Here’s a real poll, from a real polling agency, unlike the detritus the Star regularly publishes.

What’s it mean?  It means Justin Trudeau is for real, in the words of my friend at Ipsos, Darrell Bricker.

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Sent along by a few readers.  It’s impossible to determine if it’s authentic, of course, which isn’t surprising – they’re anonymous, after all.

 

UPDATE: Chronicle-Herald story here. We look forward to Messr. Gardner and Selley’s stirring denunciation of the mob-like vigilantism of, say, Crimestoppers.  (Oh, and to Selley: it isn’t just a case of bullying, you fatuous imbecile.  It’s a case of rape.)

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There’s more, here.  It’s hard, but you should read all of it.

“To the Justice Minister of Nova Scotia

Rehtaeh Parsons thought the worst outcome for her case would be no charges against the men who raped her but we all know better. The worst thing that could happen would be charges. That they would be found guilty, and that Rehtaeh would sit on a court bench and listen in utter disbelief as they were given parole, or a suspended sentence, or community service. All for completely destroying her life while they laughed.

Why is it they didn’t just think they would get away with it; they knew they would get away with it. They took photos of it. They posted it on their Facebook walls. They emailed it to God knows who. They shared it with the world as if it was a funny animation.

How is it possible for someone to leave a digital trail like that yet the RCMP don’t have evidence of a crime? What were they looking for if photos and bragging weren’t enough?

Why was this treated like a minor incident of bullying rather than a rape? Isn’t the production and distribution of child porn a crime in this country? Numerous people were emailed that photo. The police have that information (or at least they told us they did). When someone claims they were raped is it normal to wait months before talking to the accused?

You have the opportunity here to do something good and lets face it; the court system in Nova Scotia was just going to rape her all over again with indifference to her suffering and the damage this did to her.

My daughter wasn’t bullied to death, she was disappointed to death. Disappointed in people she thought she could trust, her school, and the police.

She was my daughter, but she was your daughter too.

For the love of God do something.

***I’ve been contacted from media outlets from all over the world and as a past member of the media I understand why you all want to speak with me. You have all been very courteous, professional, and respectful. Please know, however, this is the only statement I am able to make. I’m too devastated.***

I feel like I’m dead inside.”

 

UPDATE: And her mother has spoken out, as well, here.  She wants the legal system to reopen the case, but she doesn’t want the perpetrators physically harmed.  We should listen to her.

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Dear Anonymous:

I have never written to you, the global hacktivist group, before.  Like everyone else, I have read about your exploits and, more than once, nodded my head with approval.  It’s comforting to see citizens periodically bring certain groups to heel, like child pornographers or the Church of Scientology.

I am writing to you today about something else, however.

In Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, a girl named Rehtaeh Parsons killed herself last week.  She was 17 years old.  That’s her, up above.

Her name was Heather spelled backwards. Rehtaeh was a straight-A student, she was much-loved by her family and others.  She was a good kid.

In November 2011, when she was 15 years old – just a child – she was raped by four males in a basement.  One of them photographed her being raped, and then circulated it to many others.  They thought it was funny.

Rehtaeh was thereafter harassed and abused and bullied by students at her school.  The torment got bad enough that Rehtaeh had to move to another town.  Months later, she returned, but the bullying and abuse never stopped.  She was sent messages calling her a “slut.”

You may ask what happened to the four males who raped her, and who circulated the photograph of Rehtaeh being raped – which, incidentally, meets the definition in Canadian law of child pornography.

Nothing.  Nothing happened to them.

The RCMP, who allegedly investigated, are led in Nova Scotia by Alphonse MacNeil.  He calls himself a “consensus builder” and has two daughters.  I’m sure you could find his email address if you needed to.

The Nova Scotia government, which agreed with – and energetically defended – the RCMP’s decision to do nothing about the rape or the child pornography, is led by NDP leader Darrell Dexter.  Interestingly, he represents Cole Harbour in the provincial legislature.  His email isn’t readily available, either, but I know you’ll find that, too.

His Attorney-General is Ross Landry.  Yesterday, Landry refused to reopen the case; by the afternoon, he had seemingly changed his tune.  His constituency office email is here.  I don’t know what his email is.

The names of the little bastards who did this, and who are still alive and walk free in Cole Harbour, are unknown to most of us.  But, as in the Steubenville, Ohio case, I am certain anyone who is sufficiently motivated can find out who the little bastards are, and name and shame them.

I’m unclear how to appeal to you, Anonymous.  But if there was ever a case that cried out for your attention – and if there were ever men like MacNeil, Dexter and Landry who deserved to be fired, or worse, for their pathetic responses – I don’t know what it is.  What happened to Rehtaeh and her family is so horrible, so evil, I am ashamed that it happened in my country.

In closing, I should note that Rehtaeh’s heart was sent to Toronto yesterday, to be transplanted into another person.  I don’t know why I feel a need to mention that to you, but I do.

Maybe because, in some way, it feels like Rehtaeh is still watching now, to see who will do something, and who will do nothing.

Sincerely,

Warren

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Sorry, I just had to say that.  Sometimes I just can’t help myself.

Anyway: the fact that Stockwell Day is supporting the BC Liberals isn’t even remotely news – but Canadian Press and various aggregators are treating it as such, which I find totally bizarre.  It isn’t news. He’s been part of their campaign effort for months.

That may or may not be a good thing.  But I don’t understand why anyone is treating it as a revelation.

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It’s now been a full week of this Royal Bank of Canada PR disaster, and it shows no signs of abating.

Is it true, as a commenter wrote yesterday, that Burson-Marsteller/National is advising the bank on this mess?  Anyone who works there is free to comment, below.

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A year ago, this story rocked my world, and my daughter’s, no pun intended.  Against Me, and Tom Gabel, were a huge, huge deal for us.  So, here’s her update on her journey, sent along by FB pal David Darling, and in Cosmo, no less:

“During our shows this year, I was surprised by how many fans stuck by my band and how many came up to offer their support afterward. I met trans men and women from all walks of life, all at various points in their journeys. Many said I was an inspiration to them, but they are an inspiration to me. I had questions about transitioning, and my new friends were more than happy to share their tips! I don’t know a single other person who is trans where I live. But now I feel lucky to have friends around the world who share in the experience. Growing up, I never had a role model to show me that you can be trans and live a happy life. I hope that I can be that source of hope for someone out there who’s struggling.”

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The RCMP officers and the school administrators involved in this tragedy should all be named, shamed and fired.

And the little bastards who did it deserve to get what those little bastards got in Ohio. Times ten.

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