E-FLAP #000009 - EXCLUSIVE * Ezra's Huge Huge Cenorship Douchebag Move

You all know Ezra's TheRebel.Media Web domain right?  You know, its the site where he posts all of his stories before the cross posting then over at his The Rebel Community FaceBook page.  This is without fail, first the video rant or post goes up on TheRebel site and then it appears on the FaceBook, I have yet to see an exception,... until now,... but it is an "after the fact" change or dare I say DELETION.

While having a discussion with one of Ezra's minions about allowable comment behavior, I pointed out that Ezra, or one of media monkeys had commented on allowable comment behavior.  Basically the rules were simple.

1. Opposing points of views were welcome
2. No bad language
3. No insulting others

Ya, I know, try not to laugh too much.  Anyhoo, the guy seem skeptical of my claim so I decide I go back and dig up the comment.  I knew the approximate date, it was the thread were my primary FaceBook account was banned, comments deleted and I was censored.  Yet I could not remember exactly which Ezra FaceBook post it was.  So I went digging,... and digging,... and digging.  I could not find the comment or the comment that it was in response to.  It seems that one of Ezra's minions was miffed that comments and threads were going missing, ya act surprised please.  Anyways, here is a screen capture of the current comment thread, I have a feeling it will go poof soon too.

Screen capture from November 22,2015 LINK

So I started looking at Ezra's posts on TheRebel.Media and low and behold I find not one, but TWO Ezra posts that had been removed from his FaceBook Community group (I have to start wondering how many other have been deleted?). You may remember them, they were his video rant post about Trudeau spending ungodly amounts of taxpayer money to "renovate" 24 Sussex. In those facebook posts many of his normal fans and all of his detractors (me included) were calling him out on this complete bullpoop. They were not renovations, they were desperately needed and long over due repairs and the plans were not the Liberals or Trudeau's, but based on recommendations from the 2008 AG Report (linkie provided) and the 150 Million Dollar plans was from NCC (National Capital Commission, a Government Crown Corporation that is non-political). Of course Ezra, who read the media reports that he based his rants on knew all of this (cause he READ THEM) but instead of providing the information he just made stuff up in those two posts/rants.  Well it seems that the cross posts of these two rants have gone POOF, down the memory hole after even his fans start handing him his ass about his overly dishonest, dickish and highly partisan bullpoopy rants.

October 27, 2015 Rant found here
October 29, 2015 Rant found here

Needless to say, it was on one of these facebook cross linked posts were I proved that Ezra was out and out lying by omitting very relevant facts and that he was simply making stuff up and got I banned, comments deleted and censored from his group (well at least my primary facebook account get this treatment, my alt is still allowed to post, silly media monkeys).

Anyways, so these two entire FaceBook posts of Ezra were deleted, all the corresponding comments and discussion flushed down the crapper as well.  Why is that Ezra?  Where is this great Free Speech Warrior who welcomes opposing options and polite and courteous debate.  YES! I was polite, courteous and ignored the constant bad language and insults that were direct at me and I never respond in kind to them.  I was polite to a fault!  I backed up my position with links and documentation.  Well those facebooks post are now gone cause Ezra is too thin skinned to accept any criticism of his BS rants and outright lies.

I could rub the noses of Ezra's minions in this steaming pile of clearly documented lies and censorship, but you know how well Ezra has them believing he is the Second Coming of Christ, but at least the few people who read my Grumpy Hobbit rants will know the truth and will have more documentation and evidence to back it up.

I would dearly love someone in the real media to hold Ezra's feet to the fire about this,... sigh, well Grumpy Hobbit can dream can't he?  Heck, you don't even need to give me any cred for it, take it, run with it, it is all yours if you want it.

Have a Very Happy War on Christmas Everyone

Bah-Humbug

Now that Remembrance Day is over, we can talk about the next Great War to come, The War on Christmas, where brave Christians loose life and limb because their Starbucks Coffee Cup doesn't have a snowflake on it. Where these brave Christian Warriors line up for hours to buy the latest crap that they don't really need. Where our shopping malls have rivers of blood flowing through the aisles because someone said "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"
Enjoy the faux outrage over the non-existent persecution of Christians in North America.
PS, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Photoshopping With A Grumpy Hobbit

For your consideration, another Grumpy Hobbit Original.

So Trudeau is a Pseudo Fascist, Just Like Harper

So Trudeau is a Pseudo Fascist, Just Like Harper

To my Liberal friends sorry, but voting and supporting Bill C51 in any way shape or form is a deal breaker for me.  Welcoming Ex-Police Chief, Bill Blair into the Party and have him for an MLA in Ottawa shows even more bad judgement.  Look I was willing to give Trudeau a chance, I was willing to wait and see what he would deliver,... What he is willing to deliver seems be nothing more than a watered down version of Harper.  Thanks but no thanks.

I voted for the NDP only one other time in my life, and that was done because I could not stand Iggy (Iggy was my MP in my riding at the time), I certainly wasn't going to vote for the CPC clown who could even get his CPC scripted talking points out with out crib notes to read from.  The Green Party Candidate was a place filler who didn't know his arse from a hole in the ground.  So that left the NDP.  I hated voting for him, but he was the only intelligent one of the lot.

This time around I will be looking very hard at the NDP and Green Candidates in my Riding.  I will not even consider voting for the Liberals or CPC, both those parties are dead to me.

Canadians have no constitutionally protected right to seek bail when they appeal a conviction

Canadians have no constitutionally protected right to seek bail when they appeal a conviction

Canadian Government Lawyers are either lying or they are grossly ignorant and incompetent of the Constitution and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  First the incredibly stupid Government Lawyers.  Story is linked

Canadians have no right to seek bail pending appeal, feds argue in Khadr’s case 

 The government also maintains Canadians have no constitutionally protected right to seek bail when they appeal a conviction.

Really?  We have no Constitutionally protected right to seek bail when they appeal a conviction?  Really?  Well, clearly these lawyers should dis-barred then.

Section Fifteen of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

Well it seem very obvious that Canadian Government Lawyers don't know anything about our Rights and Freedoms and Canadian Law.  That's checkmate mofos!!! A Grumpy Hobbit drops the mic and walks off stage...

A Grumpy Hobbit

Holding Police Accountable and Knowing Your Legal Rights

Holding Police Accountable and Knowing Your Legal Rights

So, with all the BS happening down in the USA with Police being out of control and cracking skulls every chance they get, the questions arises "Do we need to be worried about this here in Canada?  What are our rights?  What can we do to protect ourselves against the Police?"

Do We Need to be Worried About This Here in Canada?

The sorry answer is YES!!  Now I like to think and believe that things are not as bad up here in Canada as they are in the USA.  Yet that doesn't mean we are not moving in that direction, cause we are.  This needs to be stopped dead in its tracks and the process change, or we will be looking at the exact same thing in the future.

There is one simple fact that the Media, Police, Politicians and Public refuse to address and understand. THE POLICE SHOULD BE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD OF ACCOUNTABILITY THAN THE PUBLIC.  Seriously, this should be a no brainer.  We give the police power and authority.  We give them the privileged of using force and deadly force to do their jobs.  We give them extensive training and they are very well compensated for the risk of their jobs.  Yes they are very well paid, you think our Canadian Military get paid any where near as well, nope not even close, and the Military has to go in do some of the very worst and most hazardous jobs that you and I would never want to do.  All that being said and done, Police are not even held to same standard as our Military, they are not even held to same standards as the public, they are in fact held to a much lower standard.  This has to stop.  Police can no longer investigate themselves, this has proven to fail time and time again.  Any Use of Force (UoF) needs to investigated and the report made public with all evidence and findings and it needs to be done in short order, not months.  This review process needs to be done by an independent public over site board and not the police. 

What are our rights?

Ok, I am not a Lawyer, so everything written here should be checked and verified.  

Well it depends on what is happening, there are three different levels of Police interaction; 1) Carding 2) Detention and 3) Arrest.  Regardless of which is occurring, you should always remain calm (coldly and stoically calm).  Never challenge the Police Officer, never yell at them, always be polite, regardless of their behavior. 

1) Carding - Carding is basically them taking a survey, you are under no legal grounds to provide them with one scrap of information.  Seriously if you ask a police officer if they are "Carding" you and they answer yes, you are well in your rights to say, politely "I refuse to participate in your survey, but thanks you for asking.  Am I free to go?"  At this point the officer will let you go, or try to continue to engage you, just politely repeat the statement "I refuse to participate in your survey, but thanks you for asking.  Am I free to go?".  If the Police Officer then states that he/she is detaining you, you are hooped.  Police are not required to inform you why they are detaining you, heck they are even legal allowed to lie to about it "We have a report of a suspicious activity in the area" even if there is none. See Carding - is it legal?

2) Police Temporary Detention - Ok, so the Police have detained you, they are not required to justify the Temporary Detention (sorry just get use to that).  At this point you must provide them your Name and Address and proof of ID.  Do so without argument and do so politely.  After that, you are under no obligation to answer any more questions.  Regardless if you have not done anything wrong or not.  I know this sounds dickish, but do not answer Police questions, do not answer where you coming from, where you are going, why you are on the street.  None of it.  Also while under Temporary Police Detention THEY ARE ALLOW TO SEARCH YOU!!! Police are allowed to give you a LIGHT PAT DOWN to make sure you are not carrying any sort of concealed weapon(s), but that is it.  Do not unlock your cell phone for them (more on this later), do not give them any more information but it is also vitally important that you do not offer any resistance, comply and remain very calm.

3) Police Arrest - It is game over, if the Police announce that you are under arrest, it is done and over.  Offer no resistance, offer no objection.  Also OFFER NO MORE INFORMATION other than your Name and Address and ask for a lawyer.  The Police might start trying to bully you at this point, they have the right to preform a full search on you, take all the property on your person, tag and bag it.  But Remember, you are under no obligation to provide them with one ounce of information beyond Name and Address and proof of ID.  At this point you have the right to legal council and I suggest using that right and inform the Office you are demanding that right.  Again, I can not stress this enough, remain calm, co-operate with the officers directions, if he tells you to sit, you sit!  If he tells you stand over there, stand over there!  Beyond that, keep your mouth shut.  If you feel your rights are being violated then, document it in your head for LATER USE, do not argue with the police.  Also you are not required, even while under arrest, to unlock your Cell Phone, iPad, Tablet, Laptop or any other digital device.  This still requires a legal search warrant for the police to do.  There is one exception to that rule and that is if your digital device is already unlocked or does not have a lock, in which case the Police are allowed to do a cursory search of the device, but under very strict limitation, more on this later. 

What can we do to protect ourselves against the Police?

Well the best things you can do is know your rights, remain calm when dealing with police, providing only the information you are required to provide them and keeping your mouth shut.  It also does not hurt to have a live video streaming App on your cell phone.

1) A Word on Cell Phones - ALWAYS have your cell phone, tablet, iPad or any other digital device you own and on your person locked with a PIN Code.  Even while under arrest, you are not required to provide this pin code, not matter what the police tell you.  Remember the Police can legal lie to you can get away with it.  So for the very obvious reasons for keeping your digital devices lock, you know, in case they are last or stolen, you need to keep them locked.

2) Live Video Streaming Apps and Other Apps - The ACLU has just announced they have an App for Live Streaming, but there are a few others out there.  I personally use BambUser the App is free to download and install.  I HIGHLY recommend test the App, getting to know exactly how to use BEFORE you need to use it.  Also, this App is useful for other things, you are an accident, you are having a confrontation with someone else, someone else is having a confrontation in some way.  Recording a crime in progress,... what ever, this App has more than just one use and one of those uses is record police activity.  So get the App or one that is similar, play with the App, understand exactly how it works so you can quickly deploy it and know you are doing it correctly.  I will do a tutorial on BambUser later.

3) How to Record, Report and What to do With Your Video - I hope never have to use BambUser to report police or for anything, but what do you once you have a video?  Well BambUser, if you are using it properly allows you to live stream the data up to their storage site where the police can not delete it.  So even if the police confiscate you cell phone, you still have access to the video.  Once you are free and clear of the police, with your cell phone or not, your best bet is to get access your BambUser account from a computer, download the video and transfer it to YouTube, post it on FaceBook, post it on twitter.  Get it out there.  There are of course even more Apps to help you get your video out there for this there is Cop Block, they even have a Canadian Content side on their site, which is awesome.  Now Cop Block is more a social media sharing site to report things and get the word out, so it is very useful to use to report police abuses and even when the police get it right.  Yes even Cop Block like to point out when the police get it right!  But don't stop there, if you have a legit case of police abuse, try getting the media interested, offer your video to anyone in the media who is willing to listen to you.  Forget about making a few bucks, there is a more important issue at hand. FIXING THE PROBLEM!!

4) More on Cell Phones - Ok, this went all the way up to Canada's Supreme Court no to long ago and here are the related articles and best analysis I could find on the this case. 

Supreme Court Judgments - The actual Ruling in Full!

Here is the kicker, that you need to understand, and this ONLY applies if your cell is unlocked or does not have a locking code on it already

Supreme Court allows warrantless cell phone searches

 “Consequently, four conditions must be met in order for the search of a cell phone or similar device incidental to arrest to comply with s. 8.” These four conditions are as follows:

1. The arrest must be lawful.
2. The search must be “truly incidental” and not the object of the arrest, and this condition must be strictly applied;
3. The nature and extent of the search must be tailored to its purpose (limited to areas where evidence is likely to be found, such as text messages, e-mails, and call logs).
4. Police must record detailed notes about the search, including applications opened and the search duration.

 Further analysis is here, but the important part I want point is this

What rules must police follow to search a cellphone during arrest?

Whether a phone is password-protected or not is not a determining factor, according to the ruling. Though a suspect has the right to remain silent during an arrest and not give their password, police could still take the phone and unlock it, depending on their technological capabilities.
“Obviously if it’s password-protected then the police will be limited in their ability to search it on the spot but that’s more of a practical consideration,” said Mathen.

So even if police say you need to give them your cell phone pass code, you are entirely within your right to tell them to go get stuffed and get a warrant.  I have read other legal opinions that still maintain that a legal warrant is required to unlock a cell phone, but there seems to be conflicting opinions on this one issue.  So always err on the side of caution and your rights and let the lawyers figure it out.

5) Do You Have The Right To Photograph and Videotape Police?

Yes, police have no legal grounds to ask you stop recording or taking pictures, providing you are not interfering with them doing their duties.  COUGH "providing you are not interfering with then doing their duties", this is the kicker, we have all seen how police go out of their way to claim you are interfering with their duties, they make it their cause for you to be seen as interfering.  This is of course BS, easiest solution, ask the police officer where you should stand so you are not interfering and go record from there.  If the Police officer then continues to harass you about interfering, you have it all on tape.  Judges do not look kindly on this and know when Police are acting like dicks.

Next, Police have no right to privacy while preforming their job, NONE!  They have no right to demand you delete photos or video from your phone or camera.  Basically you can tell the Police to cram it, but I would do so politely. More detailed analysis is provided here Photographing and filming police officers in Canada

Other Related Information

Section Ten of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Harpers and CPC Objection to Omar Khar Bail Release Just FAILED!!!

Harpers and CPC Objection to Omar Khadr's Bail Release Just FAILED!!!

The Harper Government and CPC/Government lawyers who oppose Omar Khadr bail release was based on one single objection, that his bail release would jeopardize USA/Canada relations and US/Canadian treaties.  THAT'S IT!  Not that Omar was at risk of fleeing, not that he was at risk of re-offending, not that Omar was going to blow up Canadian Cities.  Their only objection was that if he was released it would risk US/Canadian diplomatic relations.  So what does the USA have to say?

Omar Khadr’s bail release not an issue for U.S., spokesperson says

The U.S. State Department says the release of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr would not harm diplomatic relations between Washington and Ottawa, one of the main arguments federal government lawyers are making to keep the 28-year-old behind bars.

“No,” a department spokesperson told the Toronto Star Friday when asked if his release would have any impact. “The United States has a close and co-operative relationship with the Government of Canada. We maintain continuous discussions on a broad range of issues, including security.”

Well that should end it right?  Nope I would not count on it.  I think the Harper Government doesn't want Omar free, where he can talk freely to the press, because what he might have something to say could be very damning of the actions of the CPC, Liberals, RCMP and CSIS and how they knowingly and willingly violated his rights and freedoms.  Yes people, even prisoners have rights and freedoms and if we do not respect those rights and freedoms even when they extend to most low and unworthy, then do not be surprised when yours are violated and there is no one left to defend them.

That being all said and done, there are some very serious issue surrounding Omar's trial and conviction, lets just put it this way, if the trial had been done in a normal Civilian Criminal Court of Law, huge amounts of the "evidence" that was used against him would have been thrown out.  Several of the charges would have been dismissed out right.  Of course you will not hear about these facts from Ezra Levant, Ezra is nothing more than paid propagandist for the CPC and Oil Industry in Canada and regularly makes shit up or lies by purposely omitting the truth and facts.  Please sue me Ezra! Cause I can back up each of these claims beyond a reasonable doubt (criminal level of proof, not civil level of balance of probability).  Ezra Levant is the modern day Joseph Goebbels of the RWNJ, Joseph Goebbels was the Fascist Propaganda Minister for Nazi Germany, Ezra is the Pseudo Fascist Propaganda Spokesman for the Harper Government and Free Market Big Energy/Oil Industry Oligarchy here in Canada.  The comparison is valid and fair.  Godwin's Law does not apply.  Ezra has made several videos about Omar "These are the Facts,..." Series, which are amazing devoid of facts, oh Ezra will pontificate about the facts he wants out there, but he never ever talks about all the facts. Also let us not forget Ezra has been sued more than any Reporter/Lawyer for defamation than I think anyone in Canada, well it certain seems that way.  He has been pulled in front of the Canadian Bar several time (I think there is one case right now), Ezra has been caught making crap up so often that it is safe to say that anything he states in public needs to fact checked first, and until then, it should not be given any weight until it is verified by independent sources.

At this point, if the Harper Government continues to object to Omar's bail release it is now firmly in the realm of Malicious Prosecution and those are grounds for a civil law suit people.  I say Omar should sue, he should sue Harper, the CPC, their Lawyers and Ezra.  He should seek maximum damages and not give an quarter. Now I have no idea if Omar and his lawyers would do this or not, but don't be surprised if they do, they definitely have the grounds now.

A Grumpy Hobbit

 

EPIC OLD MAN RANTS #3 Rob Ford - Blame Other People For His Own Problems

EPIC OLD MAN RANTS #3 Rob Ford - Blame Other People For His Own Problems

So Rob and Doug Ford don't like Fiona Crean's report on the failings of City Hall Security while Rob was Mayor.  Ya, I know, but try to act surprised,..

Doug Ford, who simply just will not go away, said the Crean's report was just another example of her going after Rob, a person vendetta as it were.  So I guess her job is to ignore 15 complaints that came to her department (those are 15 complaints from the public btw) and do nothing? Seriously that is what Doug is implying that Crean should have done?  Yup, in order to her do her job well and please Doug and Rob Ford, Crean has to NOT do her job.

Rob is equally stupid today and suggested that Crean's report was based on "Personal Opinion" and was not based on facts.  Of course Rob does not point to specific example of her personal opinion or where she does not use facts.  Cause you know, it is not like his job to actually support his claim or position.  Oh and BTW, Crean's report was based on months of investigation, video evidence and interviews.  So I am not sure what fact-less opinion Rob is referring too, but you shouldn't hold your breath for Rob to actually support his claim.  Supporting your claim with facts and well reasoned arguments is a liberal, left wing, latte sipping, elitist, media maggot thing to do.  No in Ford Nation you only need to make the claim and then it becomes a fact, carved in stone for all eternity.

I defy someone from Ford Nation to demonstrate, with proper sourced material (linked) that Crean's report was based on opinion and was not using facts.  Ya, I know, the crickets will be deafening.  Hey, I know where we can go well reasoned and thought provoking rebuttal,... Neil Flagg's FordNation and Howler Monkey HQ,... Oh look there's already a response,...

Neil Flagg and the Howler Monkeys Present a well reasoned response

At this point Crean should just say "Clearly Rob Ford has never learned from his mistakes, I will be recommending that the maximum sanction be applied to Rob Ford with no leniency allowed.  His constant disregard for the rules and failing to take ownership of situations he created warrant this action."  But I will not be hold my breath for this to happen either.

Now I don't know what if any sanction is available, there maybe none, which would mean Rob gets to piss in the face of the public and Crean one more time without have to worry about the consequences of his actions.  So how's the Rehab coming Rob?

Here endeth the Rant
A Grumpy Hobbit

Rant Segue
Rants #1 and #2 will be posted later, they occurred to prior me making this blog,... so you know on a slow day or something like that

And I Am Back

It has been years since I blogged, I have been generally been using FaceBook and the twitters, but I have been finding that these are limited and I need a more organized approached to keep things,... well organized. So I talked to Scott at the Progressive Bloggers about rejoining again and he was "Hey no problem". I was hoping that I would have a WordPress blog set up, but money is really tight at the moment and I can't afford to upgrade my domain AGrumpyHobbit.ca to a WordPress account, so that will have to wait.

Anyways, what will this blog be about? Simple;

• Toronto Politics, follow me on #TOPoli @agrumpyhobbit
• Canadian Federal Politics, follow me on #CDNPoli @agrumpyhobbit
• EPIC OLD MAN RANTS - I rant, you listen
• Life With Dog - Silly observation about my life with my dog, Newton the Border Collie
• Science Type Stuff - Talking about Science and debunk bad science and promoting good science. Topics will be all over the place Evolution, GMOs and related, Global Warming, Global Climate Change, Anthropomorphic Global Climate Change and what ever science tickles my fancy.
• Right Wing Nut Jobs and Religious RWNJs, this will main concern things in the USA
• and maybe some cooking and other random stuff, maybe some computer games

Anyhoo, time to post this and then send the RSS feed and link address of to Scott.  I'll work on making this blog look nicer and all the bells and whistles later and when money comes available, I'll migrate over to WordPress.  So ya, I'm back, let the pigeons loose.


A Grumpy Hobbit