Ann Coulter cries that Canada is bullying her

[Asher]

You should really read up on the history of free speech. I understand why they wouldn't want to teach you about that in Canadian universities (which are pathetic anyway, but that's another discussion), but it really is an important and interesting topic. I imagine there are any number of American books on the subject.

It was a big focus when I went to school in America as well. I understand the history and I appreciate the foresightedness of introducing it when America did as part of the constitution.

Unfortunately, we do not live in the 1700s and 1800s anymore and society has changed a lot since then. It's folly to focus on history rather than living in the present.

The simple fact is, Americans fight more, kill each other more, and have far more sharply divided, partisan politics which are slowly bankrupting your country and you also have some of the most socially restrictive laws in any developed country. You guys aren't doing everything right.

At one point you need to sit down and clear your head and objectively analyze what you could change. I'm not saying putting restrictions on free speech would fix your country (such a proclamation would be so stupid that only Ben could make it), but I do think the fact that Canada has such a law demonstrates that Canada has different priorities on the rights of the individual vs the health of its people as a whole.

Canadians also, in fact, enjoy the freedom of not having to work two jobs to pay for a loved one's cancer treatment.

[Drake Tungsten]

At one point you need to sit down and clear your head and objectively analyze what you could change.

I have plenty of ideas on changes that would benefit America. Adopting restrictive free speech laws like those in Canada is not on the list, as that's one of the things the U.S. has right.

[Asher]

I have plenty of ideas on changes that would benefit America. Adopting restrictive free speech laws like those in Canada is not on the list.

As I said, I don't think it would do anything in the USA. It's not something a law can fix. It's a cultural thing.

Americans are more interested in preserving their right to call for the death of jews than they are to ensure their loved ones will always have affordable access to health care. Americans are more interested in preserving their rights to own machine guns than they are about reducing gun violence. It's a nation full of bad priorities.

No simple law changes can fix the USA. It'll take generations of slow changes to catch up to Canada. Changes which will never happen because America is too busy chasing its tail.

[Drake Tungsten]

There's no need to get defensive; I'm bashing Canadian free speech restrictions, not Canada itself. Canada isn't a top-10 country to live in or anything (and certainly doesn't compare to other English-speaking countries like the US, Australia or the UK), but it's alright. It's certainly better than Russia, in spite of the geographic and cultural similarities.

[Theben]

We've always had partisan politics. If we got this far, it shouldn't be a real problem.

Also we export most of our violence.

[Asher]

Speaking of freedoms in Canada...as far as I know, downloading pirated movies/music/games is still legal in Canada.

We also don't have the DMCA, which is very much anti-freedom...

The more I think about it, the USA is far more restrictive on just about every aspect of my life...from my love life to my gaming/movies/music. Certainly no pinnacle for freedom.

[Asher]

There's no need to get defensive;

I'm clearly going on the offensive.

(and certainly doesn't compare to other English-speaking countries like the US, Australia or the UK), but it's alright. It's certainly better than Russia, in spite of the geographic and cultural similarities.

You clearly know very little of Australia or the UK if you include them in your list.

Australia is the worst nanny state of any modern country. You can't even buy a lot of video games there. PG-13 is their highest rating. They're installing a mandatory internet filter at the ISP level, and the government controls the list of blocked sites...

[Drake Tungsten]

You clearly know very little of Australia or the UK if you include them in your list.

I put them above Canada because I know so much about Canada.

Australia is the worst nanny state of any modern country. You can't even buy a lot of video games there. PG-13 is their highest rating.

Yeah, but Aussies are ****ing awesome to hang out with, unlike Canucks. A nanny state isn't so bad when a country isn't also full of boring Dudley Do-Right's with a massive inferiority complex. Besides, where would you rather live?

[Asher]

We've always had partisan politics. If we got this far, it shouldn't be a real problem.

Also we export most of our violence.

Partisan politics aren't necessarily bad. Exclusively bipartisan politics are.

[Asher]

Yeah, but Aussies are ****ing awesome to hang out with, unlike Canucks.

You would rather hang out with Dale or trev than me or Kitty?

[Asher]

I'm fairly confident I can drink any Aussie under the table, too.

Their domestic beer is ****ing light ****.

[Drake Tungsten]

You would rather hang out with Dale or trev than me or Kitty?

I already have both Canadian and Australian friends. A couple of the Canadians are actually pretty crazy and fun, but they don't hold a candle to the Aussies.

Their domestic beer is ****ing light ****.

Just like home.

[Asher]

Besides, where would you rather live?

I've lived in Canada and California, and I prefer Canada.

I'd definitely pick Canada over Australia (I very nearly moved from California to Perth, but we didn't because my mom didn't want to give up our cats -- true story, wish I was making it up).

I actually can't stand Australia. It's a nation of posers and hosers.

[Drake Tungsten]

I very nearly moved from California to Perth, but we didn't because my mom didn't want to give up our cats -- true story, wish I was making it up.

That sucks, dude. Perth is beautiful.

[Asher]

There's two things I don't like:
1) sun (I am one ****ing white whiteboy, the sun just ****ing burns me)
2) heat (I am one ****ing white whiteboy with thick blood, I keep my house at 65F year round)
3) ben