Intolerance will not be tolerated

Canadian hockey commentator Don Cherry said some disparaging things about French Canadian hockey players. Actually, what he said, from what I can gather, is that the only players who wear visors on their helmets to protect their face are "European or French guys." That's not quite true, of course. I haven't watched a hockey game for awhile. But I know Joe Sakic for the Colorado Avalanche, who's neither French nor European, has worn a visor in the past. I'm sure there are others. But check out the reaction from officialdom in Canada below. My goodness. First...Minister of State for Multiculturalism? I'm pretty miffed that Bush is increasing the funding for the NEA...but at least we don't have a minister of State for Multiculturalism...yet. National Post: "Jean Augustine, Minister of State for Multiculturalism, said 'the government will not tolerate statements that create dissonance in our society and disrespect for others.'" What I want to know is when offending someone became a crime? What does it mean to say that expressing your opinion causes "dissonance in society?" And surely there are some times when it's not proper to show respect for others, right? Should we respect thieves, liars, murderers..or people who are just plain stupid? Can't we disagree anymore and say so? And if not...on what basis does the Ministry of Multiculturalism decide what kind of speech is permissible? It's all absurd, of course. Strangely, most alleged "crushing of dissent" doesn't come from John Ashcroft and the Justice Department...it comes from the Left...where even thinking the wrong thing appears to be socially intolerable these days... Absurd...absurd and scary. National Post: "Jean Augustine, Minister of State for Multiculturalism, said 'the government will not tolerate statements that create dissonance in our society and disrespect for others.'"