Steyn Offline

This evening I found myself in Toronto, so I went to a big bookstore to see Mark Steyn in person. He was interviewed by a blonde lady in a yellow cardigan about whose interviewing style I would have much to say were she not the CEO of Canada's biggest book retailer. I think the poor woman was also the lightning rod for the murmured discontent of the crowd that packed the too-small space set aside for us in her store. The seats filled early, and the rest stood four people deep around the periphery.

I was lucky: I was right in front of those standing, and I had a pillar to lean on. It occured to me that if someone threw a bomb from the floor above, it would wipe out a significant portion of neo-con Ontarians. I looked around and planned my bomb-survival strategy. Meanwhile, there was certainly a lot of security: security guards, uniformed policemen, guys in suits muttering down their sleeves... Whew!

Anyway, Mark Steyn is a big, hearty handsome man with a British accent more authentic than that of too many Canadian-born-and-yet-have-a-British-accent Canadians. He was wearing a midnight blue jacket, a light blue shirt, a gold tie and a red pocket handkerchief. He looked serious yet debonaire, and the crowd of Canadian conservatives couldn't get enough of him. The crowd murmured whenever the CEO went on about her thoughts too long. Like, who cares what you think, super-rich lady with the fake Barbara Walters delivery who banned the Mohammed Cartoon issue of the Western Standard from your chain? Let the man talk!

Personally, I was filled with annoyance right from the start for the CEO's first question was about the U.S. Democratic leadership race. Hello, this is Canada. There's kinda sorta this major national crisis over freedom of speech going on. Mark Steyn is kinda sorta its symbol, hero and saviour. Why, oh, why do we have to hear about Hilary vs Obama? Get to the relevant stuff, please!

The interviewer/millionairess asked Mark what he would do if he were elected the President of the European Union. He said that he'd disband it. There was much applause, and the interviewer/millionairess demanded of the crowd why we were applauding but didn't pick out anyone to answer. Then she asked Steyn what he would do if he were the Head of Britain, then. I had this bizarre vision of Mark Steyn decked out as HM the Queen. But kindly understanding the millionairess to have meant "the Prime Minister", Steyn said that he would promote natalism, telescope education, and make sure primary school kids were taught to love and value British history and culture.

In the end I was too annoyed with the interviewer to give her business any money, so I still have to buy Steyn's book. If only steynonline took Paypal! But it was a very interesting evening, and it is the first time after the 9/11 memorials that I have heard a Canadian crowd spontaneously applaud mention of the USA. It also applauded the right to own and control one's property, and the CEO was sure down with that.

Sudden Thought: I've scooped Shaidle! Binky the Web Elf will have to link to me just for that!

Update: Good morning, all Mark's readers. And in case the CEO is reading this, um... Well, such is the price of Free Speech. I did think your explanation of why you won't carry certain books very well thought out, and um...buy my books? (Seraphic giggles nervously.)

BLURB: Traditional minded Catholics (and those who enjoy stories and jazz) won't want to miss Seraphapalooza Toronto.

Update (May 9): Mark Steyn thinks those who have blogged on the CEO were too hard on her. If there is anyone besides Mark who was there and thoroughly enjoyed the CEO's contribution, blog and I will happily link to you. Meanwhile, if anything, I pulled in my claws. To be absolutely frank, as a fledgling writer, I'm more afraid of the CEO than I am of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The difference is that she won her power justly through running a very successful business, and the CHRCs have taken power for themselves.