Monthly Archives: January 2014

David Shannon, a human rights expert and advocate, does not mince words.

The former head of the provinces human rights commission says he took over a dysfunctional organization in 2012 and left it last year after a 17-month tenure marked, at times, by bureaucratic paper-pushing, internal petty bickering and personnel problems.

Shannon, a Dalhousie University-trained lawyer and an Order of Canada recipient, told The Chronicle Herald hes proud of the accomplishments he said were achieved during his stint at the helm of the commission.

But he acknowledged his time there included crucial philosophical differences.

Shannon found he couldnt steer the ship toward advancing the dignity and self-worth of the individual under the terms of Nova Scotias Human Rights Act. Not everyone in the office shared that perspective.

So he parted ways with the commission.

There were also the impediments of having to work around key people who attempted to undermine the vision of the commission, and that was highly frustrating, Shannon said.

Essentially, they were individuals trapped in a linear and bureaucratic paralysis that advanced paperwork rather than human rights, he said in an email interview.

The government says things have improved at the commission.

Shannon, who is disabled and uses a wheelchair, left his old job last June for a community service position in Thunder Bay, Ont., overseeing support for people with physical disabilities. As well, he has a part-time law practice in the area of mental health.

Excerpt from:
Human rights vs. red tape in N.S.

[This is a review forAlmost Humanseason 1, episode 7. It contains SPOILERS.]

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Almost Human was one of the last new shows to premiere in the fall, so its only fitting that its one of the first back (for the next two weeks, at least). In its comeback episode, Dorian (Michael Ealy) finds a new home, and Kennex (Karl Urban) learns to keep his most important electronic device charged.

This weeks episode, Simon Says, written by series producer (and mid-season finale scribe) Alison Schapker, pits Kennex and Dorian against a faceless nemesis who uses live streaming remote explosives and a deadly game to systematically kill those who once wronged him. When a victim is saved and the killers identity is revealed, Kennex is forced to stare death in the face, alone, while Dorian finally understands humanitys annoyance with low battery warnings.

Simon Says is not one of the missing episodes still yet to air, nor is it an explanation-filled adventure that helps us better understand the mysteriously missing storyline involving Kennexs ex-girlfriend, yet its still an exciting return for one of Foxs strongest shows. Though this weeks episode is pointed more toward helping viewers discover and enjoy the show in the new year, those who pay close attention will notice a nod to the ex-girlfriend storyline perhaps a hint at whats to come next week when Almost Human finally airs its second episode made, You are here, which was replaced with the fifth episode, Skin, during the two-night series premiere event.

Aside from the questions and/or qualms about the overall series story which is understandable given televisions comfort in mysteries that go nowhere this weeks episode builds up the already strong bond between Kennex and Dorian even more by allowing Ealy to step out from behind his robot character and combat Urbans gruff demeanor with even more playfulness, which allows Kennex to lower his guard and befriend his synthetic partner even more in his time of need.

Now 7 episodes in 9, including the 2 missing episodes and Almost Human is still keeping up its end of the bargain, as far as future-themed devices are concerned. Yet still, with all of the impressive technology, visual effects and witty banter presented to audiences, theres one big thing thats missing, and its beginning to show: its heart.

Each episode puts Kennex and Dorian front and center for whatever the case is on-hand, and the series masterfully wraps the tale even its smallest parts around the two, which allows them (or whoever the focus of the episode is) to fully inhabit the futuristic setting which has been painstakingly (in terms of time and money) established over and over again in each new episode; however, with Dorians lack of true emotion and Kennexs inability to convey his, whatever exciting thrilling, even story thats put before the viewer is more or less a twist on familiar video game tropes. The journey including any middle bosses or princess saving serves one purpose only: to get the boss battle at the end.

Original post:
‘Almost Human’ Mid-Season Premiere: All Fun, No Heart

Our principal aim shall be to make THE POST a successful local paper a journal that will record matters of interest as they transpire from day to day and week to week in the community which affords its support, to make it a mirror of local events, and its pages a succinct and truthful history of the people who appear upon the stage of action.

Amos J. Dickson, editor and proprietor, the Glenwood Post and Weekly Ledger Newspaper, Jan. 1, 1898

The changes to the Glenwood Post and Weekly Ledger Newspaper on Jan. 1, 1898, were imperceptible to the human eye. There was a slight change in layout, and perhaps a change in font. But the biggest change appeared in the editorial section, where, the name A.J. Dickson, editor and proprietor, replaced that of C.L. Bennett, which had appeared just a week before. For the community-minded Dickson, this was more than an ownership change. Dickson envisioned providing better service to the community with an eye toward recording the news of the week, providing information to his readership, and preserving the events of the past for reference in the future.

Prior to purchasing the Glenwood Post, the new editor and owner, Amos Jackson Dickson had resided for nearly a decade in the Roaring Fork Valley. Born in Illinois on May 6, 1861, he and his parents moved to Kansas where he grew up on a farm. He attended the University of Kansas and was a school teacher. When he came to Glenwood Springs, he sold real estate and brokered loans. Civically, he was a Grand Master of the International Organization of Odd Fellows. Religiously, he was a member of the Methodist Church. Politically, he aligned himself with Silver Republicans.

On Dec. 27, 1897, for the sum of $1,300, Dickson received all of the equipment, type, furniture, fixtures and patronage connected with the publication of the Glenwood Post located at 201 Eighth St. in Glenwood Springs. Dicksons goals for the Glenwood Post were simple: to be a strong community newspaper and the best ever in Garfield County; to not allow partisan politics to influence reporting or his editorials; and to make the welfare of the people paramount to political objectives.

From the first edition of the newspaper under Dicksons charge, it was evident he strove to live up to his goals. That first four-page edition recapped the Christmas events of 1897, carried advertisements for Glenwood Springs businesses, advertised unclaimed letters at the post office, dedicated space to national and international news, printed neighborhood columns for Eagle and Four Mile, and contained a concerned article regarding the well-being of a demented woman determined to make her way to the top of Lookout Mountain above Glenwood Springs. Subscriptions to his weekly newspaper were $1.50 per year, 75 cents for six months, and 5 cents for a single copy.

Within the first month, Dickson not only reported upon current events, but enlisted community founders to document the communitys past with a column titled Pioneers I Remember. Then, for the next three decades The Glenwood Post chronicled a changing world. Economic depressions, wars, mining strikes, the decline of railroads, the rise of the automobile, the building of roads and politics shared space with births, marriages, anniversaries, deaths and community news of interest. The actions of the honorable and of those less honorable equally made notice in The Glenwood Post.

As Dickson approached 70 years of age in 1931, he decided the future of the Glenwood Post should be passed to another editor and owner. He retired to his home at 1027 Blake Ave., and on March 22, 1942, passed away.

In his last will and testament Dickson left his typewriter to his daughter, Geraldine. He also willed to her his bound editions of the Glenwood Post from 1898 to 1931 in the making and publishing of which I have poured out the best part of my life, the ambitions and enthusiasms of young manhood and middle age, and the more sage, considerate and conservative thought and effort of later years, and commend to her a careful and charitable perusal and study of the pages of these volumes, as they represent my earnest thought and endeavor to accomplish some good in the circumscribed field in which I have wrought, praying that she may forgive and overlook the radical and indiscreet utterance of an intense and impetuous nature, and give heed to and be governed and influenced by the more rational and conservative expressions of my real self.

Amos Dicksons editions of the Glenwood Post have been microfilmed by the Colorado Historical Society, with microfilmed copies available for charitable study and perusal at the Frontier Historical Society and Museum in Glenwood Springs.

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Glenwood Post saw changes on Jan. 1, 1898