Archive for the ‘Women’s rights’ Category
Violence in Toronto predictable resulted from police buildup
If you spend $1 billion to line the streets of Toronto with people who look like Darth Vadar’s storm troopers you are going to get reaction.
Toronto police line blocking protests on Queen image: CBC
The violence and property damage in Toronto is lamentable but predictable. Use of military power to limit public protest always results in violence, in Beijing, Tehran and Toronto.
In Beijing of course Canada denounces it as communist suppression of free speech and lack of democracy. The Iranian government is oppressive when it shoots at people protesting the election. In Canada somehow the government finds the use of police violence as appropriate when people want to end poverty or discrimination.
The same conference was held in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania with only $18 million in security costs and minor violence. “In Pittsburgh during the G20 meeting late in September 2009, about $50,000 in damage was caused by a minority of protesters.” CTV That wasn’t ten years ago, it was ten months ago. Read the rest of this entry »
Canada Pension creating poverty Flaherty told
Canadian pension system creating poverty for seniors and those living with disabilities
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty at Charlottetown public meeting on pensions photo: CBC
Canada’s Finance Minister Jim Flaherty heard repeatedly that Canada’s pension system is failing those who need it. Speaker after speaker at last night’s town hall meetings in Charlottetown said the system did not provide a reasonable income for Canadians. The system keeps Canadians far below the poverty line or LICO.
Speakers told the Finance Minister and his panel that it is impossible to live on the $11,000 a year average benefit under the Canada Pension. Even the GIC and OAS don’t help to bring the pensioner’s income up to the cost of living.
Leo Broderick, of the Council of Canadians, noted the disparity between what pensioners live on and the cost of living. He called on the government to double the Canada Pension benefit.
Everett Baker of Cornwall repeated the request to double the Canada Pension benefit. Baker said the Canada Pension has more than enough money at $123 billion in the trust fund to pay for the increase.
Is CBC producer Donna Allen a lobbyist ?
Sudden interest in stories about people with disabilities makes us wonder if CBC Producer Donna Allen has crossed-over from being a journalist to the lobbyist.
photo - Island Horse Council
Or has Donna Allen become an advocate for PEI’s disability community? On the other hand, Allen may just a promoter trying to wring money out of your wallet for the CBC Telethon.
Since she has given up her independence as a journalist, Allen should surrender her PEI press pass or will Wayne Thibodeau have to take it from her. They don’t like anyone who isn’t a pure journalist, and no blogging on the side.
One story about people with disabilities in a given week at CBC Charlottetown would be unusual. On Monday, there were three stories from CBC about people with disabilities. Then there were two more on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. That makes six stories about the disabled in 3 days. Something is up at CBC and Donna Allen may be at the root of it since she’s a producer and decides what to broadcast.
It’s not strange when you put two and two together.
Read the rest of this entry »
Low income a factor in family violence
Prince Edward Island perpetuates low income cycle of violence for women while naming February 14 as Family Violence Prevention Week
PEI Premier Robert Ghiz, hollow words on family violence
Family violence is a plague often rooted in low incomes of women yet PEI has not seriously moved to eliminate poverty among women.
The range of laws, regulations and programs that keep women rooted in the cycle of poverty and family violence include the low Provincial minimum wage, inadequate child care, and weak programs for work place equity.
“Family Violence knows no boundaries,” said Premier Robert Ghiz. “I urge our entire One Island Community to become educated and aware of all forms of domestic violence, so that we may better protect our most vulnerable Islanders.” Government press release
Premier Ghiz needs to put words into action to solve the problem of family violence that is often rooted in poverty.
Poverty as root cause
“Poverty (is the) most reliable predictor of poor health, premature death, disability (and women) 4x more likely report fair or poor health,” says a study prepared by the IWK by Atlantic Centre for Excellence in Women’s Health.
Read the rest of this entry »
CBC News Now sexist, racist and yellow journalism
Kyrstin Gemar, Ashley Neufeld, Afton Williamson - softball players and university students at Dickinson State University drowned in jeep accident
Death of three college students given the yellow journalism treatment by CBC
Enjoying a late lunch today, I was startled by the horrible yellow journalism that was broadcast on CBC News Now at 12:45 noon.
The story was the drowning death of three college friends in North Dakota which is reasonably reported on the CBC on their website.
The CBC host, Suhana Merachand, was on the phone interviewing a family friend of Ashley Neufeld, 21, of Brandon, Manitoba.
The questions and comments from the CBC host were meant to wring that last tear from your eye.
All the bigots are not in Louisiana many are in Canada
Canadian society needs to grow up. The bigots are here in Canada and it has to stop.
Warning – this story contains examples of racist, sexist and homophobic language for illustration purposes only. We condemn bigotry in all its forms.
Last week a Louisiana Justice of the Peace refused to marry a white woman to a black man. “The ACLU recommended “the most severe sanctions available, because such blatant bigotry poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the administration of justice.”CBC
Bigotry is alive and well in our society. Perhaps not racial bigotry but the new disability bigotry. Here’s a quote from the Charlottetown Guardian today.
“The Liberals, Tories, Municipal Politians, UPEI or the general public did not make you black. Slanderous rants against any of these groups will not make you not a nigger!”
New feminist blog for women with disabilities
FWD/Forward takes on a role in the feminist disability rights movement – check it out
From their “About” page
FWD/Forward: Feminists With Disabilities For A Way Forward Mission Statement:
FWD/Forward is a group blog written by feminists with disabilities. It is a place to discuss disability issues and the intersection between feminism and disability rights activism. The content here ranges from basic information which is designed to introduce people who are new to disability issues or feminism to some core concepts, to more advanced topics, with the goal of promoting discussion, conversation, fellowship, and education.
This site does not claim to speak for all feminists with disabilities. However, we are trying to cultivate a broad perspective which incorporates as many experiences and viewpoints as possible. We have attempted to assemble a diverse team of contributors with a broad spectrum of disabilities who come from different cultural, racial, religious, and class backgrounds, as well as age groups, and we welcome contributions such as guest posts, suggestions for article topics, and engagement in the comments from people interested in disability issues, disability feminism, and related topics, especially if those contributions will broaden our perspective.
Did Letterman’s celebrity just make workplace sexual harassment a joke?
Dave Letterman jokes about sex with his employees
Since when did the boss having sex with his staff pass the smell test on sexual harassment
Everyone knows that Dave Letterman had sex with several female members of his staff. Letterman revealed it on prime time TV when a co-worker tried to extort money from him. The extortion story is an attempt to build sympathy for Letterman.
The Globe and Mail published a story entitled Top 10 Reasons why David Letterman will Survive his Sex Scandal . The top reason given by the Globe is the shocking statement
“1 Come to think of it, what exactly did he do wrong?
“Mr. Letterman’s admitted to having an affair with co-workers, and apparently before his marriage to long-time girlfriend Regina Lasko last March. “If it was a consensual relationship, he’s not in trouble for sexual harassment,” said lawyer Deborah Katz on CNN yesterday. “Poor judgment, undoubtedly, but not legal trouble.” Globe and Mail
PBS to Air Film on Disability Advocates
Diana Braun and Kathy Conour in Body & Soul
New film on PBS highlights the lives of two women with disabilities who defied the odds and lived independent lives
The film BODY & SOUL: DIANA & KATHY chronicles the life of two of the country’s most remarkable advocates for people with disabilities. Diana Braun, who has Down syndrome, and Kathy Conour, who has cerebral palsy, met three decades ago and vowed to fight to live independent lives. Fearful of being shut away in a nursing home or forced into a state-run institution, Diana and Kathy broke the rules, escaped the system, and modeled a grand experiment in independent living.
Boycott Murphy Restaurants shutting down on Facebook
Slave labour from Liberal Party insider
Social activism on PEI goes back to sleep despite a moderate success
With stories from Facebook, Charlottetown Guardian, CBC, Ruk and Be Humble
Warning – this story contains satirical comments about persons and organizations in the public, business and media. Reading it may be dangerous to your stasis and may be offensive. Sorry no violent or sexual content that we know of other than the violence of poverty.
Male sexism dominates school board meeting, video part 1
Male school board trustees override women at school closure meeting
Part 1 of 3 -- female board trustees express their views along with one male on Parkdale and all schools.
Related Stories
Male chauvinists not extinct on PEI
Male sexism dominates school board meeting, video part 2
Black Tuesday for Robert Ghiz
PEI School Closings -- hot time in the old town last night
Video part 3 of PEI rural school closings
Part 3 of 3 -- trustees express their views on closing Dundas, St. Theresa’s, St. Peter’s. Eastern Kings, Rollo Bay and Fortune. The coverage omits the annoying CBC interpretation of events and lets us hear the board trustees.
Read the rest of this entry »
Hate Crime Bill might make Maryland a pioneer
Governor O’Malley Weighs Measure Including Homeless Victims
By Lisa Rein Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, April 17, 2009
Maryland would become the first state to list the homeless as a class protected from hate crimes under legislation that is headed to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s desk. Read the rest of this entry »
