I don't know what's worse: The fact that Eminem has sparked debate in the Ontario legislature, or that I feel compelled to defend him.

I'd rather the pottymouth not perform here, whether because of a sprained ankle, head cold, venereal disease, or, better yet, a good old-fashioned case of poor-ticket-sale-itis.

But I draw the line at banning Eminem from the country for his lyrics.

To use the mightiest arm of the law in our province -- that of the Attorney General -- to attempt to strike down his right to shoot off at the mouth sets a dangerous precedent.

The hate-crime debate, once again, puts Toronto in the embarrassing position of looking more like a hotbed of puritanical witch-hunters than the World Class City(TM) it wants so badly to be. How very 1950s.

The crusaders on both sides of this argument no doubt recognize this as a vast opportunity for political grandstanding.

But these things have a habit of coming back to haunt us:

Remember that Madonna incident in the late '80s, where T.O. cops took it upon themselves to issue La Ciccone with a warning not to simulate masturbation on stage?

Sure, you thought it would blow over. But as our heroine decried "the Fascist State Of Toronto," cameras were rolling, and the moment was forever documented in her Truth Or Dare movie. It was enough to make you wish the cops actually had busted her. At least we wouldn't look like wussy fascists.

Eminem's lyrical misogyny offers something far more troubling than onstage self-gratification. He should be countered at a grass-roots level rather than a governmental one.

You don't like him? Say so at every opportunity. Boycott his CDs. Take them away from your kids and use 'em for beer coasters.

But the effort to compare him to, say, the white-power propaganda bands who disseminate hate literature is clumsy at best. They instruct naive and ignorant people to hate and spread harm. Eminem suggests it, makes light of it, fantasizes openly about it, yeah, but anyone willing to take him up on it was probably headed that way, anyway.

"I am whatever you say I am," Eminem claims.

My arse. Take responsibility for your words, Eminem. Explain yourself.

Lest other people start doing it for you.