From Doctoral candidate in Acadian Education History, Brad Sweet.I am likely the most ardent supporter of CI in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia (nō`və skō`shə) [Lat.,=new Scotland], province (2001 pop. 908,007), 21,425 sq mi (55,491 sq km), E Canada. Geography . And while I enjoy your magazine which I read cover to cover, I was struck by the irony of your News in Brief piece entitled "Gagging gagging, n an involuntary retching reflex that may be stimulated by something touching the posterior palate or throat region. gagging the swallowing-vomiting activity of the gag reflex. Democracy" with a picture of Stephen Harper. What was so ironic was that the caption indicated that Mr. Harper has pledged to scrap the gag law gag law n. 1. A law intended to limit freedom of the press, as by instituting censorship or restricting access to information. 2. See gag rule. Noun 1. mentioned in the short article, when he imposed his own gag order A court order to gag or bind an unruly defendant or remove her or him from the courtroom in order to prevent further interruptions in a trial. In a trial with a great deal of notoriety, a court order directed to attorneys and witnesses not to discuss the case with the media—such on members of his own party three days before the end of the Federal election on 28 June 2004! Though the Liberals and New Democrats In Canada, "New Democrat" means a member of the New Democratic Party. In U.S. politics, the New Democrats are an organized faction within the Democratic Party that emerged in the 1980s and came to prominence after the 1988 presidential election. would not necessarily support Catholic teaching, neither would the Conservatives. It is only in one or two areas where they might. I would put very little faith in the actions of ANY politician. While you may not support "Judicial Activism Noun 1. judicial activism - an interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court) broad interpretation ," there may come a day when as Catholics we would appreciate the intervention by the courts against the State. I just have to read your News in Brief to see what could happen to us as easily as any other country around the world you report on. Could I point out that under the "progressive" United Kingdom parliament over the centuries since Henry VIII, Catholics were denied their rights unless they apostatised! ... that in Nova Scotia from 1758 the same applied to Catholics until 1830, and even then there were few rights granted. Joseph Howe turned on the Catholics in the 1850s and 1860s. The Acadians were finally granted language rights in schools in 1992 under the Charter of Rights ... but the members of the Nova Scotia legislature refused to implement these rights for a further 10 years and even then did not comply with the laws passed by parliament. Instead the parents of the children had to take the issue to the courts (they won). After that the government of this province still refused to act. So Judge LeBlanc was asked to rule and in fact expected a result from the government. If it were not for judicial intervention in Nova Scotia, the Acadians would not have schools that would prevent outright assimilation, which was the intent of the government here from 1864 onwards. A judicious ju·di·cious adj. Having or exhibiting sound judgment; prudent. [From French judicieux, from Latin i amount of judicial intervention is welcomed in this province where politicians and members of parliament can not be trusted to make decisions for their people. Halifax, NS |
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