For all who adhere to the mindless mantra that tax increases are job-killers, I highly recommend a New York Times essay penned by Warren Buffet, one of the world's richest men, in which he advocates tax increases for the mega-wealthy. As the old saying goes, only Nixon could visit Red China, so let's hope Buffet's "Wall-Street cred" invites some serious consideration rather than the usual rabid denunciations of anyone else suggesting such a thing.
It goes without saying that what he advocates is equally applicable to Canada's richest citizens.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
More Police Brutality
For anyone concerned about police brutality and abuse of power, I urge you to check out the latest posting on Dawg's Blog, which details how Ottawa police beat a sleeping homeless person.
As well, a video in which the witness describes the event is available here.
As well, a video in which the witness describes the event is available here.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The Asbestos Wars – My Response To The Position Of My Conservative MP
Given Canada's unconscionable ongoing export of death (i.e., asbestos) and given that it is back in the media spotlight thanks to the brave efforts of Michaela Keyserlingk, about whom I wrote a brief posting yesterday, now seems a propitious moment to post the response I wrote to my Member of Parliament, David Sweet, on June 20th of this year, after he responded to my expression of concern calling for the termination of this deadly practice.
While I never publish emails that I have received, as I feel they are private communication between me and the other party, I don't see anything improper about posting my response to such communication.
Here it is:
Dear Mr. Sweet,
Thank you for your reply to the concerns I expressed regarding the ongoing export of chrysotile and the request that Canada join the United Nation in banning its production and export. While I appreciate that over the years you have always made an effort to respond to matters I have written to you about, I find that I must take issue about your and your Government's cavalier attitude toward asbestos.
In you response, you cite that the well-documented lethal impact of asbestos use is the result of past mishandling, and that Canada promotes the safe handling and use of this deadly product. Putting aside the fact that asbestos has been removed from Canadian buildings since its deadly nature was understood, I have to wonder whether you and your Government are indulging in either a form of sophistry or self-delusion when you imply that countries such as India, which regularly use this product, are going to handle it in a manner that will ensure the safety of its workers.
Despite the fact that India is an emerging economic powerhouse, it still is, even by the most generous of criteria, a developing country that is well-known for its willingness to exploit the labour of men, women, and children in the most dangerous of situations, not unlike the practices
cultivated in the West as the Industrial Revolution took hold. So by instructing upon the safe use of asbestos, you may have discharged your legal obligation, but not your moral one.
By all accounts you are a good person, one who embraces the tenets of Christianity. I urge you to consider the central message of that religion, as espoused by Christ: to love and honour God through caring for our fellow human beings, a commission that is often so very hard to adhere to, even in the best of times.
I realize that once a decision is made, the caucus must speak with one voice. I guess the question that I leave you to consider is this: have you, both in your capacity as the people's representative and as the chair of the Commons Industry, Science and Technology Committee, done everything possible to follow what your heart tells you is the right thing to do on this issue?
Please sign this petition urging Prime Minister Harper to stop threatening Michaela Keyserlingk and to stop exporting asbestos.
While I never publish emails that I have received, as I feel they are private communication between me and the other party, I don't see anything improper about posting my response to such communication.
Here it is:
Dear Mr. Sweet,
Thank you for your reply to the concerns I expressed regarding the ongoing export of chrysotile and the request that Canada join the United Nation in banning its production and export. While I appreciate that over the years you have always made an effort to respond to matters I have written to you about, I find that I must take issue about your and your Government's cavalier attitude toward asbestos.
In you response, you cite that the well-documented lethal impact of asbestos use is the result of past mishandling, and that Canada promotes the safe handling and use of this deadly product. Putting aside the fact that asbestos has been removed from Canadian buildings since its deadly nature was understood, I have to wonder whether you and your Government are indulging in either a form of sophistry or self-delusion when you imply that countries such as India, which regularly use this product, are going to handle it in a manner that will ensure the safety of its workers.
Despite the fact that India is an emerging economic powerhouse, it still is, even by the most generous of criteria, a developing country that is well-known for its willingness to exploit the labour of men, women, and children in the most dangerous of situations, not unlike the practices
cultivated in the West as the Industrial Revolution took hold. So by instructing upon the safe use of asbestos, you may have discharged your legal obligation, but not your moral one.
By all accounts you are a good person, one who embraces the tenets of Christianity. I urge you to consider the central message of that religion, as espoused by Christ: to love and honour God through caring for our fellow human beings, a commission that is often so very hard to adhere to, even in the best of times.
I realize that once a decision is made, the caucus must speak with one voice. I guess the question that I leave you to consider is this: have you, both in your capacity as the people's representative and as the chair of the Commons Industry, Science and Technology Committee, done everything possible to follow what your heart tells you is the right thing to do on this issue?
Please sign this petition urging Prime Minister Harper to stop threatening Michaela Keyserlingk and to stop exporting asbestos.
Asbestos - Part 2
Monday, August 15, 2011
The Curse of Canada's Asbestos Exports
While I have written previously about Canada's ongoing indefensible export of death, also known as asbestos, a story in today's Star puts this abominable practice back into the public consciousness.
Entitled Tories tussle with asbestos widow over use of party logo in ad campaign, the piece details how Michaela Keyserlingk, whose husband Robert died in 2009 of mesothelioma, (a cancer caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos) has been running an online banner since the spring that reads, “Canada is the only western country that still exports deadly asbestos!” It is a campaign that has the Conservative Party of Canada upset and threatening legal action.
Her crime? The unauthorized use of the Tory trademark, which is used as part of her banner admonition, Danger – Canada is the only western country that still exports deadly asbestos!
Is her appropriation of the CPC logo trademark infringement? Of course. But the more important question? Is Mrs. Keyserlingk morally justified in its use? Same answer!
Should you like to show support for this brave Canadian, please consider visiting her website.
Entitled Tories tussle with asbestos widow over use of party logo in ad campaign, the piece details how Michaela Keyserlingk, whose husband Robert died in 2009 of mesothelioma, (a cancer caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos) has been running an online banner since the spring that reads, “Canada is the only western country that still exports deadly asbestos!” It is a campaign that has the Conservative Party of Canada upset and threatening legal action.
Her crime? The unauthorized use of the Tory trademark, which is used as part of her banner admonition, Danger – Canada is the only western country that still exports deadly asbestos!
Is her appropriation of the CPC logo trademark infringement? Of course. But the more important question? Is Mrs. Keyserlingk morally justified in its use? Same answer!
Should you like to show support for this brave Canadian, please consider visiting her website.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Michael Coren Violates CRTC Rules On Sun TV With Racist Remark
I was just reading a comment on Dr. Dawg's Blog that makes reference to a recent appearance by Michael Coren on Brian Lilley's show, Byline. In an interview about the London riots, Coren makes a racist comment that violates both Canadian Broadcast Standards and CRTC regulations when he says the riots are "not about Blackberries but about black thugs."
He then goes on to crow that he can say this on Sun TV when others are too frightened to speak.
I just emailed a complaint to the CRTC about this, and from past experience I know they are bound by law to investigate. I hope many others will also lodge a complaint.
Here is the video, and the offending remark comes at about the 3:20 minute mark:
He then goes on to crow that he can say this on Sun TV when others are too frightened to speak.
I just emailed a complaint to the CRTC about this, and from past experience I know they are bound by law to investigate. I hope many others will also lodge a complaint.
Here is the video, and the offending remark comes at about the 3:20 minute mark:
Toronto Police: True Blue To The End
Anyone who might be concerned that recent events have put a strain on police solidarity can rest easy.
In an article in The Star entitled Retiring deputy chief calls G20 reaction overblown, Tony Warr, who is set to retire at month's end, has nothing but praise for the actions of police at last summer's G20 fiasco in Toronto.
A few quotations from the piece, which I am reproducing below, help to amply demonstrate not only police intransigence and misplaced loyalties, but also why the scars of that infamous weekend will likely never heal:
The public and media overreacted to events during the G20 summit, and police should hold their heads high.
“There was a lot of good work done.”
“I defy anybody to have an event like that in their city and not have that kind of problem. Ours was a pretty minor one compared to what’s gone on in other cities.”
[T]here “seems to be a campaign by the media to keep this alive.”
Warr said he doesn’t want to second-guess officers for rounding up 1,100 people in the biggest mass arrest in Canadian history.
“Some of the media reaction was just disgusting,”
Warr also made no apologies for the horrid conditions at the temporary detention centre on Eastern Ave., which was criticized for being overcrowded and having limited toilet facilities:
“People complained about the conditions there, but what did they expect when they get arrested? They’re not going to be taken to the Hilton. Jail is not a nice place,”
When such a shocking lack of empathy, understanding and insight into the seriousness of what transpired last year comes from a Deputy Police Chief, and our political 'leaders', both provincial and federal, display a similar nonchalance about egregious police wrongdoing, is it any wonder that the antipathy and suspicion of Canadians towards the police continues to fester and grow?
In an article in The Star entitled Retiring deputy chief calls G20 reaction overblown, Tony Warr, who is set to retire at month's end, has nothing but praise for the actions of police at last summer's G20 fiasco in Toronto.
A few quotations from the piece, which I am reproducing below, help to amply demonstrate not only police intransigence and misplaced loyalties, but also why the scars of that infamous weekend will likely never heal:
The public and media overreacted to events during the G20 summit, and police should hold their heads high.
“There was a lot of good work done.”
“I defy anybody to have an event like that in their city and not have that kind of problem. Ours was a pretty minor one compared to what’s gone on in other cities.”
[T]here “seems to be a campaign by the media to keep this alive.”
Warr said he doesn’t want to second-guess officers for rounding up 1,100 people in the biggest mass arrest in Canadian history.
“Some of the media reaction was just disgusting,”
Warr also made no apologies for the horrid conditions at the temporary detention centre on Eastern Ave., which was criticized for being overcrowded and having limited toilet facilities:
“People complained about the conditions there, but what did they expect when they get arrested? They’re not going to be taken to the Hilton. Jail is not a nice place,”
When such a shocking lack of empathy, understanding and insight into the seriousness of what transpired last year comes from a Deputy Police Chief, and our political 'leaders', both provincial and federal, display a similar nonchalance about egregious police wrongdoing, is it any wonder that the antipathy and suspicion of Canadians towards the police continues to fester and grow?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)