Updated: China, Internet, Immigration, World Bank, Shapiro, Islamists

Update Mar. 9, 06:

News Junkie Canada, Aug. 25, 2004 with information on gangs and organized crime, among other things. (Note that it is not on Frost Hits the Rhubarb). I discovered link errors but the corrected links are below

http://newsjunkiecanada.blogspot.com/2004_08_25_newsjunkiecanada_archive.html

Links correct as of Mar. 9, 06: This goes with a post below entitled "Gremlins at my links again?".

ASIAN ORGANIZED CRIME AND TERRORIST ACTIVITY IN CANADA, 1999-2002, A Report Prepared by the Federal Research Division, Library of Congress under an Interagency Agreement with the United States Government, July 2003 -- Researcher: Neil S. Helfand, Project Manager: David L. Osborne, Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/pdf-files/AsianOrgCrime_Canada.pdf

CENSORING THE OLYMPICS by Amir Taheri -- still available and worth reading

http://www.benadorassociates.com/article/6578

Ottawa to review security August 24, 2004

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2004/08/24/599407.html

The two that follow are no longer available:
Women are ruining the Olympics
The Muslim Olympics


End of Mar. 9, 06 update

---

Updates:

The template has changed so now older posts are listed at the bottom. This generally happens when I post about China, organized crime, and related matters--the usual shenanigans. I did not make any changes. For some reason, not only do posts get lost and links change but it is no longer possible to be assured that when we post on Blogger / Google, the posts will remain. Why do you suppose that happens? Make an educated guess. NJC

Previous Posts -- some of them, anyway

[now updated: China, Internet, Immigration, World Bank, Shapiro, Islamists]

Updated: Aboriginal Ed, Communist Dictators, Ports, Etc.
Angry in the GWN/Steve Janke--a Must Read
Jack: Citizenship Judges--a must read
Updated: Monday Morning Rain
Wash your eyes out ...
Bud Talkinghorn &
In Memoriam: RCMP Officers Mayerthorpe
The more things change ...
Book: Gomery, Global Taxes, Cuba, China-Nuclear, Etc.

Good books -- but good for whom?

Related: Excellent, reasoned, worth reading

Barbara Kay: A 'neutral' take on the Middle East? Hardly , National Post, Mar. 8, 06
Re: Jonathan Kay on the book for children 9-12, "Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak"

[....] He admits to one reservation, however: "The only thing [author Deborah] Ellis might be faulted for is not providing more detail about how Arab leaders encourage such murderous hatred."

But what he perceives as a mere shortcoming I believe corrupts the whole enterprise.
Cultural context is totally lacking in Three Wishes. Nowhere does Ellis mention the disparity in Palestinian and Israelis' treatment of each other in their educational material. Palestinian Media Watch notes that a study of 480 Israeli textbooks, including those of the ultra-religious, didn't find a single hateful reference to Palestinians, but Palestinian schoolchildren are bombarded by schoolbooks, songs ("Allah Akhbar, how sweet is self-sacrifice"), media harangues, posters and cultural activities all promoting hatred of Jews and the virtue of shahada, martyrdom. [. . . . ]

After reading this, I would have to conclude that Barbara Kay is right.



Hamas Launches Web Site Encouraging Kids to Become 'Martyrs'

Scroll to "Awww, they blow up so fast, don't they?" -- Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)

The Palestinian Authority's ruling Hamas terror group has launched a web site for children, preaching the moral desirability of being a suicide terrorist through cartoons and children's stories.

The Hamas-run Al-Fateh.net glorifies shahada, martyrdom, and presents the deaths of terrorists attacking Israelis as a time of celebration, according to a report by Palestinian Media Watch. [. . . . ]

Mount Saint Vincent one of the few universities to ban plagiarism-detection software re: Turnitin.com

Both perspectives, "privacy" vs "guilt, fear and suspicion" can be argued. My solution in one sample instance follows: I would accept nothing written at home without demonstrating knowledge of the area of research in question in the classroom, either written or orally and extemporaneously. Essays are too easy to plagiarize and students become expert in cutting, pasting, and writing connecting phrases.

Students do all the research and reading they need to do for a particular topic outside the class. Then, in class within a three hour or more period of time, they must write an essay on one of a few particular aspects of that topic -- answering one or several questions requiring, not just knowledge gleaned from research and reading, but coming to conclusions which weren't available from the research or which must use the research to respond, along with a good dollop of common sense, critical faculty and writing ability to put it together in a personally unique way while demonstrating advance in learning. There are oral possibilities, but the idea is that the student not plagiarize -- at least not without learning.



Alex Himelfarb, Canada's ambassador to Italy, Albania and the Republic of San Marino, and High Commissioner to Malta.


138 pieces of high-tech equipment stolen from B.C. government last year


Nations race for share of North


Editorial: Shapiro must go


BCE spins off new trust


Mark Evans: BCE at crossroad to consolidation -- Market may boil down to scale and financial flexibility -- "This consolidation is a far cry from the heady days of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that aimed to foster competition and give consumers more choice." FinPost, Mar. 8, 06



Toronto Hydro joins Wi-Fi wars Mark Evans, Mar. 8, 06, FinPost

Dave Dobbin, Toronto Hydro Telecom's chief executive, said the move into the wireless market makes sense. The utility already has a fibre-optic network that is underused, it owns the light poles to install the wireless equipment, and it will help with the implementation of a smart-meter program being mandated by the province by 2010.

Anne Marie Owens: Small school sparks wireless furor NatPost, Mar. 8, 06

[. . . . ] Prof. Gilbert concedes most of the findings suggest the impact stems from what is considered chronic exposure, but he says it's still too early to tell what counts as minimal exposure, particularly with the newer WiFi technology. [. . . . ]

What interests me, besides the obvious, is the criticism of anyone who doesn't go along -- familiar to many, is it not?



Chris Cobb: Cancer-causing carcinogens all too common -- After investigating the links between common toxins and cancer rates, Wendy Mesley was shocked by her findings Ottawa Citizen, Mar. 5, 06

The greatest cause of rising cancer rates is not genetic but environmental, says Mae Burrows, a Canadian environmentalist pushing for legislation that will force companies to declare all carcinogens on consumer product labels.

"There is lots of stuff we should be avoiding," she says during an interview on the show. "But there is absolutely no requirement to label a product if it has a carcinogenic in it. I'd like to see laundry detergents labelled, I'd like to see pet supplies labelled and I'd like to see personal care products labelled. What we're saying to industry is that we know you can reformulate these products without carcinogens. Do it. Make changes and you can still make a buck."

Ms. Mesley says it's almost impossible for most consumers to decode or investigate chemicals listed on products. "I've had cancer and I've spent the last year thinking about this story," she says, "and I haven't memorized all the chemicals I have to look for.

"People are busy with jobs and families and they assume the Canadian Cancer Society and Health Canada are looking after them -- if there is something on the shelves that is harming them, it will be taken care of. [.... ]

Muslim 'student' launches jihad in North Carolina


Et tu, Fukuyama?


Turning a blind eye


Cabinet is not strong without integrity


The other riots -- "the slow-burn riots in China" -- comments and discussion of communism -- See ET, Nomdenet, JR




Globe and Mail: CSIS warned Ottawa of Beijing media plot

ahdu88.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_ahdu88_archive.html


Friday, January 13, 2006: Chinese Communist Show to Celebrate Torture on US/Canada Stage

See also Terry O'Neill: Canada-China: Where is our 'Foreign Aid' dollar going?
Between Heaven and Earth





Guy Millière: The Murder of Ilan Halimi FrontPageMagazine.com March 7, 2006

[. . . . ] In the days since the dying Halimi was discovered, some journalists have been making ugly discoveries. The gang of thugs (they called themselves "the Barbarians") had sequestered the young man in an apartment that had been rented by the doorman of the building. The doorman knew what had been happening but did nothing. Many other residents in the building had heard a man screaming, but had decided to mind their own business instead of calling for help, even anonymously. "When you live here, you think about yourself and only about yourself," one of them said.

The screams must have been loud because the torture was especially atrocious: the thugs cut bits off the flesh of the young man, they cut his fingers and ears, they burned him with acid, and in the end poured flammable liquid on him and set him on fire. [. . . . ]

Barbarism -- Now is the time to take a stand here in North America. As a first step, think about this; I have a friend who has just subscribed to the Western Standard who said: "To subscribe to and read this is a gift".

End of updates

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A liberal is a man who leaves a room when the fight begins. Heywood Broun

Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views. William F Buckley, Jr

Liberals, it has been said, are generous with other peoples' money, except when it comes to questions of national survival when they prefer to be generous with other people's freedom and security. William F Buckley, Jr

Gremlins at my links again?

Lately, I have had many visits from the Philippines and many visitors checked this: FHTR February 24, 2005: Multiculturalism, IRB, Vietnamese Immigration via Philippines, Vietnamese Asian & Other Criminal Gangs in Canada

On checking, I found two links had been changed:

Search: Asian-based networks.

Download an Adobe Acrobat .pdf copy of the whole report (Vol64_no3_e-RCMP-BikerGangs.pdf)

Note the connections between Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and Asian-based crime networks.

Adobe Acrobat .pdf copy of the whole report (Vol64_no3_e-RCMP-BikerGangs.pdf)

National Strategy to Combat Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs

Gazette, Vol. 64, No. 3, 2002, "Canada's Crackdown on Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs"

This is a source for information: Nathanson Center for the Study of Organized Crime and Corruption -- Menu includes Q1_2000 to Q4_2005

Note: When links are bad, it usually is worthwhile to check further. Also search for more information under this heading: "ASIAN ORGANIZED CRIME AND TERRORIST ACTIVITY IN CANADA, 1999-2002"




Cybercriminals stepping up targeted attacks Reuters, Mar 07 07

Cybercriminals are stepping up smaller, more targeted attacks as they seek to avoid detection and reap bigger profits by stealing personal and financial information, according to a report issued Monday.

Search: China

Worth reading



China and the break-up of the net -- Chinese ideas about the setting up its own domain name system could change the global nature of the internet, argues internet law professor Michael Geist.

Michael Geist holds the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law.

[. . . . ] The People's Daily article suggested that China was implementing several new Chinese character domains, including .China, .com, and .net.

While that alone would attract attention, the article went on to state that as a consequence of the changes, "internet users don't have to surf the web via the servers under the management of Icann of the United States." [. . . . ]

Given its continued interest in censoring certain online content, a national root that excludes large chunks of the existing global internet may ultimately emerge as an attractive option to Chinese lawmakers. [. . . . ]

Listed below are posts on China, internet, South and Southeast Asia related articles posted Monday, Mar. 6, 06: "Updated: Monday Morning Rain [map inserted Mar. 8, 06]"

Silk Road -- "The Silk Road's History, Development, Operation and Significance"

Why Handset Giants Are Dialing Up India -- Taxes have dropped, there's less red tape, and the market is booming May 9, 05

China telecom co plans R&D centre in Bangalore March 19, 2004

India, ZTE´s Promising Target Market -- "Ms Fang Rong, Vice President of ZTE Corporation, delivered a speech. "The 12th Convergence India 2004, as an international telecommunication exhibition, offers India Telecom Industry and ZTE excellent opportunity to communicate and exchange ideas and experience." ZTE Presented Its Powerful Strengths at 12th Convergence India 2004 2004-03-22 -- and there are other countries listed that might be worth checking.

'Chinese Putin' gets tough on Internet's 'dangerous ideas By Willy Lam*, World Tribune.com, March 2, 2006

Jail takes glint off £300m 'bling bling' drugs gang Andrew Worden, Mar 3 2006

TransCanada warns it must build Canadian leg of Alaska gas pipeline March 6, 2006 -- Search: China may invest in Enbridge Alberta Clipper oil pipeline to U.S. Midwest

Google, Google, Google by M.Makina, January 30, 2006

Immigration Articles

Since information disappears without warning from webpages and sites no longer exist, readers might be interested in these articles.

Several articles concerning immigration and related chicanery -- McAdam, Read, Hong Kong, RCMP, and more

Title: Further details revealed about Hong Kong `scam'
Source: Edmonton Journal, September 10, 1999, Final Edition, p.A10 ....

Title: The story so far
Byline: Fabian Dawson; Staff Reporter
Source: The Province (Vancouver), August 29, 1999, Final Edition, p.A3 ....

Title: Were our officials bribed in Hong Kong?: Mounties are investigating a night at the races and little red envelopes stuffed with dollars
Byline: Fabian Dawson; Staff Reporter
Source: The Province (Vancouver), August 29, 1999, Final Edition, p.A2 ....

Title: Mountie suspended in consulate probe
Byline: For the Calgary Herald; The Province
Source: Calgary Herald, September 3, 1999, Final Edition, p.A10 ....

Title: Mountie accuses RCMP of a coverup
Source: The Province (Vancouver), August 26, 1999, Final Edition, p.A3 ....

Title: RCMP may have `botched' Hong Kong probe
Source: Times Colonist (Victoria), September 9, 1999, Final Edition, p.A8 ....

Title: Fraud began 40 years ago at consulate, ex-official says:
Officers charge cover-up after RCMP probe
Byline: Tim Harper
Source: The Toronto Star, September 3, 1999, First Edition ....

Title: Mountie vows to keep fighting over visa frauds: Won't `go away'
despite suspension for talking to press
Byline: Tim Harper
Source: The Toronto Star, September 4, 1999, First Edition ....

Title: MPs seek probe of visa cover-up
Byline: Fabian Dawson; Staff Reporter
Source: The Province (Vancouver), December 2, 1999, Final Edition, p.A24 ....

Title: 'Whitewash': An RCMP probe into alleged improprieties at the Canadian mission in Hong Kong fails to answer key questions, critics say
Byline: Fabian Dawson; Staff Reporter
Source: The Province (Vancouver), December 23, 1999, Final Edition, p.A6 ....

CTV.ca Criminal Immigrants

And we asked for an interview with Alain Jolicoeur, president of the Canada Border ... But an Immigration Department report obtained by W-FIVE offers some ... - 6 Mar 2006

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060303/WFIVE_immigration_060303/20060304?hub=WFive

[. . . . ] Quota system

Kurland's theory is backed up by an internal Immigration report obtained by W-FIVE that states: "…removal officers also reported that they are required to meet quotas … the number of removals … comes first, not the quality of the work they do."

W-FIVE tried to find out how many criminals are at large in Canada waiting to be deported. Immigration wouldn't tell us. And we asked for an interview with Alain Jolicoeur, president of the Canada Border Services Agency and the man in charge of deporting criminals. But he refused.

But an Immigration Department report obtained by W-FIVE offers some insight: In 2003, in Toronto alone, 1,704 criminals, ordered out of the country had yet to be deported.

And nearly 1,600 of them, many serious offenders, were free to walk the streets. [. . . . ]

Yesterday I checked the Western Standard and one of Ezra Levant's posts which led to comments from maz2 which led to this. Note the date.


A letter re: appointment of Shapiro as ethics commissioner.

Gregory J. Levine
Barrister and Solicitor
London, Ontario

May 23, 2004
Hon. Jacques Saada
Parliament of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario

Sir,

Re. Appointment of Ethics Commissioner - Letter Dated May 19, 2004

[....] I am astounded and even outraged that your government could not see its way to create an open process which would enhance the visibility and reputation of this most important office as well as one which could have specified clearly and forthrightly the qualifications by which candidates= applications would be judged.

I am troubled by the following paragraph in your letter:

In selecting a candidate for the position of Ethics Commissioner, the government of Canada first consulted experts. A list of credible candidates was compiled based on these consultations. These candidates were then contacted to determine their interest in the position of Ethics Commissioner and were provided with background material pertinent to the position. Several candidates were interviewed. Based on these interviews, Dr. Bernard Shapiro was selected the government's proposed appointment for the position of Ethics Commissioner.

Surely expertise should have been sought on the criteria for selection and then the position could have been advertized. What expertise was seen as needed for this position and why. [....]

Further, to rely on suggestions of a few experts about some select candidates seems incredibly myopic. How were your experts chosen and why would their choosing of candidates be better than letting people apply? The chosen few get to choose the chosen few. [....]

There is more if you link to the webpage.




Is Wolfowitz ruining the World Bank? "Looks like Paul Wolfowitz is bringing his trademark combination of ideology and incompetence to the World Bank." Joshua Holland, Alternet, March 6, 2006

Wolfowitz in effect, forced a political appointment at the director level, which is rather unheard of, especially since directorships are lower in the administrative stratosphere and are traditionally filled following an open competitive process based on merit, not political imposition.

Another glaring example of presidential fiat came with the appointment of the Bank's new corruption czar

Joshua Holland is a staff writer at Alternet and a regular contributor to The Gadflyer.

http://alternet.org/blogs/themix/33191/#more -- for comments


Putin's war with radical Islamists By Dmitry Shlapentokh

Russia - which usually makes world news only in relation to gas and oil - has recently emerged as an important foreign-policy broker. President Vladimir Putin's government has engaged in shuttle diplomacy between Iran and the West and between Hamas and the West. [....]