Guess He Didn’t Receive The Memo On Olympic Ass Kissing

[Toronto Star] BEIJING — Having publicly promised that he would not “politicize” the Olympic Games, President George W. Bush caught Chinese officials off guard here today, using his opening of a new U.S. embassy to drive home the importance of free speech and freedom of religion in all societies.

Chinese dignitaries in the audience were chilled.

The criticisms stung — delivered on the very day the Olympic Games are to open and China prepares to take its place on the world stage.

Hey, Baby, Wanna Go For A Drink After Class? Hop On The Handlebars

[USA Today] High schools and colleges are steering students away from cars to save money on gas, save the environment and promote physical fitness.

This fall, Ripon College in Ripon, Wis., is offering freshmen free mountain bikes, helmets and locks in exchange for a promise not to bring a car to campus. The $300-per-student cost is funded by private donations.

The college’s president, David Joyce, says the project was meant to avoid building a parking garage, but its side effects are beneficial: less pollution, more exercise and savings on gas.

Montreal Muslim Woman Files Human Rights Complaint Against YMCA

Long story short: “Woman converts to Islam. Begins wearing hijab at work. YMCA seeks accomodation, and asks her to wear a ‘burkini.’ Woman files a complaint with the Human Rights commission.” Say that again without laughing.

[Canadian Press] A Montreal lifeguard has filed a human rights complaint against a local YMCA after the club told her she couldn’t wear her hijab on duty.

The 21-year-old woman has been swapping her traditional Muslim headscarf at the poolside for a “burkini,” a swimsuit that covers everything but the face, hands and feet.

The Montreal YMCA said the hijab puts lifeguards at risk from the grabbing hands of panicked swimmers in rescue situations.

…

The report said the lifeguard, who converted to Islam last September, has been working at the Y for three years.

Aussie Attorney-General Asks UN To Monitor Human Rights…In Australia

More from the Who’s In Charge Around Here? file.

[HeraldSun] ATTORNEY-GENERAL Robert McClelland said Australia will end the “hypocrisy” of lecturing its neighbours on human rights without always setting a good example of its own.

The Federal Government yesterday issued a standing invitation to the United Nations Human Rights Council to visit Australia to monitor and report on human rights in the country.

It is part of a broader move by Labor to re-engage Australia with the UN after a strained relationship between the former Howard Government and the international body.

Alberta Human Rights Commission: Let’s All Pretend This Never Happened

CHRC punted on Steyn. OHRC punted on Steyn. AHRC now punts on Levant. BCHRT…you’re up! Come on, chickenshits. You nailed McDonald’s for handwashing, surely you can bust Steyn for a hate crime. Or will you punt, too?

[CBC] The Alberta Human Rights Commission has dismissed a complaint against publisher Ezra Levant for reprinting the provocative Danish Muhammad cartoons in his magazine in 2006.

The complaint was filed by the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities.

Levant, who has characterized the controversy as a free speech issue, said he was pleased with the outcome and pledged to continue fighting against censorship.

Waterloo Record: PM Errs In Snubbing Totalitarian Murderers

[Waterloo Record] But not every invited dignitary will be present. And among the most conspicuous of the absent will be Canada’s own Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In staying away, Harper erred. He should be in Beijing. Instead, his perplexing absence will confuse the Chinese, possibly damage Sino-Canadian relations and do a disservice to the Canadian athletes competing there.