Ann Coulter cries that Canada is bullying her

[Asher]

Drudge's lead story on the incident was just pulled, at:

http://www.canada.com/Coulter+speech+Ottawa+cancelled/2718231/story.html

Let's compromise and say the environment was very hostile. Hostile environment + fire alarm = problem.

I'm not compromising. You're wrong and I want you to admit it. No threats were made. No violence was occurring. People were gathering to express their opinions, something which is legal in Canada.

There was nothing at all indicative of threatening or violent behaviour. All of the footage I've seen looks like every other ****ing protest that's ever happened (the non-violent kind). It's a bunch of university students expressing displeasure with her being there, which is their right. The worst I've seen it called from any objective source is "boisterous".

She cancelled because she is a coward and wanted the media ****storm. It's her career. You are lying if you continue to propagate her lies about threats and violence.

She has spoken at plenty of Canadian universities during her current tour ""Political Correctness, Media Bias and Freedom of Speech", including days before and after. She only had a problem at that one school, let's not indict all Canadians in this hateful, bigoted and close-minded behavior.

Please don't lie to me. She's visiting 3 universities: Western Ontario (where she made her 'camel' comment), Ottawa (which she cancelled), and Calgary (scheduled for tomorrow).

The only "problem" she had at Ottawa was someone pulled the fire alarm. She's faced protests at Western as well (and she'll face them in Calgary tomorrow, too).

She's doing this as a media stunt, because it's how she makes a living. You should be smarter than this.

[Ecofarm]

that is not in any way a threatening gesture.

Pulling a fire alarm during a public event is a threat. It creates a distraction, causes chaos and can lessen the response to further such incidents that evening. It's a threat to everyone there, especially a featured speaker who is receiving considerable immediate hostility.

I gaurantee that if Obama were at an event and someone pulled a fire alarm, it's over.

[Asher]

Keep spinning it Asher. Spin, spin, spin.

Yeah, spinning...that's exactly what I'm doing here.

Which camp is it whining about her being "banned" in Canada, when no such thing has happened? Which camp is whining about "threats", when no such thing as happened?

She's a prissy little drama queen looking for media attention and a sympathetic ear from people with below-grade IQs.

She's trying hard to spin this into something other than a display of her cowardice. Unfortunately for her, there was plenty of media at the protests which show her comments about threats and violence to be completely false.

[Asher]

Pulling a fire alrm during a public event is a threat.

No, it's not. It's a crime, it's not a threat.

Are you suggesting we arrest students who pull fire alarms to get out of exams because they are "threatening the lives" of thousands of people? Or do we charge them with "pulling a fire alarm when there is no fire"?

Don't insult me with this ****. The fire alarm was pulled by the students to disrupt. Students do the same **** all the time to get out of exams also. There's nothing threatening about it.

God ****ing damnit, are all Americans are cowardly as you and Ann Coulter? Do you duck and don a bullet proof vest when you hear a fire alarm?

[Ecofarm]

Look, USians are not idiots who are pushed to violence by political commentary. We can hear someone say wild stuff, be inappropriate and even make fun of people in Un-PC ways (oh noes!)... and we don't lose our minds. That's why we let people say stuff like here at Apolyton. We think it is better to have the fringes, or those who represent them purposefully, in the open. We're not fascist.

Canadians are the cowards. Sticks and stones... you little sissies.

[Wezil]

Yesterday was a very bad day for free speech in this country. There really is no other way to spin it.

[Drake Tungsten]

She also took a swipe at Canadians, saying this country has lost its edge.

“You guys used to be so cool. You were smokers. You had epic hockey fights. We had half our comedians from Canada. Now you’re all a bunch of girls named Francois.”

[Wezil]

Coulter should know. It looks like she's been hit by a puck or three.

[Drake Tungsten]

That's sexist. I'm reporting you to your government.

[Wezil]

Join the line.

[Asher]

Yesterday was a very bad day for free speech in this country. There really is no other way to spin it.

No one stopped her from speaking but her own people.

[Asher]

Canadians are the cowards. Sticks and stones... you little sissies.

Seems to me that Coulter was terrified of some Canadian students.

[Dinner]

Look, USians are not idiots who are pushed to violence by political commentary.

What? There seemed to be plenty of violence during the civil rights era and right now we have tons of right wing dirt bags threatening real violence over some extremely moderate health insurance reforms.

[Wezil]

Asher -

Yeah, BS.

The protesters created a hostile environment and then claim she canceled because she didn't want to speak. Pull the other one, it has bells on it.

As to your claim the protesters were just exercising their free speech rights - They weren't the ones invited to speak so others could listen. She was.

I despise Coulter as much as the next Canadian. She is a vile and hateful woman but a country that tolerates free speech doesn't shout down opposing voices. That was what was done last night. The premise she might say something criminal is pretty weak. I might speed tomorrow (based on past conduct), how be we wait to see if I do before issuing the ticket?

[Asher]

Yeah, BS.

The protesters created a hostile environment and then claim she canceled because she didn't want to speak. Pull the other one, it has bells on it.

Let me get this straight. You would have the protesters suppressed to engender free speech?

I don't see any other way to interpret your comment. You had two crowds yesterday: Coulter and the anti-Coulters. Both were given the opportunity to be heard. One cancelled, the others didn't. There's no implications here for free speech...both were permitted.

As to your claim the protestors were just exercising their free speech rights - They weren't the ones invited to speak so others could listen. She was.

Free speech is not by invitation only.

The premise she might say something criminal is pretty weak. I might speed tomorrow (based on past conduct), how be we wait to see if I do before issuing the ticket?

I'm utterly confused now. People were not protesting because she might say something criminal, they were protesting because her ideas are...well, as you already said.