Will it Work??

A reader of Ms Tordesillas Blogsite based in the Philippines has suggested a Grand Jury System introduced as an integral part of the Philippines Justice System and I believe it is admirable and very interesting subject but the Big Question is: Will it Work? Or put it Bluntly, will our Political Masters let it Work?
http://anticorruption.homestead.com/MotherofGraft.html

My Comments to his Suggestion that I also posted at Ellen’s Blogsite is the following:
http://ellentordesillas.com/

Grand Jury System as summarized by Marlowe Camelo, will work in any First World country, or any developing country where the political condition is somewhat Mature and no intervening personal Interest among its political players is Involved. In The Philippines everything were tried. The special body created to investigate Corruptions and Wrongdoings of Public Officials, the Office of the Ombudsman is Corrupted. The Special Court established to deal with the known and already indictable offense, and specifically the Marcosses Lots has not resolved that single case or maybe even another place where politics and politicians extend their playing ground.

For the Meantime I suggest, until the political climate can get rid of its disease of Corrupting even a Court System, to reform the Justice System as it Stands now. Trial Judges, should be assured of their independence by extending to them the Security of Tenure, Security of remuneration and a no-nonsense enforcement of Ethical Code of Conduct among Practitioners and that Include All Public Prosecutors and even Defence Lawyers. Jury Systems, both the Grand Jury and trial by Jury could later be integrated into the system in stages and gradually either by province to province or region by region.

Right now, there is no Magic Formula that can cure the ailing Justice system. We should start with the Personalities first. Streamline the process, speed up the disposition of cases by not allowing the Antics and Technical manuevering by counsels. And lastly, Remind all the Politicians that in this Part of the World even talking to or writing to the Court Personnel regarding any case in the Process is a NO NO.

Santa Claus is Coming to Toronto...

Santa Claus Parade which signals the start of the Holiday season will be happening today (it is happening now as I'm typing this post), as it does every year for the last 102 years, the Tradition that was started by Timothy Eaton in 1905, the founder of Eaton's Dept. Strores and still being carried today albeit by different sponsors. As most Canadian are aware Timothy Eaton's no longer in business for quite sometime, and since 1977 , the parade is sponsored by n0n-profit organization funded by businesses.

This year's parade will showcase 20 new clowns in addition to the already 120 that will accompany the Children and sponsoring Floats along the 6 kilometers route. It will be participated by 1500 volunteers starting in ages from 8 to 80 years old and be watched by half a million spectators of all ages along the streets of Toronto. It will be broadcast in most US cities in its entirety from now 'til Christmas. Canada Post Employees will be on hand to collect letters for Santa. So children have your letters ready and addressed to:
Santa
North Pole
Ho Ho Ho

And don't you worry if you missed handing your letter today. Drop them at any mail box, anytime time 'til Christmas and the good guys and gals at the Post will deliver them in time. Or just email it to Santa, but the old fella still wants it the old fashion way..ho ho ho..

And the Winners ARE:

The Signs say it all. The dis-advantage of having a house right at the Major intersections and being nice to have everyone post their signs and banners of every size and style and trying to re-arrange them myself to give each a view to motorists that are mostly non-resident of the Ward for the Candidates for councillors, and only one candidate for Mayor of the whole city bother to post a sign (out of 33 candidates, but a contest between Two).

At 10 AM today Polls will open until 9 PM tonight. Ontarians will Elect their town and city mayor and councillors and school board trustees for a term of three (3) years. Candidates are open to all Citizens of legal age, the reason why in every position, there are so many candidates contesting. The Process is simple; simply go to your designated polling place, present your notice of registration plus one photo ID or two IDs if no registration Notice (yes, you still can vote if you had registered before even without today's notice, or even voting for the first time, just bring an ID with your address and your date of birth and citizenship.) and mark your choice. It's Done.

Remember, everyone who's working today will be allowed a three hours window to vote. Just remind your Employers about it if you intend to vote, It's the law.

GET OUT AND VOTE. . .

WE REMEMBER

On the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month . . . We Remember..


In Flanders fields the poppies blows
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Au champ d'honneur, les coquelicots
Sont parsemés de lot en lot
Auprès des croix; et dans l'espace
Les alouettes devenues lasses
Mêlent leurs chants au sifflement
Des obusiers.

Nous sommes morts,
Nous qui songions la veille encor'
À nos parents, à nos amis,
C'est nous qui ici,
Au champ d'honneur.

À vous jeunes désabusés,
À vous de porter l'oriflamme
Et de garder au fond de l'âme
Le goût de vivre en liberté.
Acceptez le défi, sinon
Les coquelicots se fanerontAu champ d'honneur
Au champ d'honneur.

WE SHALL NOT SLEEP. . .

In Flanders Fields-a poem by Lt.-Col. John McCrae-Canadian Medical Corp (1915)
French Translation -Au chanp d'honneur - Jean Pareseau

links: for remembrance music: http://www.legion.ca/asp/docs/Music/RemMus_e.asp
for symbol of remembrance: http://www.legion.ca/asp/docs/rempoppy/allabout_e.asp
for bio of Lt.-Col. John McCrae: http://www.legion.ca/asp/docs/rempoppy/allabout_e.asp#John_McCrae