Mr.Tim

Rick Mercer really nailed this one! I just LOVED the historical references!

What say we tell Vic.. if he wants to peek.. there's a dollar a minute peep show downtown.. but our privacy requires he get a WARRANT!

(Thanks to Tara Smith on FB for sharing this with me!)

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It's interesting to note that Public Safety Minister Vic Toews is using some of our tax dollars to install an auto-responder system to send out his email carbon copy letter.
It's clear that after thousands of petition letters flooding his inbox he couldn't possibly respond to any of them personally.. oh no.. he was too busy with cameras in his face to do any REAL work.
So they setup an automatic email response system to send out his same old tired message of misinformation regarding the latest in Privacy bills.. C-50

It's quite clear that the overwhelming response is negative to this and other privacy invading legislations.. and the creators of these bills should just send them to the shredder.
There are other ways to catch crooks.. and it doesn't have to happen at the expense of law abiding Canadians.

(also.. I wouldn't be shocked to see Vic Toews being moved into another "lesser" portfolio sometime in the very near future.. his career in senior and very public offices being about as tarnished by this debacle as any I've ever seen…)

Embedded Link

Letter to Public Safety Canada from Canada's Privacy Commissioners and Ombudspersons on the current 'Lawful Access' proposals – March 9, 2011
Other Publications. Letter to Public Safety Canada from Canada's Privacy Commissioners and Ombudspersons on the current 'Lawful Access' proposals. Privacy Commissioner of Canada Jennifer S…

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It's only a matter of time now folks..
Fuel up! prices are about to skyrocket! and the war is about to start!

Embedded Link

Iran stops oil sales to British, French companies
TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran has stopped selling crude to British and French companies, the oil ministry said on Sunday, in a retaliatory measure against fresh EU sanctions on the Islamic state's lifeblood…

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After signing the petition and sending my opposition to the Government, I received this carbon copied response from Hon. Vic Toews.
I include this letter (and my response) for all to see.
Sorry if this is a bit long.. but I wouldn't think of misrepresenting what was sent to me.. or my response.
___________________________________________________________________

vic.toews.c1@parl.gc.ca
10:01 AM (23 hours ago)

Thank you for contacting my office regarding Bill C-30, the Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act.

Canada's laws currently do not adequately protect Canadians from online exploitation and we think there is widespread agreement that this is a problem.

We want to update our laws while striking the right balance between combating crime and protecting privacy.

Let me be very clear: the police will not be able to read emails or view web activity unless they obtain a warrant issued by a judge and we have constructed safeguards to protect the privacy of Canadians, including audits by privacy commissioners.

What's needed most is an open discussion about how to better protect Canadians from online crime. We will therefore send this legislation directly to Parliamentary Committee for a full examination of the best ways to protect Canadians while respecting their privacy.

For your information, I have included some myths and facts below regarding Bill C-30 in its current state.

Sincerely,

Vic Toews
Member of Parliament for Provencher

Myth: Lawful Access legislation infringes on the privacy of Canadians.

Fact: Our Government puts a high priority on protecting the privacy of law-abiding Canadians. Current practices of accessing the actual content of communications with a legal authorization will not change.

Myth: Having access to basic subscriber information means that authorities can monitor personal communications and activities.

Fact: This has nothing to do with monitoring emails or web browsing. Basic subscriber information would be limited to a customer’s name, address, telephone number, email address, Internet Protocol (IP) address, and the name of the telecommunications service provider. It absolutely does not include the content of emails, phones calls or online activities.

Myth: This legislation does not benefit average Canadians and only gives authorities more power.

Fact: As a result of technological innovations, criminals and terrorists have found ways to hide their illegal activities. This legislation will keep Canadians safer by putting police on the same footing as those who seek to harm us.

Myth: Basic subscriber information is way beyond “phone book information”.

Fact: The basic subscriber information described in the proposed legislation is the modern day equivalent of information that is in the phone book. Individuals frequently freely share this information online and in many cases it is searchable and quite public.

Myth: Police and telecommunications service providers will now be required to maintain databases with information collected on Canadians.

Fact: This proposed legislation will not require either police or telecommunications service providers to create databases with information collected on Canadians.

Myth: “Warrantless access” to customer information will give police and government unregulated access to our personal information.

Fact: Federal legislation already allows telecommunications service providers to voluntarily release basic subscriber information to authorities without a warrant. This Bill acts as a counterbalance by adding a number of checks and balances which do not exist today, and clearly lists which basic subscriber identifiers authorities can access.

___________________________________________________________________

Tim Southernwood
9:46 AM (4 minutes ago)

to vic.toews.c1
Hon. Sir,

Thank you for your response to my concerns.. however you have me confused with someone who doesn't know his a** from a hole.

The Title of your bill is also misleading and offensive because it has very little to do with actually catching "Internet Predators", and more to do with giving Police unfettered access to our private records. If you REALLY want to protect our children.. spend a little more time educating kids and their parents on the dangers of internet predators.

Despite your claims that this bill does not impact the rights of Canadians, there is no question that it does. Perhaps just a little bit.. perhaps a whole bunch.. but there are other issues that have been clouded over or not debated.

1. The facts are that Law Enforcement have rarely had to seek additional legal recourse when investigating ISP records.. they (ISP's) have in fact been responsive in over 95% of requests to access user information. So.. as a result.. your bill seeks to redress a very small fraction of the whole, and the facts are that the Police are ALREADY empowered to seek a warrant to access any information the ISP's might be reluctant to provide… so let's just agree.. this bill does little to affect any change except to make it EASIER for all levels of Law Enforcement to gain access to our records.. and I say as a Canadian the burden of proof, democracy, and the right to privacy are NOT expedient issues.. and the bar for police access to records should be set HIGH not low.

Does this create a possibility that some criminals might slip through? of course.. but that possibility ALREADY exists and you're seeking a redress of this issue at the expense of all Canadian citizens rights to privacy. In addition.. it is already accepted that criminals will always find ways around any system of detection.. so how far will this Government go in trying to catch crooks? Will a Police State satisfy you?

The present laws are more than adequate.. and if you are so concerned with the inability of Law Enforcement to catch these crooks.. I say it's because of FUNDING!

Rather than restrict our rights as Canadians.. why don't you do the right thing.. and fund our law enforcement agencies so that they can do their job properly?

In addition your condemnation of any Canadians opposed to this bill as siding with the criminals was offensive.. and you owe us ALL an apology!

2. Your bill and the debate surrounding it has only brushed lightly on another major area of concern… the COST of it's implementation!
What you are doing is creating another level of complexity, requiring ISP's to create access ports, keep databases of subscribers and install equipment that will allow Law Enforcement's ready access to our records.
In FACT.. you don't even know how much this is going to cost! The costs haven't even been properly explored, so this bill is improperly prepared! It could very well be the costs of this will be prohibitive and exceed the ability of some ISP's to afford.. and without question.. any increased costs to ISP's will result in a pass through to Canadians.

In addition.. these costs will not be evenly applied across the board by ISP's.. because some will have different expenses and technical issues.. and will seek to cover additional costs.. so as a result some Canadians will pay more than others.

So.. when you propose a bill that in the end will cost me more for my internet and mobile access.. I HAVE EVERY RIGHT to oppose such a bill.. and I put it back to you, Honorable Sir, to adequately fund Law Enforcement so they can do their jobs properly and catch these criminals.

Your Facts and Myths are wrong too!

In FACT ISP's will be required to create databases on ALL Canadians. The bill states that they will keep records for a period of time. What ever that period of time would be.. the FACT is.. those records are compiled in a DATABASE

In FACT this bill does give Law Enforcement more power to access the private records of Canadians, and it does not benefit average law abiding people.. it will only COST average law abiding people.
Give Police proper funding to do their job in keeping up with criminals.. but do not restrict the rights of ALL Canadians in this attempt to catch crooks!

FACT the legislation already exists.. so this bill is neither required nor desired by Canadians. Over 80% of Canadians oppose it.

I do appreciate your contacting me with this letter.. a copy of which I'm sure was sent to all the thousands of Canadians who have voiced opposition to this tragically flawed bill.. but for all those who haven't yet seen it.. I will be posting it online so that we can all see your failing attempts to support this bill.

Sincerely

Tim Southernwood.
Edmonton,Canada

P.S. You already have my phone number, street address, SIN #, Health Care number, DOB, Family records, entire work history, Tax and Business information. I already have precious little privacy because I'm already IN your database.. so what more do you want? I am a law abiding Canadian citizen.. and I'm furious about this bill.. and I'm insulted by the way you've attempted to characterize me, and all other Canadians who oppose your bill, as criminals, and I call for a formal apology from you personally for your comments!

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As Leader of the Official Opposition in 2005, Stephen Harper himself said: "When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent… is when it's rapidly losing its moral authority to govern."
End Quote

Prime Minister Harper has some explaining to do.. when he labels peaceful and legitimate opposition to his policies as "Extremist" "a threat to Canadians", particularly when his quote above is considered.

Well Mr. Harper?
You can't have it both ways ya know..

Embedded Link

Security services deem environmental, animal-rights groups 'extremist' threats
Critics accuse the RCMP and CSIS of targeting legitimate dissent as the Harper government moves ahead with a new anti-terrorism strategy

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s.. like who's going to PAY for this piece of crap legislation?

Vic Toews might be feeling some heat now that providers have added their voices raising concerns over the Government's newly proposed online surveillance bill.

The petition signed by nearly 100,000 Canadians and a poll indicating that 83% of Canadians are opposed to these sweeping measures allowing police to access any information without a warrant is another CLEAR sign to the Tory's in Ottawa that we are not happy!

I'll be speaking to my Member of Parliament.. Mike Lake, and I hope you all will add your voices in opposition to this and bill C-11

Embedded Link

Cost of surveillance bill concerns providers, say customers may pay more
OTTAWA – The government's online surveillance bill — already hitting snags over privacy — is raising… – Canada – Winnipeg Free Press.

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not only for solving the Global Warming crisis.. but also as a means to wean ourselves from fossil fuels.. providing us with sustainable energy.. recovering unproductive areas.. building economic growth in impoverished areas.. in fact.. I can only see one downside to this new technology.
Oil Companies are going to fight this tooth and nail because it could wipe them out!

Reshared post from +Vincent Palmer

Solve For X: Avoiding Global Warming

The fact is that plants have a carbon-negative phase – a time during which they remove carbon from the atmosphere. But they give it back in another phase, unfortunately. What if there was a way to take plant waste (like corn husks) and turn it into bio fuels? What if this also removed carbon from our atmosphere? What if the same process also produced a substance that would help turn deserts back into productive crop land? What if this process could be done on an industrial scale but also could be made self-contained in a small village so that farmers all over the world could get the economic benefits of producing bio fuels with their agricultural waste and simultaneously help clean our atmosphere? Too good to be true?

Mike Cheiky is the President and Founder of CoolPlanet Energy Systems, which is developing carbon negative fuels.

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What bothers me the most about Vic Toews are his characterizations of opponents as being "child porn supporters".
It couldn't be that we as Canadians have great concerns about a bill that proposes to allow the police to invade our privacy without the need for a warrant.
No..Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has to defend this bill by attacking my right as a Canadian to disagree.. and his only defense is to call me a supporter of child porn!
Weak.. Mr. Toews. VERY weak. In fact pitiful!
Warrants are a protective measure to ensure there is enough evidence of wrongdoing to allow police to access anyone's personal and PRIVATE information.
I am a law abiding citizen.. and I support any reasonable means to improve law enforcement's ability to catch criminals, but NOT at the expense of all Canadians basic human rights.
This puts the "bar" (burden of proof) so low as to ensure that there will be abuses by those whose job it should be to protect Canadians.
Innocent people WILL have their rights trampled on. By inference or association with any suspects of a crime.. innocent people WILL be examined, and their rights to due process will be removed with this bill.
If you are Canadian.. I strongly urge you to sign the petitions, email your MP's, phone their offices.. and in every way let Stephen Harper's government know that we as Canadians DO NO support this invasion of our privacy.
There has to be another way to catch the crooks than by treating all Canadians as crooks and removing our right to privacy and due process.

Embedded Link

Online privacy erosion dismays critics – Canada – CBC News
Government and law enforcement access to people's electronic communications is the norm in dictatorships around the world, but the same intrusion appears to be creeping into North America, say opponen…

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This is amazing!

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then you're probably under the age of 40!

Reshared post from +Ahmed Zeeshan

#celebrities #photos

Rare photos of the old and the dead

I stumbled across this huge rare collection of pictures. It's almost surreal going through them and realizing that most of these very famous people are not among us anymore

Also, Clint Eastwood looks so bad-ass! My favorite picture is the one of Chaplin and Einstein. Which one is yours?

via reddit at: imgur.com/a/QyU0e

In album Rare photos of the old and the dead (33 photos)

Paul Newman and Clint Eastwood

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