Steyn’s show trial begins — Coyne fires up the laptop

Don’t tell my employers, but I’m sort of hoping we lose this case. If we win—that is, if the tribunal finds we did not, by publishing an excerpt from Mark Steyn’s book, expose Muslims to hatred and contempt, or whatever the legalese is—then the whole clanking business rolls on, the stronger for having shown how “reasonable” it can be. Whereas if we lose, and fight on appeal, and challenge the whole legal basis for these inquisitions, then something important will be achieved. Hang on, we’re starting…

Just keep hitting refresh. 

I’m obliged to follow this because I’ve got the book’s Steyn chapter, too.

However, it sounds like we’re in for five days of Stupid Muslims Saying Stupid Things Instead of Being, Say, ****ing Deported to ****istan.

So brace yourselves and take your meds.

If anything increases “hatred against Canadian Muslims”, it will be this trial.

And they’ll deserve it.

My Anonymous Source on the Scene writes in:

Some good news and bad news.

The good news is there are over 50 people here for the trial including many journalists from the CBC (Terry Mileski), National Post (Brian Hutchinson), 24 Hours (Ian King), CKNW (Natasha Karim?), Terry O’Neill, Ezra Levant, Andrew Coyne and many more I did not identify. There are also many bloggers so the reporting should be good. There are also several dozens fans of Mark Steyn and free speech such as myself. There are also at least a dozen lawyers for MacLeans, the complainers and the intervenors (CAJ and BC Liberties). The 3 sock puppet law student complainers are also here. No Mark Steyn sighting.

The bad news is I did not get into the trial as the room only holds 40 or so people and I was too busy chatting to stand in line and did not realize their would be a problem. Many bloggers (Covenent Zone) and media such as local CBC did not get in. Many of us tried following the trial by looking through the window in the door but the judge said that is too annoying. There is much lobbying for a bigger venue. If someone goes to the bathroom the sheriff says we can take their spots.

There is also no wifi access in the courtroom. Andrew Coyne must be using his blackberry.