Mid-Week Post

So many things to talk about.


Medvedev promises to target the US' missile shield if the US stands up for itself does not explain its full intentions:

Russia threatened on Wednesday to deploy missiles to target the U.S. missile shield in Europe if Washington fails to assuage Moscow's concerns about its plans, a harsh warning that reflected deep cracks in U.S.-Russian ties despite President Barack Obama's efforts to "reset" relations with the Kremlin.

President Dmitry Medvedev said he still hopes for a deal with the U.S. on missile defence, but he strongly accused Washington and its NATO allies of ignoring Russia's worries. He said Russia will have to take military countermeasures if the U.S. continues to build the shield without legal guarantees that it will not be aimed against Russia.

The U.S. has repeatedly assured Russia that its proposed missile defence system wouldn't be directed against Russia's nuclear forces, and it did that again Wednesday.

"I do think it's worth reiterating that the European missile defence system that we've been working very hard on with our allies and with Russia over the last few years is not aimed at Russia," said Capt. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman. "It is ... designed to help deter and defeat the ballistic missile threat to Europe and to our allies from Iran."

The last sentence reveals Russia's true designs regarding this threat. If Russia cannot control the globe, it will at least back a thorn in the US' side, particularly one in the Middle East.



Just as Obama is no friend to Canada, Russia is no friend to the US.



The Supreme Court in British Columbia upholds the ban against polygamy:

Polygamy remains a crime in Canada, B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Bauman ruled Wednesday. In his ruling, Bauman said the law violates the religious freedom of fundamentalist Mormons, but the harm against women and children outweighs that concern.

Polygamy is an outdated and cruel practice. It was designed to confine wealth and property to one individual. I don't know what bent the more freaky individuals who would like to see the ban lifted have on this and I hope their intentions are never entertained. Now, if we can just restrict marriage to one man and woman because we know that has worked for millennia.



Somewhat related: watch how a reasoned discussion (with evidence) about same-sex adoption devolves into a shouting match by people who think squishy feelings are better than logic.



Tangentially related: social services do not protect women from honor killings. 



No doubt tired of the stench, authorities move in on"Occupy Toronto": 

Police and city officials swept through the downtown Occupy Toronto encampment Wednesday, clearing out tents and other structures to enforce an eviction order protesters had defied for two straight nights.

As city workers hauled loads of trash, wooden pallets and assorted camping gear into waiting trucks, St. James Park slowly began to re-emerge from the cluttered tent city that has stood for five weeks. Police expect to clear the park by the end of the day.

A few hundred people remained in the park, as well as 15 tents; the vast majority of tents, structures and debris were now gone. But the biggest question mark remained over a group of protesters in a gazebo, who have rejected police demands to leave.

Protesters chanted, beat drums and hurled insults at police, but the threat of physical violence that hung heavy when officers first arrived on scene in the pre-dawn hours had not materialized by early afternoon.

One woman was apprehended for trespassing but quickly released; another five were taken into custody during the city’s attempt to take down a structure containing the camp’s “sacred fire,” but were also expected to be released shortly afterward.

Thank you, Santa Claus! (or bright green frog)



Related: Union leader Sid Ryan walks away from Jacqui Delaney. Snap... to Sid Ryan.



Suck it up, CBC.



The reason why the CBC (and other government bodies) get away with the crap that they do is because Canadians - the same ones who would scream at the Tim Horton's girl about their inadequate double-doubles- would never demand accountability from the aforementioned bodies. Some jackanapes is arrogant with YOUR money. Do something about it.



Yes, Michael Moore, apologise to the Chinese now.


(Thanks a bundle)


And now, a good dog.