| PM wants mandatory sentences for 'serious' drug crimes
He did not say what offences would fall into that category or how long the sentences would be, but he did not mention marijuana in connection with mandatory sentencing. He promised new money for drug investigations and prosecutions, bigger campaigns to identify and close drug labs and marijuana grow ops, tougher border enforcement to keep drugs out of the country and more RCMP efforts to seize proceeds of crime Harper stressed that two-thirds of the money in the strategy would go to programs designed to help addicts quit and raise public awareness of the dangers of drugs. The rest, $21.6 million, would go to enforcement efforts. Liberal MP Keith Martin, a physician, said the strategy "will be terrible for Canada because it will result in increased drug use, increased crime, increased incarceration rates and increased costs to the taxpayer.
New Salvos on Affirmative Action
The data reveal large differences in grades and standardized test scores, and indicate that black applicants are much more likely to be admitted, even with lower grades and test scores. These are the sort of data that have been influential in other states that have considered — and passed — statewide bans on affirmative action. "The people of Michigan have a right to know the extent to which discrimination is taking place," said Roger Clegg, president of the Center for Equal Opportunity, which is releasing the data today and planning a series of events in Michigan to publicize the figures. David Waymire, a spokesman for One United Michigan, which is leading the fight against the referendum, said that the data being released were "worthless" because they did not include breakdowns by economic class.
Ricardo Moraes / Associated Press
Anna," about four black American soldiers stationed in Tuscany during World War II who become caught behind enemy lines (fall).
CREATURE COMFORTS: SCI-FI FANTASIES
NEW YORK is no place to be in "Cloverfield," a modestly budgeted film about a monster who destroys the city (Jan. 18). The film is produced by "Alias' " J.J. Abrams, who steps in as director to steer the 11th "Star Trek" film into space with a young crew on board. Another TV talent stepping behind the camera is "X-Files" creator Chris Carter, who makes his feature directing debut with July's untitled "X-Files" sequel, starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.
BATTLE OF THE SEXES: ROMANTIC COMEDIES
THERE are enough romances on the horizon to keep hearts fluttering -- Patrick Dempsey realizes he loves his friend in "Made of Honor" (May 2); Ryan Reynolds is a divorcing dad in "Definitely, Maybe" (Feb.
Row over Irish plan to invite the Queen
The Queen is set to become the first British monarch for almost a century to visit the Republic of Ireland. Royal Family: News, videos and photos An invitation from Bertie Ahern, the Irish prime minister, looks certain to be issued later this year or early next year. .
Walking back to happiness
'Ooh, that'll be OK, it's not on the pavement, it's inside a tidy green box.' I hate them. They're always doing it. I despise them. I may hang a bucket of cold bathwater in the tree over the recycling bin, which I can operate with a piece of string running through my front window. I'd be prepared to hide there for a good eight hours, just to soak the next bastard Hampstead hypocrite who crumples his empty foil bag of Terence Stamp root vegetable crisps into my paper-only box. I could feel my stress levels rising as I fished the rubbish out. Then I had to walk along the street carrying it. That was depressing, so I dropped it into the recycling bin at number 12. Now I felt better. A nice walk along a quiet, leafy street! I say 'quiet'. That's if you don't count the incessant yammering of drills, chainsaws and cement mixers.
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