Friday, June 30, 2006
Naked Ballers Association
Eddie Griffin of the Minnesota Timberwolves wins the worst sports story of 2006 - hands down. Griffin also should face some interesting crowds next season when the NBA resumes. it will be interesting to see how he *handles* it. My buddy BUMF had a great summary of the NBA - a league now dominated by way too many egos and attitudes.
On March 30, Griffin was drunk and masturbating when he crashed his luxury SUV into a parked Suburban outside a store in Minneapolis, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday by the man whose Suburban was hit in the crash.
Several of the 911 callers that night said Griffin was drunk. One witness said Griffin told him he was watching pornography in a DVD player mounted on the dashboard of his Cadillac Escalade SUV when he struck a Chevy Suburban parked on University Avenue Southeast.
The location where Griffin crashed is located a couple miles from the Target Center where Griffin had played with his team several hours earlier. Abed Hassuneh, who is the brother of the victim, said Griffin told him, "That he was masturbating himself going down that street. That's how the accident happened because he was not paying attention. He's paying attention to that video and all of a sudden he's shovelled somebody's car on the top of the sidewalk."
This is not the first time that Griffin has been in trouble with the law. Griffin suffered from alcoholism, and his troubles piled up quickly. In 2003, the Houston Rockets released him after he missed practices and a team flight. Griffin signed with the Nets in January 2004, but missed the entire 2003-04 season when he entered an alcohol rehabilitation center. In February 2004, Griffin violated a court-ordered curfew stemming from an aggravated assault charge against his ex-girlfriend (he was accused of hitting her and shooting at her), and spent 11 days in jail. He plead guilty to deadly conduct in March over the aforementioned incident, and was sentenced to 18 months' probation, fined $2,000 and ordered to take anger management classes.
Comedian Eddie Griffin now has some new material and this gives a whole new meaning to unwinding after the game with the film.
On March 30, Griffin was drunk and masturbating when he crashed his luxury SUV into a parked Suburban outside a store in Minneapolis, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday by the man whose Suburban was hit in the crash.
Several of the 911 callers that night said Griffin was drunk. One witness said Griffin told him he was watching pornography in a DVD player mounted on the dashboard of his Cadillac Escalade SUV when he struck a Chevy Suburban parked on University Avenue Southeast.
The location where Griffin crashed is located a couple miles from the Target Center where Griffin had played with his team several hours earlier. Abed Hassuneh, who is the brother of the victim, said Griffin told him, "That he was masturbating himself going down that street. That's how the accident happened because he was not paying attention. He's paying attention to that video and all of a sudden he's shovelled somebody's car on the top of the sidewalk."
This is not the first time that Griffin has been in trouble with the law. Griffin suffered from alcoholism, and his troubles piled up quickly. In 2003, the Houston Rockets released him after he missed practices and a team flight. Griffin signed with the Nets in January 2004, but missed the entire 2003-04 season when he entered an alcohol rehabilitation center. In February 2004, Griffin violated a court-ordered curfew stemming from an aggravated assault charge against his ex-girlfriend (he was accused of hitting her and shooting at her), and spent 11 days in jail. He plead guilty to deadly conduct in March over the aforementioned incident, and was sentenced to 18 months' probation, fined $2,000 and ordered to take anger management classes.
Comedian Eddie Griffin now has some new material and this gives a whole new meaning to unwinding after the game with the film.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
No taxation without representation
Just when you think you have heard it all, you have not even come close. There are plenty of ways to address the oldest profession - the sex industry. A country could legalize and regulate it - Netherlands. Others could turn a blind eye to it - Thailand, Brazil and many other underdeveloped countries. Or, you could try to force the sex trade out by simply taxing it - a new approach being proposed in the US. It such an easy solution, one is surprised that it hasn’t' been thought of before.
Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa is hoping to stamp out the sex trade by taxing pimps and prostitutes, then jailing them when they don't pay. Grassley believes the IRS can choke out the sex trade like they did Al Capone. So much for bootlegging booty.Senator Grassley was able to lead passage of a bill that authorizes at least $2 million toward the establishment of an office in the IRS criminal investigation unit to prosecute unlawful sex workers for violations of tax laws.
Senator Grassley is a 1/4 right on the issue. Prostitution should be legalized, regulated and taxed. Prostitutes should be free to earn a living in a clean and secure environment. The sex trade is a serious issue that deserves a serious solution not some half-baked, moral superiority quest.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Back from the bone pile
The party is outpolling the leader. It is rare, but it happens. I guess the gamble to go young for the PQ is not paying off so well. The fact that Boisclair is vacant may have a little something to do with that.
Let us hope for the sake of Canada and Quebec that these numbers hold. The province could do worse than give the Liberals a second mandate to try to modernize.
At least it wasn't golf balls
Newfoundland and Labrador's Auditor General is questioning why more than $2.6 million in government funds was paid to three companies for items such as lapel pins, fridge magnets and key chains.
This was the tip of the iceberg that has seen one-time cabinet member Ed Byrne falls under police investigation. There are allegations that Byrne, who has been the MHA in Kilbride for 13 years, claimed $358,142 during the 2003 and 2004 fiscal years — more than 10 times the amount of money he was entitled to spend.
Premier Danny Williams has enjoyed some high times in Newfoundland. It now appears that the political low is setting in. His politicians don't even have an excuse like a unity crisis to hang it on. They simply have to chalk it up to unbridled greed and patronage.
This was the tip of the iceberg that has seen one-time cabinet member Ed Byrne falls under police investigation. There are allegations that Byrne, who has been the MHA in Kilbride for 13 years, claimed $358,142 during the 2003 and 2004 fiscal years — more than 10 times the amount of money he was entitled to spend.
Premier Danny Williams has enjoyed some high times in Newfoundland. It now appears that the political low is setting in. His politicians don't even have an excuse like a unity crisis to hang it on. They simply have to chalk it up to unbridled greed and patronage.
The Buzz in the Biz
This story brought out the old headline. Guns and Roses front man Axel Rose was arrested in Sweden and charged with biting a security guard. Reports indicate that Rose was, shockingly, intoxicated at the time of the confrontation. He was, in fact, deemed too intoxicated to be questioned right away.Swedish tabloids said the guard attempted to step in when Rose, 44, began arguing with a woman in the hotel lobby. One of the officers who arrested Rose, Fredrik Nylen, was quoted on the Aftonbladet news Web site as saying that the rocker had behaved aggressively toward police and had to be "handcuffed and restrained" in the hotel, the AP reports.
There is absolutely no true to the rumour that Rose was upset that Def Leopard, who recently released a cover album just to prove all their songs don't actually bleed together - an infliction formally known as Aerosmithitis, was playing in the bar.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
The Spuds have eyes.... if only
There is quite the firestorm on the island. It is the classic example of political gerrymandering. It is filthy and has no business in politics. Gerry is back. Gerrymandering, that is.
The Prince Edward Island legislature is currently debating the acceptance of a new electoral map. The issue has caused the opposition Liberals to walkout of the Legislature in protest. Premier Pat Binns is warning the Liberals are turning their back on *rural* Prince Edward Island. A low-blow if there ever was one.
The disagreement stems from the Tory government preference to ignore an independent PEI Elections Report on redistricting. The Binns government would prefer to protect their seats rather than create new seats in the cities. The claim, who will speak for the rural individual? The answer, their Member of the Legislative Assembly, who just stands a better chance of not being a Tory.
The Prince Edward Island legislature is currently debating the acceptance of a new electoral map. The issue has caused the opposition Liberals to walkout of the Legislature in protest. Premier Pat Binns is warning the Liberals are turning their back on *rural* Prince Edward Island. A low-blow if there ever was one.
The disagreement stems from the Tory government preference to ignore an independent PEI Elections Report on redistricting. The Binns government would prefer to protect their seats rather than create new seats in the cities. The claim, who will speak for the rural individual? The answer, their Member of the Legislative Assembly, who just stands a better chance of not being a Tory.
Gerrymandering should be outlawed. This type of thing is why 90% of American congressional races have already been decided in advance of November 2006. The incumbent has the boundaries so rigged it is disgusting. It is why the Conservatives have such a strong hold in Western Canada. Every effort should be made to shrink the gap between constituencies. The current disparities are a farce. If this means fewer seats in the rural areas, tough. People vote, not land, trees or potatoes.
Monday, June 26, 2006
We are in the money
Alberta posts a record $8.7 billion surplus. The number actually would have been $10 billion had the province not decided to send each resident $400 rebate cheques.
Fact: Alberta's surplus is more than the projected budget expenditures in six of the country's 10 provinces for 2006. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador all expect to spend less money this year.
Fact: The Government of Alberta could now purchase one of the aforementioned jurisdictions. Prince Alberta Island? Steak and mashed for all.
Fact: The Government of Alberta *could* transfer a few hundred million to the University of Alberta and it could buy an entire faculty from McGill University. Sound far fetched? It shouldn't because there is real fear developing on Sherbrooke Street that this might happen. The University of Alberta could simply relocate an entire department with staff to the campus.
Fiction: The Government of Alberta will post an equally impressive surplus this fiscal year and attempt to give the citizens *their* money back. They will resist and instead invest the money in the Heritage Fund. A wise move if there every was one.
Fact: Alberta's surplus is more than the projected budget expenditures in six of the country's 10 provinces for 2006. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador all expect to spend less money this year.
Fact: The Government of Alberta could now purchase one of the aforementioned jurisdictions. Prince Alberta Island? Steak and mashed for all.
Fact: The Government of Alberta *could* transfer a few hundred million to the University of Alberta and it could buy an entire faculty from McGill University. Sound far fetched? It shouldn't because there is real fear developing on Sherbrooke Street that this might happen. The University of Alberta could simply relocate an entire department with staff to the campus.
Fiction: The Government of Alberta will post an equally impressive surplus this fiscal year and attempt to give the citizens *their* money back. They will resist and instead invest the money in the Heritage Fund. A wise move if there every was one.
All in the name of security
United States Vice President Dick "Itchy Finger" Cheney let loose over the weekend on one of the real threats to American security - The New York Times. The Times, apparently, has now made it more difficult for the United States to prevent attacks in the future by publishing *sensitive* information.
Cheney labelled it the published work to be vital national security program information. It is consistent with the Bush Administration's behaviour to treat all people who question their tactics and rationale as harming the public good, threatening national security or endangering the troops.
Cheney took an additional parting shot at the Times. He said he considers it “a disgrace” that The Times was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for its stories disclosing the terrorist surveillance program. He would have awarded it to Fox News due to their fair and balanced coverage of the administration.
Cheney labelled it the published work to be vital national security program information. It is consistent with the Bush Administration's behaviour to treat all people who question their tactics and rationale as harming the public good, threatening national security or endangering the troops.
Cheney took an additional parting shot at the Times. He said he considers it “a disgrace” that The Times was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for its stories disclosing the terrorist surveillance program. He would have awarded it to Fox News due to their fair and balanced coverage of the administration.
Friday, June 23, 2006
No Funswick
The Government of New Brunswick led by Bernie Lord have embarked on an ambitious set of goals or gimmicks - you chose. The 5 in 5 plan calls for the following:Goal 1 The smart province -- the highest increase in workers with post-secondary education in Canada.
Goal 2 The investment province -- the lowest tax burden east of Alberta, and biggest decrease in the unemployment rate in Canada.
Goal 3 The wellness province -- the biggest increase in physical fitness participation of any province in Canada.
Goal 4 The clean province -- the greatest reduction in air and water pollution in Canada.
Goal 5 The inclusive province -- the biggest reduction of poverty rate in Canada.
On goal 1, the province has invested plenty of resources, dating back to Frank McKenna, to ensuring post- secondary graduates have employment. Call Centres are labelled as jobs, not careers. Recently, the Lord government pumped allot of money into "tax credits" for post-secondary graduates who either stay or come to New Brunswick. Not a bad plan, as far as social engineering goes, however, far from a complete strategy.
New Brunswick faces some daunting challenges with respect to education - secondary and post-secondary. The literacy rates amongst youth are embarrassing. New Brunswick is dead last in Canada for secondary school performance in math, science and reading comprehension. This posses some challenges for individuals wanting to continue their education. It is like trying to fly without wings - not often successful.
As noted in this publication - on pages 100-102 (large .pdf alert) - the province's universities also have the second lowest academic entrance cut-off in Canada. New Brunswick does however have the 2nd highest university (3rd for total post-secondary) participation rate in the country. This despite high university tuition rates, low median family income and rather inadequate student financial assistance programs (large .pdf alert the sequel).
On goal 2, a good start. It seems that many jurisdictions outside Ontario see the benefit of low commercial tax rates. New Brunswick is smart to attempt to have the lowest rates. It is a gamble and we will see if it pays off. The province is void of many of the resources available in neighbouring provinces - oil in Nova Scotia and tourism and spuds in PEI.
On goal 3, getting the province to eat fewer Joe Louis', fried clams and consume less Pepsi will be tough.
On goal 4, does that mean fewer Tim Horton's or Irving’s?
On goal 5, this will require a concrete effort through multiple measures. Job creation. Stronger education.
These are all easy to say and the proof will be in the numbers. Good luck Lord.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Petty Politics
Having been through the trenches of the pettiest of petty politics - college and university student politics - I find great humour in this site.
I especially like the fact that he has dug up the by-laws of the Canadian Federation of Students. It is always nice when a union, to which 500,000 pay dues to, can't bother to post the by-laws for the members. Folks call them Socialists. I prefer to call them Nilests.
This website is a student activist’s crack. It is the Gawker of campus.
I especially like the fact that he has dug up the by-laws of the Canadian Federation of Students. It is always nice when a union, to which 500,000 pay dues to, can't bother to post the by-laws for the members. Folks call them Socialists. I prefer to call them Nilests.
This website is a student activist’s crack. It is the Gawker of campus.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Liberal Leadership Outlook
The race - can it be called that? - to replace Paul Martin and lead the Liberal Party of Canada is well underway. There appears to be no shortage of candidates. Despite what others state, there are likely only three possible contenders - Bob Rae, Michael Ignatieff and Gerald Kennedy.
My old Political Science professor John Courtney would be happy the Liberals returned to old style leadership convention. This gathering will crown a victor on what promises to be a wild weekend. The race has no clear frontrunner, the field is crowded and national interest levels, are understate the point, mild. The following is my best guess at how each of three listed above could emerge victorious in December.
First ballot
There are only eight candidates on this ballot since many of the wanna bee’s, never were's and fiddlers who love golden showers are long gone. That means Joe Volpe, Martha Findlay, Hedy Fry and Ashley MacIssac watch this one from the floor.
The first ballot sees Carolyn Bennett and Maurizo drop since they don't have the support to carry on. Bennett endorses Ignatieff and Maurizio goes to Brison.
Ignatieff leads followed by Rae, Dion, Brison, Kennedy and Dryden.
No candidate comes close to 50% needed to win.
Second Ballot
So long KD. Dryden is toast and lends his support to Rae. Has there been a more uninspiring run at a title since the Senators annual playoff collapse.
Ignatieff leads followed by Rae, Dion, Kennedy and Brison. Nobody achieves the magic 50. The five men left standing are set for Round 3.
Third Ballot
Scott Brison is toast. He has run on fumes to get to this point. Brison has some good ideas and is a political pit-bull, but his lack of leadership and instincts deem him a "not this timer." Brison lends his support to Ignatieff.
Ignatieff leads followed by Rae, Dion and Kennedy. Nobody hits 50, but Ignatieff is closing in.
Fourth Ballot
So long Kennedy. To the amazement of many, Kennedy has managed to stick around this long. The telegenics and his *Canadiana* seduces some BUT the policy void is too large. He talks his way into some but out of too many. Kennedy endorses Rae.
Ignatieff leads followed by Rae, Dion and Kennedy. The magically 50 alludes Ignatieff. He is so close, but there is trouble on the horizon.
Ignatieff is stalled. The movement builds to stop him from leading. Rae is closing. Dion could win if Rae was a kingmaker and vice-versa.
Fifth Ballot
Rae drops. He succumbs to the pressure of the 900 pound gorilla of his past. He just isn't electable in all parts of Ontario. Rae throws his support to Dion via John Rae via Jean Chrétien.
The shocker. These transactions make no difference. Ignatieff staggers across the line. He passes the 50% mark, but not by much.
My old Political Science professor John Courtney would be happy the Liberals returned to old style leadership convention. This gathering will crown a victor on what promises to be a wild weekend. The race has no clear frontrunner, the field is crowded and national interest levels, are understate the point, mild. The following is my best guess at how each of three listed above could emerge victorious in December.
First ballot
There are only eight candidates on this ballot since many of the wanna bee’s, never were's and fiddlers who love golden showers are long gone. That means Joe Volpe, Martha Findlay, Hedy Fry and Ashley MacIssac watch this one from the floor.
The first ballot sees Carolyn Bennett and Maurizo drop since they don't have the support to carry on. Bennett endorses Ignatieff and Maurizio goes to Brison.
Ignatieff leads followed by Rae, Dion, Brison, Kennedy and Dryden.
No candidate comes close to 50% needed to win.
Second Ballot
So long KD. Dryden is toast and lends his support to Rae. Has there been a more uninspiring run at a title since the Senators annual playoff collapse.
Ignatieff leads followed by Rae, Dion, Kennedy and Brison. Nobody achieves the magic 50. The five men left standing are set for Round 3.
Third Ballot
Scott Brison is toast. He has run on fumes to get to this point. Brison has some good ideas and is a political pit-bull, but his lack of leadership and instincts deem him a "not this timer." Brison lends his support to Ignatieff.
Ignatieff leads followed by Rae, Dion and Kennedy. Nobody hits 50, but Ignatieff is closing in.
Fourth Ballot
So long Kennedy. To the amazement of many, Kennedy has managed to stick around this long. The telegenics and his *Canadiana* seduces some BUT the policy void is too large. He talks his way into some but out of too many. Kennedy endorses Rae.
Ignatieff leads followed by Rae, Dion and Kennedy. The magically 50 alludes Ignatieff. He is so close, but there is trouble on the horizon.
Ignatieff is stalled. The movement builds to stop him from leading. Rae is closing. Dion could win if Rae was a kingmaker and vice-versa.
Fifth Ballot
Rae drops. He succumbs to the pressure of the 900 pound gorilla of his past. He just isn't electable in all parts of Ontario. Rae throws his support to Dion via John Rae via Jean Chrétien.
The shocker. These transactions make no difference. Ignatieff staggers across the line. He passes the 50% mark, but not by much.
Much like my World and Stanley Cup predictions, I could be totally off-base. Let me know.
Peak Oil
Poof. Just like that the dream is over. The Oilers can go back to being a middle of the road team. It sure was fun watching the team make a valiant run at the Cup. Watching the past two games with true hockey fans was a blessing. The Muck Shoveller made an Oiler cake for Game 6 and Oiler cupcakes for Game 7. My highlight of tonight was at the 10 minute mark watching the Shoveller go grab a bottle of Scotch, throw it on the table and go to town. The tension was too much.
Good for Glen Wesley, Doug Weight and Rod Brind'Amour for winning the Cup. Phoff is right. The sight of the winners skating with the Cup is the best moment in sport.
My only wish was that Edmonton had won the mug. The city and team deserved it. I am sure that the few hundred die-hard fans in Carolina will savour the ice championship. The parade will be shortest in sports history. The Cup will one day soon return to Canada - where it rightfully belongs.
The smart money next year would be on Florida. Got to love the new NHL.
Good for Glen Wesley, Doug Weight and Rod Brind'Amour for winning the Cup. Phoff is right. The sight of the winners skating with the Cup is the best moment in sport.
My only wish was that Edmonton had won the mug. The city and team deserved it. I am sure that the few hundred die-hard fans in Carolina will savour the ice championship. The parade will be shortest in sports history. The Cup will one day soon return to Canada - where it rightfully belongs.
The smart money next year would be on Florida. Got to love the new NHL.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Gum Control. Please don't take away my bazooka Joe.
The Conservative government has introduced legislation that will effectively kill the federal gun registry - first the long gun and next the short. I have on more than one occasion slammed this decision and will take one more run at the ineffective decision.
Justice Minister Vic Toews and Security Minister Stockwell Day both must have done back flips on their way to the press conference. They can now rest easy - assuming it passes which given the numbers in the House look dubious.
The public is actually split of this decision. The most recent polling done - May 22 by IPSOS (sorry password) specifically on the Registry show a deep divide amongst Canadians. The question posed to individuals was the following:
Assuming that mismanagement and cost issues could be brought under control, which option do you want the new Harper Conservative government to do?
There was a significant regional split. Folks in the east and west wanted the long-gun scrapped while people in Central Canada wanted it preserved.
The Conservatives are free to pursue their own policies, it is the benefit of being government. The real issue is the confusion of facts. Toews states:
The long-gun registry is by far and away the biggest issue in many ridings in Western Canada.
Here is the latest issues based polling being done in Canada. The gun registry is not even on here. Now, one could argue that it falls into a few categories - corruption, crime, etc. A feeble argument, but one none the less. You can make the case that all the "other" responses were for the gun registry. Or, we could all face the facts and admit that Toews is full of shit.
IPSOS December 2005
Fixing our health care system - 29%
Corruption (Gomery/ running a scandal-free and ethical government)- 10%
Managing the economy - 8%
Fiscal responsibility (no debt)/Government spending - 6%
Protecting the environment - 5%
Reducing taxes - 5%
Social programs (child care, poverty, child poverty,seniors)/Pensions (old age, disability, etc.) - 5%
Education - 3%
Moral issues (e.g. abortion, same-sex marriage) - 3%
Employment/ Jobs - 2%
Keeping Canada together - 2%
Fixing our trade relationship with the US - 2%
Criminal justice system - 1%
International affairs - 1%
Military/ defense - 1%
Immigration policies - 1%
Other - 7%
Don't know/Refused - 7%
Rural and urban values are somewhat different, but not apples to automobiles different. People in Climax, Saskatchewan or Brooks, Alberta and Truro, Nova Scotia want clean drinking water, lower taxes, better roads, jobs for their children and grandchildren, a dependable health care system and a solid education system. They may be more inclined to cite moral issues and the gun registry as an issue, but the number one issue. Not a chance. Toews has anecdote confused for data. Hearing from a constituent or two doesn't constitute a trend.
Justice Minister Vic Toews and Security Minister Stockwell Day both must have done back flips on their way to the press conference. They can now rest easy - assuming it passes which given the numbers in the House look dubious.
The public is actually split of this decision. The most recent polling done - May 22 by IPSOS (sorry password) specifically on the Registry show a deep divide amongst Canadians. The question posed to individuals was the following:
Assuming that mismanagement and cost issues could be brought under control, which option do you want the new Harper Conservative government to do?
There was a significant regional split. Folks in the east and west wanted the long-gun scrapped while people in Central Canada wanted it preserved.
The Conservatives are free to pursue their own policies, it is the benefit of being government. The real issue is the confusion of facts. Toews states:
The long-gun registry is by far and away the biggest issue in many ridings in Western Canada.
Here is the latest issues based polling being done in Canada. The gun registry is not even on here. Now, one could argue that it falls into a few categories - corruption, crime, etc. A feeble argument, but one none the less. You can make the case that all the "other" responses were for the gun registry. Or, we could all face the facts and admit that Toews is full of shit.
IPSOS December 2005
Fixing our health care system - 29%
Corruption (Gomery/ running a scandal-free and ethical government)- 10%
Managing the economy - 8%
Fiscal responsibility (no debt)/Government spending - 6%
Protecting the environment - 5%
Reducing taxes - 5%
Social programs (child care, poverty, child poverty,seniors)/Pensions (old age, disability, etc.) - 5%
Education - 3%
Moral issues (e.g. abortion, same-sex marriage) - 3%
Employment/ Jobs - 2%
Keeping Canada together - 2%
Fixing our trade relationship with the US - 2%
Criminal justice system - 1%
International affairs - 1%
Military/ defense - 1%
Immigration policies - 1%
Other - 7%
Don't know/Refused - 7%
Rural and urban values are somewhat different, but not apples to automobiles different. People in Climax, Saskatchewan or Brooks, Alberta and Truro, Nova Scotia want clean drinking water, lower taxes, better roads, jobs for their children and grandchildren, a dependable health care system and a solid education system. They may be more inclined to cite moral issues and the gun registry as an issue, but the number one issue. Not a chance. Toews has anecdote confused for data. Hearing from a constituent or two doesn't constitute a trend.
Say What?
The Stanley Cup will be awarded later this evening for the first time in the new NHL. Apparently, someone forgot to tell the folks at Beckett that it takes four wins to claim the Cup.Game 7 has the makings of a classic. I am sticking with the Monkey and calling the Oil to bring the Cup home.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Bob and Ujjie
Ujjal Dosanjh is throwing his support behind Bob Rae, a fellow onetime NDP premier, for the federal Liberal leadership. Ujjal will make the announcement in Vancouver tomorrow.
The announcement is a much needed shot in the arm for Rae. The leadership campaign has been fairly bland until now and maybe this will give some momentum in the Pacific.
The move is also not surprising given both of their political backgrounds. I am curious to know if Chris Axworthy is supporting Bob Rae? I wonder if John Murney has the answer to that question?
The announcement is a much needed shot in the arm for Rae. The leadership campaign has been fairly bland until now and maybe this will give some momentum in the Pacific.
The move is also not surprising given both of their political backgrounds. I am curious to know if Chris Axworthy is supporting Bob Rae? I wonder if John Murney has the answer to that question?
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Dirt Bag Alert
Joe Volpe trying to claim he is raising any ethics bar is beyond the pale. Volpe is the poster child for what is currently wrong with the Liberal brand and his comment that he has been a party member (since 1981) for longer than the likes of Rae, Brison or Ignatieff or a Member of Parliament since 1998, is exactly the problem. Volpe is from the "entitled to my entitlements" gang.
Remember, Volpe tried to claim he made an impression on the young lads who donated *their* money to his campaign. He is, likely, not the only candidate - for any of the past leadership races- to receive money from suspect donours. He is, however, the least intelligent since his explaination didn't pass the fall down laughing test and he actually believes, and thought we would too, his own bullshit.
Volpe lacks the morale compass to lead a lemonade stand let alone a political party. The party can't force him out but the members sure can embarass the shit out of him. Here is hoping that Ashley Macissac can *Space Moose* Volpe.
Remember, Volpe tried to claim he made an impression on the young lads who donated *their* money to his campaign. He is, likely, not the only candidate - for any of the past leadership races- to receive money from suspect donours. He is, however, the least intelligent since his explaination didn't pass the fall down laughing test and he actually believes, and thought we would too, his own bullshit.
Volpe lacks the morale compass to lead a lemonade stand let alone a political party. The party can't force him out but the members sure can embarass the shit out of him. Here is hoping that Ashley Macissac can *Space Moose* Volpe.
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
The biggest sporting event in the world is off and running. The World Cup officially got underway today and now it is time to peer inside the crystal ball to see who will move out of the first 32. The cooler weather will likely mean that more European nations make it to the next round and there will be one or two surprises. The African teams will disappoint and the US will be a bust. Here are my fearless predictions:
Group A
Germany and Poland
Group B
England and Sweden
Group C
Argentina and The Netherlands
Group D
Portugal and Mexico
Group E
Italy and the Czech Republic
Group F
Brazil and Croatia
Group G
France and South Korea
Group H
Spain and Ukraine
Our office hours will be reduced to those of a Tattoo Parlour - odd and unusual. The quality of the football should be fantastic and it will be a great month long party in Toronto with all the cultural communities pulling for their respective sides.
Group A
Germany and Poland
Group B
England and Sweden
Group C
Argentina and The Netherlands
Group D
Portugal and Mexico
Group E
Italy and the Czech Republic
Group F
Brazil and Croatia
Group G
France and South Korea
Group H
Spain and Ukraine
Our office hours will be reduced to those of a Tattoo Parlour - odd and unusual. The quality of the football should be fantastic and it will be a great month long party in Toronto with all the cultural communities pulling for their respective sides.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Not Joe Canadian
Since the Toronto Star, The Globe and about every other media outlet want you to believe that a terrorist is right around the corner, it is nice to see people moving to reclaim public space and shatter the myth of fear.Warren Kinsela, love em' or hate em', never lets grass grow under his feet and the recent terror plotting events have spurred him into action. *Special K* - along with Dennis Mills and Sen. Jerry Grafstein, who organized the Rolling Stones SARS concert. are back at the organizational thing and will soon be encourage residents of Toronto to take in a Jays game en masse - I will not need any encouragement, but this is a good cause.
Hat tip to Warren - iamnotaffraid.ca is a good idea and the right way to react to these events. The wrong way would be to alter our immigration system - e.g. France, Britain and Holland or isolate the problem to *Muslims* as many red-meat Conservatives and Republicans would like - the brawn before brains approach. The reality is CSIS and the RCMP did their jobs and nobody was injured. The plans were foiled.
Damn You Dig Dug!!
Video game rehab! Generation X is slowly leaving a permanent mark on society. Sadly, this maybe a direct result of an older generation not knowing how to deal with emerging trends and technology. More and more research is emerging to suggest that video games actually have a positive effect on development - increased hand / eye coordination and problem solvingLeave it to the Dutch to break new ground. A Dutch firm - Smith & Jones Addiction Consultants - recently launched a detox center focused at video game addictions. The Center has already treated 20 video game addicts, aged 13 to 30, since January. Some show withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking and sweating, when they look at a computer.
The detox program runs four to eight weeks, including discussions with therapists and efforts to build patients' interests in alternative activities.
"We have kids who don't know how to communicate with people face-to-face because they've spent the last three years talking to somebody in Korea through a computer," said Keith Bakker, director of Amsterdam-based Smith & Jones Addiction Consultants. "Their social network has completely disappeared."
Apparently it starts with a Game Boy (the marijuana of vids), perhaps given by parents hoping to keep their children occupied but away from the television. From there, it can progress to multi-level games that aren't made to be won. The clinic is for people who can't put their joysticks down. Apparently that group also meets two doors down on Saturday under the heading "Masters of Our Domain."
Hyke van der Heijden, 28, a graduate of the Amsterdam program, started playing video games 20 years ago. By the time he was in college he was gaming about 14 hours a day and using drugs to play longer.
The recent trend in video games actually dispels the myth of loners playing games against themselves. X-Box Live? On-line Networks for World of Warcraft and Everquest? These actually bring groups of people together - virtually - and require rules and interaction.
The last - butchered English word - goes to the Addictions Center.
The Smith Camp; Jones outdoor gaming treatment camp
There are millions of people in the world that have a form of addition to computor gaming. Many of these people have gotton tgo the point that they cant live with gaming and they cant live without gaming. Smith and Jones is running a special survival camp from July 10 - July 24 in Holland and the forests of Germany. This camp is the first of its kind in the world. We will look at the damage that gaming is causing in the lives of our participants. Teach them new skills to live without gaming and show them that real adventure is better than fantasy adventure {sic}.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Team Destiny
It is beginning to look like Carolina has lady luck smiling on them. The old adage of "you have to be good to be luck" is sure true, but this will mark the second time in the past two Stanley Cups that I could care less for a team that is on the verge of winning. First, Tampa Bay and now the hockey hotbed of Raleigh.
Carolina reminds me of the 1986 Canadiens. They can't lose. They didn’t deserve to win Game 1. They deserved Game 2. Sure, the Hurricanes have talent and a great young goalie, but they also have had a heavy dose of LUCK. First series - Saku's injury. Second series - draw an overachieving Devils team. Third Round - a depleted Sabres team. Now, a team minus arguably the best goalie in the 2006 Playoffs. The Oilers will still make this a series, but will come up short.
I was annoyed watching the Carolina-Montreal series to see all the uncalled high sticks from the 'Canes and the diving the team does. Between Matt Cullen and Justin Williams - who is a fine player - you have a great synchronized diving team.
I will never embrace Redneck Hockey. Carolina will likely go the way of Tampa - winners to barely there. Such is life in the new NHL. You have to love the parody when the Cup gets to vacation in the Sunbelt with 8 fans.
Carolina reminds me of the 1986 Canadiens. They can't lose. They didn’t deserve to win Game 1. They deserved Game 2. Sure, the Hurricanes have talent and a great young goalie, but they also have had a heavy dose of LUCK. First series - Saku's injury. Second series - draw an overachieving Devils team. Third Round - a depleted Sabres team. Now, a team minus arguably the best goalie in the 2006 Playoffs. The Oilers will still make this a series, but will come up short.
I was annoyed watching the Carolina-Montreal series to see all the uncalled high sticks from the 'Canes and the diving the team does. Between Matt Cullen and Justin Williams - who is a fine player - you have a great synchronized diving team.
I will never embrace Redneck Hockey. Carolina will likely go the way of Tampa - winners to barely there. Such is life in the new NHL. You have to love the parody when the Cup gets to vacation in the Sunbelt with 8 fans.
It is probably true, that like Dave Andreychuck, one should be happy for Glen Wesley, Rod Brind'Amour and Brett Hedican for the chance to get their names engraved on the mug.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Florida high schoolers now have to declare a major
Florida Governor Jeb Bush, the child with the intelligence in the family, has signed a bill designed to force high school students to declare majors and minors, just as college students do. A major could involve a traditional academic subject such as English or math, or a vocational field such as carpentry or auto repair.Florida's college system clearly has some work to do. The state has one of the highest percentage of youth without high school - let alone a college education, they have an expanding population who are cranky and could care less about social policy (i.e. education) since they are on easy street and the state is largely a service driven economy. So as the bed maker goes, so goes the economy.
On the surface, this policy seems like a not bad effort. The closer we can bring high school curriculum and post-secondary education, the better. Students should see where interests can lead them at an early age.
Abortion is a threat to national security
Move over South Dakota, there is a battle for State Social Dinosaur Award. State legislators in Louisiana, fresh from their successful handling of last year's Hurricane Katrina, have finally found a way to make some money. Under new state measures, doctors found guilty of performing abortions would face up to 10 years in prison and fines of $100,000. Governor Kathleen Blanco was expected to sign a strict abortion ban into law after the Senate on Monday gave the measure final legislative approval. The Senate voted 27-0 to approve the change and send it to Blanco.
There was some *progress* to note, originally, the bill would have allowed abortions only to save the life of the mother, with no exceptions for victims of rape or incest. The House, kind souls that they are, added a provision to allow abortions in cases where the mother's health faces permanent harm.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Monkey picks Edmonton Oilers to win Stanley Cup...
.. and Maggie picks the Oilers too. Maggie - the resident TSN Monkey - has picked the Edmonton Oilers to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time in sixteen years. If she is correct, and really would you bet against a monkey spinning a roulette wheel, then the Oilers would be the first Canadian team to sip from Lord Stanley's mug since the Canadiens in 1993.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Bend It Like Liberals
The standard of living in Canada has not improved that much in the past few years that 11 year olds are flush with cash looking to make political donations. Leave it to Joe Volpe to drag out some old luggage - lack of ethical standards - during the Liberal leadership race.Technically Joe Volpe is correct when he indicates that no law was broken, however, ethically he is bankrupt. One would think that after all the party has been through in the past three years and during a period of renewal that ETHICS and COMMON SENSE would be prominent. Nope, not Pizza and Pop Volpe. He still operates like he is entitled to his entitlements and that optics are for others to worry about.
There are very few 11 year olds in the country who (a) have $5,400 of their own money and (b) would part with it to some random politician who is long shot to lead a struggling party. The larger issue for me is not the $5,400 by a youth clearly on behalf on a parent, but rather the fact that the twin boys who donated did so NOT as party members. The lads are three years to young to secure membership in any political party.
Liberal Party Constitution
Section 2 - Membership
1. The Liberal Party of Canada shall be open to all who desire to support the Party and who wish to be known as Liberals. To this end, all individuals aged 14 and over shall be eligible for membership in the Party without discrimination based on race, nationality or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or mental or physical disability.
According to The federal Elections Act a company cannot make donations to leadership campaigns, and sets a limit of $5,400 for donations from individuals. There is no age limit for donors. But the Elections Act makes it an offence to make a donation that actually comes from another person or to act "in collusion" with others to get around the act's limitations. This would seem to be a case where the shoe seems to fit.
The last word on the matter still goes to Joe Volpe and you decide if he has learnt anything from the past Liberal mistakes.
"We've adhered to the latter," he said, adding they've actually "raised" the bar with the decision to give the money back.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
What do you call a reduction in Board of Governor members?
A good start.It is about time Morley Watson made a wise move.
It doesn't hurt that the Government of Saskatchewan appears to have lost patience with the FNUC leadership. I sense that they have seen and heard about enough of Morley and his two-bit leadership.
Not to beat a dead horse, but would you not want the Board of Governors Chair to have attended post-secondary education? Doesn't need to be a university graduate, but should have some credential.
FNUC is trying to provide students with a strong base of knowledge and foundational skills for the challenges which await them in the 21st century. This isn't some Sally Struthers VCR Repair Course.
