The sun is shining, the grass is green, trees and flowers are in full bloom. It feels good to be alive! Because, along with all this positive seasonal change (later parka!), comes political change (hello Obama!). The promise of a new era – one that makes some sense and will create progress in the areas of human rights, the environment, and peace. I’m creating lofty goals for Barack Obama to live up to – but I feel confident that the US will finally choose someone with a functioning brain to lead them and set an example for the rest of the world. (PS: I’m not some complete fool, full of idealistic crap – Read Obama’s autobiography: ‘Dreams From My Father’ – and you too will want to believe). From the election of Obama, to the one-candidate “election” of Mugabe, to the inroads into free expression and reversal of punitive damages by the SCC, to the dismantlement of nuclear reactors in North Korea, to the injustice towards the Naked Cowboy – June has been a busy month. Here’s hoping that the rest of the summer shapes up to be just as exciting.
Please read on to find out what you may have missed during the month-that-was: June.
WTF?!? – Just before Obama began his victory speech in Minneapolis, he and his whip-smart wife, Michelle, shared a tender moment. They exchanged what’s known by the kids as a ‘dap’ – a knuckle/fist pound just before he took the podium. E.D. Hill, a Fox anchor, called the gesture a “terrorist fist jab” – umm….what? So stupid. Somebody please explain to me why there are some people who still take Fox News seriously?
Do Whatever We Want? Sure. – Conservatives use the personal income tax information of more than 500 federal courts judges in salary negotiations. I guess the principle of an independent judiciary doesn’t hold much sway with the Side-Part and his crew.
Yoink – The Supreme Court of Canada reverses the order of $100,000 in punitive damages by the Ontario Court of Appeal in the landmark Honda Canada Inc. v. Keays case. Keays, a diligent worker before he was struck with chronic fatigue syndrome sued Honda for wrongful dismissal and malicious behaviour. The Court upheld the claim for wrongful dismissal but the awards for aggravated damages and punitive damages were set aside. Employers and insurers release collective sigh of relief as hearts turn blacker and wallets grow fatter – mwah-ha-haaaaaaa….
She’s A What? – All jokes aside, the boundaries of free speech have widened due to the SCC decision in WIC Radio Inc. and Rafe Mair v. Kari Simpson. The SCC have expanded upon the defence of fair comment and the outspoken have released a collective sigh of relief. The best sentence in the whole decision: “Rather, M had intended to convey simply that S was an intolerant bigot.” Case closed.
Another Cuppa? – Coffee drinkers collectively cheer (in between bathroom breaks) as scientists discover that drinking several cups of brew does not increase mortality. Huzzah!
Not On My Time You Don’t – Workers in a UK meat factory are forced to clock out if found in the predicament of having to use the loo outside of scheduled lav breaks. Management of the meat company argues that because it can take upwards of ten minutes having to remove a worker’s gear and head to the toilet and redress, the clocking out is justified. But what about the intricacies of human plumbing that prevent some of us from ever training ourselves to be on a schedule?!? Jeez man – when you gotta go, you gotta go.
And The “Winner” Is… – Zimbabwe has a one-candidate election. Thugs coerce civilians to “vote”. Mugabe “wins”. Several African states denounce Mugabe and his sanctioned violence against critics, competitors and civilians. Yet South African President Thabo Mbeki still continues to lend support to Mugabe and the violence and killing has never stopped. Why? To read one theory, click here.
Na na na naa….na na na naa…hey hey hey…Annyong-hi kashipshio – North Korea dismantles nuclear cooling tower in Yongbyon, some 60 miles north of Pyongyang. Although largely a symbolic gesture, since cooling towers can be easily rebuilt and North Korea has only made partial disclosure of its nuclear dealings and plans, the world hopes that this baby step will lead with more baby steps towards increased progress and peace with the isolationist state.
The Naked Cowboy Sings the Blues – Robert Burck, aka NYC’s Naked Cowboy, got the green light to take his trade-mark infringement case to trial. The Naked Cowboy is suing candy company, Mars Inc., and claiming false endorsement for using his trade-mark image in the form of a blue M&M wearing skivvies, a ten gallon hat, and cowboy boots. Yee-haw!
Please Step Away From the Border – What does homestyle guru, Martha Stewart, have in common with rapper, Snoop Dogg? A penchant for Colt .45 revolvers and alcohol? No, silly. They share refused entry into the UK due to their respective criminal pasts: Snoop in 1997 for his assault charges and Martha this past June for her obstruction of justice charges four years ago. It’s (not) a good thing.
Rest In Peace – Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sheela Basrur, died from a rare form of cancer at just 51 years old. Basrur will be remembered for leading the campaign in Toronto’s fight against SARs, DineSafe (a program that required restaurants to post their passing or failing health inspections), and the 2004 smoking ban among several others health projects. At just barely 5 feet tall, Dr. Basrur tackled each health crisis with reason and calm. She was truly a giant in her brief time on this earth.
The Watercooler is a monthly feature written by Ottawa lawyer AAK!