Nov. 1, 2015
Toronto Star – Robert Cribb
Workplace violence makes nursing one of Canada’s most dangerous professions
Nurses are probably engaged in the country’s most dangerous profession because of the nature and extent of workplace violence directed against them by upset patients. Between 2008 and 2013 across Canada there were more than 4,000 incidents reported that prevented nurses from going to work, more than those for police and firemen together. There were 760 such incidents in Ontario alone. And nurses apparently do not report most of the assaults. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/10/31/workplace-violence-makes-nursing-one-of-canadas-most-dangerous-professions.html
Globe and Mail – Renata D’Aliesio
The Unremembered
158 Canadian soldiers died in Afghanistan. But another at least 54 soldiers and vets died by suicide after their Afghanistan service. What is more distressing is that D’Aliesio thinks the military tis trying its best to keep the number secret. The number is a guesstimate pieced together by various other sources in the face of refusal of the Defense Department to release the total number. In an effort to track the medical care and the reasons for the suicide, D’Aliesio tracks four of the returned soldiers. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/veterans/article26499878/
Toronto Star – Alex Boutilier
VICE Canada to fight RCMP’s demand for notes on suspected ISIS fighter
Farah Mohamed Shirdon is a Calgary-born Islamic State fighter who was interviewed by VICE reporter Ben Makuch. The RCMP have served a production order for all notes and details of the interview, including information on how to be in touch on-line electronically with Islamic State people. “VICE Canada’s head of content, Patrick McGuire, said complying with the RCMP’s demands would undermine the in dependence of Canadian journalism from state authorities.” Most of the VICE documents are now sealed by an Ontario Superior Court where VICE will argue its case in January 2016. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/10/30/rcmp-investigating-vice-reporters-interview-with-islamic-state-militant.html
Counterpunch – Paul Craig Roberts
Offshoring the Economy: Why the US is on the Road to the Third World
Economist Roberts forecast some eleven years ago that moving jobs off-shore and creating part time work and considerable less income would take its toll by turning the US into a third world economy. Roberts cites the most recent statistics to illustrate the reality of the past eleven years and what to expect in the remaining nine years of his original twenty year estimate. To make matters worse, the declines he enumerates have all occurred supposedly in a period of recovery happening since 2009. http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/10/30/offshoring-the-economy-why-the-us-is-on-the-road-to-third-world/
The Marshall Project (US)
The New Science of Sentencing – Should prison sentences be based on crimes that haven’t been committed yet?
We are used to the notion that the present crime and previous criminal history are factors to consider in sentencing guidelines. Just as the US is attempting to confront sentence reform to redress mass incarceration, here’s a new idea deriving from the new practice of risk assessment in which social scientists forecast the likelihood of recidivism based on “statistical probabilities based on factors such as age, employment history and prior criminal record.” Risk assessment has been practiced in a wide variety of formats and in most US states for some time. What is new, so far for Pennsylvania only, is the insertion into the sentencing phase as though to punish for crimes never committed. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/08/04/the-new-science-of-sentencing
The Nation.com (US)
What Happens When Old Prisons Are Given Back to Their Communities?
Here’s a rising from the ashes story. The Bayview Correctional Facility for years was the only women’s prison in the five boroughs of New York with the worst record for sexual assaults of inmates. Most former prisons are simply sold to the highest bidder but this 28 acres building and site has been given in a 50 year lease to NoVo Foundation, established by the Buffets, and to be known as the Women’s Building to foster and deliver resources and services to women. http://www.thenation.com/article/what-happens-when-old-prisons-are-given-back-to-their-communities/ Related article: The nation.com Rebecca Vallas and Billy Corriher – Criminal Justice–Reform Legislation Is Missing 1 Crucial Piece http://www.thenation.com/article/criminal-justice-reform-legislation-is-missing-one-crucial-piece/
TalkPoverty.org (US) – Amme Voz
Prison created poverty
If you think that prison rehabilitates you need to read this article. It’s conclusion is powerful and enough for second thoughts on all possible alternatives: “Prison does not rehabilitate; that propaganda is a lie. I have been home from prison for almost a year, but I am still not free. Prison has impoverished me financially and mentally, and so I cling to the hope of having a life worth living.” http://talkpoverty.org/2015/07/13/prison-created-poverty/
National Observer – Fram Dinshaw
A tidal wave of climate refugees is coming, where will they go?
Documentary filmmaker and immigration expert Sheila Murray has just produced a powerful film called No Place to Go, made for Amnesty International, which uses the current Syrian refugee crisis to anticipate the magnitude of crisis which will come by 2050 when the earth’s environmental conditions generate as many as 200 million new refugees. There is, of course, no provision for refuges generated by climate change under the current provisions governing refugees. http://www.nationalobserver.com/2015/10/30/exodus-climate-refugees-has-just-begun-where-will-they-go Related article: Toronto Star – Marina Jimenez Refugees in Jordan’s Zaatari camp have few hopes http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/11/01/refugees-in-jordans-zaatari-camp-have-few-hopes.html
CBC News – Ideas with Paul Kennedy
The Struggle over Jihad
Naheed Mustafa leads this discussion on the convoluted history of jihad which, he says, is about how to live rather than justification for killing. Mustafa thinks that radicalized jihad has been disastrous for Muslims as well as the West because it is a fundamental perversion of the Muslim faith. The 54 minute audio is available on the link. http://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/the-struggle-over-jihad-1.3228757