John Baird has never been one of my favourite politicians. There is too much of the bully about him. Nonetheless, I applaud him for his speech Monday in the UK in which he criticized other Commonwealth nations for denying fundamental freedoms to homosexuals and others. “Dozens of Commonwealth countries currently
Continue readingTag: human rights
wmtc: a call to obama: end detentions at guantánamo
Ten years, and still the concentration camp at Guantánamo Bay remains open. Ten years, and still 150 human beings remain imprisoned without charges, without trial. There have been deaths from torture, and cover-ups. There have been medical experiments. Child prisoners have come of age. Prisoners have been quietly released. And
Continue readingwmtc: bradley manning support network is asking for our help
If you’re interested in taking part in some activism against the US military and in support of Bradley Manning – without leaving the comfort of home – go here as soon as possible. The Bradley Manning Support Network is trying to get one of most egregious charges against Manning, “Aiding
Continue reading350 or bust: There’s Nothing “Ethical” About Tar Sands Oil
If anybody reading this is wondering about whether or not Canada’s tar sands oil is “ethical” or not, this presentation by photographer Garth Lenz, from TEDx Victoria this past November, will leave no doubt: * More links: Garth Lenz.com Indigenous Environmental Network: Tar Sands Campaign
Continue reading350 or bust: Take Time To Renew Your Spirit
Paul Kamm and Eleanore MacDonald are a Northern California-based folk duo. This song, Ship Gonna Sail, was written to discouraged activists several years ago: Paul wrote the song with the late Utah Phillips in response to frustration their local Peace Center friends felt when they tried to affect change, in
Continue readingShirish Chotalia: so this is what Conservatives mean by ‘human rights’
I’ve had too many bosses to count over my career in IT. Most were fine. A few were assholes who made life unbearable for the staff. So it’s always worth a fist pump when I read something like this. The rulings that Shirish Chotalia, the Conservative-appointed chairperson of the Canadian
Continue readingPaul S. Graham: Gerry Caplan: Solidarity, not charity
Gerry Caplan is a former CUSO field officer, author of The Betrayal of Africa, a weekly, online columnist for The Globe and Mail, a featured television political commentator and a veteran CCF-NDP war horse. He was also my boss at CUSO for a brief period in the late 70s, something
Continue readingLarry Hubich's Blog: SFL awaits Court decision in Charter Challenge case against Bills 5 & 6
During November of 2011 the SFL et al, along with 3 intervenor unions were in court to argue that the Saskatchewan provincial government’s (2007 – 2008) labour legislation (Bills 5 & 6) violates the Charter rights of working people. The SFL team argued 3 main points: 1. People have the right to
Continue readingwmtc: barney frank’s radical homosexual agenda and other greatest hits
We can say two things about Congress in the wake of the news that Rep. Barney Frank is retiring after this term: It’s about to get a little dumber, and a lot duller. So here, in appreciation for his years of service and entertainment, are some of Frank’s best YouTube-accessible
Continue readingwmtc: malalai joya, noam chomsky, afghanistan, and peace
This video of Malalai Joya and Noam Chomsky speaking in Boston is from March of this year, but sadly, is every bit as relevant today. Chomsky’s analysis of the situation in south and central Asia is especially enlightening. It’s a long video, but maybe some evening you’ll want to watch
Continue reading350 or bust: There’s Something Happening In the Air
Need some inspiration? Check out this video: A powerful group of images of the brave people throughout our lifetime (and before) who took the front lines to sow the seeds of social change with peaceful demonstrations and were forcefully dealt with by the preservers of the status quo.
Continue readingCanadian Progressive World: Conservative MP seeks to open emotive abortion debate
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made it clear his government will not reopen the abortion debate. But Stephen Woodworth, the Conservative MP for Kitchener Centre wants to reverse course. And force Parliament to enact a …Read More
Continue reading350 or bust: An Advent Conspiracy – Mending the World
As this is the season for traditions, here is a reposting from last December: There is a Hebrew phrase, Tikkun Olam, which means mending or perfecting the world. For many of the Jewish faith, Tikkun Olam has come to connote social action and the pursuit of social justice. Yesterday was
Continue readingwmtc: write for rights: spotlight on reggie clemons
Black man. White murder victims. No physical evidence. Sentenced to death despite very compelling doubts about guilt. If this sounds like Troy Davis 2.0, that’s because Troy Davis was not an anomaly. His death was business-as-usual in the US’s sorry excuse for a justice system. Meet Reggie Clemons. Like Troy
Continue readingwmtc: write for rights: celebrate human rights day with amnesty
Are you participating in Write for Rights? This annual event is a simple, hands-on way you can stand up for global human rights at least once a year. Be a part of the world’s largest human rights event: Write for Rights.
Continue readingwmtc: international human rights day: mohamed harkat and indefinite detention
Today is International Human Rights Day, a day to work for and affirm human rights at home and abroad. Today also marks 9 years since Mohamed Harkat, a Canadian citizen, was arrested under a so-called security certificate. Harkat spend 43 months in jail and was eventually released under the harshest
Continue readingwmtc: tell the senate: don’t rubber-stamp the harper crime bill
From Leadnow.ca: On Monday, Prime Minister Harper’s Conservative MPs voted for the cruel Crime Bill. That night, the NDP, Liberal, Bloc and Green MPs stood together against the bill, and many of them were wearing “Safer, not meaner” buttons in solidarity with our campaign. Now, the struggle for Canadian justice
Continue reading350 or bust: Canada, You Were Once Considered A Leader On Global Issues Like Human Rights & Environmental Protection
From Postmedia News: Archbishop and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu is challenging the Canadian government’s support for the oil and gas industry, while urging it to start leading the world in addressing climate change as it did in opposing the “whites-only” rule that plagued South Africa in the 1980s. An ad
Continue readingwmtc: polygamy ruling: why are the courts still trying to protect marriage?
The recent BC Supreme Court decision upholding Canadian laws criminalizing polygamy is disappointing and dangerous. The much-quoted summary paragraph of Chief Justice Robert Bauman’s decision contained a surprising clause: the protection of marriage as an institution. I have concluded that this case is essentially about harm; more specifically, Parliament’s reasoned
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