Briarpatch Magazine » 2008 » May

Jailed Algonquin Leader Begins Hunger Strike

dave — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:31:31 +0000

Ardoch Algonquin First Nation May 15, 2008 - For Immediate Release On February 15, 2008 Ardoch Algonquin First Nation (AAFN) Spokesperson Robert Lovelace was sentenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Kingston to 6 months in maximum security, plus crippling fines, for peacefully protesting uranium mining in the Ardoch homeland. Chief Paula Sherman was fined $15,000 and given until today to pay the fine, failing which she will be jailed. On March 17, a Superior Court judge in Thunder Bay sentenced six leaders of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) to six months after they were found in contempt of court in a dispute which is virtually identical to that of the Ardoch Algonquins. The jailing of respected, law-abiding community leaders has had a devastating impact on our communities, particularly on the families of those incarcerated. The indifference shown by the McGuinty government towards the rights of First Nation communities and the imposition of long jail terms and crippling fines in the name of "the rule of law" has further eroded respect for both the legal system and the government of Ontario in the eyes of First Nations people in this province.

The Giant Pool of Money

dave — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:31:31 +0000

The slice-of-life radio documentary show This American Life has just put out a show on the U.S. housing/credit crisis. TIL does an excellent job of teasing out the complex causes and devastating consequences of the subprime disaster.

Shawn Brant’s Arrest – Statement by Sue Collis, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

dave — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:09:24 +0000

(May 4th, 2008) Eight days ago, on Friday, April 25th, 2008, my husband, Shawn Brant, was arrested and detained on assault and weapons charges. Since that time, Commissioner Julian Fantino and the Ontario Provincial Police have issued public statements that have, it seems, misstated the events leading to my husband’s arrest. I believe it is important [...]

Financing the banker’s funeral

dave — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:54:09 +0000

We need a national white-collar crime system that can take on finance bigwigs and hold them accountable. by Ken Georgetti Rabble.ca April 30, 2008 In recent months, as U.S. hedge funds have imploded south of the border, working Canadians have been told our economy isn't "subprimed." Sure, the experts say, current problems in global credit markets may mean less cash is available for Canadian companies. It will certainly mean fewer buyers for Canadian exports as U.S. workers face house foreclosures and higher costs for basic necessities. But be thankful, the experts reassure, you could be someone else. You could be one of the two million Americans who recently lost their homes after shady mortgage brokers sold them on crooked contracts.

May 2008: Money & debt

dave — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:22:43 +0000

With Canadians' debt levels at record highs and the U.S. economy in the midst of a massive housing/credit deflation, Briarpatch takes a sorely needed critical, radical look at the politics of money and debt in this issue. From exposing the spectre of diabolical materialism to offering "concrete" investment strategies and tools for getting out of debt, from profiling alternative currencies to outlining the options for conscientious objection to military taxation, Briarpatch puts its money where its mouth is. To subscribe or order a copy of this issue, call 1-866-431-5777 or visit our secure online shop.

Not in my name, not on my dime: Conscientious objection to military taxation

dave — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:20:59 +0000

**By Jan Slakov Briarpatch Magazine May 2008**

"Let them demonstrate, just as long as they continue to pay their taxes."

-Alexander Haig

If you feel strongly that it is wrong to pay for war and militarism, then you are a conscientious objector to military taxation. If you act on those beliefs by redirecting the military portion of your taxes towards a peace tax trust fund that invests in non-violent programs, then you are an active conscientious objector to military taxation. In times of conscription, many governments recognize the rights of conscientious objectors-people whose ethics or religious beliefs forbid them from killing people during a war-to refuse military service. During the Second World War, for instance, Canada had about 10,000 conscientious objectors to military service. Instead of participating in killing, they were given alternate duties in agriculture, industry or other work.