The year was 1992. The three main parties at the time, the PCs, the Liberals, and the NDP had all united in an attempt to gain support for the Charlottetown Accord.
Among other things, the accord would have provided for an elected and effective Senate, one of the main planks of Reform Party policy at the time. But while the three main parties were working to reform the country's institutions, two parties were working together against the reforms that Charlottetown would have brought about, two parties collectively known as the "NO" campaign. They were the Reform Party and the Bloc Quebecois.
Today the Reform Party is referred to as the Conservative Party, but it is led by exactly the same group which led it to a shameful victory in 1992. Stephen Harper, the current Conservative Party leader, was deputy Reform party leader and policy chief back then.
Sadly, today the Reform/Conservative party returned to it's old ally, making it official that Stephen Harper will seek to form a coalition of disgrace with the Bloc Quebecois in order to gain power in Ottawa.
Boooo! Shame!
Morrissey Fans will hate this, an audio blog by Tony Pierce from Los Angeles. Pierce sings Morrissey's Ask, apparently on his computer microphone. It gets better and funnier as it goes on.
Listen
p.s. here are the lyrics if you want to follow along.
P.s.p.s. For Morrissey fans
here is a website with mp3s of 4 unreleased songs
Listen
p.s. here are the lyrics if you want to follow along.
P.s.p.s. For Morrissey fans
here is a website with mp3s of 4 unreleased songs
Is this beginning to give you nightmares?
Do you feel like you have to keep looking over your shoulder any time you are reading Warren Kinsella's blog? Does it seem like no matter where you are in the room, the eye seems to be staring right at you, plumbing your soul? He knows what you did, and you can feel the accusation in his gaze.
No! Stop! Get out of my mind!!!
The scary version.
Well help is here. Modern technology and all that.
The non-scary version.
Testimonials:
"Thanks to modern technology I can sleep at night. Thank you modern technology."
Lucy M Montgomery, PEI
"Duhh.. Where can I get a pair of those sunglasses?"
Mike Wilson, Etobicoke
"The new look not only looks great, but also helps save his eye from the effects of harmful UV rays."
Mr. Kinsella's optometrist
Do you feel like you have to keep looking over your shoulder any time you are reading Warren Kinsella's blog? Does it seem like no matter where you are in the room, the eye seems to be staring right at you, plumbing your soul? He knows what you did, and you can feel the accusation in his gaze.
No! Stop! Get out of my mind!!!
The scary version.
Well help is here. Modern technology and all that.
The non-scary version.
Testimonials:
"Thanks to modern technology I can sleep at night. Thank you modern technology."
Lucy M Montgomery, PEI
"Duhh.. Where can I get a pair of those sunglasses?"
Mike Wilson, Etobicoke
"The new look not only looks great, but also helps save his eye from the effects of harmful UV rays."
Mr. Kinsella's optometrist
Nobody gives a damn, but I'll tell you anyway. I'm half newfie. Whatever that means. It's not like people look at me and ask "where are you from, originally?", or treat me as second-class. It's just a sign of the success of our country's multi-cultural policies, how easily the newfie has integrated into Canadian society. You even have occasional marriages between those of the Canadian race and those of the newfie race (read the second sentence again for proof).
Anyway, I don't have a clue why I wrote the above paragraph, except as maybe an introduction to the clever editorial I have posted below from last week's Labradorian (serving the people of central and coastal Labrador). Since so much focus this week was on Stephen Harper's campaign swing through Atlantic Canada, I thought it was appropriate to find some opinion from the region. Note that this editorial was written before the election campaign actually began.
Like a dog on a Bono
When it comes to election campaigning, there are few rigs as well oiled as the big red federal Liberal machine.
Provincial politicians get their licks in here and there when campaigning, but the federal guys, well, they don’t fool around. They don’t need to talk to the public or put forth actual policy or even make promises. They seem to believe tricky campaigning and pork barreling is the route best taken and they have it down to a science.
They just have to throw money at anything that makes a sound, and reach into the bag of tricks every once in a while.
Last week, Paul Martin pulled U2 front man Bono out of the hat, sat him down alongside, and smiled from earlobe to eyebrow as the Irish-born rock legend sang his praises. It was, undoubtedly, the “sweetest thing” to behold.
And all it cost was $70 million. Not bad for a “one” day gig. The money will be poured into the Bono-backed Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Watching it all, we couldn’t help but smile. You’ve got to hand it to these guys — they weren’t behind the door when God was handing out electorate wheel grease. It’s campaigning at it’s absolute slickest — attempt to look “with it” by hanging with the lead singer for the “greatest band in the world”. It’s like George Bush rap-battling with Eminem — grossly transparent.
Nevertheless, it got us thinking. If Bono can squeeze $70 million out of Martin, why couldn’t Labrador give something similar a shot?
We say let’s send Harry Martin to Ottawa! Or The Flummies. Hey, if Bono can wrangle $70 million out of the Prime Minister, we should be good for a couple of million at least.
We know Paul Martin’s “desire” is to get re-elected with a majority government over his closest contender, the “stranger in a strange land” Stephen Harper.
We know he’ll use every tactic available to help him have a downright “beautiful day” when polling ends, including drawing rock stars out of the woodwork. As a slick, seasoned politician, Paul Martin knows how to move in “mysterious ways” and he recognizes a potential winning idea when he sees or hears it.
So how about it Paul? If we can convince Harry or The Flummies to back up the campaign, do you think you could “hold us, thrill us” with a few extra bucks and a solidified, ratified long term plan for the Base? After all, we don’t want to be “stuck in a moment” when the two year reprieve comes to an end in 2006.
Perhaps you could provide a little kick-in for some Lower Churchill development? As far as that project goes, we “still haven’t found what we’re looking for”.
We know the province is dragging its heels on facets of the Trans-Labrador Highway, but you’re spending hundreds of millions widening the highway in Quebec — surely God you can play a larger role in tossing us a bit of pavement to “walk on” here where the “streets have no name”.
Alas, as talented as our musical offerings may be, they represent but one seat, and Paul likely sees the mass appeal of international rockers as a way to deliver votes across the board.
Aside from parading celebrities around, he’ll also lean on the lack of an alternative throughout the campaign, stressing we can’t possibly live “with or without” a Liberal government.
Just imagine the “rattle and hum” of debating the issues and having actual, bonafide alternatives to the four marginal, regional parties that currently vie for the Liberal election table scraps?
A choice? Why, that would be “even better than the real thing”.
Put the rock stars back in the hat Paul. The voters are over here under the “Joshua Tree”.
And we’d like to think we don’t impress that easily.
Anyway, I don't have a clue why I wrote the above paragraph, except as maybe an introduction to the clever editorial I have posted below from last week's Labradorian (serving the people of central and coastal Labrador). Since so much focus this week was on Stephen Harper's campaign swing through Atlantic Canada, I thought it was appropriate to find some opinion from the region. Note that this editorial was written before the election campaign actually began.
Like a dog on a Bono
When it comes to election campaigning, there are few rigs as well oiled as the big red federal Liberal machine.
Provincial politicians get their licks in here and there when campaigning, but the federal guys, well, they don’t fool around. They don’t need to talk to the public or put forth actual policy or even make promises. They seem to believe tricky campaigning and pork barreling is the route best taken and they have it down to a science.
They just have to throw money at anything that makes a sound, and reach into the bag of tricks every once in a while.
Last week, Paul Martin pulled U2 front man Bono out of the hat, sat him down alongside, and smiled from earlobe to eyebrow as the Irish-born rock legend sang his praises. It was, undoubtedly, the “sweetest thing” to behold.
And all it cost was $70 million. Not bad for a “one” day gig. The money will be poured into the Bono-backed Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Watching it all, we couldn’t help but smile. You’ve got to hand it to these guys — they weren’t behind the door when God was handing out electorate wheel grease. It’s campaigning at it’s absolute slickest — attempt to look “with it” by hanging with the lead singer for the “greatest band in the world”. It’s like George Bush rap-battling with Eminem — grossly transparent.
Nevertheless, it got us thinking. If Bono can squeeze $70 million out of Martin, why couldn’t Labrador give something similar a shot?
We say let’s send Harry Martin to Ottawa! Or The Flummies. Hey, if Bono can wrangle $70 million out of the Prime Minister, we should be good for a couple of million at least.
We know Paul Martin’s “desire” is to get re-elected with a majority government over his closest contender, the “stranger in a strange land” Stephen Harper.
We know he’ll use every tactic available to help him have a downright “beautiful day” when polling ends, including drawing rock stars out of the woodwork. As a slick, seasoned politician, Paul Martin knows how to move in “mysterious ways” and he recognizes a potential winning idea when he sees or hears it.
So how about it Paul? If we can convince Harry or The Flummies to back up the campaign, do you think you could “hold us, thrill us” with a few extra bucks and a solidified, ratified long term plan for the Base? After all, we don’t want to be “stuck in a moment” when the two year reprieve comes to an end in 2006.
Perhaps you could provide a little kick-in for some Lower Churchill development? As far as that project goes, we “still haven’t found what we’re looking for”.
We know the province is dragging its heels on facets of the Trans-Labrador Highway, but you’re spending hundreds of millions widening the highway in Quebec — surely God you can play a larger role in tossing us a bit of pavement to “walk on” here where the “streets have no name”.
Alas, as talented as our musical offerings may be, they represent but one seat, and Paul likely sees the mass appeal of international rockers as a way to deliver votes across the board.
Aside from parading celebrities around, he’ll also lean on the lack of an alternative throughout the campaign, stressing we can’t possibly live “with or without” a Liberal government.
Just imagine the “rattle and hum” of debating the issues and having actual, bonafide alternatives to the four marginal, regional parties that currently vie for the Liberal election table scraps?
A choice? Why, that would be “even better than the real thing”.
Put the rock stars back in the hat Paul. The voters are over here under the “Joshua Tree”.
And we’d like to think we don’t impress that easily.
Where are the Purple Dinosaurs?
This has been a pretty dull election campaign so far. No major gaffes, all three leaders are sticking to the script, more or less.
So what's the hold-up here?
The whole country is watching to see the campaign screwups, and our leaders are letting us down in a big way. So far the only real fuckups have been Harper's claim that he will make this the least taxed country on the planet, Martin's suggestion that this country has a population equal to that of the United States, and Jack Layton's statement that Paul Martin has killed homeless people.
Canadian elections are supposed to be a bit like an installment of Survivor. Remember the first Survivor series, with the guy prancing naked around the island and looking like Grizzly Adams? Not exactly the man's brightest moment, but it was probably the most interesting part of the installment. In the last election we had Stockwell Day, out making headlines almost every day with his antics. Does anyone remember any of Jean Chretien's speeches from the 2000 campaign? No because they were all very very boring, no flash, no dancing or singing. But everyone remembers Stock Day's comments on the direction of Niagara Falls, his Sea-Doo suit, and his half-cocked attack on a judge. Day knew how to be interesting, how to keep people watching, everyone wanted to see what this guy would say or do next as his campaign fell completely off the rails. The only other entertainment we got in that election was from Warren Kinsella, with his Purple Dinosaur thing. And Warren wasn't even running.
Maybe what this election needs is Warren kinsella. Say what you want about the man politically, he knows how to get ratings. Maybe that's what is wrong with the current crop of campaign teams. They think that an election campaign is a time to discuss the issues (who said that?). No guys, see we all know that you're all full of shit, sorry Stephen but you're not going to make this the least taxed country on earth. The Dalton McGuinty thing is just too fresh in our minds, we are all a bit jaded when it comes to electoral pledges. So set aside the stump speeches, put away the Blackberries, we want to see you dance and sing for us. Or at the very least give us a campaign train-wreck to rival the 2000 CA campaign.
What do we pay these guys for, if they can't even entertain us?
This has been a pretty dull election campaign so far. No major gaffes, all three leaders are sticking to the script, more or less.
So what's the hold-up here?
The whole country is watching to see the campaign screwups, and our leaders are letting us down in a big way. So far the only real fuckups have been Harper's claim that he will make this the least taxed country on the planet, Martin's suggestion that this country has a population equal to that of the United States, and Jack Layton's statement that Paul Martin has killed homeless people.
Canadian elections are supposed to be a bit like an installment of Survivor. Remember the first Survivor series, with the guy prancing naked around the island and looking like Grizzly Adams? Not exactly the man's brightest moment, but it was probably the most interesting part of the installment. In the last election we had Stockwell Day, out making headlines almost every day with his antics. Does anyone remember any of Jean Chretien's speeches from the 2000 campaign? No because they were all very very boring, no flash, no dancing or singing. But everyone remembers Stock Day's comments on the direction of Niagara Falls, his Sea-Doo suit, and his half-cocked attack on a judge. Day knew how to be interesting, how to keep people watching, everyone wanted to see what this guy would say or do next as his campaign fell completely off the rails. The only other entertainment we got in that election was from Warren Kinsella, with his Purple Dinosaur thing. And Warren wasn't even running.
Maybe what this election needs is Warren kinsella. Say what you want about the man politically, he knows how to get ratings. Maybe that's what is wrong with the current crop of campaign teams. They think that an election campaign is a time to discuss the issues (who said that?). No guys, see we all know that you're all full of shit, sorry Stephen but you're not going to make this the least taxed country on earth. The Dalton McGuinty thing is just too fresh in our minds, we are all a bit jaded when it comes to electoral pledges. So set aside the stump speeches, put away the Blackberries, we want to see you dance and sing for us. Or at the very least give us a campaign train-wreck to rival the 2000 CA campaign.
What do we pay these guys for, if they can't even entertain us?
Stephen Harper's pledge to make Canada the least-taxed country on Earth ("We'll strive to make this not the highest-spending country in the world, but the lowest-taxing one") is likely to turn him into the next Dalton McGuinty. Currently Canada's taxation rate is 36.6% corporate, 31% individual, and 7% Value Added (VAT aka GST).
Harper is in for some stiff competition, to try to beat countries like
Hong Kong at 17.5% corp, 15% ind, and 0% VAT. Slovakia's corporate and individual rate is 19%
How is he going to beat the corporate rate in Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Zambia, all at 15%, let alone Ireland at 12.5%?
Norway's individual taxation rate is 28%, Russia's is 13%, and Saudi Arabia's individual taxation rate is a measly 2.5%.
Even consider the effects of reducing our taxation rate to the level of say, Brazil (nowhere near the bottom when it comes to taxes). Brazil's corporate rate is 34% (2% less than ours), the individual rate is 20% (11% less than ours), and it has no VAT compared to our 7% GST.
We still have a half-trillion dollar debt in this country. Bold promises about being the least taxed citizens in the solar system might make for great election theatrics, but certainly don't come close to being responsible. Our grandkids are not going to look too kindly on us for saddling them with this debt at birth, nor will they be pleased with having to pay for Stephen Harper's little election cookies.
data from link
Harper is in for some stiff competition, to try to beat countries like
Hong Kong at 17.5% corp, 15% ind, and 0% VAT. Slovakia's corporate and individual rate is 19%
How is he going to beat the corporate rate in Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Zambia, all at 15%, let alone Ireland at 12.5%?
Norway's individual taxation rate is 28%, Russia's is 13%, and Saudi Arabia's individual taxation rate is a measly 2.5%.
Even consider the effects of reducing our taxation rate to the level of say, Brazil (nowhere near the bottom when it comes to taxes). Brazil's corporate rate is 34% (2% less than ours), the individual rate is 20% (11% less than ours), and it has no VAT compared to our 7% GST.
We still have a half-trillion dollar debt in this country. Bold promises about being the least taxed citizens in the solar system might make for great election theatrics, but certainly don't come close to being responsible. Our grandkids are not going to look too kindly on us for saddling them with this debt at birth, nor will they be pleased with having to pay for Stephen Harper's little election cookies.
data from link
James Bow Election Pool
Here is my entry in the election pool. Oh how I love gambling. Especially when there are no stakes. Although the prize of three lovely paperweights is certainly appealing.
**
I'm obviously the only one who thinks the libs can still pull off a majority. Not wishful thinking, just faith in the Canadian voters to flock back to the "safe choice" the instant Harper makes his first dumb comment.
Liberals: 159
Conservative: 78
NDP: 26
Bloc: 45
**
Here is my entry in the election pool. Oh how I love gambling. Especially when there are no stakes. Although the prize of three lovely paperweights is certainly appealing.
**
I'm obviously the only one who thinks the libs can still pull off a majority. Not wishful thinking, just faith in the Canadian voters to flock back to the "safe choice" the instant Harper makes his first dumb comment.
Liberals: 159
Conservative: 78
NDP: 26
Bloc: 45
**
Here's a picture that will make a traditional Tory want to barf up their breakfast:
"Premier Lord and I just finished smoking a doob out back that was this big, and now the dude's decided to give me his endorsement man!"
Far out.
***
30 minutes later...
"Whoooah, I think I've got the muncheez.. Cn' I have a bite of yer hot dog mister?"
***
Meanwhile, Jean Chretien addresses a crowd in Moncton, NB
"Premier Lord and I just finished smoking a doob out back that was this big, and now the dude's decided to give me his endorsement man!"
Far out.
***
30 minutes later...
"Whoooah, I think I've got the muncheez.. Cn' I have a bite of yer hot dog mister?"
***
Meanwhile, Jean Chretien addresses a crowd in Moncton, NB
ELECTION JOKE
(the edited version)
A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him.
He asked, "What are all those clocks?"
St. Peter answered, "Those are lie clocks. Everyone on Earth has one and every time you lie, the hands on your clock move."
"Oh, " said the man. "Whose clock is that?"
"That is Nelson Mandela's. The hands have seldom moved, " said St. Peter.
"Incredible, " said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St. Peter responded, "That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life."
Where's Stephen Harper's clock?" asked the man.
"Harper's clock is in Jesus' office," said St. Peter. "He's using it as a ceiling fan".
(the edited version)
A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him.
He asked, "What are all those clocks?"
St. Peter answered, "Those are lie clocks. Everyone on Earth has one and every time you lie, the hands on your clock move."
"Oh, " said the man. "Whose clock is that?"
"That is Nelson Mandela's. The hands have seldom moved, " said St. Peter.
"Incredible, " said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St. Peter responded, "That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life."
Where's Stephen Harper's clock?" asked the man.
"Harper's clock is in Jesus' office," said St. Peter. "He's using it as a ceiling fan".
Election call (yawn)
So far I have no new wisdom to offer so I'll wait til i do before I comment.
Which, by the way, is very odd. In every election previously, i knew exactly which party I'd be voting for, years before the writ was dropped. This time I'm confused, torn between my complete distrust of stephen Harper, the man who was Reform Policy Chief when Charlottetown was killed, and Paul Martin, who I don't like because...because...
Oh I don't remember. Somehow Martin's to blame for the crap that happened under the Chretien government, and if i wasn't kind of half-watching the Angel marathon as I write this I might be able to remember why, but I guess all I can say is Martin is bad for some reason. Either way he's a Liberal. That makes him a bad person without any other explanation required, right?
So this election I suppose I will have to vote for one of a number of parties that I have spent my life despising. I'm under no illusions about the Conservatives. They are not the Tories of old, no matter how they dress themselves in Tory Blue. They are the failed Reform Alliance, the party that was born out of negativism, the party of Stockwell Day.
As I said, I have absolutely no wisdom to offer.
So far I have no new wisdom to offer so I'll wait til i do before I comment.
Which, by the way, is very odd. In every election previously, i knew exactly which party I'd be voting for, years before the writ was dropped. This time I'm confused, torn between my complete distrust of stephen Harper, the man who was Reform Policy Chief when Charlottetown was killed, and Paul Martin, who I don't like because...because...
Oh I don't remember. Somehow Martin's to blame for the crap that happened under the Chretien government, and if i wasn't kind of half-watching the Angel marathon as I write this I might be able to remember why, but I guess all I can say is Martin is bad for some reason. Either way he's a Liberal. That makes him a bad person without any other explanation required, right?
So this election I suppose I will have to vote for one of a number of parties that I have spent my life despising. I'm under no illusions about the Conservatives. They are not the Tories of old, no matter how they dress themselves in Tory Blue. They are the failed Reform Alliance, the party that was born out of negativism, the party of Stockwell Day.
As I said, I have absolutely no wisdom to offer.
This is it til Monday. Right after work tomorrow I'm off to the cottage for the long weekend. My buddy sent me an e-mail, and the fridge is stocked with beer and steaks and all the other summer weekend crap.
On call for this weekend: Shorts, gardening, fishing, friends, beer... must be almost summer.
By the way, despite my fears, the Angel finale was awesome. I'll write about that next week.
On call for this weekend: Shorts, gardening, fishing, friends, beer... must be almost summer.
By the way, despite my fears, the Angel finale was awesome. I'll write about that next week.
Screenshot from my Gmail account
I had a nice surprise whe I checked out my GMail account today. Originally GMail gave me 1 gig of storage, and apparently yesterday they upped my account to 1 Terabyte (see screenshot). Below is an article from the G&M:
Google escalates e-mail storage arms race
By Stephen Shankland
CNET
Google just escalated the e-mail storage arms race by a factor of 1,000.
Several users of the search engine's Gmail Web-based e-mail service noticed Tuesday that their storage limits had quietly been raised to one million megabytes, or 1 terabyte. That's four times the typical capacity of a new high-end PC's hard drive.
The Gmail service still is in testing, and it wasn't immediately clear how widely Google will offer the higher storage limit, under what conditions, or to which users.
Google didn't respond for requests for comment late Tuesday.
Detroit resident Rajiv Vyas, who has been using Gmail for about a month, was wowed by the change.
"It's great. Although I am not sure what I will do will all this memory," he said. "In the long run, it would help me store not only photos but every file on my desktop. This is 10 times more [storage space] than what I have on my office or home PC."
Others who spotted the change posted notices to Web logs and websites.
Google triggered a rush to offer more storage space for Web-based e-mail services with the April announcement of 1GB of capacity. The move pressured the dominant Web-based e-mail service providers, Yahoo and Microsoft's Hotmail, which currently charge subscribers $10 (U.S.) to $50 per year for a much smaller amount of e-mail storage space.
Yahoo responded to Gmail with a plan for 100MB of space. In the United Kingdom, Lycos is moving to offer 1GB for a fee. And the Macintosh-focused competitor Spymac offers 1GB at no cost.
Gmail's liberal storage limits may be popular, but the service's terms triggered privacy concerns because of Google's plan to scan the content of e-mail messages in order to serve up targeted advertisements.
When Will Holland Manners Step From the Shadows?
James Bow comments on the run-up to the series finale of Angel.
For those who may have missed a recent episode, here is a brief synopsis of the past few weeks, with comments from TVTome.com.
Last week:The gang starts to have doubts about Angel's loyalties when he appears to have become very close with the Circle of the Black Thorn, an evil secret demon society.(TV Tome)
Highlight: Illyria gets addicted to the video game Crash Bandicoot, which she plays on Spike's XBOX.
Week Before:Angel and Spike travel to Rome with plans to rescue Buffy from their old nemesis The Immortal.(TV Tome)
Highlights: Angel and Spike visit the Wolfram and Hart office in Rome. Illyria turns back into sweetie-pie Fred, so Fred's parents won't realize Fred is dead. Wesley broods...
Week before that:When Illyria's powers become unstable and cause her to erratically jump through time, she learns that the gang intends to kill her. Upon returning to the present, Illyria plans to murder everyone before they're able to attack her.(TV Tome)
Highlight: Spike's line: "It's not murder if you say yes"
***
Continuing storylines:
Illyria and Wesley
Illyria is a wild cannon. The only thing that appears to keep her in line is her connection with Wesley. Wesley is retreating from the company of the others as his relationship with Illyria grows. There is a sense that the relationship (not a romantic relationship) is not good for either of these characters, but they fill a void in each other's lives. Illyria's resemblance to Fred, whose body she inhabits, continues to haunt Wesley. Wesley fills the role of the humble worshipper that Illyria craves.
Spike and Angel
Spike and Angel seem to be reconciling their differences. From the early Buffy seasons, it has been known that the two of them had a history that went back centuries, to the time when the two of them were both ruthless killers. But the two vampires had a loathing for each other that was never properly explained until this season. In the past few episodes we have seen the two of them working together towards common goals, even refer to each other as "partners". Still, there is a sense that Spike is now what Angel was previous to his employment at Wolfram and Hart: a hero for the people (they may have used the term People's champion, or I may be confusing it with the WWF).
It would be interesting to have seen where this would have gone. For a few episodes during the winter it appeared that Angel was going to be corrupted and Spike was going to take over the fight on the street. Would have been interesting.
Main Storyline:
Another apocalypse (yawn). There have been so many apocalypses now on Angel and Buffy that it seems this time Joss Whedon is just treading water. I'm not expecting much from the final episode, but of course I'll be watching.
James Bow comments on the run-up to the series finale of Angel.
For those who may have missed a recent episode, here is a brief synopsis of the past few weeks, with comments from TVTome.com.
Last week:The gang starts to have doubts about Angel's loyalties when he appears to have become very close with the Circle of the Black Thorn, an evil secret demon society.(TV Tome)
Highlight: Illyria gets addicted to the video game Crash Bandicoot, which she plays on Spike's XBOX.
Week Before:Angel and Spike travel to Rome with plans to rescue Buffy from their old nemesis The Immortal.(TV Tome)
Highlights: Angel and Spike visit the Wolfram and Hart office in Rome. Illyria turns back into sweetie-pie Fred, so Fred's parents won't realize Fred is dead. Wesley broods...
Week before that:When Illyria's powers become unstable and cause her to erratically jump through time, she learns that the gang intends to kill her. Upon returning to the present, Illyria plans to murder everyone before they're able to attack her.(TV Tome)
Highlight: Spike's line: "It's not murder if you say yes"
***
Continuing storylines:
Illyria and Wesley
Illyria is a wild cannon. The only thing that appears to keep her in line is her connection with Wesley. Wesley is retreating from the company of the others as his relationship with Illyria grows. There is a sense that the relationship (not a romantic relationship) is not good for either of these characters, but they fill a void in each other's lives. Illyria's resemblance to Fred, whose body she inhabits, continues to haunt Wesley. Wesley fills the role of the humble worshipper that Illyria craves.
Spike and Angel
Spike and Angel seem to be reconciling their differences. From the early Buffy seasons, it has been known that the two of them had a history that went back centuries, to the time when the two of them were both ruthless killers. But the two vampires had a loathing for each other that was never properly explained until this season. In the past few episodes we have seen the two of them working together towards common goals, even refer to each other as "partners". Still, there is a sense that Spike is now what Angel was previous to his employment at Wolfram and Hart: a hero for the people (they may have used the term People's champion, or I may be confusing it with the WWF).
It would be interesting to have seen where this would have gone. For a few episodes during the winter it appeared that Angel was going to be corrupted and Spike was going to take over the fight on the street. Would have been interesting.
Main Storyline:
Another apocalypse (yawn). There have been so many apocalypses now on Angel and Buffy that it seems this time Joss Whedon is just treading water. I'm not expecting much from the final episode, but of course I'll be watching.
Kevin Michael Grace comments on Stephen Harper's claim that he wouldn't have sent troops to Iraq. It seems Harper voted against a motion to keep the troops at home, back in March of 2003.
Read.
I'm reposting these Harper quotes which I included in a post last month, because they underscore the current topic:
from Hansard, Jan 29, 2003
(Stephen Harper):"We have called for participation in the predeployment exercises."
(Stephen Harper): "Make no mistake, Saddam's behaviour to date indicates that he will not honour diplomatic solutions so long as they are not accompanied by a threat of intervention. The least sign of weakness or hesitation on our part will be interpreted as incitement.... We believe that Canada cannot stand on the sidelines in such a moment.... Canada will be counted."
Read.
I'm reposting these Harper quotes which I included in a post last month, because they underscore the current topic:
from Hansard, Jan 29, 2003
(Stephen Harper):"We have called for participation in the predeployment exercises."
(Stephen Harper): "Make no mistake, Saddam's behaviour to date indicates that he will not honour diplomatic solutions so long as they are not accompanied by a threat of intervention. The least sign of weakness or hesitation on our part will be interpreted as incitement.... We believe that Canada cannot stand on the sidelines in such a moment.... Canada will be counted."
This summer's newest blockbuster, as yet untitled, will follow the leaders of Canada's 4 party leaders. I have an exlusive thingy, whatever it's called when movie mags get to have a sneak peek at a movie. Maybe it's just called a "sneak peek".
Adam Sandler as the evil Stephen Harper (Canadian Alliance): An extremist trying to portray himself as a moderate. In this scene he has just uttered the words "I wouldn't send Canadian troops to Iraq, honest"
Scene1 takes place in a Canadian Alliance caucus meeting, where the latest political opinion poll has just been announced:
Michael McKean as Paul Martin (Liberal): A bumbling Prime Minister trying to portray himself as a non-bumbling Prime Minister. Here we see Martin holding his copy of the latest Liberal speaking points, which he downloaded from Warren Kinsella's website.
Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) as Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Quebecois): A Canadian trying to sell himself as a traitor. In this scene Duceppe has just removed his hairnet after touring a Quebec cheese factory:
Paul Newman as Jack Layton (NDP): A former Toronto City Councillor, keeping his mouth shut, hoping everyone else will self-destruct so he can pick up the pieces.
That's all. The movie release date has not been finalized, but probably the end of June.
Adam Sandler as the evil Stephen Harper (Canadian Alliance): An extremist trying to portray himself as a moderate. In this scene he has just uttered the words "I wouldn't send Canadian troops to Iraq, honest"
Scene1 takes place in a Canadian Alliance caucus meeting, where the latest political opinion poll has just been announced:
Michael McKean as Paul Martin (Liberal): A bumbling Prime Minister trying to portray himself as a non-bumbling Prime Minister. Here we see Martin holding his copy of the latest Liberal speaking points, which he downloaded from Warren Kinsella's website.
Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) as Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Quebecois): A Canadian trying to sell himself as a traitor. In this scene Duceppe has just removed his hairnet after touring a Quebec cheese factory:
Paul Newman as Jack Layton (NDP): A former Toronto City Councillor, keeping his mouth shut, hoping everyone else will self-destruct so he can pick up the pieces.
That's all. The movie release date has not been finalized, but probably the end of June.
medesign
One of the joys of writing a blog is getting to meet other bloggers.
When I started out with this blog, for about the first year I pretty
much explored the blogosphere as it related to politics. However in the past few months I have been expanding my interests and have been discovering other worlds in the words of bloggers.
I'd like to introduce my reader(s) to a new blog I've found, written by someone who posts under the pen-name "me". The writer is in Vancouver, and according to her description in the Globe of Blogs, she is an artist and mom.
Please visit this blog, and send her a comment.
One of the joys of writing a blog is getting to meet other bloggers.
When I started out with this blog, for about the first year I pretty
much explored the blogosphere as it related to politics. However in the past few months I have been expanding my interests and have been discovering other worlds in the words of bloggers.
I'd like to introduce my reader(s) to a new blog I've found, written by someone who posts under the pen-name "me". The writer is in Vancouver, and according to her description in the Globe of Blogs, she is an artist and mom.
Please visit this blog, and send her a comment.
JOE
Throughout your career, people have tried to paint you as a "Joe Who", a mitten-wearing clown, irrelevant. But you have always taken it in stride, and as the past few week's events have shown, you are neither a "Joe Who", nor are you irrelevant.
I was in Grade 3 when you were first chosen leader of the Party. I was lucky enough to have had a teacher who made it a point to ensure that we were all informed and knew who our leaders were. You were my favourite (remember I was viewing politics through the eyes of an 8-year old) of the three federal party leaders, although I respected and still respect Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Broadbent.
You were the reason I joined the PC Party of Canada before I was old enough to vote.
Later, I worked for a while in the office of Mr. Harvie Andre, your colleague from Alberta. I met a lot of politicians during the time I worked on the hill and at PCHQ, but the moment I will always remember as the fondest of my days of political involvement, was the first time I met you (I’m certain you don’t remember, it was only a handshake).
It was at a Charest rally at the Ottawa World Exchange Plaza during the leadership race in 1993 (it was the night the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup). Charest was speaking and, it being a rally, we were all cheering. All of a sudden the atmosphere in the crowd was changed, electrified, and there were rumours that you were in the building. There is no appropriate way to describe how I felt when I saw the man whom I had always called my “political hero” walking down the escalator to the area where we were rallying. Even Mr Charest was forgotten for a few minutes as the crowd shouted “Joe, Joe, Joe” in that mindless way that political events often turn to name-chanting.
During the past several years, with you at the helm of the party, you were the rudder that kept the party from straying, from drifting into the dangerous Reform Alliance waters on the one hand, while at the same time maintaining the relevancy of what could otherwise have easily become nothing more than a fringe party. You were (and even in retirement you still remain) the voice of conservative Canadians who are uncomfortable with the Reform/Alliance. With one interview a few weeks back you captured the attention of Canadians in a way that Stephen Harper has not been able to do in 2 years as the leader of his party. You are respected in this country.
I'd be proud to be a member of a party led by Joe Clark again.
Thank you Joe
Throughout your career, people have tried to paint you as a "Joe Who", a mitten-wearing clown, irrelevant. But you have always taken it in stride, and as the past few week's events have shown, you are neither a "Joe Who", nor are you irrelevant.
I was in Grade 3 when you were first chosen leader of the Party. I was lucky enough to have had a teacher who made it a point to ensure that we were all informed and knew who our leaders were. You were my favourite (remember I was viewing politics through the eyes of an 8-year old) of the three federal party leaders, although I respected and still respect Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Broadbent.
You were the reason I joined the PC Party of Canada before I was old enough to vote.
Later, I worked for a while in the office of Mr. Harvie Andre, your colleague from Alberta. I met a lot of politicians during the time I worked on the hill and at PCHQ, but the moment I will always remember as the fondest of my days of political involvement, was the first time I met you (I’m certain you don’t remember, it was only a handshake).
It was at a Charest rally at the Ottawa World Exchange Plaza during the leadership race in 1993 (it was the night the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup). Charest was speaking and, it being a rally, we were all cheering. All of a sudden the atmosphere in the crowd was changed, electrified, and there were rumours that you were in the building. There is no appropriate way to describe how I felt when I saw the man whom I had always called my “political hero” walking down the escalator to the area where we were rallying. Even Mr Charest was forgotten for a few minutes as the crowd shouted “Joe, Joe, Joe” in that mindless way that political events often turn to name-chanting.
During the past several years, with you at the helm of the party, you were the rudder that kept the party from straying, from drifting into the dangerous Reform Alliance waters on the one hand, while at the same time maintaining the relevancy of what could otherwise have easily become nothing more than a fringe party. You were (and even in retirement you still remain) the voice of conservative Canadians who are uncomfortable with the Reform/Alliance. With one interview a few weeks back you captured the attention of Canadians in a way that Stephen Harper has not been able to do in 2 years as the leader of his party. You are respected in this country.
I'd be proud to be a member of a party led by Joe Clark again.
Thank you Joe
JOE
From today's Globe:
Members of Parliament paid tribute to the career of former prime minister Joe Clark Thursday.
In his last Commons speech, the outgoing member for Calgary Centre thanked his constituents, joked about the fall of his own short-lived minority government in 1979, and issued a warning to Prime Minister Paul Martin.
“I learned [the night the government fell] that just because a member of the Liberal Party might be worn out and battered and beaten, he can still come back to haunt you,” Mr. Clark said.
Mr. Clark received individual congratulation from a steady stream of former colleagues and political opponents in the House who walked across the floor to shake his hand.
“He is a House of Commons man,” said long-time NDP MP Bill Blaikie. “He did the nation's business in this chamber, and not across the street.”
But Mr. Clark ends his career in the political wilderness, sitting as an independent, separate from the benches of the Conservative Party.
New Brunswick MP John Herron, who, like Mr. Clark, did not join in the merger which united the Progressive Conservative Party and the Canadian Alliance, praised Mr. Clark as a man “who, in every situation, tried to make the big play.”
The House also rose to applaud Mr. Clark's wife, Maureen McTeer, and their daughter, Catherine Clark, who were seated in the Commons gallery.
Mr. Clark was first elected in 1972 and twice served as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. He represented four constituencies in two provinces during the course of his career.
From today's Globe:
Members of Parliament paid tribute to the career of former prime minister Joe Clark Thursday.
In his last Commons speech, the outgoing member for Calgary Centre thanked his constituents, joked about the fall of his own short-lived minority government in 1979, and issued a warning to Prime Minister Paul Martin.
“I learned [the night the government fell] that just because a member of the Liberal Party might be worn out and battered and beaten, he can still come back to haunt you,” Mr. Clark said.
Mr. Clark received individual congratulation from a steady stream of former colleagues and political opponents in the House who walked across the floor to shake his hand.
“He is a House of Commons man,” said long-time NDP MP Bill Blaikie. “He did the nation's business in this chamber, and not across the street.”
But Mr. Clark ends his career in the political wilderness, sitting as an independent, separate from the benches of the Conservative Party.
New Brunswick MP John Herron, who, like Mr. Clark, did not join in the merger which united the Progressive Conservative Party and the Canadian Alliance, praised Mr. Clark as a man “who, in every situation, tried to make the big play.”
The House also rose to applaud Mr. Clark's wife, Maureen McTeer, and their daughter, Catherine Clark, who were seated in the Commons gallery.
Mr. Clark was first elected in 1972 and twice served as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. He represented four constituencies in two provinces during the course of his career.
Trying to orient my life more towards God. I'll probably post more on that topic as well, since there's not as much keeping me interested in Canadian politics now that there are no real options left for a former Conservative other than join the Liberals or the Canadian Alliance Redux.
They don't serve breakfast in hell.
They don't serve breakfast in hell.
A good friend of mine has diabetes. My uncle has diabetes, and my grandfather had diabetes. The only thing I know about the disease is that there are a lot of things you can't eat, you have to prick yourself several times a day (yikes), and you have to take something called insulin for some reason.
All very strange and mysterious.
Scott Hanselman explains diabetes in a way even an idiot like me can understand.
All very strange and mysterious.
Scott Hanselman explains diabetes in a way even an idiot like me can understand.
A NEW DEFINITION OF TERRORISM?
Terrorism on the rise.
This week, Prime minister Paul Martin spoke to a group in Montreal, stating that terrorism is on the rise since the invasion of Iraq.
"But I think that if we look at the situation today in comparison with even two, three years ago, that the problems of terrorism are probably even more serious,"
According to the Globe and Mail, Claude Bachand, an MP from the Bloc Quebecois, took issue with Prime Minister Martin's assertion that terrorism is not caused by poverty, but by hatred.
But isn't that essentially the current definition of terrorism, at least as the term terrorism has been used in the past 4 years? If you are a rich country and you have a beef with a smaller country, you invade. If you are a poor country, without the massive resources that the US can draw from, then any action you might take is defined as terrorism.
I'm not talking about the acts of individuals, the sort of acts that resulted in 9/11, or the suicide bombings in Israel. Rather I'm referring to what are lately being referred to by GW Bush and his handful of remaining supporters as "terrorist regimes".
These include the Taliban and Saddam Hussein's Iraq. These are examples of governments which might not be palatable to those of us in the west, but which are (were) nonetheless perfectly valid and legal governments.
Neither government is suspected of taking part in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but in the wake of those attacks, both of these governments had the scarlet letter of terrorism hung around their necks by the Bush Administration.
In the case of the Taliban, their country was invaded by the US because they did not turn over Osama bin Laden, and in the fury that swept the western world after 9/11, certain facts like the detail that Afghanistan was a sovereign country were temporarily overlooked. Has there ever been another war in history that was started over extradition issues? Anyway, now the word Taliban has unfairly become synonymous with terrorism. When I say unfairly, I should point out that the Taliban was certainly guilty of many civil-rights abuses in their own country of Afghanistan, but so far no evidence has been provided that the government of Afghanistan took part in 9/11.
However there has been a trend lately that whichever third-world country the Bush Administration has a beef with, is labelled as a terrorist state. And any attempts that country makes to defend itself are pointed to as evidence of terrorism. Take for instance the current civil war in Iraq. It's just so much neater and cleaner for the Yanks to define those opposed to the occupation as terrorists, rather than try to accept that their occupation is not going as smoothly as they had planned.
I can't help thinking that if the Vietnam war was going on right now, we'd be hearing in the news about actions by the "terrorist Viet Cong".
Terrorism on the rise.
This week, Prime minister Paul Martin spoke to a group in Montreal, stating that terrorism is on the rise since the invasion of Iraq.
"But I think that if we look at the situation today in comparison with even two, three years ago, that the problems of terrorism are probably even more serious,"
According to the Globe and Mail, Claude Bachand, an MP from the Bloc Quebecois, took issue with Prime Minister Martin's assertion that terrorism is not caused by poverty, but by hatred.
But isn't that essentially the current definition of terrorism, at least as the term terrorism has been used in the past 4 years? If you are a rich country and you have a beef with a smaller country, you invade. If you are a poor country, without the massive resources that the US can draw from, then any action you might take is defined as terrorism.
I'm not talking about the acts of individuals, the sort of acts that resulted in 9/11, or the suicide bombings in Israel. Rather I'm referring to what are lately being referred to by GW Bush and his handful of remaining supporters as "terrorist regimes".
These include the Taliban and Saddam Hussein's Iraq. These are examples of governments which might not be palatable to those of us in the west, but which are (were) nonetheless perfectly valid and legal governments.
Neither government is suspected of taking part in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but in the wake of those attacks, both of these governments had the scarlet letter of terrorism hung around their necks by the Bush Administration.
In the case of the Taliban, their country was invaded by the US because they did not turn over Osama bin Laden, and in the fury that swept the western world after 9/11, certain facts like the detail that Afghanistan was a sovereign country were temporarily overlooked. Has there ever been another war in history that was started over extradition issues? Anyway, now the word Taliban has unfairly become synonymous with terrorism. When I say unfairly, I should point out that the Taliban was certainly guilty of many civil-rights abuses in their own country of Afghanistan, but so far no evidence has been provided that the government of Afghanistan took part in 9/11.
However there has been a trend lately that whichever third-world country the Bush Administration has a beef with, is labelled as a terrorist state. And any attempts that country makes to defend itself are pointed to as evidence of terrorism. Take for instance the current civil war in Iraq. It's just so much neater and cleaner for the Yanks to define those opposed to the occupation as terrorists, rather than try to accept that their occupation is not going as smoothly as they had planned.
I can't help thinking that if the Vietnam war was going on right now, we'd be hearing in the news about actions by the "terrorist Viet Cong".
Iraqi blogs and the prison pictures
Thought I'd take a brief survey of the Iraqi blogs to see what they have to say about the pics that have come out of Abu Ghraib prison over the past few weeks. But for some reason most of the Iraqi blogs stopped posting around April 10. Maybe a problem with the phone or power lines, or just coincidence, either way it's damned inconvenient for my purposes.
So I'll make do with what I can find. This one is from a female Iraqi's perspective:
http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com
"People are so angry. There’s no way to explain the reactions- even pro-occupation Iraqis find themselves silenced by this latest horror. I can’t explain how people feel- or even how I personally feel. Somehow, pictures of dead Iraqis are easier to bear than this grotesque show of American military technique. People would rather be dead than sexually abused and degraded by the animals running Abu Ghraib prison."
***
I will post other Iraqi comments on this issue as I find them.
Thought I'd take a brief survey of the Iraqi blogs to see what they have to say about the pics that have come out of Abu Ghraib prison over the past few weeks. But for some reason most of the Iraqi blogs stopped posting around April 10. Maybe a problem with the phone or power lines, or just coincidence, either way it's damned inconvenient for my purposes.
So I'll make do with what I can find. This one is from a female Iraqi's perspective:
http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com
"People are so angry. There’s no way to explain the reactions- even pro-occupation Iraqis find themselves silenced by this latest horror. I can’t explain how people feel- or even how I personally feel. Somehow, pictures of dead Iraqis are easier to bear than this grotesque show of American military technique. People would rather be dead than sexually abused and degraded by the animals running Abu Ghraib prison."
***
I will post other Iraqi comments on this issue as I find them.
Here's some lyrics to a song i used to like. BTW, has anyone noticed that the sponsorship scandal has disappeared from the news?
So like, what's up with that, anyway?...
SPECIALS
A MESSAGE TO YOU RUDY
Stop your messing around,
Better think of your future.
Time you straighten right out,
Creating problems in town.
Rudy, a message to you Rudy.
A message to you.
Stop your fooling around.
Time you straighten right out.
Better think of your future,
As you wind up in jail.
Rudy, a message to you Rudy.
A message to you.
Stop your messing around.
Better think of your future.
Time you straighten right out,
Creating problems in town.
Rudy, a message to you Rudy.
A message to you Rudy.
Oh, its a message to you Rudy.
Yeah, its a message to you Rudy.
its a message to you Rudy...
So like, what's up with that, anyway?...
SPECIALS
A MESSAGE TO YOU RUDY
Stop your messing around,
Better think of your future.
Time you straighten right out,
Creating problems in town.
Rudy, a message to you Rudy.
A message to you.
Stop your fooling around.
Time you straighten right out.
Better think of your future,
As you wind up in jail.
Rudy, a message to you Rudy.
A message to you.
Stop your messing around.
Better think of your future.
Time you straighten right out,
Creating problems in town.
Rudy, a message to you Rudy.
A message to you Rudy.
Oh, its a message to you Rudy.
Yeah, its a message to you Rudy.
its a message to you Rudy...
Great website: Doonesbury. Might take a while to load (see previous post), but has amazing graphics.
Latest from Doonesbury, BD lost a leg in the gulf.
Latest from Doonesbury, BD lost a leg in the gulf.
Sasser Worm help
As some readers know, I work for Sony. We build, among some other things, computers. Today, a new worm came out that doesn't look too dangerous, yet, but acts a lot like the Blaster virus. It's called the Sasser worm, God knows why.
I've spent my day researching it and basically becoming mind-numbingly bored by reading anything virus-related, and I thought I'd share some of the tools I've found with my loyal reader(s).
windows update for the wormy here
Norton Antivirus info on it here
I was going to post the link to the fix as well, but if you're reading this, you don't need the fix.
In a nutshell, our reports at Sony were that when it triggers a clock thing or timer may pop up and count 60 seconds. After that, your internet connection will work fine, but you won't be able to use it, meaning that although you're connected you still can't surf. You'll get an error like "unable to find server" on every website.
If you want to really p**s off Microsoft, which hates having to provide support for it's products (and will direct you back to the manufacturer of your PC, ie Sony or Dell), contact them with one of the options listed on this page (note the first option under the line "What support option should you select?". Bastards.)
As some readers know, I work for Sony. We build, among some other things, computers. Today, a new worm came out that doesn't look too dangerous, yet, but acts a lot like the Blaster virus. It's called the Sasser worm, God knows why.
I've spent my day researching it and basically becoming mind-numbingly bored by reading anything virus-related, and I thought I'd share some of the tools I've found with my loyal reader(s).
windows update for the wormy here
Norton Antivirus info on it here
I was going to post the link to the fix as well, but if you're reading this, you don't need the fix.
In a nutshell, our reports at Sony were that when it triggers a clock thing or timer may pop up and count 60 seconds. After that, your internet connection will work fine, but you won't be able to use it, meaning that although you're connected you still can't surf. You'll get an error like "unable to find server" on every website.
If you want to really p**s off Microsoft, which hates having to provide support for it's products (and will direct you back to the manufacturer of your PC, ie Sony or Dell), contact them with one of the options listed on this page (note the first option under the line "What support option should you select?". Bastards.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
