Ann Coulter cries that Canada is bullying her

[Ecofarm]

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

Of course!

People have rights other than free speech, those include life and limb not being lost to mobs. We inhibit your so-called "free speech" all the time when we designate protest zones and times... to protect public safety.

You have officially devolved to saying that yelling fire in a crowded building is, in fact, free speech.

Free speech is not by invitation only.

But it is subject to rules that insure other rights.

[Wezil]

A peaceful protest I would support.

No, free speech is not by invitation but it does involve letting someone speak and be heard. Particularly if their views are contrary to yours. Your concept of free speech seems to be whoever yells the loudest, brings enough supporters and pulls enough pranks (tossing tables, pulling fire alarms) gets to have free speech. If you aren't loud enough to be heard over the mob (or choose not to try) tough luck. The intent of the protest last night was to stop her from speaking (yes, be honest Asher) and they succeeded.

Sadly, as with most protesters of this sort, they really aren't very bright. What would have gone as a pretty much unnoticed speaking tour has suddenly gotten notice and given Coulter undreamed of exposure. I guarantee you her book sales today are far higher than they would have been without last night's display. Our loss was her gain.

[MrFun]

Let me get this straight . . .

You nasty heterosexist, you.

[Asher]

Of course!

Holy ****, that is epic fail.

People have rights other than free speech, those include life and limb not being lost to mobs.

Yes, and if anyone in the mob attacked Coulter or otherwise suppressed her from talking, they would be found guilty of any number of offenses. Fact of the matter is, they were simply protesting OUTSIDE THE VENUE...which is their right.

You have officially devolved to saying that yelling fire in a crowded building is, in fact, free speech.

Not at all. Yelling fire in a crowded building creates panic and can cause injuries and/or death.

Protesting outside a venue with ample security presence is not the same thing as yelling fire in a crowded building. Stop insulting my intelligence and stop wasting our time with this bull****.

But it is subject to rules that insure other rights.

And no rules were violated, other than the tool who pulled the fire alarm (who, if caught, WOULD be charged).

[Asher]

A peaceful protest I would support.

The protest was peaceful. There was no threats nor any violence.

That's pretty much the end of this discussion, isn't it? Your premise is flawed.

No, free speech is not by invitation but it does involve letting someone speak and be heard.

Coulter was permitted to speak and be heard. Her own people cancelled the speech. She could've even just said the speech via webcast or from another facility if she really felt so threatened.

The fact that Coulter didn't speak last night is 100% because she chose not to. There's no other way to spin that.

[Wezil]

You and I have different ideas of peaceful.

[Asher]

Peaceful is defined by not disturbed by strife or turmoil or violence. If you use a different definition, you are alone.

[Wezil]

Here is a peaceful protest.

[Asher]

There's boring, old-lady protests...and there's peaceful protests.

Peaceful protests can include lots of idiots yelling and shouting. So long as they don't knock heads.

[Ecofarm]

Or pull fire alarms.

[Asher]

Or pull fire alarms.

So now we're back to this -- one student pulls a fire alarm and suddenly the protest is equated with a violent mob trying to kill Coulter?

Are you sure you want to keep arguing this? I feel like I'm assaulting a mentally disabled child by continuing this debate.

Again, pulling a fire alarm to disrupt something scheduled that students don't want is a time-honoured tradition at colleges. Assuming you went to university (a big assumption given your debate skills in this thread), how many of your exams were interrupted by fire alarms? I'm sure you had at least one. And I promise, the guy who pulled it didn't do it to threaten you.

[Wezil]

There's boring, old-lady protests...and there's peaceful protests.

I post a video of Kevin Smith protesting his own movie with a bunch of Ben types and you take it seriously.

Chill out dude.

[Ecofarm]

I didn't equate anything.

I said pulling fire alarms in an openly hostile environment is not peaceful. Nor is it free speech.

And it is entirely reasonable to end an event because of such a thing.

[Wezil]

She was off base with her comments about University of Ottawa students though. She obviously hasn't heard of York.

[Drake Tungsten]

Assuming you went to university (a big assumption given your debate skills in this thread), how many of your exams were interrupted by fire alarms?

Zero. What the **** is wrong with your country? No respect for free speech or education...