We want to debate Mark Steyn, but only if Mark Steyn isn't allowed to show up

The Canadian Islamic Congress's sock puppets demand a debate with Mark Steyn:

The intention was to engage Mr. Steyn about his views on Muslims... If only Muslims would use the avenues available in a free and democratic society to engage in civilized debate. -- December 8, 2007, Globe and Mail.

True to Canada's tradition of free speech, we decided to engage Mr. Steyn in a debate about his views... We agree, which is why we asked Maclean's for an opportunity to debate Mr. Steyn... This issue isn't about attacking journalists or stifling free expression. It's about ensuring that our media outlets provide a forum for open debate and argument. -- December 20, 2007, National Post

True to Canada's tradition of free speech, we decided to engage Steyn in a debate about his views... we asked Maclean's for an opportunity to debate Steyn... It's about ensuring that our media outlets provide a forum for open debate and argument. -- December 29, 2007, Calgary Herald

The complaint is based on the categorical refusal by Maclean's to allow Muslims to respond and participate in a debate which intimately affects them. Canadians benefit when all parties are brought together, represented at the same table on equal terms. Extremists, by contrast, capitalize on perceived distance between the group they supposedly represent and the rest of society, so that no true dialogue can take place. -- January 31, National Post

We wished to close the gap and initiate dialogue... Our complaint is based on the categorical refusal by Maclean's to allow Muslims to respond and play a part in a debate that affects them... We believe in the benefit of having all interested parties engage one another on equal terms. -- February 9, 2008, London Free Press

When dialogue stops, we risk re-visiting some of our most shameful mistakes... We believe in the benefit of having all interested parties engage one another on equal terms. -- February 9, 2008, Toronto Sun 

Et cetera, ad infinitum, ad nauseam.

Mark Steyn says yes to a debate:

...we've put in a request to let me go mano a mano with the Sock Puppets. Don't care how many there are: One, two, or all three. If Daniel Simard wants to come out of his hiding place, he's welcome to join in for a grand reunion of the original Sock Puppet Four. I'd much rather go mano a mano with the real complainant, Mohamed Elmasry, but his mano is stuck up the Sock Puppets so I guess it's unavailable.

We'll let you know whether Steve Paikin's gonna go for it. But, if they do, it'll be 8pm Eastern tomorrow night. -- SteynOnline.com 

The CIC's sock puppets cancel:

Their main reason is that this is not what they have initially agreed to and that they would not have the time  to prepare for such a debate. The other reason they offered is that  their complaint is with Macleans' magazine and not Mark Steyn personally.

Given this picture, I think we need to go back to our original plan of keeping the combatants apart. -- e-mail from TVO producer to Mark Steyn

Will TVO really let the sock puppets off the hook? I know Steve Paikin, the host, can handle the "combatants" -- he was the outstanding moderator of the last federal election's English language leader's debate. He can handle a few law students and an author.

We all know Steyn can handle it.

So why have the Canadian Islamic Congress's sock puppets declined? They need more time to prepare? They've been calling for this debate for four five months. I don't think it's that they need time to prepare. I think it's that they don't want a debate -- they never have. They've wanted to make Maclean's and Steyn submit to them and their Islamic supremacism that brooks no criticism. That's what going to the human rights commissions was about. That's what their Al Sharpton-style shake-down attempt last week was about.

These aren't liberals, interested in an exchange of ideas. These are bullies, interested in not only one-way multiculturalism, but a one-way "debate": they talk, and Canada obeys.

What a bunch of cowards.