We might not have noticed this result:

Even Public Policy Polling (a Democratic firm), which showed marriage amendment passing by 16 points right before the election, were shocked by the massive victory for the North Carolina marriage amendment, admitting via tweet: “Hate to say it, but I don’t believe polls showing support for gay marriage nationally. Any times there is a vote it doesn’t back it up.”

Actual margin of victory: 22 points, in a swing state which backed Obama in 2008.

Radio-Canada will amend its code of conduct, to remove mention of accountability that reeks of totalitarianism.

OTTAWA — Radio-Canada announced it will amend its new code of conduct to remove the requirement that the state broadcaster’s journalists support ministers in their accountability to Parliament and Canadians.

“We realize this issue caused a lot of reaction on the part of our journalists, in the media in general, as well as in the general population,” CBC president Hubert Lacroix wrote in a May 4 memo to employees.

The union representing the French CBC’s communications workers filed a grievance last month, objecting to the requirement that employees serve the public interest by “loyally carrying out the lawful decisions of their leaders and supporting ministers in their accountability to Parliament and Canadians.”

Bloc Quebecois MP Jean-Francois Fortin complained that the code of conduct “reek[ed] of totalitarianism.”

“How can the government justify the fact that it is secretly trying to make CBC the new Pravda? I am asking the government to allow CBC to maintain its independence,” Fortin said in the House of Commons last week.

[Click here for the background]

I am very strongly in favour of free expression. People should have the right to protest, even when I find them annoying. I draw the line at blocking traffic and otherwise preventing normal people from going about their business. But otherwise peaceful protests should be allowed.

Emphasis on peaceful. Rioting is not protesting. And the least you ought to do, when you want to exercise your right to protest, is to do so openly. I am glad to see the Canadian government supporting a ban on face-covering masks during riots.

OTTAWA – The government will support a private member’s bill that would make it a crime to wear a mask or disguise during a riot, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said Sunday.

The Concealment of Identity Act would create two Criminal Code offences with maximum penalties of five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.

“Destructive and reckless behavior damages communities and should not be tolerated,” Nicholson said.

The bill makes an exception for people who want to cover their faces for religious or medical reasons. Personally, I wouldn’t. This is an open society. You want to have your voice heard? Fine. Show your face. It’s that simple.

Remember a few days ago I told you about this?

OTTAWA – Radio-Canada journalists say they won’t help the minister responsible for the state broadcaster be more accountable to Canadian taxpayers.

The union representing the French CBC’s communications workers filed a grievance earlier this month, objecting to a new code of conduct that, among other things, asks employees to serve the public interest by “Loyally carrying out the lawful decisions of their leaders and supporting ministers in their accountability to Parliament and Canadians.”

The union called this requirement “offensive”. And wouldn’t you know it, this Bloc MP, Jean-Francois Fortin, agrees!

Mr. Speaker, May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. According to UNESCO, it is a day to alert the public and make people more aware of this cause. And so, I am sounding the alarm. A new code of conduct has been imposed on CBC, requiring journalists to support ministers in their accountability to Parliament and Canadians. If journalists fail to abide by this new code of conduct, they may be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including immediate dismissal. This reeks of totalitarianism.
How can the government justify the fact that it is secretly trying to make CBC the new Pravda? I am asking the government to allow CBC to maintain its independence. The government already has Sun TV News.