Private Bethany Smith, a 21-year-old U.S. army deserter, won a key court battle on Friday when a Federal Court judge ordered Canada’s refugee board to reconsider its decision to deny Smith’s application for asylum in Canada. Smith left a military base at Fort Campbell, Ky., two years ago after suffering what she says was persecution based on her sexual orientation. According to Smith, after a fellow soldier outed her as a lesbian, she was harassed, made to work harder than others, and even threatened. Justice Yves de Montigny found in Smith’s favour, finding that Smith had legitimate reason to fear “that she could be punished for leaving an environment where her life is in danger.”
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Contrary to popular belief, the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame at the Opening Ceremonies is, in fact, a decidedly modern affair. The culmination of the torch relay in a grandiose display at the Opening Ceremonies is a relic of the 1936 Berlin Games—just one of many attempts by the Nazi regime to lend a mythical air to the Games. Still, despite its dubious history, the lighting of the cauldron has evolved into one of the most spectacular and ostentatious displays at the Games. And the secretiveness that surrounds the lead-up to the ceremony only lends to the hype.
When it comes to the 2010 Games, the speculation about who will be selected to light the cauldron has coalesced around whether VANOC will go the traditional route and opt for a former Olympian or take the road less-travelled and pick someone from outside the sports world. Facebook groups have popped up promoting everyone from Terry Fox’s mother, Betty, to former Vancouver Canucks captain Trevor Linden. So far, Vancouver’s Olympic organizers have kept a tight lid on who the potential candidates might be. We’ve assembled a list of the names making the rounds, but feel free to add your own in the poll or in the comments below.
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I Think we are playing with fire if we allow her to stay. The U.S. military does not have a death penalty for being gay. She has simply failed to fullfill her side of the contract she signed with the US forces. Should Canada be a refuge for all with contract disputes? The worst she faces is some time in the brig, and a dishonorable discharge.
"Don't ask, don't tell" is a contract?
OFFS… and I suppose we're on the hook to put this honourless twit on the dole for the rest of her life….
At least this snippet does not use that nausea-inducing, assinine term the useful idiots like to use… "war resistor"…. Gah, I just threw up a little in my mouth just mentioning it…