It what may become a "yuuge" (as President Donald Trump might say) victory for free speech in Europe, Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan announced to the lower House of Ireland’s national parliament that he will not accede to the demands of the European Union (EU) after it put Ireland on notice that it must either submit to the EU's demands to force "hate speech" laws on the Irish public, or risk legal action in Brussels.
Before we continue, kudos to Justice Minister O'Callaghan for basically telling the EU what it can do with its (beyond hypocritical) "hate speech" nonsense.
Earlier this year, the ever-smug EU gave Ireland a two-month ultimatum to pass new hate speech laws or face legal action for allegedly failing to meet EU standards on issues like antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred.
Hold the bus.
Raise your hand if you think a majority of the members of the Union — including United Kingdom countries — are as concerned with rampant antisemitism as with virtually anything anti-Islamic — including against terrorist group Hamas, and other radical antisemitic groups.
As reported by the Irish outlet "Gript," the EU has in the past stated that Ireland had allegedly failed to comply with its laws against hate speech and hate crimes.
Yet to O'Callaghan's credit, when he was asked by Irish politician Deputy Paul Lawless on Thursday if he would reintroduce a previous hate speech resolution that failed under the last Minister of Justice, the justice minister answered, resoundingly:
No. I’m fairly satisfied that Ireland has transposed the European Council framework decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia in the manner appropriate and tailored to the domestic system of law in Ireland.
I want assure Members of the House that Ireland’s position has been communicated to the European Commission. Our position is that the framework decision is fully transposed in Irish legislation in a mannerthat is appropriate and tailored to Ireland's domestic system of criminal law and procedure, and is in line of course with Article 40.6 of the Constitution, which expressly respects and protects the right to freedom of expression and of people to express their views freely.
Clearly, the Irish Justice Minister understands the slippery slope faced by a country that embraces "hate speech" laws.
One's views on "hate speech" are not dissimilar to one's views on beauty, in the sense that both are in the eye of the beholder. We need to look no further than the current state of politics in America for proof.
While the demented Democrat Party regularly accuses Trump of "hate speech," and worse, it's the Democrats themselves who call this president despicable names, falsely accuse him of despicable actions, and continue to try their damnedest to scare the dickens out of the American people about the "evils" of Trump.
Moreover, the party that controls the federal government generally tends to be more interested in quashing what it views as "hate speech" from the other side — to which both parties are susceptible. Then, when the tables are turned, the positions of both parties switch.
The lesson? Be careful what you wish for.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Watch: Autistic British Blogger Arrested in the Night Over Meme Slamming Hamas, Palestine, Islam
Anyway, Deputy Lawless, who said he welcomed O’Callaghan's answer, also emphasized the importance of protecting free speech:
His predecessor, Deputy McEntee, was a big proponent and driver of this hate speech legislation, so I commend the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, on what he is doing. This House should always protect freedom of speech.
Again, be careful what you wish for.
As I reported on Wednesday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) plans to introduce legislation that would make it easier for the American people to sue the federal government over censorship.
Why? Because, as Cruz said:
Censorship is wrong, regardless of who's doing it.
Precisely. I believe I'll leave it right here.
Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
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