Thanks to Judge Spiers for injecting some sanity and exonerating Byron Sonne from all charges. The courts, it seems, still provide a level of protection against police abuse. So to that end, good! However, despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, Byron has lost a year of his life, his wife, his house… again I ask what prevents the police from destroying an innocent man’s life like this in the future? What good is a flacid recognition of injustice after the fact?

Another report, another day no one will be held to account. At least this time around it looks closer to the truth, but ultimately the question is, so what? Just more “recommendations” for the police to ignore.

Even officers in place thought the situation untenable, with one describing the incident commander as “maniacal,” the report says. “Where are they going to give them a chance to disperse?” one officer asked. “They aren’t, that’s the problem,” another replied. “Well, that’s stupid.”

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/news/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/2012/05/16/police-violated-civil-rights-acted-illegally-says-scathing-report-on-g20-summit

Morningdew Photography has added a photo to the pool:

actually I don’t recall whether it rained… from the archives

thank you, my dear Flickr friends, for all your comments, favs and invites! you guys are the BEST!!

FOR SURE ENJOY ON BLACK!! :-) “L”

please visit my web site or Facebook

same day last year www.flickr.com/photos/shab_khos/5714350463/

The media seems hell bent on demonizing this guy by continually calling him an activist, referring to “explosive chemicals” (hair bleach, for example — all perfectly legal), “weapons” (a potato shooter), and really the only charge this is all based on, “inciting mischief not committed” (openly discussing about how the G20 security fence might be breached — but not actually doing it or planning to do it).

To anyone paying attention, it’s obvious that the cops are trying to intimidate him, and in effect you, from even thinking the wrong thoughts when they tell you to grovel like a dog before them. This case is a travesty and should never have been allowed in court. But while the RCMP, OPP, and Toronto police exonerate themselves, Sonne has had his life entirely destroyed for daring to question the dictatorship descending down on us.

If this sticks, don’t think for a second this insanity won’t spread like wildfire. After all, who’s keeping such abuses in check? The cops? The courts? The media?

Police found no bombs when they arrested Sonne, but they did seize an array of legal chemicals, including various acids and hexamine fuel tablets along with laboratory apparatus. They also seized potato guns from his cottage. Sonne was charged with four counts of possessing explosives, and one of counselling mischief not committed in relation to his apparent urging of others to scale the security fence set up around the summit site. Court saw hundreds of photographs Sonne took of surveillance cameras, police and the security fence set up downtown — many posted online on photo-sharing sites — along with suggestions he made on how to scale the barrier.

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Toronto+activist+Byron+Sonne+verdict+expected+today/6623265/story.html

Just a short blurb from my other blog; straight from Ontario’s green fields to your dinner table!

Doesn’t matter that most experts believe that pesticides are not the ideal solution. Doesn’t matter that most weed varieties are not “Roundup” (a Monsanto pesticide) glyphosate-resistant – a chemical which, according to Health Canada “is acutely toxic to rats via the oral or dermal route at doses as low as 3800 mg/kg”. Doesn’t matter that researchers are already discovering 2,4-D resistant weeds growing in fields. Doesn’t matter that 2,4-D doubles the chance developing leukemia, and is linked to sterility, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and other health effects according to the Ontario College of Physicians. Doesn’t matter that Health Canada banned the product for “aquatic” use. Doesn’t matter that prior to 1995 it was banned outright but under pressure from the US and OECD, and relying heavily on studies from the chemical’s manufacturers, and even making a reference to the very same College of Physicians report mentioned above, it’s now a-okay!

Read the rest here: http://patrickbay.ca/blog/?p=2986

…then please spread. You don’t have to link back to me, just let people know what Dow, Monsanto, and other chemical companies are trying to do to our food!

Councillor Shelley  Carroll tweeted a bunch of quotes from her day today including presentations from MGM Grand casino reps trying to set up shop in Toronto (with much support from Fordo and his bunch), and witticisms from Giorgio Mammoliti’s. These would be hilarious if they didn’t represent the idiocy currently running, sorry, attempting to run Toronto.

MGMGrand representatives: “We function best in an adult oriented town.”

Still listening to deps about Casinos. In 8 yrs, I’ve never seen so many Public Affairs firms represented in this room @ 1 time. And by Public Affairs I mean Lobbyists! Generally when you create REAL JOBS & Community Benefits, you don’t need a Lobbyist.

So I’ve been presented with this glossy, done deal picture book from MGM Grand! http://pic.twitter.com/6qsAXpFH

Who could say no!?! Especially when it’s all up to the Province to wear the controversy! Sassy! http://pic.twitter.com/Gj35J4zf

So Vegas, So Glossy! http://pic.twitter.com/XY21xzFB

So would a casino in Toronto be such a bad idea? The mayor and his slimey buddies don’t seem to think so. Folks in the US would probably say otherwise. But is it really surprising considering who’s supporting this?

Jumpin Jack Mammoliti: We will transfer the funds over to TPS to break up illicit card games.

Jumpin Jack Mammoliti: “If it’s the right decision I’ll vote for it. If it’s the wrong decision I’ll vote for that as well.”

Jumpin Jack Mammoliti: This is not organized crime. This is legalized crime.

Sage words from a man who once said:

When you’re sleeping with a prostitute, you’re probably sleeping with 150 guys at the same time.

Judging by his attitude towards hookers, it only stands to reason that the arse is equally cognizant of how bad a casino would be. Makes one wonder, then, where he gets off pulling 10,000 jobs for single moms out of his ass.