statism watch

Oh, it’s perfectly normal to vet someone’s political beliefs before deciding if you want them in your jury pool or not. Nothing to see here, move along.

Flashback: Secret juror screening spreads to Windsor | Prosecutors, police caught checking potential juror’s backgrounds

Peter Small, Toronto Star
October 3, 2009

Police and Crown attorneys have not broken any privacy laws by doing secret background checks on potential jurors, a senior prosecutor says.

It’s legal for “a law enforcement entity, the police,” to disclose a citizen’s personal information “to another law enforcement entity, the Crown” to help administer justice and prevent crime, argues John Sotirakos, the director of Crown operations for the central east region.

A ban on publishing his arguments ended Friday, just as Information and Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian is to release her report Monday on whether the vetting breached jurors’ privacy rights.

Her office is promising sweeping recommendations.

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Paper ballots are a good sign that this outcome is legitimate. Well, that’s what happens when you squeeze people through the economy. “No yes vote? No bailout!” It drove Iceland into the EU’s arms as well. That leaves Poland, the Czech Republic, and Britain as the only other possibilities to halt the creation of a European superstate as the pretext of economic partnership fades into history. Ireland, having just given up its right to future referenda, is now essentially a province of the EU. We can only hope now that the people of Eire won’t come to regret this decision.

History: Irish go to polls to decide fate of Lisbon treaty | Blair to be named EU President ‘within weeks’ if Irish ratify Lisbon Treaty | Advance polls open in Irish vote on Lisbon EU constitution | New Czech move to block ratification of EU constitution | Icelandic parliament rolls over, votes for EU membership | Ireland to hold second referendum on Lisbon Treaty | EU leaders reassure Irish in latest attempt to revive Lisbon treaty | Secret report details Nazi plan to create a European Union | Leaked 1955 Bilderberg Docs Outline Plan For Single European Currency | Bilderberg chairman: ‘Bilderberg helped create the Euro’ | Iceland to be fast-tracked into the EU | Irish to vote on EU treaty again as experts warn Britain could be signed up within a year | You’re not doing it right: New Irish vote on EU integration ‘legal’ | Harper, Sarkozy vow to work toward Canada-EU deal | Irish ‘need new EU treaty vote’ | Lisbon treaty: Pressure on Ireland for second vote | EU tries to isolate Irish after treaty rejection | EU grapples with Irish ‘No’ vote, members consider ratification options | Defiant Ireland set to quash Europe-wide constitutional moves | Ireland Set To Vote On EU Dictatorship | Irish PM Accuses EU Constitution No Vote Coalition of ‘Sheer Inaccuracy and Absurdity’ | Ireland Only Country to Hold Referendum on Contentious EU Constitution | European Parliament Members Revolt Over Treaty of Lisbon

Henry McDonald, The Guardian
October 3, 2009

In a dramatic political U-turn, Ireland has voted decisively in favour of the Lisbon treaty just 16 months after it first rejected the European Union reform plan.

With counting continuing this evening it was expected that 64% of those who voted in Friday’s referendum would have backed the treaty.

The outcome was lauded by the Irish taoiseach, Brian Cowen, who said it pointed the way towards rapid improvement in the European Union’s effectiveness and Ireland’s economic recovery.

“Today the Irish people have spoken with a clear and resounding voice. It’s a good day for Ireland and a good day for Europe,” Cowen declared.

He said the treaty would deliver “a stronger, fairer and better Europe”.

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