Marking the first International Day To End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

Harper, Kerry and Baird
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomes U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Minister John Baird to his office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, on October 28, 2014, as the Secretary visited to pay condolences following last week’s attacks and for a series of bilateral meetings. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

This Sunday, we will mark the first ever International Day To End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, an initiative of the UN General Assembly. This is a good idea. But I would say that. I’m a journalist. Who once had thugs hired by Egypt’s secret police put a machete to my chest and the chest of my TVA cameraman. It all turned out Ok for the two of us but for way, way, way too many journalists around the world, bad things happen.

Now, I’ve got some issues with the way U.S. President Barack Obama tries to control the press, eavesdrop on the press, and otherwise work hard to interfere with the work of reporters in his capital. That said, I’m very happy to see this statement from his Secretary of State John Kerry. (Haven’t seen anything similar from any Canadian official) Continue reading Marking the first International Day To End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

Baird pays off hockey bet with case of cool Ottawa microbrewery beer

Beau's All Natural Beer Label

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and U.S. Secretary State John Kerry bet a case of beer on the World Women’s Hockey Championship. Baird had a case of Molson Canadian on the line; Kerry had a case of Sam Adams. Well, the U.S. beat Canada earlier this week and while Baird is sending a case of Canadian to Kerry, he’s also sending a case of Beau’s beer to the U.S. embassy staff in Ottawa. Beau’s is a Continue reading Baird pays off hockey bet with case of cool Ottawa microbrewery beer