James Moore won't be bullied!

[betsy]

It's bad enough for a radio station to back down to just a single complaint from a listener who probably forgot to take his med....but for a federal establishment to wimp out and take orders from Tehran is really shocking!

Indeed, what's happening to Canada?

With just a threat of a violent protest, the jelly-kneed unceremoniously backed down and meekly obeyed!

I'd hate to think how it will be if ever foreign enemies come knocking at the gates or above.....what, will we unceremoniously raise the white flag??

UNBELIEVABLE! Who knows how many more of these same-minded, spineless individuals are head of other federal/government establishment.

Although the decision was reversed by an angry James Moore, the damage to our image has been done. Federal employees meekly bowed down and followed the dictate of Tehran, and displayed cowardice. Whoever made that decision should step down!

And we should kick the Iran embassy out of Canada to send a clear statement that we do not take to intimidation so lightly!

The ministerial command overturns a Library and Archives' decision to cancel Tuesday's planned showing after the agency received anonymous phone calls vowing a violent protest if the documentary ran.

The threats followed a formal complaint on the weekend from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran about the planned screening. Officials at the embassy, which does not have full status and has no ambassador, have not responded to calls for comment.

http://www.globalnews.ca/world/heritage+minister+orders+showing+controversial+film+iranium/4132764/story.html

I applaude James Moore.

Edited January 20, 2011 by betsy

[Keepitsimple]

Ditto.

[waldo]

ya ya, Conservative free-speech warriors... except when they're not (see George Galloway, see Imam Delic, see Medea Benjamin, see Ann Wright, etc.)

[PIK]

Wait till a black muslim complains about bing's white christmas song. LOL

Edited January 20, 2011 by PIK

[Shwa]

It's bad enough for a radio station to back down to just a single complaint from a listener who probably forgot to take his med....but for a federal establishment to wimp out and take orders from Tehran is really shocking!

Indeed, what's happening to Canada?

Well, to be fair, as was pointed out in another thread on this subject, there is no proof that "orders from Tehran" was the cause of the original cancellation.

With just a threat of a violent protest, the jelly-kneed unceremoniously backed down and meekly obeyed!

But if there is no proof that the Embassy ordered this, they didn't obey. Although I think they were more concerned about any persons in the public being hurt by any violence that could result.

I'd hate to think how it will be if ever foreign enemies come knocking at the gates or above.....what, will we unceremoniously raise the white flag??

I am surprised you didn't say 'rainbow' flag, you know, in keeping with the rant.

UNBELIEVABLE! Who knows how many more of these same-minded, spineless individuals are head of other federal/government establishment.

Oh, there's a dangerous question you don't want to know the answer to. But probably a couple.

Although the decision was reversed by an angry James Moore, the damage to our image has been done.

There has been no real "damage to our image" except maybe your image of us. Is that what you meant?

Federal employees meekly bowed down and followed the dictate of Tehran, and displayed cowardice. Whoever made that decision should step down!

Some federal employees made a decision not to take a risk to the public and property, even though the risk - IMO - was very low.

And we should kick the Iran embassy out of Canada to send a clear statement that we do not take to intimidation so lightly!

if it can be proved that they orchestrated the whole thing, but rather than kick anyone out, why not have someone in the government department respond instead?

I applaude James Moore.

Took him long enough.

Edited January 20, 2011 by Shwa

[Saipan]

And we should kick the Iran embassy out of Canada to send a clear statement that we do not take to intimidation so lightly!

YES!

And Chinese too.

[Guest American Woman]

Well, to be fair, as was pointed out in another thread on this subject, there is no proof that "orders from Tehran" was the cause of the original cancellation.

According to this editorial, the showing was cancelled only after receiving threats from the public:

The embassy's request not to show the film was rejected by the archives. The event was cancelled only after members of the public began making threats.

Hours before the showing, Ottawa police were called to the archives after a plastic bag containing envelopes was dropped off, but the envelopes contained a harmless white powder.

It's an easy political score for Moore and the Conservatives. But it's hard to fault archives staff, who had to assess potential security threats and erred in favour of public safety.

[Shwa]

According to this editorial, the showing was cancelled only after receiving threats from the public:

The embassy's request not to show the film was rejected by the archives. The event was cancelled only after members of the public began making threats.

Hours before the showing, Ottawa police were called to the archives after a plastic bag containing envelopes was dropped off, but the envelopes contained a harmless white powder.

It's an easy political score for Moore and the Conservatives. But it's hard to fault archives staff, who had to assess potential security threats and erred in favour of public safety.

And I would gather, just on the surface, that some of that Iranian pseudo-embassy displeasure filtered down to a few people in and around that community and they acted on those 'orders from Tehran.'

No doubt that Archives staff were concerned for public safety, but it was a bold display on the part of some folks in Ottawa and I hope the cops get to them quickly and then some enterprising film student makes a film of the whole trial and such and then debuts said film at the Archives. Hopefully soon.

[ccen]

When the war with Iran happens I can just see this government wanting to go there. How much resistance will come from the people in Quebec and Atlantic Canada is the real question? Of course you won't ever hear that from the people constantly wanting to fight regimes to show how tough they are. We need diplomacy and peace and the best way to do that is to communicate and avoid war at all costs. Also, America has shown us that war will bankrupt a nation.

[Saipan]

When the war with Iran happens I can just see this government wanting to go there.

That would beat waging it here.

We need diplomacy and peace and the best way to do that is to communicate and avoid war at all costs.

It's been tried before. By Neville Chamberlain. 40 million died.

Also, America has shown us that war will bankrupt a nation.

I'm glad to be liberated by "corrupt" Americans.

[Shady]

Of course you won't ever hear that from the people constantly wanting to fight regimes to show how tough they are.

This may be the only time I address you, so feel priviledged. Do you actually think that people wanting to fight regimes do it to show how tough they are? Seriously, are you in highschool or something?

Also, America has shown us that war will bankrupt a nation.

I'm not sure how they've shown us that. Considering the spending on Iraq/Afghanistan is a very small percentage of their overall spending in general.

[ccen]

Well what I wanted to prove from what I said is why are James Moore and the Conservatives doing what they are doing right now? There has to be a reason. No one can give it. Are they trying to provoke something?

[Wild Bill]

When the war with Iran happens I can just see this government wanting to go there. How much resistance will come from the people in Quebec and Atlantic Canada is the real question? Of course you won't ever hear that from the people constantly wanting to fight regimes to show how tough they are. We need diplomacy and peace and the best way to do that is to communicate and avoid war at all costs. Also, America has shown us that war will bankrupt a nation.

Hear! Hear!

We will have peace in our time!

[betsy]

Well, to be fair, as was pointed out in another thread on this subject, there is no proof that "orders from Tehran" was the cause of the original cancellation.

But if there is no proof that the Embassy ordered this, they didn't obey.

I find it so appropriately coincidental that the rejection of Iran embassy's "request" was promptly followed by threat of violence.

Although I think they were more concerned about any persons in the public being hurt by any violence that could result.

So, if we receive threats that polling stations will be bombed if we hold our election....we cancel our election out of concern for public safety?

There has been no real "damage to our image" except maybe your image of us. Is that what you meant?

That's your opinion. But are you one of those who must think terrorists have their own legitimate gripe against the bad, bad West....that therefore we deserve what we get?

As I understand we have a policy not to pay for ransom in kidnap situations....and I assume you understand the logic behind that?

IF JAMES MOORE did not reverse the decision....do you think that will be the end of demands we'll ever get from Iran...or any other dictatorial countries?

Doesn't it even bother you that this embassy attempted to impose their censorship in our own country?

if it can be proved that they orchestrated the whole thing, but rather than kick anyone out, why not have someone in the government department respond instead?

From what I gathered from a newscast yesterday....somebody already sent letters to Tehran. Let's wait and see what happens next.

Edited January 20, 2011 by betsy

[PIK]

Well what I wanted to prove from what I said is why are James Moore and the Conservatives doing what they are doing right now? There has to be a reason. No one can give it. Are they trying to provoke something?

The reason is we do what we want here not want iran says, and there was a complaint from the iranian emmbassy. And when the guy putting the show on was told the 2nd time it was cancelled ,because of protesters out and inside the building. The guy rushed down and it was all BS. Face it people we are wimps, one complaint and we broke. No wonder the tamil tigers have pick this country for there new base to keep thier war going.

[Shwa]

I find it so appropriately coincidental that the rejection of Iran embassy's "request" was promptly followed by threat of violence.

I don't find it a coincidence at all, I think there was some communication within the community.

So, if we receive threats that polling stations will be bombed if we hold our election....we cancel our election out of concern for public safety?

A film and an election are two different things, come on now. However, I can see security being stepped up at polling stations if that were the case. I mean, this is Archives defended by librarians and file clerks.

That's your opinion. But are you one of those who must think terrorists have their own legitimate gripe against the bad, bad West....that therefore we deserve what we get?

As I understand we have a policy not to pay for ransom in kidnap situations....and I assume you understand the logic behind that?

Well, yes and no. However, I don't think our image is tarnished over this at all, especially since the hand wringers in government stepped up and actually made a decision. So if there is any real 'damage' it must be so slight that it will buff right out. Piece of cake. No need to call the insurance company, know what I mean?

IF JAMES MOORE did not reverse the decision....do you think that will be the end of demands we'll ever get from Iran...or any other dictatorial countries?

Oh, I don't think it will reduce any of the demands from Iran, dictatorial countries, enemies, friendlies, rogues nor The Pogues and their ilk. People are always making demands, especially embassies.

Doesn't it even bother you that this embassy attempted to impose their censorship in our own country?

No, what bothers me is that Canadians or residents of Canada attempted to impose their censorship in our own country. The Iranian Embassy made a request. It was only cancelled when others - presumably Canadians or residents - dropped off threatening packages. That is the worse part and that is why I hope the cops get to them quickly and deal with them in an open way. Kind of like the Toronto 8. The Iranian Embassy can talk until their blue, that doesn't bother me. We should allow them to in fact.

From what I gathered from a newscast yesterday....somebody already sent letters to Tehran. Let's wait and see what happens next.

[PIK]

I just heard they were not threatening packages but just letters. I see iran is going back to amputation for crimes, robbers will now be hung. What a great goverment they have, really moving forward.But the friends of neda will come thru in the end.We will not need a invasion of iran, their day is coming.

[Jack Weber]

And I would gather, just on the surface, that some of that Iranian pseudo-embassy displeasure filtered down to a few people in and around that community and they acted on those 'orders from Tehran.'

No doubt that Archives staff were concerned for public safety, but it was a bold display on the part of some folks in Ottawa and I hope the cops get to them quickly and then some enterprising film student makes a film of the whole trial and such and then debuts said film at the Archives. Hopefully soon.

I find the whole "public safety" line a bit much,although,we are potentially dealing with Islamofascists...

Was'nt public safety,or the lack of a guarantee of public safety, the reason given that got Anne Coulter's blither blatherfest at Uof O shut down last March?

[Shwa]

I find the whole "public safety" line a bit much,although,we are potentially dealing with Islamofascists...

Was'nt public safety,or the lack of a guarantee of public safety, the reason given that got Anne Coulter's blither blatherfest at Uof O shut down last March?

Well from an Archives staff point of view they might not have been in the position or been unprepared to host an event that drew a protest, potentially violent. For all we really know at this point they were postponing the event until all their pencils were sharpened.

[kimmy]

No, what bothers me is that Canadians or residents of Canada attempted to impose their censorship in our own country. The Iranian Embassy made a request. It was only cancelled when others - presumably Canadians or residents - dropped off threatening packages. That is the worse part and that is why I hope the cops get to them quickly and deal with them in an open way.

This is really the heart of it. The staff at the Archives received threats of violence. That's certainly against the law in Canada. The staff at the Archives received letters filled with white powder, obviously intended to invoke the spectre of the anthrax mail attacks from a while back. That's certainly against the law in Canada.

I hope that our law enforcement agencies find these lawbreakers quickly, and deal with them in the time-honored Canadian tradition.

-k

[August1991]

We need diplomacy and peace and the best way to do that is to communicate and avoid war at all costs.

Were you Neville Chamberlain in a previous life?

Hear! Hear!

We will have peace in our time!

Exactly.

This is really the heart of it. The staff at the Archives received threats of violence. That's certainly against the law in Canada. The staff at the Archives received letters filled with white powder, obviously intended to invoke the spectre of the anthrax mail attacks from a while back. That's certainly against the law in Canada.

I'm with Kimmy here.

We are asking the staff at the National Archives (librarians!) to be the front line troops in the War against Fanatical Islamofascists. They may be federal librarians, charged to represent all Canadians, and they may receive above average compensation for this, but it's unfair to ask them to assume such risks.

-----

I imagine that the Iranian Embassy regularly protests all kinds of things. Our embassy in Tehran probably does the same.

We should show the movie in a way that's secure.

PS. If the Iranian Embassy hadn't protested and no one had sent these various threats, this thread would probably not exist. IOW, in the grand scheme of things, does this really matter?