Yep its all about green, green backs and green investing; socially responsible investing. Which I blogged about yesterday and has apparently come to the attention of the Toronto Stars investment columnist in her column in todays paper.
I reccomend reading it for the links included. It is well rounded and a good follow up on the Motely Fool article I linked to in my previous post.
Socially responsible investing has come of age on Bay St."We've seen a real sea change in Canada, just in the last year or so," says Eugene Ellmen, executive director of the Social Investment Organization.
And like its counterparts in the US socially responsible investment funds in Canada have made money.
Jantzi Research is the main sponsor of the Jantzi Social Index, which is modelled on the S&P/TSX 60 index. It consists of 60 companies that pass a set of broadly based social and environmental screens.The Jantzi Social Index has outperformed the Canadian indexes that are not screened.From its inception in January 2000 to the end of April 2006, the Jantzi Social Index has an annualized return of 7.91 per cent. That compares to a 6.97 per cent return for the S&P/TSX 60 index in the same period and a 7.75 per cent return for the S&P/TSX composite index.
And guess who does not like Socially Responsible investment funds, why the Banks of course! Who of course are the epitome of gouge and screw business practices.
Applying ethical screens used to be frowned on by the financial community. If you removed companies from your investment universe because you disapproved of what they did, you were sure to get lower returns.Canada's major banks still think that way. None offer socially responsible investment portfolios, either for individual or institutional investors.
In total, SRI assets represented about 3.6 per cent of the Canadian mutual fund and institutional investment market."The relatively small number of firms offering SRI services is surprising to those of us who work in the SRI industry," the Social Investment Organization said in its report."Numerous surveys suggest that a majority of Canadians are interested in socially responsible mutual funds, want their pension funds to invest in responsible companies and believe that financial advisers should incorporate social and environmental considerations into investments."Yet only about one in five financial services firms in Canada offer SRI products or services."
Motely-Fool, investing, SRI, mutual-funds peoples-capitalism, socially-responsible-investing, corporate-responsibility, Canada, US, stock-market, investing,
Ethical-investing, ESG, Jantzi-Social0Index, Ellen-Roseman, Toronto, Star, Canada, UN, SIO, , Social-Investment, green-capitalism
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Quagmire
Gosh is it just me or is the War in Iraq looking more and more like the Viet Nam qaugmire every day.Reasonable force, coming under attack, these are all the justifications they used over My Lai as well.
The U.S. military said Saturday it found no wrongdoing by American troops accused of intentionally killing civilians during a March 15 raid in Ishaqi, about 50 miles north of Baghdad. As many as 13 Iraqis were killedThe investigation concluded that U.S. troops followed normal procedures in raising the level of force after coming under fire while approaching a building where they believed an al-Qaida terrorist was hiding, said Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, a U.S military spokesman.
US commanders knew of Haditha killings: Report
Of course they found no wrong doing, they are after all at war, with everyone and anyone in Iraq.
Killing of civilians in Iraq highlights stress on troops
Repeated guerrilla attacks may play role, specialists say
Just like Charlie company faced in My Lai. What was that famous quote about let God sort them out.
Did anyone expect these military investigations to turn up anything? They failed to condemn the officer corps and higher ups after Abu Gharib. Just like in Viet Nam the policy makers and the Pentagon officer corps goes free while the enlisted grunts take the blame.
And like Viet Nam they have lost the war for the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.Furious Iraq demands apology as US troops are cleared of massacre
Evidence shows massacre of Iraq's innocent
The growing evidence of United States war crimes in Iraq means America faces months of distressing revelations and shaming court cases that could turn public opinion more decisively against a conflict in which 2 500 US servicemen have died and that has no end in sight.
The issue has been simmering since the first public word emerged of a possible massacre - followed by a cover-up - of Iraqi civilians by US Marines in November last year.
It has been brought to boiling point by the accusation of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of "daily" violence against unarmed civilians by the US military.
Yep quagmire.
Time to indict Rumsfeld, Cheney and Bush and their Pentagon Generals for war crimes.
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Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Iraq, Hadith, civilian-deaths, US, Marines, Americans, massacre, Baghdad, Maliki, My-Lai, Viet-Nam, Calley
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Truth or Dare
Who really speaks for Quebec?!
Charest challenges Duceppe to bring down government
And will Canada's Lenin bring down the government? Of course not his BQsheviks are no more prepared for it than his Russian predecesors were . He is all bluff and bluster. And like Quebecs support for Kyoto, which benefits Hydro Quebec, this is just more hot air.
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Quebec, Canada, fiscal-imbalance, Charest, Liberals, BQ, Duceppe, Bolsheviks, Lenin, Kyoto, Environment
Harper, legislature, parliament, Hydro-Quebec
Charest challenges Duceppe to bring down government
And will Canada's Lenin bring down the government? Of course not his BQsheviks are no more prepared for it than his Russian predecesors were . He is all bluff and bluster. And like Quebecs support for Kyoto, which benefits Hydro Quebec, this is just more hot air.
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Quebec, Canada, fiscal-imbalance, Charest, Liberals, BQ, Duceppe, Bolsheviks, Lenin, Kyoto, Environment
Harper, legislature, parliament, Hydro-Quebec
CN Confusion
The Edmonton Sun editorial board like most Albertans are confused, about why we can swim in Lake Wabamun, but can't shower or wash dishes with water from the lake. Apparently because we should not ingest the tainted water.
The Sun is confused as to why CN has not been sued by the Alberta Government for having polluted the lake last year.
And Albertans are confused about why the Government has done nothing leaving it up to local residents to blockade and go through civil court to get compensation from CN.
Yep we are all confused when the peoples government abdicates its responsibilities because it of course would never think of regulating business.
We are confused when the Federal government fails to enforce the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, TDG, Act.
We are confused when the environment department says go swim but Capital Health says don't.
We are confused when both the Wabamun property owners and their neighbours; the Aborginal community have to sue CN without support from the the State whose laws CN violated.
Yep confusion reigns in Alberta where the State is not in the business of regulating business. Duh Oh.
Also See: CN
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CN, railroad, train, accident, TDG, spill, toxic, pollution, heavy-oil, Alberta, Government, Environment, Wabamun, Paul-Band, nattives, Edmonton-Sun
Clever Canadians
Yep we are smarter than Americans and the French. That's cause we are a bilingual nation. Double the smarts. Double the Fun. Hmmm wonder if I could get in trouble for that last line? Not any more thanks to the Supremes. Throw another steak on the Barbie.
Barbie and friend
Grill
Champagne
Lingerie
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Supreme Court sides with restaurant in Barbie trademark dispute
The Supreme Court of Canada has found Canadians are unlikely to confuse Barbie dolls with a Montreal restaurant, or mistake Veueve Clicquot champagne for a chain of women's clothing stores.In a rare and closely-watched judgment on trade-marks, the court ruled that "famous" trademarks do not extend to different products or services that cannot be confused with the original.
"The fact of being famous or well known does not by itself provide absolute protection for a trade-mark," the court declared.
Mattel Inc., the maker of Barbie dolls and owner of the Barbie trade-mark, was trying to prevent a Montreal business owner from registering the name Barbie's Bar and Grill. It argued that the "aura" of Barbie dolls goes beyond the line of children's toys.
Veuve Clicquot, the French champagne maker, was opposed to a women's retailer calling its chain of six stores in Ontario and Quebec Les Boutique Cliquot.
And just in case you can't tell the difference......
Barbie and friend
Grill
Champagne
Lingerie
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Another Character Generator
Which Science Fiction / Fantasy TV Character are ya. Well this is what I got.
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survey, characters, sci-fi, Babylon5, Sheridan, SF, TV, science-ficition
John Sheridan
An experienced survivor who has maneuvered around many obstacles, you are looked up to by those who rely on your good judgment.
In the last few years, we've stumbled. We stumbled at the death of the president, the war, and on and on. When you stumble a lot you tend to look at your feet. Now we have to make people lift their eyes back to the horizon and see the line of ancestors behind us saying, "Make my life have meaning," and to our inheritors before us saying, "create the world we will live in."
John is a character in the Babylon 5 universe. You can read his biography at the Worlds of JMS fansite.
Also See:I'm a superhero
Hey I'm A Heretic
Quiz Time Again
Animal Quiz
Political Compass
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Practising Catholicism
Just another week of Catholics in the news. Societies moral guardians at work and play.
Priest faces more sex allegations
CHATHAM -- Nearly four dozen women now allege they were sexually assaulted decades ago by a Roman Catholic priest. Charles Sylvestre, 84, of Belle River, faces 61 sex-related charges involving 47 women, a court heard yesterday. Sylvestre, who is retired, was a parish priest in London, Sarnia, Chatham, Pain Court, Windsor and Port Dover
DUBLIN, Ireland - A Dublin jury convicted a Roman Catholic priest Wednesday of raping a 13-year-old girl.
The temptations while servicing the church
The Windhoek Observer is good at carrying stories on ‘tendo la ndoa’. It reported this week that Roman Catholic priest, Hans Peter Nagels (80) of Otjiwarongo church last Thursday appeared in court facing four counts of rape.
June 2 trial of 4 US Marines charged with rape
Jesuit Father James Reuter, 90, who is ministering to the accused servicemen, likewise is concerned about the way the media have treated them.
The American priest told UCA News he is "saddened" that the four men have been seen not "as individuals" but as an opportunity to fight the ongoing joint military exercises between American and Filipino troops under the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
SORROW, HOPE IN LOWELL
LOWELL -- Having the parish priest mentor your kids is a high honor for any working-class Irish Catholic family -- especially when the church is your reason for living. Larry Finn's parents, Mickey and Ann, trusted Rev. Joseph Birmingham. While serving at St. Michael Church, the priest took a special interest in the Finn's 12-year-old son, taking him on ski trips and for rides in his gold Cadillac. "He let me drive his car," Finn said. "He enjoyed letting me sit on his lap while he got aroused. ... He made me touch his privates, and he touched mine." Finn was repeatedly violated by the priest. Now 46 and standing at the altar of St. Michael's, Finn finds himself returning to a place he has tried to forget since childhood. Looking out at more than 100 faces inside St. Michael's, Finn recounted his story of sexual abuse and innocence lost at the hands of Birmingham.
| Effects of child abuse exaggerated, says priest | |
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The priest’s comments came in a judgment rejecting the request of Roisin Fry, a Belfast woman, for an annulment of her marriage. She blamed the breakdown of the union on damage resulting from her sexual abuse as a child by a priest.
NO DIRECT evidence tied a Toledo priest to the bizarre ritualistic murder of a Roman Catholic nun 26 years ago, but plenty of circumstantial evidence did.
ICRT keeps acquitted Rwandan officials in 'safe house'
Meanwhile, a Catholic priest, Father Gabriel Maindron, also known as Munderere, leads the list of the most wanted genocide suspects published recently by the Rwandan Government. He was the priest in charge of the Congo-Nil Parish in Kibuye Prefecture
To answer God's call is tough
Archbishop Mataca said it was his mission to ensure more locals joined the priesthood.
"The church asked every family and parish to pray for more men to join the calling of God and it has continued."
He does not deny there have been problems.
"We all make mistakes and men who aspire to become a priest are dealt with if they do not abide by the rules," he said.
There is a case relating to an alleged rape by a seminarian which is before the court.
by : Ferds Sevilla
LIKE exotic flowers in a dark forest, vestal virgins emit a potent scent that sends sex fiends into a ravenous hunt for such idyllic prey. Even pagan gods preferred their human gifts to be nubile, fresh and untouched.
So did four young men of God in a Catholic church in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Their distorted faith allegedly told them to mix lust with prayers, and feast repeatedly on three girls. “Niligawan kami sa simbahan, tapos dinala kami sa bahay ni kuya. Doon nangyari ang lahat.”
Thus began the graphic narration of an eleven-year old, one of three girls allegedly sexually-ravished over and over by at least four altar boys.
Wempe agreed to forgo appeal on single count
Ex-teacher to serve 4 years in child porn case
A former religion teacher and coach of several athletic teams at St. Joseph's High School in Hammonton was sentenced Friday to four years in federal prison for possessing as many as 300 images of child pornography.
Public's views on Imesch vary
Of late, Imesch has sought forgiveness himself, from people who were sexually abused by Joliet priests when they were children.
He's also appealed to faithful parishioners who felt betrayed by his response to reports of sordid sexual escapades.
The sexual abuse crisis has dominated discussion about Imesch during the twilight of his career, overshadowing his earlier achievements.
Victims' group attacks bishop's statementsMay 16, 2006
By Kevin O'Connor Rutland Herald
A national organization of people sexually abused by clergy is blasting Vermont Catholic Bishop Salvatore Matano for "attacking deeply wounded men and women who were raped as kids by priests."In a recent letter to the state's 118,000 Catholics, Matano explained why the statewide Diocese of Burlington, fearing the costs of 19 priest misconduct lawsuits against it, just placed its 128 local parishes in charitable trusts.
"In such litigious times, it would be a gross act of mismanagement if I did not do everything possible to protect our parishes and the interests of the faithful from unbridled, unjust and terribly unreasonable assault," Matano wrote.
Coalition asks O'Malley to help change sex crime laws
Groups want more public disclosure
A coalition of clergy sexual abuse survivors groups and their supporters have written to Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, asking him to develop a public list of archdiocesan priests and employees dismissed for sexual misconduct and to publicly support changes in sex-crime laws.
The coalition also announced yesterday that it will hand out leaflets at each stop on the cardinal's pilgrimage, scheduled to start today, to parishes around the Archdiocese of Boston with particularly painful histories of clergy sex abuse. The leaflets are intended for victims of abuse who have not come forward but who may attend the services and will include the names of ``credibly accused perpetrator priests" who served in the parish and phone numbers to call for information and support.
· NEW YORK -- A Roman Catholic priest pleaded guilty to grand larceny for financing a lavish lifestyle of vacations, country clubs and fancy clothes with more than $800,000 looted from his parish. Attorneys for Monsignor John Woolsey, 67, pastor of the Church of St. John the Martyr, entered the plea as part of a deal in which the judge promised him a sentence of one to five years.
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