I was horrified to learn that Stewart Murray was given the very important job of CEO of our Human Rights Museum. This is a ridiculous & uninspired choice. Truly, regardless of political leaning, who equates Mr. Murray with human rights? Is this appointment the result of some kind of back room deal? Something seems fishy. Having looked at his background, I see nothing associated with the running of a museum or being a promoter of human rights.

Progress in the struggle toward human rights means being able to have a sensitivity to minority concerns and being courageous enough to assert a just position (even when it is not supported by the majority). Mr. Murray did not do this and his inarticulate response in the video fails to reassure.

How exciting it could have been to have selected a CEO who actually comes from the minority experience! How exciting to actually hire someone who has been visible in the struggle for issues of justice and equality. What about someone who understands the complexities of running a museum? There is certainly a skill set required that would be more transferable than having been an aid to high profile tories, led an opposition party or being the Vice President of Domo Gas!

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Who on earth voted this Stu Murray in for CEO?
It is unbelievable that, in this day and age, when Manitoba is at the forefront of gay and lesbian rights, that anyone in their right minds would have voted him as CEO.
First of all, in the entire interview, he said nothing that made sense. He could hardly string a sentence, let alone a paragraph together, and what he did say, made no sense at all.
e.g. I'd like to know WHICH people "think he's reasonable"? His friends, who are likely of the same ilk as he is?
"He's from a farm in Saskatchewan?" I imagine that, with an excuse like that, some forward-thinking, open-minded farmers in Saskatchewan might take great exception to THAT being his excuse for being homophobic! That is an insult to farmers.
Is there NOTHING that we can do to bring about a change in CEO?
Please don't let's put Manitoba, and the Museum back into the dark ages with this [edited] as its CEO! Please!

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Yikes. I think some clarification or rounding out of my comment is in order.

To clarify: by the phrase "hearing out all opinions" I meant give thoughtful consideration, and thereby credence, to. I didn't mean the basic right to simply listen to opposing opinions.

Of course I believe that people should be able to say whatever they like - even if I didn't believe that I wouldn't be foolish enough to think that anything like comprehensive censorship of voiced opinions is even possible. The corollary (as pointed out by Trott and Hallick) is also, of course, true - people ought to have the basic right to listen to anything. I even believe that the latter right may serve some benefit, if only to remind us of the possible threats to human rights that do exist.

With respect to Mr. Murray and his response to Mary Agnes: the impression I received is that he believes that not only is it important to simply listen to different viewpoints no matter if you find them offensive to human rights (a right), but that he takes that point and slides it dangerously close (as many others do) to saying that opinions against basic human rights (and the actions they may inform - i.e., the PC gay adoption vote) ought to somehow be granted a kind of legitimacy - that they are one viewpoint among many and there's room to thoughtfully consider them all (versus just having the right to state them/listen to them).

To be continued...

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I should also add that this attitude is also prevalent at our Human Rights Commission where, according to Susan Tama Joanis, Human Rights Invesigator at this joke of a commission, stated that discrimination against homosexual persons is sometimes justified.

Do these people really think they can continue to peacock around pretending they have done ANYTHING for human rights other than erect statues to human rights and to themselves? Let us be clear, this is hypocrisy and bigotry at a profound and high level with a great deal of back slapping between these "good old boys and girls". DISGUSTING. The Canadian Human Rights Museum will not be shining in anyone's sun as standing for anything other than bigotry.
We will build another museum where the real story of Human Rights WILL be told. It will be called the INTERNET. This museum needs to deconstruct itself. It is a joke.

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Sorry I need to edit my last post: I have NOT seen a gay couple argue that Muslims should have the right [to spin their wives around 3 times as a way to divorce them (totally acceptable method elsewhere, btw)]...

and, of course -- what an oversight! -- a BIG CAPITAL C on the word 'conservative'.

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