March 8, 2016 UPDATE: Legal fees paid — on to Federal Court for Charter trial contesting Canadian FATCA IGA legislation.
Canadians and International Supporters:
You came through once again: $594,970 for legal costs have now been donated and our outstanding legal bill is finally paid off.
Thanks especially to those who donated even though they never had any “spare” money to give, and despite this gave over and over and over again.
This last round of fundraising also shows that our Canadian lawsuit remains dependent on the kindness of our International Friends: There would be no lawsuit without their financial help.
Know that a very generous donation (today) from a supporter in the United States made it possible to pay off the remaining legal debt. Also please appreciate that there would be no lawsuit without the help of the Isaac Brock Society which has kindly let us use its website to solicit funds.
Our next step is the Constitutional-Charter trial in Federal Court.
For this we need more Canadian Witnesses, and my next post will be devoted only to a request for Witnesses willing to go public, like our Plaintiffs Ginny and Gwen.
For the future: I want a win in Federal Court — and I want the new Liberal Government not to appeal that win.
Thank you all for your support,
Stephen Kish,
for the Directors,
Alliance for the Defence of Canadian Sovereignty
@Marie Yes, it would be nice to see some “free” (taxpayer) money contributed to the Charter Challenge. Justice can be expensive. Here’s the link to the Court Challenges of Canada website:
http://www.ccppcj.ca
You mean like a personal vendetta, Furious AC? I don’t know that SCC has spent enough time on Brock to have developed one of those 😉
I think we could all use a chuckle, although C-31 wasn’t on anyone’s list:
MPs line up to sit on Supreme Court Justices’ laps to ask what laws they want struck down for Christmas
http://www.thebeaverton.com/national/item/2268-mps-line-up-to-sit-on-supreme-court-justices-laps-to-ask-what-laws-they-want-struck-down-for-christmas
We live in the here and now, so it is impossible to say what action or inaction will have the greatest impact on the outcome of any endeavour.
Which is exactly how the Founding Father’s of the new nation felt in their time.
These were men of means and education. It was no small sacrifice to sign their lives wholly to the cause of freedom and liberty in their time. They risked everything AND fought on every front, military and otherwise to secure the success of their cause.
It was exactly how the Airmen defending England felt. So few against so many. Young, with their whole lives ahead of them, yet dedicated to the cause of freedom and liberty at risk of their very lives. The Free French, The Canadians, The RAF pilots, Free Chechs, and American pilots.
Freedom loving , young and brave pilots all who defended an all but defenseless Fortress England.
As Churchill said, “Never have so many owed so much to so few”
We absolutely never know the outcome in our own time when we engage on a mission or adhere to a cause.
I remember one moment on Parliament Hill during Mulroney’s time in office when there was great controversy about cutting senior’s CPP in order to pay for something or other clearly more important to the PM of the day than CPP payments, which were , and now are, a pittiable pittance.
However, at the time, there was uproar about it and it was clear that PM Mulroney was going to have it implemented until one very significant press conference:
With the cameras rolling and Mulroney at the microphone uttering platitudes a little grey haired lady came forth, wagged her finger in Mulroney’s face and stated “Don’t you DARE cut CPP!”
It was one woman. Unrehearsed, spontaneous and sincere. A very uncomfortable moment for PM Mulroney! And completely and totally effective.
CPP was NOT reduced at that time and for that very reason: One little senior lady wagging her finger in the face of the sitting PM on national television!
Would that all problems, funding or otherwise were as easily solved or at least mitigated.
Great emphasis is made on the money matters with good reason as they are vitally important for success. But it is not just the money. The money is a means to an end. These issues are utterly fundamental to national sovereignty, freedom of the individual and preservation of privacy.
Each and every one of vital importance to everyone, not just those engaged in the struggle and fighting these issues on every front imaginable.
No one is ever coerced. Their ability or willingness and their personal choice always respected.
As @Embee says,quoting from Yoda in Star Wars “Do or not do. There is no try.”
THAT is exactly the mindset required for success of any worthy cause.
What is the alternative of the great effort engaged here?
Is it to tuck tail and cower? Can one even imagine such a thing in the face of such generational tyranny?
We stand here pledged to do everything we can to assure success.
Right now that is focused on fundraising. Vital and Essential.
We are nearly there. If we were able, with our international friends, to raise over $500,000 then this next leg and anything else needed is not beyond our strength and resolve!
It will not be. It shall NOT be. As @NativeCanadian says, ‘we are here to support the lawsuit’
We are here to support the lawsuit, and other lawsuits as needs be and never waver in our resolve that we will succeed.
@The Mom Sorry to hear about the struggles on the home front. I hope some of the challenges ease in the new year. If stepping back from the issues discussed on this website removes one source of stress, I’d encourage you to take a break. The US is a colossal windmill– even if you go away for a month or three or more, it’s not going anywhere.
All the best,
BC Doc
@Furious_AC,
“However , opinions expressed with the addition of personal attacks , snide comments and assumptions of personal motives of anyone who disagrees is a hallmark. And not a good one.”
Agreed. And it happens a lot at Brock, when people express opinions that others don’t like, as I have done with my comment questioning the wisdom regarding the choice by ADCS to bite off a CBT lawsuit.
” Questioning a champion of one’s own cause , a vital cause, is like the damsel in distress telling Sir Galahad he is not the one wanted to be the rescurer because you don’t think his horse will hold both of you because Galahad’s armour is too heavy!”
But, the thing is I don’t see a CBT lawsuit as my cause. The Canada FATCA IGA lawsuit is my cause, and was the first cause that ADCS championed. As someone who has donated what to my family is a significant amount of funds, I believe I am perfectly justified in challenging ADCS/ADCT for taking on something in addition to the original cause which could possibly negatively affect the success of the original cause.
“Criticizing the Champions of the FATCA cause in any form whatsoever is so lacking in class and appreciation of their efforts one can only conclude that other motives are at work. ”
I disagree. I think we all need to be challenged and criticized at times. And I also think that given my fears (which are shared by others)about the impact of the second lawsuit/fundraising effort on the first, that I would be remiss not to express those concerns.
Don’t overlook the mixed blessing that both donor bases will do nothing but increase with the multitude of people about to be affected by passport revocations, FATCA and the plethora of other attacks against us.
@Furious_AC
One more thing. And please don’t take this too harshly. I really think you should reread the first quote of yours, that I referred to above, and then give that some thought with regard to your own commenting style.
“Bubblebustin says
December 5, 2015 at 3:14 pm
You mean like a personal vendetta, Furious AC? I don’t know that SCC has spent enough time on Brock to have developed one of those 😉 ”
I do not know either. I only know the result and emphasis of posts clearly designed to do nothing to support or sympathize. Only to question what we all here already know to be the highest quality of leadership and integrity of all those who have dedicated themselves to the cause of many millions of people, many of whom have little to NO idea of the struggle engaged.
It would be much more preferable that an effort to educated and inform oneself of the background and issues that have brought the struggle to this point, before casting aspersions on anyone and everyone who deigns to explain and point out errors in perception.
AND as BC_Doc says below. Because it is so very true that while each and everyone reaches a point they must step away for sanity’s sake, they can do that with the knowledge that the struggle continues and is in very capable hands on behalf of everyone.
Can leadership do the same? Certainly not. THEY do not have that luxury. Another reason to be so very appreciative of all of them!
“BC_Doc says
December 5, 2015 at 3:23 pm
@The Mom Sorry to hear about the struggles on the home front. I hope some of the challenges ease in the new year. If stepping back from the issues discussed on this website removes one source of stress, I’d encourage you to take a break. The US is a colossal windmill– even if you go away for a month or three or more, it’s not going anywhere.
All the best,
BC Doc”
*************************
And that is a perfect example of the kind of empathy and support found here. The understanding of many who are dealing with their own struggles and at times need to seek the encouragement and support of a like minded and totally committed community!
OK. True Confession time here. I am actually WhiteKat.
@The Mom
My heart simply goes out to you as one who has experienced all that you are going through right now!
And to have FATCA issues thrown in? You must be a superwoman to have handled it all !
If I could , I would just hug you! Wherever you find support, take it. Whenever you need a break from all the things weighing on you, take it.
BC_Doc’s advice is good. Take it if you need it. You have friends here who absolutely support you in your struggle and will always be here as long as we have this fight to win. When we win we can always look back and remember that brave and wonderful gal from Sault Ste. Marie who inspired us all to keep on keeping on. Take your break. Rest and renew.
The ramparts are manned and will remain. And welcome you back when your strength is renewed.
God’s Blessings on you and prayers for Him to give you strength. To give us all strength.
@Furious_AC, re: “I only know the result and emphasis of posts clearly designed to do nothing to support or sympathize. ”
Did you read my (WK’s) post to TheMom above? That showed a real inability to support and sympathizeeh? So has all the other crap I have done since I started being involved in this fight. You know things like the first mini-protest when Flaherty was still alive, organizing an Ottawa protest, travelling to TO to be involved in a TO protest, being interviewed for a few articles, appearing on RadioOne Ottawa for an interview, lots of letter writing, lots of commenting on articles, donating to the lawsuit, volunteering to be a plaintiff, etc.
The reason I posted as SCC was because I have been beaten up so much by people in the past here, for disagreeing with their opinions that I really just cannot take it anymore. I’ve been called a “fraud” by Bubblebustin for having a US passport at one time. I’ve had people email me privately to tell me to shut up.
And because I knew it would happen again, but I felt strongly about my concerns, I posted under a different name. It didn’t matter though, because once again, WK/SCC is hated for daring to voice opinions that differ from those who dominate at Brock.
@ Bubblebustin
And one Justice said to the MP who asked for Part 5 of Bill C-31 (2014) to be struck down, “Now THAT’s being very specific. That’s what we like to hear. We’ll get right on it.” …. Well, I’d like to think that’s what he or she would say. Anyway, I wonder how it came to pass that our Canadian Supremes would be required to dress like Santa Clauses? Didn’t anyone notice?
@ FuriousAC
For me it’s DO or TRY TO DO but definitely not DO NOT. One thing I have to work on very hard is my patience. Your words of wisdom are so appreciated.
Elizabeth May on government financial decisions said *Why couldn’t a government say…GO FLY A KITE…* Why couldn’t it pertain for our new Liberal government to say the same (if ballsy enough)?
And, to both of you, EmBee and Furious AC — thanks!
@ SCC/WK
I hope you noticed that Ginny welcomed your opinion. This site wouldn’t be as valuable as it is without different opinions being expressed. It would be like trying to pick the highest value on a set of 5 cards with 4 of them lying face down. (I suppose an ace might be one of the cards and then we’d get to argue about whether that card is high or low.) All I ask is that you don’t get so frustrated with us that you wander away. I miss the ones who once were here and then wandered away. Although it could simply be that they have a CLN and want to put this all behind them. I can accept that. I sure understand why you picked SecondClassCanadian. Sometimes I get so down that I feel like I’m a NoClassCanadian because I don’t seem to fit into any nitch.
I also feel discouraged sometimes because I want a quick fix. I dream of logging on to Brock and seeing some good news about a victory for us or at least some form of relief. I have to keep reminding myself that this is not the 100 meter sprint. This is going to be a true marathon and we have to fight it…together. There will be times when we will want to throw in the towel and say “I can’t stand it anymore” but we have to stay strong and focused but above all STAY UNITED. I don’t live in Canada but have donated to your fatca challenge for Charter rights. I will continue to help but will also begin the CBT donations since this is what the international donors have waited for. I hope we will be successful but I know that without Brock I would have lost my mind when I had my OMG moment. I wonder how much I saved by just logging on to Brock and reading for hours trying to get a grip on things and not falling into total despair. It’s worth a lot to me because it saved me mentally and that is why I donate money. It is worth a lot to my children even if they don’t know it yet. I am staying in for the long haul. UNITE PEOPLE!! Stay strong and focused. Merry Christmas to the best of the best…YOU
@Embee, thanks for your kind words, as usual. You really are a fine example of what it means to be empathetic. Much appreciated as I am very down right now.
And yes, I noticed Ginny’s comment. She is a really nice lady. And I noticed that others, such as Duke and TheMom most recently have said they agree with my concerns. Some have said this to me privately as well. So maybe I am not the unsympathetic, unappreciative, lacking in class, agenda driven person that some people make me out to be.
@ SSC/WK
I understand being down because that’s a familiar place for me. I’ve also had many “cranky pants” days (I think that’s Charl’s expression). It’s worse when we feel we can’t tell anyone — mostly because it’s too darn hard to explain. I foolishly tried last week with a neighbour and afterwards was kicking myself for neglecting to slap some invisible duct tape across my mouth before I went out. His words to me were, “I don’t know anything about this FATCA. You’re imagining things.”
@Embee,
You are a really, really sweet person! Truly, one of a kind. Anyone who has you for a friend is a really lucky person. Thank you so much for your comment which came at the right time, as I am feeling really down, and wondering why I keep coming back here for more punishment. Starting to think on some level I like it or something even though it makes me feel like shit…too weird.
And Yes, I noticed Ginny’s rebuff of BB’s deriding of my comments, and also that TheDuke and TheMom said they shared my concerns. Maybe I am not the sabotaging, unappreciative, unsympathetic, unsupportive, classless person that some here make me out to be.
Embee, sorry for the double post. I thought maybe I had not hit enter, cause my comment disappeared, so I rewrote it a bit differently a second time, but now I realize that SCC is under moderation.
@Embee, oh never mind, there is no double post, cause neither of my comments directed to you, under SCC got posted. I guess being honest and fessing up to using a different name to comment on was not a good idea.
So is it just my computer, or have all ALL my comments under SCC been deleted? I don’t see any of them.
Sorry mods, I know you prefer each individual use only one pseudo-name, but I explained my reasoning as I am truly stressing out over the backlashes I have had in the past here. Is it really that much of a crime to post under a different pseudo-name or is it just a problem because some of the mods are also the ADCS directors and are also the ADCT directors and don’t like my opinions?
The least you could do was republish my hard thought out comments, under WhiteKat as opposed to deleting everything I have written. Honestly, I am so done with this place. Cue the applause BB!
@ WhiteKat
I thought I was imagining things just like my neighbour said I was imagining FATCA. I saved the last SCC comment to reassure myself that I really did see it but now it’s gone like the others. Pretty confusing. Maybe things are a bit glitchy at Brock today. Maybe the spam detector went awry. Maybe I need to give my head a shake and go for a walk. Think that’s what I’ll do. 🙂