A woman who was raped multiple times was sentenced to 6 months in prison and 200 lashes. Apparently this had something to do with the fact that she violated the law by not having a male guardian with her, the judge in the case referred to the "relationship" she was involved with as suspicious.
This is absolutely outrageous and defies reason by any stretch of even the most vivid imagination that a woman could be found guilty of any kind of crime for having been brutally raped multiple times.
The fact that the world is forced to support this government and its archaic and brutal social customs because of it's oil reserves is a slap in the face to the Western values of freedom, social justice and human rights.
Technorati tags: Saudi Arabia Human Rights
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Vick faces $900,000 bill for dog care
From CNN.......
$900,000 for the care or euthanasia of 54 pit bulls?? Where are they being kept, the Jefferson! I wonder if it's to late to become a vet......
At an average of almost 20k a dog, sometimes I think anyone in with aspirations of being in law enforcement should be forced to take remedial math classes as prerequesite to employment. There is something fundamentally messed up about a countries judicial system that is looking to hand out similar sentences for killing a dog and organizing dog fights as it has, on occasion, in child sexual abuse cases.
These are pit bulls that have been trained to fight and kill. I'm sorry but 900 g's? Someone needs to give there head a shake. A box of 100 9mm can be purchased for 25 bucks on Amazon.
Technorati tags: Michael Vick
$900,000 for the care or euthanasia of 54 pit bulls?? Where are they being kept, the Jefferson! I wonder if it's to late to become a vet......
At an average of almost 20k a dog, sometimes I think anyone in with aspirations of being in law enforcement should be forced to take remedial math classes as prerequesite to employment. There is something fundamentally messed up about a countries judicial system that is looking to hand out similar sentences for killing a dog and organizing dog fights as it has, on occasion, in child sexual abuse cases.
These are pit bulls that have been trained to fight and kill. I'm sorry but 900 g's? Someone needs to give there head a shake. A box of 100 9mm can be purchased for 25 bucks on Amazon.
Technorati tags: Michael Vick
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Barack Obama
From CNN, Barack Obama responded to questions about his patriotism, his religious affiliation and whether he was schooled in a madrassa in a speech to the UAW.
I just love politics; candidates get built up based on nothing, then torn apart based on nothing. What about actually listening to the candidates about where they stand on issues, spend some time thinking about what that stance actually means in the bigger picture instead of getting all of there information from Insight Magazine, YouTube and Fox News.
I guess it's easier to have someone else think for you than to think for yourself.
Technorati tags: Barack Obama
I just love politics; candidates get built up based on nothing, then torn apart based on nothing. What about actually listening to the candidates about where they stand on issues, spend some time thinking about what that stance actually means in the bigger picture instead of getting all of there information from Insight Magazine, YouTube and Fox News.
I guess it's easier to have someone else think for you than to think for yourself.
Technorati tags: Barack Obama
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
H5N1 confirmed on UK farm
Over 6,000 birds are being slaughtered on farm near Suffolk as a result of a recent bird flu strain was confirmed as H5N1. There was an earlier outbreak of H5N1 in February in Suffolk as well.
I've blogged several times previously on avian influenza and this particular strain. To date there have been no cases of the H5N1 strain in Canada.
Technorati tags: H5N1 Suffolk
I've blogged several times previously on avian influenza and this particular strain. To date there have been no cases of the H5N1 strain in Canada.
Technorati tags: H5N1 Suffolk
Monday, November 12, 2007
Commonwealth threatens to suspend Pakistan
From the CBC......
The Commonwealth is threatening to suspend Pakistan for imposing a state of emergency rule, saying in a statement that it has "seriously violated the Commonwealth's fundamental political values."
I assume they are referring to the Harare Commonwealth Declaration of 1991. Pakistan was suspended from the Commonwealth following the 1999 coup where Musharraf took power. Pakistan was reinstated in 2004. I presume this was a reward for Pakistans tacit support on Iraq. All this aside, I'm not clear exactly what Pakistan (or any other country) gains from being a member of the Commonwealth.
Technorati tags: pakistan commonwealth
The Commonwealth is threatening to suspend Pakistan for imposing a state of emergency rule, saying in a statement that it has "seriously violated the Commonwealth's fundamental political values."
I assume they are referring to the Harare Commonwealth Declaration of 1991. Pakistan was suspended from the Commonwealth following the 1999 coup where Musharraf took power. Pakistan was reinstated in 2004. I presume this was a reward for Pakistans tacit support on Iraq. All this aside, I'm not clear exactly what Pakistan (or any other country) gains from being a member of the Commonwealth.
Technorati tags: pakistan commonwealth
Tory death penalty decision fails to thrill voters
From the Globe, according to a recent survey, 50% of Canadians oppose the Conservative death penalty decision I had recently blogged about while 7% are undecided and 43% support it. Of course what I am referring to is the Governments position that it will not seek clemency for Canadian citizens that are convicted of a capital crime in another country.
The article goes on to state that the results are split largely along party lines. So the Conservative party in Canada leans on towards right to life and is more supportive of the death penalty. I guess they share some things in common with there hypocrite Republican cousins.
Technorati tags: death penalty conservatives republican
The article goes on to state that the results are split largely along party lines. So the Conservative party in Canada leans on towards right to life and is more supportive of the death penalty. I guess they share some things in common with there hypocrite Republican cousins.
Technorati tags: death penalty conservatives republican
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Aqua Dots / Bindeez recall
Having worked for companies (not in the toy industry) in the past that have either outsourced I have to say that I'm not surprised at this and other recalls of toys from China. There's a myth perpetuated that because the cost of living is so low allowing companies to pay there employees less in a month than what someone in North America would make in day that there's a tremendous cost advantage. Not so, when you take into consideration:
1) the horrendous productivity that labor intensive businesses have compared to the more automated facilities in developed countries;
2) turnover, our companies have experienced incredibly high rates of turnover many, many times higher than what we experience here;
3) when we asked about quality control at one facility in China, they looked at us like we had two heads. One of the reasons costs are kept low.
Given these and where the US dollar is these days, I doubt very much there will be an impact on prices if production of some of these items is moved to domestic suppliers.
Consumers and basic economics will force wages up and quality systems to be put in place in China.
Technorati tags: Aqua Dots Bindeez China
1) the horrendous productivity that labor intensive businesses have compared to the more automated facilities in developed countries;
2) turnover, our companies have experienced incredibly high rates of turnover many, many times higher than what we experience here;
3) when we asked about quality control at one facility in China, they looked at us like we had two heads. One of the reasons costs are kept low.
Given these and where the US dollar is these days, I doubt very much there will be an impact on prices if production of some of these items is moved to domestic suppliers.
Consumers and basic economics will force wages up and quality systems to be put in place in China.
Technorati tags: Aqua Dots Bindeez China
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
U.S. and Russia seek to rescue arms treaty
U.S. and Russian diplomats are holding crucial talks in Geneva to try to rescue a key European arms control accord that Russia's lower house of Parliament voted Wednesday to suspend.
"We regret these steps," said the NATO spokesman, James Appathurai. A spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said "unilateral actions do nothing to further security,"
What is being referred to is the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty. This follows Russia pulling out of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in February.
I recall quite an uproar in the early days after it was announced that the US was pulling out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2001/2002.
Technorati tags: missile defense
"We regret these steps," said the NATO spokesman, James Appathurai. A spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said "unilateral actions do nothing to further security,"
What is being referred to is the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty. This follows Russia pulling out of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in February.
I recall quite an uproar in the early days after it was announced that the US was pulling out of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2001/2002.
Technorati tags: missile defense
Quebec warns Harper about Senate plans
From the Globe and Mail.....
Wednesday, the three main parties in Quebec unanimously adopted a motion stating that “any changes to the Canadian Senate cannot be done without the consent of the government of Quebec and the National Assembly.” Kind of an odd statement given that the Government of Quebec didn't sign the document in the first place. One would think that the first goal would be to negotiate with the provinces and create an environment where it would be acceptable for Quebec to ratify it.
First of all, any changes to the Senate will require re-opening the Constitution and a resolution supported by the Senate, House of Commons and resolutions of 2/3 of the legislative assemblies of the provinces representing 50% of the population based on the last census. I sometimes wonder if those reporting the news or elected officials actually read the documents they are commenting on.
So, from the statscan website, here are the numbers (the percentages are mine).....
in thousands % of population
Canada 32,623.5 100.0%
Newfoundland and Labrador 509.7 1.6%
Prince Edward Island 138.5 0.4%
Nova Scotia 934.4 2.9%
New Brunswick 749.2 2.3%
Quebec 7,651.5 23.5%
Ontario 12,687.0 38.9%
Manitoba 1,177.8 3.6%
Saskatchewan 985.4 3.0%
Alberta 3,375.8 10.3%
British Columbia 4,310.5 13.2%
Yukon Territory* 31.2 0.1%
Northwest Territories* 41.9 0.1%
Nunavut* 30.8 0.1%
* Territory, not a province.
Technically, the federal government could amend the constitution without the approval of the Quebec National Assembly however, I'm not so sure that the general public actually understands what an elected Senate means in terms of the dynamics between federal and provincial politics. An elected Senate would in effect concentrate more power in Ottawa as federally elected representatives in both houses would answer to there constituents. The end result being a weakening of the provinces. The model would be similar to that of the US federal government and state governments. Not that it's a bad model I just cannot envision the provinces agreeing to giving up powers. Certainly not Quebec. I doubt very much that Ontario or the Atlantic Provinces would either.
In any event, hopefully the Harper Government will not use the "Bull in a China shop" approach to Senate Reform and create a crisis where none exists. That would constitute as poor a leadership as was in place during the last Quebec Referendum when Chretien was in power.
Technorati tags: Canadian Constitution Senate Quebec
Wednesday, the three main parties in Quebec unanimously adopted a motion stating that “any changes to the Canadian Senate cannot be done without the consent of the government of Quebec and the National Assembly.” Kind of an odd statement given that the Government of Quebec didn't sign the document in the first place. One would think that the first goal would be to negotiate with the provinces and create an environment where it would be acceptable for Quebec to ratify it.
First of all, any changes to the Senate will require re-opening the Constitution and a resolution supported by the Senate, House of Commons and resolutions of 2/3 of the legislative assemblies of the provinces representing 50% of the population based on the last census. I sometimes wonder if those reporting the news or elected officials actually read the documents they are commenting on.
So, from the statscan website, here are the numbers (the percentages are mine).....
in thousands % of population
Canada 32,623.5 100.0%
Newfoundland and Labrador 509.7 1.6%
Prince Edward Island 138.5 0.4%
Nova Scotia 934.4 2.9%
New Brunswick 749.2 2.3%
Quebec 7,651.5 23.5%
Ontario 12,687.0 38.9%
Manitoba 1,177.8 3.6%
Saskatchewan 985.4 3.0%
Alberta 3,375.8 10.3%
British Columbia 4,310.5 13.2%
Yukon Territory* 31.2 0.1%
Northwest Territories* 41.9 0.1%
Nunavut* 30.8 0.1%
* Territory, not a province.
Technically, the federal government could amend the constitution without the approval of the Quebec National Assembly however, I'm not so sure that the general public actually understands what an elected Senate means in terms of the dynamics between federal and provincial politics. An elected Senate would in effect concentrate more power in Ottawa as federally elected representatives in both houses would answer to there constituents. The end result being a weakening of the provinces. The model would be similar to that of the US federal government and state governments. Not that it's a bad model I just cannot envision the provinces agreeing to giving up powers. Certainly not Quebec. I doubt very much that Ontario or the Atlantic Provinces would either.
In any event, hopefully the Harper Government will not use the "Bull in a China shop" approach to Senate Reform and create a crisis where none exists. That would constitute as poor a leadership as was in place during the last Quebec Referendum when Chretien was in power.
Technorati tags: Canadian Constitution Senate Quebec
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Sudan tragedy
A little behind the times but I had blogged before about a man who was ordered by the courts to marry a goat after having been caught having sex with it. Sadly, the goat has died after having apparently chocking on a plastic bag (not a rubber and not the scrotum of it's significant other; it was a plastic bag, remember).
Technorati tags: Sudan goat
Technorati tags: Sudan goat
Monday, November 05, 2007
Time to abolish Senate: Layton
Jack Layton of the NDP is quoted as saying that the Senate in Canada is "outdated and obsolete" and that "It's a 19th-century institution that has no place in a modern democracy in the 21st century,"
Huh?
Elected Senate yes, but this guy just wants it abolished. By doing so, moving from a bicarmel to unicarmel parliamentary system, the House would hold sole power with no checks and balances save the Courts. Although there are developed nations with unicarmel (parliamentary) systems, the vast majority of them have a bicarmel system.
Technorati tags: Jack Layton NDP Senate
Huh?
Elected Senate yes, but this guy just wants it abolished. By doing so, moving from a bicarmel to unicarmel parliamentary system, the House would hold sole power with no checks and balances save the Courts. Although there are developed nations with unicarmel (parliamentary) systems, the vast majority of them have a bicarmel system.
Technorati tags: Jack Layton NDP Senate
Friday, November 02, 2007
Harper won't seek clemency for death-row Canadians abroad
From the Globe.....
Seeking clemency for Canadians on death row in the United States would be at odds with the federal government's stance on violent crime, says Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Canada abolished the death penalty in 1976 (Bill c-84)
And whatever happened to the Charter or Rights (#7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.)
It's going to be a little difficult not to "re-open the debate" on capital punishment if we just let executions occur for convicted murderers in the US.
I guess if a Canadian were convicted of a capital crime in an Islamic country under Sharia Law it would be the position of the Government of Canada not to intervene either. I wonder how all the assholes who left comments on the Globe article feel about that?
Technorati tags: capital punishment Stephen Harper
Seeking clemency for Canadians on death row in the United States would be at odds with the federal government's stance on violent crime, says Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Canada abolished the death penalty in 1976 (Bill c-84)
And whatever happened to the Charter or Rights (#7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.)
It's going to be a little difficult not to "re-open the debate" on capital punishment if we just let executions occur for convicted murderers in the US.
I guess if a Canadian were convicted of a capital crime in an Islamic country under Sharia Law it would be the position of the Government of Canada not to intervene either. I wonder how all the assholes who left comments on the Globe article feel about that?
Technorati tags: capital punishment Stephen Harper
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Colbert off ballot
The South Carolina Democratic Party voted to keep Stephen Colbert off the Democrtic Primary ballot today.
Waring Howe (Charlseton Democratic Party chairman) says that his running would make a mockery of the political process.
Where in the hell did he get an idea like that? It never stopped Mary Carey from running for Governor of California!
Technorati tags: Stephen Colbert
Waring Howe (Charlseton Democratic Party chairman) says that his running would make a mockery of the political process.
Where in the hell did he get an idea like that? It never stopped Mary Carey from running for Governor of California!
Technorati tags: Stephen Colbert
Venezualan protests
According to CNN, Chavez indicated his reforms will allow local governments "more decision making power in using government funds for local projects such as paving streets and building public housing."
Meanwhile Venezualan troops used tear gas to disperse protesters today.
I'm sure that's where he was going with that Bill back in January giving him the power to rule by decree.
Technorati tags: Venezualan protests Hugo Chavez
Meanwhile Venezualan troops used tear gas to disperse protesters today.
I'm sure that's where he was going with that Bill back in January giving him the power to rule by decree.
Technorati tags: Venezualan protests Hugo Chavez
Hurricane Noel
Looks like another Hurricane is heading towards Nova Scotia. It's anticipated that the storm will lose it's tropical characteristics by the time it reaches Nova Scotia. Sound familiar? The hurricane center said Juan was going to be tropical storm by the time it hit, it ended up being a Cat 2.
Anyway, for the record, this is what the weather office is saying about Noel....
WOCN11 CWHX 011828Special weather statement for Nova Scotia issued by EnvironmentCanada at 3:27 PM ADT Thursday 1 November 2007.
The remnants of tropical storm Noel are forecast to travel northward toward Atlantic Canada and interact with a trough of low pressure over the eastern United States on Friday. A significant autumn storm is therefore expected to affect the Maritimes on Saturday.High winds..Heavy rains and rough wave conditions are expected with this large storm throughout much of the maritime provinces. It is aBit too soon to predict specific rainfall amounts..Wind speeds orImpacts..But the public is advised to anticipate stormy weather conditions on Saturday and Saturday night. Detailed warnings will be issued early Friday morning.
END/CF/MC
Technorati tags: Hurricane Noel
Anyway, for the record, this is what the weather office is saying about Noel....
WOCN11 CWHX 011828Special weather statement for Nova Scotia issued by EnvironmentCanada at 3:27 PM ADT Thursday 1 November 2007.
The remnants of tropical storm Noel are forecast to travel northward toward Atlantic Canada and interact with a trough of low pressure over the eastern United States on Friday. A significant autumn storm is therefore expected to affect the Maritimes on Saturday.High winds..Heavy rains and rough wave conditions are expected with this large storm throughout much of the maritime provinces. It is aBit too soon to predict specific rainfall amounts..Wind speeds orImpacts..But the public is advised to anticipate stormy weather conditions on Saturday and Saturday night. Detailed warnings will be issued early Friday morning.
END/CF/MC
Technorati tags: Hurricane Noel
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