Michael Schmidt’s contempt sentence: $5,000 fine + $50,000 costs = 55K

York Region counsel Dan Kuzmyk (shown here talking to reporters) got what he asked for in the way of sentencing for raw milk farmer Michael Schmidt. This picture is from October 20th 2008, outside the Newmarket courthouse immediately after Justice Boswell had handed down his verdict, finding Mr. Schmidt guilty of contempt.

Justice Boswell has served Michael Schmidt with a written notification of sentence in the contempt of court case involving York Region which was heard in September of this year.

In spite of the fact that no discussion of public health issues was allowed at the trial, Justice Boswell cites public health concerns, under aggravating factors,  in his decision:

“… In addition, the law that gave rise to Justice Ferguson’s Order has, as its central purpose, preservation and promotion of public health. The contemptuous breach of the order accordingly involves an issue of public health and safety and this too is an aggravating factor…”

The ruling gives Michael six months to pay the $5,000 fine and the $50,000 in costs.

Michael Schmidt is expected to call a press conference at Queens Park later this week, at which time he will outline his response to the sentence and provide further news on the progress of his legal action against the DFO (Dairy Farmers of Ontario).

The strange persistence of tyranny — useful ideas from out of this world

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process, he does not become a monster. …for if you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss gazes back into you.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Useful ideas from out of this world (picture is Lagoon Nebula from NASA)

The following excerpt is from the book “Extra-Terrestrial Friends and Foes” by George C. Andrews (1993), chapter seven, “A tentative taxonomy of extraterrestrial humanoids”. The excerpt is from information transmitted by Khyla of Procyon. Adams describes Khyla as “a watcher” and explains that, like Odin in Norse mythology, “the watchers have always been here”. And “Procyon” is “the home planet of those who travel through time”.

Raw milk is part of the solution for folksingers Carmen and Andrew

Even folksingers from Michigan are opting for cow shares these days.

Yeah, I know these are not the sort of people you’d usually expect to get involved with cow shares and raw milk. But hey, surprises abound. Here is some of what they say about it on their blog “Foliasmusictravels”. They’re from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The photo is also from their blog.

“We had four huge successes this year for our health and for the well being of everyone in the world.

First, I built a compost pile in the backyard! I got angry one day at how much vegetable waste I was putting yet again in the garbage.