There are many scenes in the film that show the plight of the Islamic-American post-9/11. Shops are vandalized, men are beaten and some Muslims and non-Muslims even take to changing their appearances and names so they can better assimilate into the post-9/11 American society.

The movie really got me thinking about how North Americans treat minorities, especially those who follow Islam, and those who, to the untrained or ignorant eye, look like they follow Islam. I’m talking about brown people. Maybe it’s not easy to tell where a brown person is from. I wouldn’t know, because I can tell pretty easily, since I am one. But I’ve been asked if I’m Iranian, Afghani, Pakistani, Jordanian, and in one odd case, Italian. That last one made no sense. None of the guesses, by the way, offended me in any way.

I am, ancestrally, from India. Does that make me Muslim? Hindu? Jewish? Christian? Does it matter? No. So, I’m not going to tell you. But what does matter is the attitude some of the residents of the U.S. and Canada take toward minorities that look Muslim.

Of course, not all of either country is anti-Muslim. I’d wager that only a small percentage of people in both countries harbor real, genuine hateful feelings towards Muslims. Some of these people think jihad, bombs and death are the primary teachings of the Qu’ran. The Qu’ran does not advocate killing, but verses taken out-of-context lead some to believe it does. Verses taken out of context from other religious books, be they from the Hindu faith or the Christian faith, can also give people the wrong idea of the religion. That’s why people say education leads to understanding, because a lack of education leads to ignorance.

Anyway, after the movie I came home, logged on to Twitter, and searched the word “Muslim”. I came across a few prejudice tweets. Below is a conversation between two women that I found interesting:

@caitebeth: “Why do we have Obama as president? I mean, really. Don’t tell me he’s not a Muslim. I won’t believe you.”

@rawrxmaggie: “@caitebeth He /isn’t/ Muslim. He’s Christian. And anyway, what’s wrong with being Muslim? Isn’t America all about freedom of religion?”

@rawrxmaggie: “@caitebeth Christianity is not the only religion. And Muslim people have the right to practice their religion.”

Why are people so vehemently attacking a man on the basis of his (perceived) faith? Like “@rawrxmaggie” says, who cares what faith he is? Isn’t the U.S. a land of freedom, freedom of religion, the right to be who you are anywhere, at all times? If someone is smart, capable, morally decent and kind, why can’t they rise to the top in any profession? Do they have to be smart, capable, morally decent, kind and Christian? No.

But wait, here’s more tweets from the “@caitebeth” brand of thinking. These are a bit more radical, though:

@brettcoulter: “SOME PEOPLE THINK HIS REAL NAME IS MOHAMMED. HIS MIDDLE NAME IS HUSSEIN SO THAT IS BELIEVABLE. HE’S A MUSLIM IN DISGUISE. RECORDS ARE HIDDEN”

@TexasRV: “This is United States of America not Communist, Muslim or Socialist nation. We r last hope 4 free world. God Bless America”

Apparently, to “@TexasRV“, Muslims can be equated with Communists and Socialists. Who knew?

I’m sure most of my readers are open-minded, accepting, kind people. I thank you for your lack of prejudice. For those who aren’t, I respect your views. I just don’t agree with them.

Am I Muslim? Hindu? Christian? Jewish? It doesn’t matter. So, I’m not going to tell you.

She was messaged by Facebook and told to take down a photo of her breastfeeding her two children. They said if she failed to remove the photo, she’d be banned from the site. But there are a number of other photos, more sexualized of course, that Facebook apparently has no problem with.

Click here to check out her blog post.

This needs to STOP.

In early October 2009, a rickety wooden boat carrying more than 250 Tamil men, women, and children was intercepted off the coast of Indonesia. It has been more than four months and the 254 men, women, and children, seeking to avoid persecution from their own government, are still trapped on-board that 30-metre boat, still docked in Merak, Indonesia, about three hours from Jakarta.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has been denied access to the boat by Indonesian officials, even though, according to Canadian Humanitarian Appeal for Relief of Tamils (CanadianHART), more than 100 of those on board are recognized refugees.

Jessica Chandrashekar, a York University graduate student, arrived in Indonesia on Jan. 21 with CanadianHART in a planned attempt to board the ship and document the conditions by taking photos and conducting interviews with the detained. She, and two Australians with similar missions, were arrested by the Indonesian government and held for 11 hours. She did not have permission to board the ship and was repeatedly interrogated, The Excalibur, York University’s campus newspaper, reports.

Chandrashekar did not reply after several requests for an interview. However, she told The Excalibur that she was denied basic rights while under detention by the Indonesian police. “[The police] took me to the police station in Merak and held me there for quite some time. [They] questioned and interrogated me and took away my passport and cell phone and would not let us call an embassy.”

According to a spokesman for the Indonesian police, Chandrashekar and her Australian counterparts tried to give documents to those on board, which is strictly illegal. Chandrashekar returned to Canada on Jan. 30, and is now banned from visiting Indonesia for six months.

In early February, Indonesian officials reported that the identities of the Tamils on-board would soon be verified and their futures would be determined. But the people on-board say they’ll only step onto Indonesian soil if they are guaranteed to be sent off of it. The Indonesian government says that’s something they cannot promise without verifying identities and documents first, but the Tamils on-board remain uncompromising.

Spokespeople for various human rights organizations say that all of the paperwork and questioning can be done while the Tamils stay on the boat, as many are afraid that they will be jailed as soon as they disembark, just as other asylum seekers were almost a year ago.

Those asylum seekers, who are currently confined to a tiny jail for 24 hours a day with less than one metre squared per person, are now on a hunger strike. They hope it will spur the authorities to provide them with a resettlement deal that will relieve them from their dirty cells and place them in a suburb in Canada or Australia.

The Tamils on-board the boat also want to be resettled to Australia or Canada. Canada would be a fitting home because, as many living in downtown Toronto know from the plethora of protests that occurred just last year, it has a large population of Tamils.

Aadish Srivastharan, a young activist who participated heavily in protests in Toronto during the war in Sri Lanka, says he’s now shifted his focus to those trapped in Indonesia, in what he calls “inhumane conditions.” Srivastharan wants to go to Indonesia, but after being told of what happened to Chandrashekar, he looks a little worried.

“I didn’t know that. She got arrested? See, that’s ridiculous. How do you get arrested for trying to bring food to your brothers and sisters? It’s not right,” he says, his voice trailing off at the end of the statement. Srivastharan looks off into space, trying to imagine what his countrymen and women are going through. “I understand that some people are against letting them off the boat because some are believed to be terrorists working with the [Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam]. I don’t know, maybe they are being too stubborn. Maybe, they should get off the boat and see what happens. They can’t stay on it forever.”

Rights groups and the global Tamil diaspora hopes the Indonesian government will not send the Tamils back to Sri Lanka. There they will likely be branded as traitors, jailed, persecuted and charged with illegal migration, as many others trying to flee the country have been.

According to the Indonesian government in early February, the problem should have, by now, been solved. But, the government’s definition of solved likely differs from that of the Tamils’, who want safety and security promptly, as politics and paperwork are never prompt.

Srivastharan is, however, optimistic. “It’ll be over soon. They are barely surviving. They’ll have to get off if they want to live. But what kind of life will they live?”

This article was featured in the March edition of the Ryerson Free Press and Arthur.

This was the first tweet I saw. I’ve anonymized the Twitter handle of the person NPH was talking to for reasons that will soon become apparent. “@anonymous No trouble at all, actually. Those who aren’t understanding have more to learn.”

Now, I don’t know the Tweeter in question, and I’m sure you don’t either. But I’m a nosy person, and I wanted to know what they were talking about. That’s why I love Twitter; it let’s me be a creep without anyone knowing (unless I write a blog post about it ).

So, I read the next tweet, also addressed to the same person: “@anonymous Stand tall. Be proud of who you are. Don’t break promises. Want to learn. Represent well. But more than anything, be safe.”

This one was even more intriguing than the first. So, I clicked on it and scrolled down the Tweeter’s profile to see what NPH was helping him with.

Here’s what I found, across three tweets: “@actuallynph hey do you have any advice for someone coming out as gay? my family wouldnt understand and im a musician in australia, so theyve been pretty proud of me so far. I’m nearly 18, i know im young i dont know who to go to everyone i seem to know is either fake or full of shit and i admire you so much that i thought i’d ask you.”

Got to love NPH. Legen…wait for it…dary role model.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has doubled the number of troops patrolling the hardest hit areas to almost 14,000. Her government has been accused of mishandling disaster relief efforts, especially because some of the troops are guarding stores full of supplies so desperately needed by the people.

Government officials say until supplies can be distributed fairly, no one is allowed to have any. This in an effort to prevent a survival-of-the-fittest scenario, similar to the one that emerged in Haiti weeks ago.

Hundreds of tons of food, water and aid are being flown in to Chile from abroad, but teams are struggling to distribute the materials evenly.

Looting

Residents of Concepcion, a town about 300 miles from the capital city of Santiago, have been the most vocal in their anger over relief efforts. Recently, some members of the town set a store on fire after armed guards prevented them from entering and taking supplies.

Food, water and aid is being distributed, for the first time since the deadly quake, today in Concepcion. Up to now, residents have had to rely on looting, which is becoming harder and harder as guards patrol the area, or on stockpiles of  food they may have had before the quake hit.

According to Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo, people in Chile are telling workers that the aid being supplied is not nearly enough. Government officials say they’ve now purchased all the food in Concepcion’s supermarkets and will begin to distribute it evenly shortly.

US aid

Secretary of State Hiliary Clinton arrived in Chile on Tuesday with the news that the US will send water purification systems and mobile hospitals very soon.

Clinton met with the country’s president, and plans to meet with the Chile’s president-elect, Sebastian Pinera, soon.

Death toll

Thus far, 795 people have been found dead. Relief teams are now making their ways to the more isolated but equally hard-hit neighborhoods, where they expect to find many, many more dead.

Here it is:

One night, during Israel’s offensive in Gaza in late 2008 and early 2009, Dr. Mads Gilbert turned to his colleague, Dr. Hameed, at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. For hours they’d been working non-stop to care for the countless war-wounded, performing surgeries and amputations on predominantly young Palestinians.

“How can this go on?” asked an exhausted Dr. Gilbert. There had been no news of foreign aid, and countless civilians continued to rush into the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The doctor had been deeply affected by the plight of the wounded Palestinians.

Dr. Hameed replied immediately. “We have no human rights.”

In a 90-minute lecture at the end of January at Ryerson University, Dr. Gilbert, one of just two foreign doctors allowed into Gaza during Israel’s Operation Cast Lead, transports a crowd of eager attendees into Al-Shifa hospital, right into the middle of the war.

The doctor presents dozens of photos of the war-wounded Palestinians who sought aid at the health care centre. The photos are horribly gruesome. Legs are blown apart, bones pop out from underneath broken flesh, young faces are bloodied and miserable.

Members of the audience can barely look. A man in the first row turns away every time a photo is shown. He wears an expression of pain. A woman in the third row is weeping. She is of Palestinian descent, but she never looks away.

Dr. Gilbert describes how hard it was to help those Gazans in dire need. “There was no electricity,” he explains. “The hospital ran on two unreliable generators because Israel shut the area’s power off. Sometimes doctors operated with the lights from their mobile phones.”

Dr. Gilbert describes one particular patient’s case in detail. “This is Joumana Samoni, a four-month-old baby,” says the doctor, as he presents a photo of a beautiful young girl with only two fingers on one hand. “Her hand was injured and three of her fingers were amputated.”

Samoni was forcefully ejected, along with her family, from her home by Israeli forces in Gaza. Her father, grandmother and grandfather were all killed. Her mother went missing. Samoni came to the hospital alone, but was eventually reunited with her mother.

Dr. Gilbert also presents many statistics and graphs. He tells the audience, now queasy from the photos, that for every dead Israeli, 100 Palestinians were killed. Of the approximately 1400 dead Palestinians, 431 were children. “And 85 to 90 per cent of those killed were civilians. More than 5000 were injured…more than 20,000 were left homeless,” he says.

The doctor paints a grim picture of life in Gaza. He takes no credit for the work he and his colleague, Dr. Erik Fosse, did as physicians there during the war. “We are no heroes. The heroes are still in Gaza.”

This article appeared in the Ryerson Free Press’s February issue.

State trooper Robert Forrest, Bernaldo Hernandez and Kenneth Lafauci were all indicted on “one count each of bribery, making a false statement in an application for a title certificate, conspiracy to commit bribery, and conspiracy to make a false statement in an application for a title certificate,” according to a report from Conley’s office.

In the summer of last year, Forrest was assigned to inspect badly damaged vehicles, to ensure they had been properly repaired, to confirm that no stolen parts had been used to fix the damage and to complete the necessary paperwork so the cars could return to the road.

Hernandez and Lafauci, the latter of whom owns Brother’s Auto Body in Revere, paid Forrest to sign the necessary paperwork without inspecting the cars that were brought in to his shop. As a result, many cars could have been returned to the road in dangerous condition.

During a sting operation in June 2009, undercover State troopers brought paperwork to the shop for a vehicle that did not exist, along with $1000 in cash. Hernandez allegedly kept $500 for himself and gave the rest to Lafauci, who kept $450 and gave Forrest $50 to sign the paperwork, which he did.

Forrest was then immediately relieved of duty.

The three are expected to face arraignment on Feb. 25.

Michael Sumpter died of cancer in 2001 while serving a 15- to 20-year sentence on an unrelated rape committed in 1975. In 2002, DNA evidence connected Sumpter to the 1985 rape of a 21-year-old woman on Marlboro street. Three years later, the family of a deceased woman names Ellen Rutchick, 23, contacted the Boston Police Department’s Cold Case Squad to see if Rutchick’s murder could be reviewed, as no one had yet been convicted.

Rutchick was also sexually assaulted on the day of her death, so the police department sent evidence from the crime scene to an independent laboratory for analysis. The analysis yielded a genetic profile, which, in 2009, matched Sumpter’s.

“Today’s announcement marks another success for the Boston Police Cold Case Squad while also hopefully providing the Rutchick family with a long-awaited sense of peace and justice for their loved one,” says Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis.

His colleague, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley, says the evidence is strong enough to hold up in court. “Were Sumpter alive today, we would indict him for murder and expect to prevail at trial.”

Let’s be nice and go over the breathtaking first. Sarah McLachlan and k.d. Lang sang wonderfully. The actual lighting of the Olympic cauldron was inspired, as three Canadian heroes got to participate instead of the traditional one, including Rick Hansen, who IS a national icon.

Oh, and when those cartoon whales swam across the floor and began to spout water, that was neat.

But a lot of this ceremony, which was so heavily anticipated after Beijing’s opener, did not represent Canadian culture. That wasn’t Canada.

I can’t comment on whether the Aboriginal peoples of this country were done justice during the ceremony last night, but I do find it strange that we so glamorously portray their culture on a world stage, even when they are treated so poorly at home. That can’t be fair.

Don’t get me wrong. Aboriginal culture is beautiful and interesting, but Canada is definitely not a land of ice, snow and people dancing beneath giant trees and totem poles. We’ve a rich multicultural society that inhabits a a few vibrant cosmopolitan centres and cities in between, many of whom have successfully intertwined their ancestral cultural values with Canada’s light cultural values. That’s what Canada is; a mosaic. That’s what we should’ve seen last night.

And the clichés! The mounties, the icy, barren landscape, Nelly Furtado in a tight dress. It was all embarassingly there. We perpetuated many stereotypes last night. Especially when VANOC’s speaker spoke after Jacques Rogge. He almost put me to sleep, just like those kind, timid and shy Canadians tend to do.

Oh, and that terrifying Coca-Cola bear that emerged from the ground, that wasn’t a cliché, but it was creepy.

And then finally, at the last moment, when The Great One and his fellow all-star Canadians were all set to light the flame, technology bitch slapped us. We waited and waited. Even Gretzky looked pissed for a second.

Then finally, the cauldron emerged, in all its glory, and was lit by three Canadian heroes. Then Gretzky ran outside to light the outdoor flame, and received the wonderful treatment Canada allots to all of its national icons. He rode on the back of a truck while it rained on his face. Nice.

But world, don’t take that image of Canada home with you. It isn’t what life is like here. We don’t all live in the Arctic circle among the Orcas and the ice floes.

But we do rule the Winter Olympics. So look out.

The billboard shows a picture of a smiling President Bush with the words “Miss Me Yet?” printed beside the photo. The billboard’s creators want to stay anonymous, though an employee from Schubert & Hoey Outdoor Advertising says the creators are a ” group of small businessmen and individuals who just felt like Washington was against them,” the Christian Science Monitor reports.

The billboard has drawn strong opinions from both the right and the left. It comes at a time when Republicans and Democrats are pulling further away from each other on key issues like health care, and as Obama’s approval rating drops to record lows.

What do you think? Do you miss him yet?

Do you?

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) have unleashed their best four-legged agents to guard against explosive threats at this year’s Bowl. The top K-9 units from around the country have been shipped down to Miami, along with local, state and federal law enforcement, to make sure the fans, players and staff can enjoy the game in safety.

Trained dogs from Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Colorado, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and Florida are all helping to make sure Sun Life is free of explosive devices and other threats that could endanger any fan, staff or athlete during the big game on Sunday.

Medine Memi may have been the victim of an “honor killing.” An “honor killing” takes place after one family member commits an act that serves to dishonor the rest of the family. Members of the family then kill the one who committed the act, as defense of honor is seen as a justifiable reason for murder. Memi’s father and grandfather have been arrested, but not yet charged.

Memi’s neighbor noticed she’d been missing for a month before calling the police. Officers then visited Memi’s house, and found her body “in a hole, newly covered with concrete, next to the hen-house,” the BBC reports. She was found dead with her hands tied behind her back and minor bruises on her body.

Memi lived in Kahta, Turkey, a heavily conservative and religious south-east town. The BBC reports that while many “honor killings” are carried out by muslims in Turkey, the practice has more to do with the regional customs of this mainly Kurdish town than with religion. Apparently, if a female child is seen even speaking to a boy, there is “strong peer pressure from the community on the male members of the family to restore their honor.”

The United Nations Population Fund estimates the number of worldwide “honor killings” at 5,000 per year. Both men and women are targeted, though women are much more often victims. According to the Turkish prime minister’s office, there were 16 honor killings in Adiyaman, the province where Memi lived, between 2003 and 2007.

“It is not outside the realm of imagination to think that the citizens of a country might be able to: A) avoid putting themselves into a situation that might result in such catastrophic loss of life.  And B) provide for their own aid, in the event of such a catastrophe.”

Click here for Shirley’s post. Be kind.

World Vision volunteer Laura Blank explains the scene in Haiti, food aid and why rushing in to adoption is a bad idea. She also answers one question that’s been plaguing journalists and citizens of countries who’ve been providing aid: where are the volunteers staying?

Haiti is in horrible condition, and as three generations of Haitians prepare to move into a massive tent city, we most not stop sending aid just because it’s being stalled. Rebuilding an entire country is not an overnight job, and our money IS helping. Let’s keep being generous, and let’s not forget about Haiti.

The international community was quick to respond to the plight of the Haitian, and citizens around the world gathered in solidarity to send whatever they could afford. Students at schools organized relief efforts through bake sales. Communities hosted fundraisers. Governments vowed to match donations put forth by their citizens. Celebrities hosted concerts. Hundreds of millions have been donated, and it continues.

But as we, up here, marvel at how generous a spirit has emerged during this horrible time, we remember why we’ve become so giving, and why we support the good, brave people of Haiti. These deaths were not caused by ill-advised war, but by a natural disaster that was unpreventable. Surely the number of dead should be smaller. But it isn’t, and now the Haitians will be forced to live rough lives. Many are getting ready to move to  a massive tent city just miles away from Port-au-Prince, and just a few hundred yards away from the mass graves that the corpses of their loved ones now call home.

This tragedy is, thankfully, uncommon. But when it happens it is devastating. But through all the destruction, despair and desperation, hopes have not been dashed. We hear of men and women being pulled from rubble 10 and 11 days after the quake. We hear of generous families adopting Haitian orphans so they don’t have to live in constant fear on the streets of the torn capital. And at night we hear the songs of Haiti, people gathered together chanting and reciting prayers for a better tomorrow. And that, they will receive.

All photos are courtesy of the American and Norwegian Red Cross on Flickr. The photos depict the efforts of the American, Israeli, Canadian and Norwegian volunteers, as well as local Haitians and Dominicans.

The relief effort in Haiti is sweeping, but it isn’t organized. The clogged airport and the shattered roads make it tough for aid organizations to get to where they need to be. Infrastructure isn’t being built quickly enough because there isn’t enough tools.

There is no system to account for all the food, water and medical supplies that come into Haiti. Everything isn’t being fairly distributed.

But it all will come together. This is, after all, a natural disaster that has affected three million. There’s no quick fix.

If you’re frustrated that your donated money is being stalled, don’t worry. Haiti’s future is bleak and hopeful all at once. And our money can help make it better.

Remember to donate what you can tonight to Hope For Haiti Now or Canada for Haiti.

Little joined the military in 2008 as a cannon crewman. Since September 2008 Little was a member of the “2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade Combat Team [and] 1st Cavalry Division,” according to Fort Hood.

He was deployed to Iraq in December of 2008 for one year. Little won several awards and was recognized for his time spent overseas in Iraq and for his loyal service to the Army.

Since March of 2003, more than 125 soliders, airmen, marines and sailors with a connection to Arizona have died in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

Little was shot in Arizona, and his death is currently under investigation.

We all know of the hunger issues that plague Africa, however, there are states and areas in India where hunger is more widespread and severe than on parts of the African continent.

A few months ago I wrote a few posts about malnutrition in India. Ever since, I’ve been following that news religiously. As an Indian by ancestry, I feel a strong connection to India’s afflicted. I hope this podcast inspires you to do a little research and learn about the issues of hunger in India.

Take a listen.

For some reason, I can’t embed the talk here but click on the link below and prepare to be enlightened:

Sunitha Krishnan on sexual slavery in India

Johnny Pires, formerly of Middleboro, was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. The 24-year-old was convicted of “one count of attempting to receive child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography,” the FBI states. Last summer, Pires was acquitted on one charge of attempting to receive child pornography.

This case arose from an undercover FBI investigation that focused on individuals believed to be using file sharing programs to swap child porn. Pires used the popular file sharing program, Limewire, to share images of children engaged in sexually explicit acts.

During the investigation a federal agent downloaded several sexually explicit images from Pires and was also able to access his publicly shared Limewire folder, in which he found more images of children being sexually abused. Following this discovery, a search warrant was issued for Pires’ residence after which Pires confessed to accessing child porn through file sharing programs and to downloading sexually explicit images of children.

In court however, Pires refuted his own confession, claiming that he did not intend to download or share photos of children in such condition. A hard drive obtained from his residence during the search revealed several images of child pornography and children being sexually abused, all of which, the FBI states, appear to have been downloaded using Limewire.

Pires’ case was brought forward with help from Project Safe Childhood, which, launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice, aims to “combat the growing epidemic of online sexual exploitation of children,” according to the FBI. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Pires’ case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kanwit of Massachusetts.

I asked her about the situation in Iraq and how the lives of women have changed since and as a result of the American invasion. We also talked about the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan and the then-recent UN Security Council declaration regarding sexual violence being a war crime.

Take a listen, Olivia is a seasoned Canadian journalist and a respected authority figure on global women’s issues.

An 86-year-old Indian governor has resigned after a video tape was broadcast showing him in bed with three women. The office of the governor has called the tape a fabrication even though a woman who worked for the governor came forward to expose him after he refused to fulfill a contract with her.

A rare sex scandal coming out of the nation, though polls have shown that the vast majority of Indian citizens believe their politicians are corrupt. Not surprisingly, because many of them are.

The octogenarian governor, once a federal minister, has not himself commented.

Pretty awesome stuff.

High levels of toxins caused by the bombs, as well as the trauma of the war, is cited as one of the main reasons doctors are seeing a higher number of defects in children born since 2006.

A news story by Al Jazeera English reports on the trauma of one child affected by the bombing. His mother was forced to give birth in a “makeshift” clinic during the bombing last year and her son, Mohammad, has cerebral palsy:

I live in Canada so I’m so very disappointed in what our Prime Minister is doing there. In short, he’s done everything by something. And that’s a travesty because we really suck when it comes to climate change. He opted to not deliver an address at the plenary session and has repeatedly suggested that developing countries hammer out a pact to reduce emissions before Canada.

That’s unfair. The developed world went through its industrial revolution with little regard for the environment, as it was not seen as a factor in those days. Now, as countries like India and China revolutionize, developed countries like Canada are demanding that they take action first? While of course those two powerhouses must act to reduce their emissions in some way, they cannot be expected to take the lead or draft a binding agreement now, just as the world is taking notice of their strides and unloading a great deal of respect on their leaders (see: White House Inaugural State Dinner). In the end, climate change is a political game.

Leaders must lead and as leaders of the world the developed nations must draft a BINDING agreement first. Copenhagen produced a non-binding agreement to limit global warming to 3.6 degrees Farenheit. While neither the United States, South Africa, India, Brazil or China, all signatories of the pact, stated how this goal would be acheived, it is a goal set and one that the UN has taken “note” of but not approved. It even includes developing nations.

Of course this non-binding pact is hardly better than a verbal agreement, and is far from “unprecedented” as President Obama stated. However, while it isn’t groundbreaking, it is a start, and Obama was correct in stating that it’s a big deal that major economies (the U.S., India and China) have agreed that climate change needs to be addressed.

Other developing countries have lambasted the deal, which does include a clause to commit $100 billion by 2020 to developing nations affected by global warming. The major downfall of the agreement is its lack of specific pollution reductions, which is one of the main ways to keep temperature rise to a minimum. A 3.6 degree cap on temperature rise won’t be honored if pollution reductions aren’t drafted and agreed upon in a BINDING agreement.

However in that agreement, the United States or some other developed country, will have to take the lead, unlike Harper suggests. And that is step two.

All resident service people and their families must now report any personally-owned firearms. Those residing temporarily on the base are required to do the same.

Servicemembers living or residing temporarily on the base must also report to the Directorate of Emergency Service any sale, purchase, trade, gift, exchange or any action that changes ownership of a privately-owned firearm. Those servicemembers residing in the barracks must report and stow their personal firearms in their unit’s arms room.

The new policy took effect on Dec. 15 and “applies to all III Corps and Fort Hood servicemembers, major subordinate units, tenant activities and family members across Fort Hood,” Fort Hood reports.

On Nov. 5, U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan open-fired in Fort Hood’s Soldier Readiness Center, killing 13 people and wounding 32 others. He was shot by a civilian officer and is now charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder.

Tello, who was from Los Angeles, joined the military in 2005 as a helicopter repairman. He was then assigned to the 3rd Aviation Support Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade and 1st Cavalry Division. He had been at Fort Hood since Nov. 2005.

In Oct. 2006 Tello was deployed to Iraq. He returned from duty in Jan. 2008, but was deployed for a second round of duty this April through to his death last week.

Tello is a highly decorated soldier. He was awarded, among other medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation.

Even with this people around the world, including me, still believe the bill to be outrageously prejudiced toward a societal group that very much does not deserve this discrimination. They certainly do not deserve to be treated like terrorists or murderers. They do nothing wrong.

Yesterday, on International Human Rights Day, groups around the world protested in front of Ugandan embassies calling for the government to put an end to the nonsensical bill. The government of Uganda, as well as several churches, are defending the bill as one intended to protect minors from being sexually harassed by older men.

Regardless of this claim, countries like Sweden have threatened to cut off aid to Uganda and some have even called for it to be thrown out of the Commonwealth.

But, now that officials are considering removing the death penalty and life imprisonment clauses in the bill, more factions of the Ugandan society may back it, as it may now be seen as less “controversial” or less medieval. However even if the amendments are made, the opposition will remain strong. This sort if justified, required-by-law discrimination against an innocent societal group is disgusting.

In 2006, when the BBC reported that a Ugandan newspaper went as far as printing the names of 45 suspected homosexuals in the country, I knew there was a problem. I just never thought it would ever come to this. Just horrible.

Yesterday was World Aids Day. A day we set aside to remember those who have perished as a result of the disease, and a day we use to honor those who battle it bravely.

This year has been a progressive one, in terms of treatment and accessibility to treatments. Though many have died as a result of HIV/AIDS, the overall number of those infected has no risen in the last two years.

With major efforts by the NIH and other nations planned for the upcoming year, the goal, on this World AIDS Day, is to decrease that number in the upcoming years.

Listen to find out what country is making waves with its new announcement on AIDS treatment, and what the U.S. is doing, and should do, to be a leader in the field.

(Link I speak of in the podcast: http://www.hrw.org/en/node/86936)

On November 20 we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child. Every year countless parades are held to celebrate the violations that have been overcome.

But often we fail to recognize those violations that still occur, not only in developing nations, but right here in the developed and modernized nations. The United States and Canada are not exempt because of their standing on the world stage, however violations in these two countries are often overlooked because of their reputations.

In addition, the horrible conditions in which kids live in developing nations can no longer be overlooked, especially 20 years after the document was drafted.

Listen here for some issues that affect children that you may not have known about.

It’s definitely time for action.

The network admitted they were following the couple, however told media that they were under the impression the Salahis had been invited to the event (apparently no one at the station took the time to confirm that the Salahis were actually invited to the event).

Michaele Salahi is being considered as a cast member for the reality show “The Real Houswives of D.C.”

According to Secret Service, the couple went through all security checkpoints, but managed to slip by even though they weren’t on the guest list. Secret Service are blaming a single checkpoint which, they believe, did not follow proper protocol.

The Secret Service has launched an internal investigation in hopes of finding out how the two managed to get past multiple security checkpoints. The couple also managed to snap pictures with Vice President Joe Biden, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and CBS anchor Katie Couric, among others.

The incident is a major embarrassment for the White House security. The Salahis are scheduled to appear on CNN’s Larry King Live on Monday.

UPDATE: The Salahis canceled their scheduled appearance on Larry King Live.

Matthew Bent and Denver Jarvis, both 15, and Jesus Mendez, 16, along with two others, are accused of pouring rubbing alcohol over Brewer and setting him alight in an apartment complex in Deerfield Beach, Florida on Oct. 12.

According to investigators quoted on CNN.com, the day before Brewer was set on fire, Bent approached him to collect the $40 he allegedly owed Bent for a video game. Brewer had no money so Bent took his father’s bicycle as collateral. Brewer called the police and Bent was later arrested.

The next day, Bent and four other boys confronted Brewer and called him a “snitch”. They then set him on fire.

After being set on fire, Brewer made the conscious decision to jump into a nearby swimming pool, but not until 65 per cent of his body had already suffered severe burns.

Witnesses of the incident say Mendez set Brewer on fire with a lighter after Bent instigated the attack. Mendez admitted to setting Brewer on fire and acknowledged that it was a “bad decision” in an official statement.

Brewer was recently taken out of intensive care at the University of Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital Burn Center, but still faces many months of recovery there. Doctors say his face and hands were largely spared, though they say he will need multiple skin grafts and surgeries, CNN reports. Up until last week Brewer was breathing through a ventilator.

Bent, Jarvis and Mendez are all being charged as adults. Two other teens involved are being charged as juveniles and their names cannot be released by law.

Bent’s lawyer has publicly denounced the fact that his client is being charged as an adult.

The three boys will return to court on Jan. 17, 2010. If convicted they could face up to 30 years in prison.

Toby Ryan, 17, was arraigned today in a Chelsea court and also charged with armed robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm and assault and battery. He was also charged, in an East Boston court, with receving a stolen motor vehicle. Bail was set at $1,500 and $5,000 respectively.

A 14-year-old boy who is believed to be the second perpetrator was taken into custody today but was not arraigned. He is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in a juvenile court.

Officers spoke with the Dominos Pizza delivery man shortly after receiving a report regarding the armed robbery. The man said he was robbed by two teenaged gunmen, named “Toby” and “Macho”, both of  whom he proceeded to describe. He said the teens demanded his car keys and cash at gunpoint.

Revere Police contacted Boston Police, who were familiar with the names and descriptions given by the victim. One hour after receiving the report, Boston Police located the stolen Toyota Corolla near Vallar Road. An attempt to stop it failed, as the driver and passengers sped away and then fled the vehicle.

Local officers then paid a visit to the 14-year-old’s home. The boy was not present but his mother told police he was with ‘Toby”.

The officers then went to Ryan’s home, where he was present. Ryan, who was allegedly sweating heavily, denied ever having left his home. He was taken into custody.

Officers later found “Macho” in  the lobby of a Waldemar Road building just a street over from Ryan. He was taken into custody as well.

Ryan’s trial will resume on Dec. 15.

I’m very proud to be a citizen of both Canada and the United States. I’m even prouder to call myself an American, even though I haven’t lived there in years. I’ll be back in the States in less then two years and I’m very excited.

But sometimes certain factions of the American population really anger me.

This time, unsurprisingly, it’s a few of the more conservative “pundits” and those who share their views.

Here’s why: Obama took some flack today from those conservative voices for bowing to the Emperor of Japan. Seriously.

He bowed to an EMPEROR. Apparently that’s a problem. Here’s a quote from a conservative who spoke on Fox News: “..it’s not appropriate for an American president to bow to a foreign one.”

Now, a conservative voice on CNN: “It’s ugly. I don’t want to see it…We don’t defer to emperors. We don’t defer to kings or emperors. The president of the United States — this coupled with so many apologies from the United States — is just another thing.” Apparently the U.S. president is King of the WORLD.

We actually still owe Japan an apology for nuking them. That deserves an apology. We’re assholes for doing that. No excuses for nuking.

Conservatives are comparing Obama’s bow to the last U.S. visit to Japan. Cheney was the last to go and he didn’t bow, he just shook Emperor Akihito’s hand.

First of all, how conservatives think using Cheney as an example of what TO do makes no sense. The man is the embodiment of Satan.

Second, how arrogant can you be? How can anyone think it wrong to adapt to a people’s reasonable customs? It was a sign of RESPECT. It does NOT symbolize apathy or a flaky attitude. It does NOT symbolize the U.S. being weak or too apologetic.

The only negative of Obama bowing is the reaction it got. And that’s not Obama’s fault. It’s not his fault that some of his countrymen are idiotic and arrogant.

I sincerely believe the majority of Americans are humble and not arrogant. So, World, don’t think us as such.

I’m glad Obama bowed and I hope he does it whenever appropriate.

Cannibals

Russian police recently arrested three homeless guys suspected of killing a man, eating part of his body, then selling the rest of the meat to a kebab vendor, BBC reports.

According to police, it is unclear when the incident occurred however the three men have been charged with murder. They are being held in Perm, about 870 miles east of Moscow.

The men attacked and killed the victim with hammers and knives. They then ate pieces of his body and sold the rest to a shop that sells kebabs and pies, a statement by the three men claims.

BBC reports it’s unclear whether any customers were served the human meat.

Meanwhile back in America…

A 25-year-old woman from Texas faked breast cancer just to get her breasts enlarged.

Trista Joy Lathern successfully fooled her husband and community by shaving her head to fake chemotherapy. She then hosted a fundraiser in which 100 people donated almost $10,000.

Lathern took the 10 grand and bought a brand new pair of $6,800 double D’s.

Apparently she needed them to save her seven-month old marriage.

On a related note…

Need a pick-me-up before a date? Two chefs in Columbia recently invented a dessert that combines passionfruit with an active ingredient found in….Viagra.

The pudding-like dessert, Canoe reports, is topped with whipped cream and chocolate and served in a parfait glass. One of the creators said they invented the dish in an effort to reinvent Viagra as a new kind of aphrodisiac, according to Canoe.

Of course, they can’t sell the dessert since Viagra is a prescription drug, but it doesn’t stop those in need from making it in their own homes. Or you can just pop the pill.

TORONTO — Here is the third edition of the Terra Podcast, where Blast’s world news reporter Sachin Seth visits a food bank and learns about the people who work and are served there.

Many Food Banks around North America are in dire straits. Since the recession set in, many are finding it harder and harder to secure donations from those hit hard by the global economic downturn.

In major cities like Toronto, food banks have seen close to a 30 per cent increase in clients, but no major increase in donations. Those in need of food are turned away near closing time because supplies run out.

William Shane, a board member at Fort York Food Bank, one of the largest in Toronto, says he’s seen an almost 200 per cent increase in food hampers requested in just five years. The majority of that increase has come since 2007 – the beginning of the recession.

Fort York is by no means a spacious food bank. It’s one of the largest in Toronto in terms of population served, however not in terms of space. Still, Shane tells me it costs more than $90,000 just to keep the lights and heat running. That money comes primarily from donations, save for a small stipend from their mother company that amounts to just a few thousand per year.

Almost one third of Toronto’s entire population visits a food bank every year, an astonishingly large number for a developed North American metropolis. But if you look around, numbers in other major cities across Canada and the U.S. aren’t far off.

I went to Fort York with many questions in an effort to find out how the food bank copes with such large demand. But instead of coming away with answers, I quickly fell in love with the men and women who work there. Their pasts, in some cases heartbreaking, and their ambition, in some cases inspiring.

This is the story of three of the selfless women I met who turned their lives around to give back to the community.

This is the story of Trudy, Janice and Liz.

Today Blast’s Sachin Seth talks about Israel denying water to Palestinians.

Your thoughts? Share them with us in the comments section below!

Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai apparently has no balls. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah called on Karzai to fire the head of the election commission for his inability to ensure a fair democratic election in August’s vote. Karzai rejected the call by Abdullah, obviously, because they are rivals.

But why did it even have to be demanded? Ideally, the man would have been sacked just after the U.N.-backed panel discovered and exposed widespread electoral fraud and ballot box stuffing. The whole Independent Election Commission in Afghanistan should see a major overhaul, but Karzai claims doing this just before a run-off would upset the order of things.

“The changes would not be helpful to the elections and the country,” he said, BBC reports.

Abdullah claims the IEC is full of rampant Karzai supporters. While that may be true, so is the rest of the world. Obama, Sarkozy, Brown, Kerry and even Ban ki-Moon have praised Karzai for accepting a run-off election. For doing basically what is required of a democratic president. That praise is not really necessary and just reinforces the fact that Karzai is a western-backed leader of a nation whose own people consistently questioning his governing ability.

Both leaders have also denounced the possibility of a joint government. I saw that reported as a possibility in some places and I couldn’t believe some saw it as a viable option.

The run-off is set to take place on November 7. I think we can predict the outcome.

Check back tomorrow for the second episode of Blast’s new podcast Your World in Focus, narrated by me. Also, take a listen to the first if you missed it. It’s about this very election.

Diwali’s roots vary throughout India. As one traverses India’s gorgeous landscape, one can uncover a plethora of different mythological tales to explain Diwali’s origins.

Many see it as a day to celebrate Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, by adorning her alter at the temple with money or pictures of material goods. Some gamble on Diwali too, because, as the legend goes, the goddess Parvati played dice with her husband on Diwali and declared anyone who gambled on the same day would fair extremely well.

The most popular tale

The most widely told Diwali tale goes like this:

Prince Rama was chosen by his father to become the new king of Ayodhya. The Queen Kaikeyi however, though initially ecstatic, is poisoned by her servant and begins to fear for the future of Rama’s brother, Bharata. The servant leads her to beleive Rama will do terrible things to Bharata to keep power in the kingdom. Because Kaikeyi saved her husband’s life earlier, the king promises to comply with her wish that he banish Rama from Ayodhya.

Rama obeys and, along with his wife Sita, descends into the dark, gloomy and ominous forest. While there his wife is kidnapped by the demon Ravan, the ten-armed, ten-headed king from Sri Lanka. Rama, devastated and depressed, sets out on a mission to find his lost wife. When he eventually does, after conquering several emotional and physical obstacles over the course of years, he kills Ravan and retrieves his wife. Rama and Sita then journey back towards Ayodhya.

As the two near their kingdom, it is pitch black out. No moon and, of course, no street lights. Villagers hear of their approach and, to help them find their way, light candles outside their homes so they could safely find their way home.

When the two finally find their way back, with the help of kind villagers, Rama is crowned as king.

And thus began the celebration of Diwali; the festival of lights.

I’m off to celebrate. Happy Diwali!

The Palestinian Authority is urging the UN to reprimand Israel for the grave violations of international and human rights law it committed during the Gaza war in the winter of 2008. The Palestinians previously, by influence of the U.S., decided to defer action on the UN report that incriminated them as well.

Israel has publicly rejected the report as falsified and biased. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki however stands by the investigation as an accurate depiction of war crimes committed by Israel in the Gaza region.

“The world has for too long witnessed Israel’s impunity, knowing well that this has been repeatedly fuelled by the lack of punishment and accountability…we must break this obscene cycle” he said during a debate on Wednesday, the BBC reports.

Palestinian authorities had previously agreed, by way of U.S. pressure (no surprise), to defer action on the UN report. This led to, according to BBC correspondent Barbara Plett, a “public outcry.”

Gabriela Shalev, Israel’s envoy to the UN, stands by Israel’s claims that the report was heavily biased towards Palestinians and that Israel had a right to defend itself from repeated Hamas rocket fire last winter. “I regret to say that the Goldstone report is one-sided, biased and therefore wrong – just as the forum and mandate that established its mission,” she said, Al-Jazeera reports.

U.S. authorities, according to the BBC, also believe the report was biased, claiming blame was placed too heavily on Israel. That is why they urged the Palestinian Authority to defer action.

Grave violations

The 2009 report found that Israel had used unnecessary force and failed to protect civilians during the 22-day conflict in the Gaza strip last winter.

Hamas is also incriminated in the report for allegedly firing rockets at Israeli civilians, which is why Israel claims it went on the offensive – self-defense.

According to human rights groups, nearly 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed during the conflict. You can see the numbers there.

Judge for yourselves! I think some sort of UN action must be taken against Israel for this complete disregard of the well-being of a collective group of peoples. The U.S. needs to recognize that, too.

I thought it was an odd decision. Definitely. Especially given the other nominees which include the Cluster Munition Coalition, a group that strives to clean up cluster bombs and decrease accidental civilian war deaths and Dr. Denis Mukwege, an inspired young Conoglese physician who opened a hospital to treat female victims of sexual abuse.

Inspiring, to say the least. Deserving candidates, no doubt.

And then there’s the victor, Barack Obama, a Harvard law school graduate, community organizer, civil rights lawyer, law professor, junior senator and president of the most “powerful” country in the world. A stunning resume, but where are the accomplishments? The peace work, the advocacy, the results?

That’s what so many are asking. What so many are wondering. And while I, a supporter of Obama, do not think he deserved the award based solely on his accomplishments to date, I do believe the award was given for a reason, and a just, sane reason at that.

Innovative decision to award Obama prize

Now hear me out. Obama won the prize not just for what he has achieved in less than 10 months (which is quite a bit if you look at it with an open mind) but for how he changed the game and reshaped the face of a nation so hated and demonized for so many years. For the potential of peace on a plethora of fronts.

Obama is in the process of sewing together the gaping wound that is America’s international reputation; not an easy feat. It’s something that no other modern Democratic or Republican candidate could do in two terms, let alone a quarter of one.

The fact that the Norway-based committee stressed it made the prize decision based on Obama’s efforts to date was a little strange. I don’t really believe that to be the case, nor does anyone else, even the hardest and strongest Obama supporters. Obama doesn’t believe it either, rightfully so.

Strengthening the international reputation of the most “powerful”nation in the world contributes to peace in many ways. His efforts toward nuclear disarmament are commendable. His decision to end the missile-defense system in Poland led to strengthened ties with Russia, a nuclear powerhouse. His administration has striven for peace with India, another nuclear nation.

His efforts to strengthen relationships and mend ties between Americans and Muslims was politically risky, but so right and groundbreaking morally.

His confusion on Afghanistan is warranted, no one knows what the hell is needed there, and the answer given (“more troops”) isn’t a surprising one. But he’s taking his time and not rushing.

Some view him as the “do-nothing” president or the president of “inaction.” I view him thoughtful and rational, and I’d rather he take weeks to decide the fate of thousands of American soldiers than make a quick decision (like the last guy) and put so many soldiers in harm’s way just because of political pressure from both sides of the spectrum, without thinking it through and weighing the options. That’s called reasoning.

His no-nonsense discussions with Iran, without preconditions, a proposition he was so ridiculed for during his campaign, showed the world he is committed to nuclear disarmament and a more peaceful Mid-East.

His speech in Cairo, though predictable, reaffirmed that idea. His quoting the Qu’ran was a great way to connect with an overwhelmingly large global group so alienated by American ideological extremists.

We elected him for that reason. Because he’s intelligent, thoughtful, peaceful, multi-racial and ambitious. It’s been less than 10 months. How many ambitions are achieved in 10 months? None. But the path to realizing those ambitions has been laid.

Oz

Let me make it a bit clearer by using a crude but wonderfully applicable analogy.

Think of Obama as Dorothy and his path to peace as the yellow brick road. When Obama crash landed in the White House after a whirlwind electoral campaign, he was ambitious, excited and ready to overhaul the system. Soon he realized that that’s not possible, at least not as quick as he thought. There are hundreds, if not thousands of people to please and political and social hurdles to vault.

Just as the Afghanistan war became more brutal and a reassessing of the plan was needed (just as Dorothy tried to find out from the munchkins how she could get back to Kansas), Obama was given hope, something he’d given, in abundance, to millions around the world.

The Peace Prize committee are the munchkins, they are Glinda (the good witch). They gave Obama direction, thanked him for his bravery and pushed him, inspired him (as he inspired us) to continue his work. To keep on going. After all, he doesn’t want to be the guy who won the prize and did nothing to deserve it. And no, he’s not already that guy.

There will be obstacles (the wicked witch, the fake Wizard of Oz) however Obama/Dorothy prevail in the end, defeating the evils that stand in their ways. Yes you can think he was awarded prematurely, but only if you view the award as something given only for hard results. More results will come, the award is faith in that.

In fact, the award was given because he’s changed the world’s mood. He’s made global citizens happier and more tolerant in times of economic uncertainty, global racially charged fear, terrorism and war.

Uninspired criticism

Today I came across an article on the British website timesonline.co.uk written by broadcaster/writer Minette Marrin. She claims, wrongly in my opinion, that Obama should never have accepted the peace prize. That he is undeserving, and she compares his victory to that of Henry Kissenger’s in 1973.

Ms. Marrin, that’s cold. It’s unfortunate that you can’t see past the present day.

Marrin ventures another guess as to why Obama accepted the prize, a very odd one. She ventures that the president accepted the prize just because two fellow Democrats, Al Gore and Jimmy Carter, also boast the prestigious medal in their respective trophy libraries.

As if the award were some piece of trivial memorabilia, some baseball card, that an 11-year-old pines for just because his best buddies have the same one. She then quotes an “American commentator” who said “it is like accepting an Oscar now for being likely to make an Oscar-winning movie next year.” A degradation of the award that is insulting to past winners and childish, to say the least.

Marrin goes on to ask “Can it be that Obama is already intoxicated with the exuberance of his own celebrity? For that is all he is so far — a well-meaning super-celebrity.” Well-meaning? See the second section of this piece.

However there are many who wonder if Obama’s ego has been so inflated that he believes himself the savior of America and the world.

But to those of you who ask that, I ask why is he so “humbled” by the award? Why is it the man, the president, started off his acceptance and justification speech by talking about his two children? Yes, he has speech writers, but only he heard what his kids said that morning. And he remembered.

Yes Obama is a little egotistical, he is, after all, the president. But don’t forget, we gave him that ego (see: road to ‘08 election).

Finally, for those who believe Obama didn’t deserve this prize, you hold a valid view. I too believe Dr. Mukwege or the Cluster Munition Coalition deserve an award of recognition for peace work.

My argument is that Obama’s victory isn’t unwarranted or undeserving. His accomplishments to date are impressive, his future is full of possibilities and the peace prize was awarded to him by a panel “instructed to encourage international co-operation, arms reduction and acts of engagement” for his initiative and to ensure he keeps working towards his, and our, ultimate goal.

Peace.