I am a geek, world history buff, my interests and hobbies are too numerous to mention. I'm a political junkie with a cynical view. I also love law & aviation!
Monday, August 11, 2008
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Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sarah Connor Chronicles news & schedule.
Starting on Aug 10, Fox will be re-airing the entire first season of the Connor series leading up to the Season 2 premiere on Sept. 8, 2008 at 8:00-9:00 ET/PT. Here's the schedule:
Sunday, Aug. 10 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
"Pilot"
In the series premiere, Sarah Connor struggles to keep her son John Connor safe from an enemy Terminator from the future and John makes a surprising discovery about his new friend Cameron.
Monday, Aug. 11 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
"Gnothi Seauton"
Sarah makes contact with an old friend to ask a favor, while John decides to pay a visit to Sarah's ex and Cameron makes a new friend. Together they infiltrate a resistance safe house and discover they are not alone.
Tuesday, Aug. 12 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
"The Turk"
Sarah pays a visit to Miles Dyson's widow looking for Skynet's creators. Her search leads her to Andy Goode, a cell phone salesman who also happens to also be the inventor of a chess playing computer known as "The Turk."
Wednesday, Aug. 13 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
"Heavy Metal"
When Sarah, Cameron and John track down stolen cargo, they become separated from John leading him to discover the future isn't as safe as he had hoped.
Sunday, Aug. 17 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
"Queen's Gambit"
When Sarah's friend submits his computer into a chess competition, she revaluates his computer's capabilities and worries where it could all lead. During the chess match, Sarah comes face-to-face with a stranger whose history is closely tied to hers.
Monday, Aug. 18 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
"Dungeons and Dragons"
While fighting for his life and moving in and out of consciousness, Derek Reese remembers life in the future and his personal battle against the machines.
Tuesday, Aug. 19 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
"The Demon Hand"
When Sarah breaks into Agent Ellison's apartment looking for a missing endo-arm, she discovers dossiers, files and video from her stay in the mental hospital. The files lead her to hospital psychiatrist Dr. Silberman, a doomsday convert who made Sarah's hospital stay unbearable.
Wednesday, Aug. 20 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
"Vick's Chip"
John defends Cameron against a damning accusation by Derek while Sarah gets too close to a Terminator.
Sunday, Aug. 24 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
"What He Beheld"
Sarah and Derek attempt a business transaction with a questionable man, while John and Cameron find themselves in a precarious situation during a school trip. Meanwhile, Agent Ellison discovers a nemesis at the agency.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
number 89 this is bad!!
14 hours ago
ZHARI DISTRICT, Afghanistan — An investigation is underway to determine whether a Canadian soldier and soon-to-be father killed in combat early Saturday in southern Afghanistan died as a result of friendly fire by private security guarding a passing civilian convoy or a skirmish with insurgents.
Master Cpl. Josh Roberts of Saskatoon was serving as a crew commander with the 9th Platoon, Charlie Company when he was shot while in the turret of his armoured vehicle during an operation in the volatile Zhari District, west of Kandahar City.
He was flown by helicopter to the Role 3 multinational hospital at Kandahar Airfield where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Taskforce Kandahar commander Brig.-Gen Denis Thompson said fellow soldiers administered first aid but "the nature of his injuries were such that in spite of their efforts, his life could not be saved."
A member of the Second Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Roberts transferred to the regular forces from the North Saskatchewan Regiment in August 2006 and was promoted to master corporal just two weeks ago.
Capt. Scott MacGregor, acting C Company commander, described Roberts as a "bang-on-guy, a soldier's soldier."
"No matter where he worked or who he worked with, he just fit in well with everybody," he said.
Calling it "one of those tragic stories," MacGregor said Roberts was engaged to be married and his fiancee is expecting a child within the next month.
Lieut. Brian Lacoursiere, a military spokesman in Saskatoon, said Roberts' mother and stepfather live in Dalmeny, Sask., just outside of Saskatoon and his fiancee lives in Prince Albert, Sask.
However, he said members of the family weren't yet ready to speak to the media but would release a statement in the coming days, and asked their privacy be respected until then.
Major Chris Lunney of Canadian Forces Base Shilo in Manitoba said Roberts had served with the Canadian Forces for more than a decade, having started in the reserves as an infantry soldier with the Calgary Highlanders.
"He was a very outgoing, likeable man and will be missed," said Lunney in a news release. "We at the Second Battalion now focus our efforts on ensuring he is laid to rest with the honour and dignity he deserves."
At the time of his death, Roberts and his battlegroup were involved in an operation with Afghan security forces and their Canadian mentors, aimed at disrupting insurgent activity along a tract of rugged farm land known to be a Taliban hotbed.
The troops set out early to take advantage of the cooler temperatures but it wasn't until about 9 a.m. that bullets began to fly.
Members of the battlegroup drove south from an outpost on the main highway, while Afghan forces and their Canadian mentors set out on foot across two wadis to form a block on either side.
Grape farmers who'd been toiling in their fields and women and children from area villages quickly fled the battlefield just before small arms gunfire, rocket propelled grenades and 82 millimetre recoilless rifle rounds littered the scorched countryside.
Canadian troops fired back from their armoured vehicles and called in artillery strikes as Canadian mentor teams on the ground hunkered down for cover, some of them waist deep in water.
Before long, troops realized they were also being fired on from the north.
It's believed private security providing escort for a civilian convoy was heading west along the main highway when it spotted the insurgents and opened fire, likely not realizing Canadian troops were already there engaging the group of about 15 insurgents.
While he offered few details, Thompson confirmed an investigation is underway to determine whether insurgents or members of the private security company were responsible for Roberts' death.
"There was a civilian convoy in the vicinity and the incident will be investigated," Thompson told reporters at Kandahar Airfield, the main coalition base in the southern province.
"The death of Roberts is being investigated and until we have conclusive results of the investigation, I can't give you a definitive statement."
Canadian troops couldn't do their job without the help of private security firms, Thompson said.
"Without private security firms it would be impossible to achieve what we're achieving here," he said. "We just don't have the numbers to do everything."
"As an example, they secure, some of our bases."
Maj. Bob Ritchie, taskforce commander for Zhari District, said it's not uncommon for private security contractors to engage insurgents.
In fact, he said, the area where Saturday's battle took place is just two kilometres away from where five fuel trucks were attacked about a month ago.
"Private contractors routinely operate within the battle space and they provide essential security to a lot of development and stabilization groups," he said. "I don't know whether they had a legitimate target or not.
"There's going to be an investigation into all of this activity," he said.
Despite all the confusion, the top mentor said the fledgling Afghan army "performed well" during the operation and have "demonstrated increased proficiency" and are "progressively moving towards autonomy."
Training the Afghan forces is key to Canada's 2011 exit strategy from Afghanistan.
While he provide few details about the incident, Canada's top soldier in Afghanistan offered his condolences to Roberts' family.
"We are deeply affected by this loss. Josh will be greatly missed by his military family," Thompson said.
"As task force commander, I offer my deepest condolences to the members of Josh's family, to his fiancee, and to his friends and colleagues. Know that we stand with you in your grief, and we will do all we can to help you through the difficult days ahead."
Justin Rings, who served with the soldier for years in the North Saskatchewan Regiment, said Roberts called him a week ago from Afghanistan.
"He said it was hot and dusty," Rings said. "But there was a Tim Hortons, so it was all good."
He said Roberts went to Bosnia with the regiment in 2003. The soldier's latest job in Afghanistan put him in charge of making sure the soldiers in his command had everything they needed, and were doing OK emotionally and physically, he said.
"Josh was very good at what he did," he said. "Josh had a good ear, he was a good listener".
He added that while he was sad to hear of Roberts' death, he knew his friend was doing a job he believed in.
"He love soldiering. Some people are calling it a tragedy, but he died doing what he loved, so that's not a tragedy," he said.
A statement from an unnamed "best friend" delivered by Thompson described Roberts as "a no-nonsense kind of guy who lived like people dreamed."
"He was a fun-loving and genuine individual who was totally dedicated to the Army and held his section together. He looked out for his guys in ways they probably didn't realize," the statement read.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement calling Roberts an "excellent soldier" and "great Canadian" who will "not be forgotten."
Roberts is the 89th Canadian soldier to die during Canada's mission to Afghanistan. A Canadian diplomat was also killed in the country.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
SUPREME COURT OF CANADA news (July 31, 2008) / (August 1, 2008)
|
SUPREME COURT OF CANADA
Citation: Redeemer Foundation v. Canada (National Revenue), 2008 SCC 46 |
Date: 20080731 Docket: 31753 |
Between:
Redeemer Foundation
Appellant
and
Minister of National Revenue
Respondent
Coram: McLachlin C.J. and Binnie, LeBel, Deschamps, Fish, Charron and Rothstein JJ.
Reasons for Judgment: (paras. 1 to 29)
Reasons Dissenting in Part: (paras. 30 to 58)
|
McLachlin C.J. and LeBel J. (Fish and Charron JJ. concurring)
Rothstein J. (Binnie and Deschamps JJ. concurring) |
Note: This document is subject to editorial revision before its reproduction in final form in the Canada Supreme Court Reports.
______________________________
redeemer foundation v. canada (national revenue)
Redeemer Foundation Appellant
v.
Minister of National Revenue Respondent
Indexed as: Redeemer Foundation v. Canada (National Revenue)
Neutral citation: 2008 SCC 46.
File No.: 31753.
2008: February 28; 2008: July 31.
Present: McLachlin C.J. and Binnie, LeBel, Deschamps, Fish, Charron and Rothstein JJ.
on appeal from the federal court of appeal
Taxation — Income tax — Administration and enforcement — Minister of National Revenue’s power to inspect, audit and examine taxpayers’ records — Whether Minister must obtain judicial authorization during course of legitimate audit of registered charity before asking charity to provide information that identifies its donors — Income Tax Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (5th Supp.), ss. 230(2)(a), 231.1(1).
The appellant Foundation, a registered charity, operates a forgivable loan program that finances the education of students at an affiliated college. The Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) was concerned that some donations to the program were not valid charitable donations because the donors’ contributions were made solely to finance the education of their own children. CRA served the Foundation with a requirement to record the identity of each donor and the name of the student who received credit for each donation. In a subsequent audit, CRA requested the donor information, which the Foundation provided. CRA advised the Foundation that there might be grounds to revoke its charitable status and to reassess its donors. Notices of reassessment were sent to some donors. The Foundation applied for judicial review of the CRA’s request for donor information. The reviewing judge declared that the request was improper without prior judicial authorization, the donor information should be returned, and the Minister of National Revenue should be prevented from acting upon the information to reassess donors. The Federal Court of Appeal set aside the reviewing judge’s order and dismissed the application for judicial review.
Source: http://scc.lexum.umontreal.ca/en/2008/2008scc48/2008scc48.html
|
SUPREME COURT OF CANADA
Citation: Montréal (City) v. Quebec (Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse), 2008 SCC 48 |
Date: 20080801 Docket: 31551 |
Between:
City of Montréal (in right of the
Communauté urbaine de Montréal)
Appellant
and
Commission des droits de la personne
et des droits de la jeunesse and S. N
Respondents
‑ and ‑
Attorney General of Quebec, École nationale de police du
Québec and Prisoners’ Rights Committee
Interveners
Official English Translation: Reasons of Deschamps J.
Coram: McLachlin C.J. and Bastarache,* Binnie, LeBel, Deschamps, Fish, Abella, Charron and Rothstein JJ.
Reasons for Judgment: (paras. 1 to 38)
Dissenting Reasons: (paras. 39 to 88)
|
Deschamps J. (McLachlin C.J. and LeBel, Fish, Abella and Rothstein JJ. concurring)
Charron J. (Binnie J. concurring) |
* Bastarache J. took no part in the judgment.
Note: This document is subject to editorial revision before its reproduction in final form in the Canada Supreme Court Reports.
______________________________
montréal v. quebec (cdpdj)
City of Montréal (in right of the
Communauté urbaine de Montréal) Appellant
v.
Commission des droits de la personne
et des droits de la jeunesse and S.N. Respondents
and
Attorney General of Quebec, École nationale de police du
Québec and Prisoners’ Rights Committee Interveners
Indexed as: Montréal (City) v. Quebec (Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse)
Neutral citation: 2008 SCC 48.
File No.: 31551.
2007: December 5; 2008: August 1.
Present: McLachlin C.J. and Bastarache,* Binnie, LeBel, Deschamps, Fish, Abella, Charron and Rothstein JJ.
on appeal from the court of appeal for quebec
Human rights — Right to equality — Discrimination based on criminal record — Pardon — Candidate for employment as police officer rejected at initial stage of selection process because of prior conviction despite having been pardoned — Police force indicating that she did not satisfy “good moral character” criterion imposed by hiring standards provided for in statute and regulation — Whether candidate for employment as police officer enjoys protection of s. 18.2 of Charter of human rights and freedoms against discrimination based on prior conviction that connected with employment — Whether that protection applies to all existing forms of pardon, such as statutory pardon — Whether candidate rejected owing to mere fact of finding of guilt — Whether rejection of candidate justified under s. 20 of Quebec Charter, which provides that requirement of aptitudes and qualifications that necessary for employment is deemed non‑discriminatory — Charter of human rights and freedoms, R.S.Q., c. C‑12, ss. 18.2, 20 — Criminal Records Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C‑47, s. 6.1.
Source: http://scc.lexum.umontreal.ca/en/2008/2008scc47/2008scc47.html
|
SUPREME COURT OF CANADA
Citation: R. v. S.A.C., 2008 SCC 47 |
Date: 20080731 Docket: 32104 |
Between:
S.A.C.
Appellant
and
Her Majesty The Queen
Respondent
‑ and ‑
Attorney General of Ontario, Attorney General of Manitoba,
Attorney General of Alberta, and Justice for Children and Youth
Interveners
Coram: McLachlin C.J. and LeBel, Deschamps, Fish, Abella, Charron and Rothstein JJ.
Reasons for Judgment: (paras. 1 to 49)
|
Deschamps J. (McLachlin C.J. and LeBel, Fish, Abella, Charron and Rothstein JJ. concurring) |
Note: This document is subject to editorial revision before its reproduction in final form in the Canada Supreme Court Reports.
______________________________
r. v. s.a.c.
S.A.C. Appellant
v.
Her Majesty The Queen Respondent
and
Attorney General of Ontario, Attorney General of Manitoba,
Attorney General of Alberta, and Justice for Children and Youth Interveners
Indexed as: R. v. S.A.C.
Neutral citation: 2008 SCC 47.
File No.: 32104.
2008: April 17; 2008: July 31.
Present: McLachlin C.J. and LeBel, Deschamps, Fish, Abella, Charron and Rothstein JJ.
on appeal from the court of appeal for nova scotia
Criminal law — Youth — Sentencing — Committal to custody — Proper interpretation of s. 39(1)(c) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act — Discrepancy between English and French versions — Youth Criminal Justice Act, S.C. 2002, c. 1, s. 39(1)(c).
Criminal law — Youth — Sentencing — Evidence — Requirement to consider a pre‑sentence report before making a sentence in respect of a young person — Whether pre‑sentence report contained sufficient individualized information to allow sentencing court to craft appropriate and meaningful sentence — Youth Criminal Justice Act, S.C. 2002, c. 1, ss. 39, 40, 42.
Criminal law — Sentencing — Taking of DNA samples — Crown conceding on appeal that sentencing court could not order taking of DNA samples proprio motu — Whether Court of Appeal was correct in remitting matter to sentencing court for reconsideration — Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C‑46, s. 487.051(1)(b).
Monday, August 4, 2008
the Conservative Party of Canada needs to go ASAP
I do not like the party all never will.
I believe that the Party is a dinosaur of the 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s & needs to be disbanded ASAP!!!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
bomb hits military convoy near Kabul
The mission is dead
------------------------------------------------------------
CBC News
One dead as roadside bomb hits military convoy near Kabul
Another person wounded; victims thought to be American
Last Updated: Sunday, August 3, 2008 12:10 PM ET
The Associated Press
A soldier of the International Security Assistance Force walks past a damaged U.S.-led coalition vehicle near the site of explosion on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday. A roadside bomb hit the vehicle, killing a service member and wounding another, a coalition spokesman said. (Rafiq Maqbool/Associated Press)A roadside bomb struck a military vehicle Sunday on the outskirts the Afghan capital, killing one person and wounding another.
A U.S. military official confirmed the casualties but did not specify their nationalities.
However, a district police chief, Bariyalay Khan, said the vehicle was part of a convoy carrying Americans.
The blast happened on the eastern outskirts of Kabul on a road leading to a police training centre, he said.
Canadian troops in Afghanistan are concentrated in the province of Kandahar in the south.
Najib Rahman, another police official at the scene of the blast, said an American helicopter landed to pick up the wounded while another hovered overhead.
Militants regularly use roadside bombs to attack Afghan and foreign troops in the country, where forces of the former Taliban government are fighting the current regime and its NATO allies.
More than 2,700 people, mostly militants, have been killed so far this year in conflict-related violence, according to an Associated Press tally of figures from Afghan and Western officials
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Play nice Bell! the kids don't like it if mom is cranky
Bell moves to limit internet downloads of competitor ISPs
Last Updated: Thursday, July 31, 2008 4:14 PM ET
By Peter Nowak. CBC News
Bell moved in April to eliminate mandated access to its network by small internet service providers. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
Bell Canada Inc. is moving to impose download limits on customers of independent internet providers, an act the smaller firms say is designed to eliminate broadband competition and prevent the introduction of new television services.
The Montreal-based company, which cut its own Sympatico customers off from unlimited downloading last year, has proposed extending that plan to firms renting portions of its network in order to provide their own services. That would include a number of smaller wholesale ISP customers such as Chatham, Ont.-based TekSavvy Solutions Inc., Cobourg, Ont.-based Eagle.ca, Mississauga-based Acanac Inc. and Ottawa-based National Capital Freenet.
The limits would range from two gigabytes per month for customers with slower connections of 512 kilobits per second up to 60 GB for those with the faster speeds of five megabits per second, according to Acanac president Paul Louro. Customers who exceed those limits would incur extra charges, much like cellphone subscribers do when they surpass their monthly minutes.
Rocky Gaudreault, president of TekSavvy, said Bell's proposal was unacceptable because it would eliminate the last way in which the smaller wholesale ISPs can differentiate their services.
"This is very much making us little more than a reseller," he said. "We would become mini-Sympaticos."
Louro told CBCNews.ca the repercussions would be even greater because some of the smaller ISPs are getting big enough to start installing their own equipment in Bell's telecommunications offices, which will allow them to offer not only super-fast broadband but also internet-based television. Such a service, known as Internet Protocol Television or IPTV, would require much more capacity than the proposed 60 GB limit and would compete directly with Bell's own ExpressVu satellite television offering.
"It seems like a way to limit our growth so this won't happen," he said. "No ISP at this point can offer IPTV — you're looking at hundreds of gigs, not 60."
Bell officials could not be reached for comment.
The company has taken several steps toward eliminating the smaller ISPs' ability to compete
See the CBC story here