The 2010 Olympics are still making news

Despite the fact that the Vancouver Olympics have been over for 10 months it still has managed to make news.  It has been hidden from the public eye for a while, but apparently the amount French spoken at the opening ceremony in Victoria that was held before the games had started was below the minimum established in 1988.  This minimum amount was established to keep Quebec from separating from the rest of Canada.  Vanoc did not mention a word about the criticism of there being very little French spoken at the ceremony.

My response to this story is that it is very surprising as you would think that this ceremony would have been able to at least match the minimum amount of French needed to be spoken.  It seems that people thought that just because it was in Victoria that meant that they could ignore it.  The last thing Canada wants is to be separated from Quebec and what occurred in this pre-ceremony suggests that Canada wants the opposite.  In my opinion it’s our duty as Canadians to meet up to the standards of holding a bilingual country.  This is not a small issue and here we thought that news about the Olympics were done and over with.  I am amazed that VANOC failed to realize that the ceremony didn’t meet up to standards that keep this country together.  You’d think with the money tax payers poured into the Olympics that VANOC would have planned the ceremony out better obviously not.

    

Source

News Source:  The Vancouver Sun

Title:  Wake up Call: Vancouver 2010 Olympics continue to make news

Date:  Dec 16

Author:  Cam Cole, Vancouver Sun 

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/Wake+Call+Vancouver+2010+Olympics+continue+make+news/3987193/story.html

Sacramento mother sues Macdonald’s for marketing happy meals to children

The Sacramento mother and Center for Science in the Public Interest together filed the law suit on Wednesday alleging MacDonald’s deception of young children by giving them toys with children meals.  The organization involved with the lawsuit had previously threatened to sue MacDonald’s since last summer claiming that they have a method of opposing parental control and encouraging unhealthy eating and added that it was false advertising. 

My response to this story is a somewhat frustrated one as I think it is one of the most ridiculous law suits I have heard of in a while.  My reason is because I think that MacDonald’s should not be accountable for children going to MacDonald’s more often.  It’s up to the parents to say no to there children and to not take them there just because they want to.  So what if the advertisement of toys makes the children want to go MacDonald’s more often the parents have the power to tell there children no were not going to MacDonald’s you have had enough of it this month.  It is up to the parents, they are responsible for what their children put in their bodies not the fast food’s franchise.  You are not being a good parent if you can’t say no to your children you are blaming someone else when you should be blaming yourself.  The people who filed this law suit should be ashamed of themselves.

Source

News Source:  LA Times

Title:  McDonald's sued for marketing Happy Meals to children

Date:  Dec 15

Author:  Emily Bryson York

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mcdonalds-lawsuit-20101215,0,396761.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fmostviewed+%28L.A.+Times+-+Most+Viewed+Stories%29

Iran accuses US, Britain, Israel of horrible suicide bomb attack

On Wednesday Dec 15 Iran accused US, Britain, and Israel of a suicide bomb attack that occurred in front of the Imam Hussein mosque in the southeastern port city of Chabahar.  39 people were killed in the attack while 50 others were wounded.  The attack occurred during a Shiite ceremony called Tasua in which they commemorate the death of the grandson of the prophet Mohammed according to one source.  The Pakistan-based Sunni rebel group Jundallah (God' s soldiers) has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack according to the media.  Chief of Iran's Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi accused the United States and Britain of being involved in the attack as well as other government officials have made a similar statement. 

My response to this story is that it is terrible that such a horrible attack has occurred in Iran, but I am somewhat surprised by the accusation Iran has made. In my opinion this accusation is lacking the appropriate support to back it up, but at the same time I think it is possible that the countries mentioned are in some way involved with this horrible attack.  It wouldn’t be extremely unlikely that the countries mentioned are involved with this suicide bombing.  This whole accusation just has me thinking of what the US, Britain and Israel has against Iran. All I can think of is oil, but this seems like a strange first tactic to bomb a religious ceremony.  It seems unlikely, but an accusation has been made so it is possible.

Source

News Source:  Xinhua News
Title:  Iran accuses US, Britain, Israel of deadly suicide bomb attack
Date:  Dec 16

Author:  N/A

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-12/16/c_13650701.htm

Liberals say Harper Government was full of mediocrity in 2010

 According to the liberals parliament was filled with wasteful spending under the conservative government this past year and the liberals are confident that they will be a compelling alternative in the next election.  According to deputy leader Ralph Goodale and house leader David Mcguinty the conservative government has ignored the priorities of Canadians.  The Liberals criticized the Conservatives over their economic record referring to the conservative government as the biggest borrowing, biggest spending, and most indebted government in Canadian history.  Goodale was quoted as saying “on all these fronts 2010 was a year of grinding mediocrity from the Harper government.”  Also criticized was the conservative’s lack of new legislation saying that most legislation was previously killed, but then re-introduced.  

My response to this story is that there definitely is a bias to the liberal’s criticism of the conservative government.  However I have little support for the conservative government as I am liberal and I would rather the liberals be in charge currently, but I think the conservatives done somewhat better than the liberals are implying.  I would not call the parliament of 2010 mediocre, but I would say that there is room for improvement and I think the liberals could fulfill the improvements that are necessary.  Particularly the over spending as I think overspending can have a very negative effect on the economy as it puts the government more in debt than they need to be.  I am a person that thinks that there needs to be a change in the government as I think there has been minority government for too long.  The conservatives are losing support and I think it’s about time the liberals should take office.

Source

News Source:  Montreal Gazette

Title:  Liberals say 2010 filled with 'grinding mediocrity' from Harper government
Date:  Dec 15

Author:  Meagan Fitzpatrick

http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Liberals+2010+filled+with+grinding+mediocrity+from+Harper+government/3983642/story.html

Cross Breeding may occur more due to climate change in the Arctic

It seems that many difference species of animals in the arctic could become extinct due to this expansion of cross breeding particularly endangered species like the polar bear.  Different types of whales, bears and seals could end up mating with one another creating hybrid offspring that will immensely decrease the biodiversity in the artic.  One source has said that 22 species could hybridize into as much as 34 different combinations.  It is also said that the hybrid offspring of these animals often will be infertile and more prone to disease.  In 2006, a bear with a patchy white and brown coat was shot in the Canadian Arctic and a dna test had proved it to be a polar bear and grizzly bear hybrid is just some of the proof that it is going on. 

My response to this story is that it is very interesting that this hybridization of species in the artic is going on, but if it means the extinction of endangered species it could end up being a problem.  It just proves that there really is a problem in the arctic.  If it is causing a drastic phenomenon such as this and whether is due to humans or not it really is I an eye opener.  I can see the positive results from this like species better adapted to a new environment , but you just can’t help to see that the there are negative effects.  I don’t want to see so many endangered species become extinct, but you just can’t stop this hybridization when arctic is melting at such an amazingly fast rate.  These animals are only doing what they have to do to survive if any ones responsible its us, but the nature process of climate change certainly doesn’t help.

Source

News Source:  LA Times

Title:  Arctic ice melt may promote cross-breeding, further imperiling endangered animals

Date:  Dec 16

Author:  Amina Khan

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-arctic-animals-20101216,0,439283.story

Jury indecisive on value of WikiLeaks cable dump

A lot of controversy has surfaced ever since WikiLeaks posted thousands of documents revealing the inner working of US government and how it relates Canada and the rest of the world.  Some say that the documents are a great source for investigative journalism and give the public a better understanding of their governments past.  Other led by the part of the US government have stated that these documents support terrorism and violated the national security of the country.  Information big and small have revealed as massive amount of government information that no one ever knew about from this website, so you can see why juries are indecisive.

My response to this story is one of fascination and I think it’s amazing that all this classified information the public never knew about is being revealed.  I in no way support the claim that this out burst will lead to terrorism.  I in fact think that the public has the right to view this information however private it may be.  It is the countries right to be able to view information from the inside of their government as I think the government doesn’t have the right to keep it from the public.  It may be a blessing in disguise as this will provide an excellent opportunity for very interesting journalism and maybe will create more of an openness between the public and their government.  I think that this cable dump will have more of a positive effect on the country than negative effects.  It will be interesting how other countries will react to this information, but I think terrorism is out of the question as the information is not as threatening to national security as some would think.

Source

News Source:  Montreal Gazette

Title:  Jury still out on value of WikiLeaks cable dump

Date:  Dec 3

Author:  Randy Boswell, Postmedia News

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Jury+still+value+WikiLeaks+cable+dump/3925227/story.html

Carol Berner released from jail on bail while appealing her impaired Driving charge

In case your wondering who Carl Berner is she is a 58 year old woman who was convicted of impaired driving in a crash two years ago that killed four-year-old Alexa Middelaer.  In early November she was to sentenced to 2 and a half years in prison and a ban from driving for 5 years, but on Nov 26 she was granted bail from the B.C. Court of Appeal.  Berner was convicted in July of impaired driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm on May 17, 2008. 

My response to this story is that it’s ridiculous that she is getting out of jail.  Its bad enough that she was drinking and driving, but the fact that she killed someone from doing it makes this story really bother me.  I just don’t think that she has truly paid the price of her crime.  Her carelessness killed a child.  If she wasn’t drunk I would understand, but when alcohol is involved it become a different issue.  I would have been satisfied with sentenced made in early November, but I find it ridiculous that she is almost getting off Scott free.  Imagine how the parents of this child must feel after hear about her release on bail.  I know that she didn’t intentionally kill the child, but I think when you do such a horrible thing and its influenced by drinking and driving you have to pay for it with jail time so I don’t think its fair that she was released on bail.

Source

News Source:  The Vancouver Sun

Title:  Carol Berner released on bail while appealing impaired driving conviction

Date:  Nov 26

Author:  Tiffany Crawford

http://www.vancouversun.com/Carol+Berner+released+bail+while+appealing+impaired driving+conviction/3889858/story.html

Court Finds Mohamed Harket to Be a Terror Threat

Mohamed Harket was devastated after the court ruling and claimed to be physically ill because of it.  The federal court judge claimed that he was a security threat as the judge believed that the Algerian born man held ties to Osama bin Laden’s terror network after he entered Canada.  The decision could mean that he will be deported to his native country.  Apparently Harket was really shaken up and was quoted as saying "I can't sleep. I'm not thinking straight. I have pain in my stomach."  He has claimed that that he was just telling them what happened and was being truthful. 

This story is an interesting one as it’s a continuation of what is called the war on terror which has been really successful ever since 9/11.  In case you didn’t notice I am being sarcastic the war on terror really has not been successful and the court has sentenced many innocent people as terrorists.  I believe that this case is a great example of it and I believe this man has no terror plots against Canada of any kind.  Why a man who is lying would not be so shaken up by the whole situation as someone who is telling the truth.  I just don’t think that there is enough sufficient evident to support the claim that this man is threat to Canada.  This man is just and innocent person who trying to create a better life for himself and his wife and there is a high chance he could be sent back to his native country.  It really is a horrible story he has no plans to breach security.  He should be treated like a regular immigrant not like this.  What has the world come to where just because a man is from Algeria and you assume that he poses some threat to security.

Source

News Source:  CP24 

Title:  Mohamed Harkat says he's 'devastated' by court finding him a terror threat

Date:  Dec 10

Author:  The Canadian Press

  http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101210/101210_harkat/20101210/?hub=CP24Home

 Chief of Alberta Health Services Fired After Cookie Incident

Last Wednesday the chief of Alberta health services of Australian descent was fired after an incident over a cookie.  The incident happened when he was being pestered by a small group of reporters who wanted him to comment on the crisis of emergency department crowding.  He told them he was eating a cookie which he then shoved into the face of the nearest reporter. 

My opinion on this story is it’s a very funny story yet it is still relevant in mainstream news.  I think maybe he should have cared about issues than eating a cookie.  I guess that’s the way the cookie crumbles you shove a cookie in some ones face and you are likely going to end up paying for it after.  Instead of shoving a cookie in one of the reporters face maybe he should have answered his questions.  He should of at least of had the decency to respond to the reporters instead he tries to avoid it by assaulting one of them with baked goods.  Didn’t his mother tell him not to shove baked goods into people’s faces?  What a way to lose your job as he is going to be remembered as the idiot that lost his job by slamming a cookie in someone’s face.  It’s ridiculous in my opinion I mean what are you doing shoving a cookie in someone’s face it’s just idiocy.  Politicians should have the patience to respond to the media without flying of the handle obviously he didn’t have patience.

Source

News Source:  National Post

Title:  Blackwell on Health:  The cookie that shook a health system

Date:  Nov 26

Author:  Tom Blackwell

http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/11/26/the-cookie-that-shook-a-health-system/



2 burglars vs. an 83 year old partially blind Woman

Quite an interesting event occurred in Manchester England not too long ago November 10^th to be exact.  Apparently two burglars in there 30’s tried to rob a woman.  You’d think the woman being partially blind and 83 years old would make the robbery that much easier.  Believe it or not this woman fended off the burglars by hitting them with her walking stick.  All these burglars got a way with was a small amount of cash.

 My opinion of this story is it very funny and it just proves that you can’t judge a person from what they look like.  When you think of an 83 year old woman you think of someone helpless.  It truly amazes that she didn’t even need help from the police. She was an enforcer all on her own.  I don’t think these burglars knew what they were getting into, but can you blame them what burglar expects to be wailed by a walking stick, it really hurts you know.  This grandmother must have been practicing that swing for 83 years.  I would want to mess with her either and I would have run away too.  What makes this story even more amazing is the fact that this woman was partially blind too.  It certainly didn’t affect her accuracy as these guys probably left in a hurry.  In conclusion this story is awesome it’s nice to see some justice being served up.  It will teach these guys not to pick on an 83 year olds anymore because they might just have walking stick and no one want to be wailed with that thing. I need to shake this woman’s hand because she overcame all the stereotypes that can follow a partially blind 83 tear old woman and did it in style.

Source 

News Source:  The Toronto Sun 

Title:  Partially blind woman, 83, fends off burglars: Cops

Date:  Nov 19

Author:  QMI Agency

http://www.torontosun.com/news/weird/2010/11/19/16226306.html