Peace Out Ya'll!

Well, at least for about a month and a quarter.

I'm going to be stepping away from the blog for a while because I was convinced by a sibling that I should take a vacation with her, in part because she thinks I need a break from work but mostly because she doesn't want to travel alone.

Where are we going? Trekking in Tibet? Taking a felucca down the Nile in Egypt? How about a trip to Peru to visit Machu Picchu?

Nope.

An all-inclusive stay at a resort in Turk And Caicos where she has a friend who got us an extended stay on the cheap.

Ugh.... I should have asked about the destination before I agreed to this. Beaches are boring and one can drink only so many fruity cocktails with tiny umbrellas. I shouldn't be viewing this trip with dread but, here we are.

Be that as it may, I'll be gone from the point that this post published to the middle of August when I've used up a good chunk of my banked days off from previous years. In the past ARC could continue to publish while I was away because there actually WAS a collective, but as such is no longer the case I have scheduled some article to self-publish during my absence meaning that by the time you see them they will be incredibly out of date and probably of limited relevance.

Meh.

Enjoy your summer folks and see you again on August 19.

Anti-Omar Khadr Rally Planned For July 16 on Parliament Hill: An Examination of One of the Organizers

The story that has dominated much of the media cycle during the early days of this month has been the settlement made to Omar Khadr who at 15, was accused of killing American special forces soldier Sgt. Christopher Speer. Khadr was held at Guantanamo for a decade before he was returned to serve the rest of his sentence in Canada. During this time the Supreme Court ruled that the Canadian government's interrogation of Khadr, "offends the most basic Canadian standards about the treatment of detained youth suspects." The settlement and apology were as a result of a civil suit Khadr brought against the Canadian government claiming the government had worked with the American government to abuse his rights. He also suggested that his plea agreement was based on his belief that it was the only chance he would have to be transferred back to Canada from Guantanamo and that he had no memory of the firefight that resulted in the death of Sgt. Speer. To be sure, there has been a debate not only about the treatment of someone who would be considered a child soldier, but also whether or not he actually threw the grenade in the first place.

Obviously this story has polarized Canadians. While I agree with the settlement and with Prime Minister Trudeau's justification that the Charter needs to be protect all Canadians, including Khadr whom the Supreme Court ruled had his rights violated, there are a number of people who I normally agree with and whom I respect a great deal who disagree with the settlement. I have had some very good discussions with these individuals about their concerns and while I don't agree, I understand where they are coming from. However there also those who are attempting to use this issue as a cudgel to win political points. Personally, I don't believe Ezra Levant, Andrew Scheer, or the people this blog covers who are apoplectic about the settlement actually give a damn about Sgt. Speer's widow and simply view this as a means of attacking the government. In fact, the rhetoric involved clearly indicates an antipathy towards not only Omar Khadr, but Muslims in general and the virulent Islamophobia that has been a feature of conservative politics since Stephen Harper first began talking about "old stock Canadians" and Kellie Leitch tried to emulate Donald Trump's xenophobia in her failed bid in the Conservative leadership race.

And so it isn't at all surprising to see two extremely partisan Conservative operatives and activists organizing a rally on Parliament Hill for July 16:

I'll get to Georgeanne Burke and Debbie Jodoin in a moment, but some of the initial comments left on the page are as follows:

Considering Khadr was born in Canada, deportation would be difficult, then again....

.... Ms. Burke seems to agree with you.

July 2017 Bits and Bites Part I: More Proud Boys, Fromm and Goudreau Antics, and Hamilton Shooting

Well it has been a few days since ARC first published the story on the Proud Boys who disrupted the memorial in Halifax and who happen to be members of the Canadian Armed Forces.... for now at least. As much as ARC would like to take the credit for the story becoming as big as it eventually did, the real credit goes to the Anonymous group who published the videos on YouTube first as well as those who were present and wrote about the incident on social media. They are the ones who deserve all the credit.

Still, ARC certainly did get a lift for a few days in terms of readership over four days:

Gavin McInnes and Others Respond to Halifax Proud Boy Incident

Based on Rear Admiral John Newton's tone in during his press conference, I didn't hold out much hope that there would be serious repercussions for the "Proud Boys" who disrupted a Mi'kmaw memorial remembering MMIWG in Halifax.

I might however end up being pleasantly surprised:

Armed Forces members who disrupted Indigenous rally could get the boot 

'Their future in the military is certainly in doubt,' says Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of defence staff 

The members of the Canadian Armed Forces who disrupted a protest organized by Indigenous activists in Halifax on Canada Day will be removed from training and duties as the military investigates and reviews the circumstances, says the country's top general. 

"We are the nation's protectors, and any member of the Canadian Armed Forces who is not prepared to be the defender we need them to be will face severe consequences, including release from the forces," Gen. Jonathan Vance, chief of defence staff, said in a statement Tuesday night.

It has been heartening to see that the actions of these five men (as well as a sixth individual whom I suspect but won't confirm unless I know for certain) has met with, in general, universal disgust:

• White Supremacists Have No Place In The Canadian Armed Forces
• Pathetic, dumb and dangerous: The Proud Boys make their debut in Halifax
• 5 “Proud Boys” suspended from duties and face investigation says chief of defence
• Rear admiral apologizes for Proud Boys’ behaviour
• Canada's top general condemns actions of servicemen who disrupted Indigenous ceremony in Halifax
• Navy should focus on reconciliation in dealing with members who disrupted Indigenous ceremony: Mi'kmaq activist
• L’extrême-droite s’attaque aux revendications autochtones- la marine enquête?

Well, almost universal condemnation:

Gavin McInnes, founder of the Proud Boys, correspondent for Ezra Levant's alt-right Rebel Media, and man who was not too long ago condemned for his antisemitic remarks (though he claims that he's not an antisemite) has rushed in to defend his acolytes:

Sort of. He kind of does it rather half-assed.... or maybe no chinned?:

And my favorite:

First, how was it their job to disrupt a memorial?

And second, McInnes' decision to start the Proud Boys and ramp up violent rhetoric directed at those beta cuck leftard snowflake sjw's is in part the cause of the mess these five are in now. McInnes owns this as much as the five who disrupted the ceremony.

Now while McInnes is trying to cram the genie he let out back in the bottle, other "alt-right" and over racists are celebrating the actions of these men.

Such as the folks at Stormfront:

Members of the anti-government III% militia:

New groups like the Worldwide Coalition Against Islam, including the Saskatchewan "captain" who was convicted not to long ago of threatening to harm the prime minister....

.... as well as Canadian Action Party Alberta "leader" (and WCAI ally) Devon Mannix who isn't even subtle in his racism:

Even old relics like Canadian Nazi Party founder John Beattie is excited:

So, word of advice to Gavin McInnes.

Stop trying to help.

You've already screwed up enough lives quite enough.

Oh, and on that note, more of McInnes' Kids in San Diego.

Naval "Proud Boy" Members in Halifax: Slap On the Wrist?

It would seem that at least one "Proud Boy" isn't so proud anymore, or at least he isn't so willing to speak with the media. Tom of Community TV contacted Grant Gauchier (Did I get that name right Grant? You insisted that your name be correct last time) but was left with this as a response:

Today the military confirmed (and what ARC had already confirmed) that all five men who disrupted a Mi'kmaw memorial remembering MMIWG in Halifax are in fact members of the Canadian Armed Forces though has only confirmed that two are members of the Royal Canadian Navy:

Five servicemen involved in incident at Indigenous ceremony in Halifax: militaryAdina Bresge, The Canadian Press Published Tuesday, July 4, 2017 1:30PM EDT Last Updated Tuesday, July 4, 2017 2:35PM EDT 

HALIFAX -- The military says five men involved in a filmed confrontation at an Indigenous ceremony in Halifax are members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and any misconduct will be addressed.

National Defence spokesman Daniel LeBouthillier confirmed Tuesday that five Forces members were involved in the incident, at least two of whom belong to the Navy. 

As such, ARC will confirm that at least 4 of the 5 are members of the Royal Canadian Navy and one is likely a member of the Army Reserves. One of our readers has provided the following information:

LS John Eldridge from HMCS Ville De Quebec
OS David Eldridge HMCS VDQ
CPL Eric Maurice 36 Signal Regiment
OS Grant Gauchier HMCS Scotian
OS Braidyn Pollitt HMCS Montreal

The article continues:

Commanders of the Canadian Army and Navy released a joint statement Tuesday saying that the chain of command "takes action" when a member's conduct is not in keeping with military code. 

"The actions of a few do not reflect the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army commitment to being inclusive and diverse organizations," Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd and Lt.-Gen. Paul Wynnyk said in a Facebook post. 

"Unfortunately, some of our sailors and soldiers have not ... made the necessary mind shift that leads to deep institutional change."

Well that is all well and good, but while Rear Admiral John Newton confirmed the five were members of the Canadian Armed Forces, he did so with the tone that they were mischievous scamps who carried things too far and disappointed their dad.

At this point the five have not had any formal disciplinary hearing, but it looked as if they would not be discharged. I may be wrong about that, but we'll see. Also, LeBouthillier's response to a question about whether First Nations would be consulted during the process -- they will consider it -- doesn't leave one with a great deal of confidence.

Now all five of the men have shut down or locked down their Facebooks so ARC was not able to get any other information, however Alheli Picazo managed to get some screen shots that indicate that at least some of the members also have interesting views not only about First Nations, but also Muslims, transgender persons, and rape.

Oh, and they seem not only to be "Proud Boys" bat a few are adherents of the alt-right:

Oh, the trolling is adorable.... 

Discussion on Kek from the Southern Poverty Law Canter

Ladies and gentlemen, your Canadian Armed Forces.

But hey, at least these five men have the support of III% Alberta, an anti-government militia:

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tUWGZipuO1g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Military "Proud Boys" Disrupt Mi'kmaw Memorial in Halifax

UPDATE 4: I'm actually reminded that this isn't the first story of far-right individuals who are or have been members of the Canadian military:

• GermBrit Comments on ARC
• More Trouble For Boneheads Planning on Attending Calgary Rally
• Paulie Plays Fast and Loose With the Truth

On Canada day, while members of the Mi'kmaw Nation held a memorial remembering MMIWG in Halifax, a local contingent of "Proud Boys" arrived to disrupt the event, because the "Proud Boys" are classy that way:

While two of the group were rather reticent about providing their names, the others were quite happy to do so:

UPDATE 1: There's a second video as well:



The gang later hit the pubs to celebrate their.... victory?

Left to Right: Braidyn Pollitt  John Eldridge, David Eldridge, Grant Gauchier, and Eric Maurice

As they kindly provided their names, it wasn't all that difficult to track down information about them. And the kicker is that all five of them are members of the Canadian Armed Forces:

These are John Eldridge, David Eldridge, Eric Maurice, Grant Gauchier, and one guy haven't confirmed the name yet [Braidyn Pollitt]: so-called "Proud Boys" - members of a far-right ultra-nationalist group - that turned up at the park where some Mi'kmaw folk were having a ceremony to mourn those kidnapped and murdered by the Canadian state. Most of them are also members of the armed forces [Note: all are in the Armed Forces]. 

We think it's important to spread their names and faces around so they can be held accountable, and also so folk can stay safe. One of the stages of membership in the organization requires committing an act of violence against an "antifascist". They might be some cowardly little shitweasles, but they *want* to be a white supremacist street organization, so keep your guard up.

So let's take a look at our new friends:

First we have a "Proud Boy" who doesn't seem to be so proud that he is willing to provide a name. That is something that can easily be rectified:

First, the hair. That neo-fascist style? No.... just no.

Also, and perhaps it's just me, but I can't seem to find his Facebook profile any longer. Again, why would a "Proud Boy" wish to disappear himself?

In any case, as evidenced by the caption provided by another participant in yesterday's desecration, Braidyn Pollitt is a member of the Royal Canadian Navy as are three of the remaining four who will be profiled:

More on Grant very soon.

Then we have the first to bravely provide his name, John Eldridge:

We follow John with his brother Dave Eldridge:

Also surprisingly shy for a "Proud Boy" is Eric Maurice who, since his identity has been discovered, has tightened up his Facebook profile, though not before someone was able to get the following screen shots:

It looks as though Eric might be in a different branch of the Canadian Armed Forces and not in the Canadian Royal Navy like the others (UPDATE: seems he too is likely in the navy).

Last the fella who insisted that anyone watching the video get his name right, Grant Gauchier:

Dear god, you can smell the douchiness even before looking at the screen shots. These are from the day they disrupted the memorial:

And these are him in uniform:

Now, if anyone thinks that the Canadian Royal Navy should be made aware of what Braidyn Pollitt John Eldridge, David Eldridge, Grant Gauchier, and Eric Maurice are up to (because goodness knows nothing bad has ever happened with overt far-right nationalists in the Canadian military before), who am I to stand in your way?

The Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan: Minister of National Defence

• Website 
• Twitter 

Royal Canadian Navy

• Website 
• Twitter 

Vice-Admiral Maurice Frank Ronald "Ron" Lloyd

• Twitter 

UPDATE: Well, it seems that this has become quite a popular article as it has, in less than a day, passed "The History of Violence" as ARC's most read article.... and the numbers are still climbing.

It also seems that the collective efforts of those who are disgusted with the display by these five men are yielding some results:

UPDATE 3: I have the feeling that these young men have very much come to regret engaging in what they termed as a "patriotic bub crawl"

• Two Navy members linked to Canada Day incident at Indigenous ceremony
• Disruptions of First Nations gathering causes outrage
• 'This is a British colony': Group disrupts Mi'kmaq ceremony in Halifax
• 2 navy members linked to Canada Day incident at Indigenous ceremony