CULTURE O' DECEIT, BABY! CULTURE O' DECEIT!
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Conservative MP Devinder Shory In Deep Shit
...."implicated" in a "huge mortgage fraud". Being sued By BMO.
CULTURE O' DECEIT, BABY! CULTURE O' DECEIT!
CULTURE O' DECEIT, BABY! CULTURE O' DECEIT!
God Save The Hamidile!
Some inconsiderate hominid, some stinky monkey with enough filthy lucre to purchase--but not enough patience, intelligence, and yes manliness to understand the noble reptile that had fallen into their care--has dumped a pet crocodilian into a large pond near Barangas On The Beach outside of Hamilton, Ontario. Probably not long ago, either, since a creature that size (1 to 2 meters) could not survive even a mild Ontario winter and the weather's only recently warmed-up enough to enable a successful release.In any case, the Hamidile is likely to be a representative of one of the species noted in this quote from the croc site.
Spectacled Caiman, Caiman crocodilus, has been most popular and helped in million dollars trade. Changes in the law in US and the increased availability of better alternative species, have reduced their demand.
Now Dwarf caimans are most popular because they are easily available and are in small size. African dwarf Crocodile is also becoming popular. American Alligators are also widely available but it is very difficult to keep them as pets.
If you look at the picture--while its hard for a non-expert like me to guess the species--the strongly contrasting light and dark marks on the jaw suggest a juvenile.
(Although, given the probable length, even though its sub-adult it would still be big enough to eat your chihuahua if your chihuahua strayed too close to the pond's edge. But then...think about it...you could buy a real dog.)
In any case, good luck to Bry Loyst, of the Indian River Reptile Zoo, who is trying to rescue this glorious and yet misunderstood creature.
And, just as an aside, while I've never eaten gator meat, I've supped on Alligator once or twice. Tastes like chicken, as most everything does when you really think about it. Not that this has relevance to the situation with our poor Hamidile. Yet. But what if no zoo will take him?
PS. This will probably be it for writing today.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
McCoy On Ruth
I suspect the Senator's colorful intervention yesterday really was intended as friendly advice rather than a threat, and the evolution of Liberal Status of Women Critic Anita Neville's response to this advice, from understanding to condemnation, tracks the LPoC's realization that they had come upon a politically exploitable moment. But whatever.
Senator Elaine McCoy has indentified the deeper significance in Ms. Ruth's outburst:
Senator Nancy Ruth (ON) has never in her life shied away from a fight. When women stormed the barricades in 1981 to insist on including gender equality in the new Charter of Rights and Freedoms, for example, she was right there. Ever since then, she's dedicated herself to supporting women, and even maintains a website called Section15.ca which helps keep the Charter success alive. Now, thirty years later, she's reduced to advocating silence for fear of escalating backlash against women's rights.
I've been hearing countless anecdotes of how this government is systematically quelling any activity that does not support its own point of view. Groups have been told to remove any reference to gender equality in their application for funding, for instance, and all advocacy funding has been eliminated. But so far, no collective and sustained public protest has emerged. In fact, it would seem to me that many non-governmental organizations have been following the senator's advice for several years now.
Oddly enough, Senator Nancy Ruth's impassioned plea to keep quiet may have the reverse effect. A member of yesterday's audience told me that one panelist responded to her by saying their silence over the past few years has only served to make matters worse. Could it be that this very public event will galvanize them into organizing a collective response? Let's hope so. At the very least, it gives us one more testimonial to the insidious way in which the Harper government is doing its level best to change the DNA of our nation.
As to Ruth's suggestion that Harper might make abortion an election issue, I doubt it. The whole point behind the Liberals' poking and prodding the government over this for the past couple of months has been to encourage just such an outcome. The result has been that the Tories rapidly distanced themselves from Rod Bruinooge's no-hope private member's bill, and their endless squirming over whether to include contraception and/or abortion in the G8 Maternal Health initiative. And the end-game of all this squirming (I suspect) will likely be that abortion is included in the final plan, but (as I've explained here) some means will be found by which the Canadian government's financial contribution to that portion of the plan can be disguised.
In any case, they've been playing defense on this issue for weeks now. It's definitely not something they'd want to campaign on.
Senator Elaine McCoy has indentified the deeper significance in Ms. Ruth's outburst:
Senator Nancy Ruth (ON) has never in her life shied away from a fight. When women stormed the barricades in 1981 to insist on including gender equality in the new Charter of Rights and Freedoms, for example, she was right there. Ever since then, she's dedicated herself to supporting women, and even maintains a website called Section15.ca which helps keep the Charter success alive. Now, thirty years later, she's reduced to advocating silence for fear of escalating backlash against women's rights.
I've been hearing countless anecdotes of how this government is systematically quelling any activity that does not support its own point of view. Groups have been told to remove any reference to gender equality in their application for funding, for instance, and all advocacy funding has been eliminated. But so far, no collective and sustained public protest has emerged. In fact, it would seem to me that many non-governmental organizations have been following the senator's advice for several years now.
Oddly enough, Senator Nancy Ruth's impassioned plea to keep quiet may have the reverse effect. A member of yesterday's audience told me that one panelist responded to her by saying their silence over the past few years has only served to make matters worse. Could it be that this very public event will galvanize them into organizing a collective response? Let's hope so. At the very least, it gives us one more testimonial to the insidious way in which the Harper government is doing its level best to change the DNA of our nation.
As to Ruth's suggestion that Harper might make abortion an election issue, I doubt it. The whole point behind the Liberals' poking and prodding the government over this for the past couple of months has been to encourage just such an outcome. The result has been that the Tories rapidly distanced themselves from Rod Bruinooge's no-hope private member's bill, and their endless squirming over whether to include contraception and/or abortion in the G8 Maternal Health initiative. And the end-game of all this squirming (I suspect) will likely be that abortion is included in the final plan, but (as I've explained here) some means will be found by which the Canadian government's financial contribution to that portion of the plan can be disguised.
In any case, they've been playing defense on this issue for weeks now. It's definitely not something they'd want to campaign on.
Stockwell Day Brags about $40 Billion Deficit
...argues that freezing all conference travel, hospitality, and conference spending at 2009 levels will lead to "an eventual improvement in the economy".
You point a cluemeter at Stockwell, and it reads "0".
You point a cluemeter at Stockwell, and it reads "0".
Down She Goes
Exclusive shots of the Deepwater Horizon as it sinks beneath the waves. Plus: we're all fucking doomed!
Warmen Vs. FreeD: What Happens Next?
This was asked in the comments to my earlier post. From the decision:
[46] Accordingly, the appeal is allowed and the matter is remitted to a different motions judge for re-consideration based on the principles set out above.
That is to say, the motion to have FreeD turn over the IPS and email addresses of its anonymous commenters will be reheard by another judge, and Warman asked to, 1) make a prima facie case that the comments directed at him were in fact defamatory, and 2) address the freedom of expression issues raised by the motion to the satisfaction of the this new judge.
So even this part of the case does not appear to have been concluded.
[46] Accordingly, the appeal is allowed and the matter is remitted to a different motions judge for re-consideration based on the principles set out above.
That is to say, the motion to have FreeD turn over the IPS and email addresses of its anonymous commenters will be reheard by another judge, and Warman asked to, 1) make a prima facie case that the comments directed at him were in fact defamatory, and 2) address the freedom of expression issues raised by the motion to the satisfaction of the this new judge.
So even this part of the case does not appear to have been concluded.
Monday, May 03, 2010
FreeD Wins Appeal
They will not have to turn over the ISPs and email addresses of the eight anonymous posters included in Richard Warman's defamation suit against them. Full decision here. From the conclusion:
[44] Returning to the decision of the motions judge, it would appear that he did not have the benefit of the extensive submissions on these issues provided to the Court by the two intervenors in this proceeding. Notwithstanding, it is clear that he was alert to the need to take into consideration the privacy interests of the unknown alleged wrongdoers. It does not appear, however, that the need to consider the interest in freedom of expression was raised by the parties or was otherwise considered by the motions judge.
[45] In addition, the motions judge did not take into consideration whether the Respondent had established a prima facie case of defamation before ordering disclosme of the documents.
[44] Returning to the decision of the motions judge, it would appear that he did not have the benefit of the extensive submissions on these issues provided to the Court by the two intervenors in this proceeding. Notwithstanding, it is clear that he was alert to the need to take into consideration the privacy interests of the unknown alleged wrongdoers. It does not appear, however, that the need to consider the interest in freedom of expression was raised by the parties or was otherwise considered by the motions judge.
[45] In addition, the motions judge did not take into consideration whether the Respondent had established a prima facie case of defamation before ordering disclosme of the documents.
Jewish Defense League To Mark Steyn: Stop Attacking Friends Of Israel!
The following letter is from the JDL mailing list. I obviously have issues with the JDL, which I have documented on numerous occasions. I republish their letter only as part of my ongoing efforts to make Mark Steyn cry:
Dear Mr. Mark Steyn,
It pains me to write this letter to an important friend and ally. It is critical to reduce infighting and to focus on real threats.
JDL has not always agreed with Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) but one thing we do know, CJC is not the enemy far from it. It is for this reason that we are very disappointed with the May 3rd column you wrote in Maclean's.
Mr. Steyn, you have written and spoken about the demographic problems in the world and the spread of the Muslim Brotherhood Ideology. I get it. And I work for unity and have seen concrete results in the battle to expose and confront all groups that support the Muslim Brotherhood Ideology.
Mr. Steyn you are an important friend and ally who has defended our beloved Israel as has CJC and its CEO Bernie Farber.
And yes from time to time we can all make mistakes. A few weeks ago you made a mistake by attributing words to CJC that it never said. Indeed you did it in a manner that was disrespectful. MacLean’s apologized, sadly you have not only remained silent but chose to go on the attack against both Bernie Farber and CJC. And there is no need for that action.
Mr. Steyn, you responded to a CJC letter to the editor and attacked Farber for his work on behalf of Israel when last summer he led over 100 Jews both gay and straight in the Pride march in support of Israel. He did this to counter the anti-Semitic, pro Hamas, Queers Against Israeli Apartheid. [Note: Antonia Zerbisias has suggested that this bit from the JDL letter was defamatory, and I have removed it] Despite this Mr. Steyn, you decided to attack Farber and even claiming in your article that you supported Antonia Zerbisias [same with this bit] over Bernie Farber who defends Israel! I am writing this on behalf of JDL Canada to ask you to Stop! Stop attacking those who defend Israel and continue pointing your well known wit and critical faculties at those who would deny Jews, Israel and the free world legitimacy. Our energies must remain focused on the proxies of Radical Iran.
Thank You,
Meir Weinstein National Director Jewish Defence League of Canada
Please, on this one occasion, be nice to Mr. Weinstein in the comments. We must all stand together in our efforts to bring Mark Steyn to tears.
Dear Mr. Mark Steyn,
It pains me to write this letter to an important friend and ally. It is critical to reduce infighting and to focus on real threats.
JDL has not always agreed with Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) but one thing we do know, CJC is not the enemy far from it. It is for this reason that we are very disappointed with the May 3rd column you wrote in Maclean's.
Mr. Steyn, you have written and spoken about the demographic problems in the world and the spread of the Muslim Brotherhood Ideology. I get it. And I work for unity and have seen concrete results in the battle to expose and confront all groups that support the Muslim Brotherhood Ideology.
Mr. Steyn you are an important friend and ally who has defended our beloved Israel as has CJC and its CEO Bernie Farber.
And yes from time to time we can all make mistakes. A few weeks ago you made a mistake by attributing words to CJC that it never said. Indeed you did it in a manner that was disrespectful. MacLean’s apologized, sadly you have not only remained silent but chose to go on the attack against both Bernie Farber and CJC. And there is no need for that action.
Mr. Steyn, you responded to a CJC letter to the editor and attacked Farber for his work on behalf of Israel when last summer he led over 100 Jews both gay and straight in the Pride march in support of Israel. He did this to counter the anti-Semitic, pro Hamas, Queers Against Israeli Apartheid. [Note: Antonia Zerbisias has suggested that this bit from the JDL letter was defamatory, and I have removed it] Despite this Mr. Steyn, you decided to attack Farber and even claiming in your article that you supported Antonia Zerbisias [same with this bit] over Bernie Farber who defends Israel! I am writing this on behalf of JDL Canada to ask you to Stop! Stop attacking those who defend Israel and continue pointing your well known wit and critical faculties at those who would deny Jews, Israel and the free world legitimacy. Our energies must remain focused on the proxies of Radical Iran.
Thank You,
Meir Weinstein National Director Jewish Defence League of Canada
Please, on this one occasion, be nice to Mr. Weinstein in the comments. We must all stand together in our efforts to bring Mark Steyn to tears.
Cops Question Canadian Denier Steve McIntyre
Steve McIntyre owns Climate Audit, one of the most popular Climate Change Denialist websites. He's been at the center of the warming wars for years, and no more so than in the past six or so months after the CRU hack. Given this, it isn't surprising that the RCMP and U.K. police have been after him to answer questions re the stolen emails.
Here's a statement from McI-- straight out of the horses' mouth:
Last week, I was contacted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the Canadian federal police) who had been asked by UK police to locate a Stephen McIntyre. The Canadian policeman, who didn't seem to know much about the case, said that the UK police wanted to talk to me about whether there had been any misrepresentations of my articles. !!!! They also wanted to locate Andrew Weaver. I confirmed that I was the Stephen McIntyre in question and that I was prepared to talk to the UK authorities - expressing very clearly to the Canadian policeman my total disdain for the idea that this was police business. The inquiry in question presumably did not come from the Norfolk anti-terrorism detachment, as I'd already talked to them at considerable length and they knew how to contact me. I haven't heard anything further yet.
IMHO, FWIW, it's not Steve that's purloined 1,000s of personal emails from Phil Jones and Co. But it's almost certainly one (or more) of his readers; the the stolen documents all relate to issues McI has been obsessing over the years (Mann's work, Briffa's work, and etc.).
And I see from the above that McI is still hinting that this was the act of a whistle-blower from within CRU. Its worth noting (especially when you realize that U.K anti-terrorism people are involved in the investigation) that the cops don't buy it.
Here's a statement from McI-- straight out of the horses' mouth:
Last week, I was contacted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the Canadian federal police) who had been asked by UK police to locate a Stephen McIntyre. The Canadian policeman, who didn't seem to know much about the case, said that the UK police wanted to talk to me about whether there had been any misrepresentations of my articles. !!!! They also wanted to locate Andrew Weaver. I confirmed that I was the Stephen McIntyre in question and that I was prepared to talk to the UK authorities - expressing very clearly to the Canadian policeman my total disdain for the idea that this was police business. The inquiry in question presumably did not come from the Norfolk anti-terrorism detachment, as I'd already talked to them at considerable length and they knew how to contact me. I haven't heard anything further yet.
IMHO, FWIW, it's not Steve that's purloined 1,000s of personal emails from Phil Jones and Co. But it's almost certainly one (or more) of his readers; the the stolen documents all relate to issues McI has been obsessing over the years (Mann's work, Briffa's work, and etc.).
And I see from the above that McI is still hinting that this was the act of a whistle-blower from within CRU. Its worth noting (especially when you realize that U.K anti-terrorism people are involved in the investigation) that the cops don't buy it.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Mama Hummingbird
Free video chat by Ustream Phoebe is a Channel Island Allen (S.s. sedentarius) hummingbird in Orange County, California. She has been laying 4 to 5 clutches each year for several years and [the site owner has] been broadcasting her nest since 2007.
There's a pay-pal button through the link if you want to donate.
Back home on the West Coast my folks have kept a number of feeders for at least 25 years. In the first years The Rufous would show up and later on in the season, The Calliope's. You might find several dozen sitting on our clothesline, and so many crowded our feeders that you could walk out with a spoon full of nectar and have them buzzing around your head, supping straight out of the bowl.
Nowadays, because of habitat fragmentation South of the border, not so many make the trip North. A few Calypte anna (Hannah's Hummingbird) have moved into the neighborhood as global warming pushes their range inland, but they seem a bit shy.
A Day In The Life
...of a Washington Times reporter:
The finances are so tight that the newspaper hasn't paid some of its bills or tended to basic maintenance issues -- such as hiring an exterminator to deal with mice and snakes sneaking into the building on New York Avenue in Northeast.
"The feeling everyone feels is that it's a totally rudderless ship," said Julia Duin, the paper's longtime religion reporter. "Nobody knows who's running it. Is it the board of directors? We don't know. There was a three-foot-long black snake in the main conference room the other day. We have snakes in the newsroom -- the real live variety, at least. One of the security people gallantly removed it."
It was probably there for the mice. In fact, I think I see an answer to the WT's "exterminator" problem.
The finances are so tight that the newspaper hasn't paid some of its bills or tended to basic maintenance issues -- such as hiring an exterminator to deal with mice and snakes sneaking into the building on New York Avenue in Northeast.
"The feeling everyone feels is that it's a totally rudderless ship," said Julia Duin, the paper's longtime religion reporter. "Nobody knows who's running it. Is it the board of directors? We don't know. There was a three-foot-long black snake in the main conference room the other day. We have snakes in the newsroom -- the real live variety, at least. One of the security people gallantly removed it."
It was probably there for the mice. In fact, I think I see an answer to the WT's "exterminator" problem.
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Crazy Lady Is Crazy
I don't know what she's on about. In fact, she appears to be babbling. Must be that time of the month. I mean I...I...sicked Valpy on her and Shaidle and Shaidle's husband? She thinks that? I am hurt, and shocked, and appalled all at the same time. I mean , if I had sicked somebody on you, you'd know you'd been sicked. If I had investigated you, you'd be sitting in lock-up right at this moment!
Look at what I did to the Chinese Evangelicals! They're truly fucked!
No, crazy Kate, you got a hormonal Imbalance happening to you! I got nothing to do with it. Nothing, I say! NOTHING!
Look at what I did to the Chinese Evangelicals! They're truly fucked!
No, crazy Kate, you got a hormonal Imbalance happening to you! I got nothing to do with it. Nothing, I say! NOTHING!
Do Investors Follow The Warming Wars?
Interesting post from FT's Energy Source. Chart below shows how the HSBC Global Climate Change Index responded to the various "climategates" of the past six months or so:
As Pielke Jr. notes, the CRU hack itself didn't move the index much, but on the other hand the IPCC related mini-scandals did seem to have an effect. There also seems to have been a mild rebound as various reviews of CRU's behavior have come back giving the unit a more-or-less clean bill of health. This doesn't really fit Pielke's thesis, as the inquiries relate to Phil Jones and the UEA rather than the IPCC. And Pielke misses one possibly important date--March 29th (see the arrow right that I've added to the graphic), when Rajendra Pachauri, head of the IPCC climate change panel, was cleared of allegations that he was receiving payments from private companies.
As Pielke Jr. notes, the CRU hack itself didn't move the index much, but on the other hand the IPCC related mini-scandals did seem to have an effect. There also seems to have been a mild rebound as various reviews of CRU's behavior have come back giving the unit a more-or-less clean bill of health. This doesn't really fit Pielke's thesis, as the inquiries relate to Phil Jones and the UEA rather than the IPCC. And Pielke misses one possibly important date--March 29th (see the arrow right that I've added to the graphic), when Rajendra Pachauri, head of the IPCC climate change panel, was cleared of allegations that he was receiving payments from private companies. Anyway, HSBC expects the CCI recovery to continue as the science reasserts itself. It will be interesting to see if public polls tracking belief in AGW and support for action against it show similar movement.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Move To Repeal Section 13 Dead
Last fall there were hearings by the House of Commons Justice Committee to review the section with a mind to revise or repeal. This week Chief Commissioner Jennifer Lynch told me that the committee is no longer reviewing that matter and no other body in the federal government is taking it up. There is “an inquiry” in the Senate but one Senator tells me that amounts to nothing more than speeches and no matter how good the speeches are, nothing will come of it.
Ezra's response:
Although, frankly, I think that's his response to everything he doesn't like. As for the Senate thing, Senator Doug Finley was waiting for the "Right To Speak" petition to gather 100,000 signatures before moving on it. Total after about 2 weeks: 352.
Ezra's response:
Although, frankly, I think that's his response to everything he doesn't like. As for the Senate thing, Senator Doug Finley was waiting for the "Right To Speak" petition to gather 100,000 signatures before moving on it. Total after about 2 weeks: 352. And here's another picture of Ezra, just to be mean:
In The Next Election, The Tories Will Run Against EKOS
Demands for an overarching narrative behind a government/opposition party's actions have always seemed misplaced to me: usually pols toss whatever stones are close at hand. But if the Tories are going to make bashing Frank Graves this central to their rhetoric, it must mean they're running out of the good stuff. I mean...Frank who? Outside maybe 2,000 blogging nerds in the Cdn. politics ghetto of the blogging nerdosphere, whose ever heard of the guy?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
In The Realm Of The Non-Surprising
Offshore Oil Safety Awards Luncheon Postponed 
The Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) announced today that the 2010 Annual Industry SAFE Awards Luncheon scheduled for May 3, 2010 at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas has been postponed.
The ongoing situation with the Transocean Deepwater Horizon drilling accident has caused the MMS to dedicate considerable resources to the successful resolution of this event, which will conflict with holding this ceremony next week.
It is perhaps ironic that last year's winners included BP America Inc [who own Transocean Deepwater Horizon]...for their outstanding dedication and leadership in promoting improved medical care and evacuation capabilities for offshore facilities.
The Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) announced today that the 2010 Annual Industry SAFE Awards Luncheon scheduled for May 3, 2010 at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas has been postponed.The ongoing situation with the Transocean Deepwater Horizon drilling accident has caused the MMS to dedicate considerable resources to the successful resolution of this event, which will conflict with holding this ceremony next week.
It is perhaps ironic that last year's winners included BP America Inc [who own Transocean Deepwater Horizon]...for their outstanding dedication and leadership in promoting improved medical care and evacuation capabilities for offshore facilities.
Meanwhile, to help out BP America, the U.S. government prepares to burn the ocean in order to save it.
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Says Novelty Cheques Not In Contravention, But Not Good
MPs' using novelty cheques with personal or party identifiers on them to enhance their profiles and improve their electoral prospects is not covered by the concept of "private interest" as outlined in the conflict of interest code for MPs:
3(2) do[oes] not extend to cover the type of interests alleged to have been furthered in the requests under consideration. Those interests, namely the enhancement of the Members’ profiles and the improvement of their electoral prospects, are partisan political interests.
So all those Tories who used giant novelty cheques with their name on them are in the clear.
Nevertheless, Ms. Dawson finds the increasing employment of "partisan or personal identifiers in making government announcements raises concerns that should be addressed." Helpful hints as to a means of doing so are provided by way of reference to Ontario's Government Advertising Act and Alberta's Government of Alberta Communications Policy.
So there you have it.
3(2) do[oes] not extend to cover the type of interests alleged to have been furthered in the requests under consideration. Those interests, namely the enhancement of the Members’ profiles and the improvement of their electoral prospects, are partisan political interests.
So all those Tories who used giant novelty cheques with their name on them are in the clear.
Nevertheless, Ms. Dawson finds the increasing employment of "partisan or personal identifiers in making government announcements raises concerns that should be addressed." Helpful hints as to a means of doing so are provided by way of reference to Ontario's Government Advertising Act and Alberta's Government of Alberta Communications Policy.
So there you have it.
Another Machetegate Update
From the Gatineau police, translated by Dr. Dawg:
Gatineau Police Services are continuing their investigation into the case of an armed assault committed last April 5 outside a bar on the Promenade du Portage. Investigators now possess information about potential suspects, thanks to numerous details collected after the encounter from several persons in the days following the event.
Recall that three men had been surrounded by ten or so individuals outside a Promenade du Portage bar as they were leaving to return to their vehicle, and were the victims of an assault. A few minutes later, trying to leave the location, the three victims were spotted again and pursued by one of the assailants with a machete.
Release in French can be found here.
Hmm. The odds of me owing somebody money may have gone up bit. Background here. Although my French isn't really good enough to determine whether or not the actual release is still talking in terms of an "alleged assault". It still speaks of "potential" suspects (l’information sur des suspects potentiels), though.
Gatineau Police Services are continuing their investigation into the case of an armed assault committed last April 5 outside a bar on the Promenade du Portage. Investigators now possess information about potential suspects, thanks to numerous details collected after the encounter from several persons in the days following the event.
Recall that three men had been surrounded by ten or so individuals outside a Promenade du Portage bar as they were leaving to return to their vehicle, and were the victims of an assault. A few minutes later, trying to leave the location, the three victims were spotted again and pursued by one of the assailants with a machete.
Release in French can be found here.
Hmm. The odds of me owing somebody money may have gone up bit. Background here. Although my French isn't really good enough to determine whether or not the actual release is still talking in terms of an "alleged assault". It still speaks of "potential" suspects (l’information sur des suspects potentiels), though.
Emergency Physicians On The Long Gun Registry
Dr. Alan Drummond from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians and an assistant coroner in Perth, Ontario:
"As a rural emergency physician and coroner, I can safely say that I've never seen a handgun injury. I have however seen my share of injuries and deaths inflicted by rifles and shotguns. I have felt the pain of investigating a double murder-suicide as a result of escalating domestic violence. Suicide, contrary to public opinion, is often an impulsive gesture. Keeping guns away from depressed people is essential. In the assaults and murders I have seen that have involved guns, the perpetrators acted on impulse and the unsafely stored long gun was readily available. Gun-related injury is not just a Toronto problem that involves gangs. It has occurred in my small idyllic rural community and involved people that would otherwise seem quite normal. Registration of firearms is important to ensure accountability and compliance with safe storage."
Full release through the link.
"As a rural emergency physician and coroner, I can safely say that I've never seen a handgun injury. I have however seen my share of injuries and deaths inflicted by rifles and shotguns. I have felt the pain of investigating a double murder-suicide as a result of escalating domestic violence. Suicide, contrary to public opinion, is often an impulsive gesture. Keeping guns away from depressed people is essential. In the assaults and murders I have seen that have involved guns, the perpetrators acted on impulse and the unsafely stored long gun was readily available. Gun-related injury is not just a Toronto problem that involves gangs. It has occurred in my small idyllic rural community and involved people that would otherwise seem quite normal. Registration of firearms is important to ensure accountability and compliance with safe storage."
Full release through the link.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wise Talk
...about the next couple of weeks from Steve V:
Let's keep it real, the tough guys are facing the most likely scenario of a reduced mandate, worst case an outright loss. Not ignoring the Liberal challenges in the polls, we're hardly facing a Conservative juggernaut, that should strike fear in the opposition.
[...]
...I don't care what the Conservatives say, nor do I buy this idea that this is the excuse Harper is looking for to go to the polls. Harper has one more crack, anything but a majority and the united Conservative veneer will evaporate. The Conservatives want to choose the timing, and they desperately want a managed campaign, wherein they set the election parameters. If would submit, the idea of kicking of a campaign, faced with thwarting the will of Parliament, supported by our constitutional "referee" is the least desirable scenario imaginable.
I'd add a couple of points. The immediate time-frame we're looking at is from now to mid-May, and I suspect the Guergis thing still won't be out of the news by then. Furthermore, the "A-word" is back in play because of the upcoming G-8 meeting and Bruinooge's divisive but go-nowhere Bill C-510.
And I can't see what other hot-button the gov. can press to offset all this stuff. Bill C-232 has had very little coverage, despite the attempt to use it to rile up the base. And an anti-CBC campaign? Please.
Finally, I really doubt caving on detainee docs will harm the Tories any more than engineering an election over the issue would. Remember, some of the mud is likely to splatter on the Paul Martin government. So why not?
Let's keep it real, the tough guys are facing the most likely scenario of a reduced mandate, worst case an outright loss. Not ignoring the Liberal challenges in the polls, we're hardly facing a Conservative juggernaut, that should strike fear in the opposition.
[...]
...I don't care what the Conservatives say, nor do I buy this idea that this is the excuse Harper is looking for to go to the polls. Harper has one more crack, anything but a majority and the united Conservative veneer will evaporate. The Conservatives want to choose the timing, and they desperately want a managed campaign, wherein they set the election parameters. If would submit, the idea of kicking of a campaign, faced with thwarting the will of Parliament, supported by our constitutional "referee" is the least desirable scenario imaginable.
I'd add a couple of points. The immediate time-frame we're looking at is from now to mid-May, and I suspect the Guergis thing still won't be out of the news by then. Furthermore, the "A-word" is back in play because of the upcoming G-8 meeting and Bruinooge's divisive but go-nowhere Bill C-510.
And I can't see what other hot-button the gov. can press to offset all this stuff. Bill C-232 has had very little coverage, despite the attempt to use it to rile up the base. And an anti-CBC campaign? Please.
Finally, I really doubt caving on detainee docs will harm the Tories any more than engineering an election over the issue would. Remember, some of the mud is likely to splatter on the Paul Martin government. So why not?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)