Khadr jury hears sentencing arguments

Omar Khadr could find out Sunday how long a jury thinks he should serve for the grenade death of a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan, after a military jury heard closing arguments in the case on Saturday.

The prosecution was called first to give sentencing arguments to a military jury of seven officers at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Lead prosecutor Jeff Groharing called the Toronto-born man "a terrorist and murderer" who should serve 25 years in prison.

Jeff Groharing told the jury of three women and four men that Khadr intended to murder Americans, knew "full well" the aims of al-Qaeda, and his offences "amount to hate crimes in the extreme."

"The world is watching," said Groharing, a former U.S. marine. "He must be punished severely. … he doesn't fight for a country, he fights for a religion."

Khadr's offences would warrant a life sentence, but in light of Khadr's age and other circumstances, Groharing said 25 years would be appropriate.

Khadr, 24, pleaded guilty earlier this week to five charges, including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, providing material support to terrorists and spying.

OK, Friends, I've officially crossed into the side of Khadr supporters. There is no way that a 15 year old should spend that amount of time in Gitmo, and then get awarded 25 years more in jail! Was he the only Afghan that threw a grenade at US/NATO/Allied troops? No!

And for those of you that may say he was not part of a countries military and wore civilian clothes, The government of the day was Taliban, and their Army dressed in Arab gear for the most part.

OH this pisses me off enough that I'll put in on Facebook and welcome the backlash...

Khadr should be returned to Canada: UN official

The United Nations representative on child soldiers says Omar Khadr should not be imprisoned in the United States but rather returned to Canada to be rehabilitated.

Radhika Coomaraswamy, the UN special representative of the secretary-general for children and armed conflict, said Khadr represents the "classic child soldier narrative: recruited by unscrupulous groups to undertake actions at the bidding of adults to fight battles they barely understand."

Toronto-born Khadr was 15 when he threw the grenade that killed U.S. Special Forces Sgt. Christopher Speers in Afghanistan in 2002. Since then, Khadr has been in detention at Guantanamo Bay.

At the military commission hearing in Guantanamo Bay on Monday, Khadr withdrew his previous pleas of not guilty to five war crimes charges, including murder in violation of the laws of war, attempted murder in violation of the laws of war, conspiracy, providing material support to terrorists, and spying.

I really don't know what to think about Khadr.

On the one hand, he is a terrorist and deserves whatever he gets. If he was not caught that day, he might have eventually been complicit in the wounding and even deaths of Canadian Troops. Let him rot in jail.

On the other, he was only 15, and at that age really deserved some different handling than adults. Child soldiers are apparently treated differently, but not in this case. Exactly how he could have lived in Toronto and then gone on some sort of Jihad against the west is confusing to me (all Toronto jokes aside).

I think that any of his thoughts about the west being evil are probably hard and fast beliefs now after 8 years in jail surrounded by radicals.

They talk about de-radicalizing of him like it is some program they can run on his brain to solve a virus.

Mind you, they also de-Nazified lots of German folks at the end of WWII. Unfortunately they also tried to starve the German population out of existence.

And I guess he murdered in violation of the laws of war because he was not in uniform and probably wanted to fit back into the local population after the incident. Well isn't that the same as every Taliban in Afghanistan? How come every Taliban they have caught hasn't been shipped to GitMO to face trail? Isn't killing innocent civilians against the rules of war? How come there are no Allied servicemen and women on trail for murder?

The United States of America, "the greatest country in the universe", has taken International Law and molded it at its convenience. Damn them for starting the whole wastefull, useless affair.

Damn the government of Canada for not getting Khadr out of GitMo long ago.

The whole thing stinks.

Clinton tackled for oilsands comments

Senators from both parties criticized U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for signalling likely support for a $7-billion pipeline to carry Canadian oil to refineries along the Gulf Coast.

Senators Mike Johanns and Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Jeff Merkley of Oregon called Clinton's comments premature and damaging to the integrity of the federal review process. The legislators cautioned Clinton to consider all sides before deciding whether to grant a permit allowing TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline to cross the U.S.-Canadian border.

Clinton stirred up controversy on both sides of the border last week after saying she was "inclined" to back the project, which would carry crude oil nearly 3,200 kilometres from the oilsands in Alberta to Port Arthur, Texas, via Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.

"We're either going to be dependent on dirty oil from the Gulf or dirty oil from Canada," Clinton said after an Oct. 15 speech at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. "And until we can get our act together as a country and figure out that clean, renewable energy is in both our economic interests and the interests of our planet," the U.S. will remain dependent on oil, she said.

The massive pipeline network — about five times the length of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline — is projected to move up to 1.1 million barrels of Canadian oil each day to U.S. refineries.

Holy hand grenades!

A pipeline which would carry crude oil nearly 3,200 kilometres from the oilsands in Alberta to Port Arthur, Texas, via Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Don't you think it would be better to build a refinery in Montana and forgo all this pipeline fackery?

And why the hell are we buying foreign oil if we can send a million barrels of oil daily to the States?

I guess this is another one of those puzzling episodes which in a hundred years time our offspring will look back and either laugh themselves into hysteria or curse their fore fathers while trying to keep 200 pound cockroaches out of the house.

Canadian parliament unanimously adopts the Srebrenica genocide resolution

After five years of lobbying by the Canadian – Bosniak community, the Canadian parliament has unanimously adopted the Srebrenica genocide resolution {M-416} recognizing the genocide that happened in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Hercegovina, in 1995.

In light of the recent strides that we have made, we would like to inform you about the steps that have led up this important moment.
Beginning of the lobbying exactly on the tenth anniversary of genocide in Srebrenica

The lobbying process for this resolution started five years ago, specifically, on the tenth anniversary of the genocide. Then, a member of the parliament – Jean Augustine, the first African American woman in the Canadian parliament, a member of the Liberal party of Canada and a close friend of the Bosniak community, read a statement to the parliament which said: “the massacre in Srebrenica was the worst crime of genocide in Europe since World War II. A resolution, presented by the Congress of North American Bosniaks, for the tenth anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica states that the political aggression and genocide created by the Serbian forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina completely define the crime of genocide from point two: Conventions for preventing and punishing the crime of genocide. Recalling these crimes are still fresh in the hearts and minds of all friends of truth and justice in Canada.”

That same year, then minister of foreign affairs in Canada – Pierre Pettigrew (Liberal Party of Canada) turned to the Canadian public with a statement in the name of the Canadian government which stated: “the massacre in Srebrenica represents the worst crime in Europe since World War II. The best way to pay respects to those who were killed in Srebrenica is to arrest all the architects of the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to put them on trial.”

Canada has a chance to fix its mistake and recognize Genocide in Srebrenica like many other on the international scene.

The Conservative party of Canada, along with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, rejected the original resolution proposed by the Bosniak community and proposed a new version. Instead of using the correct term: Bosniak, the party and its leader changed it to “genocide committed on Bosnian peoples”. By using the term “Bosnian people”, the Conservatives were suggesting that victims of this genocide were all the nations who live in Bosnia and Hercegovina. As a result, the number of victims of the Srebrenica genocide was significantly reduced and the term genocide was changed to “mass killings”. Bosniak victims of genocide strongly protested against Conservatives’ altered version of the resolution. As for Harper, he accepted the term Bosniak and the actual number of victims of the genocide in Srebrenica but strongly opposed the use of the term genocide. Bosniaks from Canada believe there is no negotiation when it comes to genocide which was also confirmed by both international courts and in various other documents.

More than twenty countries adopted resolutions in their parliament that declare July 11th as a remembrance day for all victims of genocide in Srebrenica. This once again demonstrates that the Conservative party of Canada is under the influence of Serbian and Russian Canadians. In fact, Serbian Canadians had their own campaign opposing Srebrenica Remembrance Day and, in the parliament, handouts were given against this resolution. In return, the Congress of North American Bosniaks and the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada, along with many Bosniak Canadian citizens, organized the strongest lobby to date to support the original M-416 resolution. Canadian Bosniaks sent a clear message to the Canadian government and to the Canadian parliament: Bosniaks in Canada will never accept a resolution that does not contain the term genocide. Leaving out the word genocide is not just an insult to Bosniak Canadians and all victims of genocide, it is also an insult to human rights. Canadian Bosniaks will not negotiate the term genocide. No one has a right to negotiate in the name of thousands of innocent victims who gave their lives in defence of Bosniaks and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most prominent individuals from the international law and various human rights organizations support the endeavour of the Bosniak community in Canada so that the truth about the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina and justice for the crime is recognized by the Canadian parliament.

Declaring July 11th as Srebrenica Remembrance Day by the Canadian parliament sends a message to past war criminals, current and future war criminals that their crimes will be punished. With this resolution the goal is for every Canadian to know that “what occurred in Srebrenica and Bosnia and Herzegovina is a sin and a crime against humanity.” For that reason, Canada must confront its past actions in Bosnia through this resolution. Canadian Bosniaks have no fear of truth and justice regarding the aggression in Bosnia and Herzegovina or seeking justice for those victims. Through their lobbying actions for this resolution, they fought for human dignity, rights, truth and justice.

The Srebrenica genocide resolution has now officially adopted by Canadian parliament. This is the moment that all dedication and hard work of Bosniak – Canadian community has been proven worthwhile. On behave of Bosniak – Canadian community we thank the Canadian government and parliament for finally doing the right thing.

Canadian Bosniaks will once again feel proud to be Canadians.

We thank to all Canadian Bosniaks who participated in this struggle. Thanks to all friends of truth and justice that us supported these five years, especially in moments when we are exposed to attacks by those who try to deny the genocide. Thanks to the media, who regularly publish results of all our struggles.


Boo-frickety-hoo.
If you in the Bosniak-Canadian Community do not feel proud to be Canadian, you know where you can go, directly and do not pass go on your way to Bosniakastan.

Yes folks were killed in Srebrenica, but to call it genocide?
All three factions are guilty of psychotic killing sprees.

Yukon man seeks $12M for space rock damage

A Yukon mining prospector claims federal geologists stole a priceless piece of meteorite he found in the 1980s that contained alien organisms, but RCMP say they haven't found any evidence to support that allegation.

The Yukon Supreme Court is hearing the case of Mayo-based prospector Dan Sabo this week.

Sabo accuses the Geological Survey of Canada of swindling him out of what he believes is a priceless rock with crystal-like alien lifeforms on it.

He is demanding $12 million in compensation.

Court has heard that Sabo found the pear-shaped meteorite on his mining claims in 1986. He held onto it until 1998, at which time he noticed green crystals growing out of a crevice in the rock.

Holy Heck, I should be keeping more attention as I walk through the woods and down the beach of the rocks I'm collecting.

George Vujnovich: 93-year-old WWII Vet's Heroic Feats No Longer Hidden

South Side native George Vujnovich, 93, appeared at a ceremony in New York yesterday to accept an award as a hero in World War II's Operation Halyard.

Read more at:





http://www.generalmihailovich.com/2008/11/george-vujnovich-93-year-old-wwii-vets.html

German multiculturalism 'utterly failed': Merkel

Germany's chancellor says attempts to create a multicultural society in the country have "utterly failed."

Angela Merkel said Saturday that the concept that different cultures can live happily side by side does not work.

She stressed that immigrants need to do more to integrate, including learning to speak German.

Merkel's comments came as Reuters news agency said she is facing pressure from within the party to take a stronger stance on immigrants who don't appear willing to integrate into German society.

Immigration issues have become a hot topic, and a recent survey by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation think-tank indicated more than 30 per cent of Germans believe the country is "overrun by foreigners."

Well this is shocking news, is it not. For one of the most powerful European Nations to come out and say this is really news. I was in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, and was shocked to see how many Asians, Middle Easterners, and Black folks there were. We just don't see that in rural PEI.

Now, because I like to eat, the plus side is lots of delicious ethnic cuisine. I'm not sure if there is a negative side, yet.

Abducted British aid worker killed

A British aid worker kidnapped nearly two weeks ago was killed when one of her captors detonated a bomb as NATO forces were trying to rescue her in eastern Afghanistan, officials said Saturday.

Linda Norgrove died Friday in Kunar province, where she was abducted in an ambush on Sept. 26 along with three of her Afghan colleagues, who were later released.

"We are saddened beyond words by the death of a wonderful woman whose sole purpose in Afghanistan was to do good — to help the Afghan people achieve a measure of prosperity and stability in their everyday lives as they set about rebuilding their country," DAI president James Boomgard said.

"A development professional to the core, Linda spent most of her adult life working for and managing projects in developing countries, mostly projects that help farmers and rural workers build sustainable livelihoods while protecting the environment," he said.


She joined DAI in January and was guiding a program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, to create jobs, boost local economies and strengthen local Afghan leadership to reduce reliance on the cultivation of poppies, used in making opium.

Yes I dont want to say she was an idiot but she must have been.

NFL investigating Favre allegations

The NFL said Friday it would review allegations involving the Vikings' Brett Favre, who the website Deadspin said sent racy messages and photos to a former game hostess while he was the Jets' quarterback in 2008.

The league action comes one day after the site posted a video that included below-the-waist photos, said to be of Favre.

"We are reviewing the matter," league spokesman Greg Aiello said when asked about reports that a person alleged to be Favre sent voice mails and lewd pictures to Jenn Sterger.

The 26-year-old Sterger, now a TV personality for Versus, has a website that describes her as an actress, model, writer and television host. Her duties during Jets games included introducing the Jets' dance team, asking trivia questions and making announcements to the crowd.

Sterger's manager Phil Reese said she is "not doing any interviews or commenting at this time," but that "Jenn did not provide Deadspin with any information."

In an email to The Associated Press, A.J. Daulerio, Deadspin's editor in chief, declined to reveal the source of the material. He did say the source of the photos contacted him and that Deadspin paid "more than we ever have" for them.

Favre, who turns 41 Sunday, and his wife, Deanna, have been married 14 years. He became a grandfather in the spring.

I was going to go on about what a game hostess is, but then read further and they explained what she does. Still the term "hostess with the mostest" comes to mind.

Now, I've gone on record in saying that Brett should retire and stay retired one of these days, but you've got to feel for him on this subject. I can see his day in court when the defence shows large pictures of the below the waist photos and have Brett drop his trousers.

Wait a tic, this Deadspin paid "more than it ever has" for this stuff.... hmmm, I have met hostesses ? I'm able to furnish below the waist photos. Yes, I smell a money deal coming together.

And I love the last sentence of the story about Brett being married for 14 years and becoming a grandfather in the spring; nothing like the reality of being a grand dad to make a man go after a 26 year old hostess!

Stowaways arrested in Montreal speak out

A group of Moroccan nationals spent seven days hiding inside a cold shipping container, being ferried by a cargo vessel to an unknown destination.

And by the time they emerged from their dark, dank hiding place, they were surprised to learn they were approaching Canada.

Those scant details emerged as testimony at Immigration and Refugee Board hearings Friday, a day after Canadian authorities raided a ship and arrested the men inside.

They had no official papers with them. They said they snuck onto the ship and didn't receive any help from anyone. They insisted they had no idea where they were going.

The men initially claimed to be of Iraqi descent and gave fake names before later admitting they were from Morocco.

Montreal lawyer Jamal Fraygui, who represented two of the men, said his clients had been through a harrowing ordeal. He called their initial contact with Canadian authorities a "terrifying welcome" as the men were questioned in the most "inhuman" conditions, on the ship at 3 a.m.

Refugees? from Morocco? It has to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Compared to many arab countries it is very liberal and free. So much so that it is a favorite destination of Saudis who want to "let down their hair" and have a good time.

Pack up these Jabones and send them back to Morocco, and not in a comfy plane - in the same shipping container they came in. Lawyer Jamal Fraygui? Sounds like one immigrant helping others. And give me a fucking break - "terryfying welcome, inhuman conditions". Folks who arrive in the middle of the night in a seacan should be treated as suspicious possible terrorists, not as the next clerk at the corner 7-11.

More of Jamie Lee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFj5MTp4lLo&NR=1

Capt Rob Semrau kicked out of the Army

Well I seen yesterday that Capt Rob got a dismissal from the Canadian Armed Forces as a sentence for his guilty charge of bad conduct. The article also said he was not released with dishonour, so he could re-apply to join the Army.

I would not think that Rob will have anything to do with the Canadian Army in the future. He may go back to the British Army, as I'm sure they would have handled the whole affair much differently.

I don't believe for a moment that any of the Captain's troops had any problem with what he did. The Afghan translator brought up this mess, and I hope he is no living back with his ape family in a mud hut somewhere in the back corner of the asshole that is Afghanistan.

I think it would have been handled differently in the British Army, by once the CO of a Captain heard about this he would have handed down some sort of minor punishment and let the Captain go about his duties.

And for all the bleeding hearts that believe that this "detestable scumbag" could have been saved by prompt medical attention, blow it out your arse.

One of the hardest moments of my life has been to see folks die, the look on their faces is of disbelief and innocence. That is why I can't hunt today, and only fish occassionaly. I believe the future life of a duck or partridge is every bit as important as a humans.

Keep strong, Rob...