Damn US Judges Won’t Let Go Of This “Free Speech” Stuff

Detroit Free Press – “The United States is correct that it need not wait until people are killed before it arrests conspirators,” U.S. District Judge Victoria Roberts said in a 36-page decision. “But, the Defendants are also correct: their right to engage in hate-filled, venomous speech, is a right that deserves First Amendment protection.”

As Long As It Hides The Shit In Your Own Backyard, “Human Rights” Is A Gas

Aljazeera – As Latin American governments have condemned a tough new anti-immigration law in the US state of Arizona, a leading human rights group has also launched a scathing attack against it.

“Arizona’s new immigration law violates an international anti-racism treaty that is binding on all government officials in the United States,” Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Friday.

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AP – Drug traffickers, not soldiers, killed two children during a shootout in northern Mexico earlier this month, Mexican military officials said Friday.

Army investigators reviewed the evidence and found 5-year-old Martin Almanza Salazar and his 8-year-old brother, Bryan, were killed by shrapnel from a grenade that hit the back of their family car April 3, the chief armed forces prosecutor, Jose Luis Chavez, said.

Video: What They’re Studying At Harvard These Days

There’s no way you’ll watch the whole thing, but the first screen will do: “The Human Rights And Social Movements Program at the Carr Center for Human Rghts [sic] Policy.” Basically four well-to-do chicks bitching about life for 100 minutes.

American Writer Starting To Wonder About This “Human Rights” Stuff

North Star National – Where I will get worked up is whether we really need such a commission with such broad implications. One quick look at the Commission’s web site is chilling (emphasis is original):

“Our Mission: To become the premier human rights agency globally.”

Why would a local governing body want to overtake its counterparts around the world? Or do they just want to be the best anti-discrimination agency in the world?

Either way, I am beginning to question whether such a regulatory system needs to take place in the United States anymore.

Epic Fail: Paper Tries To Stand Up For Free Speech, Ends Up On Its Knees

Bold ours.

Chilliwack Times, Open Letter to Readers – There has been much discussion lately about “free speech” in Canada. I use parentheses [sic] to denote a term that causes many individuals to have a gag reflex as they consider the term to be a uniquely American concept that has no relevancy with our sense of Canadian values. Call it “freedom of expression” or what have you, but I do have concerns about our willingness to acquiesce to seemingly arbitrary standards of conduct and speech imposed by quasi-judicial bodies. Their willingness to take away your right to expression should concern all of us.

Pesky US Supreme Court Still Protecting That “Free Speech” Stuff

The Stir – It’s a sad day for animal rights groups. The Supreme Court just struck down a federal law designed to stop the sale and marketing of dogfight videos and videos showing other acts of animal cruelty.

The court, in an 8-1 decision, ruled that the law was an unconstitutional violation of free speech…

The last time the Supreme Court carved out an exception to First Amendment free speech protection was in 1982 when it banned the distribution of child pornography.

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Kansas City Star – Animal rights groups were naturally disappointed by the ruling, but said they would continue to press for a more specific law, one that might pass constitutional muster.

And let’s face it: This was a victory for free speech because it once again validated the view that the government doesn’t have all-encompassing powers to shut down speech it doesn’t like or deem appropriate.

After The Love Has Gone: Gay Rights Protesters Heckle Obama

Time – “IT’s time for equality for all Americans!” another protester yelled at 6:22. Obama said, “can I just say again Barbara and I are supportive of repealing Don’t ask dont tell.” But protester keeps yelling. Bringing Obama’s remarks to a halt. The crowd responds again by “shouting yes we can!” [sic] over the protesters.

“Be quiet!” someone yells.

Students In Maine Still #1 In Math And Science

Bangor Daily News – The Maine Human Rights Commission worked on but has not yet issued recommendations on how public schools accommodate transgender students. What should be the policy? Should boys who identify as girls be able to use the girls bathroom and locker room and participate on girls sports teams?

China To USA: Eat Me

Vancouver Sun – China told the United States Thursday to stop acting as a human rights watchdog, as it hit back angrily at U.S. accusations that its human rights record had worsened.

The spat comes just days after a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Beijing appeared to signal a detente between the world powers on the sensitive issue.

“We firmly oppose any countries interfering in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights,” foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told reporters.

Celebrate Victimhood

Florida Times-Union – Victims’ Rights Week Resource Fair and Awards Luncheon, 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Main Library with Judge Susan Carbon, director of the Office on Violence Against Women; Catherine Pierce, deputy director of the Office of Violence Against Women; and Connie Sponsler, Battered Women’s Justice Project. Awards will be presented for: Courageous Victim, Outstanding Victim Advocate, Judicial Victim Advocate and Law Enforcement Victim Advocate. Lunch is $10 per person, which includes the seminar.

Another Stupid Memorial-Type Thing Headed For Canada

Winnipeg Free Press – Friday is the national Day of Silence across the United States, a day in which hundreds of thousands of students from more than 8,000 K-12 and post-secondary schools will take a vow of silence to protest homophobia.

It started in 1996, and has grown every year, says the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which organizes the national Day of Silence with support from the American Civil Liberties Union.

It hasn’t reached Canada… at least, not yet.

We’re Betting None Of Them Could Name, Say, The Sixth Amendment Of The US Constitution

Bold ours.

Tampa Bay Informer – Youth for Human Rights Florida stepped out onto the streets on March 20th to create awareness against racial discrimination. March 20th was International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a day when people around the world came together in their communities to work toward ending racism. The group, which promotes education of the 30 human rights based on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, went to the people in the streets, gathering hundreds of signatures on a petition to get human rights taught in schools.

Tough Talk’s Easy When You Don’t Name Names

Edmonton Journal – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton vowed Monday to fight for gay rights, calling for all nations to stop violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation…

“The persecution of gays and lesbians is a violation of human rights and an affront to human decency, and it must end,” she said.

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Times-Colonist – “The United States has refrained from commenting on the election in Iran. We obviously hope that the outcome reflects the genuine will and desire of the Iranian people,” said Clinton, on a short visit to Canada.

Huff Post: Caring People Line Up Over Here, Selfish Bastards Over There

Huffington Post – Anyone interested in human rights (that would be the left side of the room) or property rights (that would be the right side) should email Congressman Pascrell’s office and let him know you support his attempts to enforce the law.

The Human Right To Green Cards

NJ Today – Reforming our obsolete immigration system is a human rights issue that can no longer wait. Our nation needs a clear and workable path toward legal residency for the millions of undocumented workers and families living in this country.

Video: “If You Think You’ve Been The Victim Of Discrimination, Call Our Office…It’s Free.”

Career In The Toilet? Try Human Rights

Salon – The once and eternal Mr. Sulu, for years relegated to the status of trivia answer, has in recent years attained a level of effortless cool that could annihilate an entire barful of Williamsburg hipsters…

Since officially coming out of the closet five years ago, Takei became a deeply adored advocate of and spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, showing up on more Pride Parade floats than the leather flag.

It’s Never About “Rights.” Just Land And Money, Baby

Victoria Times Colonist – Amnesty International has thrown its support behind a Vancouver Island First Nations treaty group in a land-rights battle that has gone international…

The treaty group represents more than 6,600 people from the Chemainus First Nation, Cowichan Tribes, Halalt First Nation, Lake Cowichan First Nation, Lyackson First Nation and Penelakut Tribe. The complaint centres on the claim that traditional Hul’qumi’num territory, making up the entire southeast corner of Vancouver Island, was illegally seized in 1884 for the E&N land grant.

Tribune Writer Sniffs Glue, Starts Typing

Columbia Daily Tribune – Anti-abortion zealots armed with a sonogram will look right through a pregnant woman and desperately seek a sacred fertilized egg, perhaps hoping to find it twirling rosary beads, as the pregnant woman — a person — fades into the background, disappearing and forgotten.

And The Lamest Title Of The Year Goes To…

Boston Herald – Filmmaker Luis Argueta is also scheduled to screen his documentary, “abUSed: The Postville Raid.” The film chronicles the May 2008 arrests of 389 undocumented workers in Postville, Iowa, by the federal immigration agents.

Bummed By The Hope And Change

WSJ – It’s been more than a year now since President Obama began seeking engagement with rogue regimes the world over. Last week, his own State Department tallied up the benefits of that effort to human rights. There appear to have been none.

Around the world, human rights deteriorated markedly over the past year, according to the 2009 Human Rights Report, released Thursday.

USA To China: You Suck. China To USA: You Suck, Too

AFP - According to the State Department report, China’s rights record “remained poor and worsened in some areas,” with repression in the restive Tibet and Xinjiang regions, and the detention and harassment of activists.

In retaliation Beijing issued its own scathing report, alleging that US workers’ rights had been “seriously violated”, lamenting the millions who lack health insurance, and accusing Washington of post-9/11 curbs on freedoms.

On That, We Can Agree

Sify News – A new book by a Binghamton University history professor examines the history of human rights…

She said: “To me, human rights is not about states taking on human rights.

“It’s about people devising the tools to influence the decision-makers.”

Ethiopia To USA: “You’re Stupid”

AFP: Ethiopia on Saturday slammed the United States for a report that criticised its human rights record, claiming that it demonstrated “serious intellectual deficiencies”.

Human Rights Is Big Bucks #11

Southeast Texas Record – A CVS pharmacist alleges his employer discriminated against him because of his disability, then terminated him for complaining about the discrimination. He is suing the pharmacy chain for $3.5 million…

Mumfrey testified that the defendants committed defamation by issuing written disciplinary reprimands and classifying him as ineligible for re-hire.

CVS Pharmacy denies the allegations and argues that Mumfrey “does not have and never has suffered a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.”