Sandra Finley

2009-10-06 Bush: Law Suit against 4 US Presidents & 4 UK Prime Ministers for War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity & Genocide in Iraq

 George Bush war criminal  No Responses »
Oct 062009
 

 Ad Hoc Committee For Justice For Iraq

Press contacts:

Hana Al Bayaty, Executive Committee, BRussells Tribunal
+20 10 027 7964 (English and French) hanaalbayaty@gmail.com

Dr Ian Douglas, Executive Committee, BRussells Tribunal, coordinator, International Initiative to Prosecute US Genocide in Iraq
+20 12 167 1660 (English) iandouglas@USgenocide.org

Serene Assir, Advisory Committee, BRussells Tribunal (Spanish) justiciaparairak@gmail.com

Abdul Ilah Albayaty, Executive Committee, BRussells Tribunal
+20 11 181 0798 (Arabic) albayaty_abdul@hotmail.com

Dirk Adriaensens, Executive Committee, BRussells Tribunal
+32 494 68 07 62 (Dutch) dirkadriaensens@gmail.com

 
Law Suit against 4 US Presidents & 4 UK Prime Ministers for War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity & Genocide in IraqStatement on Closure of Legal Case for Iraq in Spain

By BRussells Tribunal
URL of this article: www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=17535
Global Research, February 10, 2010
BRussells Tribunal – 2010-02-07
 Law Suit in Spanish Court directed against George H. W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack H. Obama, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Anthony Blair and Gordon Brown

MADRID/CAIRO: Public inquiries on the decision to wage war on Iraq that are silent about the crimes committed, the victims involved, and provide for no sanction, whatever their outcome, are not enough. Illegal acts should entail consequences: the dead and the harmed deserve justice.

On 6 October 2009, working with and on behalf of Iraqi plaintiffs, we filed a case before Spanish law against four US presidents and four UK prime ministers for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Iraq. The case presented spanned 19 years, including not only the wholesale destruction of Iraq witnessed from 2003, but also the sanctions period during which 1.5 million excess Iraqi deaths were recorded.

We brought the case to Spain because its laws of universal jurisdiction are based on principles enshrined in its constitution. All humanity knows the crimes committed in Iraq by those we accused, but no jurisdiction is bringing them to justice. We presented with Iraqi victims a solid case drawing on evidence contained in over 900 documents and that refer to thousands of individual incidents from which a pattern of accumulated harm and intent can be discerned.

When we brought our case, we knew that the Spanish Senate would soon vote on an amendment earlier passed by the lower house of parliament to curtail the application of universal jurisdiction in Spain. We were conscious that this restriction could be retroactive, and we took account of the content of the proposed amendment in our case filing. As we imagined, 2009 turned out to be a sad year for upholding universal human rights and international law in Spain. One day after we filed, the law was curtailed, and soon thereafter our case closed. Serious cases of the kind universal jurisdiction exists to address became more difficult to investigate.

One more jurisdiction to fall

Despite submitting a 110-page long referenced accusation (the Introduction of which is appended to this statement), the Spanish public prosecutor and the judge assigned to our case determined there was no reason to investigate. Their arguments were erroneous and could easily have been refuted if we could have appealed. To do so we needed a professional Spanish lawyer  either in a paid capacity or as a volunteer who wished to help the Iraqi people in its struggle for justice. As we had limited means, and for other reasons mostly concerning internal Spanish affairs, which were not our concern, we could not secure a lawyer in either capacity to appeal. Our motion for more time to find a lawyer was rejected.

We continue to believe that the violent killing of over one million people in Iraq since 2003 alone, the ongoing US occupation  that carries direct legal responsibility  and the displacement of up to a fifth of the Iraqi population from the terror that occupation has entailed and incited suggests strongly that the claims we put forward ought to be further investigated.

In reality, our case is a paramount example of those that authorities in the West  Spain included  fear. To them, such cases represent the double edge of sustaining the principle of universal jurisdiction. Western states used universal jurisdiction in the past to judge Third World countries. When victims in the global South began using it to judge Israel and US aggression, Western countries rushed to restrict it. Abandoning universal jurisdiction by diluting it is now the general tendency.

Call for wider collective effort to prosecute

We regret that the Spanish courts refused to investigate our case, but this will not discourage us. We have a just cause. The crimes are evident. Those responsible are well known, even if the international juridical system continues to ignore Iraqi victims. Justice for victims and the wish of all humanity that war criminals should be punished oblige us to search for alternative legal possibilities, so that the crimes committed in Iraq can be investigated and accountability established.

At present, failed international justice allows US and UK war criminals to stand above international law. Understanding that this constitutes an attack  or makes possible future attacks  on the human rights of everyone, everywhere, we will continue to advocate the use of all possible avenues, including UN institutions, the International Criminal Court, and popular tribunals, to highlight and bring before law and moral and public opinion US and UK crimes in Iraq.

We are ready to make our experience and expertise available to those who struggle in the same direction. We look forward to a time when the countries of the global South, which are generally victims of aggression, reinforce their juridical systems by implementing the principle of universal jurisdiction. This will be a great service to humanity and international law.

Millions of people in Iraq have been killed, displaced, terrorised, detained, tortured or impoverished under the hammer of US and UK military, economic, political, ideological and cultural attacks. The very fabric and being of the country has been subject to intentional destruction. This destruction constitutes one of the gravest international crimes ever committed. All humanity should unite in refusing that law  by failing to assure justice for Iraqi victims  enables this destruction to be the opening precedent of the 21st century.

Ad Hoc Committee For Justice For Iraq

Press contacts:

Hana Al Bayaty, Executive Committee, BRussells Tribunal
+20 10 027 7964 (English and French) hanaalbayaty@gmail.com

Dr Ian Douglas, Executive Committee, BRussells Tribunal, coordinator, International Initiative to Prosecute US Genocide in Iraq
+20 12 167 1660 (English) iandouglas@USgenocide.org

Serene Assir, Advisory Committee, BRussells Tribunal (Spanish) justiciaparairak@gmail.com

Abdul Ilah Albayaty, Executive Committee, BRussells Tribunal
+20 11 181 0798 (Arabic) albayaty_abdul@hotmail.com

Dirk Adriaensens, Executive Committee, BRussells Tribunal
+32 494 68 07 62 (Dutch) dirkadriaensens@gmail.com

Web:
www.brusselstribunal.org �
www.USgenocide.org �
www.twitter.com/USgenocide �
www.facebook.com/USgenocide  

This statement:
http://brusselstribunal.org/LegalCaseSpain070210.htm  

INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL CASE FILED BEFORE THE AUDIENCIA NACIONAL ON 6 OCTOBER 2009

The following is the introduction to a legal case filed 6 October 2009 before the Audiencia Nacional in Spain against four US presidents and four UK prime ministers for commissioning, condoning and/or perpetuating multiple war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Iraq. The case was filed under laws of universal jurisdiction.

This case, naming George H W Bush, William J Clinton, George W Bush, Barack H Obama, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Anthony Blair and Gordon Brown, was brought by Iraqis and others who stand in solidarity with the Iraqi people and in defence of their rights and international law.

Introduction

The respondents herein identified in this complaint have all held or hold high public office in the administrations of the United States and the United Kingdom, and/or commanding authority in the respective armed forces of these countries, and whilst in command or in office actively instigated, authorized, supported, justified, executed and/or perpetuated:

1. A 13-year sanctions regime on Iraq known and proven to have an overwhelmingly destructive impact on Iraqi public health, especially child mortality
2. The use of disproportionate and indiscriminate military force, including numerous extra-legal strikes and bombing campaigns throughout the 1990s, entailing the purposeful destruction of Iraqs water and health facilities, and defence capacities, and the widespread contamination of Iraqs ecosphere and life environment by the unjustified and massive use of depleted uranium munitions
3. The prevention by means of comprehensive sanctions, and/or military strikes, of the reconstruction of Iraqs critical civil infrastructure, including its health, water and sanitation systems, and the decontamination of Iraqs ecosphere/life environment, backed by the threat of Security Council veto where unanimity was not present for such strikes and/or the continuance of the sanctions regime
4. The launching of an illegal war of aggression against Iraq based on deliberate falsification of threat assessment intelligence and systematic efforts to conceal from the general public in the United States and the United Kingdom, and other countries, along with parts of the military command structure of the respective armed forces deployed, the true aims and objectives of that war
5. Establishing by design an occupation apparatus that by its incompetence, inexperience, corruption and/or ideological or sectarian alignment and actions would finalize the destruction of the Iraqi state and the attempted destruction of Iraqi national unity and identity, entailing an attack upon Iraqis as a whole and the intended destruction of the Iraqi national group as such.

The acts ordered and/or continued and perpetuated by the respondents identified in this complaint were unlawful in nature, were known to be and/or ought reasonably to have been known to be unlawful in nature, and were based on manifest and purposive lies, manipulations, deliberately misleading presentations of facts, and baseless assertions and other false justifications. The consistency of the propaganda effort that supported and contextualized these unlawful acts was such  and was aimed and known to be so  that it constituted an international campaign of demonization and dehumanization of Iraqis, the Iraqi nation, the Iraqi state, Iraqs civil and military leadership, Iraqs civil administrative apparatus, and Iraq in its Arab context. As such, and through actions taken and summarized below, the respondents:

1. Deprived the Iraqi people of all or the majority of their fundamental rights as established and protected by international human rights law and international humanitarian law, expressed in the UN Charter and conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions, including the right of defence
2. Structured and implemented policies that continue to deprive the Iraqi people of their sovereignty and the exercise of their freedom, human rights, and civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, as established and guaranteed by international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including the UN Charter and conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions
3. Consistently gave political and legal cover to these acts, even as these acts were known to be and/or ought reasonably to have been known to be in violation of international law, including peremptory or jus cogens standards of law
4. Asserted and defended extra-legal immunity for all those engaged in acts that have attacked the protected rights of the Iraqi people, and established a pattern of impunity for those accused of such attacks by failing to adequately investigate and prosecute specific and general allegations of grave abuses, and/or to ensure responsibility is assumed throughout the chain of command that permitted or failed to prohibit such attacks, and/or dismissed or distorted numerous customary legal standards, including the laws of war and those that outlaw the preemptive use of force in international relations
5. Abused and overran international law, the guarantor of international order, peace and security, which the United Nations System exists to protect and is deemed to embody, enshrined in the UN Charter, and upon whose foundation the Universal Declaration of Human Rights gains positive affect and final meaning.

Opportunity for redress for Iraqi victims in their own national jurisdiction is non-existent as Iraq remains occupied, its sovereign institutions dismantled and non-functioning. Despite numerous individual petitions submitted to its chief prosecutor, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has stated that it has no jurisdiction to hear cases of abuses and violations of human rights standards and international humanitarian law in Iraq. In light of US and UK threats to use permanent member veto power in the past, it is not foreseeable that the Security Council in the future will refer complaints in Iraq to the ICC, and nor can Iraqis wait for Security Council reform. Without effective investigation and prosecution of these abuses and violations, the international community runs the risk of allowing a precedent of unlawful action of such grave magnitude to be set without censure, thereby endangering the rights and dignity not only of Iraqis but also of people the world over. Such a precedent would be contrary to the UN Charter and the principles upon which the international order of states is deemed to be founded. The basis for public acceptance of a state of law is that it protects peace and defends the wellbeing of the people. Failure to investigate and effectively prosecute the catalogue of grave abuses and violations perpetrated by the respondents in Iraq, and against the Iraqi people, would constitute an ongoing and inherent threat to the basis of the international order in general and to international peace and security specifically.

Alongside those in official positions of authority, key political advisers, lobbyists, strategists and corporate representatives have also played a crucial role in the ideological and political justifications and legitimization sought and falsely proposed in order to execute the overall policy embraced, inclusive of an accumulated pattern of attacks, military and otherwise, that has lasted 19 years to date, culminating in the 2003 illegal war of aggression waged on Iraq and that continues to be executed despite wide and ongoing condemnation. Though there are nuances of responsibility inherent to the nature of policy construction and execution, the personal relations and interconnections between primary and secondary level individuals involved, and the groups or common circles to which they belong, testify to a large degree of cohesion present in intent and action among the respondents identified and those who support and benefit from the policies they have pursued. At the least, this shared intent is one of deliberate harm; at worst, it amounts to an objective intent to destroy for definable, and at times publicly enunciated, strategic, geopolitical and geo-economic reasons. Furthermore, none of the respondents can reasonably claim they did not have knowledge of the likely outcome of their policies, and those they supported, as all had not only participated in the design and execution of these policies, but they continued to execute said policies once their effects were widely known and had been proven to be detrimental to  and destructive of  the health, sovereignty and rights of the Iraqi people, and further have defended these policies and in majority continue to do so.

From the start of the implementation of a US-instigated and dominantly administered sanctions regime up to the present day, an approximate total of 2,700,000 Iraqis have died as a direct result of sanctions followed by the US-UK led war of aggression on, and occupation of, Iraq beginning in 2003. Among those killed during the sanctions period were 560,000 children. From 2003 onwards, having weakened Iraqs civil and military infrastructure to the degree that its people were rendered near totally defenceless, Iraq was subject to a level of aggression of near unprecedented scale and nature in international history, occurring in parallel with the promotion of a partition plan for Iraq, the substantial direct funding of sectarian groups and militias that would play a key role in fragmenting the country under occupation, both administratively and in terms of national identity, the cancellation of the former state apparatus and the dismissal of its personnel entailing the collapse of all public services and state protection for the Iraqi people, the further destruction of the health and education systems of Iraq, and the creation of waves of internal and external displacement totaling nearly 5,000,000 Iraqis, or one fifth of the Iraqi population. By December 2007, the Iraqi Anti-Corruption Board reported that there were up to 5,000,000 orphans in Iraq, while the Iraqi Ministry of Womens Affairs counts 3,000,000 widows as of 2009.

Such massive destruction of life, having as context a 19-year period of accumulated attacks, with numerous warnings and opportunities for remedy and a reversal of policy ignored, cannot be mere happenstance. Indeed, the paramount charge that must be investigated, and that plain fact evidence suggests, is that this level of destruction has been integral to the US and UKs shared international policy for Iraq. The destruction in whole or in part of the Iraqi people as a national group, and depriving this group of all or the majority of its rights, appears from a reasoned account of the catalogue of violations, abuses and attacks to which the Iraqi people have been subject to be the unlawful means pursued purposely by the respondents in order to redraw by force the strategic and political map of the Arab region and Iraqs place within that context, and to capture, appropriate and plunder, via the cancellation of the sovereignty of the Iraqi people and the destruction and fragmentation of their identity and unity as a national group, Iraqs substantial natural energy resources. Historically, the Iraqi national group, variegated yet cohesive, was and continues to be, despite the aggression faced, firmly rooted in its overwhelming majority in the concept of citizenship of the Iraqi state  a state founded on public provision of services and a nationally owned energy industry. The policy that the respondents have sought and continue to seek to impose, that has entailed privatizing and seizing ownership of Iraqi citizens resources, along with the administrative and political partition of the former unitary state, is contrary to the basis of, and cohesion of, the Iraqi people as a national group.

Until prevented by effective legal investigation and precautionary action, it is highly likely that the combined US/UK strategy in Iraq will continue, though its tactics may change. Iraqis in the majority show no sign of surrendering their right to and belief in Iraqi citizenship, including sovereign control over Iraqs natural resources. Between a belligerent foreign aggressor and a resilient, resistant people legal action is crucial to end the ongoing and by all likelihood perpetual slaughter of Iraqis and the destruction of their national identity and rights. We are before immoral and unlawful acts, contrary to the basis on which the international order of state sovereignty and peace and security rests, and that brought about and continue to pursue the destruction of the Iraqi state and attempted destruction of the Iraqi nation. Whereas 1,200,000 Iraqis, according to credible estimates, have lost their lives to violence since 2003 alone, the Iraqi people continue to lose their lives or at best live under constant fear of death, mutilation, detention, exile and lack of access to their rightful resources and freedoms. The sum of these conditions, the outcome of a pattern of purposeful action whose consequences could be foreseen, and of which detailed and compelling notice was served, situated in a context of false justifications, deceptions, and outright lies, and matched by the unlawful use of force, and disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force, amounts to substantive violations of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

As proof of the widespread impact of past and current US and UK policies, in 2009 the American Friends Service Committee, in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), reported that some 80 per cent of Iraqis surveyed in Iraq had witnessed a shooting, 68 per cent had been interrogated or harassed by militias, 77 per cent had been affected by shelling/rocket attacks, 72 per cent had witnessed a car bombing, 23 per cent of Iraqis in Baghdad had had a family member kidnapped, and 75 per cent had had a family member or someone close to them murdered.

Military operations in Iraq from 2003 have already cost for the United States an estimated $800 billion, with long-term costs estimated at $1.8 trillion. By 2009, the estimated cost for the United Kingdom, according to figures released by the UK Ministry of Defence, was £8.4 billion ($13.7 billion). The United States continues to spend $12 billion on the war per month. There has been a total of 513,000 US soldiers deployed to Iraq since 2003. Some 170,000 were stationed during the Surge campaign of 2007, and 130,000 remain deployed as of June 2009. In addition to regular armed forces, the US administration is believed to employ up to 130,000 additional private security contractors and has refused to release official numbers in this regard. Security companies have been granted blanket immunity under Iraqi law. Equally, there is no effective mechanism, or hope, for Iraqis to hold US and UK forces to account directly.

The narration of facts that follows is substantiated with evidence detailed in the Annex. Other facts to be investigated while reported are not mentioned in the following.

For further information:
www.brusselstribunal.org �
www.USgenocide.org �
www.twitter.com/USgenocide �
www.facebook.com/USgenocide  

2009-10-04 Bush: Letter to Brett Wilson’s legal counsel. (Brett is organizer of the Bush event.)

 Corporatocracy or Democracy or Administrative State or WHAT?, George Bush war criminal  No Responses »
Oct 042009
 

The news report on Brett Wilson’s “Chat with Bush” is appended.

Some of you know Brett Wilson from “The Dragon’s Den” on TV.  He is involved in bringing George Bush to Canada.  He is going to be asking questions of Bush at the event in Saskatoon.

Brett has business interests in the oil and gas sector.  And he established the Prairie Merchant Corporation.

After reading the news article (appended) it seems to me that Brett’s legal counsel might do a better job of briefing Brett.   I sent him an email of encouragement.

/Sandra

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LETTER TO BRETT WILSON’S LEGAL COUNSEL

 

SENT:  Sunday October 4th, 2009

 

Prairie Merchant Corporation

John Gulak, Legal Counsel

 

Dear John,

 

Brett Wilson is Managing Director and President of Prairie Merchant Corporation.  Perhaps you provide legal advice to him?

 

Concerning George Bush’s visit to Saskatoon:

The dismay in the community has nothing to do with George Bush’s right to speak, or of people to hear what he has to say.

It is a simple question of whether we have a democracy or not, of whether the laws apply to everyone, or not.

At Law School you will have studied the idea that no one is above the law.  Under the Rule of Law, no one can exempt anyone else from the application of the law.

You will have studied some international law.

Perhaps you could review some of it with Brett.  He may also like to know that many people are writing to the Attorney General of Canada to insist that he uphold the rule of law in Canada.

You may know from newspaper reports that we are in conversation with the police forces regarding the arrest of George Bush. I presume that the Attorney General cannot prosecute if the police have not arrested.

The legal arguments are summarized below.

You will be able to explain to Brett Wilson that some people have a duty under the law to perform the functions of their positions.  If they do not, citizens have recourse to the court system to address their failure to carry out their duties.

If there is fault in the following argument, I am anxious to know what it is.

I would be happy to forward further information to you – what the Spanish justice system is doing in relation to the war crimes of the Bush administration and some notes regarding what is being done inside the United States to bring Bush to justice.  Please ask if you’d like the info.

 

Best wishes to you,

Sandra Finley

Saskatoon SK  S7N 0L1

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If the most powerful among us are not accountable to the law, our justice system fails.

The Government of Canada has a legal duty to bar George W. Bush from Canada – as a suspected war criminal – or to prosecute him for torture once he enters Canada.  The law allows no other options.

 

Dear Attorney General Nicholson,

George W. Bush arrives in Canada, October 20, 2009.

As you know, Canada is a signatory to international legal covenants such as the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute.  As signatories we are legally bound to enforce these laws.  Furthermore, Canada has enacted supporting legislation.

Under the Canadian Criminal Code, the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, and the Geneva Conventions Act, torture and other war crimes and crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world are crimes in Canada.  Canada has a legal duty to prosecute such crimes.  The duty to prosecute is triggered when the suspected perpetrators enter Canada.

While President of the United States, George W. Bush waged war on Iraq without credible justification, the most serious breach of International Law which prohibits wars of aggression.  His government has held prisoners of war indefinitely without due process and has authorized the use of torture against many of these detainees, also in breach of international law.

To fail to apply the laws equally would be to breach your Oath of Office and to undermine the rule of law in Canada.  The Attorney General does not act on directions from his colleagues or anyone else in discharging his duties in the enforcement of the law.

George W. Bush must be arrested and prosecuted.

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APPENDED

BRETT WILSON’S “CHAT WITH BUSH”, SASKATOON STAR PHOENIX

Chat with Bush

Wilson prepares for Q&A

By Jason Warick, Saskatchewan News Network

October 3, 2009

North Battleford native and Calgary entrepreneur W. Brett Wilson will be moderating the Conversation with George W. Bush at TCU Place on Oct. 21. Bush, who served as the American president from 2000 to 2008, will give a speech, followed by a 45-minute question and answer session with Wilson.

Bush is scheduled to give a similar presentation in Edmonton the day before speaking in Saskatoon and appears in Montreal the following day. Bush events in Calgary and Toronto earlier this year sold out, attracting 2,000 and 6,500 people, respectively. An organizer for the Saskatoon event declined to release Bush’s speaking fee.

Wilson, a University of Saskatchewan graduate, is a panelist on the CBC television show Dragon’s Den, where inventors and businesspeople pitch ideas to the panel of “dragons” in the hope they will invest.

StarPhoenix reporter Jason Warick spoke to Wilson Friday.

The SP: Why did you want to be part of this event?

Wilson: I am fascinated by any and all world leaders — (Bill) Clinton, Bush, the Dalai Lama and other people of that calibre. I think anyone and everyone can learn from them, whether you agree with them or not.

The SP: George W. Bush is one of the most famous people in the world. Are you nervous?

Wilson: I am excited nervous, not scared nervous. For me, it’s like a sporting competition, where you’re about to go into one of the most interesting games you’ve ever been involved in. This guy (Bush) is a professional, through and through. I’m not looking to create a Frost-Nixon event here. I’m looking to see if we can’t engage Bush in (a) conversation that people in the audience find fascinating.

The SP: Have you thought about how you’ll address him?

Wilson: You know, I suspect there’s a formal way of doing it. I grew up in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, so it’s not something we put on — you know, how do you address the prime minister. If memory serves me, I believe he’s entitled to be called “president” all of his life. It would be President Bush or Mr. President.

The SP: George W. Bush made a series of monumental, controversial decisions during his eight years in office. How will you prepare for the conversation?

Wilson: Certainly I’ve been online, and spent some time with a couple of political scientists, just making sure that I have a rough briefing. I’m not looking to get into a debate with him, but rather to encourage the conversation in a way that is meaningful for everyone there.

The SP: Do you think George W. Bush was a good president?

Wilson: You know, I don’t think my views on that are relevant. The important thing is I respect him. I will say my respect for him grew measurably after the event I saw him do in Calgary (in March). I thought he was far more articulate than the press has given him credit for and he had a compelling story, defending the actions he took as being in the best interests of the country that he was elected to run.

The SP: What’s the one question you’d most like to ask George W. Bush?

Wilson: I haven’t formulated the question, but it’s going to connect to the regrets he might have had in terms of the cost of being in public office on his family and friends.

The SP: Will you be discussing Sept. 11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Canada’s refusal to send troops to Iraq?

Wilson: I’ve been told that I can ask anything I want. Now, I’ve been asked to run the questions by them so they can anticipate, but let’s be clear: George W. Bush has been asked every question in the book. There’s nothing I’m going to do that’s going to surprise him or trick him. He’ll answer any of those questions however he so chooses. I’m pretty sure I’m going to go some places that other people have gone in that regard.

The SP: Some critics, including a Saskatoon group which is protesting the visit, call George W. Bush a war criminal. Will you ask him about that?

Wilson: I don’t know that’s either professional or respectful. I’d have to judge that at the time. I think people have the right to protest. But the people who’ve paid and choose to listen have the right to listen. Their right to protest does not cause George Bush to sit quiet. The people who want to listen have the right to listen unencumbered by nonsense. As long as the protesting’s done respectfully, I think there’s a role and a place for it. I think I’ve got better questions to ask him than the relevance of the disorganized chaos outside the building.

The SP: You’re a host on the CBC program Dragon’s Den. Would you invest in a business with George W. Bush if he asked?

Wilson: Would I invest in a business with George W. Bush? In George Bush, you’ve got someone who’s got such a high profile that, in my mind, integrity and honesty are above reproach, and those are pretty high characteristics for me in terms of the sort of people I want to do business with. So I’d have to ask a few more questions, but I’d certainly be willing to continue the conversation.

© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix

2009-09-30 Bush visit to Canada: We are rockin’ sockin’!

 George Bush war criminal  No Responses »
Sep 302009
 

Why am I exhilarated?! 

I love the creativity and power we have when we work together for good. 

Scroll down to the wonderful poster “Wanted for War Crimes:  George W. Bush”.  Peter (Saskatoon) did it.  I love it! 

Read the material – Gail (Vancouver) provides it.

We are empowered by her work.  You can see it in Peter’s poster.  And in my correspondence. 

The Saskatoon organizing for George Bush’s visit on Oct 21 is growing fast.  

Hey, Edmonton and Montreal ~   come join us!  Give us a hand. 

As pointed out in an earlier email, the rule of law is absolutely necessary to our peace and security.  No one is above the law, not even George Bush.

http://forum.stopthehogs.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1425#1425 

Gail’s input below points out the role of the Attorney General of Canada (AGC) in bringing the law to bear. 

The Minister of Justice is automatically also the Attorney General:

Robert Nicholson, M.P. for Niagara Falls.

http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/mag-mpg/index.html  

In Saskatoon we are thinking that we’ll send the legal case to the AGC and to every person who might be responsible for arresting Bush when he sets foot in Canada.  Let’s say that they do not arrest Bush.  That would open the way AFTER Bush’s visit, to bring legal action against the responsible persons for failure to carry out their duties. 

Trudy is coming by today.   She is going to work on a draft template letter to AGC Robert Nicholson, which we’ll also send to the Saskatoon Chief of Police.  It’ll be delivered to the RCMP detachment in Saskatoon and emailed to many other people. 

Will send it to you as soon as it’s ready.  It needs to go to every possible person in the justice and policing system in Canada.  In the meantime, we need to poster Saskatoon like mad. 

Cheney and Blair are also scheduled to visit Canada.  Equally distasteful, but I’m focusing for now on Bush.  If we can cause the law to be applied to him, or at least keep him out of the country, it will add to the level of awareness.   

Canadians will do their part in ensuring that the rule of law prevails.  Eventually the people responsible for torture and illegal war will be brought to justice because we demand it.  

This is so great! 

Many thanks to everyone,

Sandra

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Thanks to Gail (Lawyers Against the War (LAW)): 

Saskatoon Groups oppose illegal visit of G.W. Bush to Canada.  

George W. Bush Welcoming Committee-Saskatoon on Facebook: Over 1,800 people have joined and the group is planning a rally for October 21, 2009.  To join or print a “Wanted for War Crimes: G.W. Bush, poster, go to   http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=130160394722 

Criminal Complaint against G.W. Bush to the Saskatoon Chief of Police: Sandra Finley. On September 10, 2009 Sandra delivered a letter to the Saskatoon Chief of Police advising him of G.W. Bush’ visit to Saskatoon on Oct. 21 and asking him to commence an investigation of Bush for torture and other crimes. Appended to the letter were: a list of the applicable Canadian laws, a list of briefs of evidence of Bush’ involvement in torture and other crimes and statements regarding Bush’ personal culpability for crimes of a number of people, including former U.S. Attorney General Ramsay Clark and former U.S. star prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi. Also included was a news item about the criminal investigation of U.S. lawyers who wrote the torture memos approved by Bush and Rumsfeld by the Spanish Court. http://forum.stopthehogs.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1425#1425 

The Saskatoon Chief of Police is apparently not aware that torture and other war crimes and crimes against humanity are crimes in Canada no matter when they occurred and no matter what the nationality of the perpetrators or victims. (such as the Criminal Code, the Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Act and the Geneva Convention Act). He is also apparently not aware that once a suspected perpetrator of one of these crimes (Bush is suspected of committing crimes falling into 269 different categories of crimes–replied by saying,

“This letter is in response to your correspondence dated September 10 and September 14, 2009 regarding the upcoming visit of George W. Bush.
Although the pending visit may not be popular with some people/organizations, there is no legal ramification to bar the event.  In reply to your request for the Saskatoon Police Service to begin an investigation into past actions by the former President; as a municipal
police agency in Canada, we have no jurisdiction in this matter of international law.”

N.B. Under Canadian laws, including the Criminal Code (in force since 1987), the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act (in force since 2000), and the Geneva Conventions Act (in force since 1985), torture and other war crimes and crimes against humanity– committed anywhere in the world, by and against any person(s)–are crimes in Canada and Canada has a legal duty to prosecute such crimes. The duty to prosecute such crimes committed outside Canada, under the Criminal Code and the Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Act is triggered when the suspected perpetrators enters Canada and/or when a victim is a Canadian citizen. Under the Geneva Conventions Act, the jurisdiction to prosecute does not require a trigger. Prosecutions require the written consent of the Attorney General of Canada. Under the Criminal Code a citizen can lay an information alleging torture without the prior consent of the Attorney General of Canada.  

Edmonton Alberta: Two people have expressed interest in laying an information for torture against Bush under the Criminal Code. LAW has information about how to lay a private information for torture and some draft wording for torture charges against Bush and Cheney.  

Montreal: A Montreal lawyer is exploring the possibility of bringing an application in Federal Court for an order of mandamus compelling the government to prevent Bush, Blair and Cheney from entering Canada under the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. 

Bush visit to cost taxpayers over $500,00: A Globe and Mail article (Bill Curry writing on September 26) estimates that the cost of Bush’ visits will exceed $500,000, based on the Calgary cost of $124,000 to the RCMP alone: Toronto was $108,000. That apparently does not include the cost of local police. An ex-police officer phoned LAW last week to advise that he suspected Bush was and will be given special permission to bring his own body guards along with their own arms across the border with him. 

LAW’s September 10, 2009 letter is available http://www.lawyersagainstthewar.org/letters.html

(I HAVEN’T FIGURED OUT HOW TO UPLOAD THE “WANTED” POSTER.  IT’S GREAT AND SHOULD BE HERE)  

= = = = = = = = == = = = 

Lawyers Against the War
Tel:  +1 604 738  0338
Fax: +1 604 736  1175
Email:  law   AT  portal.ca
Website: www.lawyersagainstthewar.org

2009-09-26 Protect your turf. “Small” reactors. NUKE RALLY in Saskatoon, Update Sept 26.

 Corporatocracy or Democracy or Administrative State or WHAT?, Energy  No Responses »
Sep 262009
 

Saskatchewanians & Albertans & “remote”:  you should be familiar with Dwain Lingenfelter’s statements to the Star Phoenix in item 3 concerning “small” reactors.  We should all understand “small” reactors.

NOTE:  I often include text and not just the web address (URL) for information, to guard against future need for the info when the web page is gone.

CONTENTS

  1. INTRODUCE CHINESE-AMERICAN TURF WAR IN SASKATCHEWAN
  2. CLEAR-EYED
  3. IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND “SMALL” “RESEARCH” REACTORS

A. DWAIN LINGENFELTER EXPLAINS THEM

B. “SMALL” REACTORS AND THE SASK UDP REPORT

C. “SMALL” REACTORS FOR MINING IN REMOTE LOCATIONS

D. “SMALL” REACTORS FOR REMOTE COMMUNITIES

E.  AND IT’S ALL THERE ON THE INTERNET!

4.  WE MUST WIN THE TURF WAR

5.  UPDATE ON THE PARADE & RALLY

= = = = = = = = = = = = =

(1) INTRODUCE CHINESE-AMERICAN TURF WAR IN SASKATCHEWAN

In one of the next emails I’ll set out the evidence to show that the turf war between American and Chinese interests for control of resources (especially oil and gas) is pitched in Saskatchewan; it’s happening right now.  . . . but this email is about the NO NUKES rally?

Most of you already know the relationship between the nuclear and tar sands industries.  Electricity from nuclear reactors is needed for expansion of the tar sands.  You can’t talk about one without talking about the other – not here.

= = = = = = = = ==

(2) CLEAR-EYED

There is no ignorance to blur our sight.  We can look over the fence into Alberta’s backyard, read National Geographic, view thousands of pictures on the internet, or read Andrew Nikiforuk’s book on the Tar Sands to see what lies in store if the nuclear reactors get the go-ahead, to enable expansion of the tar sands.

We may as well throw in the towel on climate change.  And prepare for a rough road because MORE investment in a dwindling resource (in this case oil and gas) only hastens the depletion and ensures that the economy upon which the resource is founded will fail.  The lessons of resource depletion dictate that you TRANSITION OFF the resource, if you wish to avoid economic collapse.

If that’s not enough, tar sands bring about rape and pillage, disease and death of the eco-systems, severe abuse of water, next-to-no royalties, totally ineffective regulation, deals made in secret, loss of the public interest, and reassurances that it will be different.  Everything is good.  We will have lots of money.

When you impoverish the environment, you impoverish the people who are dependent upon it.  Show me where this is not true.

“Only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we cannot eat money.”

= = = = = = = = = = = = =

(3) IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND “SMALL” “RESEARCH” REACTORS

A. DWAIN LINGENFELTER EXPLAINS THEM

Dwain Lingenfelter was Deputy Premier of Saskatchewan before going to Nexen Oil and Gas in Calgary for 8 years, after which he returned to Saskatchewan to be elected, in June 2009, to the leadership of the provincial NDP which is now the official opposition party.

Dwain was interviewed (Oct 2005) while a Vice-President at Nexen and on tour in Saskatchewan. The article says that the technology for the “small” reactors they want for tar sands development is ten years away.

Personally, I believe the “research reactor” touted by the Government and the University for the U of S is “research” to develop the technology for the “small” reactors for tar sands production.

The 2005 article spells out that the industry wants “small” reactors” “largely because a single, large nuclear reactor isn’t the best option to serve the many tarsands projects that are too far away from each other.”  . . . “adding that smaller reactors may be more viable option, but that technology is a decade away.”

THE ARTICLE

Lingenfelter campaigning for nuclear plant

Murray Mandryk, With files from James Wood of the Regina Star-Phoenix Leader-Post

October 26, 2005      (Web address no longer valid)

Former NDP deputy premier Dwain Lingenfelter is embarking on a campaign to convince Saskatchewan residents that a nuclear power plant in northwestern Saskatchewan would be a huge economic opportunity for this province.

Lingenfelter, now a vice-president at Calgary-based oil company Nexen Canada Ltd., will speak to the North Saskatoon Business Association on Nov. 8 on the benefits of building a nuclear reactor in Saskatchewan across the border from the tarsands in Fort McMurray, Alta.  . . . ”  (INSERT: Nexen, of course, has investments in the tar sands and oil and gas in the province.)    . . .

Leader of the “Official Opposition?”

– – – – – – – – – — – —

B. “SMALL” REACTORS AND THE SASK UDP REPORT

Add to Lingenfelter’s explanation:

While the public consultations on the “Uranium Development Partnership” for Saskatchewan was underway, the Government of Saskatchewan met a July 31st, 2009 deadline to apply to the Federal Govt for funding related to nuclear reactors.

The application was sold to Saskatchewanians as being for a “research” reactor and for radio isotope production.   The Appendix for the UDP Report makes it clear that a “research” reactor is about the “small” reactors needed for tar sands expansion.

It seems pretty clear to me,

– based on what the tar sands industry wants (the October 2005 article re Lingenfelter in his role of Vice-President of a tar sands corporation)

added to

– Brad Wall’s commitment to the Canada – U.S. Western Energy Corridor (Wall and Schweitzer, the Governor of Montana, are the “spear-heads” for sending “non-renewable” energy and “clean” – industry-speak for “nuclear” energy – to the U.S.) that the “research” reactor at the University of Saskatchewan isn’t just a little reactor; it’s research to create the “small” reactors needed for tar sands expansion and other mining.

– – – – – – – – – – – –

This is an aside, but it’s important.

The UDP Report (the Government) and Richard Florizone, Vice-President of Finance at the University (he also chaired the UDP Panel) – talk as though the Canadian Centre for Nuclear Studies at the University of Saskatchewan is part of the “public consultation” process.

But read the On Campus News:

Nuclear studies centre already under development July 17,  2009  (Link no longer valid http://www.usask.ca/communications/ocn/09-july-17/2.php)

Excerpt, quoting Karen Chad, acting vice-president of research:

“In some ways, it fits in beautifully for the University of Saskatchewan because for the past year we’ve been developing this centre.  The (Saskatchewan) proposal is very targeted to the production of medical isotopes but we can do much more than that.”

As it has taken shape, the nuclear studies centre has drawn together multiple disciplines – basic science, health, humanities, engineering, medicine, public policy – working at various points in the nuclear cycle, explained Chad. That cycle extends from exploration and mining to power production to safe storage. The centre sees these academic and research activities as opportunities for “health, wealth and well-being.”

What was the purpose of the “public consultation”?

– – – – – – – – – – —

C.  “SMALL” REACTORS FOR MINING IN REMOTE LOCATIONS

Firm raises eyebrows with suggestion for nuclear powered mines

By Lynn Moore, Montreal Gazette   August 18, 2009     (Web address no longer valid)

MONTREAL – A mining exploration company figures small nuclear reactors for electric-power generating stations would be ideal for remote operations such as its project in the James Bay region of Quebec.

Western Troy Capital Resources Inc. says a team of advisors is now considering an array of reactor designs suitable for such use and it has initiated contact with the regulatory community.

The venture took root about a year ago when the company was looking at power options for its molybdenum and copper project at MacLeod Lake, CEO Rex Loesby said.

The property is located in boreal wilderness more than 500 kilometres north of Quebec City.

“When we looked at this (option), we said, ‘Gee, why aren’t people doing this in Canada?’ It seems like an obvious thing to do,” Loesby recalled.

Remote sites now rely heavily on fossil fuels and generators, he said.

Western Troy would replace those power sources with reactors that could generate about five to 20 megawatts of power, Loesby said from his Toronto office.

“These little ones, even if you don’t get the economies of scale (gained from building a 1,000 MW nuclear power plant), if something goes wrong, it doesn’t wipe out half a city,” said Loesby, adding that remote mining sites are not located near cities.

Environmental groups are not so enamoured with the idea.

The idea of nuclear reactors at mine sites “is mad,” Jamie Kneen, MiningWatch Canada’s communications and outreach co-ordinator, said.

“I can’t see how it is going to get through the regulatory process.”

The notion is “suspect for a number of reasons” including issues surrounding disposal of radioactive waste, said Dale Marshall, climate policy analyst for the David Suzuki Foundation.

“A significant number of mining proponents are saying that climate change is already affecting their operations, specially infrastructure on mines,”  said Marshall.

“Probably the last thing we want to do is have a whole lot more nuclear reactors being impacted by those climatic events and potentially leading to accidents in those power facilities.”

The idea of using nuclear reactors to power the extraction industry is not new, said Paul Stothart, the Mining Association of Canada’s vice-president of economic affairs, said in an email.

“For example, there has been considerable discussion in the (Alberta) oilsands where reactors could be used to provide power and heat and hence significantly reduce the amount of fossil fuel used in the . . . production process,” he wrote.

While it is “conceivable” that small nuclear reactors in remote regions would offer environmental advantages by reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, “this technology would presumably raise questions regarding community acceptance, site location and permitting, management of waste . . . etc.,”  Stothart said.

Glenn Harvel, an associate professor of nuclear science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, is among the advisors working with Western Troy. While still in its preliminary stage, the project presents “an exciting opportunity for Canada,” he said.

There are hurdles to overcome “but it is feasible,” he added. A key challenge is “finding the right vendor and then getting everyone in the licensing process to agree that this is a worthwhile thing to do,” Harvel said.

While potential vendors – all foreign – have said they could provide a suitable reactor for between $25 million to $75 million, no firm quotes have yet been sought.

Montreal Gazette

© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

– – – – – – – – – – – – — – –

D.  “SMALL” REACTORS FOR REMOTE COMMUNITIES

And I think that almost all of the Inuit communities use diesel-powered generators for the electricity supply for their communities.  The diesel is brought in by barge in the summertime.  With the crunch on oil and gas, those generators are another prime market for replacement by “small”, remote nuclear power plants.

The article (Lingenfelter) doesn’t mention this latter use, but I’m quite sure it’s there.

– – – – – – – – – — – —

E.  AND IT’S ALL THERE ON THE INTERNET!

(Link no longer valid  http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=948)

Posted on Jul. 16, 2008
By Robert Bryce

Nukes Get Small

But entrepreneurs are now developing small nuclear reactors that could ultimately become just as important as their bigger, more famous counterparts. These micro-nukes produce a small fraction of the power that their bigger cousins do, but they may have applications in far more locations, particularly in remote areas where electricity is prohibitively expensive. The small reactors may also be used for temporary power production, or at locations like military bases that need highly reliable electric power.

Small reactors could be extraordinarily useful in both the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil industry. In the upstream, a small reactor would be highly valuable for use in oil sands, heavy oil, or oil shale projects that consume huge quantities of natural gas to produce the steam needed to process the bitumen, heavy oil, or shale. The small reactor could also be used in refineries, which must burn natural gas or other hydrocarbons to produce steam for various processes. Further, the small reactors can be ganged, so they could be scaled up to provide power for small cities that don’t need (or can’t afford) a much larger reactor.

Several companies are vying to be the first to commercialize small reactors.

Among the most promising competitors are two American companies: Hyperion Power Generation and NuScale Power Inc.

Excerpt from the website, where there is more info . . .   Toshiba is another of the companies that is developing a small reactor.  Hyperion has submitted its application to have its “small” reactor licensed in the U.S.  The process is years-long….

Also, this from the industry website:

http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf33.html

(September 2009)

There is revival of interest in small and simpler units for generating electricity from nuclear power, and for process heat.

The interest is driven both by a desire to reduce capital costs and to provide power away from large grid systems.

The technologies involved are very diverse.  . . .

The most prominent modular project is the South African-led consortium developing the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor of of 170 MWe.

In China, Chinergy is preparing to build a similar unit, the 195 MWe HTR-PM.

A US-led group is developing another design with 285 MWe modules driving a gas turbine directly, using helium as a coolant and operating at very high temperatures.

All three are high-temperature reactors which build on the experience of several innovative reactors in the 1960s and 1970s…

Generally, modern small reactors for power generation are expected to have greater simplicity of design, economy of mass production, and reduced siting costs. Many are also designed for a high level of passive or inherent safety in the event of malfunction*. ..

Already operating in a remote corner of Siberia are four small units at the Bilibino co-generation plant. These four 62 MWt (thermal) units are an unusual graphite-moderated boiling water design with water/steam channels through the moderator. They produce steam for district heating and 11 MWe (net) electricity each. They have performed well since 1976, much more cheaply than fossil fuel alternatives in the Arctic region.

Also in the small reactor category is the Indian 220 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) based on Canadian technology.  This design is not detailed in this paper simply because it is well-established and India is now focusing on 450 MWe and 700 MWe versions of it.

Light Water Reactors (LWR)

US experience has been of very small military power plants, such as the 11 MWt, 1.5 MWe (net) PM-3A reactor which operated at McMurdo Sound in Antarctica 1962-72, generating a total of 78 million kWh. There was also an Army program for small reactor development and some successful small reactors from the main national program commenced in the 1950s. One was the Big Rock Point BWR of 67 MWe which operated for 35 years to 1997.

Of the following, the KLT and VBER designs have conventional pressure vessel plus external steam generators (PV/loop design). The others mostly have the steam supply system inside the reactor pressure vessel (‘integral’ PWR design). All have enhanced safety features relative to current PWRs.

The Russian KLT-40S is a reactor well proven in icebreakers and now proposed for wider use in desalination and, on barges, for remote area power supply.

Here a 150 MWt unit produces 35 MWe (gross) as well as up to 35 MW of heat for desalination or district heating (or 38.5 MWe gross if power only).

These are designed to run 3-4 years between refuelling and it is envisaged that they will be operated in pairs to allow for outages (70% capacity factor), with on-board refuelling capability and spent fuel storage. At the end of a 12-year operating cycle the whole plant is taken to a central facility for overhaul and storage of spent fuel. Two units will be mounted on a 20,000 tonne barge. … ”

= = = = = = = = = == =

(4)  WE MUST WIN THE TURF WAR

If we lose in Saskatchewan, how is that a loss for Canadians?  The obvious answer is the impact on global climate change that expansion of the tar sands will mean.  It won’t matter how green Ontario and B.C. are.

But there is another significant issue.  Review Canadian history.  David Orchard’s “The Fight for Canada” is a good starting place.  The Americans have tried repeatedly over the last two centuries to invade and takeover Canada.

The only difference today is in the tactics.

The beneficiaries of the takeover are the same as they are in the Congo (Patrice Lumumba murdered – copper), in Bhopal (Union Carbide, owner Dow Chemical) – the list of abuses is long.

The Government of the U.S. (China) places the interests of its corporations above all; they are the beneficiaries alongside some Canadian investors in one form and another.

As preposterous as it may seem, I think WE Canadians have to win the turf war in Saskatchewan.  If either the American OR Chinese interests win, the land that gives us life will be destroyed.  But also, David Orchard will have to write another book, “The Fight for Canada is Lost”. We will be thoroughly owned and exploited by corporate interests. Suck out the life-blood.

Again, we cannot claim naïveté:  go on the internet, look at the pictures and the story of the Niger delta (the Ogoni people, KEN SARO WIWA AND 8 OGONI PEOPLE EXECUTED. Royal Dutch Shell was the main “developer” of the oil and gas in the Niger Delta. The industry much prefers a “stable” place like Canada.)

Put the pictures side-by-side:  tar sands, Niger Delta, Sarnia ON, Fort Chippewyan, Falconbridge in South America and the others. There are no exceptions.  The pictures are the same.

So if they offer reassurances that it will be different, tell them you are not so stupid, or so insecure that you believe in lies.

Throw your weight in with us.  If you don’t know a soul in Saskatchewan you can phone to tell them about the Rally & Parade, then send us your prayers.

We have to have every single person possible on-board.  Not just to show the support for Renewables (for stopping the destruction of the Earth), but also because it’s a wonderful way to build our connectedness.

The strength of our connectedness will determine who wins the turf war: American or Chinese corporate, or citizens.

We’re down to the last week! The Parade & Rally “No Nukes – Go Renewables” is Sunday, October 4th in Saskatoon.

= = = = = = = = = = = = =

(5)  UPDATE ON THE PARADE & RALLY

RON WRITES:

I stopped at our Lloyd TV station with a couple of Rally Posters & GUESS WHAT They had no idea this event was scheduled >>>> Anyhow now they are going to air it on the news And post it on their Co op advertising Calender that happens to be aired 4 times a week

John Allen from just outside of Lloyd an organic farmer and Lakeland College worker … is going to try to make it to the Rally.  Carla found him through MEETUP.

There are a few private cars heading down (as well as the busload of people).

(INSERT:  Please follow Ron’s lead – talk directly to your local media, if applicable.  We don’t have work assignments – we rely on each of us to do, and through doing, to see more that can be done!)

– – –  – – – – – – – – — –

Michelle from Prince Albert has been working hard to get EVERYONE to contact all the organizations and people they know, to spread the word about the Rally.  It’s called mobilizing!

– – – – – – – – – – – –

Saskatoon has been tied up with the organizing details around porta-potties and “the bowl” and how to use every minute of the programme. Now it’s an all-out effort in this last week to spread the word about the Rally.

It’s awesome!  The Students’ Union offered to put notice of the Rally on the plasma TV screens they have on-campus.  Karen and Dave put together a great ad that has four “feed-ins”.  They took the same ad to Rainbow Cinemas.  The fellow there is coming to the Rally!  we got a great deal – the ad is running in both Saskatoon and in Regina.

Flyers are being handed out at the Farmers Market this morning.  They were handed out in front of Persephone Theatre last night. And at the Musicians for Peace event on Monday.  Posters continue to go up.  Another person sat down and telephoned 60 friends.

Facebook events are going great.  . . . I hate to say any of this because I only know a fraction of what everyone is doing!

Leave no stone unturned.
Every single last person who comes to the Rally is absolutely needed to create the critical mass. We are stopping an invasion and takeover and  destruction, may I remind you?!

The biggest risk we face now is not getting enough people to the Rally.

– – – – – – – –

See you there!

12:00  U of Scampus, NE corner of The Bowl (central green space). Parade Marshalls gather to receive instructions. Please spread the word – we need more marshalls and cheer leaders.

1:00 – the Rally is officially underway.  We have a sound system to deliver the “Go Renewables” (not nukes) message to the University.

1:15 – The Parade leaves the University headed for downtown.

2:00 – Musicians start at the Vimy Memorial (bandshell in the park south of the Bessborough Hotel.

2:30 – the last of the Parade reaches the bandshell

The Rally continues with speakers and musicians.  Winona LaDuke keynote.

4:30 – Wind-up

5:00 – out-of-town buses leave.

2009-09-10 “Triffid” GM flax seed coming to you, compliments of the University of Saskatchewan?

 Food, Genetically Modified, Take back the University  No Responses »
Sep 102009
 

“Canada’s GM contaminated flax has now been found in 28 countries”

CONTENTS

(1)    “TRIFFID” GM FLAX COMING TO YOU, COMPLIMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY?

(2)   TRIFFID ENGINEERED TO BE RESISTANT TO CHEMICAL RESIDUE IN SOIL

(3)   CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA) IS RESPONIBLE FOR LICENSING CROPS.  IT CONTINUES TO SHOW TRIFFID AUTHORIZED FOR “UNCONFINED RELEASE”.

(4)   NEWS REPORTS, GM CONTAMINATION OF CANADIAN FLAX EXPORTS THREATEN MARKETS IN EUROPE

= = = = = = = = = =  = = = ==  ==  = = == = =

(1)    “TRIFFID” GM FLAX COMING TO YOU, COMPLIMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY?

Triffid flax is GM and came out of the CDC (the Crop Development Centre) at the University of Saskatchewan.

Ten years ago Terry Boehm was a critical player in the Flax Council’s success in preventing the introduction of GM flax into Canada.  Farmers knew they would lose international flax markets if Canadian flax became contaminated with GM seeds.  They had experience with GM canola.

The following is consistent with what I’ve read and heard:  http://www.spinprofiles.org/index.php/Alan_McHughen

“ … on September 10, 2009 the European Union (EU) Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) reported finding an unapproved genetically modified (GM) flax/linseed variety in cereal and bakery products in Germany. The Canadian flax seed market promptly collapsed. The brand name of this GM flax was Triffid, and it was developed and registered for use in Canada by Alan McHughen.

McHughen’s seed

Alan McHughen, over the strong and vigorous objections of the flax growers in Canada, insisted on bioengineering and then registering the GM Triffid flax with public funds through the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Center.[5] Triffid was approved by Canadian regulators in 1998 but the Flax Council of Canada convinced the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to remove variety registration for the GM flax in 2001, making it illegal to grow.  

(INSERT:  I don’t understand. See Item #3 – the CFIA still shows Triffid as “authorized”. )

 Flax growers took this action to protect their export markets from the threat of GM contamination.[6] The University of Saskatchewan lost a substantial sum of money from this episode.[7][8][9]  

(INSERT:  it has been reported that the development costs alone ran to over $2 million dollars.)

In September 2009 Resource News International reported:

Cash bids for flaxseed in Western Canada have taken a dramatic turn for the worse with some of the decline being linked to European concerns the crop contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

GM flax FP967 (CDC Triffid) has tolerance to soil residues of sulfonylurea-based herbicides. Canada supplies approximately 70% of the total flax/linseed utilized in the EU annually.[11]

An article by Allan Dawson in the Manitoba Co-operator (“CDC Triffid Flax Scare Threatens Access To No. 1 EU Market”, September 17 2009), states that McHughen deliberately spread his GM Triffid flax seed by giving away packets to farmers to plant, at a time when the flax industry was trying to eradicate the GM threat from its crop:

Alan McHughen, who developed CDC Triffid, gave away small packets of the seed early in the decade — a move criticized by the flax industry at the time.[12]  

(INSERT:  I talked with Percy Schmeiser.  He said that McHughen also gave out packets of 144 seeds each, to rural school students to take home.  But I wonder how vigilant was the collection of the Triffid seed when it was all to have been destroyed ?  The University had sold the seed.)  . . .

Testing did confirm that the contaminant was Triffid. In January 2010, an article for CBC News reported:

Canadian flax seed has been shut out of its largest market after traces of Triffid — a genetically modified form of the crop ordered destroyed 10 years ago — was found in shipments. The European Union, which buys 70 per cent of Canada’s flax, has a zero-tolerance policy regarding genetically modified organisms and has been turning away shipments. … “

Officials say Canada’s entire $320-million industry is threatened.[14]  . . .

So what happened?  . . . OOPS!  Somehow GM flax sneaked its way out.  And OOPS!  The Europeans discovered it in their shipments of flax from Canada in September 2009.  And OOPS!  They turned it back.  And OOPS!  We’re talking about flax, worth $320 million dollars in sales, not to mention the other costs associated with it.

Lame excuses:

–          “ …  managing director (of the CDC) Dorothy Murrell told CBC News.  “We’re puzzled, but regardless of that, we’re taking action and trying to do our part . . “

–        “ …  The modified seed was deregistered and ordered destroyed 10 years ago . . .   Mysteriously, Triffid has reappeared in commercial crops.”

Where is our backbone?  We are talking about our food supply.

NOT ONLY THAT:

–        if Canadian farmers sue over the loss of flax markets (as the American farmers sued over loss of rice markets), the case will be against the University.   WE are the ones who will pay … again, and in several ways.

The University Administration needs to be held accountable.  There is no accountability if very few people know about the situation.

= = = = = = = ==

(2)   TRIFFID ENGINEERED TO BE RESISTANT TO CHEMICAL RESIDUE IN SOIL

Science and universities. . . .   The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA – Dept of Agriculture) says this about the University’s Triffid flax:

“This plant was transformed with genes conferring tolerance to soil residues of the herbicides triasulfuron and metsulfuron- methyl . . “.  (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/bio/dd/dd9824e.shtml )

Do I read correctly?  Is this about:

–        Problem:  a gradual build-up in chemical contamination of the soil has negative impact on plant growth

–        Response:  genetically-manipulate the food crop so it can grow in spite of the residues of the chemicals in the soil.

?  Do I misunderstand?  Because if I understand correctly, this seems to me to be a colossally stupid response to the problem.  I must be wrong.

But then, in recent news over the melting of the Polar Ice Cap the scientists once again stress the chemicals found in the ice samples.  Expect the University to connect the dots?  Chemical agriculture – – maybe we should be finding different ways of crop production?  Deny there is any relationship between the work at the University on chemical and biotech agriculture and the known problems they are creating?

Truth-seekers?  Propaganda that passes for education?  The “product” they sell to their “consumers” (students)?  The University as a place for helping to find answers to the society’s problems?

= = = = = = = ==  = = = = = = = = = = = ==

(3)  CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA) IS RESPONIBLE FOR LICENSING CROPS.  IT SHOWS TRIFFID AUTHORIZED FOR “UNCONFINED RELEASE”.

Today (2010), if you read the “Decision Document” for Triffid, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (Agriculture Canada), responsible for licensing says “Unconfined release into the environment and livestock feed use of CDC Triffid is therefore authorized.”

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/bio/dd/dd9824e.shtml )

1996-05.   Last date modified: 2001-07-18”

(Note:  CDC = Crop Development Centre)

I don’t understand:  Triffid GM flax was supposed to have been made illegal in 2001 ??

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = == =

(4)  NEWS REPORTS, GM CONTAMINATION OF CANADIAN FLAX EXPORTS THREATEN MARKETS IN EUROPE (for a quick scroll-through)

GM contamination of Canadian flax exports threatens markets in Europe

Posted by National Farmers Union on Sept/10/09

The European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed has confirmed the contamination of Canadian flax exports with a genetically modified (GM) flax, devastating Canadian flax sales to Europe. The GM flax has been illegal to grow in Canada since 2001 when flax growers forced the government to take the product off the market. A German company confirmed the GM contamination in its cereals and bakery products.

The GM flax, called the “Triffid”, was approved by Canadian regulators in 1998 but the Flax Council of Canada convinced the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to remove variety registration for the GM flax in 2001, making it illegal to grow. Flax growers took this action to protect their export markets from the threat of GM contamination. Approximately 70 per cent of Canada’s flax is exported to Europe.

“This is an absolute nightmare for flax growers and why we worked so hard to have the GM flax removed,” said Terry Boehm, a flax grower and Vice President of the National Farmers Union. “Flax growers forced the GM flax off the market eight years ago to prevent any threat of contamination and protect our export markets. GM flax was never wanted or needed. We knew it would destroy our European markets and now we fear this has happened.”

At the beginning of this month, cash bids for flaxseed in Western Canada fell dramatically based on rumours of GM contamination.

“This contamination is extremely shocking as GM flax has not been grown in Canada since 2001,” said Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. “Where did this contamination come from?”

“This is a major international contamination incident that shows how dangerous any GM crop field testing and development is for farmers and consumers,” said Arnold Taylor, an organic flax grower and Chair of the Organic Agriculture Protection Fund of the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate.

“Germany never approved GM flax but thanks to Canada we are eating illegal and unlicensed flax in our bread and cereal,” said Stefanie Hundsdorfer from Greenpeace Germany. “This again proves that once released into nature genetically engineered constructs are uncontrollable and cannot be recalled. At least now it’s clear that the industry is unable to control its products.”

The GM flax was developed by controversial scientist and industry proponent Alan McHughen when he worked at the Crop Development Centre of the University of Saskatchewan. In the wake of the 2001 controversy the Centre halted its GM research.

This revelation of GM flax contamination comes right in the middle of another huge scandal over Canada’s approval of Monsanto’s eight-trait GE ‘SmartStax’ corn without any health safety assessment.

“Consumers are reeling from learning that Health Canada did not approve the new ‘SmartStax’ GM corn and now they find out that their flax could be contaminated,” said Sharratt. “GM is out of control, we clearly need a moratorium on all new GM crops and foods until we can examine the entire system that regulates GM in Canada. . . . – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – —

(Link no longer valid http://www.gmcontaminationregister.org/index.php?content=nw_detail1)

“Since that first discovery (Sept 08, 2009) GM flax continues to be discovered around Europe and is thought to have been imported to over 30 countries around the world. The table at the bottom of the page shows confirmed cases… “

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – —

http://www.searice.org.ph/

GM Flax Seed Yanked Off Canadian

Market – Rounded Up, Crushed

By Jason Warick

The StarPhoenix

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/

2006-23-1

A genetically modified (GM) flax seed developed at the University of Saskatchewan has been taken off the market because of European fears the variety will contaminate other flax produced in Canada.

The last of the 200,000 bushels of Triffid flax seed worth at least $2.5 million was rounded up from farms across the Prairies and crushed earlier this year and deregistered April 1.

“Yes, it was frustrating. We lost money. We lost a chance to provide a useful product to our customers,” said John Allen, director of market development for Quality Assured Seeds, a farmer-owned company that was licensed by the U of S to sell Triffid.

Triffid, named after the tall, three-legged walking plants in a 1950s science fiction novel and movie, is now illegal to sell or grow in Canada.

Crop varieties are commonly deregistered when they become obsolete or defects are discovered. The Triffid case is unique because it’s the first time a productive, federally approved crop has been removed from the market.

It’s also the first time farmers have led the call to make a crop unavailable to them.

Triffid, modified to be resistant to the herbicide sulfonylurea, was developed by U of S Crop Development Centre senior research scientist Alan McHughen and registered with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in the mid-1990s.

The licence was granted to the Regina company, and Allen said they “anticipated a substantial amount of profit” from the sales. The U of S also stood to profit from the royalties.

But European customers, which buy 60 per cent of Canada’s flax, said they didn’t want to buy any GM flax.

Canadian flax farmers and producer groups, afraid the Europeans would label all Canadian flax as contaminated, pushed for the elimination of Triffid.

“We acted as the catalyst. We got the production shut down,” said Barry Hall, president of the Flax Council of Canada.

“It was one more step to reassure our European customers.”

The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission also pushed for deregistration. “We’re concerned about losing markets. European customers are not interested in GM flax. We felt we should address the issue,” said commission executive director.

The seed was never grown commercially, but roughly 40 farmers from across the Prairies were multiplying the 200,000 bushels of seed for future marketing and use.

They had to clean out their flax bins and ship the seed to Canamera Foods in Manitoba for crushing.

Once the food inspection agency had written assurances all of Canada’s Triffid seed had been eliminated, the variety was deregistered this spring.

“There was nothing wrong with the variety. It met all the requirements, (but) they all agreed the variety should be deregistered. This is unique,” said Grant Watson, head of the agency’s registration program.

Crop Development Centre director Rick Holm said the university will lose the royalty money, but it also spent significant resources and staff time developing Triffid.

“It’s disappointing, but the Crop Development Centre exists to help farmers,” Holm said. “It would have been irresponsible of us to fight to keep it on the market, and face the possibility of our farmers losing an export opportunity.”

Triffid was the first GM crop variety developed by the centre, which registers about a dozen varieties per year. Holm said the centre will not try to develop any more GM varieties because of concerns in Europe and elsewhere.

More than half of all Canadian flax is produced in Saskatchewan, with the remainder grown in Manitoba and Alberta.

—  — – — – – – – – – – – – – – – — – – –  –

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/280073

Canada’s GM contaminated flax has now been found in 28 countries

By Stephanie Dearing.

Oct 5, 2009 by ■ Stephanie Dearing

After some Canadian flax was found to be contaminated with GM flax in September, it has now been determined that the contamination has affected flax shipped to 28 countries. The contamination means the flax cannot be used as human food.

The finding of GM flax in the Canadian crop in September meant the flax market was not offering good prices, after what was poised to be a very good year for flax farmers. Canadian flax was not being accepted by Europe after the finding of GM flax. The September contamination was found in a German food processing plant. How the GM flax ever contaminated any Canadian crops is a mystery, as the flax has been banned in Canada since 2001. After the finding of CDC Triffid flax, also known as FP697, the European Union issued an alert warning of the GM contamination. GM flax is not legal for sale or consumption in the European Union. Europe normally purchases most of Canada’s flax. At the end of September, the Canadian Flax Council issued a notice that said “The GMO flax issue is a serious problem that is causing significant financial hardship to both Canadian producers and industry and European industry and consumers. The European Union must create a technical solution as an initial step to resolve its zero threshold issue. Canadian flax remains safe for food, feed and processing. This is a regulatory issue, not a safety issue.”

In a press release issued today by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), the group says 28 countries have now received Canadian flax contaminated with the Triffid strain.

Canadian farmers say that the situation highlights the need for stricter regulations of GM food products in Canada. Organic farmers are concerned that GM crops will affect sales of organic food products because of the risks of cross-contamination.

There is a test available to detect CDC Triffid, and it was approved by the European Union. However, the Canadian Flax Council is waiting for a Canadian university to develop a Canadian test for the GM strain. There is no word as to what, if anything, Food and Agriculture Canada is doing to deal with the issue. However, the agency considers the modified flax as safe for consumption.

In September a commodity trader had categorized the contamination as “blip,” an issue that was blown out of proportion. Larry Weber, owner of Saskatchewan-based Weber Commodities Ltd. told the Star Phoenix that the finding of GM flax in September would not impact Canada’s flax producers beyond a very short time.

The head of the Canadian Flax Council, Barry Hall cautioned the public that the National Research Council’s Saskatoon laboratory is still working to determine the source of the contamination, but speculated that the flax might have been contaminated with GM canola.

Europe had temporarily halted receipt of Canadian flax after finding the contentious GE contamination. There are now fears that Europe might impose a total ban. The Canadian harvest is still underway.

– – – – – —– — – – – – –

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2010/01/20/mb-flax-triffid-manitoba.html

“Federal officials are in talks with the EU in hopes of raising its tolerance for genetically modified organisms …”

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2010/01/20/mb-flax-triffid-manitoba.html#ixzz0eKY7gzMe

Triffid seed threatens flax industry

2009-09-08 Garzon, criminal charges against “the Bush six” re torture in Guantanamo Bay (wikipedia)

 Baltasar Garzon, George Bush war criminal  No Responses »
Sep 082009
 

Wikipedia does a good job of drawing the strings together.  The text is below;  please click on the link to see the original, with active links and footnotes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_Six

The Bush Six is a term which refers to six former
officials of the United States government under the presidency of George W.
Bush (2001–09), following the filing of criminal charges against them in
Spain.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] In March 2009 Baltasar Garzón was asked to
consider whether Spain should allow charges to be filed against:

Alberto Gonzales,
former United States Attorney General and White House Counsel;

John Yoo, of the
Office of Legal Counsel;

Douglas Feith,
former undersecretary of defense for policy;

William Haynes II,
former general counsel for the Department of Defense (chief counsel for Donald
Rumsfeld);

Jay Bybee, also at
the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel; and

David Addington,
former Chief of Staff to the Vice President of the United States (under Dick
Cheney).[10]

Jane Mayer, writing in The New Yorker, reported that
Phillipe Sands had predicted that charges would be laid against the six men
back in his 2008 book Torture Team.[4] Mayer reported that after hearing news
of the Spanish charges, Sands told her, “This is the end of these people’s
professional reputations! This is no joke. We’re talking about the serious
potential deprivation of liberty.”

Scott Horton, writing in The Daily Beast, reported on
April 13, 2009, that his sources said formal charges would be filed on April
14, 2009.[5][11][12] Horton reported that Garzón had been urged to allow
another judge, Ismail Moreno, to conduct the case, because he was still
involved in the possible prosecution of Spanish former Guantanamo captives.
Paul Havens, reporting for the Associated Press reported that an unnamed source
within the Spanish prosecutors office had told him that the charges would be
filed during the week of April 14, 2009.[13] CNN, also quoting an unnamed
source within the Spanish prosecutor’s office, reported that charges were not
expected for several days.[14]

On April 16, 2009, the Spanish Attorney General stated he
thought the Spanish investigative magistrate should drop the consideration of
charges against the six men.[15]

Under the Spanish justice system, investigating
magistrates like Garzón are not under the authority of the Attorney General,
and he can continue to consider laying charges even though the Attorney General
has advised against it.[15]

On April 23, 2009, Eloy Velasco took over responsibility
for determining whether or not the six former Bush officials should face
Spanish charges.[16]

The Guardian reported on April 29, 2009, that Garzón
initiated a formal investigation into whether confessions from four former
Guantanamo captives was the result of the use of abusive interrogation
techniques.[17][18][19] The four men: Hamed Abderrahman Ahmed, Lahcen
Ikassrien, Jamiel Abdul Latif al Banna and Omar Deghayes, had previously faced
charges in Spanish courts, based on confessions they made while in US custody.
Their charges had been dropped based on their claims that their confessions
were false and were the result of abusive interrogation techniques.

On May 5, 2009, Investigating Magistrate Eloy Velasco
formally requested the USA to indicate whether they were going to conduct a
domestic inquiry into the six men’s conduct.[20] Spain’s principle of universal
justice allows third party states to charge non-citizens, and request their
extradition, only when their country of citizenship has not conducted its own
investigation.[20]

On May 20, 2009, the New York Times reported that some
Spanish legislators were proposing a law to strip investigating magistrates of
the authority to pursue international human rights cases.[21] This law,
however, would not retroactively put an end to the progress of current cases.
It would merely have stopped the initiation of similar cases.

According to historian Andy Worthington, writing in the
Huffington Post, Spanish newspaper Público had reported that Garzón was
proceeding to the next phase of his investigation.[22] In February 2011,
Spain’s High Court led by Judge Ruz rejected a Spanish prosecutor’s effort to
stop the investigation. [23]

[edit] U.S. Embassy Cables

Numerous embassy cables leaked by the whistle-blowing
website Wikileaks centered on the progression of the case.[24][25][26] On April
1, 2009 a summary of the case was sent to the U.S. State Department by the
Madrid Embassy. The cable suggests that the U.S. had intended to convince
Spanish Officials to interfere with the National Court’s judicial independence:

we do not know if the government would be willing to take
the risky step of trying behind the scenes to influence the prosecutor’s
recommendation on this case or what their reaction to such a request would
be.[27]

The cable reveals that Chief Prosecutor Javier Zaragoza
intended to steer the case away from its assignment to Judge Baltasar Garzón
who is well known for investigating a universal jurisdiction case targeting
Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and has been an outspoken critic of the
Guantanamo Bay detention facility and has publicly stated that former President
George W. Bush should be tried for war crimes.[28] Garzón was “forced to
give up” the case against the Bush Six to another judge who declined to
pursue the investigation.[16][29] Garzón, however, continued an investigation
in to torture at Guantanamo Bay and U.S. Officials indicated in a cable they
feared he may, “attempt to wring all the publicity he can from the case
unless and until he is forced to give it up.” [17]

U.S. Senators, Mel Martinez and Judd Gregg lobbied on behalf
of the U.S. government position as summarized in an embassy cable sent on April
17, 2009. Senator Martinez warned that, “the prosecutions would neither be
understood nor accepted in the U.S. and would have an enormous impact on the
bilateral relationship.” Spanish Foreign Minister Angel Lossada was quoted
as saying, “the National Court had broad jurisdiction for universal
justice and that there was no political influence on the judicial
process.”[30]

2009-09-08 Spanish judge Garzon resumes torture case against six senior Bush lawyers

 Baltasar Garzon, George Bush war criminal  No Responses »
Sep 082009
 
  • http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2009/09/08/spanish-judge-resumes-torture-case-against-six-senior-bush-lawyers/

    • The Spanish newspaper Público reported exclusively on
    Saturday that Judge Baltasar Garzón is pressing ahead with a case against six
    senior Bush administration lawyers for implementing torture at Guantánamo.

    Back in March, Judge Garzón announced that he was
    planning to investigate the six prime architects of the Bush administration’s
    torture policies — former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales; John Yoo, a former
    lawyer in the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, who played a major
    role in the preparation of the OLC’s notorious “torture memos”; Douglas Feith,
    the former undersecretary of defense for policy; William J. Haynes II, the
    Defense Department’s former general counsel; Jay S. Bybee, Yoo’s superior in
    the OLC, who signed off on the August 2002 “torture memos”; and David
    Addington, former Vice President Dick Cheney‘s Chief of Staff.

    In April, on the advice of the Spanish Attorney General
    Cándido Conde-Pumpido, who believes that an American tribunal should judge the
    case (or dismiss it) before a Spanish court even thinks about becoming
    involved, prosecutors recommended that Judge Garzón should drop his
    investigation. As CNN reported, Mr. Conde-Pumpido told reporters that Judge
    Garzón’s plans threatened to turn the court “into a toy in the hands of people
    who are trying to do a political action.”

    On Saturday, however, Público reported that Judge Garzón
    had accepted a lawsuit presented by a number of Spanish organizations — the
    Asociación Pro Dignidad de los Presos y Presas de España (Organization for the
    Dignity of Spanish Prisoners), Asociación Libre de Abogados (Free Lawyers
    Association), the Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos de España (Association for
    Human Rights in Spain) and Izquierda Unida (a left-wing political party) — and
    three former Guantánamo prisoners (the British residents Jamil El-Banna and
    Omar Deghayes, and Sami El-Laithi, an Egyptian freed in 2005, who was paralyzed
    during an incident involving guards at Guantánamo).

    The newspaper reported that all these groups and
    individuals would take part in any trial, which is somewhat ironic, as,
    although Judge Garzón has been involved in high-profile cases that have
    delighted human rights advocates — his pursuit of General Pinochet, for example
    — he has been severely criticized for his heavy-handed approach to
    terrorism-related cases in Spain (as in the cases of Mohammed Farsi and Farid
    Hilali, amongst others), and, in fact, aggressively pursued an extradition
    request for both Jamil El-Banna and Omar Deghayes on their return from
    Guantánamo to the UK in December 2007, in connection with spurious and
    long-refuted claims about activities related to terrorism, which he was only
    persuaded to drop in March 2008.

    It is, at present, uncertain whether another attempt to
    stifle Judge Garzón will derail him from his pursuit of the Bush
    administration’s lawyers, as he is not known for letting adversaries stand in
    his way. At the end of June, the Spanish Parliament pointedly passed
    legislation aimed at “ending the practice of letting its magistrates seek
    war-crime indictments against officials from any foreign country, including the
    United States,” on the basis that no Spanish Court should be able to judge
    officials of foreign countries except when the victims are Spanish or the
    crimes were committed in Spain.

    However, on Sunday, when Público spoke to Philippe Sands,
    the British lawyer, and author of Torture Team, which provided much of the first-hand
    evidence for Garzón’s case, Sands explicitly stated that there was “no legal
    barrier” to prevent Judge Garzón’s prosecution from proceeding. He explained
    that he believed the recent decision by US Attorney General Eric Holder to
    appoint a special investigator to investigate cases of torture by the CIA is
    related to the Spanish lawsuit and the importance it has acquired because of
    its instigation by Judge Garzón. Sands told Público, “The recent decision by
    Eric Holder emphasizes how appropriate the Spanish investigation is. Many
    commentators believe that this decision has had a significant and direct impact
    in the United States, reminding people that there is an obligation to
    investigate torture.”

    He added, “Judge Garzón’s actions have acted like a catalyst,
    and are supported by many people in the United States, including some members
    of Congress. He has reminded everybody that a blind eye cannot be turned to
    these actions and that there are people who are not going to let that happen.”
    He also explained that Eric Holder’s gesture is only a first step, “limited to
    cases in which interrogators may have exceeded the limits formally approved by
    lawyers in the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel,” that the
    architects of the “legal decisions that purported to justify the use of torture
    are not in immediate danger in the United States,” and that there is,
    therefore, “no legal barrier to the continuation of the Spanish investigation.”

    He concluded by stating that it was “important” that
    Judge Garzón proceeds with the case in Spain, because, although Eric Holder
    “has confirmed the importance of the Convention Against Torture, he has taken
    only a first step that “does not really address the actions of those who were
    truly responsible for its violation.”

    Note: I wish to extend my thanks to Carlos Sardiña
    Galache for alerting me to the latest developments in this important story,
    which was not mentioned in the English-speaking press, and for translating
    crucial passages.

    2009-08-12 Nuclear Waste Engagement Coordinator, Metis Nation of Sask

     Radioactive waste  No Responses »
    Aug 122009
     

    We have the power:

    – we are connected

    – we arm each other with knowledge. 

    We can be defeated only if we are kept ignorant, and disconnected from each other. 

    So far, we have been able to thwart Bruce Power from getting its hands on land to build reactors on. 

    SO  Dig in again!  Metis and First Nations people are part of our network. Many of us know someone who knows someone  . . this information will get to the right people if you just send it on – then rack your brain  – – WHO would likely know key people? Maybe you even make a few phone calls. This is urgent. 

    The magic is that we will never know what happened to stop this, the beauty is that all it takes is getting information into people’s hands. 

    The Metis Nation of Saskatchewan is recruiting for a Nuclear Waste Engagement Coordinator.   PLEASE get the word through to people in the Metis Nation.  They should be aware of what their leaders are doing. The only way we have democratic government is if people assume responsibility.  Citizens are responsible for the decisions of their leaders.  Not the other way round.  You can’t whine and cry at bad decisions.  The power is ours.

    http://www.mn-s.ca/  From the website I see that Metis Youth and Metis Women have their own groups within the Metis Nation. They, too, have a responsibility to see that right decisions are made.  

    The experience of the First Nations people at Yucca Mountain should make it clear what’s going on here. 

    The American First Nations used the court system in the U.S. to stop Yucca Mountain (their lands) from becoming the radioactive waste depository for all the radioactive waste in the U.S. 

    President Obama then stepped in and confirmed that Yucca Mountain would be shut down (before it even got going – but AFTER more than $10 billion dollars had been spent on making Yucca Mountain the repository for the waste). 

    The First Nations message was, “You’ve poisoned our water and us through the uranium mines on our lands; you caused disease and death when you exploded test nuclear bombs on our lands.  You are not now going to poison us further by dumping your radioactive waste on our lands.” 

    The Americans are in a bit of a pickle now – no one wants their radioactive waste.  

    Canadians have the same problem, except that we don’t have nearly as much radioactive waste as do the Americans.  

    The pressure is on the Governments to come up with a solution.  Their solution: “We aren’t responsible”.  They created an entity, the NWMO, and said it was their responsibility.   Well – it just so happens that the Governments ARE responsible for seeing that water sources and air aren’t poisoned.  

    Canada set up the “Nuclear Waste Management Organization” – industry people.  The industry uses propaganda and money to buy its way. 

    SO, what do we get?  The Government of Brad Wall sets up the Uranium Development Partnership (UDP) to report.  NO surprise, the industry-stacked Panel recommends radioactive waste disposal in Saskatchewan.  (UPDATE:  the “Dan Perrins” Report on the public consultations on the UDP Report held in summer 2009 showed that the people of Saskatchewan do not want high-level radioactive waste brought here for disposal.)

    The NWMO is meeting in Saskatoon on Sept 16 – 17.  They need a location to dump the radioactive waste from the whole continent – Saskatchewan is the targeted site.

    Experimentation with drilling test burial holes into the Canadian Shield in Manitoba showed that the idea didn’t work. Manitoba therefore passed a law making it illegal to bring radioactive waste from other jurisdictions to Manitoba (legislation, 1987).  Quebec has now passed similar legislation.  

    Back to the Metis Nation:  Besides the Youth and Women’s groups, there’s also a Veterans Group and a Senate as well as the Provincial Council. 

    INFORMATION will win the day.  We all have a responsibility to be well informed and to share the information. We all have a responsibility to see that underground water supplies are not contaminated.  We all have a responsibility not to be naïve, and to speak up. Stop it before it happens.  

    METIS NATION OF SASKATCHEWAN, EXECUTIVE 

    President: Robert G. Doucette

    Vice President:  Allan Morin

    Treasurer: Gabe Lafond

    Secretary: Max Morin 

    The contact info for each is the same:   reception AT  mnsask.ca ; Ph: 306.343.8285

    Please help:  get this information to as many people as possible.  Many thanks!  

    ========================= 

    THE JOB POSTING

    (SaskJobs.ca – Detail for Job Order #5052933.htm) 

    The Metis Nation – Saskatchewan is seeking applications from interested, qualified individuals, particularly those of Metis ancestry, for the position of Waste Engagement Coordinator. 

    The Nuclear Waste Engagement Coordinator (NWEC) will be responsible for coordinating and implementing the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan’s (MN-S) engagement strategy with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).  The NWEC will be in charge of coordinating these engagements in various Metis communities across Saskatchewan, ensuring the budge is adhered too, and fulfilling various reporting requirements throughout the project. 

    If you have a Bachelor Degree with a major or minor in science and have 3 – 5 years working in a science related field, then we invite you to apply for this position. 

    The skills necessary for this position are:

    -Must be capable of working independently

    -Must be proficient in report writing, including technical report writing

    -Must be familiar with the structure of the Metis Nation – Saskatchewan

    -Must have effective communication skills

    -Should have effective problem-solving skills

    -Must have the ability to work within a team environment

    -Must be well organized

    -Must have experience working with budgets

    -Must have knowledge of the nuclear industry 

    The Metis Nation – Saskatchewan thanks all applicants, but only those selected for interviews will be contacted.  The Metis Nation – Saskatchewan reserves the right to hire under an exemption from the Human Rights Commission.   Application Information  Employer Name:

    Metis Nation – Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc.  (contact info)

    Posted Date: 08/05/2009;    Location: SASKATOON;  # of Positions: 1

    Employment Terms: Full Time;  Length of Employment: Contract;  Education: University Bachelor’s Degree

    Experience: 3-5 Years;   Apply By: 08/15/2009

    How to Apply?: Please submit your resume along with a minimum of three references no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 15, 2009

    2009-08 YouTube: Multiple Sclerosis from Mercury (Silver) Fillings. Linda Brocato testifies before the FDA joint Medical/Dental panel

     Mercury poisoning, dental amalgams. See also Vaccinations.  1 Response »
    Aug 012009
     

    There is excellent information about dental amalgams (mercury poisoing) on the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology’s website.

    From their video library (with thanks to Grant):

    Multiple Sclerosis from Mercury (Silver) Fillings. Linda Brocato testifies before the FDA joint Medical/Dental panel

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-qhxa-3Wbw

    A google on “Brocato FDA”  brings up numerous reports on the lawsuits against the FDA over its continued stance that amalgams are safe.   There is all the usual corruption of the Government agency by the parties who are on the hook for the liability issues arising out of the poisoning.

    2009-07-27 This is all about the pharmaceutical, chemical and biotech corporations, and their collaborators in government. All at the expense of our interest in health. Some of it is heart-breaking. Autism, Kennedy, Psych Ward Story

     Health, Robert F Kennedy Jr, Vaccinations (incl corruption of science & govt)  No Responses »
    Jul 272009
     

    CONTENTS

    (1)  COMMENTARY

    (2)  VACCINATIONS, DEADLY IMMUNITY BY ROBERT F KENNEDY JR (AUTISM)

    (3)  VIDEO: MAKING A KILLING, THE UNTOLD STORY OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS

    (4)  QUICK, QUIET GENETIC CORN APPROVAL BY THE CFIA

    (5)  MICHAEL MOORE’S SICK-O

    (6)  A MOTHER’S JOURNEY IN HEALING AUTISM BY JENNY MCCARTHY

    ==============

    (1)  COMMENTARY

    Officials from Health Canada, “Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Programs” met with persons from the environmental network last week. They want to form relationships.

    One of the motivations is to let us know about their “Chemicals Management Plan” so we can support it: (link no longer valid  http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/surveil/index_e.html).  I suppose they recognize that we have healthy communication networks.

    It is encouraging that the Department of Health sees a connection between health and what we are doing in the environment.

    I told them about the multi-disciplinary approach we (our network) took in 2003 when Tony Clement became the Minister of Health:  Health Canada will not reverse the relentlessly upward trend-lines in cancer, developmental problems in children, asthma, and other diseases (which should be the yardstick by which their performance is measured) until they start working with the Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Oceans, and Environment.

    I told them it is wonderful that they and all of the environmentalists are working to make things better.

    But I came on strong: nothing will be accomplished until we get the pharmaceutical/chemical/biotech industry out of Government.  Nothing will be accomplished until the Government starts doing its job which is to regulate industry, in the public interest.

    I’ve sent this email to those Health Canada officials, in case they doubt my word.  It is well-documented evidence of what these corporate interests are doing.

    The first article is by Robert F Kennedy Jr., nephew of the slain president of the U.S., son of Robert Kennedy,  who was set to become president but also slain.  People who have been in our network for a few years are familiar with the excellent work of Robert F Kennedy Jr.  He is an environmental lawyer by training, known for setting up the RiverKeepers which became the WaterKeepers.  He has been in Canada on numerous occasions.

    I had the opportunity to hear him speak in Saskatoon at an FSIN Conference.  He is very good at attacking underlying causes of problems.  At that time he was addressing the “externalization of costs”.  Industry is allowed to pass the buck on the environmental and health costs it creates, to the public purse to pay.  Until they are held responsible for these costs, the environmental poisoning will continue.

    Kennedy is a courageous man.  He tackles the issues head-on. He has been working on the pharmaceutical industry and the thimerasol-autism connection for some time. The story of what the pharmaceutical industry has done and continues to do, working with government collaborators, is truly heart-breaking. This is in item #2.

    Item 6 is from the Oprah Winfrey website – mothers of autistic children banding together.  ” Previously, 1 in 500 children was diagnosed with this neurological disorder. Today, Holly says 1 in every 94 boys is affected. For unknown reasons, autism disproportionately affects boys.”

    The evidence pulled together by Robert Kennedy, through access to information, etc. makes it clear that the pharmaceutical industry and American government officials worked together to try and keep the link between autism and thimerasol (ethylmercury) vaccinations under wraps.  They continue to deny and to send the vaccinations to other countries even though they have been stopped here.

    I told the Health Canada officials that my experience over the years with Health Canada, in particular with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), causes me to believe what is documented in the book published earlier this year, “Corrupt to the Core, Memoirs of a Health Canada Scientist” (by Shiv Chopra).  Anybody who has worked to get a municipal pesticide bylaw in place (there are large numbers of such people across Canada) knows just how corrupted Health Canada is.

    I related the story about the full-time government scientist from the PMRA here in Saskatoon who simultaneously is (was?) being paid up to $10,000.00 per contract under hire to CropLife Canada, the lobby-machine for the chemical/biotech/pharmaceutical transnational corporations, the very companies he is supposed to be regulating.

    At the time the situation was brought to light, the relationship between the “doctor” and CropLife had been on-going for 8 years.  When I objected to the conflict-of-interest, I got a letter from a lawyer threatening to sue me for defamation.  I never heard another word from the lawyer after I replied that the mafia uses the threat of broken bones; the chem/biotech corporations are well-known for using the court system to silence people (GMO crops and bovine growth hormone are prime examples).

    I went to Ottawa to meet with the head of the PMRA, Karen Dodds.  She said everything was fine, no problem with the conflict-of-interest because the PMRA has a signed memorandum-of-understanding with Dr. Wolf.

    See item 4.  Monsanto is now partnered with Dow Chemical.  Last week word came out that the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency – part of Agriculture Canada) and simultaneously the FDA in the U.S. have licensed SmartStax corn. I used this example to (yet again) tell the Government that when the food supply for our society is developed by the criterion that it can be sprayed with chemicals and survive, instead of the criterion of its contribution to our nutritional and health needs, it is pretty obvious that in Government the corporate interest trumps the public interest.  We have “a new genetically-engineered corn with EIGHT different insect- and weed-fighting traits”.

    Health Canada should be in there front and centre, defending our food supply.  Nothing – it is not doing its job. In order to do its job, it has to stand firm against Agriculture Canada. But the “clients” of the PMRA (Health Canada) are the same corporations as are the “clients” of the CFIA (Ag Canada).  The only challenges to defend our food supply have to come from us.  We have a very large, impotent bureaucracy.  And well-placed collaborators with industry.  Read “Corrupt to the Core”.

    Just prior to the announcement of the licensing of SmartStax corn simultaneously by the FDA (U.S.) and the CFIA (Canada), I phoned the new head of the FDA (it was surprisingly easy to reach her office) to register outrage. A lawyer who has worked back and forth between Monsanto and the FDA has been hired by the FDA. The lawyer worked on bovine growth hormone which got registered in the U.S.. In Canada there were whistle-blowers on Monsanto’s attempted bribery of Health Canada officials, one of whom was Shiv Chopra.

    Ad nauseum for old-timers in our network I make the connection:  the pharmaceutical companies own the chemical companies and together they are the biotech corporations. The efforts to “harmonize” the regulations in Canada and the U.S. suggest they also own the governments. Items 2 and 3, following are:

    2.  Robert F Kennedy on the American government working with the pharmaceutical industry, attempted cover-up of the link between thimerasol and autism.  (Thimerasol is used as a preservative in vaccines. It contains ethylmercury. The American government/pharmaceutical corporations continue to supply vaccine containing thimerasol to poorer countries.)  Thanks to Roger for sending in this article.

    3.  Documentary “Making a Killing, the Untold Story of Psychotropic Drugs”. Many thanks to Jackie from Ohio for sending it in.

    I have a special interest in “Making a Killing” because of my experience at Royal University Hospital.  To make a long story shorter, I went to a walk-in clinic after 3 days of stab-like pains in my side.  An x-ray showed a large amount of fluid on my lung.  The doctor didn’t know what to do, and recommended that I come back when doctor so-and-so was on duty, which we jointly determined would be in two days’ time.

    I was very sick but I had a full day to obtain information.  That was a mistake! As a consequence I asked too many questions of the “experts”, the doctors.  Following a Friday afternoon procession of doctors and tests and no answers, I signed a form to get me out of the hospital and went home to do more research.  In the end, when I went back to the hospital, a psychiatrist (maybe she’s a psychologist – I don’t know which) got hold of me.  She determined that I thought I knew more than she did and was hence a danger to myself.  Unbeknownst to me, she diagnosed me as manic, I was forcibly injected with anti-psychotic drugs which caused permanent amnesia of a period of time and I was forced to take more anti-psychotic drugs in pill form, over the next days while I was forcibly confined in the Psychiatric Ward.

    Eventually, a year later, I laid a complaint with the College of Physicians and Surgeons:  my human rights had been seriously infringed upon.  Through the complaint process the doctor-in-question disclosed the name and dosage of the drugs she injected (as part of her defense).

    ~ The internet is wonderful. ~  Using it I was able to show that she not only seriously over-dosed me, but that she did not even know the side effects of the drugs she administered: the one drug almost  always causes loss-of-memory.  She claimed I laid down faulty memory because I was in trauma, nothing to do with the anti-psychotic drug that they held me down to inject.  It was all a very bizarre experience.

    The doctor (Donna Malcolm) stopped the immediate appeal route that is available to people who get locked up in a psychiatric ward by claiming that I had progressed so well under her care that I no longer needed to be locked up, I was being released.  And so she cancelled my appeal hearing. A doctor was coming to testify and had prepared documentation on my behalf, to show that there was nothing wrong with my mind.  I was released to internal medicine after a week of lock-up in the Psych Ward.  I was eventually diagnosed with tuberculosis, fortunately caught in the early stages before it became contagious.

    The College of Physicians and Surgeons later stood by the doctor, in spite of all the evidence. They don’t let you speak and testify to them in person.  . . .  Add it to the list of cases that says self-regulation serves only the industry interest.

    Anyhow – you will understand that I have a special interest in psychotropic drugs.  Actually it pre-dates my direct experience with them.  At the time of the Romanow Commission on Medicare, part of the information I submitted to Romanow was a summary of the work of Dr. Tana Dineen, author of “Manufacturing Victims, What the Psychology Industry Is Doing to People”.   She was a doctor at the University of Saskatchewan.

    Dr Tana Dineen experienced what most people experience when they take on “the system”.  I contacted Tana Dineen a number of years after she wrote her book which takes on the issue of  industrialized mediocare.   At another time I contacted Michael Keating, author of  “To the Last Drop” (1986)  which  contains important documentation of the efforts around making Canadian water into a commodity like oil and gas, the rights to which can be owned by corporations and sold for profit to the U.S.A., the NAFTA story.   Authors who have come under venomous attack because of their books sometimes move onto other work and are happy to leave that chapter of their life in the past.  But back to the issue:

    You can watch “Making a Killing, the Untold Story of Psychotropic Drugs” by going to the video link in item 3.  It tells exactly the same story as Tana Dineen documents in her book, in shorter form, in visual and auditory messaging.

    And by the way, I beat tuberculosis by addressing the question of my immune system- not by using drugs.  Quite a number of you are walking around with the tuberculosis organism.  You’ll never know it because your immune system keeps it in check.

    My reason for combating the organism without drugs is that the drug approach does not make sense.  We know absolutely that resistant tuberculosis has developed and is a deadly problem in Africa and parts of eastern Europe.  The drug companies are trying to find the “next cure”;  but more virulent organisms require more toxic and expensive drugs.  Our bodies can’t handle the increased toxicity, if they find the drugs, AND worse, people in poor countries can’t afford expensive new drugs.  It is such a patently stupid approach – all driven by the drug companies.  The book by John le Carré and film of the same name, “The Constant Gardener” is a chilling story on the same theme, based on true life information.   The book (not the movie) takes the reader to the University of Saskatchewan, as the protagonist tries to track down the people who murdered his wife because of what she learning about the corrupt practices of the pharmaceutical corporations,  in this example in their drive to develop and own the next “cure” for tuberculosis.   Le Carre’s footnotes say that his fictional account is like a pretty Christmas post card in comparison to the real-life corruption of the pharmaceutical corporations.   But back to the main discussion!

    Poverty and other environmental factors compromise immune systems.  If we don’t look after other people, we will be the victims of our own self-centredness.  We create the conditions for diseases to proliferate.

    Item 5. –  Michael Moore’s very funny “Sick-o” is yet another condemnation of the pharmaceutical industry and the myths we are fed.

    – – please circulate widely. The facts in item 2 alone (below), make the heart sick.  I am sending this compendium to one Dean of a Medical School and to the head of one Health District.  I encourage you to send this to every single person you know in the “health” field.

    Passing the email along will help heal your heart.

    /Sandra

    ==============

    (2)  VACCINATIONS, DEADLY IMMUNITY BY ROBERT F KENNEDY JR (AUTISM)(ROLE OF BIG PHARMA)

    Click on  2009-07-25 

    ===========

    (3)  VIDEO: MAKING A KILLING, THE UNTOLD STORY OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS

    Thanks to Jackie from Ohio who writes:

    This is a video worth spending the time watching. There needs to be of an awareness and spreading the word about these things…

    <http://it.truveo.com/Making-A-Killing-The-Untold-Story-Of-Psychotropic/id/817313309>

    ==================

    (4)  QUICK, QUIET GENETIC CORN APPROVAL BY THE CFIA

    2009-07-25  Quick & Quiet, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)  approved a new genetically engineered corn with eight different insect- and weed-fighting traits (“Smartstax”), Montreal Gazette

     

    ===============

    (5)  MICHAEL MOORE’S SICK-O

    A number of excerpts from his documentary can be seen on YouTube.  Here’s a couple.  I have to rent the complete video!

    a.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlDAUKSh9CQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo%2Egoogle%2Eca%2Fvideosearch%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3Dmichael%2Bmoore%2Bsick%2Do%26um%3D1%26ie%3DUTF%2D8%26ei%3DLTFuSoOAHMGFtge9kPmIDA%26sa%3DX%26oi%3Dvideo%5Fresult%5Fgro&feature=player_embedded

    b.  http://video.google.ca/videosearch?hl=en&q=michael+moore+sick-o&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=LTFuSoOAHMGFtge9kPmIDA&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4#

    ================

    (6)  A MOTHER’S JOURNEY IN HEALING AUTISM BY JENNY MCCARTHY

    (UPDATE:   two youtubes featuring Jenny McCarthy, one on Larry King Live.  I suspect that Big Pharma is doing as much as it can to put Mc Carthy in a bad light because she is convincing.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGW4a96GqGc&feature=related   and   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX-SCdjDOrA.   Consider what she has to say, in light of all the other evidence to back her up.  Many doctors, for example those who deny all the evidence,  have lost credibility.)

    In her new book, Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism, actress Jenny McCarthy shares her emotional story of diagnosis, hope, …

    Excerpt from  http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/oprahshow1_ss_20070918/5

    . ….  In recent years, the number of children diagnosed with autism has risen from 1 in every 500 children to 1 in 150 — and science has not discovered a reason why. Jenny says she believes that childhood vaccinations may play a part. “What number will it take for people just to start listening to what the mothers of children who have seen autism have been saying for years, which is, ‘We vaccinated our baby and something happened.”

    Jenny says even before Evan received his vaccines, she tried to talk to her pediatrician about it. “Right before his MMR shot, I said to the doctor, ‘I have a very bad feeling about this shot. This is the autism shot, isn’t it?’ And he said, ‘No, that is ridiculous. It is a mother’s desperate attempt to blame something,’ and he swore at me, and then the nurse gave [Evan] the shot,” she says. “And I remember going, ‘Oh, God, I hope he’s right.’ And soon thereafter—boom—the soul’s gone from his eyes.”

    Despite her belief, Jenny says she is not against vaccines. “I am all for them, but there needs to be a safer vaccine schedule. There needs to be something done. The fact that the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] acts as if these vaccines are one size fits all is just crazy to me,” she says. “People need to start listening to what the moms have been saying.”

    We contacted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about whether there is a link between autism and vaccines and they gave us the following statement:

    “CDC places a high priority on vaccine safety and the integrity and credibility of its vaccine safety research. This commitment not only stems from our scientific and medical dedication, it is also personal—for most of us who work at CDC are also parents and grandparents. And as such, we too, have high levels of personal interest and concern in the health and safety of children, families and communities. We simply don’t know what causes most cases of autism, but we’re doing everything we can to find out. The vast majority of science to date does not support an association between thimerosal in vaccines and autism. But we are currently conducting additional studies to further determine what role, if any, thimerosal in vaccines may play in the development of autism. It is important to remember, vaccines protect and save lives. Vaccines protect infants, children and adults from the unnecessary harm and premature death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases.”

    …  Previously, 1 in 500 children was diagnosed with this neurological disorder. Today, Holly says 1 in every 94 boys is affected. For unknown reasons, autism disproportionately affects boys.

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