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Toronto Cops: True to Form

Students and staff at Osgoode Hall Law School are demanding an apology and explanation from the Toronto Police Service after one of their officers suggested women can avoid sexual assault by not dressing like a “slut.”

On Jan. 24, a campus safety information session was held at Osgoode Hall, where members from York security and two male officers from Toronto police 31 Division handed out safety tips to community members.

Ronda Bessner, who attended the session, remembered being surprised by what the officer suggested to women.

“One of the safety tips was for women not to dress like ‘sluts.’ He said something like, ‘I’ve been told I shouldn’t say this,’ and then he uttered the words,” said Bessner, Osgoode assistant dean of the Juris Doctor Program.

— "Don’t dress like a slut: Toronto cop", Excalibur, the York University student newspaper

Ah, Toronto cops. I wonder if this advice generalizes? As in: "One tip for not being beaten by cops is to not dress like a protester"?

Innoculation of the Seduced!

Here's a somewhat long, but fascinating look at anti-comics hysteria of the 50s. In two parts.

The difference is, in Haiti, the thousands of protesters want their President back

Speculation that he might come back soared after ex-dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier made a surprise return in January after nearly 25 years of exile in France. The focus quickly turned to Aristide, who said last month he was ready to return "today, tomorrow, at any time."

A U.S. State Department spokesman recently said Washington believes Aristide's re-emergence would disrupt the peace ahead of the March 20 presidential runoff and urged him not to come back before then.

Maryse Narcisse, a leader in Aristide's Lavalas party, said the former president would ignore the warning. Asked for specifics at the march, she smiled and shook her head.

"I cannot say when exactly, but he will be back before the March 20 elections," Narcisse said.

Last week Aristide's U.S. lawyer, Ira Kurzban, said he was confident Aristide would return before the runoff. Kurzban traveled to Port-au-Prince and picked up a diplomatic passport for Aristide that was suddenly issued by the government of outgoing President Rene Preval.

— "Aristide backers march amid talk of Haiti return", The Washington Post

This is really looking like it's going to happen.