Category: Law

Canada, Economics, Law1 Comment

Mealy-mouthed Revisions of History

Podritske

A recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada (SCOC) may reveal why this country will never develop more significant economic prosperity domestically let alone in world trade. Global News reports of a decision over Section 121 of the Constitution. A New Brunswick resident had been fined for purchasing beer and spirits in Quebec which he was transporting to his home across Provincial boundaries into New Brunswick. Gerard Comeau was stopped by RCMP, issued a summons on behalf of the New Brunswick government and his purchases were confiscated. Mr. Comeau challenged the actions under Section 121 of the Constitution Act, … Continue reading Mealy-mouthed Revisions of History

Canada, Economics, Ethics, Law, News, Politics1 Comment

Anarchists For “Climate Change”

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If you’ve not heard, Kinder Morgan, a pipeline construction company has suspended all but “necessary expenditures” in the construction of a massive project involving an energy pipeline installation from Alberta through British Columbia to the Pacific coast. The company has taken this action in light of a major political dispute between the governments of the two provinces aforementioned. Briefly, Alberta wants the project to move forward with haste. The government depends on the energy loot from taxation and needs to be seen as addressing a high unemployment situation in the province. The government of British Columbia on the other hand … Continue reading Anarchists For “Climate Change”

Law, Media, Politics1 Comment

Force Majeure

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In recent weeks, the news with the most dangerous implications for human liberty did not come from anywhere between the eastern Mediterranean and the Hindu Kush. Rather, it developed within the short distance between Big Business, USA and Washington, DC. The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and companion Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) introduced respectively in the House and Senate of the US Congress were on the verge of being pushed to a favourable vote when a public backlash temporarily arrested further progress. I draw attention to the use of the word “progress” to clarify that I am using it … Continue reading Force Majeure

Canada, Law, PoliticsLeave a comment

Driving Distractions

Podritske

During a recent drive through Alberta, Canada I was distracted by the ubiquitous highway regulatory signs warning, “DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW IN EFFECT”. On long drives (mine was 12 hours) one has opportunity to think about many things, although thinking and driving could be distracting—and possibly against Alberta law. I thought about the law itself. What does it really mean, and how will alleged breaches be prosecuted? The authorities have posted a FAQ page about the law which is both helpful and revealing. Perniciously enough, police officers are allowed considerable discretion in writing tickets for “distracted driving”. So, for example, one … Continue reading Driving Distractions

Ethics, Government, Law1 Comment

Kafka and Kelley

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Kelley Williams-Bolar may not be familiar with the literary works of Franz Kafka, but her life recently has been a Kafkaesque nightmare. After serving 10 days in jail, convicted on a charge of falsifying residency documents, she faces 3 years probation and slave-duty to the State with 80 hours of “community service”. Why? She wanted her two daughters to attend a safer school than the one designated for her home in downtown Akron, Ohio. The area is riddled with crime mostly related to the illicit drug trade; police have recorded 12 break-ins at her residence. Kelley’s father, Edward Williams, lives … Continue reading Kafka and Kelley

Ethics, Foreign Policy, Law, PoliticsLeave a comment

Moving Targets

Podritske

WARNING: (It is not my usual practice to infuse my writing with profanity. It is in my view an unnecessary embellishment. There are times however when certain terms have no appropriate substitute in making a point. This article is one of those occasions.–E.P.) Among thousands of words written about the announcement by United States Attorney General Eric Holder that five of the “suspected” terrorists, until now detained at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, would be tried in civilian court in the Southern District of New York, there is one word that rarely appears: justice. Something other than … Continue reading Moving Targets

Law, Media, Politics2 Comments

Score Another for Reality

Podritske

Thursday, 12 November 2009 As most of North American media representatives, politicians, and senior military brass (yes, even them,) publicly trip over each other in their efforts to appear inoffensive to Muslims when commenting on the terrorist-style attack at Fort Hood by “alleged” killer Major Nidal Malik Hasan, it’s refreshing to hear of a political figure who advances a different approach. Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has just issued a new guide for immigrants wishing to become Canadian citizens. It is available today. The primary purpose of the new study guide is to lend some substance to the … Continue reading Score Another for Reality

Law, Media, PoliticsLeave a comment

A Shot in the Light

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In the aftermath of the shooting rampage at Fort Hood, what do we know about the “suspect,” Major Nadil Malik Hasan? Instead of dwelling for too long on the rampant media speculation about what may have “driven” Hasan to commit such a despicable act, it should be noted that a lengthy investigation needs to be completed in order to build the evidentiary case. From the crime scene itself to the offices of Homeland Security, multiple jurisdictions including local police, Army, FBI, ATF and others are now involved in successfully prosecuting this bastard. Motive is lower on the list when physical … Continue reading A Shot in the Light

Ethics, Government, Law, PoliticsLeave a comment

The “Czar Czar”

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US President Barack Obama is appointing another “Czar” to serve at his pleasure. This time it is a “Pay Czar,” who will oversee compensation matters relative to the many new government-controlled enterprises and bailed-out firms, which is fast becoming the real “growth industry” in America: i.e. corporatism, industrial policy or economic fascism. The recent count is apparently now up to 18 such non-cabinet posts. The executive practice of appointing aides with cabinet level authority has been utilized by the White House for some time and it fell to considerable criticism when George W. Bush was serving. Most of the justifiable … Continue reading The “Czar Czar”

Law, Politics1 Comment

Rags to Robes

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In the apparently awful, corrupt or “unfair” country that Barack Obama wants to “change” into some sort of neo-fascist Italian or European socialist utopia, a Hispanic woman aged 54 has been nominated by him to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States. Could Sonia Sotomayor have achieved such stature in say, any other country? Notably, Sotomayor rose from a poor background in the Bronx projects where her uneducated, laborer father died when she was only 9 years old. She studied at Princeton University and graduated Yale Law. Not bad for such an awful country to allow such a … Continue reading Rags to Robes