matthewgruman.com

In the e-mail, Trent wrote: “He overcame a subversively good defense by Matt Hennessey that had some Canadians on the jury feeling sorry for the defendant and forced them to do the right thing.”

In fact, there were no Canadians on the jury, but there were some African-Americans.

The e-mail drew criticism from some who said the word “Canadian” is a racial slur against African-Americans, and questioned Trent whether he was using it in that context.

From Use of ‘Canadian’ as possible racial slur may be part of Texas probe at the CBC. Really, aren’t there enough problems in America? Why do we have to invent new ones?

Over the past year, citizens have voted, lobbied, marched, and taken direct action to end the war in Iraq. Courageous soldiers have refused to fight the war. But Congress has appropriated billions of dollars to continue the war and appears ready to authorize a future military attack on Iran. It’s time for taxpayers who oppose this war to join together in nonviolent civil disobedience and show Congress how to cut off the funds for this war and redirect resources to the pressing needs of people. There is a great tradition of war tax resistance in the United States. When our political leaders have not listened to the will of the people, individuals have engaged in civil disobedience.

Code Pink: Don’t Buy Bush’s War.

Jesus friggin Christ. What is it about these gun-toting Bible-thumping vulvas that they’re always screaming for backup and air support and napalm cover, even when it’s just a matter of posting comments on a blog? Goddamn, brother! Isn’t this a one-man job? I mean we’re just a bunch of liberal nerds here. And you’re carrying a fucking gun! All we’ve got are bongs and bags of weed. And MacBooks. With the exception of one former Marine in SoCal who is heavily armed and spends afternoons blasting wildlife in his backyard (yeah, Semper Fi and namaste right back atcha, you insane fucker) most of us are pretty peaceful folk.

Fake Steve Jobs.

More than $45 million has recently been paid to residential school lawyers ? one of the largest legal bills in Canadian history.

- Via CBC.ca.

I’ve worked for one of the research companies who employed “lawyers” for residential school cases. While they had Law degrees, most had never used it in a professional setting. Why? Real lawyers do not do research work on what should be one of Canada’s biggest embarrassments.

There are a LOT of people who were abused at these schools, but there are also a lot of opportunists who weren’t. So you get a bunch of second-rate “lawyers” trying to distinguish, based on hearsay and other usually-invalid sources, which cases are real and which aren’t. Money that could be used to create a sustainable future is instead being funneled, at an alarming rate, into this ridiculous lawsuit.

But what’s worse? A few people who are trying to unethically get money from the government, or a government who has a documented and admitted history of abuse and prejudice? I think that $45 million would be better spent by the victims, and I’d much rather have my tax dollars go into the hands a few undeserving souls if it means that the real victims get their compensation.

The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which was approved by the federal government and the courts last year, will provide at least $1.9 billion to former students who claim sexual, physical or psychological abuse at the 130 schools that were run jointly by the government and religious organizations until the mid-1970s.

- Via cbc.ca.

I used to work indirectly for INAC. I think this is one of those “well, it’s better than nothing” moments.