Toronto Police staged a display of weaponry to demonstrate “the extent of the criminal conspiracy” among hard-line G20 protesters, but several of the items had nothing to do with the summit....
...Julian Falconer, a Toronto lawyer representing four independent journalists in summit-related police complaints, called the display of unrelated objects a “public-relations exercise [that] borders on the absurd.”
The items, which were laid out on tables in the lobby of police headquarters, also included gas masks, cans of spray paint, a replica gun, saws, pocket knives, a staple gun, a drill, a slingshot, chains and handcuffs. However, there were also objects not normally considered dangerous, including bandanas, skateboard and bicycle helmets, golf balls, tennis balls, bamboo poles, goggles, rope and walkie-talkies.
Read more here.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Steve Blow: Idiot of the Day
This genius, on the topic of another story of priests abusing someone:
"This is sad to say, but it's almost refreshing to read about a priest accused of good, old-fashioned heterosexual perviness.
The dreadful stuff between priests and boys has been going on for so long that I almost forgot that some priests have more mainstream sexual hangups.
Again, I say, it's time for a married priesthood."
Needless to say, many have called him out for his epic stupidity.
Read more here.
Update: The man remains an idiot.
"If you have to explain humor, it has failed. My attempt here at some sardonic humor has obviously failed with a number of readers. I apologize. No offense was intended -- except toward pervy priests of any persuasion."
Leave the humour to the professionals Steve. You are not in their league.
"This is sad to say, but it's almost refreshing to read about a priest accused of good, old-fashioned heterosexual perviness.
The dreadful stuff between priests and boys has been going on for so long that I almost forgot that some priests have more mainstream sexual hangups.
Again, I say, it's time for a married priesthood."
Needless to say, many have called him out for his epic stupidity.
Read more here.
Update: The man remains an idiot.
"If you have to explain humor, it has failed. My attempt here at some sardonic humor has obviously failed with a number of readers. I apologize. No offense was intended -- except toward pervy priests of any persuasion."
Leave the humour to the professionals Steve. You are not in their league.
Facebook, BP, Bullshit and the "technical glitch"
Facebook is embroiled in another controversy after the popular social networking site on Monday temporarily disabled a page that calls for a boycott of oil giant BP.
Facebook officials said Tuesday the site was removed in error through a technological glitch and has been restored.
Read more here.
Facebook officials said Tuesday the site was removed in error through a technological glitch and has been restored.
Read more here.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A Big Fuck You to Stephen Harper, the G20, the police, and the protesters
Thanks to the sorry lot of you for leaving Toronto a more crummy place than it was before.
Job well done. A Billion dollars well spent.
Menon: People of the world, never let the G20 come to your city.
Ontario won't call public inquiry into G20 chaos. No shit Sherlock.
And of course we can't forget that epic moron Marcus Gee. Take it away Marcus: After the ‘brutal spectacle,’ life goes on, undeterred. Lalala, oh look, more condos!
Job well done. A Billion dollars well spent.
Menon: People of the world, never let the G20 come to your city.
Ontario won't call public inquiry into G20 chaos. No shit Sherlock.
And of course we can't forget that epic moron Marcus Gee. Take it away Marcus: After the ‘brutal spectacle,’ life goes on, undeterred. Lalala, oh look, more condos!
Two Canadian teachers: Massive Idiots of the Day
Two Canadian teachers who wanted a memento of their trip to Auschwitz have been arrested by Polish police for stealing pins from the camp's railway track, according to reports.
The two male teachers were caught in possession of retaining pins used to hold down the rails which once transported hundreds of thousands to their death.
"The men were caught red handed by security and handed over to the police by the museum," said Bartosz Bartyzel, for the Auschwitz museum press office. He added that while the pins had no material value they were of "enormous historical value".
Of course there are the brain dead who don't see a problem (as this commenter from Digg illustrates):
This case stinks of overreacting people, This is similar to when people started getting arrested for taking rocks from the great wall of china back home to say "I have part of the great wall with me." I understand that It is of historical value however it is not hurting anyone or damaging the area, they just picked up two bolts probably some long nail like object that would have rusted and be destroyed over time. They should be fined for their actions, arresting them just seems too harsh for a misunderstanding like that.
The stupid, it burns!
Read more here.
The two male teachers were caught in possession of retaining pins used to hold down the rails which once transported hundreds of thousands to their death.
"The men were caught red handed by security and handed over to the police by the museum," said Bartosz Bartyzel, for the Auschwitz museum press office. He added that while the pins had no material value they were of "enormous historical value".
Of course there are the brain dead who don't see a problem (as this commenter from Digg illustrates):
This case stinks of overreacting people, This is similar to when people started getting arrested for taking rocks from the great wall of china back home to say "I have part of the great wall with me." I understand that It is of historical value however it is not hurting anyone or damaging the area, they just picked up two bolts probably some long nail like object that would have rusted and be destroyed over time. They should be fined for their actions, arresting them just seems too harsh for a misunderstanding like that.
The stupid, it burns!
Read more here.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Handfull of protesters more embarrassing to Canada than Stephen Harper. Experts baffled
"We didn't think it was mathematically possible." said one, visibly shaken by the results...
Kathryn Blundell: Idiot of the Day
An article describing breastfeeding as "creepy", written by the deputy editor of a leading parenting magazine, has caused widespread outrage on the internet and prompted protests to the Press Complaints Commission.
Under the headline "I formula fed. So what?", Kathryn Blundell says in this month's Mother & Baby that she bottlefed her child from birth because "I wanted my body back. (And some wine)… I also wanted to give my boobs at least a chance to stay on my chest rather than dangling around my stomach."
Too late Kathryn, you already made yourself the biggest boob on the planet.
She goes on to say: "They're part of my sexuality, too – not just breasts, but fun bags. And when you have that attitude (and I admit I made no attempt to change it), seeing your teeny, tiny, innocent baby latching on where only a lover has been before feels, well, a little creepy."
You're the only one who's creepy here.
Read more here.
Under the headline "I formula fed. So what?", Kathryn Blundell says in this month's Mother & Baby that she bottlefed her child from birth because "I wanted my body back. (And some wine)… I also wanted to give my boobs at least a chance to stay on my chest rather than dangling around my stomach."
Too late Kathryn, you already made yourself the biggest boob on the planet.
She goes on to say: "They're part of my sexuality, too – not just breasts, but fun bags. And when you have that attitude (and I admit I made no attempt to change it), seeing your teeny, tiny, innocent baby latching on where only a lover has been before feels, well, a little creepy."
You're the only one who's creepy here.
Read more here.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Jason Bateman: Idiot of the Day
...former Arrested Development star Jason Bateman joined a line of 2,000 outside a Los Angeles Apple store. As people in line realized who he was, they began posting their celebrity sighting to Twitter. As word traveled up the line, one person wrote, "No VIP line for the iPhone 4. Jason Bateman(actor) [sic] is 100 people behind me."
Before long, Apple employees reportedly pulled Bateman out of line and escorted him into the store ahead of all the other customers. "Everyone literally started booing and hissing!" a source told US Magazine.
Read more here.
Before long, Apple employees reportedly pulled Bateman out of line and escorted him into the store ahead of all the other customers. "Everyone literally started booing and hissing!" a source told US Magazine.
Read more here.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Police at G20 limited to saying NANANANA really f*cking loud using sound cannons
A judge has dismissed a motion that sought to ban police use of so-called sound cannons to control crowds during the G20 summit in Toronto.
Ontario Superior Court Justice David Brown's decision allows police to use the devices, but also places limits on how they can use them. Police must conform to Ontario Provincial Police operating rules for the cannons, the judge said. The voice function of the devices is OK to use, but an alert function that protesters and the judge say can damage hearing permanently is off limits.
Read more here.
Ontario Superior Court Justice David Brown's decision allows police to use the devices, but also places limits on how they can use them. Police must conform to Ontario Provincial Police operating rules for the cannons, the judge said. The voice function of the devices is OK to use, but an alert function that protesters and the judge say can damage hearing permanently is off limits.
Read more here.
iPhone 4 is here, just don't hold it
"Doctor, it hurts when I breathe.
Don't breathe then..."
Guess they didn't product test using actual humans...
Apple has released official advice for iPhone 4 owners to overcome the problem of the device losing signal when held by the lower left corner.
Steve Jobs responded to a query about the problem from one owner by saying: "Just avoid holding it in that way."
The official advice is to "avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band".
Read more here.
Don't breathe then..."
Guess they didn't product test using actual humans...
Apple has released official advice for iPhone 4 owners to overcome the problem of the device losing signal when held by the lower left corner.
Steve Jobs responded to a query about the problem from one owner by saying: "Just avoid holding it in that way."
The official advice is to "avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band".
Read more here.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Heritage Minister James Moore: Don't F*ck with our Money
Yet another conservative, taking a fair and balanced view of a situation.
Darrel Smith, lawyer for Toronto police: Idiot of the Day
In a masterful display of world class bullshit, Darrel Smith, lawyer for Toronto police, says:
...the sound cannons are needed to communicate with a crowd so noisy it may drown out the sound of a traditional megaphone.
He compared the maximum decibel level to that of an ambulance siren or leaf blower.
“They present no greater danger of hearing loss than a weed whacker,” said Smith.
Huh? What? Speak up.
He said that when the cannons are used to project a voice, sound levels reach the mid-90 decibel range.
That is about the same level as the sound of a subway train or lawnmower.
Read more here.
...the sound cannons are needed to communicate with a crowd so noisy it may drown out the sound of a traditional megaphone.
He compared the maximum decibel level to that of an ambulance siren or leaf blower.
“They present no greater danger of hearing loss than a weed whacker,” said Smith.
Huh? What? Speak up.
He said that when the cannons are used to project a voice, sound levels reach the mid-90 decibel range.
That is about the same level as the sound of a subway train or lawnmower.
Read more here.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Moms with Guns - AmberWatch Alert PSA
You have to be fucking kidding.
The woman in the last shot didn't expect to be hit in the head with shells. Ah, War is Hell.
David Olive maintains his title as Idiot of the Day
Here's David Olive again with another hard on in print form, again defending the G20 in Toronto, because "Toronto is punching above its weight".
Yup, more "We're world class! We are, we are!" whining from the Toronto elite who so want to be loved (by a certain strata of society that is).
In many ways that people who live here don’t fully realize, Toronto punches far above its weight.
It ranks a mere 86th in population among world cities. Yet it is now included among the world’s dozen most influential centres, outranking the likes of Washington, Paris and Frankfurt in the City of London’s annual global financial centres index.
Just as the host nations for the first three G20 summits, in Washington, London and Pittsburgh, chose venues to showcase geopolitical strength and Pittsburgh’s “green-tech revolution,” Toronto is well-suited to deliberations on financial-markets reform.
The entire point of the G20 is finally to have rich and developing-world nations at the same table. Toronto is the most ethnically diverse city in the world: almost half our people are foreign-born and they speak more than 100 languages and dialects.
Too bad it's also on of the world's most ugly and poorly planned cities. But who cares, we've tarted up the place with a security fence!
Read more here.
Yup, more "We're world class! We are, we are!" whining from the Toronto elite who so want to be loved (by a certain strata of society that is).
In many ways that people who live here don’t fully realize, Toronto punches far above its weight.
It ranks a mere 86th in population among world cities. Yet it is now included among the world’s dozen most influential centres, outranking the likes of Washington, Paris and Frankfurt in the City of London’s annual global financial centres index.
Just as the host nations for the first three G20 summits, in Washington, London and Pittsburgh, chose venues to showcase geopolitical strength and Pittsburgh’s “green-tech revolution,” Toronto is well-suited to deliberations on financial-markets reform.
The entire point of the G20 is finally to have rich and developing-world nations at the same table. Toronto is the most ethnically diverse city in the world: almost half our people are foreign-born and they speak more than 100 languages and dialects.
Too bad it's also on of the world's most ugly and poorly planned cities. But who cares, we've tarted up the place with a security fence!
Read more here.
Bye Bye's parade of tasteless racial humour to return
Seems the Quebec airwaves wouldn't be the same without attacks on minorities.
A controversial Quebec television program, cancelled last year after producers were accused of racism, has been revived.
Radio-Canada's iconic Bye Bye New Year's Eve special will return to the airwaves at the end of 2010, under the watch of Quebec TV personality Véronique Cloutier and her husband, Louis Morissette.
Cloutier and Morissette were the target of widespread criticism after their Dec. 31, 2008, show went to air with off-colour skits about U.S. President Barack Obama and Quebec singer Natalie Simard.
The public broadcaster received hundreds of complaints about the program, which viewers called racist and in extremely bad taste.
After the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission received more than 170 complaints, the regulator ruled Radio-Canada breached provisions of Canada's broadcasting regulations and its conditions of licence.
CBC's French-language service was forced to apologize for the program.
After Radio-Canada announced Tuesday that the show would be revived, Cloutier and Morissette posted a video on YouTube, apologizing in advance for their Dec. 31, 2010, program.
A controversial Quebec television program, cancelled last year after producers were accused of racism, has been revived.
Radio-Canada's iconic Bye Bye New Year's Eve special will return to the airwaves at the end of 2010, under the watch of Quebec TV personality Véronique Cloutier and her husband, Louis Morissette.
Cloutier and Morissette were the target of widespread criticism after their Dec. 31, 2008, show went to air with off-colour skits about U.S. President Barack Obama and Quebec singer Natalie Simard.
The public broadcaster received hundreds of complaints about the program, which viewers called racist and in extremely bad taste.
After the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission received more than 170 complaints, the regulator ruled Radio-Canada breached provisions of Canada's broadcasting regulations and its conditions of licence.
CBC's French-language service was forced to apologize for the program.
After Radio-Canada announced Tuesday that the show would be revived, Cloutier and Morissette posted a video on YouTube, apologizing in advance for their Dec. 31, 2010, program.
Heritage minister James Moore: Idiot of the Day
Mr. Moore, using the usual conservative technique to attack their critics.
Moore said the new legislation, Bill C-32, will bring Canada into line with international standards and allow copyright-based industries to better compete on an international stage.
“I believe the legislation we’ve introduced reflects a fair and balanced approach that will support innovation, creativity and economic growth,” he said. “It addresses the challenges faced by copyright owners. At the same time it legitimizes many everyday activities of Canadian consumers in the digital age,” he said.
Moore warned against “radical extremists” seeking to oppose the legislation.
Yup, Al Queda and mp3 pirates, just 2 sides of the same coin.
Mr. Moore, you are an asshole.
Read more here and here.
Moore said the new legislation, Bill C-32, will bring Canada into line with international standards and allow copyright-based industries to better compete on an international stage.
“I believe the legislation we’ve introduced reflects a fair and balanced approach that will support innovation, creativity and economic growth,” he said. “It addresses the challenges faced by copyright owners. At the same time it legitimizes many everyday activities of Canadian consumers in the digital age,” he said.
Moore warned against “radical extremists” seeking to oppose the legislation.
Yup, Al Queda and mp3 pirates, just 2 sides of the same coin.
Mr. Moore, you are an asshole.
Read more here and here.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Why the f*ck does Apple need to know iPhone4 users precise location?
Apple Inc. is now collecting the "precise," "real-time geographic location" of its users' iPhones, iPads and computers.
In an updated version of its privacy policy, the company added a paragraph noting that once users agree, Apple and unspecified "partners and licensees" may collect and store user location data.
When users attempt to download apps or media from the iTunes store, they are prompted to agree to the new terms and conditions. Until they agree, they cannot download anything through the store.
The company says the data is anonymous and does not personally identify users. Analysts have shown, however, that large, specific data sets can be used to identify people based on behavior patterns.
An increasing number of iPhone apps ask users for their location, which is then used by the application or even uploaded to the app's maker. Apps like the Twitter application Tweetie and Google Maps make frequent use of location data, either to help the user get oriented geographically or to associate the user's action with a specific location (as when a tweet is geotagged).
Apple says in its privacy policy that it uses personal information to "improve our services, content, and advertising."
Read more here.
In an updated version of its privacy policy, the company added a paragraph noting that once users agree, Apple and unspecified "partners and licensees" may collect and store user location data.
When users attempt to download apps or media from the iTunes store, they are prompted to agree to the new terms and conditions. Until they agree, they cannot download anything through the store.
The company says the data is anonymous and does not personally identify users. Analysts have shown, however, that large, specific data sets can be used to identify people based on behavior patterns.
An increasing number of iPhone apps ask users for their location, which is then used by the application or even uploaded to the app's maker. Apps like the Twitter application Tweetie and Google Maps make frequent use of location data, either to help the user get oriented geographically or to associate the user's action with a specific location (as when a tweet is geotagged).
Apple says in its privacy policy that it uses personal information to "improve our services, content, and advertising."
Read more here.
Unicorn meat and morons with lawyers
Idiots, The Other White Meat
Recently we [thinkgeek.com] got the best-ever cease and desist letter. We're no stranger to the genre, so what could possibly make this one stand out from the rest?
First, it's 12 pages long and very well-researched (except on one point); it even includes screengrabs of the offending item from our site. And we know they're not messing around because they invested in the best and brightest legal minds.
But what makes this cease and desist so very, very special is that it's for a fake product we launched for April Fool's day.
It wasn't the iCade, or the Dharma Initiative Clock, or even the Tribbles 'n' Bits Breakfast Cereal.
No, it was the Canned Unicorn Meat.
Read more here.
Recently we [thinkgeek.com] got the best-ever cease and desist letter. We're no stranger to the genre, so what could possibly make this one stand out from the rest?
First, it's 12 pages long and very well-researched (except on one point); it even includes screengrabs of the offending item from our site. And we know they're not messing around because they invested in the best and brightest legal minds.
But what makes this cease and desist so very, very special is that it's for a fake product we launched for April Fool's day.
It wasn't the iCade, or the Dharma Initiative Clock, or even the Tribbles 'n' Bits Breakfast Cereal.
No, it was the Canned Unicorn Meat.
Read more here.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Developers set sights on f*cking up Toronto's Church St
On Thursday, a group of concerned citizens in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood came together to discuss the recently announced proposal affecting several properties on Gloucester and Church streets. These properties include 67-69 Gloucester and 580-596 Church. The developer of the site has proposed that most or all of the existing buildings on the site be torn down and that a 25-storey condominium be put in their place. This has, unsurprisingly, upset local residents.
Que Marcus Gee penning a venom filled article attacking the neighbourhood in 3..2..
Read more here.
Que Marcus Gee penning a venom filled article attacking the neighbourhood in 3..2..
Read more here.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Disgusting homophobe Brian Brown whines on about "sacrifice"
Anti gay bigot Brian Brown pens this vile tirade:
lawyers like Ted Olson insist that our views of marriage are bigoted, hateful, irrational [truth hurts don't it babe?]. California’s Prop 8 is, for me, deeply personal. I am one of the people who devoted time, treasure, and sacrifice to make Prop 8 come true.
Oh you poor baby. I didn't realize taking away the rights of your fellow citizens was so personal.
And then there's this gem...
And so we fought, with decency and civility, in love, for the future of marriage in our country.
The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Bullshit.
Having lost at the ballot box, gay-marriage advocates are now stepping forward and asking the courts to nullify our victory, to invalidate our sacrifice.
And maybe, just maybe, get you to STFU.
Read more here.
lawyers like Ted Olson insist that our views of marriage are bigoted, hateful, irrational [truth hurts don't it babe?]. California’s Prop 8 is, for me, deeply personal. I am one of the people who devoted time, treasure, and sacrifice to make Prop 8 come true.
Oh you poor baby. I didn't realize taking away the rights of your fellow citizens was so personal.
And then there's this gem...
And so we fought, with decency and civility, in love, for the future of marriage in our country.
The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Bullshit.
Having lost at the ballot box, gay-marriage advocates are now stepping forward and asking the courts to nullify our victory, to invalidate our sacrifice.
And maybe, just maybe, get you to STFU.
Read more here.
BBC forgets this is the f*cking 21st century
Sweden has celebrated a royal wedding between Crown Princess Victoria and her former fitness trainer.
Victoria, 32, tied the knot with 36-year-old commoner Daniel Westling.
Commoner? commoner?
WTF BBC?
Read more here.
Victoria, 32, tied the knot with 36-year-old commoner Daniel Westling.
Commoner? commoner?
WTF BBC?
Read more here.
Louisiana lawmakers: Idiots of the Day
While cleanup crews and technical teams continue efforts to stop crude gushing into the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana lawmakers are proposing a different approach: prayer.
State senators designated Sunday as a day for citizens to ask for God's help dealing with the oil disaster.
"Thus far efforts made by mortals to try to solve the crisis have been to no avail," state Sen. Robert Adley said in a statement released after last week's unanimous vote for the day of prayer. "It is clearly time for a miracle for us."
You let us know how that goes for you, won't you?
Read more here.
State senators designated Sunday as a day for citizens to ask for God's help dealing with the oil disaster.
"Thus far efforts made by mortals to try to solve the crisis have been to no avail," state Sen. Robert Adley said in a statement released after last week's unanimous vote for the day of prayer. "It is clearly time for a miracle for us."
You let us know how that goes for you, won't you?
Read more here.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Tony Hayward: Idiot of the Day
This genius doesn't appear to be able to spell PR.
In what one environmentalist described as "yet another public relations disaster" for embattled energy giant BP, CEO Tony Hayward took time off Saturday to attend a glitzy yacht race around England's Isle of Wight.
As social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook lit up with outrage, BP spokespeople rushed to defend Hayward, who has drawn withering criticism as the public face of BP's halting efforts to stop the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
Spokeswoman Sheila Williams said Hayward took a break from overseeing BP efforts to stem the undersea gusher in Gulf of Mexico so he could watch his boat "Bob" participate in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. The 52-foot yacht is made by the Annapolis, Maryland-based boatbuilder Farr Yacht Design.
Guess he got his life back.
Read more here.
In what one environmentalist described as "yet another public relations disaster" for embattled energy giant BP, CEO Tony Hayward took time off Saturday to attend a glitzy yacht race around England's Isle of Wight.
As social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook lit up with outrage, BP spokespeople rushed to defend Hayward, who has drawn withering criticism as the public face of BP's halting efforts to stop the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
Spokeswoman Sheila Williams said Hayward took a break from overseeing BP efforts to stem the undersea gusher in Gulf of Mexico so he could watch his boat "Bob" participate in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race. The 52-foot yacht is made by the Annapolis, Maryland-based boatbuilder Farr Yacht Design.
Guess he got his life back.
Read more here.
25,000 Unreal barrels a day
According to reports, the amount of oil spilling in to the Gulf of Mexico stands at 25,000 barrels a day. Now how much is that in terms of quantity one might ask? We have got the answer for that. We got a video from Youtube which uses the Unreal Engine to render 25,000 barrels.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Radiocarbon dating verifies ancient Egypt's history
Experts have used scientific dating techniques to verify the historical chronology of ancient Egypt.
Radiocarbon dating was used to show that the chronology of Egypt's Old, Middle and New Kingdoms is indeed accurate.
The researchers dated seeds found in pharaohs' tombs, including some from the tomb of the King Tutankhamun.
They write in the journal Science that some of the samples are more than 4,500 years old.
Read more here.
Radiocarbon dating was used to show that the chronology of Egypt's Old, Middle and New Kingdoms is indeed accurate.
The researchers dated seeds found in pharaohs' tombs, including some from the tomb of the King Tutankhamun.
They write in the journal Science that some of the samples are more than 4,500 years old.
Read more here.
Why Toronto continues to be hideous
Toronto is not a beautiful city. There may be some interesting architectural pieces here and there, but they are rare. Much like spotting a flower in a field of weeds.
Torontonians are notoriously clueless in matters of taste. World Class Clueless.
So when the winners of this years Pug Awards [Self-described as the "People's Choice Awards for Architecture," the Pug Awards were started in 2004 to give the public a voice about the various projects that are being built in the city.] were announced, it should come as no surprise that the good people of Toronto would consider this:
With its innovative design, the Teeple-designed building was the definite favorite to win.
The voters are nuts and quite probably blind.
Read more here.
Torontonians are notoriously clueless in matters of taste. World Class Clueless.
So when the winners of this years Pug Awards [Self-described as the "People's Choice Awards for Architecture," the Pug Awards were started in 2004 to give the public a voice about the various projects that are being built in the city.] were announced, it should come as no surprise that the good people of Toronto would consider this:
With its innovative design, the Teeple-designed building was the definite favorite to win.
The voters are nuts and quite probably blind.
Read more here.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
More on Australia The Nanny State
Australia continues down the road of government censorship of the Net, a role they have no right taking, but when has that ever stopped a government?
The "we must protect the children" line is bullshit, but it works for them.
Key bit:
In a June 5 poll conducted on the web site of the Sydney Morning Herald, 99% of the 88,645 people who responded to the survey said they were against the Internet filter. Nevertheless, Conroy told the Sun-Herald in May that the policy "will be going ahead.'' He also accused groups like GetUp! of deliberately misleading the public. 'We are still consulting on the final details of the scheme. But this policy has been approved by 85% of Australian internet service providers, who have said they would welcome the filter, including Telstra, Optus, iPrimus and iinet.'' Iinet have since denied that it ever approved the scheme.
Read more here.
The "we must protect the children" line is bullshit, but it works for them.
Key bit:
In a June 5 poll conducted on the web site of the Sydney Morning Herald, 99% of the 88,645 people who responded to the survey said they were against the Internet filter. Nevertheless, Conroy told the Sun-Herald in May that the policy "will be going ahead.'' He also accused groups like GetUp! of deliberately misleading the public. 'We are still consulting on the final details of the scheme. But this policy has been approved by 85% of Australian internet service providers, who have said they would welcome the filter, including Telstra, Optus, iPrimus and iinet.'' Iinet have since denied that it ever approved the scheme.
Read more here.
Teacher Ken Piercy: Idiot of the Day
Fine lesson in censorship there Piercy.
A Vancouver Island board of education has decided to reprint a middle-school's yearbooks after a teacher took scissors to 150 copies last week and clipped out the photo of a Grade 10 student because of comments he made about the school principal.
Comox Valley board chair Susan Barr told the Vancouver Sun the decision to reprint the yearbook was made after a public outcry that included hate mail sent to principal Lori Carpenter, even though she had not been involved in the decision to remove Brandon Armstrong's picture.
Barr said she does not know what it will cost to reprint the yearbook, but there will be no charge for students.
"It is a cost the district will gladly bear," she said. "We want to put things right."
Teacher Ken Piercy, who was in charge of the yearbook committee, cut out Brandon's photo and comment because he said the boy had falsely accused the principal of spending money on a fence instead of textbooks.
"I will not allow anything to be published that is hurtful and untrue," Piercy stated in an insert placed in the defaced yearbooks.
Read more here.
A Vancouver Island board of education has decided to reprint a middle-school's yearbooks after a teacher took scissors to 150 copies last week and clipped out the photo of a Grade 10 student because of comments he made about the school principal.
Comox Valley board chair Susan Barr told the Vancouver Sun the decision to reprint the yearbook was made after a public outcry that included hate mail sent to principal Lori Carpenter, even though she had not been involved in the decision to remove Brandon Armstrong's picture.
Barr said she does not know what it will cost to reprint the yearbook, but there will be no charge for students.
"It is a cost the district will gladly bear," she said. "We want to put things right."
Teacher Ken Piercy, who was in charge of the yearbook committee, cut out Brandon's photo and comment because he said the boy had falsely accused the principal of spending money on a fence instead of textbooks.
"I will not allow anything to be published that is hurtful and untrue," Piercy stated in an insert placed in the defaced yearbooks.
Read more here.
German cathedral bones 'are Saxon queen Eadgyth'
Scientists have revealed that they think bones found in a German cathedral are those of one of the earliest members of the English royal family.
The remains of Queen Eadgyth, who died in 946, were excavated in Magdeburg Cathedral in 2008.
The granddaughter of Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, the Saxon princess married Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, in 929.
The findings are due to be presented at the University of Bristol later.
A spokesman from the university said the bones were the oldest surviving remains of an English royal burial.
Read more here.
The remains of Queen Eadgyth, who died in 946, were excavated in Magdeburg Cathedral in 2008.
The granddaughter of Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, the Saxon princess married Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, in 929.
The findings are due to be presented at the University of Bristol later.
A spokesman from the university said the bones were the oldest surviving remains of an English royal burial.
Read more here.
Quebec to allow developers to further f*ck up Montreal's West Island
More condos and industry! Oh Joy!
A call for tenders for green space on Montreal's West Island has caught both environmental activists and government officials by surprise.
Quebec's industrial development corporation, the Société générale de financement, which owns the land, has published ads in local papers seeking bids for the 98 hectares of land. The ads announce opportunities for residential and industrial construction.
The wooded area extends from Cap-Saint-Jacques nature park in Pierrefonds alongside the l'Anse-a-l'Orme Park to Angell Woods in Beaconsfield.
Read more here.
A call for tenders for green space on Montreal's West Island has caught both environmental activists and government officials by surprise.
Quebec's industrial development corporation, the Société générale de financement, which owns the land, has published ads in local papers seeking bids for the 98 hectares of land. The ads announce opportunities for residential and industrial construction.
The wooded area extends from Cap-Saint-Jacques nature park in Pierrefonds alongside the l'Anse-a-l'Orme Park to Angell Woods in Beaconsfield.
Read more here.
Obama's 9.8 grade level speech too complex for many Americans
Shucks Clem, I don't understand a thing he's sayin'
President Obama's speech on the gulf oil disaster may have gone over the heads of many in his audience, according to an analysis of the 18-minute talk released Wednesday.
Tuesday night's speech from the Oval Office of the White House was written to a 9.8 grade level, said Paul J.J. Payack, president of Global Language Monitor. The Austin, Texas-based company analyzes and catalogues trends in word usage and word choice and their impact on culture.
Though the president used slightly less than four sentences per paragraph, his 19.8 words per sentence "added some difficulty for his target audience," Payack said.
Read more here.
President Obama's speech on the gulf oil disaster may have gone over the heads of many in his audience, according to an analysis of the 18-minute talk released Wednesday.
Tuesday night's speech from the Oval Office of the White House was written to a 9.8 grade level, said Paul J.J. Payack, president of Global Language Monitor. The Austin, Texas-based company analyzes and catalogues trends in word usage and word choice and their impact on culture.
Though the president used slightly less than four sentences per paragraph, his 19.8 words per sentence "added some difficulty for his target audience," Payack said.
Read more here.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Turkish Delight from Koska
If you're ever in Istanbul, be sure to visit Koska for some delicious Turkish Delight. A friend was given a box and they were yummy.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Sun News: Now there's a network for the simple minded
Sorry Harper & Co., I ain't doing no flag wavin' while you're in charge.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
David Olive: Idiot of the Day
Some so want Toronto to be loved and respected as "world class" that they know not what they write:
Let’s stop whining* about the G20 summit
...it’s a bit surprising that a city that has so often tried and failed to land the Olympics or a World’s Fair would be so out of sorts about Hogtown becoming the centre of world attention for a few days later this month. The week of June 22-27 will see the greatest concentration of top geopolitical decision-makers in history.
Yes, turn the city into an armed military camp, just so the world will take notice.
Pathetic
* to a certain mind set, "any" criticism of the G20 and its costs are "whining". Mustn't rock the boat.
Read more here.
Let’s stop whining* about the G20 summit
...it’s a bit surprising that a city that has so often tried and failed to land the Olympics or a World’s Fair would be so out of sorts about Hogtown becoming the centre of world attention for a few days later this month. The week of June 22-27 will see the greatest concentration of top geopolitical decision-makers in history.
Yes, turn the city into an armed military camp, just so the world will take notice.
Pathetic
* to a certain mind set, "any" criticism of the G20 and its costs are "whining". Mustn't rock the boat.
Read more here.
iPhone 4 to be sold unlocked in Canada. This also in, Hell freezes over
Good news for those of you who are in UK, France and Canada. iPhone 4 in these countries are available without contract, which means that it is unlocked so that you can use it with any carrier you want – anywhere in the world. These SIM free unlocked iPhone 4’s are available for £499 for the 16GB model, and £599 for the 32GB model in the UK, €629 for 16GB and €739 for the 32GB in France, and $649 for the 16GB and $749 for the 32GB in Canada.
Pushy Christians: McDonald's Don Thompson
Bullshit statement of the day:
I've never shied away from the fact that I'm a Christian. I have my own personal beliefs and I don't impose those on anybody else.
Except when it comes to protecting Americans from da gay, then it's onwards Christians soldiers...
Tribune: A French TV ad featuring a gay teen and his father has stirred some controversy — not there, but here. Can you talk about that?
Thompson: It is an example that markets, cultures are very different around the world. (For instance), I've never shied away from the fact that I'm a Christian. I have my own personal beliefs and I don't impose those on anybody else. I've been in countries where the majority of the people in the country don't believe in a deity or they may be atheist. Or the majority of the country is Muslim. Or it may be the majority is much younger skewed. So when you look at all these differences, it's not that I'm to be the judge or the jury relative to right or wrong. Having said that, at McDonald's, there are core values we stand for and the world is getting much closer. So we have a lot of conversations. We're going to make some mistakes at times. (We talk) about things that may have an implication in one part of the world and may be the cultural norm in another part of the world. And those are things that, yes, we're going to learn from. But, you're right, that commercial won't show in the United States.
Tribune: How has it done in France?
Thompson: Interestingly enough, there have been no negatives coming out of France. The brand is a local brand and different things will occur in different parts of the world. We just have to make sure that we understand the impact one action may make on another part of the world.
I've never shied away from the fact that I'm a Christian. I have my own personal beliefs and I don't impose those on anybody else.
Except when it comes to protecting Americans from da gay, then it's onwards Christians soldiers...
Tribune: A French TV ad featuring a gay teen and his father has stirred some controversy — not there, but here. Can you talk about that?
Thompson: It is an example that markets, cultures are very different around the world. (For instance), I've never shied away from the fact that I'm a Christian. I have my own personal beliefs and I don't impose those on anybody else. I've been in countries where the majority of the people in the country don't believe in a deity or they may be atheist. Or the majority of the country is Muslim. Or it may be the majority is much younger skewed. So when you look at all these differences, it's not that I'm to be the judge or the jury relative to right or wrong. Having said that, at McDonald's, there are core values we stand for and the world is getting much closer. So we have a lot of conversations. We're going to make some mistakes at times. (We talk) about things that may have an implication in one part of the world and may be the cultural norm in another part of the world. And those are things that, yes, we're going to learn from. But, you're right, that commercial won't show in the United States.
Tribune: How has it done in France?
Thompson: Interestingly enough, there have been no negatives coming out of France. The brand is a local brand and different things will occur in different parts of the world. We just have to make sure that we understand the impact one action may make on another part of the world.
Pierre Karl Peladeau: Helping Canada get that much dumber
Yup, just what we need, a right wing television network in Canada. Now we can see the shallowness of the conservative mind 24/7.
Pierre Karl Peladeau is expected to announce today that he is launching a right-wing Canadian TV network.
The Quebecor Inc. president and chief executive has scheduled a news conference in Toronto, where details of the network -which is reportedly modelled after the controversial Fox News network in the U.S. -are expected to be disclosed...
...Great mix of hard news and straight talk
And the usual parade of right wing cunts with no more heart than a pebble.
Read more here.
Pierre Karl Peladeau is expected to announce today that he is launching a right-wing Canadian TV network.
The Quebecor Inc. president and chief executive has scheduled a news conference in Toronto, where details of the network -which is reportedly modelled after the controversial Fox News network in the U.S. -are expected to be disclosed...
...Great mix of hard news and straight talk
And the usual parade of right wing cunts with no more heart than a pebble.
Read more here.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Harper defends his f*cked up fake lake
The PR bullshit spin continues on the fake lake..
The installation is in three parts, symbolizing the two summits: the G8 in Muskoka and the G20 in Toronto. A “Northern Ontario oasis,” including the fake lake with docks, a canoe sculpture and Muskoka chairs; a stylized “bridge” in the middle; and at the other end, a “cityscape” of boxy urban towers suspended in the air.
Taking a political beating for spending millions on a fake lake, the Prime Minister’s Office organized a press briefing to insist it was more, and worth every penny. The project, PMO officials said, will send 3,000 journalists home with a better impression of Canada.
EXPERIENCE CANADA ALLEY PRICE TAG
Materials for each section
Northern Ontario Oasis. Faux cottage country, with the mini-lake, a canoe sculpture, Muskoka chairs, and docks. (Canoes donated by cottagers, shipping paid by taxpayers.) Cost of materials: $208,187
Cityscape. An area where models of office towers hang above visitors’ heads. Cost of materials: $292,000.
Bridge. A stylized bridge area joins the fake Muskoka (the G8 site) with fake Toronto (the G20 site). Cost of materials: $218,000.
Labour, including installation and post-summit dismantling Cost: $398,000.
Design
Lord Cultural Resources, a Toronto firm, consulted local groups, designed the project and managed subcontracts. Cost: $407,000.
Audio-visual production Cost: $147,000
Plus
Graphics, uniforms, and miscellaneous expenses. Cost: about $200,000
Total cost: $1.9-million
Read more here.
The installation is in three parts, symbolizing the two summits: the G8 in Muskoka and the G20 in Toronto. A “Northern Ontario oasis,” including the fake lake with docks, a canoe sculpture and Muskoka chairs; a stylized “bridge” in the middle; and at the other end, a “cityscape” of boxy urban towers suspended in the air.
Taking a political beating for spending millions on a fake lake, the Prime Minister’s Office organized a press briefing to insist it was more, and worth every penny. The project, PMO officials said, will send 3,000 journalists home with a better impression of Canada.
EXPERIENCE CANADA ALLEY PRICE TAG
Materials for each section
Northern Ontario Oasis. Faux cottage country, with the mini-lake, a canoe sculpture, Muskoka chairs, and docks. (Canoes donated by cottagers, shipping paid by taxpayers.) Cost of materials: $208,187
Cityscape. An area where models of office towers hang above visitors’ heads. Cost of materials: $292,000.
Bridge. A stylized bridge area joins the fake Muskoka (the G8 site) with fake Toronto (the G20 site). Cost of materials: $218,000.
Labour, including installation and post-summit dismantling Cost: $398,000.
Design
Lord Cultural Resources, a Toronto firm, consulted local groups, designed the project and managed subcontracts. Cost: $407,000.
Audio-visual production Cost: $147,000
Plus
Graphics, uniforms, and miscellaneous expenses. Cost: about $200,000
Total cost: $1.9-million
Read more here.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Bizarre viking headline
"Young people prefer to live in sin" says the headline to a story from The Copenhagen Post Online
New figures reveal that young people are increasingly choosing co-habitation instead of tying the knot
Read more here.
This strangely related to this story. Beware though, as it contains the year's worst pun:
Archaeologists given the rune around
After studying about a thousand inscriptions on ancient rune stones scattered around Scandinavia, a researcher from Uppsala University in Sweden has come to the conclusion that many of the carvings are gibberish.
New figures reveal that young people are increasingly choosing co-habitation instead of tying the knot
Read more here.
This strangely related to this story. Beware though, as it contains the year's worst pun:
Archaeologists given the rune around
After studying about a thousand inscriptions on ancient rune stones scattered around Scandinavia, a researcher from Uppsala University in Sweden has come to the conclusion that many of the carvings are gibberish.
Harper builds artificial lake to see if his ego can float
They're gonna need a bigger lake...
A fake $2 million indoor lake by the Gardiner Expressway is the latest example of the Conservative government’s summit spending spree that some say could hit $2 billion by the time world leaders fly out of Toronto on June 27.
Dogged by the worst deficit in Canadian history, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government is throwing around money it doesn’t have on summits in Huntsville and Toronto that are ironically devoted to coming to grips with huge government debt.
Read more here.
A fake $2 million indoor lake by the Gardiner Expressway is the latest example of the Conservative government’s summit spending spree that some say could hit $2 billion by the time world leaders fly out of Toronto on June 27.
Dogged by the worst deficit in Canadian history, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government is throwing around money it doesn’t have on summits in Huntsville and Toronto that are ironically devoted to coming to grips with huge government debt.
Read more here.
Monday, June 07, 2010
'Roman gladiators' link to York skeleton find
The mystery of 1,800-year-old remains unearthed in York may have been solved thanks to bite and hammer marks on their decapitated skulls.
Archaeologists have exhumed 80 skeletons from gardens at Driffield Terrace over the past decade.
The results of forensic work on the skeletons suggests they may be part of the world's only well-preserved Roman gladiator cemetery.
Marks on the remains suggest some individuals died in a violent manner.
Read more here.
Archaeologists have exhumed 80 skeletons from gardens at Driffield Terrace over the past decade.
The results of forensic work on the skeletons suggests they may be part of the world's only well-preserved Roman gladiator cemetery.
Marks on the remains suggest some individuals died in a violent manner.
Read more here.
Toronto as armed camp bad for business? Who'd have thought?
As our politicians wax prophetic about how the G20 summit will “showcase” Toronto to the world, it seems hard to fathom that a city without the CN Tower, without the Blue Jays, without Mirvish musicals and without train service is what they had in mind.
At almost every opportunity, federal and municipal government representatives have enjoyed extolling the “world class” tourism attractions of Canada’s largest city with seemingly little thought given to just how disruptive security measures will be to the very businesses and downtown hotspots that are supposed to “put Toronto on the map.”
Read more here.
At almost every opportunity, federal and municipal government representatives have enjoyed extolling the “world class” tourism attractions of Canada’s largest city with seemingly little thought given to just how disruptive security measures will be to the very businesses and downtown hotspots that are supposed to “put Toronto on the map.”
Read more here.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Racists in (shock) Arizona stuck with gallons of unused white paint
Some racists complain about a painting on Miller Valley Elementary School daring to depict non white children, the school decides to re-paint some of the children, to make them "brighter" and look as if they are stepping into the sunlight....
The internet get wind of this and proceeds to tell said school they ain't fooling no one.
School backs down...
Read more here.
The internet get wind of this and proceeds to tell said school they ain't fooling no one.
School backs down...
Read more here.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Some La Quinta High School students: Idiots of the Day
Seven seniors at a Southern California high school were facing disciplinary action for participating in a game called "Beat the Jew" in which losers were subjected to "incineration" or "enslavement," a school administrator said Friday.
The game involved some students playing the role of Nazis who blindfolded and dropped off other students playing Jews who must find their way back to the campus, said Sherry Johnstone, assistant superintendent of personnel for Desert Sands Unified School District.
Read more here.
The game involved some students playing the role of Nazis who blindfolded and dropped off other students playing Jews who must find their way back to the campus, said Sherry Johnstone, assistant superintendent of personnel for Desert Sands Unified School District.
Read more here.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Neanderthals living in Britain 40,000 years earlier than thought
Francis Wenban-Smith from the University of Southampton discovered two ancient flint hand tools used to cut meat at the M25/A2 road junction at Dartford, Kent, during an excavation funded by the Highways Agency.
Tests on sediment burying the flints showed they date from around 100,000 years ago - proving Neanderthals were living in Britain at this time.
The country was previously assumed to have been uninhabited during this period.
Read more here.
Tests on sediment burying the flints showed they date from around 100,000 years ago - proving Neanderthals were living in Britain at this time.
The country was previously assumed to have been uninhabited during this period.
Read more here.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Toronto continues its transformation into armed camp for G20
Hovering helicopters, fighter jets screaming over.
Can't you just feel the love?
And the campaign to paint anyone who dares as to so much raise a voice in protest as crazy hippie left wing scum continues apace.
CTV last week has a former RCMP and current "security expert" as a guest, and he said he doubted the protesters could even spell G20.
Oh such wit.
Problem is, the host laughed right along...
Guess I'll just switch on CP24, switch off my mind and forget it all. Oh look, entertainment news!
Can't you just feel the love?
And the campaign to paint anyone who dares as to so much raise a voice in protest as crazy hippie left wing scum continues apace.
CTV last week has a former RCMP and current "security expert" as a guest, and he said he doubted the protesters could even spell G20.
Oh such wit.
Problem is, the host laughed right along...
Guess I'll just switch on CP24, switch off my mind and forget it all. Oh look, entertainment news!
Australia continues to treat its citizens as children
Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy has vowed to push on with his controversial internet filtering scheme, despite a barrage of criticism.
Senator Conroy told The Sun-Herald that internet advocacy groups such as GetUp! were ''deliberately misleading'' the Australian public about the scheme, which will refuse classification to illegal and socially unacceptable web pages. The legislation, which was expected to be passed before Parliament rises in June, has been delayed until the second half of the year while the government fine-tunes it.
The government's $128.8 million Cyber Safety policy includes forcing internet service providers to block access to a secret blacklist of website pages identified as ''refused classification'' by Australian government bureaucrats.
Hope I get on your list, you creepy little men and women.
Here Mr. Conroy shows himself either to be an epic liar, or just has complete contempt for the public:
Yet Senator Conroy said ''blocking material is not considered to be censorship''.
''This filter is really not changing much, except that the blacklist of website pages will be mandatory.''
Read more here.
Senator Conroy told The Sun-Herald that internet advocacy groups such as GetUp! were ''deliberately misleading'' the Australian public about the scheme, which will refuse classification to illegal and socially unacceptable web pages. The legislation, which was expected to be passed before Parliament rises in June, has been delayed until the second half of the year while the government fine-tunes it.
The government's $128.8 million Cyber Safety policy includes forcing internet service providers to block access to a secret blacklist of website pages identified as ''refused classification'' by Australian government bureaucrats.
Hope I get on your list, you creepy little men and women.
Here Mr. Conroy shows himself either to be an epic liar, or just has complete contempt for the public:
Yet Senator Conroy said ''blocking material is not considered to be censorship''.
''This filter is really not changing much, except that the blacklist of website pages will be mandatory.''
Read more here.
Israel ignores international law for a little high seas murder
Israel's closest Muslim ally accused the Jewish state Tuesday of a "bloody massacre" against an aid flotilla of six ships carrying humanitarian goods bound for blockaded Gaza.
"We see clear murder taking place, and we see an aggressive country" that's not regretting this, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday in a parliamentary address. "We're sick and tired of your lies. Be honest."
Read more here.
"We see clear murder taking place, and we see an aggressive country" that's not regretting this, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday in a parliamentary address. "We're sick and tired of your lies. Be honest."
Read more here.
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