Private member’s bill that would require future Supreme Court justices to be bilingual divides legal scholars | This article also contains other links to some opinion pieces on the topic. These bring to mind a question: What should the stance of the progressive left and socialist left be on the matter of official languages? Consider the discussion open. Any takers? Please post comments.

“Beatriz Cariño Trujillo, a coordinator of the Mexican Network of People Affected by Mining (REMA) and a member of the Center for Community Support Working Together (CACTUS), and Tyri Antero Jaakkola, a Finnish human rights observer, were killed yesterday when paramilitary group Union of Social Wellbeing of the Triqui Region (UBISORT) ambushed the caravan, which was traveling towards the municipality of San Juan Copala.

The whereabouts of as many as 22 other caravan participants, including local organizers and journalists are unknown.”

“Hamas has accused Egypt of pumping poisonous gas into a cross-border tunnel used to smuggle food, medical supplies and other necessities into the blockaded coastal enclave, killing four Palestinians.”

“Once the oil begins to wash ashore, damage could be sudden and widespread. Aside from concern that tourist beaches as far away as Florida could become fouled, experts warned of the threat to species ranging from alligators to plovers and Louisiana brown pelicans. Also at risk are whales, dolphins and blue fin tuna, which are currently releasing billions of eggs that float close to the ocean surface.”

“While individuals and groups have sued the Fed seeking information in the past, in general, the courts have supported its right to keep the records private. Until last year, no judge had ever ordered that the Fed must disclose information about its loans through the discount window.”

–Check out the new look for the Citizens’ Press and please consider submitting articles. The focus is now broader than New Brunswick, but the bias is still towards informed comment and analysis. Contact the editors(at)citizenspress.org to submit an article.

–Clear indication that it is simply a politically motivated, state-driven action to ban Galloway from entrance (not that we didn’t know this before). The contradictions are thick when the RCMP and the government claim they are bringing Canadian values of free speech to the world (through our imperialist actions in Afghanistan and elsewhere), but we will not extend those precious rights to people that are not “Canadians” within our own boarders.

“Free speech zones” and banning people from the country that don’t agree with you are today’s hallmarks of the Tories’ continued efforts of political intimidation.

–Yep, free speech zones come to Canada. What a load of nonsense. Leftnews will be encouraging all people to protest at all times in all places, except the “free speech zone”. Protesting is not a concert, public event, or some partisan rally. It is a democratic act and a necessary one. This suggesting is a clear sign that the people do not have control over our own state.

Human rights group accuses University of Ottawa of ‘spying’. A Canadian human rights group is accusing the University of Ottawa of “spying” and attempting to stifle free speech after top university administrators considered preventing a well-known Burmese activist from speaking on campus.

Didier Dominique: US military helping to repress organizing of textile worker’s unions in Haiti

–Earth Day’s Peoples’ Agreement.

“Galloway delivered the equivalent of about $38,300, which went toward the purchase of four incubators at a hospital and to establish a new pediatric dialysis service … Lawyers also argued that the aid was delivered through an Israeli border point and approved by Israel.”

It is worth noting that nothing moves in or out of Gaza without Israel’s permission.

More on the ever-growing disaster from the sinking of an offshore oil-rig last week.

“Officials turned to the burning option when the slick of oil, released when a drilling rig caught fire 50 miles offshore and sank last week, drifted to within 23 miles of the ecologically fragile Louisiana coastline on Tuesday. … The leaks in the pipe, which were found on Saturday, are releasing about 42,000 gallons of oil a day into the Gulf of Mexico southeast of Venice, La.”

“Syed Hashmi, 30, a Pakistani-born U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to one count of material support to a foreign terrorist organization. … For almost three years, he has been in solitary confinement with 23-hour-a-day lockdowns, constant video surveillance and almost no visitors.”

See also: After 3 Years in Solitary Fahad Takes a Plea | MR Zine

and: Chris Hedges: One Day We’ll All Be Terrorists | Truthdig

David Harvey gives a lecture based on his latest book Enigma. Harvey explains the contradictions that have created crises in the 20th and 21st centuries. He also speaks about what needs to happen for social revolution to successfully abolish capital.

“For three centuries the capitalist system has shaped western society and conditioned the lives of its people. Capitalism is cyclical and increasingly bankrupt. Boom-and-bust is its model. Laying bare the follies of the international financial system, eminent academic David Harvey looks at the nature of capitalism and why it’s time to call a halt to its unbridled excesses.”

“The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) adds its voice to growing calls for the federal government and the opposition parties to sever parts of Bill C-9 that have nothing to do with implementing the government’s budget. Bill C-9 includes provisions that would deregulate Canada Post, potentially harming rural postal services.

“By putting everything including the kitchen sink in the budget bill, the Conservative government is trying to get what it knows it can’t achieve in a parliamentary democracy − the deregulation of Canada Post,” said Ken Georgetti, president of the CLC.”

During the recently concluded five-month extraordinary congress of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, Kiraz Janicke & Federico Fuentes had the opportunity to discuss President Hugo Chavez’s proposal to form a Fifth Socialist International, with Julio Chavez, a delegate to the PSUV congress and a member of the congress’s international committee, which is charged with drafting a specific plan of action to form a new socialist international.

In Washington-Speak, “Palestinian State” Means “Fried Chicken” | By Noam Chomsky

“The great Howard Zinn’s death has [had] the ominous feeling of bringing too close the end of an era when some western intellectuals had the magnetism of rock stars, and when their ethical and principled stand against the dominant powers of the moment moved millions to see things differently, and to act.”

See also: Against Discouragement: Spelman College Commencement Address, May 2005 | Howard Zinn

“Weeks after the discovery of a secret pension deal for provincial MLAs, NDP leader Roger Duguay condemned another secret slush fund designed for retiring Conservative and Liberal MLAs. The $42,500 payouts have already been made to one Liberal and one Conservative MLA appointed to the Senate – a well paid job-for-life with its own generous pension plan. Five additional MLAs – three Liberals and two Conservatives – have already decided they cannot run for Shawn Graham or David Alward in the September 2010 election and are now eligible for the lump-sum payment. More could follow, but the bill to date is already $297,500.”

“Citizens of Nova Scotia are the big winners in today’s announcement that the province will ban the sale of bottled water in provincial facilities… In Canada, over 70 municipalities, 6 school boards and 6 campuses have committed to phasing out the provision and sale of bottled water.”

-Thanks to the organizing of labour unions, the Canadian Federation of Students and community groups.