If I had a shot of tequila for every time he referenced Waziristan…

Seriously… ask Steyn to mention a far-flung place, or a terrorist hangout, or something more remote than his home in New Hampshire, and the answer will inevitably be Waziristan.

Steyn gets in a heap of trouble for saying Muslims are outbreeding us in Europe, and our demography is changing globally. For pointing this out he has had to face the Court of Marsupial Magistrates, the Sock Puppets of Doom, and months of ridicule from the left for allegedly fearmongering. Of course, it turns out he’s right (as usual).

Muslim hate fanatics plan to take over Britain by having more babies and forcing a population explosion, it has been revealed.

The swollen Muslim population would be enough to conquer Britain from inside, they claim.

Fanatics told a meeting of young Muslims on the anniversary of the 9/11 atrocity, that it would then be easy to impose Sharia law on the population, the Sun newspaper reported.

Speaking at a meeting in London, Anjem Choudarry, right-hand man of exiled preacher Omar Bakri Mohammed, said: “It may be by pure conversion that Britain will become an Islamic state. We may never need to conquer it from the outside.”

The only question is how bloody the transfer of real estate will be.

Je veut decoupé les noix de Monsieur Obama.

If you are a member of Rush Limbaugh’s website, download today’s podcast with Mark Steyn hosting. Hilarious!

2:39 PM I’ve just noticed Steyn is here. Not sure how long he’s been sitting there. I suspect things are about to get interesting.

Yesterday, I called Kathy and asked her if she was able to stay on top of all the news coming out of the Show Trial. She admitted that she had to step away from the computer to clear her head. My own noggin was spinning, my eyes nearly crossed. Reading the Lewis Carrol dispatches from Coyne and Levant, as well as Kathy’s source and whoever else Binks was linking to - it’s all too much. I doubt I would feel it weighing on me so much if it were in a real court, with a real standard of evidence, where truth is a defense. But alas, the Queen of Hearts does not work that way, and neither does the Human Rights Commission.

The fact is, our evidence is solid, our counsel is top notch, and the points we make are more than valid. But we are not in a court of law - we are on some kind of quasi-psychiatric couch, having the plaintiff talk about their feelings and emotions. How Canada ever decided to legislate based on such subjective evidence is beyond me. Somehow, despite the defendant’s case being more solid than that of the plaintiff, the plaintiff will still be awarded victory and damages. Because they were offended. Because their feelings were hurt. Because they loved themselves a little less after reading Mark Steyn’s article in Maclean’s.

I will do my best to stay on top of things, as well as to offer my own subjective opinions here at GOTR. But for the blow-by-blow, continue reading Coyne:

10:00 AM Maclean’s counsel Roger McConchie is working through her c.v., perhaps in an attempt to poke holes in her credibility. Personally, I think she’d make a fine human rights commissioner.

Her dissertation, he’s pointing out, was in Indian cinema and identity construction, and not, say, stereotyping of Muslims in Canadian national weekly current events magazines. Now going through her publications in refereed journals (sample title: When Local Meets Lucre: Commerce, Culture and Imperialism in Bollywood Cinema.) Other articles deconstruct Queen Latifah, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and … still more Bollywood.

10:20 AM He’s still working her over. Her master’s thesis, on Afghan women, looked at whether western media concerns with women’s oppression under the Taliban was merely a pretext to justify the war.

McConchie sums up for the tribunal: getting a PhD from a “reputable Canadian institution” — I believe he’s talking about Carleton — is a worthy achievement, but she hardly has the expertise claimed, particularly as she’s barely started her career.

Faisal Joseph for the complainants begs to differ. She was recommended by a world-renowned expert, Karim H. Karim, to make a presentation to a conference in Melbourne, which was supposed to deal in part with stereotyping issues. (Although in the end she only had seven minutes so it didn’t.)

The panel retires to consider.

10:55 AM They’re back, and they’ve decided they’re going to hear her evidence. Buffy scholars everywhere breathe a sigh of relief.

In other HRC news, SoCon or Bust posts a letter to Justice Minister Rob Nicholson.

I would need three heads, 10 arms and several computers to keep up with all the delights on offer from the Mark Steyn show trial in front of the British Columbia Human Rights Commission.

Binky is just such a mythical beast, somehow managing to keep up the pace and deliver the links directly to you. Go there. Go there now.

Coyne continues to live-blog.

Ezra also live-blogs, though he may be in such a state of rapture and glee at this point that his keys may begin to stick. Just sayin’.

The winner for weirdest Steyn/free speech post of the week (and it’s only Monday) goes to Iowahawk for this drama.

From the Maritimes to the Yukon, the Great White North was once a lawless land where cruel and offensive opinions roamed free - until one man stood up and brought them to justice. One mighty masked man, clad in the scarlet breechcoat of the Royal Canadian Mounted Human Rights Police, astride a golden disabled lesbian steed, with his faithful transgender Indian scout at his side. Together they rode from Yellowknife to St. John’s, keeping Canadians safe from the spectre of multicultural insensitivity.

The Canadian Broadcast Corporation invites you to return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear as we tell the tales of that legendary singing Human Rights Mountie. It’s time for excitement - it’s time for lawsuits - It’s time for… Warman of the Mounted!

Into Orwellian Hell.

The first rule of HRC is don’t speak against the HRC.

The second rule of HRC is there are no rules to HRC.

Coyne has moved on to Part Deux of today’s hearing.

2:46 PM
Roger McConchie is making a kind of “prior history” argument, i.e. the complainants are saying that the other 20 articles provide “context.” But the complaint has to do with just the Steyn article. Just as a defendant’s prior record cannot be used against him (except as “similar fact” evidence, to show a modus operandi), so Maclean’s prior articles can’t be used to prove the harm caused by Steyn’s piece. The common thread: you have to prove guilt based on the facts of the case at hand. If the argument is that the earlier articles provide an interpretive filter through which to read the Steyn piece, well maybe they do—but the contention in the complaint is that the Steyn article exposes Muslims to hatred by itself. So they’re contradicting themselves.

2:58 PM
Coda to the preceding: this all assumes normal rules of evidence apply. Or indeed, any. But as they don’t in this case, well, we’re about to hear the tribunal’s ruling.

3:00 PM
Glory glory—they’re ruling prior articles (i.e., prior to Steyn’s Oct. 23 2006 piece) out of bounds, but allowing subsequent articles. Solomonic, or incoherent? I report, you decide.

To catch the start of the Mark Steyn/Macleans’s showtrial in British Columbia.

Coyne is live-blogging. Hit refresh every few minutes for updates.

The Covenant Zone bloggers will be demonstrating in support of Mark Steyn and Maclean’s magazine, and against the ludicrous operation of “human rights” law in this country, when Mark’s hearing in front of the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal kicks off, next Monday, June 2. We will meet at 8 AM in front of the Provincial Court House at 800 Hornby where, according to the BCHRT website, the hearing will take place.

We welcome all bloggers, readers, and informed and outraged citizens to join us. (Also: we will be discussing this tomorrow at our regular Thursday evening meeting in the atrium of the Vancouver Public Library, central branch, 7-9 pm, in front of Blenz Coffee - look for the blue scarves.)

Today’s idea for a sign. How about:

FIRE. THEM. ALL

The Covenant Zone bloggers will be demonstrating in support of Mark Steyn and Maclean’s magazine, and against the ludicrous operation of “human rights” law in this country, when Mark’s hearing in front of the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal kicks off, next Monday, June 2. We will meet at 8 AM in front of the Provincial Court House at 800 Hornby where, according to the BCHRT website, the hearing will take place.

We welcome all bloggers, readers, and informed and outraged citizens to join us. (Also: we will be discussing this tomorrow at our regular Thursday evening meeting in the atrium of the Vancouver Public Library, central branch, 7-9 pm, in front of Blenz Coffee - look for the blue scarves.)

Today’s idea for a sign. How about:

MACLEAN’S IS GUILTY OF SPREADING TRUTH

I hope they make a decent showing.

The Covenant Zone bloggers will be demonstrating in support of Mark Steyn and Maclean’s magazine, and against the ludicrous operation of “human rights” law in this country, when Mark’s hearing in front of the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal kicks off, next Monday, June 2. We will meet at 8 AM in front of the Provincial Court House at 800 Hornby where, according to the BCHRT website, the hearing will take place.

We welcome all bloggers, readers, and informed and outraged citizens to join us. (Also: we will be discussing this tomorrow at our regular Thursday evening meeting in the atrium of the Vancouver Public Library, central branch, 7-9 pm, in front of Blenz Coffee - look for the blue scarves.)

I have an idea for a sign. How about:

I HAVE THE RIGHT TO CARRY THIS SIGN

I hope they make a decent showing.

So I get this email from Kathy the other day:

Sorry sweetie, but you really have to get up early this Wednesday. Show starts at 5:30.

Uh, Kathy, I’m unemployed right now. Early to me is anything before noon. But 5:30 am is actually late Tuesday night.

And speaking of unemployed, notice I have popped a “Top Spots” into my sidebar. Feel free to promote your blog or business site for a full week by getting into my top spots. It’s cheap and works hard - like moi.

Kisses and thanks in advance…

It was a very large crowd that met Mark Steyn at the flagship Indigo store at the corner of Bay & Bloor here in Toronto. I arrived at 6pm - an hour early, expecting to meet my friends at the Starbucks and slowly meander to the presentation area. That was not meant to be, as it turned out there was already a sizable crowd waiting while the chairs were being set up. Knowing it’s every man for himself at these types of events, I took a chair and knew I’d catch up with my pals later.

At 7pm, Heather Reisman and Mark Steyn took the stage. Heather, oh Heather. Many people in the audience were actually growing angry with her liberal ineptitude, but I figured “Hey, we knew what we were signing up for where Heather is concerned, so don’t act so shocked.” Though at one point, when she was explaining how Indigo didn’t carry America Alone when it first hit the NYT best seller list because her buyer misjudged the popularity and didn’t buy enough copies, I actually yelled “And this person still has a job?” Whatever.

As usual, Steyn was charming and witty. This seemed to really rip Heather’s knitting, and irritate her whenever the crowd laughed at his jokes. You could tell she really hated having to smile for conservatives for a full hour. Finally she went away and let the book signing begin. He had already signed my hardcover copy in DC at CPAC, but I had a paperback with me that I’m sending to a friend. I was absolutely blown away when he recognized me from the four seconds of meeting me in Washington.

(the hats were from a printer we met at the pro-Israel rally two years ago - Kathy got one, too - click for larger)

When I mentioned that it was Kathy’s birthday, he asked us to stick around. And so we did, for what seemed like an eternity. There was a little pack of us - myself, Kathy, Winston, Paul Tuns, Rick McGinnis and a few others. After the line finally ended, he came over to talk with us, take a few pics, exchange cards and witticisms… this went on till the Indigo staff threw us out at closing, and continued on the street corner outside. He asked me how the “fund raising” was going, and I told him he was welcome to top up the pot for a shot of his very own. I must say, I barely missed a beat at him referring to my boobie-blogging, but just prayed he wouldn’t bring this up.

We stood on that street corner laughing and talking for some time, before he had to call it a night. He has a busy day of harassing Barbara Hall for shits and giggles tomorrow.

Kinsella writes:

I’ll debate you.

I’ve got the forum, too. In Ottawa, in June. Proceeds split and going to the litigants on our respective sides.

Let’s go, tough guy.

Warren honey, I’ve got some bad news for you… the moment Martin pushed Chretien out of office, you ceased to exist. No one knows nor cares who you are anymore. It would be like Donny Whalberg offering to debate Steyn. Steyn wanted to debate the Sock Puppets, and Elmasry, because they are plaintiffs in a case that affects not only him, but all of Canada. Now you want in on the action?

Who are you again?

Just in time for Kathy’s birthday and Steyn’s Toronto book signing (which I think was also timed to coincide with Kathy’s birthday).

While we have no interest in negotiating with the CIC for the withdrawal of its complaints, we remain committed to fostering free and open discussion of important public issues. Maclean’s would be pleased to host a public debate at a neutral venue between Mr. Steyn and Mohamed Elmasry, head of the CIC and the complainant in both the B.C. and federal investigations. The debate would cover issues raised by Mr. Steyn’s original article as well as the CIC’s decision to resort to human rights commissions. We are sure that such an event would be interesting and informative, and we would publish a transcript of the debate either in the magazine or on our website.

See all you conservative Torontonians (all six of you) at the Bay/Bloor Indigo for the book Steyn-ing tonight.

Yes, I am.

So says the (inevitably male) mouthpiece of the Osgoode 3 who is “debating” Mark Steyn on TVO.

You know, I was at last week’s press conference, and I noticed something about this boy, Khurrum Awan: He talks to himself. In public. When cameras are on him. He bobs his head around, and mouths words. Is he praying? Is he strapped with C-4, just waiting to be pushed over the edge, so he can jump up, give a roaring Allahu Akbar, and pull the detonation pin? He is a lawyer-to-be. Will he behave like this in court? Because I think the cast of Boston Legal already has the rights to such a quirky character.

After the show, you’ll be able to get the podcast here.

As I always say, I can’t speak for Maclean’s, but, were I the publisher, I’d say: Go ahead, make my day. You’ll order us to print the turgid drivel ordered up by Mr Joseph, and we’ll say no. What then? You get the RCMP to kick Maclean’s doors down. At that point, even the Dominion’s somnolent media might wake up to the kind of Canada Elmo and his enablers are constructing. I wonder if Jack Layton, apparently auditioning for chief eunuch of the new caliphate, even read the dossier of Maclean’s systemic Islamophobia before giving Elmo the tongue bath.

Swoon.

Erm, looking forward to seeing you again next Wednesday, Mr. Steyn.

So I headed down to the Royal York hotel this morning to catch the Law Is Cool kids’ press conference.

Faisal Joseph (dressed a little like Huggybear in his gold accoutrements, yet looking a lot like a 10th grade English teacher that offers the girls “extra credit”), counsel for the Canadian Islamic Congress, sat amid the all-but-silent Law Is Cool students, who are known to be Mohammed El Masry’s fresh-faced sock puppets.

The CIC (absent Dr. El Masry, who I’m sure was off legitimately plotting to kill Jews over the age of 18) and the Law is Coolers called this press conference to announce that they wanted to make a “deal” with Maclean’s magazine, and to advise that they would drop the HRC complaints if their “deal” was accepted.

Well, I don’t know how winning these students will be at law, but if their career aim is politics, they’re off to a great start: the new deal is exactly the same as the old deal. Publish their rebuttal to Steyn’s “The Future Belongs to Islam”, or they’ll carry on with their suit.

Frankly, this isn’t news. They could have stayed home, I could have slept in, and nothing could have been said, and everything would have proceeded apace. After all, that was exactly what they proposed last year, and Ken Whyte - publisher of Maclean’s - said he’d “rather go bankrupt” than be extorted and have his publication hijacked.

Anyway, that was the body of the press conference. Aren’t you glad you stayed home? For your delight and delectation, here’s some observations about the whole thing.

Faisal Joseph (Huggybear) went on and on about “support from party leaders”, then proceeded to hand out a press pack with one letter of government support - from Jack Layton(!). Not so surprisingly, there were also letters from labor unions. Where Taliban Jack goes, the unions follow.

The letters from OPSEU and the Alliance of Concerned Jewish Canadians that were included in the press pack were marked “DRAFT” - I cannot at this time confirm that they are final documents that were meant for release.

Mr. Joseph mentioned that threats had been made against the Osgoode students for having filed the claim against Maclean’s (they didn’t file the claim, by the way - only the CIC is listed on the actual complaint, but why let a little thing like the truth get in the way?). When a reporter for the National Post asked if these threats were being taken seriously and investigated, Mr. Joseph quickly changed the subject without answering the question. In fact, he then went on to scold the young reporter for the Post for taking up too much time and asking too many questions (at a press conference - oh the nerve of him!). If Mr. Joseph was trying to win friends in the press, he was going about it the wrong way. And what of those death threats?

The basis of the entire complaint is supposedly about having an “equal voice”. As many have said, why not start your own damn magazine and leave ours alone? But nay, they want ours. It’s part of the growing phenomenon of Sharia Creep. The darlings have been published in the Toronto Star with a Saturday circulation nearing 450,000 and a weekday circulation of just under 400,000. Maclean’s, on the other hand, has a weekly circulation of about 350,000. So, who got the better deal? So much for the “equal voice” argument.

You can read Kathy’s meltdown here. She was with me, frothing at the mouth, and is now bruised on one side where I kept elbowing her to behave. Five Feet of Fury, indeed. I found it amusing, but then again, I still have both clitoris and humor intact - unlike some religions I could mention.

The Canuck-6, to be clear, are bloggers Shaidle, McMillan, Levant, and the Fourniers, along with National Post editor Jonathan Kay. Many of the fundraisers, including Steyn’s, omit Kay for the obvious reason that the Post is covering his six, so to speak. So they become the Freedom Five.

Steyn is offering up 24 hours of profit from books sold at his online store, beginning at midnight tonight. If you don’t already have a copy of America Alone (WTF is wrong with you??), you can get the updated paperback from the store. I noticed it in Indigo last week, and it has a “Soon to be banned in Canada” sticker on it. Cute.

In addition, Binks has some great new shirts for the Blogging Five.