The NDP are a pathetic lot of special interest groups that have become “legends in their own minds” and conveniently forget that they are elected to serve Canada, not take on foreign governments. This is especially true of provincial MLA, who should not be involved with international affairs at all.

James should have canned Mabel E., but she lacks the moral courage to take on special, anti-Jewish, interest groups that have festered in the NDP.

It seems antisemitism is the new flavour of aspiring union sponsored politicians. Have they not learned a thing? Do they not read history?

(Response: Judging by the polls..apparently not! And what is almost comical, instead of tasking a hard look at why they are rejected by MOST Canadans, they blame guys like you and me for pointing out where they are going wrong. h.o.)

It may be illegal for someone to use cannabis but I’m not outraged to learn a young member of family tended a plant in the back yard and shared it with friends. On the other hand, Tamil supporters in Ontario raised money and support for years to assist terrorist rebellions and the Canadian Government watched quietly. Those legal but immoral acts outraged me.

I prefer to judge for myself on ethics without too much reference to law. For example, a handful of US soldiers deserted and fled to Canada rather than join in destruction of Iraq. I admired that moral strength despite George Bush’s laws and regulations.

Free expression is so vital. Read Thomas Jefferson’s great essays about the vital nature of this principle. The North American media of today, compared to when you began, is corrupted by economic interests. HO, you probably would refuse to work with Faux News and Sean Hannity to spread Michelle Bachmann’s call for armed revolution against the Obama administration. Nevertheless, you probably wouldn’t want her silenced by dictate of government either.

Sure, Zundel and Keegstra were scum but no adult that I know was influenced by them.

(REsponse: You raise very good points. But the debate seems to be bogged down on Gallway. The main point of my blog was clearly the Tories and NDP are out of touch with mainstream Canadians … the polls tell it all. So what is their solution there? h.o.)

Galloway regularly speaks out against the war in Irag, Afghanistan and Israelis subjugation of the Palestinians. I really don’t think that the British public would elect a nutbar FIVE times to parliament. I think his stand against war is what gets him re-elected.

The Canadian chapter of the Jewish Defence League claims to have initiated the campaign to prevent Galloway from speaking in Canada. Our immigration minister decided that Galloway is a ‘terrorist’ accomplice because he helped lead the Viva Palestine aid convoy offering humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza Strip. People are suffering terribly be cause of the economic blockade by the Israel Defence forces. Does this make everyone who helps the victims of war aiders and abbetors of terrorism? Just because Harper has claimed to recognize Hamas a terrorist group does not make it the truth. Both sides of this dispute are guilty of humanitarian abuse. Israel is not the innocent victim here as you claim.

Post 911 saw freedom of speech curtailed in the US. Bush claiming that ‘if you’re not with us, you’re against us’ was very damaging and looking back we can all see clearly why. The Dixie Chicks is a perfect example. Freedom of speech should not be taken away with a label applied by someone who has a different opinion than they do.

So I have to disagree with you on this one as I dislike all wars as well, and the more voices against it the better.

(Response: Yes he has been elected in the U.K. … but THIS is Canada. Judging by the polls … if the Liberals with their recent history … can be favored over both the Tories and the NDP … there is something clearly wrong with them according to most Canadians … the Gallway thing is only a tiny symptom of a clearly much bigger problem. Right? h.o.)

(Response: Very good point. I had forgotten about Zundel (thankfully) ..but you’re absolutely right. How can we deport him after he exercised his “free speech” but invite in another foreigner who would be equally devisive … maybe even aorse with Canadians fighting/dying in the war on terrorism as he would be speaking! h.o.)

More seriously though, I agree with much of your commentary but you are quite wrong about banning Galloway. A strong democracy values freedom and worries not about examining ideas through debate. With that belief, I also would not object if Moshe Yaalon or Avigdor Lieberman wanted to make a speech in Canada. HO, after a career gathering and distributing information, you should support unfettered exchange of opinion.

Galloway is often nutty but he was closer to correct than most when the American neo-cons set out to destroy Iraq in the name of freedom. His debate with Christopher Hitchens was entertaining and informative.

Isn’t it interesting that Harper’s science advisor Preston Manning and science minister Gary Goodyear are creationists who don’t believe in science. Give that crew a majority and women would be in the back alleys again for abortions and school kids would be starting every day with Christian prayers.

(Response: Admittedly this was a tough one. I love free speech, but even that does have limits. If Gallway can come in and rally support for an organization declared ILLEGAL in Canada as a terrorist group …why not White Supremacists too ..or that nutbar U.S. Reverend who wants to picket gay events and shout at them they’re all going to hell,including the young murdered gay Matthew Shepard?? No. I support the right of any Canadian to stand up and peacefully argue for their view on any topic, but I don’t agree we have a duty to let in FOREIGN agitators who support stands/groups that are ILLEGAL in Canada. In these Internet days, anyone who does want to learn all about these views can sure find it all quite easily on the Web. But it is a tough one. And my main point stands: I sure don’t believe it helps the NDP with MAINSTREAM Canadian VOTERS to be seen standing there with Duceppe at a protest calling for Gallway to be allowed in, while 116 Canadians have died fighting terrorism. h.o.)