May 27, 1997

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

If things have been a bit stilted and/or haphazard, it is because I have been on the road helping to "make history." I am writing this ZGram on a veranda in downtown Toronto where the first two days of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearings have just concluded.

Factually, here is what has happened so far:

Ernst's attorney, Doug Christie, has argued that the CHRC cannot control the content of material originating in another country -- any more than prohibition laws in Kansas can dictate what people in a British pub consume. Even though the Zundelsite carries Ernst's name and logo the site has been created , managed and expanded by me, and since he does not have the password and has never had the password, control lies solely with me. I can add, delete, change and expand the Zundelsite, regardless of what the tribunal may cook up. And trust me that I will!

To quote: "The complaint is not properly before you and should be dismissed or stayed. There is no reason to have Ernst Zundel sit here for five more minutes if he is not the author of the material."

Doug Christie specifically pointed out that the relevant section of the Canadian Human Rights Act is unconstitutional in its application to the Internet. Ian Binnie, representing the CHRC argued otherwise, saying that society will want to have it shut down expeditiously. Binnie admitted that the Canadian Parliament could not control the Internet however, it could well control the "effects" our Zundelsite material could have on society. In other words blindfold Canadians, and they will never read what they are not supposed to read -- namely an alternative view on World War two history.

Sabina Citron plus entourage was there, as were assorted unsavoury ARA hoodlums. There was a brief incident right in the courtroom where an elderly woman tapped me on the shoulder, identifying herself as a Holocaust victim, calling me a not-so-friendly name and suggesting to the audience that I be "thrown out of this room" this after Doug Christie offered me as a witness who could be cross-examined. The opposition legal team did not avail itself of such an opportunity to hear first hand what I might have to say, such as: "As an American citizen, I am protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution."

The argument was also made on our side that Canadians of German descent are members in good standing of the fabric of a multi-cultural society -- a point, I feel that needs to be expanded, and second being that this so-called "Human Rights" tribunal intends to feed extensively on yet another taxpayer's trough, since these hearings could drag on for years, hard on Ernst Zundel's war chest but wonderful for all the historical and verbal gems it will elicit, which will thus become part of the public record, such as:

1) "B'nai Brith is a 'hostile party' that has an 'amiable working relationship' with ARA, as demonstrated with ARA members shouting 'burn and kill Zundel.'"

2) "This Tribunal is not a forum for mob violence. We might as well have intervention by the Hell's Angels."

3) "For B'nai Brith, the law is an instrument to get their political will."

4) "Sabina Citron has a long history of harassing Mr. Zundel. This is a woman with a cause..." adding that "in other circumstances (Ernst) would have grounds for a charge of malicious prosecution."

(These quotes were given to me by a Zundel supporter after a session I did not attend)

So what you have, so far, is this: a situation akin to the LBJ order to start bombing Vietnam, hoping that a war of terror and attrition will force the Vietnamese from the underground. Remember how it started? How it ended? The youngsters of America did not like what was going on and started siding with the "enemy" -- thus handling America its first ever decisive military defeat.

In those years of deliberate cannon fodder, it was the television set that rattled consciences. This time it is the Internet, with the Zundelsite smack in the middle.

Ingrid

Thought for the Day:

"It's never over until it is over!"

(General McArthur?)

Comments? E-Mail: irimland@cts.com

Back to Table of Contents of the May 1997 ZGrams