Austerity fetishism

 February 25, 2013

Toronto Star: Op-ed by Alex Himmelfarb
The trouble with austerity: Cutting is more about ideology than economics

Here is another insightful article from Alex Himmelfarb, who says: “…austerity fetishism is not economics; it is simply the latest expression of free market orthodoxy and, as ideology, impervious to evidence, never wrong. The belief that less government is the solution to pretty much any problem doesn’t lose a beat when the contrary evidence comes in.”  http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/2013/02/24/the_trouble_with_austerity_cutting_is_more_about_ideology_than_economics.html

 Winnipeg Free Press – Kevin Rollason
‘Victim’ apologizes to police for story  Says he lied about being dumped on city’s outskirts

A 22 year old Aboriginal man acknowledges that a “starlight” tour incident he alleged took place on his birthday did not in fact occur at all.  In an RJ response, Winnipeg police accepted the resolution and the apology for what was at first a mischief charge for the false report. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/victim-apologizes-to-police-for-story-192442911.html 

 MacDonald Laurier Institute
Is crime in Canada really declining? MLI study questions StatsCan’s numbers

The report says that the crime reports drawing on Stats Canada data records only crime reported to police.  Scott Newark, author of the study and former executive officer of the Canadian Police Association, takes issue with the annual report, Police-reported Crime Statistics in Canada, by Juristat, a Statistics Canada publication.” http://www.macdonaldlaurier.ca/is-crime-in-canada-really-declining-mli-study-questions-statscan%E2%80%99s-numbers

 Toronto Star – Canadian Press
Violent attacks on women fell between 2009 and 2011, Statistics Canada reports

The statistics of violence against women have fallen in 2011 by approximately 5% for sexual assaults and attempted murders.  http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/02/25/violent_attacks_on_women_fell_between_2009_and_2011_statistics_canada_reports.html

 Denver Post (Colorado) – Andre Salvail
Bears bad news for Aspen crime rates

Aspen police have had a 1200% increase in calls to deal with… bears!  The bear calls are the most frequent reason for calls to the police.  Do you suppose that the private prisons are ready for this one?  http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_22651129/bears-bad-news-aspen-crime-rates

 Waging Nonviolence – U.S. Blogger Ken Butigan
Restorative justice is the heart of nonviolent change

RJ has many different perspectives.  This one is from the perspective of actively pursuing non-violence as a life style.  The story revolves around peace circles and the wrongful death of a loved one.  http://wagingnonviolence.org/feature/restorative-justice-is-the-heart-of-nonviolent-change

 Harm Reduction Certificate: Canadian Harm Reduction and York University

This joint venture is a post graduate program in Harm reduction, given on-line.  For info:  http://dce.yorku.ca/SubCgyPgmCrs.aspx?CgyID=3&SubCgyID=8

 TimesLive (South Africa) – Nikita Ramkissoon
Mexican gangs threaten Internet activists

A South African paper-on-line is claiming that Mexican drugs lords are offering $48,000 reward for anyone who will denounce the person or family of bloggers using the anonymity of the internet to publicize the gang’s drug activity.  http://www.timeslive.co.za/scitech/2013/02/25/mexican-gangs-threaten-internet-activists

 BizPac Review (N.Y.) – Janeen Capizola
NYPD targets gangs and husbands to lower murder rate

New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is suggesting that by concentrating on gangs and domestic violence, N.Y. City’s finest has put a considerable dent in the crime stats. http://www.bizpacreview.com/2013/02/24/nypd-targets-gangs-and-husbands-to-lower-murder-rate-52225