You're afraid?

[Montgomery Burns]

The frickin' gall...

SASKATOON (CP) - An aboriginal actor from Ontario alleges Saskatoon police mistakenly arrested him because of his race.

[...]

"I am afraid to walk the streets of Saskatoon."

You're afraid to walk the streets of Saskatoon? You're fuckin' afraid to walk the streets of Saskatoon?! :angry:

Listen, you race-baiting Jesse Jacksonesque/Al Sharptonesque SOB. You try to be white and walk the streets of Saskatoon!

I am 5' 11" and 190 lbs (not a small guy) and I have to be very careful in downtown Saskatoon, because there are Indian thugs all over downtown Saskatoon trying to shake down people for money/ball caps/t-shirts, etc.

When the conservative Sask Party mentions all the beatings and sometime murders (for ball caps/t-shirts) in Saskatoon (there was a murder in front of the biggest mall in the city - downtown - at 5:30 in the afternoon - by a native gang), the NDP (socialists, but they won't admit it) accuses the Sask Party of "fear-mongering".

I know 2 women who work downtown (afternoon shift) who are scared shitless to wait for their bus because they fear of being beaten/raped by the 3 major Indian gangs (Crazy Cree, Indian Posse, and I forget the 3rd gang but...).

I drove thru the "hood" a couple of weeks ago to go visit a friend and I was shocked! Gangs all over and not a cop car in sight.

The New Marxist Party (most call it the NDP) had promised 200 cops years ago - which proportion-wise would have meant about 45 extra cops for S'toon but, of course, they reneged (all thugs are "victims of society") and Saskatoon is under siege by gangs.

Instead, the NDP is absolutely obsessed with having the lowest utility rates in the country.

Our utility rate package is $10 less/month than Alberta.

Yay!

Sure, our wages are 75% of Alberta's, but we save a whoppin' $10 a month on a utility package. Saskatchewan needs the lowest utility rate package because the NDP has made this province dirt-poor.

Socialism = everybody poor.

Look at my signature if you doubt me

[fellowtraveller]

I've lived in many places in Canada, and visited most of the rest, and Saskatchewan is the most racist place in Canada in my experience.

All directed at First Nations people of course. Alberta has rednecks, Vancouver has hate-the Asians covens, Ontario has hate -the-immigrant sectors- but SK takes first prize easily.

Too bad really, the people were uber friendly to me, as white as a fishbelly. I was saddened to learn that my skin colour mattered that much.

[Lost in Manitoba]

Crime is bad on the prairies. I don't think it is racist in the least to identify the gangs as being of aboriginal origin. There may be white (or asian, or spanish) gangs around, beating people up, selling drugs, or stealing cars but I don't know of them. And very little police presence which frustrates me the most. We don't need more cops. We just gotta use them for things other than writing tickets for traffic violations. Cars are the bane of our society. How much money goes into the infrastructure needed by personal vehicles??? (topic for another place)

As for native people crying racism, why don't they point the fingure at gangs. If there were a bunch of white dudes running around at night jumping people, then I would reasonably expect that if I was walking down the street at night, someone might suspect me of being one of them. That is a life-saving stereotype (I think its called a schemata) that people use to predict what is going on. (martian gangs killing people at night = suspect and avoid all martians at night)

[crazymf]

Saskabush gangs!!!

There has to be a punch line there somewhere.

BTW, they are known as 'breeds' out there.

[Shakeyhands]

Is this the CPC Support Group meeting?

[tml12]

The frickin' gall...

SASKATOON (CP) - An aboriginal actor from Ontario alleges Saskatoon police mistakenly arrested him because of his race.

[...]

"I am afraid to walk the streets of Saskatoon."

You're afraid to walk the streets of Saskatoon? You're fuckin' afraid to walk the streets of Saskatoon?! :angry:

Listen, you race-baiting Jesse Jacksonesque/Al Sharptonesque SOB. You try to be white and walk the streets of Saskatoon!

I am 5' 11" and 190 lbs (not a small guy) and I have to be very careful in downtown Saskatoon, because there are Indian thugs all over downtown Saskatoon trying to shake down people for money/ball caps/t-shirts, etc.

When the conservative Sask Party mentions all the beatings and sometime murders (for ball caps/t-shirts) in Saskatoon (there was a murder in front of the biggest mall in the city - downtown - at 5:30 in the afternoon - by a native gang), the NDP (socialists, but they won't admit it) accuses the Sask Party of "fear-mongering".

I know 2 women who work downtown (afternoon shift) who are scared shitless to wait for their bus because they fear of being beaten/raped by the 3 major Indian gangs (Crazy Cree, Indian Posse, and I forget the 3rd gang but...).

I drove thru the "hood" a couple of weeks ago to go visit a friend and I was shocked! Gangs all over and not a cop car in sight.

The New Marxist Party (most call it the NDP) had promised 200 cops years ago - which proportion-wise would have meant about 45 extra cops for S'toon but, of course, they reneged (all thugs are "victims of society") and Saskatoon is under siege by gangs.

Instead, the NDP is absolutely obsessed with having the lowest utility rates in the country.

Our utility rate package is $10 less/month than Alberta.

Yay!

Sure, our wages are 75% of Alberta's, but we save a whoppin' $10 a month on a utility package. Saskatchewan needs the lowest utility rate package because the NDP has made this province dirt-poor.

Socialism = everybody poor.

Look at my signature if you doubt me

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whatever loosens criminal penalties=OK for the NDP.

Sad, but they are not tough on crime.

BTW: I love New Marxist Party!!! (So do my friends...)

[fellowtraveller]

BTW, they are known as 'breeds' out there.

Well, I thought the racism was a little more subtle than that, but apparently not.

[kimmy]

In Edmonton, natives commit about 50% of violent crime, though comprise only 2% of the population. Gang membership is skyrocketing, and social problems of every description are through the roof. But nobody has the stones to take a serious look at the problem, or even acknowledge that there is one.

Is this a CPC support group meeting? Of course not. The CPC, as the other parties, and the media, and polite society, are terrified to discuss this issue.

-k

[Freshinit]

Your signature is what makes your points invalid, for your stupidity is already outlined in the footer of all your posts. Ignorant fool.

[tml12]

Your signature is what makes your points invalid, for your stupidity is already outlined in the footer of all your posts. Ignorant fool.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, what he says makes perfect sense. I mean, surely it is a simplistic comparison using Grade 1 logic but it would be difficult, in general, to disprove in the field of political science.

[chinook]

A friend of mine is an Aboriginal (Metis) criminologist who received his Masters Degree at Cambridge University in England. He returned to Saskatoon and couldn't find work!! After 4 years of frustration and being told that because he wasn't a "social worker" and his skills and education weren't "needed", he left for Manitoba. Although he had worked in the Northend of Winnipeg and on the Westside of Saskatoon, he did not meet the "high standards" of the Province of Saskatchewan, and wouldn't sell out his "conservative" values. Christ!!! Isn't this the type of individual and education Calvert is crying about? I guess a professional that does not adhere to rhetoric of the NDP need not apply!! What a crock of crap.

The money that is allocated for justice and social services is being thrown at the same tired programs that fail. There is no accountabilty in Saskatchewan and the tax payer gets the shaft from both ends. The politics reek full of patronage and nepotism, but you dare not demand accountability because you get labelled as a "racist".

The media and police propgate the sense of fear, and the retards that are involved in "gang" (what a joke) activity thrive on the attention. It's like having a group of the dumbest people you went to school with dictating and demanding what social and justice policy should be....and some individuals and organizations profit from all of this. How many "Aboriginal consultants" does the province need?

Look at what happened this past week in British Columbia. Does anyone honestly believe that those politicians walk in these communites or talk to their "people" one on one about the problems when there isn't an election being held? They have two speeches "whitey good" and "whitey bad". Listen closely to Vice Chief Lawrence Joseph or Clem Chartier the next time they speak.

Defacate or vacate.....

[jonah]

i am trying to post reply to the miss definition of left /right ..yet unable to penitrate past////////////./

The frickin' gall...

SASKATOON (CP) - An aboriginal actor from Ontario alleges Saskatoon police mistakenly arrested him because of his race.

[...]

"I am afraid to walk the streets of Saskatoon."

You're afraid to walk the streets of Saskatoon? You're fuckin' afraid to walk the streets of Saskatoon?! :angry:

Listen, you race-baiting Jesse Jacksonesque/Al Sharptonesque SOB. You try to be white and walk the streets of Saskatoon!

I am 5' 11" and 190 lbs (not a small guy) and I have to be very careful in downtown Saskatoon, because there are Indian thugs all over downtown Saskatoon trying to shake down people for money/ball caps/t-shirts, etc.

When the conservative Sask Party mentions all the beatings and sometime murders (for ball caps/t-shirts) in Saskatoon (there was a murder in front of the biggest mall i///////// there is much hidden pre determined bias in or of words

words sush as left means left of what ,,we know the left brain controls the right

side of the body the words used in this n the city - downtown - at 5:30 in the afternoon - by a native gang), the NDP (socialists, but they won't admit it) accuses the Sask Party of "fear-mongering".

I know 2 women who work downtown (afternoon shift) who are scared shitless to wait for their bus because they fear of being beaten/raped by the 3 major Indian gangs (Crazy Cree, Indian Posse, and I forget the 3rd gang but...).

I drove thru the "hood" a couple of weeks ago to go visit a friend and I was shocked! Gangs all over and not a cop car in sight.

The New Marxist Party (most call it the NDP) had promised 200 cops years ago - which proportion-wise would have meant about 45 extra cops for S'toon but, of course, they reneged (all thugs are "victims of society") and Saskatoon is under siege by gangs.

Instead, the NDP is absolutely obsessed with having the lowest utility rates in the country.

Our utility rate package is $10 less/month than Alberta.

Yay!

Sure, our wages are 75% of Alberta's, but we save a whoppin' $10 a month on a utility package. Saskatchewan needs the lowest utility rate package because the NDP has made this province dirt-poor.

Socialism = everybody poor.

Look at my signature if you doubt me

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Montgomery Burns]

I've lived in many places in Canada, and visited most of the rest, and Saskatchewan is  the most racist place in Canada in my experience.

All directed at First Nations people of course.  Alberta has rednecks, Vancouver has hate-the Asians covens, Ontario has hate -the-immigrant sectors- but SK takes first prize easily.

Too bad really, the people were uber friendly to me, as white as a fishbelly.  I was saddened to learn that my skin colour mattered that much.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that Saskatchewan is the most racist place in Canada. The native gangs go to "healing lodges" when they commit crimes; whites are thrown into jail.

If people complain, they are attacked as "racists".

A couple of months back, I stopped at a Native bar to pick up some offsale. The bouncer called me a "cracker" as I left. I was shocked, but I guess this bigot figured they had already got my money, so who cares. When I phoned the manager--who was Native--the next day to complain, she hemmed and hawed and made it clear that she didn't give a damn.

One of my friends--foolishly--bought a house in "the hood" and he always has problems with Natives cutting across his lawn (he lives in a corner lot). When he complains to them they tell him to F off..."this is OUR land." One of my female friends has the same problem. Natives constantly park in her parking stall (she lives in an apt) and when she complains to them, she is told that "this is OUR land."

The natives in Saskatchewan are the biggest hate-filled racists I have ever come across in my life.

There was an MP here who sent a pamphlet complaining of the two-tier judicial system for whites and natives. He was hauled before a Human Rights Commission for issuing "hate literature".

Just another example of the trampling of freedom of speech in this country...

A BC teacher getting suspended for writing a letter to the editor of a newpaper showing support for the 2000 year defintion of marriage...

A preacher in Alberta being hauled before a Human Rights Commission for writing about Church doctrine against changing the 2000 year definition of marriage...

A guy in Quebec getting fined $1500 for whispering (going out of his way to make sure he was not heard) to another guy (who ratted him out) that a guy in a car dealership was a "fifi" (apparently slang for homosexual in French)...

Quebec businesses being fined up to $7000 for daring to have their business sign show the English language the same size as the French language, which is blatant blatant cultural discrimination.

What the hell is happening to this country? Why are the Americans allowed to have free speech, but Canadians can't?

Why are the natives allowed to spew their constant hate-filled bigotry and yet they are rarely called on it?

[Montgomery Burns]

Your signature is what makes your points invalid, for your stupidity is already outlined in the footer of all your posts. Ignorant fool.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, what he says makes perfect sense. I mean, surely it is a simplistic comparison using Grade 1 logic but it would be difficult, in general, to disprove in the field of political science.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry if I wasn't nuanced enough for you.

[Montgomery Burns]

And the 3rd Native gang that I couldn't remember in Saskatoon--is the Native Syndicate.

[PocketRocket]

I've waited quite a while before posting in this thread, trying to get a balanced viewpoint.

While my sympathy is limited for most people who have run-ins with the police, my own (very few) experiences are mostly based on Sudbury's police force, who are generally pretty fair players.

However, from the same article you cited.....

The relationship with Saskatoon's rather large aboriginal community and its police force has been fractious in the past.

At the centre of the unrest are so-called starlight tours - the name some have given to police dropping suspected troublemakers outside of town rather than taking them to jail.

......and further.....

In 2004, an public inquiry concluded that 17-year-old Neil Stonechild was in the custody of police a few days before his frozen body was found in the outskirts of the city.

I recall hearing of the Stonechild case in the past and thinking it was a pretty bad reflection on the Saskatoon police.

When you consider the nature of the "moonlight tours", that they are directed against "suspected troublemakers", then it practically amounts to vigilantism, execpt that it's actually police officers doing it.

But IF (and that's a big "if") it's still going on, it would be quite illegal, and I for one am not an ends-justify-the-means kind of guy.

In light of these past instances, I can see how the "victim" of this latest error could credibly be very upset at his "ordeal".

In my years in the entertainment industry, I've worked with actors, and they're generally a pretty emotional sort, so it's entirely possible that he is indeed VERY upset.

Keep in mind also, this guy was a "guest" actor from another city, probably Toronto or Vancouver, and as such, he would not be used to the attitudes in Sk'toon.

To him, being presumably a more "urbane" sort than the natives who comprise the gangs, this could easily have been quite a traumatic experience.

But on the other side of the coin, being an actor, I can also see that his being "afraid to walk the streets" could very well be a well-played ruse, possibly directed towards political ends.

Tough call in this particular case.

[Montgomery Burns]

Apparently he was running (jogging?) during the early hours of the morning. Probably why the cops were suspicious. Perhaps some crime happened nearby at that time. I dunno...I wasn't listening to saskatoonscanner.com at that time.

But yeah, the S'toon police and the Native community have a contentious relationship.

Both need to smarten up, but I guess I favor the cops because I have seen how the Natives cry racism at the drop of a hat here. There has been enough instances where the cops have been cleared of accusations of wrongdoing by Natives. The press tends to give that little attention, though...perhaps because SIGA is a fairly major contributor to our local paper.

[PocketRocket]

MONTY: After reading your last post, I went to have another look at the link to the news article cited, but it was no longer available.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but was the guy not arrested and brought into the station???

If he was jogging, and appropriately attired for such, then could he not have been asked a simple question; "What are you doing???", and responded equally simply; "Jogging".

If so, then why would they need to drag him in to the station???

Or, if they felt the need to check him out further than a simple roadside question, then could they not have told him that they wished to bring him in for a few questions and check him out that way???

I don't know. I'm not casting judgement on either party, just trying to see this particular even from both sides.

[fellowtraveller]

The problem is not specifically between the Saskatoon cops and the First Nations community.

It is between Caucasians and the First Nations Community.

[Montgomery Burns]

MONTY: After reading your last post, I went to have another look at the link to the news article cited, but it was no longer available.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but was the guy not arrested and brought into the station???

If he was jogging, and appropriately attired for such, then could he not have been asked a simple question; "What are you doing???", and responded equally simply; "Jogging".

If so, then why would they need to drag him in to the station???

Or, if they felt the need to check him out further than a simple roadside question, then could they not have told him that they wished to bring him in for a few questions and check him out that way???

I don't know. I'm not casting judgement on either party, just trying to see this particular even from both sides.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

From canoe.ca:

[Gregory] Odjig said the incident happened early Sunday on his way home from a local convenience store.

As he was running home in the biting cold, he alleges a police car came "out of nowhere" and blocked his path on the sidewalk. He maintains two officers jumped out and told him he was under arrest for assault with a weapon.

Odjig alleges he was handcuffed and put in the back of the police car for 10 to 15 minutes. Then he said the officers learned over the radio that he wasn't the person they wanted and he was released without an apology.

"I'm definitely angry and upset about a person being treated like that, aboriginal or not," Odjig said.

"People should not be treated like that. I don't trust the Saskatoon police force."

I think Odjig is playing the race card. It was early Sunday morning; he was running to avoid "the biting cold" (how cold could it have been on November 6?); he was apparently handcuffed, put in the back of a police cruiser for 10 to 15 minutes, then released when the cops believed he was not the person who assaulted someone with a weapon.

Not a pleasant experience, but it seems he blew it out of proportion. The cops seemed to be just doing their job of trying to find the person who assaulted someone with a weapon.

Or maybe he is just an overly emotional actor, like you said.

[PocketRocket]

MONTY: First off, thanks for the quote from the article. I recall that passage now.

[Gregory] Odjig said the incident happened early Sunday on his way home from a local convenience store.

As he was running home in the biting cold, he alleges a police car came "out of nowhere" and blocked his path on the sidewalk. He maintains two officers jumped out and told him he was under arrest for assault with a weapon.

Odjig alleges he was handcuffed and put in the back of the police car for 10 to 15 minutes. Then he said the officers learned over the radio that he wasn't the person they wanted and he was released without an apology.

"I'm definitely angry and upset about a person being treated like that, aboriginal or not," Odjig said.

"People should not be treated like that. I don't trust the Saskatoon police force."

You know, if the cops HAD given him a sincere-sounding apology, and maybe dropped him off at home (a short distance if he was "running" it), and maybe even *gasp* a quick explanation with platitudes like "You can't be too careful in trying to protect the public", the guy would probably have been completey mollified.

Public relations is part of policing, too.

I think Odjig is playing the race card.  It was early Sunday morning; he was running to avoid "the biting cold" (how cold could it have been on November 6?); he was apparently handcuffed, put in the back of a police cruiser for 10 to 15 minutes, then released when the cops believed he was not the person who assaulted someone with a weapon.

Actually, I can recall some pretty damned cold nights coming a lot earlier in the year than November.

Consider too that if he's from Toronto or Vancouver, he may not have been appropriately dressed or acclimatized.

Not a pleasant experience, but it seems he blew it out of proportion.

You may be right, but handcuffs, and then no apology seems a tad ignorant to me. I mean how hard is it to say "Sorry, sir, it appears we were mistaken and you are not the person we're looking for" ???

This is, after all, a political forum, where often someone's use of words is called into question, so we should all be aware of how important the right words at the right time can be.

The cops seemed to be just doing their job of trying to find the person who assaulted someone with a weapon.

Agreed. Wholeheartedly.

Or maybe he is just an overly emotional actor, like you said.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is there any other kind???

[Biblio Bibuli]

I've waited quite a while before posting in this thread.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's one thing, and perhaps the ONLY thing, I don't like about you, PocketRocket.

You always wait and wait and wait .... and wait before you commit.

I wouldn't be AT ALL surprised if you waited until five minutes before the polls closed in the far west before you blurted out your prediction on what the federal election will turn out like..

BE A MAN, PREDICT NOW!!

PS - That the CPC will win comfortably is MY prediction.

Wanna bet?

[PocketRocket]

I've waited quite a while before posting in this thread.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's one thing, and perhaps the ONLY thing, I don't like about you, PocketRocket.

You always wait and wait and wait .... and wait before you commit.

Aww, c'mon now, you can find more that THAT to dislike about me, I am sure.

Seriously, I don't see that I'm "commiting" to anything in this thread. It was a strange issue which, in my opinion, required some thought before I commented on it. Admittedly, my first impulse was to go with MONTY's first opinion about the guy, but after thinking about it further, the whole "overly-emotional-actor" thing occured to me. Then, upon further rumination, other factors crept in.

And believe me, actors can be VERY emotional.

As for the "wait and wait and wait", I've been the first responder in many threads, and I have no fear of expressing myself, once I have formed an opinion on any given topic.

I wouldn't be AT ALL surprised if you waited until five minutes before the polls closed in the  far west before you blurted out your prediction on what the federal election will turn out like..

BE A MAN, PREDICT NOW!!

Actually, I don't try to attempt predictions of this sort, and haven't in well over 20 years.

Any "prediction" I may make will not change the result, so I don't see the point.

And as for being a man, what if I were to tell you I am a woman???

Internet anonymity can be a beautiful thing.

PS - That the CPC will win comfortably is MY prediction.

That the BQ will NOT win is mine

Wanna bet?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not particularly.

[TattoodTrecee]

It's a shame that todays people can argue in the real world and over the connection of internet. I myself being a native and tattood, get snide looks and racial remarks because people think I am in a gang or connected in some way or another. I have 2 children and a great husband, looking at me you would never know, with the pink hair and piercings to boot.

You can't judge someone and think..oh my he/she could be a gang member....geez im afraid now...(and no you wouldnt go up to them and ask if they were..why? because "your afraid")it shouldnt have to be that way, but sadly it is for some.

I've met alot of great people who were formally in gangs and some had absolutely no choice in the beginning for fear of being half beaten to death or otherwise, then the choice is to join, but eventually some see the dangers as they get older and get out which way they can. And yes alot don't.

What I'm getting at is that between the 2 main races "native aboriginals and whites"...is how can you shake eachothers hands if you hands are balled in fists?. Don't judge a person by there lives..dress code or where they live or who their friends are...after all you could be friends with a gangleader and not know it.

Give eachother a chance.....there's always going to be good and bad everywhere you go.

[NativeCharm]

I just wanted to share something for consideration> I have several friends in the police force. One of which waited FOREVER to get into the Edmonton Police Department, eventually denied, Racism too intense. This is the same with my other officer friends who want to work in the cities. They are often told to be Tribal cops and thats it.

There are many of our Native people that want to be municipal officers, so that they can help manage the situations such as gang violence, crimes etc etc. and perform as a liasion with these troubled youth. The youth are more likely to respond to an Aboriginal officer than one of another race that has shown hatred and contempt for their people in the past.

We could enforce positive direction with this by encouraging our government to "allow" more Native officers.