There is an ominous cloud on the horizon and conservative bloggers (and their readers) should beware. Conservative author, blogger and commentator Mark Steyn is about to go on trial in Canada to face charges of spreading “hate and contempt” for Muslims. A chapter of Steyn’s book “America Alone” was published in Canadian magazine Maclean’s, which drew complaints from Islamic Canadians who disagree with Steyn’s warnings about an encroaching Islamic state in Europe and the West.

In Canada, this type of “hate speech” is against the law. British Columbia actually outlaws any images or language “likely to expose a person…to hatred or contempt” for a variety of reasons, including religion, marital status or sexual orientation. So Mark Steyn now finds himself a defendant before both the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal and the Canadian Human Rights Commission simply because he wrote a book expressing his opinions about a religion and its impact on the world.

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FlashReport readers will now have another place to aim their browsers as my friend Joel Fox has launched a new website with what promises to be an interesting blog – Fox and Hounds. Joel is the President of the Small Business Action Committee, and is former President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

The site clearly runs the gamut of political opinion when you see Governor Schwarzenegger’s longtime Democrat advisor Bonnie Reiss topping the blogpen over there — she’ll be a balance to the more right-leaning Fox! Joel’s put together a promising crew of bloggers, and we truly wish him the best of luck with his endeavor. Trust me, ’tis no easy thing!

On the occasion of the launch of Fox and Hounds, I asked Joel if he would pen something about the new blog for FR readers, and here it is…

There is an ominous cloud on the horizon and conservative bloggers (and their readers) should beware. Conservative author, blogger and commentator Mark Steyn is about to go on trial in Canada to face charges of spreading “hate and contempt” for Muslims. A chapter of Steyn’s book “America Alone” was published in Canadian magazine Maclean’s, which drew complaints from Islamic Canadians who disagree with Steyn’s warnings about an encroaching Islamic state in Europe and the West.

In Canada, this type of “hate speech” is against the law. British Columbia actually outlaws any images or language “likely to expose a person…to hatred or contempt” for a variety of reasons, including religion, marital status or sexual orientation. So Mark Steyn now finds himself a defendant before both the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal and the Canadian Human Rights Commission simply because he wrote a book expressing his opinions about a religion and its impact on the world.

… Read More

Today each Republican in the State Assembly will have their opportunity to make it clear that ultra-liberal Karen Bass is not their choice for Speaker. Whether by voting for Mike Villines for Speaker (if his name is placed into nomination) or by insisting that their “NO” vote be RECORDED for posterity, each GOP legislator can make the record clear.

When they do, Speaker Bass should not take it any more personally than if these Republicans were voting against one of her bills to increase taxes.

Anyways, Republican legislators who quietly whisper “no” while an official acclimation (unanimous) vote for Bass s tallied aren’t fooling anyone.

Don’t complain about what this next Speaker does with her office if you don’t have the moxie to record your opposition to her being Speaker.… Read More

My column of yesterday where I urge Republicans in the Assembly to nominate and vote for Mike Villines as Speaker came about as I had some discussions with some well-heeled Capitol types about the upcoming vote (today) for Speaker.

Well, I just got off of the phone with Assemblyman Mike Duvall, who called to whomever you call about such things, and he was told there IS NO VOTE TODAY on Karen Bass’ becoming the next Speaker. Duvall was told that such a vote had taken place already (I remember that Democrats caucused and chose Bass as their Speaker-designate, but I did not recall a floor session with a ratification of that selection by the full Assembly).

So I went back and looked at some articles from late February — and sure enough, on Thursday, February 29, the Sacramento Bee reported that the previous day, Bass had been elected Speaker WITH NO DISSENTERS.

So the good news for some, and the missed opportunity for 32 Assembly Republicans is that apparently there will be no vote today.

So all of my friends in the Assembly Republican Caucus can feel good knowing that they… Read More

From today’s Wall Street Journal Political Diary…

Re-Airing Ronald Reagan

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A huge thanks to Adam Day of Sycuan for sending the attached survey results and memo along. Some excerpts… Survey Shows Duncan D. Hunter with Comfortable Lead In 52nd Congressional District Republican Primary Race El Cajon, CA (May 12, 2008) – In a survey of 400 registered voters in the 52nd Congressional district, Duncan D. Hunter, son of current Congressman Duncan Hunter, enjoys a substantial lead over other candidates in the race with 79% voter support.

Sycuan frequently conducts public opinion polling on a wide range of regional issues and election topics and shares the results with the public. This survey of voters in the 52nd Congressional District, where Sycuan is located, also asked voters about key issues in the race. Winning the War on Terror and illegal immigration were the top priorities for voters in this congressional race.

A summary of the survey results from Dr. Richard Maullin of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates is attached. — According to our recent survey, Duncan D. Hunter holds a massive lead over the field seeking the Republican… Read More

In case you missed it Sunday….

Hunter’s rivals work to stand out By Michele Clock STAFF WRITER

Duncan D. Hunter is making his first run for Congress, but he’s got many of the advantages of an incumbent.

As the son of U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, the 31-year-old captain in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve has built-in name recognition and political connections, and he has raised more money than his rivals for the 52nd District seat.

How much those assets will help in the June 3 statewide primary remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Duncan D. Hunter’s three Republican rivals are using their own considerable experience and connections to collect endorsements and carve out constituencies, which could play an elevated role in a campaign in which there is little difference among the candidates on key issues.

All the Republican candidates are focusing on their backgrounds to underscore why they would be best qualified to serve the heavily Republican district, which covers much of eastern and… Read More