Imperfect IdeologiesModern Challenges to Liberalism in an Evolving World

Michael Blouin

Quebec Language LawsPromotion and Protection of Minority Cultures are reasonable and worthy goals; however, when do

laws designed to protect and assist one group restrict the free choices of others? In “Preponderance of Blood,” essayist Tony Kondaks compares Quebec's Language Laws with those of South Africa and the Soviet Union.

-ZbiegniewBrezezinski

https://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg6n6657_8gfjsb8

USA Patriot ActUniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct

Terrorism Act of 2001

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_PATRIOT_Act

Section Section title201 Authority to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications relating to

terrorism202 Authority to intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications relating to

computer fraud and abuse offenses203(b) Authority to share electronic, wire and oral interception information204 Clarification of intelligence exceptions from limitations on interception and

disclosure of wire, oral, and electronic communications206 Roving surveillance authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of

1978.207 Duration of FISA surveillance of non-United States persons who are agents of a

foreign power209 Seizure of voice-mail messages pursuant to warrants212 Emergency disclosure of electronic communications to protect life and limb214 Pen register and trap and trace authority under FISA215 Access to records and other items under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance

Act.217 Interception of computer trespasser communications218 Foreign intelligence information220 Nationwide service of search warrants for electronic evidence223 Civil liability for certain unauthorized disclosures225 Immunity for compliance with FISA wiretap

The Patriot ActUniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct

Terrorism Act of 2001

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_PATRIOT_Act

Passenger ProtectCanada’s version of the extraordinarily successful American system!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_PATRIOT_Act

Japanese Canadian Internment

http://www.crr.ca/divers-files/en/pub/faSh/ePubFaShRacRedJap.pdf

"Born in Canada, brought up on big-band jazz, Fred Astaire and the novels of Rider Haggard, I had perceived myself to be as Canadian as the beaver. I hated rice. I had committed no crime. I was never charged, tried or convicted of anything.

Yet I was fingerprinted and interned." Ken Adachi, Toronto Star, Sept. 24, 1988.

War Measures Act

http://torontoist.com/2010/06/historicist_measures_of_war.php

“-Yea, well there’s a lot of bleeding hearts around who just don’t like to see people with helmets and guns. All I can say is go on and bleed. But its more important to keep law and order in this society than to be worried about weak kneed people who don’t like the looks of soldiers in the streets.”

“-At any cost? How far would you go with that?”

“-Well just watch me.”Pierre Trudeau and CBC News Reporter, 1970

French Bans on Religious Symbolism

http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/showthread.php?99498-Vive-La-France-et-secularisme

“Those who do not accept France’s secularism are not welcome on French soil.”

Nicolas Sarkozy, July 2007

The Suspension of Rights in the Face of Security

http://www.billsiksay.ca/default2.asp?active_page_id=758

“Friends, let us never forget that nations are not judged by the laws they write up and lock up in libraries, nations are judged by how they act at times when their dedication to these laws [is] truly tested. Every country that has chosen to sacrifice the liberties of its citizens and hold them in shackles has done that out of belief that this is necessary for its security.

“We, Canadians, know better. We know that security without liberty is simply imprisonment. Nothing is more secure than a maximum security prison. We deserve better. We cannot let Canada turn into a maximum security prison by imprisoning one Canadian without the presumption of innocence till proven guilty and without the full opportunity to defend themselves.”

Dr. TyseerAboulnasr, July 2007