Please Sign This Handgun Petition

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/increase-age-of-handgun-ownership.html

When Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently discovered, three years after the fact, that convicted pedophile Graham James had obtained a pardon, he was concerned enough to interrupt the public safety minister on Easter weekend to discuss changing the pardon laws.


Here's another example of injustice that begs for prime ministerial activism: the case of Stephanie Hoddinott, a young, 20-year-old woman from Midland. Stephanie had a 4.0 GPA in her veterinarian technician program, was smart, beautiful and well-loved.


Full Article Here

$75,000 in rewards offered for clues to downtown murder

Toronto police and the family of Christopher Skinner have both issued cash rewards for help finding the killer of the 27-year-old who was described yesterday as a “collector of friends.”

Skinner was run over by a black SUV in the early morning of Oct. 18, while on his way home from celebrating his sister’s birthday at an Entertainment District nightclub. Police say as many as four men had exited the car and beaten him, before running him over.

“The SUV proceeded to drive directly over top of Christopher Skinner … and just drove away,” Detective Stacy Gallant said Tuesday morning while announcing a $50,000 incentive for witnesses to come forward.

Full Story

Hundreds Attend Christopher Skinner Vigil

Hundreds of people came out to an emotional and moving vigil tonight for a young gay man, Christopher Skinner who was first viciously beaten, then run over with an SUV on Adelaide Street in downtown Toronto last Saturday, October 18.  Christopher was making his way home around three a.m. from celebrating his sisters birthday at a downtown nightclub.

In a moving tribute, we heard about Christopher's passionate love of life and his fellow man. Christopher was described as someone who was very outgoing and always making new friends.

Observing a moment of silence, the crowd raised their candles and looked to the sky in a show of solidarity honoring the memory of Christopher.

Many in attendance, including myself, did not know Christopher, but felt it was important to show support for his family and friends. And to show that we are not afraid, and we will not let Christopher be forgotten.

Observers on the street applauded as we walked from the corner of Church and Wellesley in the heart of Toronto's gay village south to Adelaide and Victoria streets where Chris was savagely beaten and run over. A haunting rendition of Amazing Grace was sung by some in the crowd, as marchers signed the banner bearing Christopher's name that had led the vigil to the downtown corner.  

If you have any information about the murder of Christopher Skinner, pleasce contact Detective Stacy Gallant at 416−808−7410 and Detective Doug Dunstan at 416−808−7406, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416−222−TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). 

Toronto Police News Release: Homicide #43/2009

Toronto Police News Release: Homicide #43/2009 Update

Toronto Police Release Additional Security Video In Christopher Skinner Murder

Three new video clips released Saturday show Skinner trying to hail a cab at different points on Adelaide St. The first is at 2:36 a.m. in the Entertainment District, where he seeks a cab then walks east.The second clip, 15 minutes later, shows Skinner looking at what police believe is his cellphone or iPod.The third and longest clip has Skinner east of Yonge St., not far from where he was killed.

Video of SUV in Christopher Skinner Murder

Toronto Police released this video today of a black SUV suspected of killing Christopher Skinner last weekend. There is speculation that Skinner was targeted because he was gay.

Was Skinner murder gay bashing?

Homicide officers are sifting through mounds of security footage hoping it will lead them to the identity of the suspects responsible for attacking, running over and killing Christopher Skinner early Sunday morning.

"We have officers out gathering every piece of video tape we can find along Adelaide St. between the entertainment district and all the way as far as Church St.," said Det. Stacey Gallant, the lead investigator on the case.

Some of the victim's friends have voiced their concern the assault may have been related to the fact Skinner was gay, said McAreavey.

"Christopher was not the type of guy to pick a fight with someone," she said. "The only reason I could see something happening like that would have been because he was gay.

From: The Toronto Star
Toronto Police Report

Bid to halt US 'vein' execution

Lawyers for a US man on death row say they will try to halt a second attempt at his execution by lethal injection.

On Tuesday the execution of murderer and rapist Romell Broom was called off and delayed for a week after Ohio state officials failed to find a vein.

His lawyers demanded that the procedure be stopped after two hours, describing it as "cruel".

They say that as he survived it would amount to "cruel and unusual punishment" to try again.

Source: BBC News

This is sick. I have been firmly opposed to the death penalty forever. I know some of you are saying well he raped and murdered, which he did, and should be punished and it was a terrible crime. But, this just goes to show how execution is never easy. Now this man has to wait two weeks for the next attempt? Ridiculous!

Now, I know many people don't have any sympathy for him and will say things like, 'he had no sympathy for the girl he raped' and that sort of thing. Fair enough. But if that is your argument, then what you are doing is putting yourself in the same category as the killer. Why lower yourself to his level?

I will never waver in my belief that; No state should have the right to decide if someone lives or dies. This is more because of the potential for abuse, racially motivated executions and the ever present possibility of executing an innocent person, than for sympathy towards creeps who kill innocent children or anyone else.

Gunman shoots up gay club in Tel Aviv

Israeli police say a gunman entered a youth club for gay teens in central Tel Aviv on Saturday night and sprayed the interior with automatic rifle fire, killing three people and injuring 11.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said it was “most likely a criminal attack and not a terror attack.” Tel Aviv has been a target for Palestinian militants in the past.

He said the gunman burst into the basement of the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association and opened fire on a support group for gay teenagers.

Get the full story from the Globe & Mail.

Here is a link with video from the BBC. It should be noted that this 'club' is a gay community organization for gay teens and not a gay dance club.

Murder Charges Laid in Kingston Drownings

A man, his wife and their son are charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of three Montreal sisters and their caregiver, who were found dead in a submerged car near Kingston, Ont.
The bodies of the three teenaged sisters and the 50-year-old woman were found in the car in the Rideau Canal on June 30.
Kingston police Chief Stephen Tanner told a news conference this afternoon he was saddened at the "needless and senseless loss of innocent human lives," in what he described as a case of domestic violence. Full Story at 680 News

Jackson Murdered?

Two British Sunday newspapers said LaToya Jackson believes her brother Michael Jackson was murdered by a group of conspirators trying to get hold of his fortune.

LaToya Jackson said she knows who is responsible for her brother's death and is determined to see them brought to justice, the News of the World reported. Full Story at Toronto.ctv.ca

I really must question why CTV would report on this tabloid trash. Really, its the friggin' News of the World for christs sake! Of course the people who told TNOTW LaToya said these things wish to remain anonymous. CTV are you that desperate for 'news'? UPDATE: I guess its not just CTV.  The Star is repeating this trash also.

The Pope's Good Friday Message On Human Brutality...

...and my reaction to it!

This is just a small quote that I thought was worth sharing; Thanks to the Telegraph for the original story. 

So the Pope says "We are shocked to see to what levels of brutality human beings can sink."  I will add that he is speaking at the 7th station of the cross where Jesus was mocked, and

 comparing that to the way he sees Western secular society (i.e.; me) mocking religion.

I'm always impressed by the audacity of religious leaders like the Pope who will go through the motions of rituals like he did this week, washing the feet of vatican priests, as Jesus supposedly did to his disciples. The purpose; to show humility. Sounds good so far, right? 

WRONG!

He does this foot washing using a solid gold basin. 

I wonder, if that gold basin was sold off, how many starving people would it feed? How many living in tents in Italy right now because of the recent earthquake could benefit from the funds that would supply for rebuilding or food and medicine?

Lets not forget the vast riches the church has at its disposal, acquired over hundreds of years by questionable means along with donations from the faithful. 

What if these riches were all used in the spirit in which Jesus preached? Would it solve world hunger? Could it save one life? Of course it could, in fact the church could save thousands of lives and improve the quality of

 life for millions more. 

And its not even just about the money. The church could simply use its influence that it has with its audience profoundly better. One simple way would be to stop lying to the uneducated masses in Africa by telling them that condoms could increase the risk of becoming HIV positive or getting AIDS.  You might as well disallow them AIDS medication while your at it. 

As far as I'm concerned this institution is guilty of being an accessory to mass murder. At the very least just shut up and don't talk about condoms. After  all, priests are supposed to be celibate, so really condoms are not something you are best suited to be talking about to begin with. 

So finally, while your carving the easter ham, or happily decorating easter eggs. In the spirit of being shocked to see to what levels of brutality human beings can sink I humbly submit the following for you to reflect upon this easter weekend. Personally as an atheist, I will be celebrating the nice spring weather and the passing of another cold winter.

1. Legal basis for some inquisitorial activity came from Pope Innocent IV's papal bull Ad exstirpanda of 1252, which authorized and regulated the use of torture in investigating heresy.  For more click here.  
   
2. Here is one really sick family that is not Catholic, but the depravity is based in religion.
3. From the misguided Pope John Paul II, one which I take particular offense to, as someone who is a gay sexual abuse survivor. This statement reinforces the incorrect belief by some that homosexuality equals pedophilia.  The Pope decreed: because a significant majority of victims were teenage boys, disallowing ordination of men with "deep–seated homosexual tendencies"
4. For those who prefer visuals, watch this short video for a look at some of the torture tools of the inquisition.
5. Its not just christians: A pig caused hundreds of Indians to kill one another in 1980. The animal walked through a Muslim holy ground at Moradabad, near New Delhi. Muslims, who think pigs are an embodiment of Satan, blamed Hindus for the defilement. They went on a murder rampage, stabbing and clubbing Hindus, who retaliated in kind. The pig riot spread to a dozen cities and left more than 200 dead. Full Article Here
   

Six Gay Men Shot To Death

Six gay men were shot dead by members of their tribe in two separate incidents in the past 10 days, an official with Iraq's Interior ministry said.

In the most recent attack, two men were killed Thursday in Sadr City area of Baghdad after they were disowned by relatives, the official said.The shootings came after a tribal meeting was held and the members decided to go after the victims.

On March 26, four additional men were fatally shot in the same city, the official said, adding that the victims had also been disowned by their relatives.

The official declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

Witnesses told CNN that a Sadr City cafe, which was a popular gathering spot for gays, was also set on fire.

Source: CNN.COM

'Deathbed confession' man charged

Now that I'm done venting about america again, here is a little story from BBC News of another american.  The next time you think you are having a bad day, remember this guy. If this wasn't a true story, I have to say it would be funny.

A US man who thought he was dying and confessed to having killed a neighbour in 1977 has been charged with murder after making a recovery, US media say.

James Brewer could now face the death penalty over the unsolved killing in Tennessee 32 years ago, reports say.

Convinced he was dying after a stroke, Mr Brewer reportedly admitted to police he shot dead 20-year-old Jimmy Carroll.

The 58-year-old, who had fled Tennessee after the killing, was arrested after his condition improved, reports say.

Full Story

Can you say "White Trash"

This tidbit comes from 680news.com
A Mississauga woman, almost eight-months pregnant, has been charged with second-degree murder.
A 21-year-old man was stabbed at the suspect's baby shower on Monday afternoon.
Barbara Lanthier, 28, and her common-law husband were hosting a baby shower, when police said her drug dealer showed up, uninvited.
Peel Regional Police told 680News that was when the 21-year-old was stabbed, and someone called 911.
The victim was taken to hospital where he later died.
Her common-law husband was arrested for allegedly being an accessory after the fact.
Peel police Sgt. Marlene Murphy said it's a delicate situation, because pregnant or not, Lanthier is still a suspect.

Thank God the drug dealer wasn't invited, can you imagine what people would think! I feel sorry for the fetus, who will probably end up named Cleatus.

Muslims aren't all bad....

The founder of a US television station aimed at countering stereotypes of Muslims has been arrested and charged with beheading his wife, local media reported.
Muzzammil Hassan was charged with second-degree murder of his wife, Aasiya Hassan, whose decapitated body was found Thursday by police at the Bridges TV station in a Buffalo suburb in New York state, The Buffalo News reported Monday.
Full Story

Toronto Murder Map

This just in, something to show to your out of town Mom. Yes, its what everyone wants, an interactive homicide map showing the location of all 74 homicides of 2007. I presume the CBC will update it as the number increases. I'm certain it will, there is, after all another fortysome days left in the year.

Maybe we need a call for the killing of Reggae (singers)

(Kingston) Jamaican reggae performer Beenie Man is denying he has agreed to stop performing music that calls for the killing of gays.

Stop Murder Music, a group founded by LGBT rights organization Outrage, said that Beenie Man, and two other reggae singers: Sizzla and Capleton, had signed an agreement that they would no longer perform songs that promoted violence against gays.

The full story is here.

Police find fugitive suspected in 3 ON murders

Police say they have in custody a man suspected of killing three people, including an elderly couple, in southwestern Ontario.

After an intense manhunt that lasted almost two weeks, the Ontario Provincial Police announced late Tuesday that they picked up 22-year-old Jesse Imeson near Ottawa, just before 9 p.m.

Get the full story from CTV here.

Now, I say buy this book!

MIAMI -- A federal bankruptcy judge has awarded the rights of O.J. Simpson's canceled "If I Did It" book to the family of the late Ronald Goldman to satisfy a $38 million wrongful death judgment against the former football star. Get the full scoop from CTV.ca here.

Hit Tip #1 Loose Lips Sink Ships!

Here's a tip if you are thinking of knocking someone off. Don't be asking every Tom, Dick and Harry. This guy might as well have taken out an ad on Craigslist.

A gay Reno, Nev., man with six children has been accused of hiring a hit man to kill his wife so he could avoid a costly divorce and live with his boyfriend, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Police said James Gau, 50, has been searching for a hit man for several weeks, offering several people money to travel to her home in American Fork, Utah, and kill her.

"For some reason, people think they can tell multiple people of their plan to kill their spouses and that they're going to get away with it," police Sgt. Dave Evans told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "It's amazing."

The full article is here.