Fake news 2.0…

May 28, 2017

Globe and Mail – Eddie Greenspon and Taylor Owen
‘Fake news 2.0’: A threat to Canada’s democracy

The authors draw an interesting picture on both experience of “fake news” and the studies around what has happened to date.  Then they suggest what we may expect in the future influence of fake news in our democracies.  Finally, they offer five responses to fake news.  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/fake-news-20-a-threat-to-canadas-democracy/article35138104/?reqid=7a57c4bb-5242-4272-95bb-ec8b0f59c9bf

The Economist –
Too many prisons make bad people worse. There is a better way – The world can learn from how Norway treats its offenders

The article compares the practices, and the results, of efforts to rehabilitate inmates in Norway and the US (Norway has less than half the recidivism rate two years after release and imprisons about 1/10 the US prison population).  Norway’s approach in the “world’s nicest prison” is radically less about security and much more about allowing inmates choice and dignity.  The link includes an international picture of prison and prison practices.  http://www.economist.com/news/international/21722654-world-can-learn-how-norway-treats-its-offenders-too-many-prisons-make-bad-people?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/ed/prisonstoomanyprisonsmakebadpeopleworsethereisabetterway  Related article: Lynn McDonald  –  The case for abolishing solitary confinement   https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/05/29/the-case-for-abolishing-solitary-confinement.html

Blogger Russell Webster (UK) –
Peter Yarwood’s story: A 20 year recovery journey

This link is the last of four in a series of success rehabilitation stories after a prolonged immersion in crime and prison, starting at a youthful age.  An intervention by a prison officer and the rehab program called Red Rose Recovery or Building Recovery by Believing in People spurred the transformation.    http://www.russellwebster.com/peter-yarwood/

Ottawa Citizen: Kenneth Jackson
Gladue report delays are hurting indigenous offenders here in Ottawa

The Gladue report is a part of the sentencing process for Indigenous people convicted of crimes meriting jail time.  It requires the courts to take into consideration the various, and often horrendous, suffering and indignities heaped on Aboriginal people over the years, including sexual abuse, residential schools and foster homes.  Inconsistency in producing the reports and long delays where they are in fact produced colour justice still for Canada’s First Nations.  http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/jackson-gladue-report-delays-are-hurting-indigenous-offenders-here-in-ottawa

Globe and Mail – Margaret Wente
The original sin of white privilege

A sociology / psychology course in local schools – at Grade 11 level – has promoted a vigorous discussion about ‘white privilege.’   Many would instantly grant the premise that white Canadians gratuitously enjoy a position of advantage that those of other ethnic origins must struggle to achieve.  The controversy sways around a questionnaire asking students to rate themselves on a number of indicators.  A Black Canadian offers a rebuttal, suggesting that were any other descriptive – Black, Asian, whatever – inserted, we would immediately cry racist.  https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/the-original-sin-of-white-privilege/article35124053/   The questionnaire:  (A 7 page downloadable pdf) https://admin.artsci.washington.edu/sites/adming/files/unpacking-invisible-knapsack.pdf   Related article : Ottawa Citizen : Andrew Potter – Manchester, my daughter and me  http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/potter-manchester-my-daughter-and-me

Toronto Star – Noella Ovid and David Lao (Ryerson); Blair Bigham (Munk School of Foreign Affairs); Robert Cribb (Toronto Star)
Demand for youth mental health services is exploding. How universities and business are scrambling to react

A survey of 15 universities across the country has revealed at requests for mental health services have exploded – 14 of the 15 have increased mental health budgets by an average of 35% in the last five years.  Requests for extra time in completion of assignments because of mental health circumstances have skyrocketed – up 143% at U of T.  All the indicators of mental health problems are up: anxiety, depression, drug abuse and suicide attempts, and “no one knows what is going on.”  https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/05/29/youth-mental-health-demand-is-exploding-how-universities-and-business-are-scrambling-to-react.html

International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group-
Civil liberties groups call for urgent changes to preclearance rule

 Bill C-23 or the Pre-clearance Bill that authorizes US and Canadian immigration and customs officers to conduct their business on one another’s soil is going too far, some critics say, and does not offer accountability of these officers to the host country nor protect sufficiently human rights concerns.  Bill C-23 is currently under review by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU).  http://iclmg.ca/civil-liberties-groups-call-for-urgent-changes-to-preclearance-rules/#more-4549