Daesh…

March 4, 2016

Toronto Star – Olivia Ward
The Star now says ‘Daesh’ instead of ‘the Islamic State’ or ISIS

For some time, journalist and politicians both have been struggling to separate the terrorists known as ISIL and the average Muslim person or religion.  The decision by the Star may well allow a reporting that is decidedly less offensive to Muslims by naming specific entities rather than lumping all things Muslim in the same bowl.  The National Council of Canadian Muslims are applauding the choice and the decision.  http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/03/03/the-star-now-says-daesh-instead-of-the-islamic-state-or-isis.html?utm_source=NR+-+NCCM+welcomes+Toronto+Star%27s+decision+to+use+%22Daesh%22+instead+of+the&utm_campaign=NR+NCCM+denounces+ISIS+call+for+attacks+%28Sept+22%2C+2014%29&utm_medium=email   Related article:  Toronto Star –  Amira Elghawaby     Want to hurt the Islamic State? Call it something else – How politicians and media refer to the terrorist group may actually help in countering its destructive narratives   http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/02/23/want-to-hurt-the-islamic-state-call-it-something-else.html   National Council of Canadian Muslims  – Press Release    NCCM welcomes Toronto Star’s decision to use “Daesh” instead of the “Islamic State” –  Calls on other media outlets and politicians to consider doing the same   http://www.nccm.ca/nccm-welcomes-toronto-stars-decision-to-use-daesh-instead-of-the-islamic-state/

CBC News – Alison Crawford
External body needed to probe RCMP workplace complaints, senior Mountie says – Chief Superintendent echoes view of 2013 report that called for independent investigations of harassment

Chief Supt. Angela Workman-Stark says that at one time senior management believed that the Mounties could handle complaints about harassment and bullying internally but now that an external source may better serve for handling the problem of an intimidating and ingrained bullying culture.  She says: “…It’s part of the healing process if you will. It’s part of moving forward to have some sort of mechanism so people can trust and feel comfortable that their allegations may be adjudicated appropriately.”  http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rcmp-harassment-bullying-complaints-1.3471453

CBC News
Hamed Shafia should have been tried as youth for ‘honour killing,’ appeal court hears – Shafia and parents were convicted of murdering 4 female family members in 2009 and are serving life sentences

Some evidence that the son of a family convicted of “honour” killing was under the age of 18 at the time of the offenses but charged and sentenced as an adult has the legal system wondering about his conviction and whether a new trail is required.  Lawyers for Hamed Shafia are in the Court of Appeal seeking a ruling and the legal response to the under age problem. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/shafia-murder-appeal-1.3473359  Related article:  CBC News – Ron Charles       Shafia appeal: Crown expected to defend ‘honour killing’ testimony – Crown expected to counter argument that ‘honour killing’ testimony shouldn’t have been allowed    http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/shafia-appeal-continues-1.3475411   Related article: CTV News – Canadian Press     Shafia trio seeking new trial at appeal court   http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/shafia-trio-seeking-new-trial-at-appeal-court-1.2803485

CBC News
Failure to communicate: Federal data centre gets top-secret surprise – Plan to build $400M data centre at military base disrupted by unexpected demand for highly secure room

The effort to consolidate the federal government computer services under Shared Services Canada has long been on a rough road, stumbling over a $400 million project to bring over 500 data centers together at CFB Base Borden.   It seems no one read the fine print about the military upgrade requirements for the replacement of the current top secret secure room.  http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/shared-services-canada-data-military-1.3472794

CBC Forum
CBC Forum: When should Canada use solitary confinement?

Prompted by the recent insistence by Ontario’s Human Rights Commissioner demand that solitary is a violation of human rights, the forum (now closed) explores a variety of opinion around the issue and the limits of its use from both former inmates and others.    http://live.cbc.ca/Event/CBC_Forum_When_should_Canadas_use_solitary_confinement

BuzzFeed News –
Alabama Death Sentencing Law Is Unconstitutional, State Judge Rules

Alabama Judge Tracie Todd has ruled in a suit brought by four convicted murderers that the death penalty as practiced in the state is unconstitutional in the same way as the Supreme Court has already declared the Florida practice unconstitutional.  The Circuit Court judge was explicit:  “It is clear, from here on the front line, that Alabama’s judiciary has unequivocally been hijacked by partisan interests and unlawful legislative neglect.”  http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/alabama-death-penalty-law-is-unconstitutional-state-judge-ru#.xxngVWeVK

Montreal Gazette – Mark Dance
Opinion: Cindy Blackstock’s victory shows the value of our institutions

In 2007, Cindy Blackstock filed a grievance over the underfunding of child services for Indigenous people.  Now, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal have also called discriminatory the underfunding practices on a number of child welfare fronts.  Fearful of her, the Canadian government also paid $20,000 in damages when they violated her privacy in monitoring her activity both in Canada and overseas.  Blackstock is Executive Director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.   http://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-cindy-blackstocks-victory-shows-the-value-of-our-institutions