Sun to set on post 9/11 police powers. · Saturday February 10, 2007 by colin newell
Canada is set to roll-back some of the police powers the Canadian government and courts granted post 9/11.
The Canadian Liberal party, currently in partnership with the NDP and Conservatives in a minority government, have withdrawn support for the controversial laws set to expire at the end of next week.
The former Liberal majority government, under then prime minister Jean Chretien, rushed the sweeping changes in the stressful weeks following 9/11, arguing law-enforcement needed better tools for dealing with the palpable threat of terror.
In response to concerns the new laws would trample civil liberties, the government of the day placed a sunset clause on the far-reaching legislation. Well, the day is almost upon us.
The current Conservative government (in minority) have tabled a motion to extend the provisions of the law for three years. Lacking Liberal, NDP and Bloc(French) support the bill will die on the vine.
This shift of thinking from the Liberal left has shocked many in the security industry, not surprisngly.
This claw-back of police powers puts Canada on a substantially more moderate track than World security partners, the U.S., Britain and Australia.
Canada’s security laws function thusly: A preventive arrest clause allows police to arrest suspects without warrant and detain them for upwards of 48 hours or more, without charge — if they (the police) suspect that the subjects of interest may do something or are thinking of doing something unlawful.
In the 5 years since the act has come into force, it has never been used. Yes neighbor, we Canadian’s are that law abiding. Although I have to admit, there have been times where I have had unlawful thoughts. You know: Will I pass the car ahead of me over a double-solid line?
Anyway, I think we are on the right track – but I can only speak for Canadians… not meaning to set any examples for anyone else, begging your pardon and all `eh.
Big Banks shrink staff to enhance obscene profit margins · Monday February 5, 2007 by colin newell
Bank of Montreal, Canada’s fourth- largest bank, plans to cut about 1,000 jobs, or almost 3 percent of its workforce, to reduce costs as profit growth slows.
I hate big banks.
The bank will post a one-time cost of C$88 million ($74.8 million) in the fiscal first quarter to cover the job cuts, the Toronto-based lender said today in a statement. Bank of Montreal reports earnings on March 1.
We owe it to our customers, our employees and our shareholders to have lean, efficient support functions, simplified processes, fewer layers and to eliminate duplication across our enterprise,’‘ Chief Executive Officer Anthony Comper said today in the statement. Comper, 61, is stepping down as CEO in March.
Right. I hate banks.
The job cuts would be the biggest by a Canadian lender since Royal Bank of Canada, the country’s biggest bank, eliminated 1,660 jobs in 2004. A year later, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, the No. 5 bank, cut 950 jobs.
Hate banks. hate banks.
Bank of Montreal will cut head office positions and fire support staff who don’t deal directly with customers in cities including Toronto, Montreal and Chicago, spokesman Ralph Marranca said in an interview. Most of the cuts will happen by November.
Reminds me of two experiences with the Bank of Montreal.
BMO closed a branch in the Okanagon region of B.C. and forced thousands of seniors to drive the extra 75 miles (one-way) to the remaining branch in the region.
When asked (by CBC radio), the regional manager of BMO said they closed the branch to better serve the seniors.
I hate banks.
I had a BMO account from the time I was 11 years old… 20+ years in the same location. I had over-draft protection on my account and all my retirement investments with them. When they closed my branch to serve me better, I got a collections notice within 5 days for the 250$ of over-draft on my account.
When the biddie manager of this soon-to-close branch asked why I was pulling all my investments, I replied…
To serve you better!
I hate banks. Hate ‘em.
Downsize me... [1]
50 years, 26 countries World Tour... · Wednesday January 31, 2007 by colin newell
There is talk starting to circulate that the U.S.A. may use nuclear weapons against Iran. Anyway you slice it, this is utter insanity. Knowing that, you are probably thinking that America would never just come out and drop bombs on just anybody. Well, lemme jog your memory about American foreign policy over the last 50 years.Read a good report here
The following is a list of countries the U.S. has bombed since WWII. Now I know what you are thinking: These countries needed to be bombed to protect the World from terrorism, fascism, communism and socialism. You know, to keep the World free from tyranny and opression. Right. Maintain World Peace through perpetual War. So. Here you are. 26 countries. Millions of lives snuffed out. Enjoy.
* China (1945-46)
* Korea and China (1950-53--Korean War)
* Guatemala (1954)
* Indonesia (1958)
* Cuba (1959-61)
* Guatemala (1960)
* Congo (1964)
* Peru (1965)
* Laos (1964-73)
* Vietnam (1961-73)
* Cambodia (1969-70)
* Guatemala (1967-69)
* Grenada (1983)
* Lebanon (1983, 1984 -- both Lebanese and Syrian targets)
* Libya (1986)
* El Salvador (1980s)
* Nicaragua (1980s)
* Iran (1987)
* Panama (1989)
* Iraq (1991 to present)
* Kuwait (1991)
* Somalia (1993)
* Bosnia (1994, 1995)
* Sudan 1998
* Afghanistan (1998, 2001-02)
* Yugoslavia (1999)
* Iran (200?)
Comments? [2]
U.S. develops yet another tool for abusing civilians... · Friday January 26, 2007 by colin newell
The US military has given the first public display of what it says is a revolutionary heat-ray weapon to repel enemies or disperse hostile crowds.
Called the Active Denial System, it projects an invisible high energy beam that produces a sudden burning feeling.
Military officials, who say the gun is harmless, believe it could be used as a non-lethal way of making enemies surrender their weapons.
Officials said there was wide-ranging military interest in the technology.
Heat energy up to 54C (130F) penetrates less than 0.5mm of skin
Manufacturers say this avoids injury, although long-term effects are not known… link
Ok. Here is the deal. I worked with a variety of microwave transmitting systems* (for the Canadian Federal Government) for about 4 years. The hazards of heating from microwave radiation are well known and published widely.
This kind of radiation damages your eyes and it can damage your D.N.A.
Anything AND I MEAN ANYTHING that the U.S. military says about this system is utter bull$hit.
For the record, I am a federally and provincially certified journeyman electronics and telecommunications technician fully qualified to operate, design and rebuild all manner of high power transmitting and receiving equipment.
Deal or no Deal? [4]
