Picture this, will ya

A couple of late nights ago the "Colbert Report" issued a comic prod at Amtrak. A photographer had been challenged by Amtrak security and eventually charged with illegal trespass. The photographer publicly claimed foul as he was responding to Amtrak's Photo contest.

Okay the audience howled in outrage as Stephen Colbert went into his rant about what a bunch of idiots Amtrak were. I am paraphrasing but that is the jist of the rant. Once a semi-pro photographer I too was laughing and flabbergasted at the same time.

The next day I went to check further on the internet. In short, get more information. In the course, of investigating I went to the contest rules still available at Amtrak. I found that I was very wrong to take a clown like Colbert even seriously.

Here's what I found. Colbert's construction is totally without merit. Unfortunately the truth is less humorous than an idiot's fancy. The Amtrak Security was legally well within their right to challenge and charge him with trespass.

First. If any fault strayed into Amtrak's realm it was extreme laziness. The web page dealing with the photography contest was still posted despite the fact that the contest for photos for the 2009 calendar ended July 2008. The date was unequivocal.

Second. In the web page it details quite clearly that while photographers can photograph in most public areas of Amtrak, there were several stations and properties where advanced permission was required. If not given, the web page clearly and in very simple language stated that the photographer could be charged with trespass.

So here lies the real truth. The photographer cast as a hero by some, really failed to acquire permission from the station master or property manager in charge. The photographer lied with respect to the contest. There was no contest. The contest had expired.

Apologists would say the photographer was only getting ready for next year's contest supposing that this was going to happen. Yet this excuse exposes weakness because he still would have had to follow the conditions of the contest. He did not have permission to take photographs on their property. And since it would have been for next year's contest, he did have time to read the rules many times over.

Bogarted

New lyrics and phrase for an old song.

"Don't Phelps that bong my friend, pass ooooooover to me."

Get Real

(auth. Feb. 1. 2009)

In the modern world of movie promotion, the best clips are used in other media to entice the movie-goer into committing cash. Hasn't anyone told Steve Martin that he isn't phunny?

One Pink Panther flick by this guy was bad enough, now there sprouts a sequel. With the economic downturn, I do hope its all his money that was invested. Remember, according to the best clip axiom, which is now polluting television adverts, is a pope falling off a balcony. Oh slap my knee!

The economy isn't the only thing that is bankrupt in America. Hollywood America appears bankrupt of any ideas. Steve Martin busting a hernia trying to be Inspector Clouseau is one sample. Another example was the passing movie "Get Smart".

Most of the people who liked the movie probably didn't get the original television series. The original thrived because it grew out of the fear generated by the Cold War and the movie run of the best James Bond ever. Today Get Smart tv reruns appear infantile. The show was very topical to a culture that lived under the imminent threat of nuclear annihilation.

A major problem with the Get Smart directors and producers is that they didn't "get" Smart. They turned Maxwell Smart into a competent. Actually Steve Martin would have done better as Smart than the pathetically mundane actor Steve Carrell. They authored the movie as a reflection of character which is the standard screenplay formula of all Hollywood screenplays in today's commercially motivated movie industry.

The original Get Smart was a satire focussed on technology. Instead the director and screen writers focussed on a romantic comedy between Carrell and bug eyed beauty Anne Hathaway as agent 99. Totally wrong and a lost opportunity.

What is amazing about the Get Smart movie creators is that they don't understand modern technology. They went back on the old fall backs like the cone of silence and shoe phones. If one thinks the old technology was hilarious, this brain trust missed the entire potential that modern technology holds for satire. The television creators of the Get Smart television series did get the technology. While a shoe phone is old hat to the modern person at the time of the early sixties that technology was leading edge.

Huh. Another satire tonight. Its Stupid Bowl night. See the parody of what was once a good game.

Bonk

Many sports "experts" now are wanting to take the fighting out of hockey. The triggering event was the tragic death of an amateur hockey league player in southern Ontario. He died of head injuries resulting from a fight.

The purists maintain a distance of reality in their defense of fighting. One can instantly tell the difference. You see the young man was engaged in a staged fight when he fell hard to the ice. Legally speaking the man's injuries resulted from activities related to fighting. Purists maintain that it was the loss of his helmet and the impact that caused death.

There is a larger issue though. The larger issue is concussions. In a fast game like hockey, concussions occur frequently. New research indicates that concussions should be considered with greater gravity than the past.

The goal of fighting is to knock out the other guy in hockey. The only truly vulnerable body part in hockey is the head. In the distant past, fighting was result of loss of temper. Today most of the fighting in professional hockey is staged or contrived.

My problem is that anything that contributes to the prevalence of concussions beyond that of the numbers that are accidental, should be challenged. Hockey teams maintain one or two goons on their bench. Most goons are only there to fight and lack hockey skill. This type of fight should be quashed in any sport.

How is this to be done. Hockey does have an aggressive edge bordering on fighting. That aspect i part of the game. It makes NHL hockey work effectively in entertainment value. Soccer created the shoot out. Hockey adopted that.

Soccer is a more mature sport both in chronology and practice. It too has a violent aspect. There is little or no padding or protection in footie. Fights occur. But the referee or umpire has access to two type of censure. The primary penalty kicks which occur on accidental and unintentional contact. The second type is the card system.

When a player commits a flagrant foul, the referee may also issue a personal warning to the player with a yellow card or a red card. The latter indicating a flagrant foul which the referee felt was serious. A red means dismissal and a game suspension. Two yellow cards over two games equalled one red. A yellow means the foul was flagrant but not bad enough to get one thrown out of the game.

This card system can be adapted to hockey. The card system lets the aggressive character of the players to function but the referee has the means to suspend flagrant foul repeaters. In the case of hockey there would be two blue cards, equal a yellow, and two yellows equal a red similar to the soccer idea. The cards can be supplemental to the existing penalty structure in hockey.

Canucks win Sundin

Vancouver Canuck fans gloated with glee when the Swedish god of hockey, Mats Sundin, finally decided to accept their contract offer. They felt that they had stolen this player from Toronto.

Toronto fans glum with the news when their former captain transited the walls of maximum hyprocrisy and signed with Vancouver. Nearing free agency in the spring, the proud Sundin pronounced that he wanted to be a Maple Leaf and blue flowed in his veins. He did not want to be a rent player.

After much theatre, Sundin finally decided on the Vancouver Canucks half way through the season. The Canucks were fixed in second place. With Sundin, they are 1-5-2. If the season ended today, they would be well out of the playoffs. Indeed, as of last night they have achieved a streak of seven losses. Sundin was always known for bringing his hockey team a level of consistency.

City Council

In the same callous vein borne of the US Bankers, Toronto City council decided to go ahead with salary increases. The reasoning is the same. They have to keep good people.

At the end of the increase they will make just shy of $100G per annum, not including perks for the jerks. The mayor also decided to receive the extra cash but claims to be giving it back to donate to a local charity. This only means he will get an extra tax break.

This year the council will be confronted by city unions on expiring contracts. They also want a hefty raise. There is no need to ask why civil strikes happen when the community leaders set the moral standard for leadership.

Bone asses for bangkors

The United States year end numbers have officially rolled out confirming rumors that senior bank officials of the banks that are receiving the US government bail out, got $18Bn in annual bonuses. A reason was given. The bank spin is that they had to pay these bonuses in order to keep good people within their companies.

Whow. Apparently this is going over very big in the US Congress. Politicians are finding it difficult to put heavy rules on needy auto companies when banks appear to be immune from the sensitivities of receiving monies from the US taxpayer.

Blackness denied

Good news day. Its been confirmed. Conrad Black wasn't given a pardon by outgoing President G.W. Bush.

Black is still appealing his sentence though. However, by the time the appeal is heard and a new trial upon even a successful appellate decision, Black will be incarcerated for at least two years.

Also at the end of his jailing, it is also likely that he will be deported to Britain. Ironic isn't it. The incoming President Obama politiced out of Chicago, Illinois as a federal Senator. The newspapers Black still owns are headquartered there. Too bad his lordship backed the Republicans. His schlep certainly would have worked far more effectively on Democrats.

Black's companies lost a $51M legal action to CanWest. Conrad appears to be on a roll.

CWSS#1

This is the first of a series which tries to define the reasons why to this day I cannot figure out exactly when I suffered severe back injuries. No brain, no pain.

The day lived on June. Grade nine lived in the mirrors. Brand new set of pants. Measures British Standard since the metric system hadn't been invented by Pierre Trudeau yet. Riding a relatively new bike but very fast that had recently undergone my masterful tuneups the day before.

This location was about 40 metres west of the Royal Canadian Legion on Howe Street. The road dips down about in a direction heading for the cobbled shores of Lake Superior. The road then makes a 90 degree right turn and goes for another one hundred metres to the Shell Oil Storage Tank Yard.

The gasoline tanks are no longer there making for a fenced vacant lot. The road featured corner banking proudly installed by my civil engineer father. Indeed, he was quite proud of the paved banking which enabled the truck drivers to negotiate the corner easily.

Due to the innovative new approach to education the high school officials had let me do my school day broken with a two hour noon hour and still get off at three in the afternoon. So after ingesting lunch, I began like taking a quick noon hour ride. Anything was better than school.

Today I came roaring down Yawkey Ave. at flank speed. I turned right without loosing too much momentum west onto Howe. I headed for the lakeshore. Down the legion drops picking up speed.

The day before I had done much the same thing, it should be stated. The pavement was relatively new having been laid only three years before. I had made the corner. But there was a freshly graded gravel driveway onto an outlook on the sandy cliffs overlooking Lake Superior and its Pebble Beach.

At the point I began leaning to make the apex. But the grader had left some gravel on the corner. As formula one drivers say, I hit the marbles. The bike crashed or laid out trapping my right leg under it. My hip and body had landed very hard. The leg became a toboggan runner.

I slid right across the corner on my hip right up father's shallow banking and into the air ten feet down range and three feet into the air again. The bank was also a jump ramp in the right circumstances. These were the right circumstances.

Again I landed heavily again. I pained my eyes into the blueness. No one had witnessed the crash. My leg hung naked from the freshing torn pants blood rakes from the gravelling claws of the road surface. Surprisingly my bike had survived, and why not it rode out the accident on my hips and legs.

I had badly scaped my right arm in the short sleeve shirt. I remounted my bike and made it back home.

Mother cursed me over the pants. “But mom, it was an accident.”

Mother was a nurse. Quick as a flash the wounds were washed unmercifully. Some scrapes were coated with tincture of extreme pain and torture to counteract infection. Another pair of pants were put on as mother pointed out that the new pants could not be repaired.

Painfully I crawled onto the bicycle and still made it to class. Education was a waste of time because the waves of pain made even the lowest level of concentration impossible. It was a Friday. I would have the weekend to rest and recuperate.

This was one incident in which I could have fractured my back. The wounded side is the same side that spasms the most through time. This event mundane was only one possible candidate for the broken vertabrate since the impact force of the crash was straight up the spine.

Tacks

So at the end of this day, the government will come down with a budget which may or may not solve the alleged economic crisis. Why would it be a crisis when it is just part of the capitalist money flow cycle?

Every trick in the book will be tried to the effect where the government, regardless of the party in power will spend $34B just to right the ship. But one must ask, if the ship is all that typsy. Free market is not like plate glass, which is perfectly smooth and even. Since Adam Smith twisted the quill and ink, economics has recognized that the free market economy is more like a Grand Banks squall with towering waves and deep troughs.

If a government wants a quick fix to apply to everyone, and cause an effective economic stimulus only one solution will work. That solution is to eliminate the retail sales tax both federally and provincially.

Lotttobouy

On my way to buy some lotto numbers, I was struck by a horrible thought. I could see into the future. Witnessing the apparent awaiting terror in minds eye, a turn to home was made.

I would likely lose my investment because the odds were so against winning. This should have been the reason, but it was not.

Winning wouldn’t make any difference, so pocket the ten bucks. This may have been a reason, but it was not.

Winning meant one thing. I would have to look for work. That was the reason, I was wrestling with.

What is the first thing everyone cites regarding winning the “big one”? They say they are going to quit their jobs. Means I gotta get a job to quit.

Economic whorers

Unlike the tax and spend Liverals, it seems okay for the Harperite Cornservatives to run up the debt. Most of that money is for wealthy banks, car makers and conducting a questionable futile war on the other side of the planet.

If economic stimulus were to be the goal, the elimination of the GST and a twelve month suspension of any provincial retail sales taxes in Canada would do the same trick and most effectively. Yet it appears that the government wants to reward failure in the upper echelons of the Capitalist System.

Barriers

The United Way just announced that their fund drive fell short for the first time in 18 years. They blame it on the economy.

It shows how much of a problem the impoverished have. They get left behind in the good times. They are the first to loose funding in the tough times.

Hat size

Jon Stewart did an interesting comparison last night. Stewart's main means of humor expression uses the words of politicians. The job of politicians is to lead, represent, deliberate, decide and deliver words expressing all the above. Sometimes though, the process of bullshitting creates smell.

The new President's speech fell below expectations. It was a well delivered address. But the problem with the expectations of the masses, it lacked the rousing quality. They wanted Lincoln, they got a Focus.

Abraham Lincoln was one of the world's greatest orators from Illinois. While Obama may have been a Senator from Illinois, in all rights he is a Hawaiian nurtured. A woman stud for sure, I can't actually see Obama splitting rails although he has been trying to portray that.

Another problem with oratory. It is often rather a great response loaded with relevant answers to timely great issues crafted in a short window of preparation. John Fitzgerald Kennedy's inaugural speech is still regarded one of the greatest ever because it defined change, outlined change, initiated a time of change and articulated that change. Obama's speech did none of that.

While everyone got all worked up about Lincoln and Martin Luther King, few cited Kennedy. Real change in America began with the Kennedy-Johnson years. Why did the Obama Democrats forget the contributions of Kennedy?

Lincoln is long dead for one. Lincoln only freed the slaves. He did not have the lifetime to begin the racist attitudes. Both Kennedy and Lincoln were assassinated because they lived on the edge of courage. King lived on the edge of courage with little personal protection. They made enemies. They defeated enemies. The only recourse that the enemies had was assassination. The enemies took their lives but could not quiet the power of their oratory to change the course of events.

The US and the world needs a President with the courage to live on the edge. Bush wanted to live on the edge but lacked the intellectual scope to do change. He started things with the right intentioned he claimed. But he lacked the planning to finish those tasks.

Obama appears to have the grey matter. But he does not appear to have the courage to live on the edge. In the US, great change such as international matters, economic and health issues now need someone to live on the edge.

Stewart compared the rousing parts of the Obama speech with clips of speeches from the outgoing President George W. Bush. The words of Obama appeared as reworked components of the Bush oratory. Everyone laughed but the skill of Stewart's writers ripped of a shell of Obama's protection to expose a troubling aspect. As Texan's say, that Obama speech ... was all hat.

My prediction. Obama may be a one term President. Why? The campaign speech making is over. The feet hit the mat. Obama has an Oscar, not an Olympic medal.

Et tu Obie

[auth. Jan 19th]

Sorry I 'aven't been 'ere for some days. Da 'ead cold works its uncomfortable magic.

During that time. Obama has made it this far. He took a train ride in a private coach. The only thing missing was the steam. It was replaced by a lot of other hot gases.

The only saving thing for Obama is that unlike his thick predecessor he appears to have surrounded himself with very smart people. But I have found that the only thing he does is repeat the same old phrases of future hope.

Closing Guantanamo takes the stroke of a pen. Filling out the forms for the transfer of billions to the banks takes the stroke of a pen.

Here lies a striking comparison. The leader of Afghanistan, Karzai, is rumored to be guarded by a full US Marine Brigade or about one thousand soldiers at any time. This is a lot of guards.

In Washington, according to CTV news, Obama's security detail for his first day on the job will be 40,000 security personnel, police and secret service agents. Or in other words, Obama is being guarded with a force roughly the size of the entire Canadian Army (circa 1995).

In most grim estimates the size of direct Al Qaeda operatives, optimistically put the global count as around17,000. This is highly speculative numbers, since the organizational structure and behavior not only changes from region to region, also remains liquid within it.

A terror group, any terror group wins by inflicting terror. Strategic topographical control remains a minor priority. The over the top response by Americans shows that the terror group wins again.

I am also reflective on history. Americans should study history. Most political leaders are not overthrown by an alien force but often by those considered close allies. Julius Caesar, Caligula, Sertorius, Anwar Sadat, Indira Ghandi, were offed by members of their own guard or, with the guard's complicity. Indeed one is more likely to have a successful internal attack than a successful external attack. A leader should also be aware of the mood of the Praetorian Guard.

This was taken to extreme in the Ottoman Empire when these emporers employed foreign born eunuchs called Janissaries. What history proved though was that the Janissaries played a role in leadership changes as that empire matured. Indeed they shortened the reigns of more than one of their supposed benefactors.

So Obama has a Praetorian Guard too. One army of guards exists surrounding him. Ironic, that it is only called the Secret Service. History should cause him to fear his Conservative leaning guards more than some imaginary terror plots.

Chill thrills

Well just a little smug. The mercury plunged after a week of warning. Now the temperature hunts around minus 18 degress Celsius this morning. Of course, the media dogs bark about it being near -31 degrees wind chill. (Then just don't stand naked in the wind stupid.)

This little chill episode only lasts about three days. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I remember in TWNBMB that during the months of January and February a day like this would be considered downright tropical.

The GO trains are stuck on frozen switches. Passengers are agog about being over 64 minutes late. Phhhhfff, nothing. I can remember the CP Dominion being days late.

Still don't require a parka. Everyone else is bundling up. But they don't know what to do with those clothes. I take mine off the minute I step inside a warm building. People on subways refuse to unzip their parkas.

But lets look on the bright side of this little cold snap. This is a good time for tow truck operators as they go from call to call.

Invest in engine rebuilders because they should make a good profit in this stuff. Most of the people here simply put water in their car's cooling systems. They also think a block heater is another name for a winter hooker.

Time for volunteer work.

Enough of this. Lets look at the bright side. Economic opportunities abound.

Joyous day

Today is one of the most important days in Canada, that isn't commonly recognized. In the USA the one thing they do better than us ice chippers is that they remember their leadership by commemorating the days of birth such as Washington, Lincoln and King.

In that vein we inject some Canadiana. Today is John A. MacDonald's birthday. Hip, hip, hoo-ray!!!!!!

Alright the next question is... who is John A. MacDonald? Another blag for that.

L A offs and EEk Cono Me

As we enter this period of recession, revisionist history climbs onto the wagon. One of them is recalling programs of wage and price controls enacted by the Canadian government led by Pierre Trudeau. The common remembrance is that there was only wage and price controls. There was a very important third part though which made the first two aspects work. In this day and age, a duplication of that program, with a layoff freeze will go a long way to help the economy.

While this set of policies appear outwardly as anti-business, in effect the grouping of policies enforces a completely pro-business effect. It is a two prong strategy meant to help the commercial take a short term breath much like resuscitating a nearly drowned person.

What the policy does do is defer the knee jerk reaction of bankers to interfere with the business recovery. Bankers who have only a financial interest take a look at the business accounts and recommends cost reductions to struggling business. Too many people in the modern world assume that bankers are part of the business sector. In every way the financial sector to which banking truly belongs anchors it.

Wage, price and layoff controls (WPLC) implemented on a six month re-evaluation cycle takes away the easy route to cost controls. Although every business has unique struggles the basis of obtaining financing remains universal. The easiest way to reduce costs is to reduce labor. The easiest way to spin into recession is to put people out of revenue generating work.

WPLC policies gives that breathing space where banks cannot maintain a stance of forcing businesses into labor practices which deepens the recession cycle. It gives businesses stable financial cycles over several reporting quarters. They can adjust their specific problems in a predictable environment.

Warming trends

Snows finally gather in the city scape. Mice run into the buildings fleeing from a certain winter. Squirrels crawl in attics.

Governments declaration of emergency cold alerts express false concern through media outlets. Churches close doors.

We stand alone. Alone we stand.

Which is kinda good in one way but bad in another. I just contributed with all the cattle in the world to the global warming gases. Spring will now come sooner than later.

Memorial ang syne

Flying into another year, there appears on the plate many important issues. One thing brings it into focus though.

Two floors below, a building superintendant passed away on New Year's Day from natural causes. I do not know his surname for he was one of those people who maintained an arm's length relationship with the tenants. We called him “Rick”.

I only found out about this on Tuesday this week. And its all sad.

What was stunning was that he was only around 48 years of age. I had seen him earlier in that holiday week walking to the store. The ever present cigarette smoldering, hanging from the corner of his mouth.

The only things we knew about him. He owned a tattoo business. He had two Harlies wintering in the basement where he lived. He had a daughter somewhere out west. That is about all. No funeral, no memorial and no one wanted to adopt his Rottweiler.

Winter thaw its

Sometimes things come across the desk which is a lot better than the blog I was contemplating. The following article is taken in its entirety to retain literal context, without commercial intent for the education and the edification of the student readers of this bleg.

Bushisms: U.S. leader sets standard for mangled phrases during presidency

Module body

Sat Jan 3, 4:03 PM

By The Associated Press, The Associated Press

President George W. Bush will leave behind a legacy of Bushisms, the label stamped on the U.S. leaders original speaking style. Some of the president's more notable malapropisms and mangled statements:

-"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." - September 2000, explaining his energy policies at an event in Michigan.

-"Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?" - January 2000, during a campaign event in South Carolina.

-"They misunderestimated the compassion of our country. I think they misunderestimated the will and determination of the commander-in-chief, too." - Sept. 26, 2001, in Langley, Va. Bush was referring to the terrorists who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks.

-"There's no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that we will fail." - Oct. 4, 2001, in Washington. Bush was remarking on a back-to-work plan after the terrorist attacks.

- "It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber." - April 10, 2002, at the White House, as Bush urged Senate passage of a broad ban on cloning.

- "I want to thank the dozens of welfare-to-work stories, the actual examples of people who made the firm and solemn commitment to work hard to embetter themselves." - April 18, 2002, at the White House.

-"There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again." - Sept. 17, 2002, in Nashville, Tenn.

-"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." - Aug. 5, 2004, at the signing ceremony for a defence spending bill.

-"Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." - Sept. 6, 2004, at a rally in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

- "Our most abundant energy source is coal. We have enough coal to last for 250 years, yet coal also prevents an environmental challenge." - April 20, 2005, in Washington.

- "We look forward to hearing your vision, so we can more better do our job." - Sept. 20, 2005, in Gulfport, Miss.

-"I can't wait to join you in the joy of welcoming neighbours back into neighbourhoods, and small businesses up and running, and cutting those ribbons that somebody is creating new jobs." - Sept. 5, 2005, when Bush met with residents of Poplarville, Miss., in the wake of hurricane Katrina.

-"It was not always a given that the United States and America would have a close relationship. After all, 60 years we were at war 60 years ago we were at war." - June 29, 2006, at the White House, where Bush met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

-"Make no mistake about it, I understand how tough it is, sir. I talk to families who die." - Dec. 7, 2006, in a joint appearance with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

- "These are big achievements for this country, and the people of Bulgaria ought to be proud of the achievements that they have achieved." - June 11, 2007, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

- "Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your introduction. Thank you for being such a fine host for the OPEC summit." - September 2007, in Sydney, Australia, where Bush was attending an APEC summit.

-"Thank you, Your Holiness. Awesome speech." April 16, 2008, at a ceremony welcoming Pope Benedict to the White House.

-"The fact that they purchased the machine meant somebody had to make the machine. And when somebody makes a machine, it means there's jobs at the machine-making place." - May 27, 2008, in Mesa, Ariz.

-"And they have no disregard for human life." - July 15, 2008, at the White House. Bush was referring to enemy fighters in Afghanistan.

- "I remember meeting a mother of a child who was abducted by the North Koreans right here in the Oval Office." - June 26, 2008, during a Rose Garden news briefing.

-"Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have helped transform 13 small colonies into a great and growing nation of more than 300 people." - July 4, 2008 in Virginia.

- "This thaw - took a while to thaw, it's going to take a while to unthaw." Oct. 20, 2008, in Alexandria, La., as he discussed the economy and frozen credit markets.

Rez Ol' Lushions

Its been bothering me for days. Okay. Worrying about this means that I have excessive surpluses of temporal allotments on my manipulators.

New Year's Resolutions. The phrase irks. Such effort is cliche, lacking in any imagination. Plus its like telling the world that you, the Resolutioner", are an idiot.

Take the words "resolve" and "resolution". Check the linguistic dynamics of them.

Resolution implies that at one time there was a solution that was either re-applied or applied in replacement to a solution to a known problem. Stoking this thought channel the observer can only interpret that all the other efforts in solution or solved failed. You, the Resolutioner, are then a failed idiot.

Resolve implies that you are finally taking a firm stand. There was a solve and now again the same solve. This is milquetoast in the world of sagebrush philosophy. It means little. It means you quit once already when you were solving the problem and here you are back at it again. And everyone else knows that you will not achieve such a goal because in historical experiences you failed every time repeatedly. You are a repeating idiot.

Also such action could be interpreted for a lack of vision. History shows that most resolutions are cliche: lose weight, quit smoking, exercise everyday. Things like this require no originality. They are common solutions for common problems. Why are you elevating these simple remedies to the diety of a year ending determination. You then are an unimaginative idiot.

Alright then. There are a lot of people who are Resolutioners at the beginning of the year. Like one new day is going to change the history of the previous 365 days by magic. It also implies rather a domesticated existence. You follow the crowd. You adhere to the group culture without question. You are a sheep, idiot.

It is quite possible to go on, but it would be superfluous. Time is to dwell on other more important issues. I promise to this year. And that is a "Solution" not a repeat.

from Gordydamus

Tiss the thirtyfirst. Time for prognostications. All things come from a vision. Here are the events foretold for 2009.

1. There will be a major earthquake in Asia.

2. There will be a bloody conflict in the Middle East.

3. A noted Hollywood actor will enter a drug rehab.

4. The President of the United States will acquire a dog.

5. Canada will have an idiot for Prime Minister.

6. The price of oil will change.

7. In July, the southern military base of the US empire, McMurdo Station, will be struck by low temperatures near -40ºC.

8. A meteor will fall into earth's atmosphere.

These are but a few of the visions over the past few days.

New Years Revulsions

Its fashionable to take stock of the past year and to create goals called resolutions. Its cliche and all that sort of thing. They never work. In this blag, a new variation on this theme. For the New Year, Gordy's 2009 Revulsions.

1. Stephen Harper.

2. Ignatieff.

3. Layton.

4. Mike Duffy.

5. Taxes.

6. TTC.

7. Wind Chill.

8. Viruses.

9. Flu clinics.

10. Doctors.

11. Oil Companies.

12. Barack Obama.

....tbc

Resolutions of a new year

Resolution(s) for the New Year.

MEDICAL

Fewer doctor visits.
More drugs.
Lose weight.
Gain weight.

Faatboll

Today the NFL season begins to wind down into its hyped up playoffs. All the teams are supposed to be playing. This means that there should be no comments until tomorrow. Most of the testosteroned abandon their computer software for this 10 hour binge of inadequacy.

Well I am not falling for it. Masculinity depends not on the quantity of booze, the numbers of games or the the winning of bets. ...Wait, maybe it does.

Christmas Dinner

Selecting the choicest all beef wieners from Shopsy's and wrapping them in the purest of white bread, laid the foundation for the best Christmas meal in a long time.

The coup de grease was that this was topped not by the flows of mustard but rather by dollops of Cheez Whiz. Yummy.

Grinch Scrooginations

Oh, oh, oh. Hey I'm not the only joyous practitioner of Grinch Scrooging (GS). The Ontario provincial government tops me. I just bother crack heads. Okay little kids too. But I draw the line at the little brats.

The Ontario government (aka GovOnCa) quietly raised the base price of beer to $25.60 about 10 days before Christmas. By in large, most poor people buy only the cheap brands of beer. The excuse was to reduce drinking e.g. driving. Like they couldn't wait til January 2nd?

Poor people don't usually drive cars. They can only afford crap beer. They didn't raise the price of the higher brands til after Christmas.

Earlier in the year, GovOnCa pulled another GS worthy of the term. Many very poor families relied on the winter clothing allowance each August to provided clothes for their children. The usually parsimonious federal government created or improved child tax credits and rebates. The latter's goal was to fulfill a promise to help reduce poverty even though a lot of the credit would also go to middle class and richies.

GovOnCa decided in its turn to assist poverty by withdrawing the winter clothing allowance with the exceptionally lame excuse that the new tax plan revenue would perhaps match the winter clothing allowance. Upon calculation, this proves untrue. It was a written lie. Yet poor people cannot afford good lawyers or advocates. So GovOnCa got away with it.

Thursday

For the last two months, I kept thinking that Christmas Day was on Wednesday. Planned everything around that fact. Today I find out that not only does it occur on Thursday but after fifty some years I still can't read a calendar.

Oh doesn't something like this really fuck one's head up.

Merry Grinch Scrooge

Its okay to Grinch. Its wild to Scrooge. One can do it with a smile to boot.

Yes, at this time of year during the festive season, one is supposed to have that Christian spirit of charity and good will. The point of this discourse is that you can have humanity and do the Grinch Scrooge (GS).

All these do-gooders, all of a sudden burdened with guilt of their 364 greed function descend on the poorest of the poor to give out food, rucksacks, blankets, soap and shaving items. Trust me. Poverty is 365 days per with the exception of Leap Year when the poor are blessed with a single rich day. The do-gooders never hand out the one precious human commodity which is respect.

Ask the do-gooders, they know nothing of the people they hand out too. They will always say we gave out this number of blankets or that number pounds of food. Never do these people hand out to Charlie, Mike, Dave or John.

Being on the other side of the lineup the receivers are rarely happy about having to take hand outs even at Christmas time. Yes there are some guys or gals that do believe in taking. Most however come out of Christmas still poor, embarrased, depressed and very alone. There is no comfort in constant necessity. There is no vacation, no weekend, no hour free.

Where does being a poor Grinch Scrooge come into this? You see. I got this thing about giving out a dollar and having that coin cross the palm of a crack dealer barely fifteen minutes later. Crack users aren't your normal drug users. Crackheads become the modern vampires. The best gift one can give a crack user is absolutely nothing. Normally it won't bother them one way or another. Its one of the rare cases where knowing how to be a Grinch Scrooge is a real benefit to society.

Often crackheads bum change for coffee standing right outside a coffee drop-in where there is a free pot of coffee. Of course to the uninitiated passer-by this sort of panhandling can assuage any guilt feeling by giving the beggar cash.

My common favorite Grinch Scrooge to crack heads begging for food money. The only thing a poor Grinch Scrooge like me has is knowledge. Where is the free or low cost food points available. “Oh sir, can we have money for food. I am so hungry.”

The reply goes. ...Yeah no problem. The food restaurant at Fred Victor Mission is still open. There are free tickets down in reception. Crack heads bugger off.

Another version of this, is to offer to buy them a breakfast, because I(me) is going there for breakfast. Crack heads bugger off. I've never had that offer taken up in this neighborhood.

The personal highlight of Grinch Scrooging happened last year. It is the fad of crackhead panhandlers to wear those ugly red Santa caps. It is common amongst crack beggars.

Crackheads use the caps to generate empathy in the marks. Mark, that's you. The Santa cap says gee I am in the Christmas spirit. You are in the Christmas spirit. You will give me a large amount of spare change.

Walking with an acquaintance we were accosted. So this female crack user employed the Santa cap trick. “Hey Sir. Any spare change?”

I stuck my hand out. “Sure, I'll take some.”
She stuck mouth open. “Ugghm, I meant you.”

“Ya, I'll take some.” I remarked.

She ran off. I went beyond the depth of understanding for any crack user.

Buddy goes. “What gives?”

I chirped loudly both to him and the retreating cracker, “Santa's are supposed to give.”

Winter pox

Well this should make some people happy. Any sort of slightly adverse weather event leads to profits and an economic boost. This is all good.

These images also provide those anti-Toronto factions with a headache. Here is proof that the city does get winter, and most of the time needs no army help. Slanderers.

Banks bailout limited

Not all banks are getting bailed out. Food banks sure aren't.

This isn't all bad. I was a user of the food banks until my disability kicked in. I still sometimes use low cost restaurants who use food from the central food bank.

What I learned is that food banks are a critical necessity. But donations are down apparently. This carries some irony because at this time donations are needed more as more laid off people stream onto the unemployment rolls. Food banks become critical.

For me, food banks worked. However each user must be warned of the health risks associated with this food source. I was sick almost constantly while I devoured food from the banks. It was a tough choice. Endure hunger pains. Or, endure the ill health so common to this food source.

Why is this? First consider the sources.

Food bank food is almost always either second hand food. It is definitely not fresh by any view.

With fresh food there is a limited numbers of handlers before one purchases. The farm, sorters, packagers and retailer. This limits the access of bacteria. In the case of food bank food, the food is handled many times before it hits the plate.

Fresh food means that usually food is below the expiry or best before date. Food bank food is almost always stale, or close too it. Often the best before date is a historical entry.

Canned food from a primary store is often pristine regarding the condition of the containers. Food bank cans are almost always dented. And they are often dented severely. Denting comes from the retailer who would have written off the dented can as unsafe for his/her customers. Denting also occurs because of the excessive handling of the food stuffs.

In the extra handling, not all the hands are clean hands. Often food banks are dirty old warehouse space which was donated by some rich guy who couldn't use the space. Or they could be located in ancient church basements with questionable sanitation conditions.

Also the food bank stores don't have the right handling conditions. The food undergoes frequent changes in temperature and humidity.

Now these are the problems encountered by the food banks which receives food from the well intentioned. There are a few donations that could be called malicious.

First there is the donation from people cleaning out the fridge. Instead of parsing into the recycling system, these people who consider the food unfit for their consumption put the food into the food hampers seeing as poor people are like dogs. Dogs eat anything and don't appear to get sick from it.

Second there are the poisoners. There are people who intentionally put spoiled food into the second hand food system. I once opened a jar of apple sauce only to find a thick layer of mold. The person who donated the food must have thought this was a good joke. Poor people have great senses of humor after all.

Another category of intentional malice comes from the commercial sector. Sometimes retailers donate the food to get a better tax credit rather than sending it to the dump where they know it should have gone.

Why the silence about all this? Fear. First the food is needed. Food bank food is a necessity. The large quantity of food comes from caring Samaritans. The fear is that by complaining it will kill the system and the larger good. The reason that poor people seem to die younger and have more health problems derive from the use of food banks and the charity meal system.

But if you are heading for the food bank system, I would encourage you to think again. No matter the care taken at the food bank apparently there are lax health standards. The volunteers are not experts in food handling, at any point. You are putting your health at risk. But if you need the food, use it with your eyes open. And say thank you.

Merry Christmas...

Sundin

There is something that Sundin did. But I don't think I know anything about it. I may, or may not write a blog about it. I will make up my mind either before Christmas, or after Christmas.

Snowmagedon

Began here about 0700hrs EST. Storm Track of storm core to the south but still oncoming. Bobby heading for the shovel.

More later.

End of time flakey

[auth. Dec 18. 2008]

"Snowmagedon" is upon us. Two low pressure areas combined over Colorado and will hit the Toronto city about rush hour.

The storm warnings issued by Environment Canada was upgraded to a Warning, and a Watch. Or is it the other way around. The alerts have been up since yesterday. The nickname for the weather alerts got picked by the weathermen at 680 News in Toronto. So this one is a Snowmagedon I.

Whether (weather) or not the storm hits like they say is totally speculation. In my recall, an experienced weather observer, in this area Colorado Hookers are busts. That term was adopted by the weather people at Environment Canada to express the power and motion of weather patterns. One is the Alberta Express, or Alberta Clipper. Another is Chinook.

Colorado Hookers are storms that form or enhance near the state of Colorado, then move east then is captured by the permanent winter low pressure area over Hudson's Bay which means the storms turn rapidly to the left to a north easterly path. The pattern hooks up.

The entire Great Lakes zone is subject to this normal storm movement. It was a Colorado Hooker that was the deepest low pressure area ever recorded over the land mass of North America. Even Katrina did not register such a deep low pressure measurement. Even though it had the windspeed of a hurricane it did not have the power. The difference is in the humidity which generates the power of a hurricane.

Regardless, tomorrow's storm is anticipated. In theory, it is striking at the wrong time which is rush hour, on a work day. It means a lot of traffic will be on the road. Environment Canada somewhat created this little dilemma. The last set of storm warnings was a complete bust, a real flop. Of course, what is logged here, is that the storm after a mistake, usually means that the people will ignore the warning.

For the conspiracy buffs, you will note that this warning comes on the Friday, of the last shopping weekend before Christmas. Now the storm is a rare chance to assist the staggering economy in the retail sector. One smells a plot.

If the storm track is to the south, it won't be too bad. If the storm track is to the north of Toronto it will deserve the weatherman's promise. If the storm tracks directly over Toronto, a bust.

I hope its bad. Gives a whole set of stories to put into blogs like this one. e.g. This is the worst storm in 37 years.

Cultural divides

al Zaidi's shoe throwing demonstrates a sharp schism between basic cultural views. Throughout the Islamic world he is considered a hero.

Meanwhile in the alleged western world, Bush comes off well too. Commentators marvel at the old boy's reflexes. And he comes a hero.

This is going to take a lot of work.

Weekend Treat

For the first time in twelve years, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not play on a Saturday night. This was very radical. Montreal and some other team played. It was a treat. Hockey Night in Canada never did show a real hockey game in that time.

Pitching

To think that the most devastating weapon used in the American conquest of Iraq is a couple of shoes, is astounding. In future there will be hundreds of camps spread secretly through out the Islamic world training youth the correct way to hurl shoes.

Images of President George W. Bush ducking shoes is the ultimate protest. It kills no one. It hurts no one. But it does demonstrate the utter contempt most Iraqis have for the Americans, and their puppets in power. Muntadar al-Zeidi threw his shoes and curses at Bush.

If he lives he may become the resistance hero for the Iraqis. A streak of blood trailed him as a pile of security agents dragged him away. Now we know what to do with those old shoes, recycle them in protest.

Malady insitu

No one bailed out Nortel. It closed this week at $0.48 per share on the Toronto Stock Exchange from a year old high around $16.00. This was after they contracted the numbers of shares 1 to 10 several months earlier. Such performance by executives. Yet free enterprise seems to insist that private business is more efficient than public.

What seems stunning in all this is that all these analysts have charted the decline of Nortel over the last decades since it was spun off from Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE on the TSX) which closed at $21.23 at week's end.

The major complaint of Nortel watchers has been the inadequate accounting department of the company. Now this accounting system had to have been instituted by its parent company prior to 1998. That company is BCE. Yet BCE's financial reporting has always been perceived as accurate. It appears that BCE was given a pass since so many investors had money in this company. BCE appears immune to the disease it gave Nortel.

Dumbocracy in action. - hypocrites #2

Contrast the Cornservative position with their counterparts in the USA Senate. Last week, Stephen Harper the future former Prime Minister in Canada, screamed that the idea of an opposition coalition to dump his sorry ass from office was undemocratic. His pitch to the stupid Canadian voters actually worked since Stephan Dion got dumped by the Liveralls. What has happened this week?

Harper then announces that they will appoint 18 new Senators before Christmas. Its called stacking the Senate. This was something popular with many Prime Ministers were it not for the fact that it was the Manning led Deform Party that split from the Proroguess Cornservatives because they wanted an elected Senate and that all Senators come from Alberta.

Harper along with Jack Layton claimed to be champions of Senate reform. Harper is a hypocrite.

Pay cut - hypocrite #1

The Yankee senate infested with Republican hypocrites. In order to grant bridge loans to the auto makers, these politicians wanted the auto workers take a hefty pay cut.

Well, why don't these leaders of society, in crisis, lead the way and take a pay cut themselves. Why do I think that will never happen.

Bus stop

“Move to the rear of the bus.” the bus driver commands. No one moves.

“Exit by the rear doors only.” driver says as the old women exit front.

“I got it somewhere, I gotta put my purse.” says a fumbling woman hunting for a token through a series of bags, plastic and leather.

It is rush hour. Packed street car. And a woman pushing the big plastic grey moulded stroller onto the car when every one has gotten on. Trapped.

For this I pay $110 a month.

The watch continues. This is the duty we set before us. Conrad Black languishes in a country estate Florida prison. George W. Bush prepares to exit into history. Tis the season for the wait, by Black and other connected ner-do-wells. Black remains clutched in hope for a pardon.

How do you think this will go? Can we get a conversation, or small skit to sum up Black's chances.
On the phone.

*****

Conrad:

Hello George. Pardon me.

President-to-go:
What? You fart?

From the other side :))

Good Day, Gord!

I was busy creating cute quotes for OUR blog (with your name on it) and I noticed, especially for the 'women are green' entry, a missing link. Where's the link to the story? I wanted to read it. Then it occurred to me, like a flash of lightning, this is the only blog in the entire world where no links are provided by the author and no links are permitted by the readers. Even my occasional TinyURL links don't show up as clickable links, they show up as plain text. Lots of people don't know how to cut and paste.

This is the Internet, Gord, mon ami! Everything is supposed to be linked to everything else. In fact, on other blogs there's a saying: if there's no link, it never happened. That's a common complaint and kind of the ultimate argument and insult on a blog. No links implies you're cherry picking the facts you happen to like and purposely leaving out 'inconvenient facts' that are contrary to your point of view. It's like a billboard saying: don't believe anything you read here because you're not allowed to independently check the facts.

On many other blogs with Moderators (and you DO moderate your blog more closely than anyone else I've ever come across by not allowing any posts until you've approved them) links, graphics, emoticons, photographs and a whole slew of creative user content is encouraged, not just grudgingly allowed.

I realize the Internet is a nasty and unruly place with zillions of spammers but your blog kind of runs counter to the spirit of the 'Net. In fact, in philosophy it's sort of like big government or big media --- although at least big media are finally figuring out the Internet and starting to get into the spirit of the thing.

Just some thoughts for a windy, warmer December day with lots and lots of snow...

Curry left me an email this morning, threatening to come over and drink my last two beers. That means I need to shower, shave, get dressed, etcetera. Maybe I'll go down and throw out my garbage and/or clean off and start his truck, which he's left parked in the empty spot I'm still paying to rent. It's been there over a week and I haven't had the energy to go and drive it anyplace. Oh well, maybe I'll get on that horse this morning and go to get some groceries and more beer. After all, he's using his old crappy truck and I have the shiny new truck. The least I can do is start it once in awhile.

New

Ignatief. ...

Geshuntiet.

Mixed up Member Representation

I am remounting this essay although it may have been placed in this blog already. Its like the parole board. One must present the evidence once a year to keep the monster behind the bars. Its insurance.

The irony is that those who want this form of parliament sort of forget. There was a fully "democratic" referendum held during the Ontario provincial election. The option was resoundly defeated.

Like the perpetually stupid separatists located in an unnamed adjacent province, they have a mental problem of comprehending the word "no".

***


The other side of the debate

Have you ever wondered why the Ontario Political Parties are almost
universally in support of the proportional representation idea? It is
not to represent Joe Citizen. It is to garner more power for the
individual party leaders.

Representation Comparison

To compare the United States of America (USA) constitutionally began
as a people's republic. One person, one vote. The representatives
swear to uphold the people's Constitution. On their ballots, the
political party comes first.

In the case of Canada the constitutional formation evolved from the
British experience in quite a different manner. Canada was and still
is a constitutional monarchy. And Canadians forget this at political
peril. In Canada, the Member of Parliament (MP; MPP; MLA) swears
political fealty to the Crown and represents a district called a Riding.

Why use the word political peril? A peril exists because the entire
Canadian political structure evolved in an environment so different
than the USA. Canadian colonial precursors fought wars to keep that
political affiliation intact. In the USA the Congress represents the
people of the Nation. In Canada the people are represented through the
Crown.

The USA presently evolved as a rather homogenous mono-culture even
politically. The USA possesses ten times the population compared with
the Canadian population statistics. Geographically the USA is smaller.

Proportional representation presents a far major shift to divisive
party politics. Each party nominates a candidate to run in each
election presently. In Canada, on the ballot it is the person who
represents a riding not the political party. In proportional
representation a list of Candidates is presented to some sort of
cesspool of politicians and those party favorites, these party
specials represent

Political Instability

A peril because one of the most important features of the Canadian
experience has engendered long periods of what is called majority
government and short periods of minority government. While
uncomfortable for those in opposition, the so called first past the
post system has brought governmental stability. Unlike the USA the
Canadian government depends on the voting support of most of the
members of Parliament.

Some people advocate a more USA like political system and in a
Parliamentary structure that brings disaster because the
responsibilities are different. It means potentially political chaos
and even a more intransigent political structure benefiting only
political parties.

In most systems where Proportional Representation exists there
maintains long periods of minority coalition governments. In Canada,
in Ontario the Riding and its constituents are placed ahead of the
political party. With the advent of the Proportional Representation
the advantage, the control of government shifts away from the Crown,
the people to the hands of the mandarins of political parties. These
people only care about themselves and care little for Joe Citizen. The
power shift from away the people, and to the political party is the
prime reason why all the Ontario political parties are for this
resolution. It kills the Parliamentary system slowly in a
strangulation of party politics in an environment of coalition
politicians which they control.

Advocates claim otherwise citing specific examples like Sweden. Sweden
is a very small country physically. Sweden is a mono-culture. Sweden's
political systems work far different than the British evolved Canadian
system. In most cases, Proportional Representation, stifles government.

Riding vs. Constituency

I am repeating this argument from the Northern Ontario political
crisis. But the argument also applies in much of Southern Ontario.
Recall that earlier the emphasis on the idea of Crown representing
Canadian Joe Citizen. Each MPP represents an area.

One of the largest myths is the absurd idea that in Canada there is a
one person one, vote idea. So in almost every set of Riding
redistribution hearings since then, there has been an idea about all
ridings being approximately equal in population. It is the over riding
goal albeit a twisted one.

This is always worth repeating. While an ideal, this equal population
only works if the foundation of the state is a popular republic.
Unlike the USA Congressman the MPP just doesn't represent the people
in Parliament. The MPP also represents the Crown to her/his Riding.
Canada is a representative monarchy. The MPP swears to the Crown as
the representative of the people. The MPP is not the people's
representative. Rather they are the responsible elected agent of the
Crown to the people.

Again in all this, presently political parties are entirely secondary
to Canadian government. Ontario political parties only wish to deprive
Joe Citizen of even that political right. Political parties wish to
control the Ontario parliament, the people, the Crown be damned.

Lets define what a Riding began as. In times of yore it was decided by
the Crown that population was the secondary consideration to political
access to that MPP. A "Riding" was a distance that a single rider or
riding MPP could cover in the space of one day. From the idea it
wasn't just the idea of one person one vote but also it was firstly
the idea of one person equal access to government.

As it evolved into the 19th century, the idea of political access
predominated. In a city with dense populations the access could be
divided into access by statistics. But in the rural districts it was
political access that had to be considered first. Every citizen not
only has an equal vote but every citizen must have an equal access to
government.

In the federal government redistribution circa 1974, there was a
significant shift from the idea. An MP from Northern Ontario named
Keith Penner fought hard against this change since it began the
decline of political access to government by citizens. His arguments
ring to this day. Basically it was an injustice to such a large
important territory so critical to Canada lose political power simply
because of a lower population compared with a dense urban area like
Toronto.

When Parliaments evolved the idea of political access dominated versus
a population factor for represenetation. How does this work?

Presently I live in Toronto not by choice. The riding in which I live
probably has about 120,000 or so. To access my MPP I simply have to
walk up to College Street and walk into his office. Also there is the
option of simply going to a ceremony or community social function or
funeral. The MPP should likely be there.

In Northern Ontario, today that same political access to Crown
representation is not there. The MPP is an able hard working person
but cannot give the same quality of representation. The size of his
"Riding" is too large. The office is in Thunder Bay. Despite his best
efforts the MPP cannot go to the social functions or funerals that
urban MPPs can. Simply stating. A Northern Ontario Joe Citizen has far
poorer access to representation than a Toronto Joe Citizen.

Even though there maybe only 80,000 people in the riding and in theory
the MPP represents far fewer people the quality of representation
remains mitigated by geography, distance and adverse climates. Since
1974 that quality of representation has reduced significantly and
Northern Ontario residents are only second class citizens due to an
inane drive to determine Ridings based on population alone.

This inequality resides in rural southern Ontario as well although not
to the significant degree. An MPP in that Riding can drive to any
social function within several hours travel and be back in the
legislature the very next day, but the rural citizen doesn't have the
same easy access to political representation Toronto residents do.

Now with the advent of Proportional Representation this access will
be even further diminished. A city like Toronto or London has more
members. They will chose those members by outright vote to be the ones
nominated to that class of MPP. In Northern Ontario the only
representatives that will represent them will be only those members
that southern Ontario party members chose.

The only difference between Northern Ontario Joe Citizen's access to
political influence and the rural person in southern Ontario is only
in the degree. Proportional Representation, if adopted is simply a
naked power grab by urban centric political parties.

Political responsibility

And who gains access to these proportional MPs? In a
Riding/Constituency system the MPP remains uncomfortably responsible
for that Riding. A proportional MPP doesn't answer to anyone save the
political party they belong to. They will not have the same right to
cross the floor in a dispute with their political party mandarins.
Political freedoms so long protected by historical evolution are now
gone if Proportional Representation is adopted.

Again, who does the Premier or Cabinet member be responsible to if
she/he is a Proportional Member? People do not have the right to
complain to this person. The idea violates the very heart of
Parliamentary democracy because Proportional MPPs are responsible only
to the parties political, not the people, not the crown, only to a
vested interest.

And this is why few Political Parties stand up to oppose this faulty
idea. Proportional Representation skews and begins the wrecking of the
Canadian, of the Ontario political system. And the personal rights to
equal political access for all is further diminished.

Gord Campbell
Toronto

Whew kno?

Whow, what a run the poor female species of the species has been running of late. About a month ago a "scientific" report stated that women had germ ridden hands. To start off this week, now it emerges that they are green too.

A legacy for the future generations provided. This leads in so many directions. Its one of those topics that can lead to thousands of discussion points.

Below an excerpt from the report.


-------------

Genders come colour coded, study asserts
Tom Spears, Canwest News Service
Published: Monday, December 08, 2008

OTTAWA - White men are red. White women are green, or at least tinted greenish, in a Morticia Addams vein.

But there's a deeper surprise underlying this one, says the researcher at Brown University in Rhode Island who scanned through hundreds of faces to analyze pigments.

Demise of american movie making

Once the hope for american entertainment, Ron Howard, proves just another unimaginative Howlywood hack. Outtake clips shown to promote movies are usually the "best" points in the movie. If true, Frost/Nixon, violates the environmental act in so many ways classified into waste of energy, time and simple polluting.

No I don't have to see the movie. The person playing Nixon is so far away from Richard M. Nixon that the character sounds more like a Sean Connery take off. I happened to live through Nixon times. And that, is not Nixon.

Howard should be checked out for dyslexia. He learns little.

Reviews on a gaime

If there is a morning after pill, the National Football League (NFL) needs it. Universally, the Toronto print media panned the event.

Live reviewers complained about all the commercial breaks in the action. There were a lot of fans who also thought that the Canadian Football League was a poor cousin. But after going to some CFL games myself, there are few commercial breaks and the flow of the game moves quickly. Having the game played in the same venue gave the same impression.

The Fan590 which is also owned by the Rogers Media Co., the major sponsor of the event, even panned it. The best quote being "...dog, with fleas."

Another wag said... "Go Argos!"

Phootbawl

Today, 67 years ago, Pearl Harbor was attacked. Twenty seven years ago today, Zig Campbell my father passed away. Today the Miami Dolfins played the Buffalo Bulls in the first National Football League game in Canada.

Nothing can be done about about the first two events, but after viewing the game played in the same venue as the Argonuts. For once we can compare. I still prefer the Canadian Football type of game.

Fast food

Did ya hear that Ottawa has a new fast food. (ans.) Prorogies.

And I stole that one. That's why its funny. Its the favorite of most polls(Poles)says I.

So the big chicken took the cowards way out and put the kiaboscha on Parliament. Most Canadians apparently support Harper against the "Coalition". Its because the ordinary Canadian doesn't know how their own Parliament works, and what is, and what is not Democracy. Its the problem of living to close to the USA.

Harper claims that the idea that a coalition is anti-democratic; frankly is pompous fuming. Even he knows that a lie. The majority of Canadians voted not for the Cornservatives but for those other parties. If they can work together, ...fine.

The other issue is working with Separatists. Big deal. Quebec has had Separatist governments a couple of times. Last I looked they were still hooked up to the old wagon. Its only a Coalition on money bills or bills deemed "a question of confidence" by the Cabinet.

And the Bloc Quebecois possesses a liberal policy base on most social issues which effects all Canadians including Quebecois. They get paid federally, and they swear allegiance to the crown or they could not take their seats. So they are entitled to support any government they wish. Do you think the hard core Separatists are exactly enthused about the BQ supporting a federalist coalition government? Likely not.

The only thing that a prorogation of Parliament does is delay. Come the later part of January, things can turn swiftly. Most of the Cornservative media thinks this tactic is a good idea. It may not be. While most Canadians back the Cornservatives at the moment, voters will also have time to absorb the issues better so that the political result may work to the Coalition's favor.

Absence of fondness

Coming into the Christmas season, Prime Minister Harper seeks a meeting with Governor General Jean val Jean. Depending on the strategy, Harper will likely seek a prorogue of Parliament.

Not having a parliament in place for a couple of months won't be too troublesome. I remember when the Ontario bureaucracy went out on strike around 1996. They were not at work for weeks. And no one really noticed.

The idea of not having any government happenings during the Christmas season makes me love the government even more. Of course, this occurring during an alleged economic crisis seems strange. It gives Canada the excuse. There is a lack of leadership, some will say. One cannot have a diminished value of something we never did have to begin with.

Disappointment

This is musing. It could be amusing. Waves of disappointment swept the city about two days ago. Environment Canada gave weather watches for snow in the Toronto area. Downtown Toronto got no snow.

People widely anticipated such white whispy deluge. The weatherman's forecast of fear failed the test. Every place around the city got clobbered with the bleached precipitation. Toronto's citizens were both joyed and disappointed.

Now I've lived down here, in this city for a couple of decades now. I got some experience with the habit. The weatherman had his shot. Now its mine.

Based on history, when a storm warning fails. The following storm always nails this city's little ears back. The first major storm always chokes the city.

My theory is that people have short term memories here. It matters little that the previous ten warnings were accurate, it is the last forecast that people remember. In that train of thought, the impact of the first major storm this season will be far greater than the normal response because people will not believe the forecast weather watches.

So if there isn't a major storm choking this city right off,then I will be disappointed. Such is the nature of the beast.

Rant A-12156

Related to the telecommunications economic sector, here a short rant. I mean who does the programming at Global television? They move shows around weekly. Its annoying.

Rant #A-12156

Pyramid

Change will come to the Rogers Communications empire. Ted Rogers passed away this morning. It matters little whether one likes or dislikes Rogers. His passing does mean a change in the telecommunications sector in Canada. It impacts.

Rogers was 75 years old. He apparently suffered from a serious heart condition.

Rogers cable bills will increase. The pyramid will be built behind his home.

Definition

Defined - independent trip: Where traveler is not required to, or dutied to; travel in the company of, or visit ...a relative or a friend, or another person's friend, or any person or animal who lived in the home town.

In other words a truly enjoyable journey.

Just visiting

Today is the anniversary of my first independent trip to the west coast. It has been almost thirty six years. I wound up in Quesnel BC. My first work was with the Cariboo Pulp and Paper.

Later I worked for a pool hall. They had no internet back then. Come to think of it. I have no internet now either.

New TV system

In about a year or so, HD digital is supposed to be the new thing. I tried HD tv by downloading a HD tv program.

The quality was high, but I don't think women actresses are going to be thrilled. All of a sudden Kathryn Morris does look 40.

The great hope

Apparently Conrad Black can't get enough of imprisonment. He and agents of his have appealed to George W. to show Presidential leniancy. Then Black went on a rant against the American justice system.

Black compared his jail to his days in private school. Who knew he would thrive in an environment surrounded by thieves. Of course, he failed to forget to mention that he got expelled from said schools because of insubordination.

Barbara Amiel is pining for the stud. He wallows in foolishness.

GM pulls plug

Tiger Woods no longer is the paid representative of Buick. GM pulled the plug on the sponsorship deal. Jim Kelly on Prime Time Sports pointed out, "He can finally drive a car he likes."

Grey Cup sucks

Well I missed the Grey Cup this year because the greed monsters of CTV decided not to show the football contest on broadcast television. For that reason I am not getting Argo tickets next season.

A shoe in

The first year crawls in my soul. Entering grade nine I was totally unprepared for that sort of environment. It was closed and florescent.

The student council had decided on a Winter Carnival. The month was right but the weather wasn't. January had been nothing but very cold averaging forty below for a month straight, day and night. So up went all these ice sculptures.

Almost the instant the Winter Carnival was proclaimed to be open, the temperature soared to be very warm. It was over the freezing point. And down went the melting ice sculptures. The sphinx looked horrid in the noon day fog.

A nascent student newspaper began. My first assignment was covering the snow shoeing races. The year before Santa delivered some super duper Faber Athapaskan style racing snow shoes. The snowshoe route was from Penn Lake to the High School which has since been changed to a shopping plaza and Canadian Tire parking lot. Distance was about 2 miles.

Using my high tech, Brownie box camera, I snapped off the first shot as the race began. I snowshoed to the middle of the race and snapped another picture. I hopped to it passing the entire field to get to the finish line five minutes ahead of the pack.

Quietly I stooped down to get that finishing shot which would make it to the news rag. The field finally came into sight. And you know that little lightbulb that sort of click, that third person guy... going... "Hey idiot, you would've won the race."

Poor politicians

Many politicians claim to be socially conscious. Indeed they go to great lengths to point out the big problem with homelessness. Like the rabid right wing, these do-gooders state that a society must fund low cost housing. In my many years of being on a form of social assistance, I've rarely seen a 'socialist' in the poor areas of the constituency. And outside the election campaign period, never.

Action must begin at the street level to tackle homelessness. If every New Democratic Party member would open their doors and make a room available to one homeless person tomorrow, homelessness in Canada would instantly disappear. Like I believe that charity does begin at home. To make social action happen it doesn't begin at a parliament, it starts in the basement.

Of course the right wing is more notoriously ignorant of poverty issues. Cornservatives are blatantly greedy people, and enormously self serving. There was a report in the free rag Metro that stated that a lot of the deficit could be easily tackled by reducing the $38 billion that the province of Ontario spends on its sector of the budget that is spent on public housing, security and welfare.

Again, like the Harrisites that ruled Queen's Park a decade ago to fix the economy the easiest target is the poor. You will also note that this is a false message from these Cornservatives. You will note that security is actually the police budget. If you go through any municipal budget the line item for policing usually matches or exceeds the Welfare allocation.

Worse they lump the cost of policing into the social services budget distorting. This does several things in promoting a view that social services are more expensive than actual. It is a strange marriage indeed. Usually police are used against the poor. The police are only there to protect the rich, powerful and connected.

Re: Godwin's

The blug which dealt with the origins of the anti-smoking movement sparked a comment which said that it was an example of Godwin's Law. After reading the law, I would point out that this particular law doesn't apply to the blog.

In the case of applying Godwin's law, I was left with the impression that the law dealt more with a comparative allegorical contact rather than a point of historical attribution.

The topic of the blug dealt with the fact that Adolf Hitler founded the modern anti-smoking movement. This was not a point of being a like issue or an issue that the modern anti-smoking movement is like the one instituted Nazi program. Rather there is a legitimate historical context to tie the anti-smoking movement to the one in Germany.

Another case where Godwin's Law doesn't apply is in the case of Volkswagen. Clearly it was a Hitler creation which sustained itself into the modern era. Its a historical point not a point of comparison.

I did find it a point of factual interest that the modern anti-smoking movement was founded by Adolf Hitler.

Pointing

Masses of media are falling all over themselves following the US Republican Party's blame game with Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska. Of course conservatives will tend to assign blame, especially if it is their fault.

People voted for President. Had McCain been a strong candidate he would've quashed the Barack Obama candicacy. This reminds me so much of Kim Campbell's short flirtation as Prime Minister. Selected by Conservatives to replace Brain Mulroney, she lasted barely six months in office.

Canada's first female Prime Minister lost a hurried election in November. The conservative incarnation of the period, Progressive Conservatives then proceeded to place the blame for the election on her rather than Brain.

As for holding a Republican in office, whether Alaska follows the ideology matters little since Alaska is far away from the power base in Washingtomb. To the conservatives of the world, women make the perfect fall guys.

Another image detroyed.

Oh shit the politically correct have gotten to the Santa image. The poor guy must have had a stomach stapling. He is no longer jolly or jelly belly. The thought police are everywhere.

Onset of misery

There may be a depression. No matter. The coffee is ready as I tell you that the Santa Claus Parade is assembling at Christie Pitts. brb

...

...

Acquaintances must suppose, 'Oh here he goes trashing this venerable institution.' Nothing exists further from the truth. Hear ye, I am to praise.

Its all about the weather report. Near freezing. Raining. Gusty. Possible snow/sleet. In any kind of words a perfect day. Okay a perfect day for November.

This event is good for the government institutions like City Hall, Post Office, and any number of clown politicians willing to march. The dry goods retailers hope that this event will trigger a buying run on the shops.

The most wonderful thing is that doctors love this day because tomorrow on Monday their appointment calenders will be jammed with nose colds, chills, flu. Lawyers are happy since several heart attacks will occur during the event on people that otherwise would have lasted longer had their dear progeny not dragged them to this tortuous event. The wills and probate from surprise deceasement bring in bigger fees.

Such events cheers the cynical alleged hearts in society. Of course its all nuance. This golb would be raging against such lack of moral ethics of these remnant festivals derived from ancient imperial triumphs over the newly conquered and enslaved if the weather was sunny and warmer. Such a fragile border on authorship. With such grey weather I am so glad that I can write such a positive glob.

Puff the dragon

In the marvelous history of social action usually the action groups cite the foundation of their movements. For instance, the union movement cites the efforts of Samuel Gompers.

However the anti-smoking advocates avoid their lineage. You see all anti-smoking movements are the result of a Nazi plot to destroy the planned obsolescence of consumerist economic structures.

Here lies the problem. Like it or not, the founder of the modern anti-smoking movement is a guy who ultimately destroyed his own nation, caused the death of millions and lost a war. All the modern methods for the combat of smoking were invented by him. His initials are A.H.

Somehow I don't think he will get any plaques for his foresight. He was at least forty years ahead of his time on this issue. He may have killed millions but ultimately his attitude and approach to this one social issue will save many millions more enabling them to live to a full long life. People don't want to deal with this. Maybe in another fifty years.

Check the link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-tobacco_movement_in_Nazi_Germany

Spiral of unsuccess

One significant benefit that this depression gives is a freedom. With the icons of free enterprise suddenly needing help, despite the "economic efficiency" of the Capitalist system, attacks against socialists and socialists have taken a quiet turn. As the ship sinks the cries for help raise for government funds to keep their efficient companies working.

Banks executive managers totally screwed their shareholders, employees, and clients. skimming huge monies via the bonuses excuse they lined their pockets. In Canada, there is the understanding that bankers are above accusation in criminal courts. While in the US bankers fear a total melt down of companies leaving them open to criminal law. In Canada such law might even exist but will never be employed.

Predictions results

Below is the story. It shows the ultimate corruption. Regardless of the political system, democratic, socialist democratic, monarchy, or totalitarian... they all work if properly applied by persons of high ethical, high moral character. What destroys all is cruelty, arrogance and especially corruption.

When lotteries were first proposed in the nation, there was great demand. The opponents of government operated lotteries predicted:

1. Cheating - this has happened with corrupt crooked ticket sellers taking prizes.

2. Gambling addiction - this happened from the get go. Never mind lottery users, the governments also got addicted, as predicted.

3. Loss of social morality - this train was already in the tunnel.

4. The ultimate government corruption where the government cheats its own people. The primary goal of any government, in any political system is to protect its citizens. - read the following article.

*&**&

Lotteries selling tickets after big prizes already won, CBC finds

Mon Nov 10, 2:56 PM

Feeling lucky?

What if the big prize for the lottery ticket you just bought has already been won? And no one told you?

CBC Winnipeg’s I-Team has discovered that the Western Canada Lottery Corporation continues to market a variety of lottery tickets - even after the top prize has already been won.

The WCLC says customers should always read the disclaimer on their ticket, which says: “Some of the prizes on this ticket may already have been claimed.”

But lottery players say they don’t always do that, and besides, the practice is not fair - why continue selling lottery tickets if buyers have no chance at the top prize? The CBC's Investigative Unit found retailers still were selling games such as Texas Hold'em Poker, Lucky 7s and Set for Life, after the top prizes had been won.

“It’s ridiculous,” said Winnipegger Marguerite Lambert. "I wouldn’t continue to buy them if I knew that. If the prize is already gone - what’s the point?”

Elsewhere, lottery operators have been forced by customer complaints and pending lawsuits to end a game of chance when the top prize has been won.

Lottery officials in Colorado and Indiana earlier this year ordered retailers to stop selling tickets for games in which top prizes had been won. Virginia changed its policy last year after a business professor sued the state lottery for $85-million.

So how long should a ticket be left in the marketplace after the top prize is gone?

WCLC spokesperson Andrea Marantz said while the top prize may have been won in some games of chance - subsidiary prizes are still available.

“Winning $10 on a $2 ticket - people are happy,” she said. “That’s an attractive ticket.”

People often buy the tickets, however, hoping to win the biggest prize: $1-million or $100,000.

“If the big prizes are gone, why keep on selling them?” asked Winnipegger Maureen Rayner. “People are going for the big prize. That’s the way I’m looking at it.”

The WCLC says customers can check their website, updated weekly, to see if the major prize is still available - prior to buying a ticket.

Rayner said she didn’t know that. “It’s no use to someone who doesn’t have a computer,’ she said.

Marantz said the WCLC has no immediate plans to post the number of remaining prizes in stores where tickets are sold, but it's considering that possibility.

Customers say that would be a good idea. ”They should really let people know that the major prizes have been won,” said Diane Bishop. “I’m not going to buy a $5 ticket if I’m only going to win $50 - what’s the point?”

WCLC operates the lottery in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba and the northern territories.

Copyright © 2008 CBC

Not the same

Looking at the MP3 player. The little power bar showed none left. New batteries were needed. I bought some more expensive batteries at the dollar store.

This pack had two batteries instead of the normal four. The poignant circumstance is that they did not work as well as the cheapies. Go figure.

Saliva

[Nov. 10]

The blug dealing with germ ridden women was totally a tongue n cheek gambit. Some people complained. Their real names are being withheld to protect fictional characters.

What an awkward phrase? Never been able to understand tongue n cheek. I would never really do that. Nor have it done to me. Imagine sitting down with a saliva covered butt. Eheeewwwww.

Casper

[auth. today]

Phantoms exist in the ether of imagination. Seeing them isn't the problem. Rather denying them is. An agnostic will not believe your denials because denying nothing is a double negative, therefore you are saying the complete opposite.

Meanwhile the believer will not believe you because he believes even though he, or she, never seeing them would rather say they saw them rather than denying them. After all, this would upset the reality of the phantom.

Between you and me. If phantoms did exist, they really wouldn't care.

Handshakes

[auth. Nov 7]

Having no regular or reliable access to the internet forces some blag entries to be written on days before uploading but never after. I wish this could be fixed but I would rather save the $100 per month for things like food.

It would be imprudent to bother taking the extra effort in connecting with the internet immediately. The reason is our topic, that being women.

Hey don't get me wrong, I like women but I will not jump the hoops like other males. Equal rights is good and all that stuff. Yet it hasn't been a good week for the fairer sex. A study by some high falootin university has come up with the idea that women's hands are germier.

It was quite a good study. I might rather enter it into the record when I next get access to the internet. Its worth all the read.

Hand washing helps apparently helps only a little bit. The bacteria restore their numbers quite quickly said the study. If this be true, then women shouldn't be allowed in medicine. Curses to nurses. Punch the clocks female docs.

The best way to prevent men from dying early. Segregate women from society in general.

Another problem. Jewish and Islamic tradition holds that women are unclean. The hell. The old prophets were right in the first place. Who knew?

Tree microphones

[auth. Nov 06]

The leaves dropped all at once. A majority of trees appear to have decided to enter their vegetative stance. Quite the year for trees. It was a rainy summer with equal amounts of sunshine. Every species did well. Time for winter's rest. I hope trees can dream too.

Squirrels sit fat in the noonday sun. Its the trees. Trees do so much even in a city. Every tree grows as a community in each. Rodents, coons, birds, bugs and fungi rest in the boughs. Define each tree as a ghetto.

I tried to interview a couple of them for this blyg. They didn't say much. Creatures that live hundreds of years sort of get that attitude. Guess they don't like microphones.

Which one?

Okay, okay now all the clocks are back on time. Well they are until the next time my rooming house neighbor blows the fuse by plugging in his hotplate.

The last clock has been changed and life appears empty because all of a sudden there is a lack of challenge. By way of a challenge, I don't mean the Mount Everest sort of ball busting challenge. I mean that sort of ordinary minor petty challenge like standing a further six inches back from the toilet.

And all the city goes into a frenzy about changing clocks in order to conform. Even the most socialist radical adjusts the chronometers. Obedient neo-cornservatives swagger in personal achievement about their technical prowess in pushing back time. Of course to their credit, the latter do grouse loudly in spring about having to change the time an hour into the future. Call it a character flaw.

So we all run around checking time. Yet after checking the watches, radios, media recorders et al., there is always one that goes unchanged because we'll get around to it later. And always that unchanged clock sits confronting the mind about always doing the high math adjustment of deducting one hours to every reading. There is always one time piece that gets passed by.

Usually its the clock in the car or truck. Indeed too often people go year round on standard time everytime they hop into the car. What I mean is that usually there is always one timepiece that sits in the corner of the room or car and always the mind.

Well it took four days. I changed the clock radio. One cannot rely on neighbours.

Thanks Don

Walking through the park brings on more blag ideas. One haunting idea has always been the fact that since the year 2001, the USA has been perilously close to getting its first coup d'etat.

All the threats are in place. The criteria for a US military intervention is in place. Democrats are coming into power again. Worse, it appears like a radical is entering the doors of the White House. The excuse is terrorism, and more specifically terrorism conducted by Al Qaeda.

Almost to a man, the volunteer US Army officer corps is unabashedly pro-Republican. The intelligence and homeland security apparatus copies that preference.

Yet what has saved the US from one? If it wasn't for the sheer incompetence of the Bush administration along with the massive obtuse interfering incompetence of Donald Rumsfeld, a military takeover of the US might have taken place by now.

My Cane on OBummer

The USA enters the dawn of a new era. The advent of Barack Obama will accent the decline of the American empire further. If all the portent polls are correct, he will ride the winds of desire that sweep up from that nation.

Flat out, I admit that I do not trust this guy one little bit. There are so many reasons for this. First, he smiles way too much. Second, his citizenship qualifications are in dispute. Third, he possessed and worked under at least four different names. Fourth, carefully listening to his “message”, he really hasn't said anything that visionary.

Mark this. I have the strangest hunch that Obama will not finish out his term.

Maypole of the vanities

Insignificant in history, this event. Mundane in the development. Financially hard pressed City of Toronto funded the killing and transport of the corpse of a 60' White Spruce to be erected in the Nathan Phillip Square.

CITY-TV covered the event, minute by minute in the triumphant gloat of barbarians dancing. Showing the patent ignorance of the usual urbanites, they bought the line of that this tree was nearing the end of its life cycle

At maturity, the typical White Spruce will reach up to 100 feet high, with a maximum height at 20 years of 100 feet. Which means that somehow this particular tree was only about 60% of its life's average growth. It is not a big tree but a small tree. The city boys killed a runt.

Apparently though they missed the irony. We will never know the life span of this tree because it was murdered before it could reach it.

One more suitable irony though. From Wikipedia comes this interesting and appropriate quote. "The tree is sometimes colloquially known as the "skunk spruce" due to the disagreeable smell emitted by its needles when crushed."