ZGram - December 1, 2003 - "Principal gets much-needed lesson on Freedom of Speech from former diplomat"

[zgrams at zgrams.zundelsite.org]

ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny:  Now more than ever!

December 1, 2003

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

Remember the Canadian high school principal who fell all over himself 
pleasing the Holocaust Lobby because one of his high school students 
had played the defense attorney in a mock trial and found Ernst 
Zundel "not guilty"? 

Some of my readers sent him their feelings about his groveling  - and 
here is one more letter on the same topic, succinctly stated. 

I hope that he takes it to heart  - more yet, I request that he 
passes this letter on to his board, and certainly to the student and 
her parents:

[START]

Dear Mr Dick-Westerby

If what I read recently of your response to a mock trial held in your 
high school is true, I think you erred egregiously, not only in your 
cruel demeanment and embarrassment of one of your more gifted 
students, who "defended" Ernst Zuendel, but also in prejudging the 
merits of the case on which the exercise was modelled.  At the same 
time you violated the victimized student's constitutional right to 
free expression which surely is of greatest importance in cases such 
as the Lobby-driven persecution of Mr Zuendel where un-Canadian 
precepts have been introduced into the justice system and demand to 
be challenged.

I am by no means a human rights activist but I have become 
increasingly concerned over the demoralization of Canadian society, 
and especially over the failure of academics to defend themselves and 
their wards against the depredations of unpatriotic subversive 
elements in government, the media and education system who have 
already deprived traditional Canadians of much of their cultural 
heritage and identity. 

It is ironic that your misguided violation of one of our most 
precious freedoms should have taken place so close to Remembrance 
Day.  When I was a teenager, not much older than your apparently 
no-less-intrepid student, I enlisted in RCAF Aircrew, as did 
virtually all of my contemporaries who could meet the standards.  All 
freely volunteered to risk their lives to ensure that basic human 
rights in Canada would never be abridged nor the country subjected to 
totalitarian measures to suppress our freedoms, of which I consider 
freedom of "unpopular" opinion most important.  Many of my friends 
and a close relative gave their lives in that (perceived) noble 
cause.  When by your actions, Mr Dick-Westerby, you show contempt for 
both their sacrifice and their ideals, and the ideals of all 
righteous Canadians, you betray both your office and your nation. 
I'm sorry if that seems a harsh judgment but I am convinced that, 
upon reflection, you will agree that it is not inappropriate.

As for my credentials to offer comment, after service in the RCAF and 
RN Fleet Air Arm, I obtained an Honours Degree from Queen's and an MA 
from Toronto, entered the Canadian Foreign Service placing 2nd in a 
national competition, represented Canada in Germany, Sweden, South 
Africa, Sri Lanka, USA and Middle East and in various capacities 
worked for Canadian interests in over fifty countries, travelling and 
studying in about 80, all told.  As a public service, I have restored 
and preserved many heritage buildings in Ottawa and am a published 
author of  numerous papers on public policy,  historical/political 
issues and international trade, among other accomplishments.

May I suggest that by way of redemption you now tender your sincere 
apologies to the enterprising student and her parents, and as a 
gesture of good faith, pass on to them a copy of this letter so that 
they will be reassured that their talented daughter did no wrong and 
deserves commendation, not condemnation.  A public apology also 
should be made, to remove any stigma your impetuous intervention 
might have left.  I look forward to your early confirmation that you 
have complied.  Thank you..

Yours sincerely


Ian V. Macdonald
455 Wilbrod Street
Ottawa K1N 6M7
Tel 613 241 5389