“
I answered (by email) the CBC afternoon program's "question of the day" about the use of personal cameras in monitoring police misconduct. I said thank heaven for personal cameras. Today I spoke up on the same issue with a letter to the editor of the Times Colonist: it is shameful that a citizen innocent of any crime and lying on the ground, can be kicked and attacked by a police officer as happened on Saturday March 20th in downtown Victoria. Victoria has a severe problem with continuing and repeated police violence, and it's up to us to insist on officers being prosecuted individually, and re-trained as a group. Police should not themselves be conducting the investigations on police misconduct.
”
Civil Liberties - Mar 26 2010, 10:11 pm - anonymous   
I agree, you spoke up (8) | Hmm, about that... (9) Speakback! (0)
more
“
At a general meeting of the community association, it was brought up that a new business was trying to get the good graces of the association, as well as license to start business. They were a private recycling depot that was getting static for being "superfluous" for the community. Some people asked why not just have the city do it? But our blue bins, if we missed the date, would have to wait another week when we could simply drop them off, for a fee, at this depot (open only on weekends). The question was whether the community wanted it or needed this business and I gave my concern that if it were not a private business, that would mean more taxes to ensure our own missed responsibilities. Not a good thing. With a business we could do the convenient (and right) thing and bring it to this depot and pay the few dollars to have our plastics and tins sorted and then itself sent to the Third World where they will be made into useful materials. Anything else is... "superfluous". ISU.
”
Social Issues - Feb 04 2010, 9:41 am - anonymous   
I agree, you spoke up (9) | Hmm, about that... (8) Speakback! (1)
more
“
Today I phoned a woman who had written a letter to the editor of our local paper, in which she denounced the teachers' unions. After congratulating her on the letter's publication, I asked to discuss her political philosophy, and discovered that her views were libertarian, rather than conservative as she thought. She asked several penetrating questions concerning drug criminalization and Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, and was pleased to find that there were others, like her, who do not fit into the traditional left-right political spectrum. We promised to keep in touch, and I look forward to further discussion with her. ISU for limited government!
”
Other - Jan 25 2010, 3:20 am - anonymous   
I agree, you spoke up (11) | Hmm, about that... (6) Speakback! (1)
more
“
Today I spoke up about how large natural disasters happen all the time but it's only when it is in a poor country do the damages multiply. I was trying to convince my teacher that government foreign aid often does not translate into lives saved but rather good policy in foreign (and domestic) countries do - and can save many lives! ISU against forced foreign aid.
”
Global Issues - Jan 19 2010, 12:19 pm - anonymous   
I agree, you spoke up (2) | Hmm, about that... (14) Speakback! (0)
more
“
Today I gave a presentation to a class of university students about the need to legalize and regulate marijuana and other drugs. I encouraged them to start their own chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. ISU
”
Social Issues - Jan 16 2010, 11:51 am - anonymous   
I agree, you spoke up (15) | Hmm, about that... (6) Speakback! (0)
more
“
Today I explained to a store employee why the Canadian levee on blank CDs is bullshit. Even if you are using the CDs to store YOUR OWN creation, you are paying a fee to the record industry. I spoke up against big business stealing from the public.
”
Economic Issues - Jan 14 2010, 3:44 pm - anonymous   
I agree, you spoke up (16) | Hmm, about that... (8) Speakback! (3)
more
“
Today I wrote a letter to my local newspaper about a proposal to raise liquor taxes. I want people to know that raising liquor taxes discriminates against the poor. The tax is supposed to discourage drinking, but if you're an alcoholic you're going to buy booze anyway. If you're poor, and taxes are raised, you will still buy liquor. You will just have less money left over for food and rent. ISU about discrimination against the poor.
”
Economic Issues - Jan 15 2010, 3:30 pm - anonymous   
I agree, you spoke up (17) | Hmm, about that... (7) Speakback! (1)
more
“
Last month I stood up (in front of the Victoria Courthouse) for Animal Welfare Reform: I joined a group asking for "justice for Jalupae," the horse recently starved and then hanged from an excavator in Saanich. An SPCA Special Constable testified that "there was no way the animal could have died peacefully". The justice crowd kept growing, and most passers-by cheered and honked. Most people support kindness to animals, but don't realize how few their protections are under the law. Since animals can't "speak up" for themselves, it is up to us to neigh, bark, honk and howl on their behalf. ISU for animal rights.
”
Other - Jan 07 2010, 7:04 am - anonymous   
I agree, you spoke up (14) | Hmm, about that... (7) Speakback! (3)
more