Revising Natural History
If you go the Museum of Earth History in Eureka Springs - Arkansas, you will walk through exhibits depicting Eden and learn that all life on Earth was created about 10,000 years ago. Dinosaurs and humans walked the earth at the same time, but they perished because of hunting and habitat loss.

The museum's "exhibit fact sheet" lists the details of their dinosaur exhibit. They claim that the bones of Edmontosaurus Annectens, found near Edmonton, Alberta have a 'Biblical History Dating' of : 10,000 years BCE (Before Christian Era) and a 'Natural History Dating' of the Cretaceous period (which was 65 million years ago, give or take a few million years).

A recent press release of the museum claims that “There is no place in the U.S. where the Biblical view of Earth history is presented in this manner.”

Implantation
There is no mention of evolution or any commonly accepted scientific facts to balance the "creationistic" views presented. Creationism holds that the Earth is just a few thousand years old and the biblical account of Genesis is fact.

The museum is riding a wave of creationist influence in America. A poll by CBS News in November 2004 revealed that 55% of those that responded believe that 'God created humans in present form' and 37 percent want evolutionism replaced outright in the curriculum at their childrens' school. The poll also reveals that: "support for evolution is more heavily concentrated among those with more education and among those who attend religious services rarely or not at all."

U.S. President George Bush has also spoken on the subject: 'The jury is still out on evolution.' It seems that it will only be a matter of time before some court decides that creationism and evolution should be taught at schools with equal parity.

Evolution
Why do so many many oppose teaching evolution ? It includes the explanation of humanity's origins and therefore some people view the acceptance of evolution as a rejection of the Biblical teachings of a special creation of humans.

Evolution is a change in the traits of living organisms over generations, including the emergence of new species. Theories of evolution have themselves evolved, driven by the sharing of facts and thoughts. The idea of evolution has existed since ancient times (concepts appeared in some early Greek writings) but the modern theory wasn't established until the 18th and 19th centuries, when scientists began to question whether the literal interpretation of our creation in the Bible could be reconciled with reality.

Darwinism
Darwin presented his theories of natural selection involving survival of the fittest because of variations in their physical abilities that were passed onto siblings. In his publication of "Origin of Species", he was able to convince biologists through many examples - but people also rejected Darwin's theory that humans and great apes shared the same ancestor.

Mutation and DNA
Darwin did not know the source of variations, but observed that it seemed to be by chance. Mutation in genes is now accepted by most biologists as a fundamental concept in evolutionary theory, as opposed to the slight, cumulative changes theorized by Darwin.

So, the science of genetics (originating at the beginning of the 20th century) and recent revelations in our lifetime of how heredity works via DNA has more exactly explained the mechanisms of the theory of evolution.

Roman Catholic Theology
In an October 22, 1996, address to the Pontifical Academy of Science, Pope John Paul II updated the Roman Catholic Church's position on evolution (my emphasis added) :

"In his encyclical Humani Generis, my predecessor Pius XII has already affirmed that there is no conflict between evolution and the doctrine of the faith regarding man and his vocation… Today, more than a half-century after the appearance of that encyclical, some new findings lead us toward the recognition of evolution as more than an hypothesis. In fact it is remarkable that this theory has had progressively greater influence on the spirit of researchers, following a series of discoveries in different scholarly disciplines."

Free Thought
Why does the museum in Arkansas claim the earth is less than 10,000 years old and that dinosaurs and humans lived together ? Evolution theory rests on the fact that a large amount of time is required so changes could take place so slowly that it could not be observed among living creatures. I guess the easiest way to discount the theory is to consistently state that the millions of years in our Earth's timeline did not occur.

A museum is definded as a building, place, or institution devoted to the acquisition, conservation, study, exhibition, and educational interpretation of objects having scientific, historical, or artistic value. I don't see how the exhibits built to support Creationism in Arkansas fits into that definition. But the museum is unlikely to be seen as a major threat to mainstream science, as it's in the heart of an area where 'Christian attractions' are a mainstay of the local economy.

Religion, science and free thought ?
I guess you could say I don't see religion and free thought co-existing in my life, especially when you consider the choice I made when I turned 13. When asked by my parents, I decided that I no longer needed/wanted to attent weekly catechism meetings, the daily preachings at a Catholic School and Sunday morning convocation. But I do believe that the Bible should be read and left up to our own interpretations. I also enjoy reading about (and discussing) science, new technology and seeking out How Stuff Works.

If we only listen to one person's opinion or one side of the discussion, we'll never get any farther in our own 'evolution' will we ?
- posted by Steve @ 3:00 PM 5 comments

 
The Queen's Visit
Queen Elizabeth II is visiting Edmonton this week. While I care not about it, other than how the heck am I going to get to my parking lot downtown tomorrow, the spin I read today was 'interesting.'

The Telegraph's quotes about Ralph Klein show just how crass he can be sometimes (but we love him anyway). The Edmonton Journal's article shows that we tried to put a brave face on a $1M expenditure for an event scheduled during a typical unpredictable spring season in northern Alberta (but it's still better than 35C and 90% humidity).

Queen dons waterproofs for soggy birthday party Telegraph News - UK

It rained, again. The birthday girl was late, the cake soggy, the celebrations curtailed and the guests left in droves before the end.

Poor Alberta. No place could have tried harder for the Queen. But the elements reduced the province's extravaganza, a year in the planning, to a washout.

Before the Queen could retire, Edmonton had one more treat in store. At a banquet, where she was served bison tenderloin, Mr Klein announced that Highway Two, the 420-mile Edmonton to Calgary corridor, would be renamed "The Queen Elizabeth Highway".

Not only, he boasted, would it be the only highway in Canada named for Her Majesty, but it would be Canada's "longest highway named after a member of the Royal Family".

"This just goes to show that we don't do things by half measure in Alberta!" Mr Klein crowed.

Museum gets royal treatment Edmonton Journal

Heavy rain and gusty winds forced organizers to cut short a gala celebration at Commonwealth Stadium on Monday. Some dance performances had to be cancelled because the stage was wet and unsafe.

The royal couple was to head to Calgary on Wednesday on the final day of the nine-day visit to Saskatchewan and Alberta to help both provinces celebrate their centennials.

When Her Majesty leaves Edmonton, she will travel down the newly named Queen Elizabeth II Highway.

The 260-kilometre stretch between Calgary and Edmonton was renamed by Klein on Monday in her honour.

- posted by Steve @ 8:24 PM 0 comments

 
Dear Peter

Dear Peter,

I'm sorry you had to receive the news this way. I can no longer hang out with you and your friends. It's not you - it's me. I'm at a cross roads and I must in good conscience move on for the good of Canada and my career.

Please let Steven and those that voted for me know that I am now working for Paul across the floor. He says he is counting¹ on me this week and that I can fill a position that requires me to provide large grants² to the ridings that we feel need the help.

Please remind the people that voted for me last year that this year they will have to make their crayon scribble inside the Liberal box.

Yours Sincerely,
Belinda

1
We still don't know whether the budget will pass or not, [but] I've got to tell you, I can count.
Prime Minister Paul Martin, May 17 2005


2
Job grants scandal may cause lasting damage to Liberals

"Finance Minister Paul Martin became a new target for opposition barbs, with suggestions that he is ashamed of his role in what has been called "the $2 billion boondoggle."

CBC News, Feb 25 2000

Is Honourable Jane Stewart lying over the bungled $1-billion jobs programs?

Last week, Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe accused Human Resources Minister Jane Stewart of lying in the House of Commons over the bungled $1 billion programs.

By Mario deSantis, February 15 2000
- posted by Steve @ 8:00 PM 0 comments

 
Free Speech?
CBC News is reporting today that Calgary Police Chief Jack Beaton has reached a settlement with two people who were involved with websites critical of Beaton and his senior managers.

"In documents released Friday, Janette Vahey and Rene Fisher,– who aren't employees of the Calgary Police Service, agreed to pay $5,000 towards Beaton's legal costs, issue an apology and meet with the chief and up to 30 people he chooses to answer questions about the websites."

Their websites (both which have been taken down) said they spoke for officers who had been bullied or harassed, called Beaton a "rotten apple" and his administration "corrupt." Beaton claimed that the comments on the sites were defamatory, "mean-spirited" and "in poor taste."

Last fall, Beaton was quoted in the Calgary Herald as "vowing to take every measure necessary to get those behind the website." So Beaton used a rare civil legal move – an Anton Pillar order, in an effort to determine who was behind the websites. Beaton justified the rare action by claiming that he wanted to defend the police service and ensure the public had trust and confidence in its members.

An Anton Piller order is meant to be an extreme remedy when there are concerns that evidence is about to be destroyed. One blogger claimed that his sources told him the order was granted in late 2004 against a John and Jane Doe. When Vahey was finally served with the order and her computers removed - it meant she was further prohibited from speaking about the case or using her remaining computer to access email or even the internet.

Blogs
The sweeping gag order that prevented anyone from discussing the case was lifted yesterday, but as was the case with the Gomery publication ban, bloggers felt the need to get the word out to the public.

We all agree that blogging isn't true journalism, but it can be a powerful dissemination of information, reminiscent of early Ham Radio operators in communistic countries. Many of these blogs contain personal opinions, but are excellent references to the timeline and other details of the story :

Problems At Calgary Police Service - Angry In the Great White North

Who Says Canada is a Free Country ? - Precinct 333

Calgary Stampeding Free Speech? - Captain's Quarters Blog

Alberta Police Services in Chaos - Prime Time Crime

Life In A Police Province - The Road Kill Diaries


Web Cache

Apparently one of websites was called code200.com, where "code 200" is the call for officer in trouble. Here are links to caches (permanent storage) of the formerly available websites :

Yahoo! cache of code200.com

Archive.org cache of standfirm.biz

"In May of 2003, a police constable made a formal complaint to the CPS Internal Affairs Unit, the office of the Chief, and the Alberta Human Rights Commission regarding several incidents of workplace bullying and harassment that he was subjected to between August 2001 and November 2002. This harassment included allegations of racism, verbal threats, the pointing of a loaded firearm at the complainant (and others), as well as various forms of administrative harassment and intimidation committed by supervisors, other police officers and members of management within his assigned district. The behaviors exhibited were of such severity that the complainant was forced to go on medical leave."

Free Speech

So, is free speech dead in Canada ? Are we no longer allowed to be critical of police for fear of retribution, removal of our all computers or victims of overzealous police stakeouts ?

There are avenues to complain about our police forces - mainly the Alberta Solicitor General. His department has been very busy in the last year with the photo radar review in Devon, Edmonton Police harassment of their commissioners and now the Calgary Police complaints.

I suggest sending a note to your MLA that police abuse of power is becoming a subject they need to reviewing with the Solicitor General and the Legislature.

Elected Members of the Assembly's website

Alberta Solicitor General's Law Enforcement review board
- posted by Steve @ 3:41 PM 0 comments

 
Postcard Secrets
The guy who never washes his hands before leaving the bathroom has confessed.

You may have heard about Postcard Secrets. Review it now before it goes mainstream or Oprah hears about it...
- posted by Steve @ 8:07 PM 0 comments

 
Gomery Publication Ban - We all want to know
About a dozen years ago, while I was in the U.S., there was a very big sensational trial for Carla Homulka and her husband Paul Bernardo. Carla was charged with two counts of manslaughter relating to the deaths of two teenage girls. Paul was subsequently charged with murder. The case had received substantial media attention and the Crown was concerned about the impact the publication of evidence from Carla's trial might have on the jury for Paul's subsequent murder trial.

My company of course had internet access, for emailing the Calgary and Houston offices. But we also had the wonderful new Netscape Navigator^(c) webbrowser. I soon discovered that myself and other 'websurfers' were reading news that the publication ban wouldn't allow in Canada. A few emails proved that my coworkers and friends that were online were also reading the news in Canada.

Anyway, it appears that the Gomery inquiry is still is living in 1993 and their publication ban has all but fallen apart, given the amount of exposure that an American blogger has gotten. Using his anonymous contact in the Montreal courtroom, he has posted information that we Canadians are not supposed to know (yet).

Captain's Quarters blog

On CTV News last night, their reporters were clearly enjoying the opportunity to undermine the ban, ever so casually dropping the name of the site where Canadians can find the latest scoop on the "explosive, damaging" testimony. While I got the link sent to me in email, it wouldn't take long to find it using google, given the headline, the blog name and a few keywords...

It will be interesting to see if any American media outlets create any special news updates. During the Bernardo trial, I remember gasping when the U.S. stations fed to Canada were blanked out with a statement about the ban on a blue screen (background).

Last but not least, I read today that the Montreal newspaper 'La Presse' is hoping its readers won’t notice the glaring Gomery omission on its part. Nowhere does their paper mention anything about the roadshow developments. Well, there is one explanation: Power Corp, which owns La Presse, is run by the Desmarais family and André Desmarais is married to France Chrétien. Yes, that would be Jean Chrétien’s daughter!

Enjoy.
- posted by Steve @ 9:44 PM 0 comments