you bury this coffin any deeper? Farber will try.
Not sure I follow you cueball on Farber. I thought he tried hard to make his point though the issue clearly remains a free speech matter.
Well anything that Ezra Levant may have to say needs to first be checked for accuracy so phhhhhht to that. As for Mr. Farber I have a bit more time for him. He is at least honest and upfront. His argument is compelling. Mr. Galloway cannot verify how the thousands of dollars was spent and to make these artificial seperations between the elected government of Gaza and Hamas is challenging.
Yet and its a big yet, I have to argue that as much as I loath Galloway, keeping him out of Canada certainly diminishes us as a democratic nation. A nation that is ruled by law yet one which cherishes free speech.
Wow, he is? Thanks for the testimonial.
Really, and here I thought Farber was a hypocritical ass.
He always seemed that way to me. Empty mouthpiece
Not sure I follow you cueball on Farber. I thought he tried hard to make his point though the issue clearly remains a free speech matter.
Really? Bernie Farber would lick Pol Pot's asshole and declare it tasted of angels. His 'ideas' are vicious racist garbage and his filthy utterances don't belong on this board. Either you're trolling, or you have much to learn about Gaza. You really want to get a fucking clue before posting here.
The langauge here and the personal attacks are reminscent of what I have seen on some of the rightwing sights.
Speaking of stuff that gets a lot of play on right wing sites where is the Kitty-Cat video when you need it? Farber always a man of ideas eager to get to the meat of the issues doesn't fail to mentions it. How could this thread be without it?
Ok, I was a little intemperate there. Too much shiraz with dinner perhaps. I'd made the mistake of actually reading a few lines of the Farber interview and I went off. I certainly won't make that mistake again - I'd rather gargle with sand.
Farber is a hate-monger. His utterances and ideology are hate speech. He is not a credible figure and no more deserves the oxygen of public attention than any other common or garden demagogue.
George Galloway for all his self-aggrandizement speaks truth to power and has focussed world attention on the Palestinian's wanton suffering as few others have. He has done it without machine-gunning children or bombing UN hospitals or houses full of civilian refugees - the sort of evil acts Farber regularly provides mendacious cover for.
This is elementary stuff and my point was if you haven't noticed the ethical gulf separating these two figures I should be surprised if you had anything useful to contribute to this board. I'm not a moderator so i can't ban your ass. I just don't see why I need to be pleasant to anyone trucking in such filth.
There. Is that more eloquent?
The langauge here and the personal attacks are reminscent of what I have seen on some of the rightwing sights.
On the evidense, I wood aggree.
Former MP Galloway will come back for the full tour in about a month's time. Conservatives still have plenty of time to hide in their coffins before this protagonist for truth arrives here to tear them a new one.
Any reply from that loser Jason Kenny regarding Galloway's challenge to a public debate over these important issues? Or is he too busy racially profiling and tormenting Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka? Harassing conscienscious objectors from the USA? Licking the boots of Uncle Sam?
Farber is a hate-monger. His utterances and ideology are hate speech. He is not a credible figure and no more deserves the oxygen of public attention than any other common or garden demagogue.
So now you stoop to accusing people of a criminal act. Promoting hatred is a violation of our criminal code and when you cavalierly accuse people of criminal behaviour there is another legal term for it, libel and defamation. Congratulations, you have learned well from Ezra Levant.
And you have learned well from Zionists like Farber.
I've done a bit of tooling around here and I now get the Farber thing here. Or at least see where it comes from. The mere mention of his name seems to set people catatonic; and he is a centrist voice in the Jewish community. Wow!
Any reply from that loser Jason Kenny regarding Galloway's challenge to a public debate over these important issues? Or is he too busy racially profiling and tormenting Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka? Harassing conscienscious objectors from the USA? Licking the boots of Uncle Sam?
"Mr Kenney says he is still concerned about George Galloway giving money to 'an illegal anti-Semitic violent terrorist organization called Hamas'..
'Minister Kenney has no interest in getting entangled in another one of George Galloway's desperate cries for someone - anyone to notice him,' Mr Velshyn said..'
these from the glob and posted in earlier Galloway thread I think - Kenney and his evil igor - Velshyn, say they'll 'wait for the lawsuit' - meanwhile he'll no doubt keep busy with the above as you say Beltov.