Italian Troops guarding a construction area.
As a self confessed News a Holic. Nothing should be surprising to me in this day and age!! here are a couple of stories to share with you
In Afghanistan one story is of a suicide bomber (again) this time killing an Italian Military Engineer as well as Children watching bridge construction this occurred in the relatively safe area of Kabul.
In Saudi Arabia yet another travesty of justice under the ancient outdated Laws of that country. A 19 year old woman who was gang raped by a group of men. HAS BEEN SENTENCED to 200 lashes and six months in jail. She was the victim in this outmoded society where women still today in 2007 do not have rights to anything especially their personal freedom. In the Islamic Calendar the year is 1428 this could be the reason that the majority of Muslim Countries are very backward with regard to human rights.
In another Afghan Story a Canadian Warrant Officer Lori Coady who specialises in civilian-military co-operation has been working with Women's groups to try and find ways to better their lives in a democratic society. Her interview and questions can be viewed on cbc.ca/news
At home the best news from ottawa in my opinion this past week. Is the fact that the proposal made over a year ago by Senator Hugh Segal may become law by the new year. Yes this is the guarantee that reservists serving will be guaranteed their employment upon return. Well done Senator Segal. This story was covered very well by The Guardian. Protect and serve Federal government looks to protect jobs of reservists while they are serving their country,Federal government looks to protect jobs of reservists while they are serving their country, Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn says in speech to the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, Blackburn said Ottawa is still consulting about the fine print of the bill but he expects measures to be before governments legal draftspeople in December and ready to table in the Commons by late January or early February 2008. There are around 30,000 Canadians who serve in the Armed Forces reserves on a part-time basis while pursuing civilian careers or getting an education. Some 2,000 reservists have taken on full-time duties as part of Canadas involvement in Afghanistan. For all of them, the training demands of the Forces require occasional long absences from home. The minimum we have to do is to make sure that when they come home their job is preserved for them, Blackburn said. The minister said he is hopeful that the bill will get support across party lines when it comes up for a parliamentary vote. Once in force, it would apply directly to the working rights of all federal government employees as well as to those people who work in federally-regulated fields such as banking and telecommunications. This fall, Prince Edward Island became one of four provinces to enact legislation that would ensure jobs are kept open for reserve members who have to leave for duty. The Reservists Employment Protection Act . . . It was passed in five minutes, Island Labour Minister Richard Brown said. We had unanimous support from both parties. The legislation being talked about by Blackburn would require employers to allow reservists to return to their civilian jobs once back from service and would include measures protecting the pensions and benefits of both the reservists and their dependents. He said theyd like to include measures that would provide similar protection to post-secondary students in the reserves, assuring them that they would not suffer academic penalty for time away in the Armed Forces. Blackburn said there will be time for the business community to provide input on ways that jobs can be protected without putting too much economic strain on employers. He said there are other countries where such protections are already the law First, they ensure reservists are not penalized in their employment as a result of serving their country, he said. Second, they seek to minimize any burden on employers.
So as I surf through the news net I feel that our troops are indeed doing a great job and that if we persevere things will change for the better for Muslim Women and children. who should not have to live in such undemocratic societies.
Thats all folks. Please remember to wear RED on Fridays and send a Greeting card to the troops who are serving far away from their homes and families this Christmas Season. Don't forget OUR SILENT WARRIORS on the Home Front.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
