For years, we have discussed (e.g., here, here, here, here, here) the crackdown on free speech in Canada, which followed European allies in criminalizing and regulating religious and political speech. The latest example involves Canadian nurse Amy Hamm, who had the temerity of putting up a billboard reading “I (heart) J.K. Rowling.” Despite recent changes in various countries regarding transgender athletes and other policy changes long advocated by Rowling, she remains persona non grata on the left — subjected to liberal blacklisting, book burning, threatened prosecution, cancel campaigns, and boycotts. The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal targeted Hamm. These tribunals have long operated as speech regulators, prosecuting those with opposing viewpoints or values.
I discuss Canada’s criminalization of speech in my book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.” The Hamm case is a textbook example of how these publicly funded tribunals quickly became speech censorship boards in the name of protecting “human rights.” Free speech does not appear to be one of those human rights.
The tribunal opened an investigation of Hamm four years ago after she paid for the pro-Rowling billboard. After a year of investigation, the tribunal altered its allegations to claim that Hamm was sharing “medically inaccurate information” to “discriminatory and derogatory statements regarding transgender people.” She has faced almost two years of investigation and 23 days of hearings. She continues to appeal the case.
In the meantime, she was also targeted at work by activist group Care Not Cops, which publicly called for her firing. Vancouver Coastal Health then suspended Hamm in May 2024. The regional health authority claimed Hamm’s exercise of free speech about her beliefs caused “harm to individuals.” Accordingly, she could not continue as a nurse unless she was either silent about her views or mouthed the approved viewpoints of the tribunal or health authority.
What is particularly chilling is how the tribunal continued to change its allegations and orders, including seeking to halt appeals by claiming that it has yet to “deliberate on the appropriate penalty and costs.” It now claims that there are “four public items in which she had identified herself as a nurse – three articles and one podcast episode.”
The point of these campaigns and investigations is not just to punish figures for their opposing views but to create a chilling effect on anyone who might even contemplate supporting Rowling or voicing opposing views.
The real lesson here is that in all things, what begins here in the USA spreads to our allies. That includes attacks on free speech and restrictions on what one can say.
Obama transferred his hatred of free speech to The Son He Never Had, Canada’s incoming prime minister and fellow Marxist, Justin Trudeau. And Trudeau used his control of government and beaurocracies to institute and replicate his version of Daddy Obama’s attack on free speech and institute Woke speech requirements.
No, actually Canada has been ahead of us on the Leftist curve for decades. Those of us in the pro-life movement were trying to warn people, but to little notice
The speech you hate the most is the speech you need to protect the most. I understand this is Canada and they have different rules and views, but there is a large lesson for the United States.
Regardless of what one feels for Amy Hamm and her views, she is defending herself and that has to be applauded because not everyone will. Think I am wrong? How many celebrities say stupid things and then apologize and who gets into trouble? The one who will not apologize to settle hurt feelings. Takes a strong will to stand up to the masses. I worry when I hear about tribunals and self appointed activist groups to “monitor” content. Star chambers are never the way to go. Open discourses and dialogue is the only way. Let the ideas clash in the public domain. Shouting down minority opinion does no o e service because in the end, they just might be right.
OT. Was just reading Turley’s article in The Hill about KBJ.
Just wondering if Chief John Roberts is gonna have a word with the most junior member?
She has the same sense of entitlement that Biden’s incompetent press secretary Karine Jean Pierre had.
KJP is quoted as saying, “I’m a historical figure”…..
She was so bad at the job that Biden tried to get rid of her.
Oh but those DEI hires won’t ever go quietly into that good night.
Instead, she doubled down and came out to the podium dripping with attitude and her sense of entitlement.
“Dont you know who I am? I’m a historical figure.”
She often chided reporters who dared ask a more direct question: “a little respect, a little respect.”
Definitely not accustomed to being asked tough questions or getting even gentle push back.
Ketanji is the same energy. She comes to the court with massive attitude: “I’m a historical figure.”
She feels more than entitled to speak loudly and often.
She’s there to take up time and space. As much as she wants. You know, because she’s a historical figure and all.
She even told us: the “people want to hear how I FEEL about the issues and so I try to do that in my opinions.”
You know, being a historical figure and all.
OMG. Justice Roberts please rein in this DEI disaster.
KJP was the the least talented press secretaries in history. In that sense she was historic.
By contrast, Karoline Leavitt is hyper-talented. It’s a night and day difference.
(P.S. – “historic” not historical. Historical means it happened, historic means important. Sorry about being pedantic)
And Anonymous should have used “an” with “historical” (or “historic,” as you correctly pointed out), rather than “an.” As an historian, myself, I cringe every time I read or hear “a” used with the variations of these words, even though some English teachers allow its use.
Actually, I appreciate your pedantry! I took it as instructive, not annoying, so thank you, Mr. Old Man From Arkansas 🙂
Affirmative Action DEI vs. the Merit of Talent.
We don’t care how she feels about anything. Its her job to just interpret the law. Her feelings mean nothing. So, i say stfu and just interpret the law!!!
“Just wondering if Chief John Roberts is gonna have a word with the most junior member?”
That would require actual leadership ability, a quality that (among several other positive attributes) Roberts completely lacks. If the other 8 justices had respect for the law and for their own Court that transcended political divisions (which is a criteria that the Senate should examine closely before confirmation, but completely ignores) they could largely neutralize her by simply excluding her from all conferences and other deliberations. I would very much like to see that happen, but it never will, because the 3 liberals (and possibly the useless pseudo-conservative twit, Roberts) would be far too concerned about “their side” “losing” a particular case to take such effective action to preserve the integrity of the Court.
I don’t see Jackson paying any heed to Roberts – she’d just decide he’s being racist. She’s too hopped up on her own narrative to see reality
Western Civilization. As a Westerner I consider the phrase redundant. I would very much like the US to help Europeans that want help save their nations from the globalists and their third world invaders. I’m afraid that we need to save ourselves before we can be of much help to anyone else. If you are not yet angry you are sleepwalking.
OT: Harvard Case
A series of SCOTUS emergency docket decisions have established that grant termination cases requesting that the funding be restored are to be heard in the Federal Court of Claims, under the Tucker Act, not in a District Court. Two Massachusetts District Courts have already been reversed on this basis. Gorsuch just wrote a pointed opinion calling out the District Courts for their defiance. It is hard to distinguish the Harvard case from these. Any other views?
Gorsuch just wrote a pointed opinion calling out the District Courts for their defiance.
The four-page Gorsuch smackdown starts at page 8 of this:
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/25a103_kh7p.pdf
Ya, claims court.
It’s like Sabrina. School rules were followed. Not a Constitutional question. Courts deciding if school rules are followed.
Clearly, it is difficult for some to assimilate, however, no legislation by the legislative branch, and no adjudication by the judicial branch, may claim and exercise the executive power that is solely and exclusively “vested in a President of the United States of America.”
____________________________________________________________________________________
Article 1, Section 1
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Article 2, Section 1
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Article 3, Section 1
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.
OT
Last year, it was revealed that Wes Moore falsely claimed to have received a Bronze Star while serving in the Army. He made the claim while applying for a 2006 White House fellowship application, though he later said this was an “honest mistake.”
Trump rightfully did not buy this, though.
“Did Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland, lie about getting a Bronze Star?” Trump asked.
This is an important question that is likely to come up again because Moore is rumored to be considering running for the 2028 Democratic Presidential nomination. We all remember what happened to John Kerry over two decades ago when questions emerged about his military service.
– Cullen Linebarger
President Trump earned a purple heart in one of the most disputed battle zones in the world. Butler Pennsylvania
Are you kidding??? How could he mistake getting a Bronze Star! NO GO FOR ANY POLITICAL OFFICE!
We here in Maryland call him Wes NO Moore.
He ain’t POTUS material. Not now. Not ever.
He’s gonna soon be No Moore. Bye now.
“He’s gonna soon be No Moore. ”
I think he will always be a Moor…
OT
Americans are compelled to integrate and respect black african-Americans who could not function without and who received $30+ trillion in “welfare” public financial assistance (Cato Institute) during the unconstitutional and still ongoing “Great Society” campaign and incalculable benefits from affirmative action, DEI, forced busing, public housing, quotas, mortgage assistance, unconstitutional unfair “fair housing” laws, unconstitutional discriminatory “non-discrimination” laws, etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseam.
Not gonna happen! End the communist American welfare state! I want my money back! I demand reparations!
Canada, America’s top hat and largest national park, is as wacko Left as is possible. Pretty much weak-kneed commies in snow shoes….hey.
As usual excellent commentary, Jonathan! Thank you for continuing to bring these gross violations of basic rights to our attention.
Update on the Professor’s story from a few days ago, about the school that invited parking lot designs, but then refused to allow a student to include “God is love” and “Let your light shine.” The school district has apparently realized they were violating her free speech rights, and has backed down.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/high-school-student-wins-fight-display-bible-verses-parking-spot-after-school-faces-legal-pressure
I have a further update on this story.
Nobody but the MAGA moron regulars here care about this stupid story.
And you neglected to mention the last sentence in the Fox article:
“He added the district will review its parking space program to determine whether changes are needed.”
Translation: “The school won’t be doing this anymore.”
So this stupid girl has destroyed what has been a popular tradition at this school for years.
I’m sure she had gained a whole bunch of new friends.
She is more of a woman than you ever can be with me or without your Trans hormones and wigs. For that alone men will pursue her unlike your tired ghey asss 🤣
Sounds like you’re the one who was triggered by “God is love” and “let your light shine.”
You and the MAGA mob made 325 comments on the original piece by Turley.
You are the only ones being triggered by this stupid story about a stupid little girl.
I am just pointing out how pathetically stupid you are to think that this story is anything more than about a spoilt brat of a child with indulgent parents.
As I recall you saw the messages “God is love” and “Let your light shine,” and you reacted by screaming “Mommy, the Inquisition! . . . Mommy, the Crusades!”
That was you, wasn’t it Gigi?
*. OMFK, I’m all for the young person. Let’s be clear. It’s temporary parking lot religious graffiti to park a car over. Maybe it’s a big truck. That’s how crazy that is. From a distance in the 1st drawing, the shapes resembled an ET. There was a freaking snake in the 3rd. Smh. 😂
But suppose no car is parked there. A poor unsuspecting passerby might be exposed to the messages “God is love” and “Let your light shine.” That would be horrible cruelty, I say! We must suppress dangerous violence-inciting messages like that, don’t you think?
*. OMFK, if there could possibly be an objection based in the exercise of religion it might be name in vain. As to speech there aren’t any arguments against the odd scratchings about God and love. It’s just pitiful.
If a person decorated a parking space with Mohammed on the magical steed Buraq would Moslems be offended?
It’s frightening that any drawing has a snake drawn by anyone over the age of 5. Did the wicked snow queen give snow-white a poisoned apple? It was from which orchard? They’re still looking for Noah’s ark.
Personally, I enjoy all chalk drawings especially those drawn by David Zinn .
I think God is a farmer and snakes can talk. I do.
In cartoons…
*. If I saw a piece of graffiti saying God loves you. Let your light shine, I’d definitely check my headlights.
One of my favorite sayings from Jesus is: lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.
It’s God we’re talking here, OMFK. Isn’t it more plausible zygotes were gathered male and female? Takes up less space. God doesn’t have a 24 hour clock nor a 12 inch ruler, I’m pretty sure.
Until it’s realized that the Christian laws are rational we ain’t got nuttin’.
Sometimes we get lemons.
“If I saw a piece of graffiti saying God loves you. Let your light shine, I’d definitely check my headlights. ”
You might want to do a quick constellation check to try to confirm celestial location and/or time.
*. OMFK, saddle up the horses, Jesus. There’s a cowboy comin’ to heaven. Carrie regarding Toby Keith. There’s money there so by all means let your light shine
No doubt referencing who lights a candle and puts it under a bed. Put it on a table and it illuminates the room. Admonition to do good.
Indeed
The school will do what I said could do to end the controversy. They will end the whole practice so nobody can complain.
“The school will do what I said could do to end the controversy. They will end the whole practice so nobody can complain.”
Ah, because you leftists are so intolerant of Christianity, everyone will have to suffer. Three cheers, I guess.
No, just do a theme. Favorite song or movie might do.
Egregious impertinent impudence in violation of the civility rule.
BAN FOR LIFE!
If you aren’t being paid to do this everyday – boy is your life a sad and lonely one. It makes me pity you.
James
Says someone who is here all day every day making stupid comments
Ever looked in a mirror ????
I’m not MAGA, and I care about free speech stories. Do you not understand the importance of free speech rights?
I’m sure the Founder’s had exactly this situation in mind when they adopted the First Amendment.
Get a life !!!
This is a story about a bratty child with indulgent parents trying to coerce a school.
If another student wanted to display the message, “Christianity is wrong,” and the public school said, “Sorry, you can’t display that, because we believe Christianity is right,” you’d be screaming bloody murder.. Your only beef with the “child” objecting to viewpoint discrimination is that you disagree with her viewpoint.
*. OMFK, the difference between Sabrina and Mahmood v. Taylor is the teaching by a school district in direct conflict with religious exercise and in Sabrina a school rule not a teaching by a district.
Personally children and families as religious objectors to school curriculum violating religious teachings must have an opt out and ultimately that may mean separate schools.
If a school teaches an anti religion concept then the curriculum must also celebrate Jesus Christ in children’s stories or Mohammed’s teachings and others.
The problem entered with lgbt. No law can be passed prohibiting free exercise includes what is against the lived experience of free exercise. Public schools will eventually include sectarian schools.
I don’t see a reconciliation ultimately.
Humbly,
US citizen
Every nation on the planet must be compelled to adopt or otherwise adhere to the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Anything less constitutes a “dictatorship of the proletariat” under the Communist Manifesto.
Freedom and choice in all things, including private property, which communism abolished, must hold dominion.
Every person on the planet must enjoy any and all natural and God-given rights, freedoms, privileges, and immunities that are established and enumerated by American fundamental law.
This applies to the United States itself, wherein much of the nation is denied the full liberty of its organic law.
The singular American failure is the judicial branch, with emphasis on the Supreme Court.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
“…courts…must…declare all acts contrary to the manifest tenor of the Constitution void.”
“…men…do…what their powers do not authorize, [and] what they forbid.”
“[A] limited Constitution … can be preserved in practice no other way than through the medium of courts of justice, whose duty it must be to declare all acts contrary to the manifest tenor of the Constitution void. Without this, all the reservations of particular rights or privileges would amount to nothing … To deny this would be to affirm … that men acting by virtue of powers may do not only what their powers do not authorize, but what they forbid.”
– Alexander Hamilton
_________________________
“[Private property is] that dominion which one man claims and exercises over the external things of the world, in exclusion of every other individual.”
– James Madison
_____________________
JAMES MADISON
For the National Gazette, 27 March 1792
PROPERTY.
This term in its particular application means “that dominion which one man claims and exercises over the external things of the world, in exclusion of every other individual.”
In its larger and juster meaning, it embraces every thing to which a man may attach a value and have a right; and which leaves to every one else the like advantage.
In the former sense, a man’s land, or merchandize, or money is called his property.
In the latter sense, a man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.
He has a property of peculiar value in his religious opinions, and in the profession and practice dictated by them.
He has a property very dear to him in the safety and liberty of his person.
He has an equal property in the free use of his faculties and free choice of the objects on which to employ them.
In a word, as a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.
George of “Abraham Lincoln was a Marxist” fame is an off of his PTSD meds again or the VA cut him off after realizing he was sick, lame, lazy and crazy POS as a fake PTSD Vietnam Vet living off of Americans taxes aka welfare
Looks like Turley has finally jumped the shark.
Only 30 something comments
Nobody cares about this nonsense.
He has finally beaten this horse to death.
That’s right.
The only people here are the motley bunch of regulars who apparently have no life outside of this miserable excuse of a blog.
People like NotReallyaFarmer, lin, oldmanfromkansas, whimsicalmama, GEB, James, Diogenes.
These people obviously have absolutely no life.
I agree.
It is hardly worth trolling these idiots anymore.
You could always visit me in prison while I serve 30 years in prison for being a Democrat operative and meth dealer who killed trans prostitutes. You always called me when you were hard up for meth but looks like you now use crack given your self-replies and trolling
Edward Bernard Peter Buck
Peter, you just outted me!
“It is hardly worth trolling these idiots anymore.”
You can always fall back on your night job working behind the dumpsters at the truck stop. It’s more honest work, too.
“These people obviously have absolutely no life.”
Written with a striking lack of self awareness.
Yet, look at how many times you, Anonymous, comments here, every day. You make up the vast majority of the comments here on the good professor’s blog. And the difference between not only myself but lin, oldmanfromkansas, whimsicalmama, GEB, James, Diogenes is we make thoughtful, interesting, intelligent comments.
You on the other hand, not so much.
And do compare our time hacks vs yours.
“Nobody cares about this nonsense.”
– Aninny
___________
So true.
Nobody cares about Aninny’s nonsense.
Why does Aninny visit this blog?
Is it a form of subliminal self-flagellation born of guilt and shame?
Aninny is not required to visit here; does he/she/it/they know that?
Mental illness is no laughing matter. This person is obviously in dire need of help.
And here I foolishly thought that perhaps we’d be spared the inanity of this moron for even a single day.
After WW 2 there was a protracted manhunt for the Nazis who fled Germany to avoid prosecution. That search went into every single country where shelter was given. Now we know that Canada was one such a haven for reugee fascists and their offspring who make up the current censorship industrial complex in the EU and Canada. Well, this nurse could easily transfer her skills into the US medical market where we are far short of the nurses we need. C’mon down south!
Exactly how “protracted” was this so-called “manhunt” that went “into every single country where shelter was given”?
Adolph Hitler, Adolph Eichmann et al. went to Argentina, where Eichmann was captured by Mossad, as a matter of fact.
I’m just sayin’….
True about Eichmann, but you’re saying Hitler went to Argentina?
…
I don’t think ol’ Adolf made it to South America. However, considering Left wing revisionist history, perhaps he did…..eh? (eh: a Canuck neologism)
It certainly looks like England and her colonies have learned nothing in the 250 years since one of her other North American colonies successfully revolted over the principle of freedom of speech, among others.
The Left is wall-to-wall totalitarian. Here’s another example. Obama and Biden pressured banks to deny financial services to conservatives.
We know and will remember.
The tragic Orwellian reach of socialized government…cant even laughably call them democracies , has made it from Europa to canuckia in spades. Nothing good comes of this craziness . Govt and left wingers weaponize it and institutions to silence and punish opposing POV like religious zealots.
I personally think it’s likely too late for Canada. That is going to have to be a generational shift, we really are dealing with a regime on the left, and Canada was one of the first to go in whole hog in the West with globalist Trudeau. They, along with Britain, are great object lessons for the rest of the world, and the irony in that is too much. Oh, Canada, indeed.
Kamala’s loss was the best thing that could have happened to the free world, and I do think the ripples will cascade. Interesting times.
James, with western Europe and Canada falling to leftist liberty-haters, the free world has now shrunk to the United States, Israel, and a few nations in eastern Europe such as Hungary and Poland.
OK. one more. sorry, but this one is right on target!
https://nationalpost.com/full-comment/gary-clement-on-canadian-mens-hockey-coaching-strategy