Friday, April 28, 2006
The Stupid School
Some Stories Need No Comment
Mary-Ann ringleaders must spend 27 years in jail
Guardian Unlimited
Six men who tortured, raped and murdered the teenager Mary-Ann Leneghan were today jailed for life with minimum tariffs of between 23 years and 27 years.
The gang's ringleader, Adrian Thomas, as well as Michael Johnson, Jamaile Morally and his brother Joshua were told they must serve at least 27 years for abducting and killing the 16-year-old in Reading in May last year.
The other two gang members, Llewellyn Adams and Indrit Krasniqi, were sentenced to at least 23 years before they can seek parole.
The gang, four of whom were convicted offenders serving community punishment orders, took Mary-Ann and her friend to a hotel, where they raped and tortured them, and repeatedly told them they would die.
Passing sentence at Reading crown court, Mr Justice Penry-Davey dismissed the motive for the attacks, which was revenge for an earlier drugs robbery on Thomas.
The judge said the gang, all from south London, had committed "gratuitous torture", acts of "gross sexual abuse" and a brutal execution.
He added: "Drugs breed violence. Those who deal drugs show a readiness to use weapons including guns.
"Your gang of six was armed from the outset with guns, knives and some form of blunt instrument. You were equipped and prepared for serious violence and you set out and kidnapped as bait those two young women."
The prosecution also asked for Krasniqi, originally from Kosovo, to be deported after he is released.
Mary-Ann's family welcomed the high minimum tariffs.
Outside court, flanked by about 30 members of her family and friends, her uncle Charlie Harris described the sentences as "brilliant".
He said: "We just want to try to rebuild our lives. Now we can go over to the grave, the memorial, and see Mary-Ann and say hello to her. I am just glad justice has been done."
Asked about the fact that four of the six men were under probation supervision at the time of the murder, Mr Harris replied: "Like I said earlier on in the case, they should have all been tagged and they should all have been on a curfew - that's it."
Mary-Ann's mother, Sue, left the court a few moments later, making no comment to the media.
Thomas, 20, Krasniqi, 18, Johnson, 19, Adams, 24, Jamaile Morally, 22, and Joshua Morally, 23, abducted Mary-Ann and her friend from a car park in the centre of Reading and took them to a hotel room.
The court heard that Mary-Ann was taken into the hotel bathroom by five men, raped and sexually humiliated. Her friend was made to strip and perform sexual acts. They were forced to smoke crack cocaine and heroin.
The pair was then taken to Prospect Park, where Mary-Ann was stabbed 40 times. Her friend was shot in the head at close range but survived because the bullet did not pierce her skull.
A jury at Reading crown court last month found all six men guilty of Mary-Ann's murder and the attempted killing of her friend, as well as a string of other charges including kidnap and assault. Some were convicted of rape.
Thomas received a further sentence of 13 years and 13 days for the attempted murder of Mary-Ann's friend, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Thomas, Johnson, Jamaile Morally and Krasniqi were all under supervision when they committed the crimes and the case has raised concerns about the state of the probation service.
During the trial, the court heard that Johnson had been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in 2001 for abducting a 13-year-old boy with learning difficulties and subjecting him to an ordeal in which he was hung upside down and beaten.
Guardian Unlimited
Six men who tortured, raped and murdered the teenager Mary-Ann Leneghan were today jailed for life with minimum tariffs of between 23 years and 27 years.
The gang's ringleader, Adrian Thomas, as well as Michael Johnson, Jamaile Morally and his brother Joshua were told they must serve at least 27 years for abducting and killing the 16-year-old in Reading in May last year.
The other two gang members, Llewellyn Adams and Indrit Krasniqi, were sentenced to at least 23 years before they can seek parole.
The gang, four of whom were convicted offenders serving community punishment orders, took Mary-Ann and her friend to a hotel, where they raped and tortured them, and repeatedly told them they would die.
Passing sentence at Reading crown court, Mr Justice Penry-Davey dismissed the motive for the attacks, which was revenge for an earlier drugs robbery on Thomas.
The judge said the gang, all from south London, had committed "gratuitous torture", acts of "gross sexual abuse" and a brutal execution.
He added: "Drugs breed violence. Those who deal drugs show a readiness to use weapons including guns.
"Your gang of six was armed from the outset with guns, knives and some form of blunt instrument. You were equipped and prepared for serious violence and you set out and kidnapped as bait those two young women."
The prosecution also asked for Krasniqi, originally from Kosovo, to be deported after he is released.
Mary-Ann's family welcomed the high minimum tariffs.
Outside court, flanked by about 30 members of her family and friends, her uncle Charlie Harris described the sentences as "brilliant".
He said: "We just want to try to rebuild our lives. Now we can go over to the grave, the memorial, and see Mary-Ann and say hello to her. I am just glad justice has been done."
Asked about the fact that four of the six men were under probation supervision at the time of the murder, Mr Harris replied: "Like I said earlier on in the case, they should have all been tagged and they should all have been on a curfew - that's it."
Mary-Ann's mother, Sue, left the court a few moments later, making no comment to the media.
Thomas, 20, Krasniqi, 18, Johnson, 19, Adams, 24, Jamaile Morally, 22, and Joshua Morally, 23, abducted Mary-Ann and her friend from a car park in the centre of Reading and took them to a hotel room.
The court heard that Mary-Ann was taken into the hotel bathroom by five men, raped and sexually humiliated. Her friend was made to strip and perform sexual acts. They were forced to smoke crack cocaine and heroin.
The pair was then taken to Prospect Park, where Mary-Ann was stabbed 40 times. Her friend was shot in the head at close range but survived because the bullet did not pierce her skull.
A jury at Reading crown court last month found all six men guilty of Mary-Ann's murder and the attempted killing of her friend, as well as a string of other charges including kidnap and assault. Some were convicted of rape.
Thomas received a further sentence of 13 years and 13 days for the attempted murder of Mary-Ann's friend, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
Thomas, Johnson, Jamaile Morally and Krasniqi were all under supervision when they committed the crimes and the case has raised concerns about the state of the probation service.
During the trial, the court heard that Johnson had been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in 2001 for abducting a 13-year-old boy with learning difficulties and subjecting him to an ordeal in which he was hung upside down and beaten.
That's Our Stevie
Harper Takes It Up the Ass from Yanks, Says "Please Sir, May I Have Another?"
Softwood deal a triumph for Harper, former U.S. envoy says
Last Updated Fri, 28 Apr 2006 09:37:18 EDT
CBC News
Canada's softwood lumber agreement with the United States is "far from perfect," but it is a political achievement for the Harper government, a former envoy to Washington said Friday.
'It's far from perfect but it reflects the world' - former U.S. ambassador Allan Gotlieb
"The critics have to ask themselves, 'What is the alternative?'" Allan Gotlieb, who served as Canada's ambassador to the U.S. between 1981 and 1989, told CBC.ca.
Gotlieb noted the deal, which was announced Thursday by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, ends a 25-year court battle.
"It's far from perfect but it reflects the world," he said.
Initial mixed reviews
Harper made the announcement of a revised agreement after an initial deal drew mixed industry reviews on both sides of the border, and criticism from the Ontario government.
Harper said the deal provides Canadian producers unrestricted access to American markets under current conditions, meaning there is no overall cap on the Canadian share of the U.S. market.
With current prices, this means no quotas or tariffs, Harper added.
But, if the price drops, certain export restrictions will kick in. Producers would have to pay an export tax of five per cent if there's a small drop in price. If it falls more, they would have to pay as much as 15 per cent.
Opposition slams deal
However, NDP Leader Jack Layton also criticized the U.S. for keeping $1 billion in duties.
Opposition Leader Bill Graham blasted the agreement, calling it a great deal for the Americans but a "disaster for Canada."
Gotlieb disagreed, however.
"The vast majority of trade with the United States is free and unencumbered," he said, adding that the deal puts an end to a "major irritant" and creates a fixed set of rules.
"This frees us up to go back to the table to deepen NAFTA and amend it to strengthen the dispute resolution mechanism," Gotlieb said.
He also said the deal is a "political triumph" for both Harper and Michael Wilson, Canada's new envoy to the U.S.
"I believe the prime minister's relations with President [George W. Bush] must have been helpful," he said.
Long story short: the Yanks stole $5 billion of our money, and offered to pay back $4 billion - maybe, if they feel like it. Oh yeah, and they'll buy some of our wood, too.
Way to go, Stevie - we'll be kings of the third world yet!
Softwood deal a triumph for Harper, former U.S. envoy says
Last Updated Fri, 28 Apr 2006 09:37:18 EDT
CBC News
Canada's softwood lumber agreement with the United States is "far from perfect," but it is a political achievement for the Harper government, a former envoy to Washington said Friday.
'It's far from perfect but it reflects the world' - former U.S. ambassador Allan Gotlieb
"The critics have to ask themselves, 'What is the alternative?'" Allan Gotlieb, who served as Canada's ambassador to the U.S. between 1981 and 1989, told CBC.ca.
Gotlieb noted the deal, which was announced Thursday by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, ends a 25-year court battle.
"It's far from perfect but it reflects the world," he said.
Initial mixed reviews
Harper made the announcement of a revised agreement after an initial deal drew mixed industry reviews on both sides of the border, and criticism from the Ontario government.
Harper said the deal provides Canadian producers unrestricted access to American markets under current conditions, meaning there is no overall cap on the Canadian share of the U.S. market.
With current prices, this means no quotas or tariffs, Harper added.
But, if the price drops, certain export restrictions will kick in. Producers would have to pay an export tax of five per cent if there's a small drop in price. If it falls more, they would have to pay as much as 15 per cent.
Opposition slams deal
However, NDP Leader Jack Layton also criticized the U.S. for keeping $1 billion in duties.
Opposition Leader Bill Graham blasted the agreement, calling it a great deal for the Americans but a "disaster for Canada."
Gotlieb disagreed, however.
"The vast majority of trade with the United States is free and unencumbered," he said, adding that the deal puts an end to a "major irritant" and creates a fixed set of rules.
"This frees us up to go back to the table to deepen NAFTA and amend it to strengthen the dispute resolution mechanism," Gotlieb said.
He also said the deal is a "political triumph" for both Harper and Michael Wilson, Canada's new envoy to the U.S.
"I believe the prime minister's relations with President [George W. Bush] must have been helpful," he said.
Long story short: the Yanks stole $5 billion of our money, and offered to pay back $4 billion - maybe, if they feel like it. Oh yeah, and they'll buy some of our wood, too.
Way to go, Stevie - we'll be kings of the third world yet!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
RefWrite - holding onto truth
Monday, April 24, 2006
Hey, But Thanks for Dying, Anyway
4 Canadian Soldiers Dead in Afghanistan - Cons Can't Be Arsed To Notice
Corporal Matthew Dinning, Bombardier Myles Mansell and Lieutenant William Turner all died at the scene of the attack, a dried up riverbed.
The fourth soldier – Cpl. Randy Payne – died of his wounds in hospital.
On Monday, the Canadian flag outside the coalition headquarters flew at half-mast. In Ottawa, however, the flag above the Peace Tower on the Parliament Buildings was not lowered.
The Conservatives have said the government will no longer lower the flag each time a Canadian soldier is killed.
The practice had been established by the previous Liberal government. Instead, the Conservatives have said they will return to the previous tradition of lowering the Peace Tower flag only once a year, on Remembrance Day.
“The previous Liberal government broke with this long-standing tradition that confidently brought Canada through its wartime history and instead decided on an ad-hoc basis to lowering the flag of the Peace Tower,” Mr. O'Connor said in a letter to The Globe and Mail.
“As Minister of National Defence, I can tell you that this adhockery unfairly distinguished some of those who died in Afghanistan from those who have died in current and previous operations. Lowering the Peace Tower's flag on Nov. 11 ensures that all of Canada's fallen heroes are justly honoured.” he wrote in the letter.
Canadian flags outside post offices in Edmonton were lowered to half-mast on Monday in honour of the four, one of whom was a part-time reservist worked in the city as a letter carrier. The flag above Toronto City Hall was also lowered. One of the men who died in the weekend attack was from the Toronto area.
Friends and comrades in arms remembered all of them fondly.
In Ottawa, Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham called on the federal government to reconsider the recent change in policy.
“I think there is a concern that it will be perceived by the troops themselves and by Canadians as a lack of respect for the sacrifice they're making,” Mr. Graham told reporters outside the House of Commons on Monday.
“I think this is something the government should rethink.”
Corporal Matthew Dinning, Bombardier Myles Mansell and Lieutenant William Turner all died at the scene of the attack, a dried up riverbed.
The fourth soldier – Cpl. Randy Payne – died of his wounds in hospital.
On Monday, the Canadian flag outside the coalition headquarters flew at half-mast. In Ottawa, however, the flag above the Peace Tower on the Parliament Buildings was not lowered.
The Conservatives have said the government will no longer lower the flag each time a Canadian soldier is killed.
The practice had been established by the previous Liberal government. Instead, the Conservatives have said they will return to the previous tradition of lowering the Peace Tower flag only once a year, on Remembrance Day.
“The previous Liberal government broke with this long-standing tradition that confidently brought Canada through its wartime history and instead decided on an ad-hoc basis to lowering the flag of the Peace Tower,” Mr. O'Connor said in a letter to The Globe and Mail.
“As Minister of National Defence, I can tell you that this adhockery unfairly distinguished some of those who died in Afghanistan from those who have died in current and previous operations. Lowering the Peace Tower's flag on Nov. 11 ensures that all of Canada's fallen heroes are justly honoured.” he wrote in the letter.
Canadian flags outside post offices in Edmonton were lowered to half-mast on Monday in honour of the four, one of whom was a part-time reservist worked in the city as a letter carrier. The flag above Toronto City Hall was also lowered. One of the men who died in the weekend attack was from the Toronto area.
Friends and comrades in arms remembered all of them fondly.
In Ottawa, Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham called on the federal government to reconsider the recent change in policy.
“I think there is a concern that it will be perceived by the troops themselves and by Canadians as a lack of respect for the sacrifice they're making,” Mr. Graham told reporters outside the House of Commons on Monday.
“I think this is something the government should rethink.”
