We're trying to break down American cultural stereotypes about Canadians being overly polite. While we're at it, will somebody get Rick Mercer to do a guest blog post on slaw.ca dispelling the myth that Canadian lawyers practice out of their igloos, end all pleadings with "eh", and think that curling is a metaphor for trial strategy.

In other news (related to the post), the underwear bomber is talking despite being read his Miranda rights:

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, arrested last Christmas for trying to explode a bomb on a plane arriving in Detroit, has begun talking again to authorities, officials said Tuesday, a development that only ratcheted up the debate over whether he should be tried in federal court or before a military tribunal…
" My understanding is that he is cooperating," she said, "that they have gotten useful information out of him. My information is that is continuing" since he was given the Miranda warning upon his arrest on Christmas Day.

Procedural rights always apply.

A reader in The Star , who appears to be a retired engineer dedicated to community service, wrote in about the Hall stamp:

Re:Victoria Cross pioneer honoured with stamp, Jan. 30
I am appalled by the commemoration of William Hall on a Canadian stamp for his role in the destruction of defences and capture of Shah Najaf Mosque in Lucknow, India, during the Indian Mutiny of 1857.
I was born and educated in Lucknow and have been a frequent visitor to the mosque. This stamp not only celebrates the destructive deeds, but highlights colonial occupation of an entire sub-continent.
The Indian Mutiny is called by us as the First War of Independence, when we rose against foreign occupiers. It is a seminal moment in our history. Unfortunately we lost and the retribution was worse than that in Guantanamo or Abu Ghraib.
It is not fitting for Canada to dredge up colonial past.
Shah Nawaz Husain, Brampton

Incidentally, I love your Sun Tzu quotes.

"notwithstanding Antonin’s apprehension, I’m sure he’ll meet the challenge."

I don't have any apprehensions, Erik; albeit you may be under a misapprehension. While Omar's Blawg Review #249 is excellent, the comment was signed by "The Trial Warrior" and he's got a message for you:

"Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance." -Sun Tzu

For those interested, Luqman Abdullah's autopsy is available here. It shows he was shot 21 times, and had abrasions on his hands and face.

The Detroit News reports that Rep. John Conyers, chairman of the the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, is calling for an independent federal investigation based on irregularities in the fatal shooting.

Above: Jamil Carswell, Luqman Abdullah's son, speaks to the media. The website in the sign behind him is for the Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice (MECAWI).

I didn't mention it in the post, but I used to live in inner-city Detroit, about 5 min. away from Luqman's mosque.

Whatever controversies may have been attached to the October 29 Dearborn raid, it is important to emphasize that many of these people were actively involved in community service in these impoverished neighbourhoods, helping needy people irrespective of their faith. Helping those most directly impacted by the legacy of slavery, who continue to be neglected today.

Here's the testimony of Jihad El-Jihad (that's his name), the security guard (and paralegal) who witnessed a raid on the mosque on October 28, 2009, before the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners on December 18, 2009:

More from Fox:

Thank you for mentioning my recent blog post discussing the Ciolli case. For the sake of complete clarity I'd like to point out that I was not counsel on this case, rather I did nothing more than report the jury's findings on my blog. I simply wish to make sure that no-one is innocently misled.

Yours truly,

Erik Magraken

Cheers,
Connie