Heat Street story Comedian Fined $42,000 by Human Rights Tribunal for Telling a Joke Canadian comedian Mike Ward was fined a whopping $42,000 by Quebec’s Human Rights Tribunal for jokes he made about a disabled boy. The child, Jérémy Gabriel, who suffers from Treacher Collins Syndrome, is a bit of a national celebrity in Canada after he sung for the pope in 2006 essentially because everyone thought he did not have long to live. Ward’s joke was a rant about how the child was supposed to die, that he “stole a wish” and is unkillable. Sure, not in great taste, but certainly not in violation of the kid’s “human rights.” His joke was never televised, but after he talked about the bit in an interview, Gabriel’s parents found out and dragged the comedian to the human rights tribunal last month. He fought the fine, but lost in court. Ward told Spiked that he plans to appeal the decision, and if that fails, will try to bring the case to the Supreme Court. “If I lose that I’ll just move to Syria or Saudi Arabia, or some other country that respects free speech as much as Canada does,” he said. Yet another example of how joy and mirth is banned in American's northern neighbor. All they're allowed to do is club baby seals during the dark Canadian winter.
Yup. I can accept limitations on "hate speech," but punishing someone for telling a joke is utter bullshit.
That's not funny. On behalf of all Americans, I'm filing a class action lawsuit with Quebec’s Human Rights Tribunal.
It wasn't meant to be funny. That's just the way it is and any Canadian tribunal would agree with me.
Oh no! I'm going to Niagara Falls next week. I can't just not tell jokes! I'm fucked! Or I'll have to go to the American side. That's the crappy side. I want to go to the good, very romantic side, but I want to tell jokes as well. Although, I might have to stay in the US. I'd imagine trying to cross the border with an Austrian is going to be a bit of a hassle.
If I were the parents I'd just be thankful my son didn't die as predicted. Maybe they need 40,000 dollars because they never got to cash in the boy's life insurance policy. Thank, you 'I'll be here all week.....now take that human rights fuckers. Or maybe they need 40,000 for therapy because their son was traumatized by the pope trying to ass-fuck him! Thanks again, you've been a great audience.......now fine me fuckers.
Dave Chappelle told the same joke, except it was about how one of Michael Jackson's victims was on death's door, and had a miraculous recovery. So, his version was more offensive, cuz it had pedophilia sprinkles on top. No one got pissed, everyone laughed, and got on with their life.
Canada would be a third world shithole if it wasn't right next to the USA. Their main exports are maple syrup and cringeworthy political views.
That was funny. Oil: US$77.8 billion (19% of total exports) Vehicles: $60 billion (14.7%) Machines, engines, pumps: $31.1 billion (7.6%) Gems, precious metals: $19 billion (4.7%) Electronic equipment: $13.2 billion (3.2%) Plastics: $12.5 billion (3.1%) Aircraft, spacecraft: $12.3 billion (3%) Wood: $11.8 billion (2.9%) Aluminum: $8.2 billion (2%) Paper: $7.7 billion (1.9%)
And of course a giant maple syrup cartel that controls 71% of world supply, and prices its syrup at $1,650 a barrel. Al Jazeera story on the Canadian syrup cartel. Nobody dares cross them.
I remember my last visit to Canada and Niagara falls. We went over the border because my friend was 19 so I could not take him to foxwoods for some gambling and boozing. My sister lived in buffalo so she drove. When they asked if there was anything to declare on the return through customs we had to say canadia rocks. The American side of the falls is a great place to be hipster kids.
I like the Canadian side for a night out with things to do. However, I have had fun on the American side doing the poor teenager/hippie thing.
Speaking of hipsters and possible sucking, here is something I'm noticing lately: I've been noticing a lot of younger guys (keep it clean, I don't mean "notice" notice, just part of generally keeping track of my surroundings as we all should) dressing a little different. Maybe metrosexual (if that word used anymore?) or hipster I guess. Basically a little "fruity" at times, if I dare use such a term. I'm not even assuming they are gay because we do have gay redneck country bumpkins around here that wear the traditional southern garb of t-shirts, flip flops, and even sport beer guts and drive big pickup trucks. It just seems like the hipsters carry around an air of trying to be noticed and stand out from the non-hip at every opportunity. Am I right about that? Is that their intent or what? I googled it and sure enough, these local hipsters are becoming more & more common lately.
