Throw the Book at him! No - I mean literally.

"... it's simply wrong to always order [kids] to stop that fighting. There are times when one child is simply defending his rights and damned well should be fighting."

Erma Louise Bombeck


The wrongfully convicted. It's an horrible travesty for any person who must experience prosecution by the State for a crime they did not commit. Thus far, we have seen remarkable examples of cases where such injustice has occurred causing the Federal Government to amend the Criminal Code of Canada by enacting special sections that provide for an application to be made to the Federal Minister of Justice/Attorney General to remedy a possible wrongful conviction.

Some of the more infamous cases that stand out in recent memory are James Driskell, who was found guilty of the 1990 murder of Perry Harder. Paroled in 2003, Driskell was acquitted after DNA samples were shown not belonging to the victim that were allegedly matched to hair samples in his vehicle. David Milgaard was sentenced in 1970 to life imprisonment for the 1969 murder of Saskatoon nursing aide Gail Miller. After 23 years in prison, The Supreme Court of Canada set aside his conviction in 1992. Donald Marshall was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Sandy Seale. After spending 11 years in prison the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal acquitted him in 1983.

A wrongful conviction does not always mean the accused is innocent of the crime. It can simply mean the accused did not receive a fair trial due to an improper characterization of evidence, unreliable testimony, problems with Crown disclosure, police misconduct or wrongful identity. Take the Steven Truscott case for example.

Prior to Canada's abolition of death row, Truscott was sentenced to death at the age of 14 for allegedly murdering a classmate. In 1969 he was granted parole. On August 28, 2007 after overturning his conviction and ultimately entering an acquittal, the Ontario Court of Appeal declared his case "a miscarriage of justice." However, the High Court Justices stated emphatically that the court was "not satisfied that the appellant has been able to demonstrate his factual innocence."

It's an interesting Justice system we have. Some people think it's horrible and failing society while others see it as a fundamental tool to democracy. I am a firm believer in the latter. Without law, there is no order and without order there is no justifiable democratic society.

The Thick Skinned Politician

In political life you're expected to have thick skin. So the saying goes: if you dish it out you better be able to take it! Fair ball.

I sincerely believe that most people put their names forward for public office with the best interests of their Community, Province or Country in mind. Unfortunately, some fall into the grasp of personal greed, profit and corruption. The large majority of politicians serve with dignity and do great things for their respective riding's. Some sit on their rear-ends, collect a pay cheque and do nothing. Generally, people tend to give politicians an ear full when tough decisions have to be made. This became clear after last Friday's announcement concerning Education Minister Kelly Lamrock's plan for universal french language training in New Brunswick. Wow! The reaction has been enormous.

Personally, I have had quite a few angry parents calling me at home, on my cell, at my office and emailing. They say things like idiotic, moronic and a few choice words that I won't repeat on this site. What boggles my mind is the manner in which people call and feel they can express themselves. I don't mind a hot debate but it should be informed. I don't mind people expressing themselves but it should be dignified. A good friend of mine was with me this weekend when a lady stopped me in a public store and began yelling at me over this decision and how Government destroyed her child's future. After letting her vent we carried on with our business. My friend says to me - can you imagine if someone came up to me and carried on like that because they didn't like the business decision my company made?

I think his point was that this rarely happens in the private sector and if it does few people call up the CEO and lace them with personal insults and threats of non-renewal (when I say this I am not thinking of the Irvings - that's for you Charles). It's an interesting point when you think about it. Apparently, when you get elected it allows the public, at any time, regardless of who is with you (kids, wife, mother) it doesn't matter, to berate you over their beliefs or opinions while you sit there with a smile on your face.

Hmm. Strange job. I wonder how often it happens in the private sector? How many people would simply smile and listen while someone feels it's time to give them hell in front of their family for whatever reason. Most people are decent enough not to act in this manner but there are quite a few that aren't. Anyhow, I enjoy it.

Another saying should be added to the thick skinned politician repetoire, one that Stuart Jamieson told me years ago - you wanted the job, your ran for the job, you got the job, now do the damn job!

Thanks -

T.J.

If you don't believe Lamrock - Just ask the Opposition

Since being elected in 2003, I have heard some strange arguments during debate inside the Legislature about policy and decisions governments make but yesterday's exchange between Kelly Lamrock, Minister of Education and Mike Olscamp, the MLA for Tantramar just about summed it up for me on the effectiveness of the French Second Language Program in New Brunswick.


HANSARD DAILY / FASCICULE
March 14, 2008 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 14 mars 2008


Mr. Olscamp: Yesterday, the Minister of Education mentioned many times that the early immersion program was responsible for streaming. I do not disagree that streaming contributed to difficult situations in the core program. As a teacher in the core program, I received some of the toughest kids who ever went through Tantramar High, I can assure you. I think that, because I believed in them, I was able to deliver a half-decent program. I never expected the core kids to achieve at the same level as the immersion kids. I can assure the Minister of Education and anyone who is listening that the early immersion students I taught in Grades 10, 11, and 12 could sit and converse with me on almost any subject, for almost any given period of time.

Mr. Minister of Education, my question to you is this: Is this business of streaming a precursor to an eventual homogeneous high school curriculum, a one-size-fits-all program for subjects like math, physics, social sciences, and history?

Mr. Speaker: Time.

Hon. Mr. Lamrock: I think perhaps the statement that worries me is when the member for
Tantramar says that he did not expect the core students to perform like the immersion students. That is the problem. We have had streaming for so long that we have come to believe that one system is the place where you go to fail. If there was ever an eloquent testimony to why the previous government was wrong to ignore this problem, you have just heard it. You have heard somebody say that we do not even expect students in the core program to do as well as those in the immersion program.

This team differs. We expect all kids to succeed in New Brunswick, because this team will never accept the discrimination of low expectations. If we have been streaming kids into one program for so long that we have stopped believing any of them can perform, maybe that is why we have been left last in literacy, last in math, last in science. We left too many kids waiting for help.

Mr. Olscamp: I never indicated for one minute that those children could not achieve. With your inexperience in the classroom, you lead people to believe, or at least to get the impression, that all kids can achieve at the same level. That is not the case. The core program, when well presented, allows those children with difficulties to reach a level that is their level.

Young children, or people, just like water, seek their own level. The last thing . . . I challenge
anyone in this House to stand up and tell me that they are bilingual. We are the decision makers in this House. My experience, from listening, is that there are very few “bilingual” people in this House, but everyone can communicate in both languages. I understand them.


What are your thoughts?

Au revoir to Early Immersion says Lamrock

I don't think emotional is the best way to describe the debate over enhancing our education system. Parents are passionate about their children's education. I know I am and so is my wife -who happens to be a teacher by the way. But something had to be done about the low achievements in French proficiency levels and improving our overall education system.

Admittedly, being a part of this decision was difficult for me. I have a daughter in grade 1 early immersion and one in kindergarten that was expected to begin next year. That will not happen now. She will begin learning French in grade 5. I am comfortable with this decision made by our government and as a parent I am satisfied that her opportunities to achieve bilingualism will not be tarnished in 4 years. Neither my wife or I speak French but we both feel that if our girls are to improve their abilities to obtain employment in our Province then they must learn. After all we are the only officially bilingual province in Canada.

Ask any educator about their thoughts of government's decision and you will get an answer. I have yet to meet a teacher that sits on the fence. They are either favourable or vehemently against the following findings:

The report found approximately 91 per cent of the 1,500 or so students who started early immersion in 1995 had dropped out of the program by the time they reached high school.

The study also found that only 0.68 per cent of the high school students that graduated in 2006 after completing the core program had reached the provincial objectives of intermediate oral proficiency.

I should note this problem is only unique to New Brunswick. These results are not the same in any other Province. I will let you draw your own conclusions as to the reasons. I certainly have my own personal view. However, I will say that I will continue to stand behind my colleagues for making tough decisions when they are ostensibly for the right reasons. Sometimes they may not be the most politically popular, but I'd rather campaign on making a decision to provide the best educational opportunities for children in our Province versus doing nothing to improve their chances to succeed!

Thanks,

T.J.

Gaming in the 21st Century

I don't think that it comes to a shock to anyone that Texas Hold 'Em, has become one of the most popular forms of gambling in 2007 and 2008. It wasn't until the poker craze began in 2005 after Chris Moneymaker (yes that's his real name) won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) that Canadian Casinos began offering this variation of five card poker.

Since the 2005 WSOP, tournament prize pools in main events have become the new, and often innovative way, to become North America's quickest and newest millionaire. I say innovative because the world of online gaming offers a chance to win close to 1 million dollars every Sunday for as little as 26 bucks. It's hard to turn the channels on television without seeing a poker game these days. Good for the Industry? Yes. Good for the poker enthusiast? Absolutely. Good for the gambler? Probably not.

I have heard the argument that poker isn't the same as putting money into a VLT since you aren't sitting in front of a video screen for hours and hours putting countless $20 bills inside and hoping to score big. Rather, poker is a social game where you sit around a table with friends, sometimes for hours, and risk as little as $5, $10 or $20 bucks in tournament style play. Is this really comparing apples to oranges or are they both the same?

It's no secret that our government has put out a call for any interested company that meets specific requirement to bid on the ability to build a Casino in New Brunswick. No tax dollars will be spent to assist in its development. The only thing you get from Government is the approval to build and the license to operate. Our province will be one of the last in Canada to allow legalized table games into it's jurisdiction and offer a responsible venue for those who wish to play in a controlled atmosphere.

If a province is going to allow gaming than it should offer a reliable form of entertainment for those who wish to "roll the dice" with their money in hopes of hitting the Jackpot. I am excited for this project knowing that our Government has kept the principles of responsible gaming in mind.

More to come on this topic, but in the meantime I would like to hear your thoughts on this subject. Thanks!

T.J.

"Stand By Your Man" as Spitzer says Goodbye

Is saying sorry to your colleagues and constituents enough after being exposed for purchasing prostitution services during the height of the Democratic nomination? Or is the real apology owed to your wife, children and family for the hurt and embarrassment caused for publicly exposing their personal lives? Say what you will, but New York State Governor, Eliot Spitzer, has undoubtedly found himself intertwined in allegations that suggest he patronized a high-priced prostitution ring. $1,000.00 per hour was the alleged cost of these services which were readily available to some of New York's more ---eh hum--- prominent people.

Spitzer will resign his post on Monday as incoming Lt.-Gov. David Patterson prepares to accept the post. He's an interesting guy, first African-American to hold this office and legally blind. It's unfortunate the circumstances which have led to his nomination to this important office is tainted with Spitzer's actions.

Spitzer, a former Attorney General, has been accused of spending close to $80,000 for "call girl" services and will face large criticism within party ranks as the Obama and Clinton race continues. A staunch supporter of the Clinton campaign team, his ostracizing begins immediately. Hmm. Is it just me or is there a trend here developing among high profile Democrats and extra-marital affairs?

Unfortunately, many people have focused their sympathy on the end of this Time Magazine's 2002 Crusader of the Year award winner's career. I say the sympathy should be oriented toward his wife who has stood by his side since the scandals inception. Standing by your man is never an easy thing when politician's have cheating hearts. If you don't believe me you can always ask Hilary.

Cheers.

T.J.

Trimming the Fat in Health Care

Implementing changes to our medical system is never an easy thing! For many, Health care is the "sacred cow" that should not be tinkered with by Politicians. But, when you make administrative changes that are more effective, transparent and create true accountability to tax payers then recognition must be given for making those efforts.

Today my colleague, Mike Murphy, Minister of Health, announced the reduction of Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) from 8 to 2. By reducing the regional health authorities to 2, our Province should be in a position to improve the clinical needs of its citizens and establish shorter wait times within each region. Regional Health Authority A will be located in Bathurst, while RHA B will be housed in Miramichi.

As Murphy points out, 8 RHAs created unhealthy competition and fierce battles between regions over resources. Furthermore, each RHAs duplicitous model of "eight of everything" was a tremendous burden on the tax payer. Eight human resource departments, eight informational technology groups etc., is not responsible government in the RHA model and by reducing the number to two we should realize savings which currently costs New Brunswickers $250 million per year. Heading toward an over $50 million dollar deficit for the year is hardly an effective approach to directing more of our health budget into patient care, which is exactly what New Brunswicker's want and why Murphy's decision which takes effect immediately is the right move.

More to come. I look forward to hearing from you,

T.J.