Global Spat Over A 11 Year Old Girl
0 Comments Published by The R Rated Blogger on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 12:19 PM.
You need the world body to decide if a 11 year old girl girl can play soccer.
The supreme authority of world soccer will tackle the question of hijabs on the playing field Saturday in Manchester, England.
The group's turf includes Quebec, where the Islamic head scarves are banned.
The discussion will be part of the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board, Nicolas Maingot, a spokesperson for the Federation Internationale de Football Association, said yesterday in Zurich.
IFAB "is the only body able to modify, amend or change the laws of the game" in force for 250 million players worldwide, 40 million of whom are women, Maingot added.
The football board consists of FIFA and four large British soccer associations.
Harper vs Dion, Bitter Rivalry Is Emerging
0 Comments Published by The R Rated Blogger on at 7:02 AM.
A great and bitter rivalry is emerging. One day, people may talk of Macdonald and Mackenzie, King and Meighen, Pearson and Diefenbaker, Harper and Dion.
Parti Quebecois Equates Quebec Under Charest As A Battered Woman
0 Comments Published by The R Rated Blogger on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 8:28 PM.
An ad by the Parti Quebecois has caused a bit of controversy in Quebec. The ad in question depicts Quebec under Jean Charest’s leadership as a battered woman. The Ad featured on the website www.bondebarras.tv, shows an actress playing a teacher and a mother who feels like a battered woman because of the rise in the cost of nurseries from $5 to $7 a day.
She describes her feelings under the Charest Government in terms of being in an abusive relationship.
“When I first chose him, the relationship was like a honeymoon, full of good intentions, promises… then one day I realized that he had lied to me. I had to endure this for 4 years, it's been hell. It's necessary that I have to put an end to this relationship. I had enough, help me”. Then a voice over comes on and says “Help Genevieve put an end to this unhealthy relationship.”
You can view the Ad in question here. It's in French, so is the article.
There is an English summary of this story here.
Terrorism Law Struck Down By Supreme Court Of Canada
0 Comments Published by The R Rated Blogger on Friday, February 23, 2007 at 6:27 PM.
The Supreme Court Of Canada has ruled that it is unconstitutional for the Government of Canada to use the secretive “security certificate” system to deport non-citizens suspected of terrorism ties.
The high court found the current security certificate system violates the Charter of Rights and Freedom (Canada's bill of rights), Charter’s section 7 - the guarantee that the state will respect principles of fundamental justice whenever it acts to restrict an individual’s liberty or security of the person.
That means, the court said, the law must provide a fair hearing before an impartial judge, and respect the right of an individual to know the case against him, and the opportunity to answer allegations.
The current system allows “closed door” evidentiary hearings, and bars the individual suspected of being a risk to national security from hearing the evidence against him. That leaves judges in the awkward position of challenging the secret evidence, and providing a deportee with only a “summary” of the allegations against him.
In translation, prior to the Courts ruling any charges brought against suspected terrorists were heard only behind closed doors by a judge. The defendant could not be present at these hearings and the defense lawyers were only given rather sketchy summaries relating to the case.
If convicted then the men may spend years in jail fighting the deportation orders, they are also labeled terrorists and eventually be sent back to their home countries.
The Supreme Court of Canda has called this type of prosecution fundamental violation of their human rights.
You can read the Supreme Court's ruling here
The high court found the current security certificate system violates the Charter of Rights and Freedom (Canada's bill of rights), Charter’s section 7 - the guarantee that the state will respect principles of fundamental justice whenever it acts to restrict an individual’s liberty or security of the person.
That means, the court said, the law must provide a fair hearing before an impartial judge, and respect the right of an individual to know the case against him, and the opportunity to answer allegations.
The current system allows “closed door” evidentiary hearings, and bars the individual suspected of being a risk to national security from hearing the evidence against him. That leaves judges in the awkward position of challenging the secret evidence, and providing a deportee with only a “summary” of the allegations against him.
In translation, prior to the Courts ruling any charges brought against suspected terrorists were heard only behind closed doors by a judge. The defendant could not be present at these hearings and the defense lawyers were only given rather sketchy summaries relating to the case.
If convicted then the men may spend years in jail fighting the deportation orders, they are also labeled terrorists and eventually be sent back to their home countries.
The Supreme Court of Canda has called this type of prosecution fundamental violation of their human rights.
You can read the Supreme Court's ruling here
Rebranding Canada's Government
0 Comments Published by The R Rated Blogger on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 5:53 PM.
How serious Prime Minister Stephen Harper is about rebranding “the Government of Canada” to “Canada's New Government”. So serious, you could get fired over this. That's what happened to Andrew Okulitch, a scientist working at the Geological Survey of Canada.
Copied from Harper's Magazine
Our Home and Native Brand
Posted on Wednesday, January 3, 2007. From a September email exchange between representatives of Natural Resources Canada and Andrew Okulitch, a scientist working at the Geological Survey of Canada in an emeritus capacity. Irwin Itzkovitch is an assistant deputy minister under Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn. Vanessa Nelson is an executive adviser. Okulitch was fired but reappointed two weeks later. The Conservative Party won control of Canada's government in January, after twelve years of Liberal rule. Originally from Harper's Magazine, December 2006.
Sources
FROM: VANESSA NELSON
As per the Minister's Office, effective immediately, the words “Canada's New Government” are to be used instead of “the Government of Canada” in all departmental correspondence. Please note that the initial letters of all three words are capitalized. Thank you for your cooperation.
FROM: ANDREW OKULITCH
Why do newly elected officials think everything begins with them taking office? They are merely stewards for as long as the public allows. They are the Government of Canada. Nothing more. I shall use “Geological Survey of Canada” on my departmental correspondence to avoid any connection with “New Government.” The GSC, steward to Canada's earth resources for 164 years, is an institution worthy of my loyalty, as opposed to idiotic buzzwords coined by political hacks.
FROM: IRWIN ITZKOVITCH
Given your strong though misdirected views of the role and authority of the Government as elected by the people, and your duty to reflect their decisions, I accept that you are immediately removing yourself from the Emeritus Program. I wish you every success in your future.
FROM: ANDREW OKULITCH
Although your knee-jerk response seems typical of Ottawa “mentality” these days, to give you the benefit of the doubt, it may have been mandated by our nervous minister. Of course, it is not a particularly rational decision, and perhaps you might reflect upon it. We of the GSC are used to taking the long view. Ministers come and go, but my talents will always remain available to the people of Canada.
FROM: IRWIN ITZKOVITCH
This is not a knee-jerk reaction nor was it dictated by anyone. My decision stands and I await confirmation that it has been executed by the responsible GSC management.
FROM: ANDREW OKULITCH
I have just received the clarification of the usage policy for the term New Government, stating that the new wording is required only in documents prepared for or on behalf of Minister Lunn. This limited usage is consistent and appropriate. We would appear to have been victims of an unfortunate misunderstanding. My intransigence about the term was in protest about its misapplication, not a call for civil disobedience. I do understand the need to obey ministerial directives once I am given them clearly. If I can help calm the waters by issuing my own clarification and apology, I would be glad to do so.
FROM: IRWIN ITZKOVITCH
Your reaction was and continues to be unacceptable for anyone associated with Public Service. My decision stands. As of yesterday you are no longer an emeritus scientist.
FROM: ANDREW OKULITCH
I concede that my memo was intemperate and deserving of a reprimand. It was, however, prompted by misinformation sent out by your staff. I don't expect that anything I might say now will change your mind, so I'll conclude with a few facts you will now have to live with. I'll come out of this a champion of common sense (except when it comes to sending memos), someone who tried to defuse a situation with humor and made an effort to restore calm. You'll come out as an intemperate, irrational manager who lacks the strength of character to reverse a hasty decision. Do you really want to be remembered as the only assistant deputy minister who sacked an emeritus scientist over such trivia? It is never too late to repair an unfortunate situation if everyone approaches it with an open mind and good intentions.
via Rick Mercer's Blog
Copied from Harper's Magazine
Our Home and Native Brand
Posted on Wednesday, January 3, 2007. From a September email exchange between representatives of Natural Resources Canada and Andrew Okulitch, a scientist working at the Geological Survey of Canada in an emeritus capacity. Irwin Itzkovitch is an assistant deputy minister under Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn. Vanessa Nelson is an executive adviser. Okulitch was fired but reappointed two weeks later. The Conservative Party won control of Canada's government in January, after twelve years of Liberal rule. Originally from Harper's Magazine, December 2006.
Sources
FROM: VANESSA NELSON
As per the Minister's Office, effective immediately, the words “Canada's New Government” are to be used instead of “the Government of Canada” in all departmental correspondence. Please note that the initial letters of all three words are capitalized. Thank you for your cooperation.
FROM: ANDREW OKULITCH
Why do newly elected officials think everything begins with them taking office? They are merely stewards for as long as the public allows. They are the Government of Canada. Nothing more. I shall use “Geological Survey of Canada” on my departmental correspondence to avoid any connection with “New Government.” The GSC, steward to Canada's earth resources for 164 years, is an institution worthy of my loyalty, as opposed to idiotic buzzwords coined by political hacks.
FROM: IRWIN ITZKOVITCH
Given your strong though misdirected views of the role and authority of the Government as elected by the people, and your duty to reflect their decisions, I accept that you are immediately removing yourself from the Emeritus Program. I wish you every success in your future.
FROM: ANDREW OKULITCH
Although your knee-jerk response seems typical of Ottawa “mentality” these days, to give you the benefit of the doubt, it may have been mandated by our nervous minister. Of course, it is not a particularly rational decision, and perhaps you might reflect upon it. We of the GSC are used to taking the long view. Ministers come and go, but my talents will always remain available to the people of Canada.
FROM: IRWIN ITZKOVITCH
This is not a knee-jerk reaction nor was it dictated by anyone. My decision stands and I await confirmation that it has been executed by the responsible GSC management.
FROM: ANDREW OKULITCH
I have just received the clarification of the usage policy for the term New Government, stating that the new wording is required only in documents prepared for or on behalf of Minister Lunn. This limited usage is consistent and appropriate. We would appear to have been victims of an unfortunate misunderstanding. My intransigence about the term was in protest about its misapplication, not a call for civil disobedience. I do understand the need to obey ministerial directives once I am given them clearly. If I can help calm the waters by issuing my own clarification and apology, I would be glad to do so.
FROM: IRWIN ITZKOVITCH
Your reaction was and continues to be unacceptable for anyone associated with Public Service. My decision stands. As of yesterday you are no longer an emeritus scientist.
FROM: ANDREW OKULITCH
I concede that my memo was intemperate and deserving of a reprimand. It was, however, prompted by misinformation sent out by your staff. I don't expect that anything I might say now will change your mind, so I'll conclude with a few facts you will now have to live with. I'll come out of this a champion of common sense (except when it comes to sending memos), someone who tried to defuse a situation with humor and made an effort to restore calm. You'll come out as an intemperate, irrational manager who lacks the strength of character to reverse a hasty decision. Do you really want to be remembered as the only assistant deputy minister who sacked an emeritus scientist over such trivia? It is never too late to repair an unfortunate situation if everyone approaches it with an open mind and good intentions.
via Rick Mercer's Blog
Former PM Paul Martin Solicited Support From A Known Terrorist Group
0 Comments Published by The R Rated Blogger on at 11:50 AM.
The Vancouver Sun is reporting, former Prime Minister Paul Martin solicited support from a known terrorist organization in 1990 when he was running for the Federal leadership of the Liberal Party.
Martin made an impassioned speech to the International Sikh Youth Federation ISYF's national convention in which he said he was honoured to "meet friends who share the same belief in this country, the same belief in peace, the same preparedness to defend themselves."
At the time of Martin's spring 1990 speech, the ISYF had already been identified as a terrorist group by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Four in the group had been convicted in B.C. of the attempted assassination of a visiting Indian politician. Other B.C. members had met with a young would-be assassin who shot newspaper publisher Tara Singh Hayer in 1988.
The Martin speech came two years after then Conservative external affairs minister Joe Clark warned Canadian politicians to steer clear of the federation, the Babbar Khalsa and the World Sikh Organization because of terrorist links. The ISYF was banned in Canada in June 2003 by the Liberal government of Jean Chretien.
More on this here. There is also a video available from his speech
Martin made an impassioned speech to the International Sikh Youth Federation ISYF's national convention in which he said he was honoured to "meet friends who share the same belief in this country, the same belief in peace, the same preparedness to defend themselves."
At the time of Martin's spring 1990 speech, the ISYF had already been identified as a terrorist group by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Four in the group had been convicted in B.C. of the attempted assassination of a visiting Indian politician. Other B.C. members had met with a young would-be assassin who shot newspaper publisher Tara Singh Hayer in 1988.
The Martin speech came two years after then Conservative external affairs minister Joe Clark warned Canadian politicians to steer clear of the federation, the Babbar Khalsa and the World Sikh Organization because of terrorist links. The ISYF was banned in Canada in June 2003 by the Liberal government of Jean Chretien.
More on this here. There is also a video available from his speech
Al Gore Corrects John Baird
0 Comments Published by The R Rated Blogger on Monday, February 12, 2007 at 8:35 PM.
Al Gore took Canada's Environmental Minister John Baird to task for mischaracterizing his words. Last week in an attempt to defend the Harper government's Environmental record, Baird said the following in the House Of Commons:
The Leader of the Opposition can quote Goldman Sachs. I can quote someone speaking about Canada's environmental role in the world:
--Canada, once again providing leadership in the world, fighting above its weight class and showing moral authority to the rest of the world. That's what Canada's known for.
Do we know who said that yesterday? Al Gore.
Al Gore issued the following statement regarding Baird's "mischaracterization" of his words.
February 12, 2007
Statement from Former Vice President Al Gore
I understand that last week Canada's Minister of the Environment, Minister John Baird, mischaracterized comments I made last summer as praise for the Harper government's actions on global warming.
The comments I made were designed to encourage the Harper government not to abandon Canada's tradition of fighting above its weight class on the world stage as part of the Kyoto process.
It is my experience that other nations do look to Canada for moral leadership. Canada's position and actions on climate change matter a great deal. Nothing less than the future habitability of the planet is at stake. I urge the Harper government to do the right thing.
Source
Garth Turner Joins The Liberals
0 Comments Published by The R Rated Blogger on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 1:15 PM.
“We have a leader in this room who does not lead us through fear and intimidation but who leads us by example and inspiration.”
Garth Turner joins the Liberals.
Are you a Harperite?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's political coalition is predominantly male, prefers a Tim Hortons double-double over a Starbucks latte, is less likely to watch CBC than other Canadians, sees Don Cherry as a "national icon," watches more sports and is more likely to fear a terrorist attack.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's political coalition is predominantly male, prefers a Tim Hortons double-double over a Starbucks latte, is less likely to watch CBC than other Canadians, sees Don Cherry as a "national icon," watches more sports and is more likely to fear a terrorist attack.
UN Rejects The Accreditation Of A Gay And Lesbian Activist Group
0 Comments Published by The R Rated Blogger on Friday, February 02, 2007 at 7:10 AM.
UN has rejected giving accreditation to a Gay and Lesbian activist group from Quebec.
Muslim countries led the opposition to the bid by the Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Quebec (CGLQ) for "observer status" at the UN as an accredited non-governmental organization (NGO), even as they approved a conservative U.S. lobby group whose right-of-centre platform includes backing the war in Iraq.
Egypt, Guinea, Pakistan, Qatar and Sudan led the demand for a vote on whether to admit the gay and lesbian group, while Burundi, China and Russia also voted no.The group did however get support from Britain, Colombia, Israel, Peru, Romania.
Muslim countries led the opposition to the bid by the Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Quebec (CGLQ) for "observer status" at the UN as an accredited non-governmental organization (NGO), even as they approved a conservative U.S. lobby group whose right-of-centre platform includes backing the war in Iraq.
Egypt, Guinea, Pakistan, Qatar and Sudan led the demand for a vote on whether to admit the gay and lesbian group, while Burundi, China and Russia also voted no.The group did however get support from Britain, Colombia, Israel, Peru, Romania.
Surprise, surprise the United States abstained. Wow, what a progressive nation. Angola, India and Turkey also abstained.
You have to love this comment:
"The delegate from Egypt told me they don't have a gay problem in his country because there are no gays there," said Yvan Lapointe, executive director of the Quebec group.
More here.
