Quote of the week:

"A waitress is no longer allowed to wander around a beer garden with a plunging neckline. I would not want to enter a beer garden under these conditions." - Munich mayor Christian Ude, on a new EU law protecting outdoor workers from exposure to radiation, in Tuesday's Globe

Watching transit

The installation of new smart cameras in Montreal's subway cars and stations is not the result of paranoia following last month's attacks on the London Tube, the Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) contends. Rather, it's the result of a much-needed upgrade that's been in the works for over a year. The July 7 and 21 attacks have highlighted the security issue, but the STM says it is realistic enough acknowledge that cameras won't foil a determined bomber.

"Cameras are not a preventive tool," says STM spokesman Serge Savard. The new technology will help authorities track down suspected criminals, evacuate users in case of an emergency and pinpoint trouble, he says, with its "intelligent sweeps" that pick up unusual motions. If something amiss is detected, the camera alerts a central control.

The system's 1,200 new cameras will be installed by the end of next year as part of a general upgrade of all fixed assets. And because of the age of the fleet - most cars turn 40 next year - new cars are slated to be purchased, each with a camera on board. Savard says the new cars will resemble those from Paris's Line 14. » Patrick Lejtenyi

Tips for nudes

Nudists from all over stripped down last weekend near Huntington for their second annual big summertime fest, where they were given some advice on the increasingly tricky legal terrain of clothelessness.

Naturists now have to worry that their naked family photos will be construed as child porn under Quebec's newly passed Bill C-2. "Someone who takes a photo of his child playing naked in a naïve way could be arrested for pedophilia, so the margin for manoeuvre is very narrow," says Diane Archambault, Quebec Naturist Federation president since January. "We've got to be careful taking photos, and even publishing photos in our magazines risks trouble with the law."

She suggests it's safer to use digital cameras for such family snaps. "Try to avoid getting your photos developed in a store," she says.

Also discussed was the problem of neighbours mistaking naturist practices for sex abuse and then complaining to youth protection agencies. To avoid such misunderstandings, Archambault advises naturists inform those living nearby of their family's clothing-free lifestyle. "We suggest they let their neighbours know that they're naturists," she says.» Kristian Gravenor

Democracy fest

The Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM), an independent, non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to debating topics relating to informed citizenship and democracy, is having a festival. For Montrealers with informed citizenship on the mind, it's not one they'd want to miss.

The Festival Citoyen will be busy, with a list of speakers including philosopher John Ralston Saul, historian Gérald Bouchard, former politician Louise Beaudoin and famed Green U.S. presidential candidate Ralph Nader. Also on the agenda will be films, music, visual arts expositions, theatre and even comedy. Most events will be followed by a Q&A and debate.

"This is basically a response to some of the constructive criticism we received last year," says INM spokesman Carlos Godoy. "Last year we had our summer school for youths between ages 15 and 30, consisting of classes, conferences and workshops. But other people wanted to attend, so we're having the summer school again this year, but also events that are intergenerational."

The festival runs from Aug. 15 to 21. For more info and tickets, visit www.inm.qc.ca or call 934-5999 ext. 221. » Patrick Lejtenyi

Emily's emergency

Montrealers stepped up generously to help Grenada recover from the disastrous Hurricane Ivan last year, sending about a quarter-of-a-million dollars to rebuild the hilly, Caribbean nutmeg-laden island. Gemma Raeburn, who worked hard to raise the funds, didn't know that they'd be back at it again this year, thanks to Hurricane Emily.

"Ivan destroyed about 90 per cent of the island but Emily destroyed the rest of it," she says. The latest 'cane has led to an open-air approach to health care in Grenada. "The roof is off the hospital," she says. "It's terrible. It's a fairly new hospital."

So Raeburn is throwing a fundraiser Sunday to help the hospital and others rebuild from the latest hurricane. It's in the form of the verbal tornado that is Paul Keens-Douglas, a well-known Grenadian comedian and storyteller, who will be weaving his web of words Sunday at the Manoir (5319 NDG Ave., corner Décarie) for a mere $20 (snap up tix by calling 737-6862, 620-8404 or 366-6561). The Montreal Gospel Super Stars will also take the stage at the event, which starts at 6 p.m. » Kristian Gravenor

REAR-VIEW MIRROR

19 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
Aug. 14–Sept. 3, 1986

On the cover: Therese Affolter as Ulrike Meinhof, in the movie Stammheim, a re-enactment of the 192-day trial of the West German 1970s revolutionaries, the left-wing Baader-Meinhof gang, screening at the World Film Fest. Re-examining that era, the article says the latest example of Germans's "Vergangenheitsbewältigung" (coming to terms with history), but this time "concerns a generation who accused their parents of refusing to overcome the past."

• Albert Nerenberg investigates the North American rise of the Iron Guard, a violent, fascist organization with roots in pre-war Romania. He blames a string of murders and beatings on the Guard, and warns that members have taken over many Romanian Orthodox Churches across the continent, including Montreal.

• "In 1967 rock was for young, rebellious idealists; in 1986 it's been assimilated into the family entertainment industry," Brendan Kelly writes about the upcoming Musicfest Miller. "What else would you expect now that the Woodstock kids are running festivals." Acts appearing include Jimmy Cliff, Air Supply, James Brown, the Eurythmics and many Montreal bands.

Angel >> MP3 player rebates Apple and Sony announced this week that consumers who bought MP3 players and iPods between December 2003 and December 2004 could be refunded as much as $25. The Supreme Court officially scrapped the so-called "piracy" levy last month, saying the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) did not have the authority to collect taxes. The levy used to apply only to blank media like CDs, cassettes or mini-discs, but in December 2003, the Copyright Board of Canada announced it would apply it to hard-drive based players. The money, some $4-million, was collected by the CPCC and was supposed to compensate artists whose works were pirated. The levy on other blank media, however, remains intact.
Insect >> Bush's new pork-heavy energy bill U.S. President George W. Bush crowed about energy independence when he signed his country's new energy bill on Monday, although he admitted it won't provide any short-term relief to skyrocketing oil prices. But it may provide long-term headaches: environmentalists and political opponents say the bill is classic pork-barrelling, rewarding the energy industry with tax breaks while ignoring pressing problems. The bill encourages increased domestic oil and gas production and new nuclear plants, but does nothing about improving fuel efficiency in cars - by far the largest consumers of gasoline. It doesn't mandate increased use of renewable energy sources like solar or wind power; and generally fails to address the problem of greenhouse gas emissions.