Syria's Torture and Murder of Its Children

Despite this being an age of almost instant communication and information, it has become very easy for us to isolate ourselves from the larger world, ensconced as we are in our protective shell of flat-screen televisions, blu-ray players, and myriad other technological wonders. Once in a while, however, the reality of that larger world breaks through that shell and throttles us.

One of those moments occurred last night while I was watching Anderson Cooper 360 as he presented graphic video depicting the kind of brutality we may have become inured to in movies but not in real life. I should warn you that this video, showing beatings and shootings of unarmed Syrian citizens, is difficult to watch; even more horrifying is the segment that deals with the torture, mutilation and murder of Syrian children, their only 'crime' being their participation in peaceful protests.

As well, if you really want to think about it, the Syrians' thirst for democracy and freedom and what they are willing to risk for it puts our own cavalier attitude toward democracy, as evidenced in the recent federal election, to shame.

Finally, a G20 Police Arrest

There is little doubt in my mind that the relentless efforts of the Toronto Star played a major role in the arrest of Toronto police officer Glen Weddell in the G20 beating of Dorian Barton, the Toronto baker whose only crime was to take some pictures of police horses at Queens Park during the G20 Summit in Toronto last June. That it took almost a year for this to happen is a sad commentary on the leadership of Police Chief Bill Blair and the officers on the force who obviously willfully concealed the accused officer's identity.

Whether justice will actually be served remains to be seen, given the double-standard of justice the courts often apply to the 'brotherhood of the blue."

Linda McQuaig on Canda's Role in Africa

Although Canadians have traditionally regarded themselves as champions of the underclass, that image is challenged in yesterday's Toronto Star column by Linda McQuaig as she examines how the Candian Government's support of multi-national corporations is contributing to the fact that resource-laden countries such as Tanzania are getting a mere pittance for the gold extraction operations of Barrick gold.

As well, she talks about how a private member's bill that would have made Canadian companies more accountable for their actions (think of last month's killings of several Tanzanians at Barrick's gold mine) in the countries of their operations was defeated.

As is often the case, the image of Canada's benign influence on the world is at steep odds with the truth.

Cost-Saving Innovations in Policing

Dismayed as I may be over the sometimes heavy-handed actions of police, I would never suggest that the necessary role they play in society is exaggerated. Nonetheless, there appear to be ways of providing service that help to reduce overall costs without sacrificing effectiveness.

A story in yesterday's Star, called The thinning blue line discusses how American forces are coping with declining budgets by using civilian investigators to do the paperwork for non-violent crimes such as burglaries, as well as adopting new technologies that replace the human factor. It is an article well-worth reading.

Cell Phone Use and Cancer

Having just completed Disconnect, a book by epidemiologist Devra Davis showing the relationship between cell phone use and cancer, I was heartened to read that the Who has just released a statement that cell phones may in fact be carcinogenic. Although mildly worded to play down the danger, it is a breakthrough of sorts, in that the cell phone industry has been doing everything in its power over the last two decades to undermine studies that show the damaging effects of cell phone microwave radiation.

Having lost my brother-in-law to glioma, an almost-always fatal form of brain cancer, I have been sensitive to the dangers of cell phones since he was diagnosed. A heavy user and early adopter, his cancer was, as is usually the case, found on the side of his head where he regularly and frequently used his phone.

While there is no doubt that the industry will seek to undermine the WHO's warning, it really is incumbent upon the consumer to exercise due caution when operating these devices. I am also including here a video based on much of Davis's book:

Star Editorial Recommendation

I really have nothing new to add to the continuing saga of the Toronto Police Service's obstruction of efforts to get at the ugly truth behind the G20 security debacle. However, today's Star editorial does a good job of explaining why a complete and unfettered inquiry is necessary to determine the role played by all offending parties, from the Prime Minister on down, in depriving people of their Charter Rights and abusing citizen protesters.

Mark Pugash and the G20 Police Scandal

Mark Pugash is certainly earning his salary these days. The vexing and pugnacious Director of Corporate Communications for the Toronto Police has been loyally but, in my view, futilely acting as a human shield for Chief Bill Blair, the leader mysteriously unavailable for comment on any matters generally pertaining to the investigation of police abuse of citizens during last June's G20 debacle and most recently and specifically, the beating of Dorian Barton while he took some pictures during the protests.

Continuing to defend the indefensible with a straight face, Mr. Pugash has a letter in today's Star in which he takes the paper to task for claiming to be playing a role in advancing the momentum of the investigation into Barton's claims.

As always, the reader can decide how credible Pugash's claims are about the Toronto Police Services' investigation of its own people.