This article was originally published in the Globe and Mail on January 26th, 2010. The article was written by Oliver Moore.

In Nova Scotia there is a man who is commonly known by the police as “Super Naugle.” Terry Naugle has had 36 convictions throughout his adult life. He was released last February after a three year prison term on charges that were related to drinking and driving. One month later, he was arrested again. He pleaded guilty to driving impaired, fleeing the scene of the accident, refusing a Breathalyzer and driving without a license.  It’s expected Naugle will get a light sentence, which angers Julia McMillan, “It’s really scary to live in a country where this is as good as it gets. In our Criminal Code, Terry Naugle will have to kill someone to be locked up indefinitely,” she says.  The drunk- driving charges carry a maximum term of five years says a spokesperson for the provincial prosecution service.  The Crown attorney will not give any indication as to how much jail time she will recommend. But it’s expected that the sentence will not be indefinite. Many who know Naugle believe that he will never change.  Margaret Miller, national president of Mother Against Drunk Driving says, “he’ll be back out doing the same thing. Cases like his, I honestly don’t know how to stop him.” Also, Ontario law professor Robert Solomon, an expert on impaired driving at the University of Western says “If the only way to keep these people off the roads and from endangering your family is to incarcerate them, then I think the interest of public safety outweighs the concern and cost.” But, in Terry Naugle’s case he has never killed or seriously injured anyone and has had a string of short sentences. The loophole is Naugle hasn’t faced a charge that carried a possible 10 year sentence, which is mandatory when seeking long-term dangerous-offender status.  “Does it take blood on the pavement to have him declared a dangerous offender?” Margaret Miller asks.  Pamela Stephens, a spokeswoman for Justice Minister Rob Nicholson stated in an email that “drunk drivers  endanger the life or safety of another person and could thus fulfill the dangerous-offender requirement of serious personal injury offences and we are therefore confident that these provisions can be applied to court.”

This article is important because it’s a public safety issue. Regardless that this man is from a different province, everyone should be aware of this issue.  

He’s so infamous the police have a nickname for him “Super Naugle.” It’s rather sad thinking that this man is still let out on the streets.  Regardless that he hasn’t killed anyone; he’s obviously a danger to society. He has repeat offences up the ying yang most of his adult life, 36 convictions to be exact.  Shouldn’t that be enough? The law prevents Naugle from being considered a dangerous-offender because he hasn’t faced a charge that carried a possible 10 year sentence. Shouldn’t Naugle’s past be a factor when it comes time for him to be sentenced? I believe it should. Even people who know him believe that he will never change. All of these factors are what stand against him, but the law protects him. How fair is that for the families who have been directly affected by his carelessness?

Well let’s look back, September 9th, 2009 Roger Walsh was slapped with a life sentence which was his 19th impaired-driving conviction. Walsh is the first drunk driver to be handed this long of a sentence.  Now let’s look at Naugle, the difference is Naugle hasn’t killed or seriously injured anyone. But like what Margaret Miller said “Does it take blood on the pavement to have him declared a dangerous offender?” Does it? Because that’s what it looks like.  Shouldn’t Naugle be considered a dangerous offender? His carelessness for everyone else is a danger to society.  The fact that he has repeated his action shows his disregard for others. Obviously the long string of jail terms hasn’t taught him anything.  If someone has had 36 related convictions, shouldn’t that be the light bulb above law enforcements heads that maybe this man will never change. Maybe the next time he does this someone might get hurt. Isn’t it the law enforcements jobs and the governments to avoid this situation from occurring? To make sure that the public is safe? Laws need to be changed, because apparently nothing is working.  It shouldn’t take someone to do the same thing 36 times for someone to say, hey maybe we should do something! Something should have been done a lot earlier! 

This article “Ottawa will fast-track Haitian adoptions, but balks at expanding Immigration” was originally published in the Toronto Star on January 20th, 2010. This article was written by Campbell Clark.  This article was also used in a blog written by Beverly Wellington.

Since the earthquake in Haiti, Canada has decided to speed up 100 cases of adoption. Many Canadians are trying to adopt Haitian children, to get them out of the destruction. But the government has no intention of allowing Haitians to resettle here.  “Massive resettlement is not a solution to natural disaster. The solution is reconstruction, and we’re focused and dedicated to that,” Immigration Minister Jason Kenney states. Even with this plan of attack, there are obstacles in the way that will take day’s maybe even weeks. The government still needs approval from the Haitian government, which is shambles due to the destruction. Once that is done Canada plans to “issue special temporary residency” that way the children can be brought here quickly. Even though the compassion from the Canadians is heart warming, David Morley president of Save the Children Canada said “the compassionate urge Canadians feel to adopt children from devastated Haiti must be tempered with caution. Children believed orphaned may actually have a parent, grandparent, aunt or some other relative that wants to care for them.” The Liberal Opposition would like Haitian Canadians to bring over their extended family.  Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff urges the government to do more, “We think we must widen, for the Haiti crisis, the definition of family. So that Haitian families can bring in brothers, sisters, nephews. We must soften the rules for humanitarian reasons,” he told reporters Wednesday. Canadians can sponsor Haitians, but they can only adopt nieces/nephews, grandchildren who are under the age of 18. The fast-tracking adoptions should bring in 5,000 Haitians to Canada.

This article is important because it lets the Canadians citizens know what other Canadians are doing for the Haitians other than donate money.  Putting the political aspect aside, this is a very heart warming and compassionate story that all Canadians should be aware of.

I would have to disagree; I do believe that what the government is doing is great. Fast tracking 100 adoption cases is better than none.  The story isn’t about denying the hundreds of thousands of Haitian people. The Canadian government is doing what they think is best, and out of the 100 adoption cases it can bring over 5,000 Haitian children. That is a lot of children who will have homes, food and a loving family. The Canadian government isn’t denying adoptions, but there are limitations. This would be understandable for any country to do. The Canadian government can’t bring over everyone.   But I don’t think the people over in Haiti are alone; there are people from around the world there in Haiti to help. Not only that but, Canadians aren’t the only ones who are adopting Haitian children. According to CNN in Washington, there are 300 cases of Americans waiting to adopt Haitian children. Of those, 200 cases are being accelerated.  Also, CNN in London on January 21st, 2010, Aid groups are urging to stop new Haiti adoptions. Save the Children, World Vision and a unit of the British Red Cross stated “Any hasty new adoptions would risk permanently breaking up families, causing long-term damage to already vulnerable children, and could distract from aid efforts in Haiti.”They are more focused on whether these children have families first. So, should there be any hasty adoptions to begin with? If the Aid agencies are advising countries to stop any early adoptions, should we continue to do so? Getting back to Canada, I do believe that Haitian Canadians should be able to bring over their extended family. According to the 2006 Census of Canada there are 102,430 Haitian Canadians, in 5 years that could have doubled. Those 102,430 Haitian Canadians might have extended families over in Haiti and want their family over here and away from the madness and mayhem. But on the same token, who’s to say that people wouldn’t lie about their Canadian relation?

This article was originally released by the Toronto Star on January 18th, 2010. The article was written by columnist, Carl Goar.

The article states that when Harper prorogued Parliament there were 36 bills on order. There was also a committee investigating the allegations that Canadian soldiers were handing over Afghans to Afghan authorities who had tortured them. The article also states that this “is a deliberate misuse of rules of Parliament.” The article goes on to explain Stephen Harper’s four years as Prime Minister.

Stating that he:

• Silenced inconvenient voices such as his own MP’s and cabinet ministers.
• Shut down parliamentary committees.
• Fired and cut short the mandates of independent public watchdogs.
• Turned on public servants who tried to sound the alarm.
• Prorogued Parliament twice.

 The article also states that the government will work behind close doors during the twelve week vacation which means that Canadians will have no way of knowing what’s going on. That way Harper can avoid public scrutiny. During the twelve week vacation the 308 MP’s will earn $35,867.62. Carol Goar goes on to say that “during the past 35 years, Liberal and Conservative prime ministers have weakened Parliament to strengthen their own grip on power.” The article concludes on the note that “It does trouble Canadians who believe the rights their forebears fought and died to protect are worth defending.”

 This article is very important! It open’s your eyes to the reality of the situation at hand. All Canadians should be aware of what their government is doing. But with the government on a twelve vacation, with everything behind closed doors Canadians are denied that. It should enlighten people of Canada and open people’s eyes and ask why?!

How does the twelve week vacation benefit Canadians? That’s a good question a lot of people would like to ask Stephen Harper. Will Canadians be able to ask Stephen Harper that question? The likelihood of that is very slim. But the common question that pops in my head is why prorogue Parliament. Well Harper had a Parliamentary committee breathing down his neck regarding the Afghans being tortured after Canadian soldiers had handed them over. Taking a twelve week vacation doesn’t really say to Canadians that the government has everything under control. It shows that there’s something to hide, that there’s definitely something behind these allegations. Whether they are true or not, no one will no till the Parliamentary committee continues their investigation. It all seems fishy, there are too many coincidences surrounding the Harper government’s reasons for proroguing parliament. The funny thing is there is no legitimate reason for Harper proroguing parliament. This isn’t the first time Harper has done this… nuh uhhh! He’s prorogued parliament three times in three years, twice in one year! It seems to be habit of Harper’s. Many Canadians are opposed and deeply angered with Harper’s decision. Protests have been held in Belleville, 300 people lined the streets of Winnipeg and not to mention the 200,000 people who have signed up for the Anti-Proroguing site on facebook. As much as protesting does, will Stephen Harper hear any of it? Will he change his mind? Uh…that would be a no. As much as I am for standing up for what you believe in, but what will protesting do? The government will still have a twelve week paid vacation. Not mention the fact that if the government has an election in March, Canadians have no idea what’s going on because it was all done behind closed doors. That doesn’t make any sense. It seems that the only way the Canadians voices will be heard is if there is an election.

This article was originally from The Globe and Mail and released by The Canadian Press on January 18th, 2009.

A survey was conducted by the Canadian Press about whether Canadians would accept the new airport scanners. From the poll it states that four out of five Canadians said the scanners were reasonable. Also from the study, three-quarters of the Canadians for the scanners said that the scanners will decrease the chance of terrorist attacks. In the article it also states that the numbers suggest Canadians feel airport security should be as strict as it needs to. Forty-four of these three-dimensional screens are planned to be installed across the country. The government announced there plans for the installation just before the poll was conducted. Trial runs were conducted at Kelowna, B.C airport. This three millimeter-wave scanners are to detect for possible explosives; for instance the explosives that were sewn on a Nigerian man’s underwear on Christmas day in Detroit. According to the article many from every demographic are in support for these new scanners but support lacked in British Columbia. These scanners will provide a fairly detailed outline of a person’s body and the officials will be in a separate room, to keep privacy. But people under the age of 18 will not be required to go through these scanners but will have to go through a pat-down. The poll also shows that Canadians (three to one) would rather the body scanners than a pat-down. It also shows that one-quarter of the Canadians surveyed felt uncomfortable with the idea. The study shows that women and people aged 65 and older were more likely that others to feel leery. The ability as to whether these scanners will detect deadly weapons is up for debate between security analysts and civil rights advocates. “Opinion is split over whether this decision was an overreaction to the failed attack on Christmas day,” said Harris-Decima senior vice-president Doug Anderson. Over 1,000 Canadians were surveyed by Harris-Decima by telephone. The article also includes that the survey has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points 19 times in 20.

This story is important because it affects everyone; anyone who fly’s or who plans to. This isn’t just a regular pat-down; it’s a full body scanner. Canadians should be aware of the new technology that’s being implemented in Canadian airports.  Not mention the price tag on this new technology. For the 44 full body scanners it will cost the government $11 million dollars.

The idea of full body scanners in airports seems to be a good idea. It’s another safety precaution that flyers will have to go through before reaching the plane.  But really, someone being able to see through people’s clothes is a little unsettling. Wouldn’t that be considered a privacy issue? It seems that four out of 5 Canadians feel that these full body scanners are reasonable. So should the people who find it unsettling just let it go? Baring all for one person to see, I can see the reason to feel a tad bit uncomfortable. It almost makes a person think twice before purchasing a plane ticket.

Well, a person could always say no to the full body scanner. But wouldn’t that be just a giant target on a person’s back? There might be a chance of being led into a tiny room for several hours just because a person said no.

Aside from all the benefits that this machine has.  What’s to say that it will work? All the other safety precautions have been tested and apparantely they aren’t effective. It also makes a person wonder if the scanners are just an overreaction to what happened on Christmas day. That could be plausible; a Nigerian man had sewn explosives on his underwear on a Detroit flight and was boarded on the plane. Makes a person stop and think how the hell did that happen? It’s almost similar to what happened after 9 11, when all the new safety precautions were implemented and when certain items were no longer allowed to be on the plane. Everyone accepted this because of what happened and it was for everyone’s best interest.

Not to mention the fact that these scanners are not cheap, in a December 29th, 2009 article in the Globe and Mail, it states that these machines cost $190,000 each. Talk about big bucks. The government is spending $11 billion dollars for 44 machines for across the country. How much more is the government willing to spend on airport security as time goes on? Well the government will spend as much money as they want if it’s in the benefit for the people of course.

Also, now that the government is implementing these $11 million dollars scanners in every airport, what’s stopping the government from taking security measures further? As time goes on, will the security measures inflict more so on people’s privacy than they do already? No one knows that answer, until the time comes. But it’s a possibility and something to think about.

It all comes down to would a person rather feel safe than sorry?

According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey we Canadians have more  fat. The statistics show that almost two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese. That also includes children which shows to about a quarter. It is common now-a-days for Canadians to be less fit and bigger. It also shows in the study that in 1981 only 25% of men and women were considered overweight. In youth, the study shows that between the ages of 15 and 19 the percentage has tripled from 1981. Big difference from then and now, right? It also states that now Canada is in a “national crisis.” This is quite understandable considering the numbers shown in the survey.

This story is very important to all Canadians. To realize what we’ve done to ourselves. It’s up to no one, but us to change. This “national crisis” will only increase drastically with time not decrease unless everyone takes action.

Now, so no one feels left out. Not one specific person is or should be put to blame for Canada’s national crisis. There are many causes and reasons for this. It doesn’t help having food commercials come on the TV every 30 seconds or to have physical education get cut backs so other more high paying people can get a raise. Every little thing is a contribution to this nationwide problem. Trish made an excellent statement “Lifestyles are influenced by an individual’s surroundings. What they see and hear is what they take in and project.” I agree with her statement completely. What you see and hear are crucial especially when a teenager is growing up. There are many things people can do to improve there way of life. It’s just being able to do it, that’s the thing! Even in high school it’s only mandatory to take phys ed for grade nine and that was just for my highschool, for many high schools that isn’t mandatory. If obesity is such a problem don’t you think that phys ed should be mandatory all through high school? You think that would be an important aspect. But I guess not.

In addition to Trish’s blog, I read an article in the Toronto Star, “Ontario Schools…Soon with less fat.” In Ontario in 2011, vending machines will look quite different. There will be the sale of chocolate, gum, candy, licorice, energy drinks, pop and popcicles from school property. A good way to go, I think. But I still believe just elminating the food isn’t going to make anything much different. There are convient stores and grocery stores. What’s going to stop kids from going there at lunch or going there before school? The government can add phys ed to be mandatory for every student and that might help. I could talk my butt off about how the government should help with the growing pandemic. But its not just up to the government to change their evil ways, its up to each and everyone of us. It’s not so bad to make a little lifestyle change; walk instead of drive, do something active instead of sitting at the computer or watching meaningless TV. Where you’ll end up hungry anyway with all the food commericals. Everyone has to be willing to help themselves, in order to change.

Be like Olivia-Newton John and get physical!!!

This original article is from the Belleville Intelligencer by Andre Forget.

            Nothing but disaster and despair has bombarded the streets of Haiti. Since the 7.0 earthquake last Tuesday, dozens of countries from around the world have lent a helping hand; sending medical teams and millions of dollars for relief. Although there has been so much relief for Haiti, hundreds of people are still need. People digging through debris of destroyed supermarkets with their hands to get to food.  According to The Pan American Health Organization there is an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 death toll. There have also been 40,000 people buried. Amidst all the death and disaster, there has been looting from local gangs through the streets of Haiti carrying sticks. Even though there have been millions of dollars donated some survivors still haven’t gotten the relief that they need and are angry with the delay. Also to add to the tall plate of complications and concerns, an estimated 4,000 prisoners escaped when the prison was destroyed. On a good note, the US now has the Haitian Airport under control and planes are arriving every 20 minutes. Also in the article, it states that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans to visit Haiti to see the relief effort firsthand. The US is also providing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson as well as 19 helicopters. This will be a significant way to deliver relief to Haiti. It also states that there will be up to 10,000 US troops expected to be there by Monday.

It doesn’t matter who you are, the stories revolving around the Haiti disaster are important. It makes you reflect on what you have in your life and the people you have in your life. The people of Haiti have lost everything their houses, their belongings and even their loved ones. Wouldn’t you want someone to help you? To restore everything you lost?

What stuck to me was the picture of the woman her arms outstretched, nothing but despair written upon her face. She had just found out that her older brother had died. How can you not feel bad and want to help out? If I had the money to donate I would, because if I was in that situation I’d want help. I am surprised at how fast relief has gotten there since the earthquake and all the money that has been raised. According to Trish Allison’s blog on “Hasty Haiti Relief” the US has raised $37 million dollars. That’s a lot of money. This earthquake wasn’t just a measly 2.8 it was a 7.0 which happens to be the largest earthquake Haiti has seen in two centuries. According to BBC News there were two major aftershocks after the initial earthquake that was of 5.0 and 5.9 magnitudes. Could you imagine experiencing that? I am all for the money being donated to the help the Haitians and the troops that are going there.

My main issue wasn’t with what the article said but what it didn’t say was what bothered me the most. Yesterday, on every newspaper I saw it had the 1,415 Canadians missing on the front page. Now, I’m not going to cry over the fact that it wasn’t the headline for the Intelligencer. But it would be nice to know that the local newspaper would put information about the Canadians in at least one article. The article had tones of information about what was going on in Haiti and what the US was doing to help out. But what about the Canadians who are helping out? I had to look on other people’s blogs and other newspapers to find all that information out. I find it rather infuriating that not once did the article mention Canadians. Really, Belleville is right beside Trenton. According to the Northumberland Today, Haitian refugees may be airlifted to CFB Trenton. Isn’t nice to have a newspaper that will give you all the information you need?

The original article is from the Toronto Star written by John Goddard (a staff reporter at the Toronto).

Now when it says banned from the bar, it doesn’t mean being banned from the local bar, Matt and Joe’s. It’s about being banned from practicing law. 46 year old man Parminder Singh Saini went to a “good character” hearing at the end of September as to whether or not he could practice law. After months of waiting, The Law Society of Upper Canada (http://www.lsuc.on.ca/index_en.html) ruled that Parminder Singh Saini was “not of good character.”  

Why?

Well in 1984, Saini hijacked an Air India plane, with 270 passengers going to Pakistan. Fortunately the plane was landed and no one was injured. He was convicted and sentenced to death in Pakistan, but after ten years he was let out on full parole and was ordered out of the country. Now here’s the kicker, Parminder Singh Saini came to Canada in 1995 under a false name “Balbir Singh” and also gave false answers to questions from immigration officers. Mr. Saini was detained and ordered deported. He’s been fighting to stay here in Canada ever since. The President of Pakistan pardoned his conviction, which at a 2000 Federal court case that became the basis. His order of deportation was nullified due to the pardon. Since then Mr. Saini has obtained three university degrees; a bachelor’s degree at York University and a law degree at the Windsor University. Parminder is also on a “Danger to the Public” list by the Immigration Department and he does not have landed immigration status. There are also details concerning his pardon because a Pakistani pardon does not have the same equivalency as a Canadian pardon.

I do find this story has a great deal of importance to a wide spread audience. A man who hijacked a plane and lied about his identity has been living in Canada for years. Isn’t it good to know who Canada’s bringing into the country?  

A man lies to the Immigration Department, gets away with it and wants to practice law. I was a little surprised at reading these and a little perturbed. If someone can lie about who they are and what they’ve done what’s to say they won’t do it again. It just boggles my brain at the fact that with a man who is on a “Danger to the Public” list still lives in Canada. As well as obtain three university degrees. Forgetting the fact that he has been pardoned, there are differences between both countries. Personally, I don’t think anyone should be pardoned from hijacking a plane, regardless of the fact that no one was hurt. Besides, any immigrant cannot work in Canada without getting their landed Immigration status which Mr. Saini does not have. How can a person who has no landed Immigration Status plan to practice law? On the flip side should Parminder Singh Saini, be allowed to practice law here in Ontario? He has been pardoned and he has been rehabilitated. Shouldn’t that be all factored into his hearing?  Honestly, I don’t feel that a man who has hijacked a plane and lied to the government should be allowed to stay in Canada. Let alone practice law here.

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