Stop polygamy and trafficking underage children

Masking polygamy, trafficking underage children and breaking laws all in the name of religion must stop. Now that such a high profile case as Warren Jeff’s conviction has concluded Canadians and Americans must demand that something be done about communities either doing the same or aiding other communities to commit the type of crimes Warren Jeff engaged in.

With evidence showing that two underage girls were sent from B.C. to Warren Jeff for marriage has many Canadians asking, what is wrong here in Canada where not only polygamy is allowed but that child trafficking is not punished with jail sentences to both the people sending the child (i.e. the leader(s) of these B.C. cults but also the parents that allowed this to occur).

Canada has tried to lay charges those in Bountiful before. B.C. has lost on polygamy convictions against Bountiful because of how the government chose its prosecutors. Now that evidence provided by Canada has helped convict Jeffs…are the winds of change now in favour of success regarding future convictions against this community.

Attorney General Barry Penner said his ministry shared information with prosecutors leading up to the life sentence imposed by a Texas court after Jeffs, the self-proclaimed prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or FLDS. To us Jeff is nothing more than a monster prying on the weak and children.

The information shared by Canadian authorities proved to be useful in the recent prosecution and conviction of Mr. Jeffs. This shared evidence was presented during the Canadian spring trial where the courts were to rule on Canada’s prohibition under the Criminal Code for polygamous marriages. This constitutional case heard allegations of cross-border marriages involving more than two dozen teenage girls from Bountiful, including at least two 12-year-olds and a 13-year-old, who were sent to the United States to marry older men, including Jeffs. Several American girls were married to Canadian men, the court heard.

The allegations came from FLDS records, uncovered in 2008, when authorities in Texas raided the church’s Yearning for Zion Ranch near Eldorado. These records were sent down and used to help convict Jeffs.

Now it has been reported the RCMP are launching a new criminal investigation into Bountiful. Reports indicate officers are goingto Texas soon to find the child brides from the community.

According to the B.C. constitutional case, Jeffs called the girls’ parents in Bountiful and ordered them to bring their daughters to him, and they complied. The girls were sent and wed to Jeffs in “celestial” marriages in 2005 at the Texas ranch. The girls were wed on the same day to Jeffs and were 12 years old at the time.

Bountiful, a small commune in southeastern British Columbia, just south of Creston near the Canada-U.S. border with about 1,000 residents in the community follow the teachings of the FLDS has been in the news over the years. They have been investigated several times by the RCMP but so far no one has been convicted.

The community’s has two leaders, Winston Blackmore and James Oler. Although their charges for polygamy were thrown out over how the government chose its prosecutors, will the Jeffs conviction turn public sentiment around demanding changes to what Canada tolerates?

After the provincial government asked the B.C. Supreme Court to decide whether Canada’s prohibition on multiple marriage is constitutional, hearings occurred and a decision is pending with a Supreme Court of Canada appeal expected.

So now we as Canadians must ask what is going on and do we as a society want to allow polygamy (and all the trappings, preachings and female abuse that often goes with it) and child trafficking which is clearly against the law.

Lets force our politicians and court system to go after the people that prey on the weak and children.

Let us know what you think.

Canadian local politics no better than the US

As a Canadian we often watch the U.S. with amazement on how disfunctional the political system is south of the border.

Can we as Canadians really be smug as anyone following Canadian national, provincial and regional politics are often amazed at how corrupt, ridiculous, immoral (you pick the wording) our own politicians can be. Sometimes our policies and what we consider to do, not do, cut or support is beyond morals.

This week globally we have watched as politics became surreal with the debt crisis talks. I now sit watching a ‘up to last minute ditch effort’ to try to get an agreement between two political that have their own interests it seems at the front of their minds.

What happens when pandering to your group comes before anyone else? What happens when re-election is what motives every action and dollar allocated to pork belly and ridiculous undertakings.

Many Canadians and those around the world affected by the circus like politics now taking place south of the border watch as the largest and most powerful nation plays games to the cameras. Our futures, our childrens’ futures and the planet is affected by those not giving a damn it seems except for spin.

Should Americans and the rest in the world expect anything different when it seems obvious even to the U.S. citizens their government is broken? How did the average person become so unimportant – when the rich interests are sold as those of the common man.

Networks now listen to the ramblings of Donald Trump and celebrity type politicians who go in and out of the political arena it seems for the next media deal. Politics has become entertainment. Political candidates weigh whether to serve or shop their next reality TV show deal.

There now seems no moral integrity to politics.

Why is it taking so long. Because it seems, the sound bites need to be perfect before they let the rest of the world gets told.

Now a committee is going to be assigned to decide how to cut more off the budget later. Revenues may be considered we are told. Will this ever go through ….with Republicans it seems it will never agree with this. Forced votes and no amendments are supposed to be part of this committee. So what…they go through this again!

Now, Boehner tells the world (really his party) that they got what they wanted and to vote for this. The Democrats will also say they won. In the end, no one won. The stock market lost billions affecting many average people. The world got to see how far the crazy Tea Parties will go who clearly do not understand finances but do understand stomping their feet to get their way.

Canadians, however, be careful being smug. Our politicians and their actions have their own can of worms we have to deal with.

Ontario courts protect online anonymity in ruling

Have you ever wondered if your conversation and/or identity is protected when you chat or post online? People can feel empowered and encouraged to speak their mind especially for some when their identity is protected.

 

 

Where does opinion and the protection of free speech get clouded and cross the line become defamation.

We have always encouraged our readers to be respectful while still stating their opinions on the many issues we try to report on that affect our community. Reporting on political figures in our community, events or information that result in comments by viewers is part of many online publications including Chit Chat Magazine.

For any publication and online site it is sometimes difficult to balance the rights of those posting, those being commented on and the publications liability.

Politicians in every arena of politics (town hall, education, ministries, etc) along with celebrities are often subject to much discussion because of the fact they become public figures once they enter the political or public arena.

A recent ruling last week, however, does now shed some light on the delicate balance. A case heard at the Ontario Superior Court involving Phyllis Morris, former Mayor of Aurora helps shape the debate legally. After being defeated Morris launched a legal action against a site where an online chat forum discussed the local election campaign. The site auroracitizen.ca was requested to identify the identities of three anonymous posters after Morris claimed six postings were defamatory. Morris did not disclose what had been said but rather wanted the identities of the three who posted.

The court stated the question was balancing the competing interests of privacy, the public interest to promoting the administration of justice by providing Morris with the information she requested, and the underlying values of freedom of expression and political speech.

The court emphasized that the posts involved political speech so it was particularly deserving of protection.

Another case similar to the one in front of the court and noted during this decision also involved anonymous online postings. Some considerations that were considered were:

-Assumption that postings would remain anonymous

-Whether wrongdoing could be proven by the posters

-Whether Morris tried to identify the poster and was not able to to do this

- Whether public interest favouring disclosure outweighed freedom of expression and the right to privacy

The courts ruled in favour of the posters protecting their identity.

It has been noted that Morris has indicated that she plans to appeal.

The rights of online discussions could be impacted in the future as the government has indicated it may pass legislation that requires disclosure without court involvement.

What do you think about this debate? We believe that public figures (including those running for political positions, educational political positions and anyone who holds any type of public office using taxpayer dollars to pay their position and affecting citizens lives or their communities) should expect public discussion on their behaviour and/or actions. Discussions, whether they be in print, online, TV etc. must be allowed to continue. Our democratic system depends on freedom of speech. Having said that, however, we do encourage respectful and insightful discussions.

Let us know what you think.

 

Stephen Harper refusing to answer questions

As the Canadian election gets underway we can expect the same old….same old….from Prime Minister Stephen Harper who is known for being obsessed with controlling the message.

Now the media are fighting back highlighting his reluctance to answer questions. Seems the PM thinks only 5 questions should be answered daily by the current leader as he heads out campaigning. Read more

Canada needs to get tough on child porn crimes

Canada’s Bill C-54 toughing up minimum sentences for pedophiles convicted of possessing child porn from 14 days to 90 days is a complete disgrace to most Canadians.

Canadians demand tough punishment and expect much more from the federal Tories.

The Harper government has failed our nation, parents and every child who could be victimized more than this weak attempt at legal intervention.

Many have accused Canada of not caring when as a nation we have tougher legislation for abusing animals than we do for abusing children.

Let us know what you think.

Canada’s Prime Minister creates havoc over G20 meeting

Stephen Harper, Canada’s Prime Minster, has been criticized for mistakes and arrogance in the way he governs his country but none are as clear and resounding as his decisions regarding the G20 meeting.

While Canadians watched as their historically violent free downtown core became something resembling a military zone this weekend, the world watched as windows were smashed, riot police fought off ambushes and police cruisers went up in smoke.
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Lululemon Trying to Cash at the Expense of Canada’s Olympics

Lululemon launches line for ‘Cool Sporting Event That Takes Place Between 2009 & 2011′ and it has more than a few people very upset. Some feel the release is nothing short of ambushing marketing of the Canadian Olympic events.
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What Does it Mean to Be Canadian

Do you really understand what it is to be Canadian First. As noted in the article below, people have differing opinions of what that means.
Below is a Canada-Calgary Herald article passed on to us by a reader. Let us know what you think.

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Cheap HIV Drug Shipments to Rwanda No More

Critics say that if changes are not made to Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) legistation, cheaper AIDS medications leaving Canada on compassionate grounds to Rwandans will end. Read more

Canada Closes Malawi Embassy

Canada is closing its embassy in Malawi. It has been suggested that Canada is now interested in providing aid to trade partners. Many are outraged at why this could occur so quietly without most Canadians realizing the shift in policy. How could the Canadian government leave without even an explanation. Read more

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