Criminal Justice System fails a innocent man

David Milgaard, an innocent man accused for a crime he did not commit, sat in jail for 23 years. It is only just for Millgard to be released from prison, according to a Saskatchewan inquiry into the case. David Milgaard was 16 at the time when a man named Gail Miller was killed in 1969. David was convicted a year later and only released from prison in 1992. As DNA tests were not available then, Larry Fisher, the real criminal was eventually convicted. The case was only reopened after DNA tests were available. "The criminal justice system has failed David Milgaard," concludes Edward MacCallum, the Alberta judge who headed the inquiry. As a result of this misunderstanding, Milgaard eventually recieved a $10 million compensation package from the Saskatchewan government.


Is a $10 million compensation package worth the time for a 16 year old who spent 23 years in prison? The Canadian criminal justice system is flawed and requires a great deal of improvement. For a teenager to have lost half of their life sitting in prison for a crime that they didn't commit is clearly unjustified. After the experience of wrongfully accusing David Millaard, the Saskatoon Police service claim to have new methodologies and technologies to reduce the chances of wrongfully accusing. Despite the assurances of the police department, there will be undoubtfully a great deal of victims in Canada who will suffer the unjust punishment. Overall, there should be a greater amount of money spent towards improving the justice system than the amount spent on compensation packages.


http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/09/26/milgaard-advance.html

Is red wine as good as grape juice?

As study has shown everyone, red wine indeed benefits the cardiovascular structure of the human body. Yet, grape juice, red wine's "sibling" is now suggested to have equal benefit to the human body. Alcohol overal is said to be capable of relaxing blood vessels and increase the levels of HDL, the 'good' cholestrol. The substances inside wine, resveratrol and flavonoids, seem to be also found in some grape juice. These substances are especially found in red and dark Concord grapes. Studies show that grape juice, like alcohol, can reduce the risk of blood clots and prevents LDL ('bad' cholestrol) from attaching onto arteries. In a study, a subject was given two servings of grape juice in 15 people with coronary artery disease. Happily, the subjects's blood flow and oxidation of LDL had improved. Oxidized LDL can severly damge the arteries.


The fact that grape juice appears to be equally beneficial as red wine to the human body is great knowledge to human civilization. As it is well known, there is a horrifying amount of smokers in the world. For exmaple, in the United States alone, 23.9% of the men and 18.1% of the women smoke. Cigarette smoking is one of the major factors that are causing men and women to have LDL. (unhealthy cholestrol)Fortunately as studies have proven, grape juice is a new step towards healthy bodies in the world.



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/23/health/23real.html?em

Viva Strike Deadline

Those in York Region who depend on the Viva bus are now warned to schedule a carpool for Monday morning since time is running out for the company that operates the transit system. The two sides, the drivers and the company, had a conference that stopped on Monday, September 15 and the workers set a final deadline for midnight Sunday. Therefore, if both sides do not meet up and agree with the wants of the workers, then there will be no buses to ride on Monday. York Region's Viva's buses carry more than 35,000 passengers on a ordinary day. Clearly, the amount of people riding the buses will have a great impact as the days continue without the Viva bus. Drivers are wishing for a pay increase of 3 per cent in each year of a three-year agreement. Viva drivers are currently capable of earning $20.75 after three years of work. The union proposal would put that up to $21.37.

With the possible strike of Viva Bus drivers, more than 35,000 people must resort to other means of transportation. I believe the fault lies in the drivers because they are aware that the union practically must agree with the contract. If there is no agreement, more than 35,000 workers in the society will be uncapable or find it difficult to arrive at work. The blame will then seem to lie in the Union. However, the fact that Viva bus drivers are willing to give up their jobs and affect the economy greatly by demanding for a couple dollars of increase, gives others in the society doubt whether their actions are correct.








http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/502346

Prison Riot Resulting in 23 deaths

Around 23 deaths occured in a Mexico prison, La Mesa. The deaths began when a prisoner was apparently abused and beaten to death by guards. This was the 'spark' that caused the inmates to grow wild. The prisoners took advantage of visiting time and began rioting with shovels to break through the walls. 4 died from clashes and 19 died from a new rioting on Wednesday. The prison that was built for 3000 people was soon overcrowded with 8000 people who's family members were worried about the prison conditions. It was said that the conditions given to the prisoners may have been cramped since they were not allowed out for 24 hours.


As it seems that the fault lies with the Mexican guards and faculty staff, the Mexicans have blame for their actions too. Tijuana, just south of San Diego, is a major section for drug trafficking and has an increase of violence in recent months, even as thousands of troops were sent to the city and across the country to search for illegal action. More than 2,700 people have died in result of drug violence within Mexico. Not only is there a notorious amount of illegal dealers, prisoners were discovered living lifestyles full of contraband goods, brothels and even restaurants. Police found out in 2002 and destroyed the particular part of the jail. In my opinion, the society of Mexico may be unstable and not secured tightly as there are a number of drug dealers. Whether the society itself consists of people such as guards who abuse the prisoners may be the reason for its unstability.





http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-mexico-riot.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Steven Harper or Stephane Dion?

“Stephen Harper is only concerned about the next day, the next poll, to show gimmicks to buy your vote for the next election. Never he's concerned about the next generation,” Mr. Dion said.

Harper believes that if there was to be a market crash, it would have happened a while ago. As there was a collapse of the second largest U.S. investment house Monday, comes as the Toronto stock market tumbled, and the Canadian dollar continued to lose value and the price of oil dropped below $95 U.S. a barrel, that was Harper's response. His belief is that there are significant problems in U.S., but nothing to cause the economy to go in recession.
Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion blames Harper for being a lousy economic manager who spent money on the election but caused Canada's economy to a state which affects the U.S. as well. Dion claims that he will cut taxes in particular areas that would affect the economy such as incomes, savings, and business profits. He will also fund 250 million dollars in fuel-efficient fishing boats. Dion states that over the 6 months in 2008, Canada has been slow in the economic growth and that more jobs had been lost in July than any month since 1991.
Harper's idea of benefiting the economy is by helping those who are self-employed. “Ironically, self-employed Canadians who are successful and who create jobs must pay into the EI system on behalf on their employees, but cannot access those benefits themselves,” Mr. Harper said. “This is not right.”



As Dion seems to be concerned about fishing boats, Steven Harper is concerned about the more important factors of the society. From a point of view,fishing boats are of slight benefit to the society. The society should not be helped by funding in fishing boats. Does the society really want to increase in fishermen? Is saving fuel a major factor of the society? I believe that Harper's idea of helping the self-employed is a more effective method to aid the society. Since those who are self-employed to not have the benefits of the EI (Employment Insurance) even though they pay for it. Harper's idea helps the society's small businesses which will help others in the future








http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080915.welxnmarkets0915/BNStory/politics/home

Gas Price Constantly Rising

Gasoline continues to rise in some parts of Canada on Saturday after a increase of about 13 cents the day before. Around the Toronto area, the average price was more than $1.38. An oil industry observer, Liberal Dan McTeague, states that the increase of oil was due to the Huricane Ike. "The Colonial Pipeline that supplies most of northeastern United States has just closed in Houston, Texas, as a result of the hurricane," McTeague had said. Even so, McTeague suggests that the gasonline prices will continue to rise even after the weekend. Mcteague also points out that since there is no competition between oil companies, they are capable of creating any price for any excuse they want. Similarly, Mel Fruitman, vice-president of the Consumers' Association of Canada, blames oil companies for simply gaining profit on the recent events. In McTeague's opinion, the rise in prices can be involved with the fears over hurricane Ike, but the oil industry itself is also partially responsible.

With gasoline continuing to rise, car industries may slowly decrease in business. Middle-class citizens who strive to own a car, have no choice but to buy one that conserves oil lest their money eventually be consumed by the oil prices. The more expensive and gasoline devouring cars such as the four-wheeled drive, SUV and pick-up trucks may reduce down to smaller businesses. The production of solar powered cars may begin to mass produce, but the middle or lower-class may have problems obtaining such an expensive car. To keep up with such oil prices even with a smart car may prove difficult for some in the society.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080913/gas_prices_080913/20080913?hub=Canada

Paranoia or safety first?

9/11 has seriously affected the lives of the United States people on a safety level. The United States has begun to tighten the security on the boarders between Canada. There is the fear that illegal immigrants will attempt to cross between the two countries, passing through the dense forest to meet up with a rival with a car on the other side. This method of traveling between countries has worried the U.S authorities for the reason that they had caught a man attempting to enter the U.S with explosives in 1999. The tight security throughout the country has resulted in a score of arrests from illegal immigrants or drug dealers who attempt to enter the land by foot or by boat. Security cameras and motion sensors have been installed to enforce the prevention of strangers.

Although most people would agree with higher security, some complain for the inconvienience of business. Matott, living on the boarder of U.S says that the security has hindered hay transportation. "It's deterred a lot of local people from going up," says Mattot. Despite the fact that it is safe to ensure the safety of U.S citizens, it has been a major problem to the business of outcoming and incoming of business people and the transportation of goods.

http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/492206

Growth of listeriosis?

Do only meats have listeriosis? The answer is no. Fresh cut mushrooms are now seen to have listeriosis bacteria inside as well. This has been discovered due to the raised caution to contamination of food. Although there is no direct relation with the 13 deaths caused by meat in Maple Leaf Products, in a way, it is a relief that another food has been spotted and set aside to the list of non-edible foods. An expert states that listeriosis is a widespread bacteria and when the effort to find the bacteria is made, there may be even more foods contaminated with such a bacteria.

The beginning of listeriosis, may yet bring further trouble to the economy and business in Canada. The infection of listeriosis has brought down the business of wide variety of stores and restaurants. Not only are the store owners affected, the greater companies selling meats to others may close down. Furthermore, the discovery of listeriosis is only a minor problem to what may happen to other foods in the future.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080904.wlmushroom04/BNStory/National