The most widely read magazine for Canadian lawyers
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/50802
WAR WOR Richard Warman and Douglas Christie personify the battle over the right to free speech versus the outlawing of hate. BY LISA GREGOIRE "If you know there are people calling for the genocide of your neighbour, you have a fundamental moral and ethical duty to do whatever you can to stop it." — Richard Warman 28 M ARCH 2009 www. C ANADIAN Law ye rmag.com bloodshed. We use words to debase others and exalt ourselves. We pray with words. We shout, organize, slander, teach, threaten, understand, share ideas in Internet chat rooms, and boast in blogs. Words of our lovers, mothers, and enemies roll around in our heads when we can't sleep making us mad with jealousy, regret, revenge. Words "W simply spoken can turn thousands toward malevolence with gas chambers. Or machetes. Which is why the preservation of a peaceful, pluralistic society like Canada hinges on outlawing hate. Or does it? Perhaps words are simply words — offensive, even forceful at times, but essential to a public discourse from which rea- sonable citizens in a democracy inform their personal opinions. RICHARD WARMAN AND DOUGLAS CHRISTIE WERE PHOTOGRAPHED SEPARATELY FOR THIS ARTICLE ithout knowing the force of words," Confucius said, "it is impossible to know men." He was right of course. It seems he always is. Words start fights and stir yearning hearts to acts of bravery and COLIN ROWE