Oh right, I do things other than hockey here

Between extended periods ranging between "not posting" and "rambling about trade deadlines" (I think I'll do a draft blog next month...post facto of course since I'll be out watching it live), I have failed to write anything about issues of societal relevance in a while. I'd like to dip my toe in again by getting militant.

http://tinyurl.com/22n9wpr is an op-ed written by Ezra Levant (a Canadian Jewish conservative) about the increasing vitriol, hatred and lies spreading about Christians in political circles and among the "elites". Thankful as I am to Mr. Levant for his spirited defense, it's a little disheartening that the most passionate voice on our side isn't actually a Christian. But then again, rather beautiful, isn't it? Sort of "Canadian ideal" that someone from a different faith would stand up to defend another faith when it's being attacked.

The basis of the op-ed (and I recommend that you click through) is the recent bashing of Opus Dei made by MPs Gilles Duceppe and Pat Martin in Ottawa. Opus Dei has existed quietly since 1928 as a lay organization of Catholics, until the Da Vinci Code enlightened us all to the fact that they're a secret cult of assassins. Or maybe it wasn't a documentary. In either case, Mr. Martin said that Opus Dei members "give me the creeps" and that he "certainly wouldn't attend anything associated with them". Duceppe took it further, saying that the Prime Minister should "admit that his policy is influenced" by such people and that Opus Dei members should not be allowed to participate in political life if they identify "as a group."

Think about that for a second. The LEADER of a Canadian political party said that members of a Catholic lay organization whose mission involves becoming closer to God through their ordinary day-to-day work SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS! (EVEN AS VOLUNTEERS!) And the only place you'll find that news is in an op-ed piece!

Let me paint a picture. Mikey Ignatieff steps up to the mike one day and says that homosexuals should not be allowed to participate in politics if they identify "as a group". Or Stevey Harper says that UJA members "give me the creeps". Do you think we might hear about it? Do you think the papers might find room for it?

Now, what Mr. Levant - I think - should have made more clear is that the fact that Duceppe and Martin SAID such idiotic things should not, in itself, be a crime. They can say whatever they want, just as I can say that they're ignorant and bigoted hate-mongerers. The difference is, there should have been a massive backlash by an intelligent and conscious media and public, and they should have felt pressure to answer for their slander. I'm prepared to stand by what I said, though I hardly see how it can be contradicted.