The Editor:

Memo to Linda Williamson

"[I] am free [as a Canadian] to rant," you fatuously claim [Toronto Sun, Oct. 28, 2001].

Can you spell Sunera Thobani (militant feminist), Doug Collins (decorated war vet), Scott Brockie (born-again Christian), Paul Fromm (libertarian populist) or Barbara Amiel (Zionist Jew)?

Different as these 5 are in outlook, all have one thing in common -- they learned, some more painfully than others, that in Canada we are emphatically NOT "free to rant." Or, for that matter, to even thoughtfullly present an alternative viewpoint on vital matters (immigration, foreign aid) of public interest.

In fact, in the case of printer Scott Brockie, we see a man whom the Ontario Human Rights Commission penalized for daring to act in accordance with the dictates of his conscience by refusing to publish a gay lifestyle advocacy pamphlet.

To "Shame, shame," add Double shame.

Sincerely yours,

Orest Slepokura
Strathmore AB