Col. Williams: Other questions lurk

The horrific crimes perpetrated by Canadian Forces‘ Colonel, Russell Williams, have forced those of us who’d rather not, to look at disturbing images which were presented as evidence in the courtroom.  You won’t find a link to those images here.  Why the media insists these images are publishable news, that this is a story of fetishism, is beyond me!  It’s sensationalist journalism, at best.  At worst, it’s abuse of the privilege and power afforded to the corporate media in this culture.   The media grabbed onto the wrong narrative.

As feminist blogger and activist, Elizabeth Pickett, points out, this story is about power and control, about the predatory behaviour of a decorated Colonel.  And the media has failed — royally — to tell that story.  Instead, they give several column inches to the Prime Minister’s defense of the Canadian Forces, where he named the Forces as victim.  Oh, yes, he did mention the direct victims, but only as an afterthought.  See what Dave, at the Galloping Beaver has to say about that!  Harper’s spin simply shows him for the misogynist he truly is.

As despicable as the PM is the police force that did not believe the crimes several female victims reported, that did not warn women that a perp was on the loose, and that took far too long to solve the case.  Antonia Zerbisias has been on the story from the get-go.  And she has been in recent conversation with one of the assault survivors who said:

I feel liked chopped liver & I can’t even comprehend how the little one is feeling. Now if I could get a message out to the masses it would be-if you survive a violent act of sex don’t report it, just run for cover & find your own protection minus the police & the system they represent.

Says a lot in a couple of sentences, doesn’t she?  The police force should be apologizing, rather than patting themselves on the back!  Their job was not well done.  Far from it!  One mainstream journalist at the Toronto Star finally got that part figured out:

Col. Russell Williams is a burglar, predator, rapist, torturer and killer. There’s nothing titillating about that and his crimes shouldn’t be viewed through the distorting prism of Tweety Bird underwear, lacy lingerie and puerile voyeurism. (Emphasis mine)

In a Facebook discussion, a friend posed another question.  Colonel Williams served our country in different parts of the world.  Predators do not become predators overnight.  Predatory behavior escalates.  So, are there women in other parts of the world who were violated by him?  Will we ever know?  Will anyone ever look?  Or, is that information already there, labeled classified, and hidden from the citizenry in the name of national security?  Could the Forces be a co-conspirator to these crimes?

So, there you go, MSM, we’ve done your thinking for you.  Now, will you dare to seek out the answers?

http://thegallopingbeaver.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-dare-you-you-mealy-mouthed-pencil.html
6 Comments
by Bernadette Wagner on October 23, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in abusive behaviour, Canada, sexual assault, Stephen Harper, women
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Posted by Bernadette Wagner on October 23, 2010

https://thereginamom.com/2010/10/23/col-williams-other-questions-lurk/

Activists reunite — sort of!

Almost a quarter-century ago, Mitch Diamantopoulos, Margaret Kovach and I were student activists at the University of Regina. We helped to organize the student response to the education cuts implemented by Grant Devine’s regime and we participated in organizing the “If you love this province” demonstration of the late 80’s. It is on record as the largest political demonstration in Saskatchewan’s history.

Fast forward almost 25 years and voila! Not only do the three of us have new books published, but each of our books has also been nominated for a Saskatchewan Book Award! The one Mitch edited is a nominees for Publishing in Education, Maggie’s book is a finalist in the Scholarly Writing category, and mine is in the running for the First Book Award! How cool is that?

The SBA winners will be announced and celebrated at a gala dinner and fundraiser on November 27 at the Conexus Centre of the Arts in Regina. Get the details and order your tickets over at the SBA website.

Regarding our books (which you can ask your local library to order or you can purchase from your local, independent bookseller, if you’re fortunate enough to have one in your community, or buy directly from the author/editor or publisher):

Canadian Plains Research Center – University of Regina, -30-: Thirty Years of Journalism and Democracy in Canada, The Minifie Lectures, 1981-2010, Mitch Diamantopoulos

~

Margaret Kovach, Indigenous Methodologies: Characteristics, Conversations, and Contexts (University of Toronto Press)

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Bernadette Wagner, this hot place (Thistledown Press)

~

Win or lose, the revolutionary plotting, planning and penning will go on!

4 Comments
by Bernadette Wagner on October 18, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in activism, Sask book awards
Tagged , ,

Posted by Bernadette Wagner on October 18, 2010

https://thereginamom.com/2010/10/18/activists-reunite-sort-of/

40 years post-Bird…

Need I really add more?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 28, 2010

FOUR DECADES AFTER ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN REPORT – WHAT DO WE HAVE TO SHOW FOR IT?
OTTAWA – Today marks the 40th Anniversary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women Report, which was groundbreaking for women’s equality in Canada. Sadly, many of the recommendations still have not been implemented.

“Many things have changed for women over the past 40 years,” said New Democrat Status of Women Critic Irene Mathyssen, (London-Fanshawe). “Married women can now enlist in the Canadian Forces and the minimum wage for men and women is the same. But amazingly, four decades later, we’re still waiting for many of the recommendations from the Royal Commission to be implemented.

“New Democrats will continue to push forward policies and legislation that originally were recommended in the Royal Commission report – such as pay equity, equal representation in public office, improvement in the conditions in the lives of First Nations women and establishing a national Child Care Act,” said Mathyssen.

Mathyssen condemns the lack of action taken by the Harper government. Its outright opposition to women’s rights has turned back the clock on women’s equality. Whether it is cutting funding to women’s organizations, abandoning the court challenges program or ending real pay equity for federal workers, this government has shown a complete disregard for women’s rights.

“New Democrats have led the way in advancing women’s equality in Canada,” said Mathyssen. “We’ve been vocal and consistent in defending reproductive rights, breaking the silence on domestic violence, electing the first female federal leader of a political party and electing the highest proportion of women Members of Parliament.”

-30-
For more information, please contact:
Rupinder Kaur, press secretary: 613-222-5048 or rupinder@ndp.ca

***

POUR DIFFUSION IMÉDIATE
LE 28 SEPTEMBRE 2010

40 ANS APRÈS LE RAPPORT DE LA COMMISSION ROYALE SUR LA CONDITION FÉMININE, QU’EN AVONS-NOUS TIRÉ DE CONCRET?

OTTAWA – Aujourd’hui marque le quarantième anniversaire du rapport de la Commission royale sur la condition féminine, un rapport innovateur pour l’égalité des femmes au Canada. Malheureusement, plusieurs des recommandations du rapport n’ont toujours pas été mises en œuvre.

« Beaucoup de choses ont changé pour les femmes depuis 40 ans, » a déclaré Irene Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe), porte-parole du NPD en matière Condition féminine. « Les femmes mariées peuvent maintenant s’engager dans les Forces armées canadiennes, et le salaire minimum pour les hommes et les femmes est équivalent. Mais ce qui est surprenant, c’est qu’après quarante ans, nous attendions encore que plusieurs des recommandations de la Commission royale soient mise en œuvre. »

« Le NPD continuera à présenter des politiques et des législations qui étaient au départ des recommandations du rapport de la Commission royale, comme l’équité salariale, la représentation égale dans la fonction publique, l’amélioration de la qualité de vie des femmes des Premières nations et la mise en place d’une loi nationale sur les garderies, » a de plus ajouté Mathyssen.

La députée du NPD condamne le manque d’initiative du gouvernement Harper. Son opposition aux droits des femmes est un malheureux retour en arrière pour l’égalité des femmes. Qu’il s’agisse des coupures aux groupes de femmes, l’abandon du programme de contestation judiciaire ou la fin de l’équité salariale réelle pour les travailleurs fédéraux, ce gouvernement a démontré un mépris véritable pour les droits des femmes.

« Le NPD a mené la voie pour faire avancer l’égalité des femmes au Canada, » a par ailleurs expliqué Mathyssen. « Nous avons fait entendre notre voix de manière persistante pour défendre les droits reproductifs des femmes, pour briser le silence entourant la violence domestique, en élisant la première femme en tant que chef d’un parti politique fédéral et en faisant élire la plus grande proportion de femmes comme députés. »

– 30 –

Pour obtenir de plus amples informations, veuillez communiquer avec :
Rupinder Kaur, attachée de presse : 613-222-5048 ou rupinder@ndp.ca

Leave a comment
by Bernadette Wagner on September 28, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Canada, feminism, NDP, women

Posted by Bernadette Wagner on September 28, 2010

https://thereginamom.com/2010/09/28/40-years-post-bird/

Who’s Who in the Religious Right?

A friend has done up a couple of excellent lists based on her reading of The Armageddon Factor: The Rise of Christian Nationalism in Canada by Marci McDonald.

The first is a names index filled with names familiar to those who have read McDonald’s book or who have been watching the rise of fundamentalist xianity in Canada:  McVety, Landoldt, Manning, Harper are but a few of those listed.

The second list is the organization index with info about such organizations as the Canada Family Action Coalition, the Centre for Faith and Public Life and the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada.  (Sorry, no links from me to them!)

These should prove to be useful lists for my research needs.

.

2 Comments
by Bernadette Wagner on September 17, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in fundamentalists, religious right, Stephen Harper
Tagged , , ,

Posted by Bernadette Wagner on September 17, 2010

https://thereginamom.com/2010/09/17/whos-who-in-the-religious-right/

Celebrating The Harvest, The Equinox, The Arts

harvest salon posterWell, with a very sizzling summer salon behind us, the regina mom and friends are looking toward harvest.  We’re celebrating the harvest and the equinox and the arts with a Harvest Salon on Thursday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature readings by Lorna Crozier and Andrew Stubbs, music by The Canning Party and Bernadette & Jim as well as art by Kim Menzies.

Tickets are $25 Advance, $35 Door and only 25 are available.  Note that some proceeds from this event will be donated to the Literary Committee of the Cathedral Village Arts Festival.  Arrange to get your tickets by calling 306.550.7023 or order online, via Paypal. (Note that the payment will go to Jim.)

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About the featured artists…

crozier, with books Lorna Crozier‘s “first collection Inside in the Sky was published in 1976. Since then, she has authored 14 books of poetry, including The Garden Going on Without Us, Angels of Flesh, Angels of Silence, Inventing the Hawk, winner of the 1992 Governor-General’s Award, Everything Arrives at the Light, Apocrypha of Light, What the Living Won’t Let Go, and most recently Whetstone. Whether Lorna is writing about angels, aging, or Louis Armstrong’s trout sandwich, she continues to engage readers and writers across Canada and the world with her grace, wisdom and wit. She is, as Margaret Laurence wrote, “a poet to be grateful for.” “[1] We’re so happy to have her with us for this celebration!

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andrew stubbsAndrew Stubbs “is a prolific editor whose work includes Rhetoric, Uncertainty, and the University as Text, a collection of articles on writing and writing theory by Canadian and American compositionists. He co-edited The Other Harmony: The Collected Poetry of Eli Mandel, and published Myth, Origins, Magic, a study of Mandel’s poetics. Stubbs has published articles and reviews on literature, literary theory, psychoanalysis, and creative writing. His first poetry collection, White Light Primitive, was published by Hagios Press in Spring 2009.” [2] Thanks, Andy, for agreeing to join us!

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the canning partyThe Canning Party is a new Saskatchewan folk group consisting of Tanya Dahms, Scott Fulton, and Rob Cocarell. The three are eco-activist and long-time Regina jammers. Tracks from Cocarell’s last CD project with the group, Aref Sea, are online at CBC Radio 3. (I’m particularly diggin’ the track “River Flow” at the moment.)

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Bernadette & Jim is — you guessed it — the hubby and me!  I’ll share poetry from my collection and, perhaps, some new work.  Jim has more of his original songs (& guitar-work) to share.  And we do love to sing — old stuff and new work, too.  Who knows what we’ll cook up this time!

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kim menziesKim Menzies considers herself  “a self-taught artist.”  Of her recent work she says, “I have been experimenting with a myriad of acrylic mediums and paint combinations for the past two years. My experience has, without a doubt, been a roller coaster of thoughts and emotions. It has not only challenged me to step into a world where colour, shape and texture become a form of communication unto itself, it has challenged me to break down barriers that once defined my comfort zones.[3] Her artwork is featured on the cover of This hot place, my collection of poetry and we are grateful that she will hang a show for the salon.

Only 25 tickets available for this event, folks.  Get yours soon!

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by Bernadette Wagner on September 7, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in art, Cathedral Village Arts Festival, fundraising

Posted by Bernadette Wagner on September 7, 2010

https://thereginamom.com/2010/09/07/celebrating-the-harvest-with-the-arts/

Violent Repression & the Agenda of the Elite – A Collection of Important G20 Stories

Further to yesterday’s post about what some women have endured at the hands of police while detained by Toronto’s horrific police force during the G20 demos in Toronto, here is a compendium of links put together by my friend, Pete Garden, who runs Turning the Tide Bookstore in Saskatoon.

Dear friends, fellow community members and supporters of Turning the Tide Bookstore,

As many of you know, 20 of the most powerful people in the world and their respective entourages gathered in Toronto and Huntsville, Ontario for the G8/G20 meetings. Protecting them was a $1 billion dollar security apparatus including a 6 km long security fence and thousands of police and private security. Mobility of the entire city was limited by the security presence and in many areas of downtown Toronto, Charter rights were suspended before the meetings even began. The events which unfolded over the weekend saw thousands (some say upwards of 25,000) of protesters taking to the streets to bring their challenges and concerns with the policies of this elite group of leaders to the attention of the world. The weekend also saw militant protesters in the black bloc attack corporate property and police vehicles followed by the largest mass arrests of protesters (nearly 1,000 people) in Canadian history.

While black bloc tactics of property destruction were a divisive issue within the movement and public at large, protesters were united in one voice against the draconian police crackdown on overwhelmingly peaceful protests. According to long-time social justice activist an author Judy Rebick who as at a press conference with police representatives today, the Toronto police have admitted to receiving stand-down orders while property destruction took place and many people suspect that police cars were abandoned in the middle of streets as decoys to attract vandalism and were let to burn for over 30 minutes for media photo-ops. Many believe that the police used this situation as a pretense to brutally repress protesters not involved in property destruction (about 50 to 100 people were involved in the vandalism while nearly 1000 have been arrested).

Meanwhile, independent media journalists and social media tools were used to document what happened over the weekend and what thousands of people around the world are seeing is quite shocking. Other independent and a handful of mainstream were providing substantial critical coverage of what was going on within the G8/G20 meetings.

Many of us have been glued to our computers watching as our friends in Toronto bravely challenged the security apparatus and felt brunt of the violent crackdown of the state. We hope that once you have seen and read about what happened over the weekend that you will take action both to support the protesters who were arrested and do what you can to hold our governments and the police forces responsible for their actions.

What we hope to provide here is some of the most important coverage and analysis of the events that unfolded on the streets and behind the fences at the summit.

Taking Action:

Stay tuned for the announcement of a Saskatoon fundraiser for the G20 arrestees.

http://movementdefence.org/G20appeal
Appeal for broad political support for the G20 arrestees.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canadians-Demanding-a-Public-Inquiry-into-Toronto-G20/131026933597789
Facebook group demanding a public inquiry into the actions of the police in Toronto

Call your Member of Parliament, write a letter to your local newspaper, call in to radio shows, mobilize your friends.

The Issues:

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/6/28/toronto_police_arrest_over_600_in
Democracy now! has produced the best video piece overview of the summit and the issues of the protesters were raising.

http://www.rabble.ca/rabbletv
Rabble livestream rebroadcast of “Shout Out for Global Justice Teach-in” on June 25th with Naomi Klein, Amy Goodman, Vandana Shiva, Leo Gerard, Maude Barlow, Pablo Salon, and Clayton Thomas-Muller

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/opinion/sticking-the-public-with-the-bill-for-the-bankers-crisis/article1620729/
Naomi Klein’s analysis of how the G20 leaders are sticking the public with the bill for the banker’s economic crisis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3vRNBeMwVA
An interview with Vandana Shiva about the (il)legitimacy of the G20

http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton/canada/article/564338–harper-rejects-advice-to-eliminate-production-subsidies-for-oil-sands
 Harper refuses to eliminate subsidies for the tar sands

http://toronto.mediacoop.ca/story/free-market-stealth-economics-g20/3867
Free Market Stealth Economics at the G20 – An analysis of the threat of bilateral trade agreements

Police repression and the security apparatus:

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heb9BXjYcII
Peaceful protesters singing O Canada rushed by a line of riot police

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiLt40d_AbU
Police attack a peaceful group gathering outside the jail to support their fellow activists

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7OA920pbv8
Journalists attacked, deaf man arrested for failing to hear police orders

http://vimeo.com/12925239
Independent journalist Amy Miller describes detention including rape threats, strip-searches of women by male officers and touching that could be considered sexual assault.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZgjX5vHt2o
A young man embarrasses police before protests by demanding his Charter rights while entering a public park

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaYbq484abs
Police surround protesters and attack at Queens Park on Saturday

http://toronto.mediacoop.ca/fr/video/compilation-videos-about-police-violence/3897#comment-4727
Compilation of videos on police violence

Articles:

http://www.thestar.com/article/828876–porter-when-police-stick-to-phony-script
The Miami Model – the blueprint used by Toronto police for repression during summits.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/828367–g20-law-gives-police-sweeping-powers-to-arrest-people?bn=1#article
Secret law passed to give police powers to violate charter rights and arrest.

http://rabble.ca/news/2010/06/challenging-toronto%E2%80%99s-corporate-security-walls
The link between the security fence construction and Canada’s arms industry

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/829921–i-will-not-forget-what-they-have-done-to-me?bn=1
“I will not forget what they have done to me” – 20 people arrested at the G20 tell of ‘inhumane’ treatment at the hands of police

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/world/americas/28security.html
A New York Times article critical of the police crackdown.

http://transformingpower.ca/en/blog/toronto-burning-or-it
Toronto is Burning! Or is it? By Judy Rebick – a look at the media distortions in the coverage of Saturday’s events.

http://toronto.mediacoop.ca/story/%E2%80%9Ci-woke-gun-pointed-me%E2%80%9D/3836
“I woke up to a gun pointed at me” – Pre-G20 house raids target activists and neighbours

The Black Bloc

http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2010/06/g20-capitalism-is-attacked-in-streets.html
Agree with them or not, it is important to understand the black bloc and why people engaged in more militant tactics.

http://vimeo.com/12920201
Professor David McNally discusses the political ideology of Anarchism and the black bloc tactic.

Thank you for reading and please forward to your networks

UppityUpdate: TorStar editorial re the “brutal spectacle”

1 Comment
by Bernadette Wagner on June 29, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in abusive behaviour, activism, Canada, police brutality, Saskatoon, sexual assault, Stephen Harper
Tagged , , ,

Posted by Bernadette Wagner on June 29, 2010

https://thereginamom.com/2010/06/29/violent-repression-the-agenda-of-the-elite-a-collection-of-important-g20-stories/

Women threatened while held in T.O. detention @ G20

I am so angry I am sick to my stomach. I’m about to cry because what I’ve discovered is too horrendous!

Amy Miller is an independent journalist aka a freelancer who was throttled and taken down then detained for 13 hours in Toronto on the weekend. She tells of harassment by the police — threats of gangbanging and rape — as well as of one woman who was strip-searched by a male officer and inappropriately touched, i.e. fingered. This is absofuckinglutely reprehensible!

Watch it here and then let’s determine how we, as the feminist movement, will respond to these atrocities in our own country.

Uppitydate: The Toronto Star has additional accounts of police harassment, abuse and brutality.

Uppidtydate 2: Another account, thanks to Joanne in the comments.

5 Comments
by Bernadette Wagner on June 28, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in abusive behaviour, activism, Canada, G20, sexual assault, Stephen Harper, women
Tagged , ,

Posted by Bernadette Wagner on June 28, 2010

https://thereginamom.com/2010/06/28/women-threatened-while-held-in-t-o-detention-g20/

Investing in the Future

The Regina Mom has just learned that she’s going here to work on her next book of poetry.  And so she needs to raise money–fast. As a result, she’s hosting a Sizzling Summer Salon and Silent Auction with writers, artists, and musicians of her acquaintance on Wednesday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m.

30 tickets are available and they’re $25 in advance, $30 at the door, providing there are some left by then. Note that a Paypal link will be in place by tomorrow.  Note also that any money raised over and above that necessary to attend the prestigious writing school will be used to buy the Regina Mom more writing time.

Here’s that Paypal link. The payment will go to hubby’s already established account and he’ll notify me.

1 Comment
by Bernadette Wagner on June 26, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in economics, feminism, poem, poets
Tagged

Posted by Bernadette Wagner on June 26, 2010

https://thereginamom.com/2010/06/26/investing-in-the-future/

Abusive Parliamentarian

Ugh!  Have you seen this?

That’s John Baird, a Minister in Steven Harper’s cabinet.  You know what he’s doing?  He’s engaging in abusive behaviour.  It is not only verbal abuse; it is also abuse of power and privilege. Whether he was correct in his assessment of the rules and regulations for committee workings is irrelevant.  His behaviour is unbecoming a Minister, let alone a parliamentarian! It is entirely unacceptable!

Yet, a majority of the Members of the House of Commons who bothered to vote on the matter of Parliamentarian of the Year selected John Baird as that person.

This is reprehensible.

Canada’s reached a new low.  It wasn’t enough for the PM to berate and belittle Linda Keen (formerly of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) when the Chalk River reactor went down.  No, now his minion, the loudmouthed and abusive, John Baird, gets a turn.

When will we ever learn?  Why are abusers given such high praise everywhere — even in our Parliament?

—

Nod to Alison@Creekside

Additional nod to POGGE for inadvertently reminding me I hadn’t posted this

6 Comments
by Bernadette Wagner on June 6, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in abusive behaviour, Canada, John Baird, Parliamentary democracy
Tagged ,

Posted by Bernadette Wagner on June 6, 2010

https://thereginamom.com/2010/06/06/abusive-parliamentarian/

OK! That’s it! I’ve had enough!

Stephen Harper is a disgusting excuse for a human being, plain and simple.  He has used and abused our Parliamentary democracy to give him more individual power in this country than we have ever seen.  And now he’s flaunting it on the international stage!

Coalitions of ‘losers’ don’t get to govern, PM says
Richard J. Brennan Ottawa Bureau

LONDON—A stern Prime Minister Stephen Harper dismissed thoughts of a coalition governing Canada as it now does in Britain, saying that “losers” don’t form governments.

This is a sick man, a man who needs help, help to be a decent human being, rather than one who name-calls, rather than being a bully.  On the playground, he would be disciplined.

It is my job — and all of ours, who care about democracy — to discipline this man in the strictest way possible at the polls, as soon as possible!  Push your Liberal and NDP MPs and riding associations, people.  We must have an election soon!  We must rid ourselves of this mean-spirited man, if we are to live within a compassionate and caring democracy.

6 Comments
by Bernadette Wagner on June 3, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by Bernadette Wagner on June 3, 2010

https://thereginamom.com/2010/06/03/ok-thats-it-ive-had-enough/

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