In what most be the least surprising legal ruling of all time, a British court found that people cannot be detained without access to food, water, shelter, or toilets without cause.

The practice, known as Kettling is an increasingly common tactic used by police at protests. That the tactic is illegal in a country where citizens have the right to protest and the right to due process under the law seems obvious.

The police are appealing; they should drop their appeal. They should be protecting the people, rather than fighting for permission to abuse us.

Photo is of the I Fly Like Paper installation by Dawn Ng.
Webcomic is Mr. Lovenstein by J. L. Westover.

The BBC reporter conducting the interview found here ought to be fired. During the student protests here, Jody McIntyre, a student with cerebral palsy, was dragged from his wheelchair.

Here, a BBC reporter interviews Mr. McIntyre, apparently trying to blame him for being beat up by police. McIntyre is intelligent, rational and composed throughout. Well worth watching.

(Found here.)

The Supreme Court of Canada is deciding whether or not linking to libellous material is, in itself, libel. If it turns out that this is the case, the Internet will essentially become illegal in Canada.

So those airport scanners that see through your clothing and possibly give you cancer? They don’t find hidden explosives.

On November 26th — while the Big Bad Blog was unfortunately huddled in a dark, internet-free world — Christopher Hitchens and Tony Blair had some sort of free-for-all WWE-style smackdown in Toronto. While the details are hazy, as we were not in Toronto, and did not have Internet, some matters of faith were discussed.

Should you be interested in what might have been said in such a discussion, the transcript is here.

(by Sebastian Errazuriz)

Here is a long interview, with many photos, about vintage toy robots.

Given last week’s post about education cuts, you might think that the Big Bad Blog is sympathetic with student protesters. And you would be somewhat right — we sympathise with their cause. But whining about police tactics used at student protests is a bit much. The first protest was surprisingly violent. Police officers were hurt. Buildings were damaged. And the force was embarrassed.

If you were surprised, angry, or hurt by the police tactics employed during the following protests — and particularly if you chose to bring young children to them — you really need that education. Here at the Big Bad Blog, we have a hard time feeling bad for you, though we do feel a little sorry for your kids.

The most true thing I have read this week: Chris Mooney writes when we have a solar company that’s worth as much as ExxonMobil, I’m quite confident our politics will change.

(And yes, he didn’t write it this week. But I didn’t read it until this week.)

(The Tree, by Canuck Photography)

Maggie Koerth-Baker seems to be slowly displacing Cory Doctorow as my favourite BoingBoing writer. Today, she has me pondering whether or not I would be willing to pack up Maggie and take her to Mars. That’s my Maggie, by the way, and not Ms. Koerth-Baker. Though I’m sure she would make a lovely Martian companion.

On a parting note: A neo-nazi couple find out that they have Jewish roots, embrace the religion, and become active members of the Jewish community.