Stories about anti-Semitism and hate speech:
Canadian Jewish Congress would prefer Supreme Court to hear Ahenakew hate case: CJC
The Canadian Jewish Congress says it would have preferred if the case of a former Saskatchewan Indian leader who referred to Jews as a disease had been appealed to the Supreme Court Of Canada. David Ahenakew, a former Assembly of First Nations leader, was convicted of wilfully promoting hatred in 2005 over the remarks and fined $1,000.
Canadian Press, February 3
Shun the hate-merchants. But don't jail them
David Ahenakew is a reprehensible individual. That is why many observers are applauding last Friday's decision by the Attorney-General of Saskatchewan to retry him for hate crimes, after his 2005 conviction was recently overturned on technical grounds. The former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations has his supporters in his fight to clear himself of a hate-crimes conviction for anti-Semitic remarks he made at an aboriginal conference, and later to a reporter, in December, 2002. These backers typically point to his seemingly remorseful public apology in early 2003 as proof that his bigoted remarks were a one-time thing, completely out of character. But the fact that Mr. Ahenakew has repeated his detestable remarks again and again since that now-outdated apology would seem to prove he deeply and honestly believes the disgusting statements that originally landed him in trouble more than five years ago.
Lorne Gunter, National Post, February 4
The problem at the Canadian Jewish Congress
Darfur? Holocaust memorials? How about tackling issues we're facing now
Laura Rosen Cohen, National Post, February 6
What's right with Canadian Jewish Congress
More out of sorrow than anger, we must respond to Laura Rosen Cohen's diatribe against Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) ("The problem at the Canadian Jewish Congress," February 6). Ms. Cohen assumes the mantle of arbiter of Jewish priorities but, sadly, she does so with no sense of the community's real needs or the longstanding values that underpin our advocacy.
Sylvain Abitbol and Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka, National Post, February 7
Earlier: Stories about anti-Semitism
Other stories from the past week:
Corporations becoming demonized as evil 'idols'
It has become a symbolic cliche, but it's still worth trying to decode: What does it mean that, throughout most of the world, skyscrapers now dwarf churches and temples?
Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun, February 2
Sikh Temple terror links alleged
More than five years after a Surrey Sikh temple was denied charitable status for alleged terrorist links, it is still raising funds, holding weekly prayer services and hosting community events like last April's controversial Vaisakhi parade.
Vancouver Sun, February 4
Earlier: Stories about Sikhs and Sikhism
The bewitching lure of home-grown cults
Since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, a troubling mysticism is emerging in Russia, attracting up to 800,000 followers, experts say
Globe and Mail, February 5
Sister of Olympic champion Cindy Klassen in critical condition after river rescue
The sister of Olympic skating champion Cindy Klassen lay in a Winnipeg hospital Wednesday, one day after her sport utility vehicle plunged over a highway railing and through the ice of the Red River. Lisa Klassen, 23, was under water for about five minutes until off-duty Winnipeg firefighter Dale Kasper ran down the bank, smashed her side window and gave her CPR until an ambulance arrived.
Canadian Press, February 6
Earlier: Stories about speed skater Cindy Klassen
Ash Wednesday
Only forty non-shopping days to Easter, one recalls, on this, the most solemn fast of the Christian year, except Good Friday. The thought being: What would happen to the economy if, by some miracle of repentance, all the descendants of Christians were suddenly recalled to faith?
David Warren, Ottawa Citizen, February 6
Rabbis' refusal to shake a 'shock' to deputy mayor
The deputy mayor of Richmond Hill says she suffered "blatant gender discrimination" at two cultural gatherings last year, where rabbis refused to shake her hand and Muslim men would not look her in the eye.
National Post, February 7
The football gods have spoken
Perhaps there are football gods after all. Greg Easterbrook, who writes the best sports column anywhere for ESPN.com, regularly invokes the favour of gridiron deities to explain why teams are rewarded for such things as sportsmanlike play, courageous play calling and provocativel dressed cheerleaders. The football pantheon is theologically troublesome, but the outcome of the Super Bowl last Sunday was a blessing to be sure, if not divinely ordained.
Father Raymond J. De Souza, National Post, February 7
February 6/2008
