Free Speech in Canada? Yeah Right.

What is the difference of hatred and opinion? Under the criminal code of Canada it is illegal to incite hatred against people based on their colour, race, religion, ethnic origin, and sexual orientation, except when statements made are true or are made in good faith. By the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, one has the right to the "freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication". But who is to say which statements are true when some are just a matter of opinion. By the means of Ann Coulter, it seems hatred and opinion could be awfully alike.

Ann Coulter is an American conservative, social and political commentator,author and syndicated columnist. She speaks on television, radio, and at private and public events. Coulter has taken freedom of speech to a new level, shocking Canada with her racist views and controversial statements.

On her Canadian University Tour, she was warned before her speech at the University of Western Ontario that "promoting hatred against any identifiable would not only be considered inappropriate, but could in fact lead to criminal charges." Still, she went on to state that Muslims should not be allowed on airplanes, and told a Muslim student to "take a camel", after she already insisted that Muslims should take a magic carpet. On March 22, thousands of protesters in Ottawa forced Coulter's speech to the University of Ottawa to be cancelled.

Is it right for Canadians to kick Coulter out of the country even though they invited her in? She has definitely put a spin on Canada's right to free speech, but Canada needs to see the other side. Maybe she has inspired other speakers to jump aboard the roller coaster of racism. Who knows who will take the ride next.

The Man.

I heard the smash of an old whiskey bottle as I was leaving the saloon. I looked up into the bright sunlight only to see the silhouette of a strong, chiseled cowboy. He came into the light, with his hat shadowing half of his dirty, beaten face. His scruff was like grass, finally sprouting to the surface of the soil. His eyes looked at me as if I was a deer and he was a coyote, ready to attack. He gripped the handle of his gun with all his strength, ready to use it at any time. His jacket was made of worn leather, rips and tears throughout. The jeans he was wearing were loose and worn, they looked as if they have survived many adventures. I wonder what those adventures are.

Love at First Sight

Good things happen to those who wait, but is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? A good man is hard to find, and trust me it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. I was ready to give up. About a year ago, I laid my eyes on this man, he took my breath away. Love is blind, but I saw him crystal clear. He was as beautiful as the day is long; tall, dark and handsome. He smelled as fresh as a daisy and was as sensitive as a flower. The best thing since sliced bread, and do I ever love sliced bread! I've never been so in love, but I had to let him go because if you love something set it free. So i will continue to wait for the right man to come around.

Why Me?

The brisk wind was piercing my rosy cheeks as I bounded down the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, France. Not five minutes before I was at Princess Margaret School in Penticton, working diligently on an English assignment when suddenly an earthquake hit. A large chunk of the cement ceiling came crashing down and knocked me out. When I gained consciousness I was in Paris. Baffled, I bolted off what seemed to be a never ending cobblestone alley as i scoured the area for an explanation to this bizarre mystery. I ran up to a group of elegant ladies who looked like they were all wearing chic retro clothing. As i scrambled to put a sentence together one of the ladies continued to say "Princess Diana and her lover are on their way now!" Then it hit me. "What's the date today?" I asked the woman that made the exclamation. "Why, it's August 31st, 1997 of course!" Not only was I transported to Paris but i was sent back in time to the day Princess Diana died. Without saying a word I scurried down the boulevard and right to the place Princess Diana crashed. I didn't know which way she would be coming from so I decided to follow my instincts. If I was chosen to get sent here, I must have good instincts. I closed my eyes and started running to my right. The road seemed to be neverending, but then I saw it. I saw the car in which she was in that day. "Oh my God, what do I do?" I asked. I looked back towards the direction I came, and then it clicked. I saw a man holding a small gun, hiding in a bush. It wasn't the crash that killed her. She got shot! Panicked by my discovery I bolt towards him. He hasn't seen me yet, so I decide to act casual. As the car comes with the window open, I see him raise his gun. That's when i jump. Bang! "I did it," are my last words, as people gather around me and I take my last breath.