Pot, Ports & PM, JC Nips at PM, JC: "Free of Rules" US: Canada's Lax Drug Laws, Sharia, Slavery

Update:

MPs set to war over pot -- Commons justice committee to review decriminalization plan Kathleen Harris, Ottawa Bureau, Mar. 9, 05

UNITED IN the belief that Canada must declare war on marijuana grow ops, MPs are going to battle over how to combat the deadly menace. The strategy to stamp out the commercial grow houses -- often booby-trapped and linked to organized crime -- will take centre stage next month as the Commons justice committee pores over the plan to decriminalize pot. [. . . . ]

Editorial March 9, 2005, Mar. 9, 05, Toronto Sun

Many supporters of the decriminalization or legalization of marijuana are beside themselves.

They're desperate to sever any linkage in the public's mind between [. . . . ]

Search: promising tougher sentences, flip flop, tone down his remarks, our lax justice system, violent, gun-toting, Zaccardelli said, depends for its accuracy, hardened criminals, problems would disappear, lucrative, public safety issue




Drug war capitulation March 9, 2005, Janet L. Jackson, Calgary Sun

[. . . . ] The Liberal agenda is no longer hidden. The far-left wing of the Liberal party has been lobbying for legal marijuana, legal prostitution, same-sex marriage and euthanasia for years.

Federal justice ministers have done extensive harm-reduction studies in smoky Amsterdam cafes over the years. We're not talking evil, overtaxed tobacco smoke, folks. Holland has become the illegal drug depot for Europe and its judges are so out of control that recently, Dutch police were reprimanded for taking a gun away from an armed robber because the loss was "infringing on his livelihood."

Canada already has a defacto decriminalization policy. Following the Dutch example, official decriminalization will only ensure marijuana growers are given continually lighter sentences, allowing organized crime more room to outfox police. [. . . . ]

I wonder why our government assiduously avoid doing what they should to protect our ports? Ships are the perfect conduit for illegal . . . . . so hard to search every nook and cranny . . . . . and our port security is inadequate.




Lax drug laws create Mexico of north -- U.S.: Canada's marijuana policy a growing irritant to American neighbours Tom Blackwell, National Post, Mar. 8, 05

[. . . . ] There are calls for more agents at the northern frontier, and parallels drawn between Canada and what has traditionally been considered a much more lawless neighbour -- Mexico. The fears were embodied in the headline for a recent front-page New York Times article: Violent New Front in Drug War opens on the Canadian Border. [. . . . ]

Ottawa endorses B.C.'s bid for help expanding ports Peter O'Neil, CanWest News Service; Vancouver Sun, March 07, 2005

OTTAWA - B.C. deserves a disproportionate share of federal infrastructure cash to improve and expand ports, highways, and railway lines so Vancouver can be North America's primary destination for China's soaring exports, Prime Minister Paul Martin said Sunday.

Martin, while stressing that national funding programs should be regionally fair, said there are occasions when investments in a particular province must be disproportionally larger because the nation's interests are at stake. [. . . . ]

Search: a major trade conduit, Vancouver, Prince Rupert, gateway initiative, Industry Minister David Emerson, a major West Coast investment, transportation bottlenecks, $40-million investment, Asia-Pacific trade, China

Think about these two articles above and the reports on the lack of ports police and security below; note also the testimony of Mr. Judd of CSIS.

There seems to always be taxpayers' money for initiatives for 'business' and, of course, for port facilities for shipping.

Does anyone else start to put a number of news items together -- perhaps see a pattern? Port facilities in Vancouver and Prince Rupert / Gas / oil / LNG / mining in the north / deals with natives / deals with Nfld . . . . all "in the nation's interest", my Aunt Fanny.

I suppose, now that Mr. Martin has nothing to do with his former shipping company (CSL), since his sons took over, he can open the money taps to help others. How selfless.




CPAC: Gomery Inquiry -- worth listening to


Lafleur gave thousands to Liberals and urged employees to do the same, commission hears Hubert Bauch, March 09, 2005, CanWest News Service, Montreal Gazette

"Bringing to mind Auditor General Sheila Fraser's recent work on the sponsorship program, he then joked that auditors are ``the lawyers of today.'' "

Chretien takes swipe at Martin during church address Jack Aubry, CanWest, Mar. 9, 05

OTTAWA - It appears Jean Chretien can't help talking about Paul Martin even when he's addressing a small audience in a church hall. [. . . . ]

Chretien has been working for Canadian businesses to open doors with foreign governments. Since stepping down as prime minister in December 2003, he has travelled to Russia, Iran, China, Congo, Angola and Nigeria.

. . . repressive regimes such as Turkmenistan . . . at the United Nations meeting world leaders African ones in particular.

[. . . . ] While Ottawa's conflict-of-interest rules for former ministers are directed at lobbying the Canadian government, Chretien's international work on behalf of business appears to be free of rules.

Has this man no sense of place? He still has not grown in stature -- he is still da "liddle" guy.




Family films are ignored by elites March 9, 2005, Michael Coren, Toronto Sun

THE Oscars came and went. Another spasm of self-congratulation and indulgence. Especially ironic in that the major movie studios are in serious financial trouble and people are staying away from theatres in increasingly large numbers.

But Hollywood has never been concerned about people. [. . . . ]

Do you not get sick of the smut and violence? Coren suggests we "Fight back."




Sharia -- Do we really want this in Canada? -- apostasy

Sharia a bad fit here Peter Worthington, March 6, 2005, Toronto Sun

[. . . . ] "Apostasy," in English dictionaries, is renunciation of one's religion. Under Muslim law: "A male apostate, or murtadd is liable to be put to death if he continues (to be) obstinate in his error." A woman apostate "is not subject to capital punishment, but may be kept in confinement until she recants."

If either husband or wife renounces their faith in Islam, divorce is automatic -- the marriage is dissolved.

If an underage boy renounces Islam "he is not put to death, but is to be imprisoned until he comes to full age when, if he continues in the state of unbelief, he must be put to death."

All things considered, it's small wonder that Muslims who change their religion often either deny they've changed, or won't admit it. Those who have switched faith in some countries (like Bangladesh) have been killed -- not by law, but by those who believe they are instruments of Allah by killing apostates. [. . . . ]

In my view, the propaganda effect in Muslim countries of Canada seeming to adopt Sharia law, would damage the cause of many who are trying to bring Islam out of the 14th century and into the 21st, and want to end the tyranny of religious bigotry.

My name is Beatrice Fernando, and I am the newest member of the American Anti-Slavery Group's "Bearing Witness Program" for survivors of slavery. I Abolish Slavery website -- Mar. 9, 05

I am a native of Sri Lanka and a survivor of slavery. On behalf of the many survivors of slavery in the "Bearing Witness Program," I want to thank you for your support. Because of you, we have a platform to speak out, tell our story, and help play a leadership role in the anti-slavery movement.

I am proud to report to you that tomorrow I will be testifying to Congress on modern-day slavery. The hearing on "Combating Human Trafficking" is being held by the House International Relations Committee at 11 a.m. I will be on a panel of experts, including the director of the State Department's Trafficking Office.

I am the only survivor of slavery speaking. I will be sharing my story with congressional leaders and suggesting new policies – based on my experience – that the US government can implement. [. . . . ]

My desperation to give him a better life has driven me to leave him with my parents, to go to Lebanon and be a maid.

At the job agent's office in Beirut, my passport is taken away. [. . . . ]