Update: Polygamy, Alghabra, Haj Deaths

If ever there were an issue where the supremacy of Parliament over an appointed judiciary is important, it is on the slippery slope of marriage -- same sex and multiple partner polygamy.

Judging polygamy Jan. 14, 06, NP

[. . . . ] We do not deny that judges have an important role ... But identifying and protecting rights, minority and majority alike, is too crucial to be left to the courts alone. The polygamy issue demonstrates the ridiculousness of Mr. Martin's notwithstanding pledge. Ultimately, balancing rights is the job of a democratically accountable government. [. . . . ]

Yesterday, I had posted this: Update: Harsh? No, Realistic re Legal Polygamy: The Bailey Report, ... on "CALL FOR LEGAL POLYGAMY" which graced the Jan. 12, 06 front page of the National Post. All under the guise of helping women and children: Federal Justice Dept study recommends repealing polygamy ban in Canada -- "change other legislation to help women and children" January 12, 2006

Don't miss today's update post in the Western Standard / Shotgun: Paul Tuns: Canadian Islamic Congress' hidden agenda Jan 14, 06, Shotgun -- gay marriage -- sharia -- Can polygamy be far behind?



The Right To Choose January 13, 2006, Epitasis, the motto of which site is so appropos.

We will never know how many acts of cowardice have been committed out of fear of being thought insufficiently progressive. Charles Peguy

Canada's not activist, impartial Supreme Court justices and the aftermath, government helping

Put it altogether and what do you get? A mess. Crabbers sue feds -- $156-million lawsuit -- "paid too steep a price for opening up the fishery to natives following the Supreme Court of Canada ruling in the Donald Marshall case"

The Marshall decision says that aboriginals in the Maritimes have the right to fish for a moderate livelihood. Ottawa promised it would buy back licences to make room for native fishermen.

But the crab fishermen allege the Fisheries Department instead reduced individual quota shares without compensation and gave them to First Nations. [. . . . ]

Appointees and government, gerrymandering, helping, and creating more problems ... again.

This is not a group the feds will be able shush easily. They get vocal! That--or part of that--area gets higher EI than other parts of the province ... because they're activists too.

It is definitely time for TROC to become activists in their own interest to vote out the ones who appoint, gerrymander, and deliver the Pork Supreme.


Omar's back [Alghabra] -- with a link to an interview in the Jewish Tribune Liberal candidate’s position -- ‘I don’t believe Hamas wants elimination of Israel’ By Rick Kardonne, Jan. 5, 06, Tribune Correspondent

MISSISSAUGA – [. . . . ] Alghabra, former head of the Canadian Arab Federation, told the Jewish Tribune that he has “always spoken out against extremism and violence against civilians.” But when asked whether he would specifically denounce suicide bombers, he would not comment, claiming that he was being “trapped.” [. . . . ]

Well, we certainly wouldn't want him to be trapped, would we? Maybe he could just be straightforward?



Hajj stampede not our fault say Saudi officials CTV, Jan. 13 2006

Saudi officials have denied that police could have done more to prevent Thursday's hajj stampede which left at least 363 Muslim pilgrims dead.

The pilgrims died during a symbolic stone-throwing ritual outside the holy city of Mecca. Hundreds more were injured. [. . . . ]

The stoning ritual has seen deadly stampedes in the past, including one in 1990 that killed 1,426 people and another in February 2004 that killed 244. [. . . . ]

When the wrath of the gods was delivered in various disasters around the world, the extremists attributed it to the gods' displeasure. In this case, was Allah displeased about something? ...



Management Team -- Diversion

A Japanese company and an American company decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River. Both the teams practiced hard and long to reach their peak performance before the race.

On the big day the Japanese won by a mile.

Afterward, the American team became very discouraged and morally depressed.

The American management decided the reason for the crushing defeat had to be found. A "Management Team" made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 8 persons steering and one person rowing. So American management hired a consulting company and paid them an incredible amount of money. They advised that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

To prevent losing to the Japanese again next year, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 3 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 1 person rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the "Rowing Team Quality First Program," with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rower.

"We must give the rower the empowerment and enrichments through this quality program.".

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

Humiliated, the American management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted development of a new canoe, sold the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. Then they distributed the money saved as bonuses to the senior executives.

Thank goodness this is just a story and this sort of thing doesn't happen in real life eh?

Right ... and thanks JK.