Phoni HARK! is that the sound of free speech being defended that I hear coming from across the water? Could it be? Yes, it is: Attorney General Uyal Dosanjh rightly dis- traught over the murder of Indo-Canadian Times pub- lisher Tara Singh Haver. In a newspaper interview : following the murder, » Dosanjh was quoted as saying that “this is about a funda- mental issue: freedom of expression, the treedam to live without fear. Pve always spoken out no matter what fears may exist —- and that’s what [urge others to do, no matter what side of the politt- eal debate vou might be on.” Could this be the same Ujial Dosanjh who is driving the bus to institute more hate laws in Canada, laws that limit tree expression? The same attorney general whose fellow forces of NDP righteousness twisted the province’s Human Rights Code inte a weapon against freedom of specch by making it an offence against the state to publish opinions that some groups might find offensive? Anything that “indicates discrimination” or “is likely to eXpose a person or group or class of persons to hatred or contempt . Afraid so. "Tis the same Ujjal Dosanjh whose government’s human rights amendments have so muddied the waters matbox of free expression that no nwo newspapers in B.C. would be able to tell you what they could or could not publish under the legislation. The Human Rights Code amendments have resulted i the North Shore News being the first newspaper in Canada to be hauled before a government -appointed human rights tribunal to defend itself against charges that it violated standards of content legislated in vague government statute. The first forced to defend what BC Press Council lawver Roger MeConchie rightly calls “speech that is not crimi- nal.” It is an absurd situation that most media have accept- ed without argument. Well, here is some more free speech that may or may not be upsetting to the human rights commission and may or may not be likely to indicate discrimination. ‘The assassination of Tara Singh Hayer underscores the reality of opinions voiced for so many years in this eclumn space by retired North Shore News columnist and human rights target Doug Collins. A ere nna ARORA TR RR A IIB Leave smoking issue to owners Dear Editor: To smoke or not to smoke? It is hard to watch the apa- thy of Greater Vancouverites when it comes to the new no smoking bylaws now sweeping the Lower Mainland’s restau- rants, pubs, bars and even cof: fee shops. My problem with the whole thing is that a large group of customers have been forgottea in the process. Depending on the type and/or location of the articular business, anywhere nveen 30% and 50% of the customers are largely inconve- nienced. And, there is also a “F side-effect — the impact this ‘prohibition has on many small Businesses. It doesn’t have to be that way. A competition between smoking, no smoking and lim- ited smoking establishments would benefit all, including government, through increased taxes! It is the owners who know best what their cus- ADVERTISING CORRECTION: in our ‘Suprise Sale’ ad included in this newspaper on November 25, 1996 PLEASE NOTE: 50% Off all mattress sets - was incorrectiy described. Copy should read: “50% off selected mattress sets (Simmons, Sealy sets). . We slacerely apologize to our valued customers and regret any inconvenience or confu- sion this miay have caused. EATON’S tomers want. As Adan Sinith put it in the Wealth of Nations (1776): “... every individual, it is evident, can, in his local situation. judge much better than any states- man or law-giver can do for him. The staresman, who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals, would not only load himself with a most unnecessary atten- tion, but assume an authority which could safely be trusted, not only to no single person, but to no council or senate wiiatever ....” I must add that I know that smoking is a bad thing. I have seen many a horrible example of it but it is still legal. Let the owners decide. Milan Minka North Vancouver ¢ GRADES 7 TO 8 ENGLISH © GRADES 171 & 742 SCIENCE v individual Attention e free Through its empry-headed and politically monvated migration and refugee pel cies, this country has import ed clements of a culture of violence that have no place in Canada. At least not the Canada that Twas raised in and am proud to be a citizen of, Institution of the afore- mentioned human rights amendments and other so- called hate specen legisiadion has restricted the open discus- sion of immigration, multicul- turalism: and other issues key to Canada’s good health. Fear of being branded a racist by fellow politically cor- rect media and feckless politi- cians has cowed a timid press into Hp-tocing around issues thar need full public airing. You can’t legislate toler- ance. But vou can illuminate ignorance and stupidity with the bright light of public debate. So on the tragic Occasion of Fara Singh Hayer’s mur- der, Ujjal Dosanjh’s detence of free speech is hypocrisy of the first order, 3 And while we are on the subject of tree speech and hypocrisy: the forces of cen- sorship headed by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) continue to steamroll over any criticism of [srael or other things Jewish. The North Shore News of course has been in the steamroller’s sights for years because of opinions espoused by Doug Collins. But the latest CJC taraet is the Vancouver Court The Vancouver-area news- paper came under heavy fire from the CJC recently after its columnist Gregory Felton took issue with how Isracli policies in the Middle East were being portrayed ia the new National Post. Felron’s Nov. | column criticized a pro-Israel Post edi- torial that hurrahed the recent peace accord berween Israci spéec and the Palestinians. Felton opined that the edi torial was, among other things, poorly written: and betraved a poor grasp of the historical facts as they per- tained to the Middle East sit- uation, He dissected the editorials arguments and underscored what he determined to be the errors Of its Ways. Wrote Felton: *... this whole ‘peace process’ is a sham created by Israchi intran- sigence and American unwill ingness to compel Esracl to keep its promises.” But he hit a her butron with the statement that the position of the Palestinian entrenist organization Hamas was “morally and legally cor- rect.” A call to arms swittly fol- lowed the column's publica- tion. The CJC issued a Now, 4 press release calling for a reader boveou ofthe Conrier. Ir fumed that Felton had watten “no less than nine editorials attacking the very foundation of the State of Israel.” The C}C questioned why such “completely biased and dangerous” views should be carried in a community news- paper. This blather trom the same organization that a month earlier wailed about intringe- ments of free speech in a let: ter to the BC Press Council, The Oct. 7 letter complained about publisher David Black and his directive to his B.C. newspapers to publish only anti-Nisga’a treaty editorials, In it the CJC stated that “elements of our First Nations communities feel deeply wounded by this pre- emptive attempt to stifle potentially differing viewing points on the editorial pages of many of B.C.’s widely read and influential community newspapers.” That CJC commitment to differing viewpoints apparent- ly ends when it comes to sub- Lose your power? i Storm Damage? Need a Generator? We offer the complete line of Mitsubishi Generators - 1300 W. AG te $700 W. AC output. 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YourTel eo ee The result being thar, tol- t would Love For Christmas. lowing a directive fram on Deseripnen [ Mock high, anti-Isracli commentary has been banished forever trom the Couriers payes. Readers have been bett with the issue half discussed. With free speech defenders like Dosanjh and the CIC, it wort be long betore there's nothing left to detend Year Nanw fully warranty approved 1362 Marine Drive 980-9n15 ! Les 800arn-6 COprn, Sun 9.00am-5:00pm Expres Dec. S198 J Jini MOTORWERKS Winter 1s here! Now is the ume far snow tires, rad flushes batteries etc... Censutt your neighbourhood professionals for inexpensive quality service ahi WINTER’ SERVICE. ; Lube, Oil & Fitter 3 60 check & adjust brakes, check & Rad Flas: & Fill Pressure Test Cooling System 79, adjust belts plus 31 point safety inspection, (on most cars) 123A East Ist St. KR. Van fin rear) 990-3994 hair removal Find out what all the talk is about. When a procedure this hreakthrough comes along, word travels Jast. 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