When philosophers go bad. Not many can balance that many angels on that small a pin.
I have long maintained a page on my website where I address various distortions, misunderstandings, and criticisms of my work. I take it to be either a sign of carelessness or masochism on my part that this page is the #1 Google search result for the phrase "response to controversy." Surely, I need not have courted quite so much controversy. But there it is.
Read more here.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Photographic proof the British royal family are insane
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie arrive at the Royal Wedding of their cousin Prince William to Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey on Friday (April 29) in London, England.
Read more here.
Tennessee State Senator Stacey Campfield appears to be shockingly uneducated
Wow, the Parade of Dumb is bright and colourful today.
Mr Campfield is the sponsor of the "LALALALALA I can't hear you say gay" bill in Tennessee.
Americans debate Arizona's official firearm, without reflection on how f*cked up it is
Arizona's governor has signed a bill designating the Colt Single-Action Army revolver as the state's first official firearm.
Gov. Jan Brewer signed the bill without comment on Thursday. Legislative supporters argued that the designation was appropriate because the revolver was widely used during Arizona's territorial days.
Opponents say it was inappropriate to give the official designation to an out-of-state company's commercial product. Colt is based in Connecticut.
Democratic Rep. Albert Hale also says the gun was an instrument of destruction that was used against Native Americans.
Gov. Jan Brewer signed the bill without comment on Thursday. Legislative supporters argued that the designation was appropriate because the revolver was widely used during Arizona's territorial days.
Opponents say it was inappropriate to give the official designation to an out-of-state company's commercial product. Colt is based in Connecticut.
Democratic Rep. Albert Hale also says the gun was an instrument of destruction that was used against Native Americans.
WikiLeaks exposes more of Harper's shocking inadequacy, which will have no effect on the mouth breathers that will vote for him
Greed and dislike of the "other" are powerful blinders.
WikiLeaks released hundreds of U.S. documents on Thursday, including those with comments about the Harper government's "about-face" on Senate appointments, remarks on the Liberals' "muted" response to the prorogation crisis and criticism of Canada's failure to enact copyright reform.
A leaked cable from December 2008 suggests that U.S. Embassy officials in Ottawa saw Stephen Harper's appointment of senators as "a major about-face for a PM and a party that long campaigned for an elected upper chamber. The cost of the eighteen new senators also conflicts with political messaging about the need for official belt tightening."
The cable goes on to say, however, that "Harper will not pay a real political price. The staunchest advocates of Senate reform are Conservatives in western Canada."
The leaks are also filled with the usual American whining that Canada isn't towing the line enough. Tough being a client state.
It does provide a method of getting a conservative to do what you want them to: tell them an American wants it.
Toronto may get a new unnecessary stadium because a bored Yank whispered sweet nothings in the Mayor's brother's ear.
Works like a charm.
Read more here.
WikiLeaks released hundreds of U.S. documents on Thursday, including those with comments about the Harper government's "about-face" on Senate appointments, remarks on the Liberals' "muted" response to the prorogation crisis and criticism of Canada's failure to enact copyright reform.
A leaked cable from December 2008 suggests that U.S. Embassy officials in Ottawa saw Stephen Harper's appointment of senators as "a major about-face for a PM and a party that long campaigned for an elected upper chamber. The cost of the eighteen new senators also conflicts with political messaging about the need for official belt tightening."
The cable goes on to say, however, that "Harper will not pay a real political price. The staunchest advocates of Senate reform are Conservatives in western Canada."
The leaks are also filled with the usual American whining that Canada isn't towing the line enough. Tough being a client state.
It does provide a method of getting a conservative to do what you want them to: tell them an American wants it.
Toronto may get a new unnecessary stadium because a bored Yank whispered sweet nothings in the Mayor's brother's ear.
Works like a charm.
Read more here.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
U.S. Supreme Court rules corporations have more rights that you do
This is unbelievable.
The Supreme Court gave corporations a major win Wednesday, ruling in a 5-4 decision that companies can block their disgruntled customers from joining together in a class-action lawsuit. The ruling arose from a California lawsuit involving cellphones, but it will have a nationwide impact.
In the past, consumers who bought a product or a service had been free to join a class-action lawsuit if they were dissatisfied or felt they had been cheated. By combining these small claims, they could bring a major lawsuit against a corporation.
But in Wednesday's decision, the high court said that under the Federal Arbitration Act companies can force these disgruntled customers to arbitrate their complaints individually, not as part of a group. Consumer-rights advocates said this rule would spell the end for small claims involving products or services.
So let me see if I get this. A corporation is a person, and can contribute directly to a politician...but individual citizens can not act as a group to stand up for their rights against a corporation.
On what planet is this deemed just?
This one it seems.
To quote a great singer: Do you ever get the feeling you've been cheated?
Read more here.
The Supreme Court gave corporations a major win Wednesday, ruling in a 5-4 decision that companies can block their disgruntled customers from joining together in a class-action lawsuit. The ruling arose from a California lawsuit involving cellphones, but it will have a nationwide impact.
In the past, consumers who bought a product or a service had been free to join a class-action lawsuit if they were dissatisfied or felt they had been cheated. By combining these small claims, they could bring a major lawsuit against a corporation.
But in Wednesday's decision, the high court said that under the Federal Arbitration Act companies can force these disgruntled customers to arbitrate their complaints individually, not as part of a group. Consumer-rights advocates said this rule would spell the end for small claims involving products or services.
So let me see if I get this. A corporation is a person, and can contribute directly to a politician...but individual citizens can not act as a group to stand up for their rights against a corporation.
On what planet is this deemed just?
This one it seems.
To quote a great singer: Do you ever get the feeling you've been cheated?
Read more here.
The Animated Gif gets all high and mighty
It is, in their own words, ‘something more than a photo but less than a video’.
Two artists have created a new way to to record your special moments - pictures with movement.
The ‘cinemagraphs’ look like still photos but actually feature a subtle area of movement designed to grab your eye and keep you looking. The effect is slightly eerie - but utterly captivating.
Read more here.
Two artists have created a new way to to record your special moments - pictures with movement.
The ‘cinemagraphs’ look like still photos but actually feature a subtle area of movement designed to grab your eye and keep you looking. The effect is slightly eerie - but utterly captivating.
Read more here.
Critics agree! Atlas Shrugged sucks...oh, all except Fox reporter Jo Piazza
Jo Piazza mounts a spirited but ultimately futile defence of a movie that only appeals to audiences with hearts so small the Grinch would be jealous.
The success of "Atlas Shrugged" occurred despite near universal panning from movie critics.
Budget: $15,000,000 (estimated)
Gross: $1,686,347 (USA) (17 April 2011)
How this is called a success is beyond me, but then I don't understand conservative economic theory either.
Best bullshit:
The website Rotten Tomatoes, which charts both reviews and audience sentiment, gave the film just a 6 percent positive rating from critics, but an 85 percent positive from audience members, with more than 7,000 viewers weighing in...
..“Shrugged” producer Harmon Kaslow contends that the site is biased and has only compiled negative reviews of the film.
“I think Rotten Tomatoes has put up only a selected number of reviews and it appears the reviews they have selected are primarily the negative ones,” Kaslow told Fox411.com.
So they claim RT is fucking with the critics results, but the suspiciously high number of positive reviews is passed over without comment.
Read more here.
The success of "Atlas Shrugged" occurred despite near universal panning from movie critics.
Budget: $15,000,000 (estimated)
Gross: $1,686,347 (USA) (17 April 2011)
How this is called a success is beyond me, but then I don't understand conservative economic theory either.
Best bullshit:
The website Rotten Tomatoes, which charts both reviews and audience sentiment, gave the film just a 6 percent positive rating from critics, but an 85 percent positive from audience members, with more than 7,000 viewers weighing in...
..“Shrugged” producer Harmon Kaslow contends that the site is biased and has only compiled negative reviews of the film.
“I think Rotten Tomatoes has put up only a selected number of reviews and it appears the reviews they have selected are primarily the negative ones,” Kaslow told Fox411.com.
So they claim RT is fucking with the critics results, but the suspiciously high number of positive reviews is passed over without comment.
Read more here.
G20 law to be repealed by Ontario..until they need it again
You really don't think this is permanent, do you?
The Ontario government says it will repeal a decades-old law that it used to give law enforcement officials controversial new powers around the site of the G20 summit site in downtown Toronto last summer.
The move comes after former chief justice Roy McMurtry released a report Thursday criticizing the Ontario government for its secrecy in applying the Public Works Protection Act — enacted in 1939 to protect infrastructure works from wartime enemies — to the area around the G20 summit, which ran June 26-27.
"The Public Works Protection Act raises issues regarding the liberty and security of the person in providing for warrantless searches and stopping for identification," writes McMurtry in the report. "[The] potential for abuse is beyond troubling, to say the least."
At least, it gave us Officer Bubbles. At worst, it gave free reign to some of the more regrettable tendencies of the Harper regime.
Read more here.
The Ontario government says it will repeal a decades-old law that it used to give law enforcement officials controversial new powers around the site of the G20 summit site in downtown Toronto last summer.
The move comes after former chief justice Roy McMurtry released a report Thursday criticizing the Ontario government for its secrecy in applying the Public Works Protection Act — enacted in 1939 to protect infrastructure works from wartime enemies — to the area around the G20 summit, which ran June 26-27.
"The Public Works Protection Act raises issues regarding the liberty and security of the person in providing for warrantless searches and stopping for identification," writes McMurtry in the report. "[The] potential for abuse is beyond troubling, to say the least."
At least, it gave us Officer Bubbles. At worst, it gave free reign to some of the more regrettable tendencies of the Harper regime.
Read more here.
Toronto cancels another project to guarantee those nasty Pinkos can't get around
It looks at though there is one silver lining to having Rob Ford as Mayor. Other than some office chairs at City Hall suffering from metal fatigue, the Lord Mayor's time in office will be marked by no lasting buildings or structures*.
So another one bites the dust. Although it never even made it into existence, for the last day or so I've been mourning the premature death of the Fort York Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge, the plans for which were unexpectedly — but maybe not that unexpectedly — nixed by the Public Works Committee on Tuesday night. Although Councillour David Shiner was the face of the execution, a number of City Hall insiders have speculated that the decision to cut funding came from the top.
Read more here.
* yes I know this is nonsense. The Non Pinkos will dance through hoops in an attempt to justify any expenditure that will entertain their American friends, such as a sports stadium.
A stadium you ask? But of course. Who needs public transport anyway.
So another one bites the dust. Although it never even made it into existence, for the last day or so I've been mourning the premature death of the Fort York Pedestrian and Cyclist Bridge, the plans for which were unexpectedly — but maybe not that unexpectedly — nixed by the Public Works Committee on Tuesday night. Although Councillour David Shiner was the face of the execution, a number of City Hall insiders have speculated that the decision to cut funding came from the top.
Read more here.
* yes I know this is nonsense. The Non Pinkos will dance through hoops in an attempt to justify any expenditure that will entertain their American friends, such as a sports stadium.
A stadium you ask? But of course. Who needs public transport anyway.
Ugly Conservatives: Oklahoma's Sally Kern
Ms. Kern is no stranger to these pages (See here, here and here), and now, she's Baaaacccckkk.
Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, said minorities earn less than white people because they don’t work as hard and have less initiative.
“We have a high percentage of blacks in prison, and that’s tragic, but are they in prison just because they are black or because they don’t want to study as hard in school? I’ve taught school, and I saw a lot of people of color who didn’t study hard because they said the government would take care of them.”
Kern said women earn less than men because “they tend to spend more time at home with their families.”
How do these people get elected? Oh right, there are members of the public who agree with them...
Read more here.
Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, said minorities earn less than white people because they don’t work as hard and have less initiative.
“We have a high percentage of blacks in prison, and that’s tragic, but are they in prison just because they are black or because they don’t want to study as hard in school? I’ve taught school, and I saw a lot of people of color who didn’t study hard because they said the government would take care of them.”
Kern said women earn less than men because “they tend to spend more time at home with their families.”
How do these people get elected? Oh right, there are members of the public who agree with them...
Read more here.
Tennessee high school students fight back against the ugly homophobia of their so called leaders
Tennessee is trying put through a "LALALALALA I can't hear you" kind of bill against the Gay.
Younger yet clearly more mature minds are fighting back.
We say gay for the students who won’t be able to. This site is dedicated to fight against the Tennessee state bill SB0049 (Don’t say gay bill), which would make it a misdemeanor to talk about homosexuality in grades bellow 9th. That is an obvious insult to our first amendment rights to free speech as well as it is a major blow to those young people who are shunned by their own parents for being gay and soon will not be able to talk to their school about it.
A note to the students: one of the greatest scams adults will pull on you is the illusion they know what they are doing, and always act from the noblest of motives.
They can be as spitefully motivated as any tantrum pulling brat.
Now is just such a case. So talk to them softly but firmly. Tell them this kind of childish ranting will not be tolerated.
Read more here.
Younger yet clearly more mature minds are fighting back.
We say gay for the students who won’t be able to. This site is dedicated to fight against the Tennessee state bill SB0049 (Don’t say gay bill), which would make it a misdemeanor to talk about homosexuality in grades bellow 9th. That is an obvious insult to our first amendment rights to free speech as well as it is a major blow to those young people who are shunned by their own parents for being gay and soon will not be able to talk to their school about it.
A note to the students: one of the greatest scams adults will pull on you is the illusion they know what they are doing, and always act from the noblest of motives.
They can be as spitefully motivated as any tantrum pulling brat.
Now is just such a case. So talk to them softly but firmly. Tell them this kind of childish ranting will not be tolerated.
Read more here.
Take three, who cares about a woman with a boom mic anyway
This video is apparently what the Entertainment Industry/Justice Department are putting up on domains seized on 'copyright' charges.
It's in the tradition of "This is your brain on drugs" but enjoy.
Ps, notice they've disabled comments on Youtube. Wise.
They might make for friends if they stopped trying to make the Net into a poll booth infested nightmare.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Using a white iPhone is like watching a movie at the theatre...with the lights on
But if you must have one, enjoy...
Harper and Co.'s military hardware fetish will be more $$$ than planned
A new series of fighter jets Canada is set to purchase will cost more than initially budgeted, the Canadian defence department has warned.
Canada had planned to pay $75m (£45.6m) per F-35 Joint Strike Fighter plane, but officials told Canadian media the US has said production costs will rise.
Canada's defence department said it could absorb the increase.
That means you and me kids.
Read more here.
Canada had planned to pay $75m (£45.6m) per F-35 Joint Strike Fighter plane, but officials told Canadian media the US has said production costs will rise.
Canada's defence department said it could absorb the increase.
That means you and me kids.
Read more here.
Presidential candidate and thundering racist Donald Trump jubilant he's humiliated Obama
These nasty racists Donald Trump, Sarah Palin and the like are dancing because they 'made' President Obama stoop to their level.
Mr. President, you were foolish to do so.
They'll just go on to claim Hawaii wasn't technically a state in 1961...
Read more here.
Mr. President, you were foolish to do so.
They'll just go on to claim Hawaii wasn't technically a state in 1961...
Read more here.
Gee, I wonder why police don't want citizens to video them
Las Vegas-based videographer Mitchell Crooks was beaten and falsely arrested by Las Vegas police officer Derek Colling while filming a burglary arrest taking place across the street from his house. The entire sorry affair was recorded by Crooks’ brand new, $3,500 camera, which kept rolling throughout the arrest.
Shortly after the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Crooks’ story, the Clark County district attorney’s office dropped the “battery on a police officer” and “obstruction of justice” charges Colling brought against him. “I asked for a more definite description of the battery because battery requires a violent touching,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Laurent said.
According to ACLU attorney Allen Lichtenstein, “it’s perfectly legal to film officers as long as it does not interfere in their investigation.” Concerning Colling’s trespassing claims, Lichtenstein points out that a trespassing complaint can only be made by a property owner. “Even if the officer didn’t think he lived there, that doesn’t mean he didn’t have permission to be there,” Lichtenstein told the Review-Journal.
The Metropolitan Police Department announced that an internal investigation into the incident has been launched, but Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie declined further comment.
Danielle Elizabeth Tumminio: Idiot of the Day
In a torturous attempt to reconcile Christian belief with rampent greed, Ms Tumminio* pens...
So is it acceptable for a priest — or any Christian, for that matter — to spend lavishly on a wedding while much of the world lives in poverty, and while Jesus harkens that, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor?”
Well, there are a couple of ways to respond.
All of which translate: Hell Yes, Spend Spend Spend!!!
That whole "eye of the needle" thing quietly forgotten.
She spends a lot of time imagining what Jesus might do. Conveniently, Jesus is just fine with a splashy wedding.
Dumbest line:
Nonetheless, on a special occasion, Jesus might be down with a lobster profiterole.
Thus can Christianity be molded to fit any immoral vessel.
Read more here.
* Ms Tumminio is "ordained in the Episcopal Church" thus proving familiarity with the original Christian source material is no guarantee of actuate interpretations (as a commenter on CNN noted: Jesus was a Jew, so he probably wouldn't actually "be down with a lobster profiterole.").
But if nasty old Christianity is getting in the way of you enjoying the good life, Ms. Tumminio is just the one to turn to for spiritual guidance.
And for further amusement, check out CNN's On Belief section, where Americans try to convince themselves they aren't really the kind of people Jesus was warning us about.
So is it acceptable for a priest — or any Christian, for that matter — to spend lavishly on a wedding while much of the world lives in poverty, and while Jesus harkens that, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor?”
Well, there are a couple of ways to respond.
All of which translate: Hell Yes, Spend Spend Spend!!!
That whole "eye of the needle" thing quietly forgotten.
She spends a lot of time imagining what Jesus might do. Conveniently, Jesus is just fine with a splashy wedding.
Dumbest line:
Nonetheless, on a special occasion, Jesus might be down with a lobster profiterole.
Thus can Christianity be molded to fit any immoral vessel.
Read more here.
* Ms Tumminio is "ordained in the Episcopal Church" thus proving familiarity with the original Christian source material is no guarantee of actuate interpretations (as a commenter on CNN noted: Jesus was a Jew, so he probably wouldn't actually "be down with a lobster profiterole.").
But if nasty old Christianity is getting in the way of you enjoying the good life, Ms. Tumminio is just the one to turn to for spiritual guidance.
And for further amusement, check out CNN's On Belief section, where Americans try to convince themselves they aren't really the kind of people Jesus was warning us about.
Who benefits from the hacking of the Sony Network?
Is this the work of a teenager with an XBox fetish, or something more sinister...
Sony has warned users of its PlayStation Network that their personal information, including credit card details, may have been stolen.
The company said that the data might have fallen into the hands of an "unauthorised person" following a hacking attack on its online service.
Access to the network was suspended last Wednesday, but Sony has only now revealed details of what happened.
Users are being warned to look out for attempted telephone and e-mail scams.
Read more here.
Sony has warned users of its PlayStation Network that their personal information, including credit card details, may have been stolen.
The company said that the data might have fallen into the hands of an "unauthorised person" following a hacking attack on its online service.
Access to the network was suspended last Wednesday, but Sony has only now revealed details of what happened.
Users are being warned to look out for attempted telephone and e-mail scams.
Read more here.
Canadian youth's desperate plea for sanity in a world run by morons
Silly kids, don't they realize that nothing, not even them, can stand in the way of a Torontonian and his God given right to drive where ever he pleases. Not a pinko, and certainly not you.
Silly Mayor, doesn't he realize these "kids" are people, and soon will be able to vote...
With hockey sticks in hand, four Woodbine and Danforth teenagers trekked to City Hall on Tuesday on a mission to reverse a decades old by-law that bans ball hockey on residential streets.
Alexander Anderson, Andrew Polanyi, Liam McMahon, all 13, and their friend Bowen Pausey, 15, handed over a petition to the city’s public works and infrastructure with more than 125 signatures requesting the ban be lifted.
“We’re Canadian, we should be able to play our national sport. Roads aren’t only for cars,” said Andrew, who goes to Glen Ames Senior Public School. “I don’t think we should be restricted in what we do… it’s fun for us, and it keeps us active, not to always play video games.”
Read more here.
Silly Mayor, doesn't he realize these "kids" are people, and soon will be able to vote...
With hockey sticks in hand, four Woodbine and Danforth teenagers trekked to City Hall on Tuesday on a mission to reverse a decades old by-law that bans ball hockey on residential streets.
Alexander Anderson, Andrew Polanyi, Liam McMahon, all 13, and their friend Bowen Pausey, 15, handed over a petition to the city’s public works and infrastructure with more than 125 signatures requesting the ban be lifted.
“We’re Canadian, we should be able to play our national sport. Roads aren’t only for cars,” said Andrew, who goes to Glen Ames Senior Public School. “I don’t think we should be restricted in what we do… it’s fun for us, and it keeps us active, not to always play video games.”
Read more here.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Manchester car thieves: Idiots of the Day
The SAS surveillanced team was on a night-time counter-terrorism training exercise in Manchester.
A source said: "The lads each had a machine gun and a side pistol with live ammunition to make it realistic. They saw these scrotes* coming for some time.
"They were trying their luck on every van in the estate, looking for tools they could pinch.
"One of the team was resting, one on standby, one log-keeping and monitoring the radio, and the fourth was watching the practice target through the scope of a sniper rifle.
"They didn't want to move for fear of ruining the exercise and hoped the gang would pass them by.
"The lads decided they would teach them a lesson if they did get into their van, which is exactly what happened.
Read more here.
* scrotes, a piece of British slang derived from exactly what you think it is.
A source said: "The lads each had a machine gun and a side pistol with live ammunition to make it realistic. They saw these scrotes* coming for some time.
"They were trying their luck on every van in the estate, looking for tools they could pinch.
"One of the team was resting, one on standby, one log-keeping and monitoring the radio, and the fourth was watching the practice target through the scope of a sniper rifle.
"They didn't want to move for fear of ruining the exercise and hoped the gang would pass them by.
"The lads decided they would teach them a lesson if they did get into their van, which is exactly what happened.
Read more here.
* scrotes, a piece of British slang derived from exactly what you think it is.
Turkey enters that elite club of vandals: destroyers of art
The Governor of Maine must be so jealous...
The demolition of a huge Turkish statue devoted to reconciliation with Armenia has begun, months after the prime minister described it as a "freak".
The 30m-high statue - depicting two human figures facing each other - was erected on a mountain in the Turkish city of Kars, near the Armenian border.
Local authorities commissioned it several years ago to symbolise an end to decades of enmity and suspicion.
Artists had tried to save the statue, which could take 10 days to dismantle.
The company carrying out the demolition has already cut down one of the figures using a crane, witnesses said.
Read more here.
The demolition of a huge Turkish statue devoted to reconciliation with Armenia has begun, months after the prime minister described it as a "freak".
The 30m-high statue - depicting two human figures facing each other - was erected on a mountain in the Turkish city of Kars, near the Armenian border.
Local authorities commissioned it several years ago to symbolise an end to decades of enmity and suspicion.
Artists had tried to save the statue, which could take 10 days to dismantle.
The company carrying out the demolition has already cut down one of the figures using a crane, witnesses said.
Read more here.
Mayor Ford hopes to replace Maria "Shut up" Augimeri with someone even more unpleasant
Mayor Rob Ford’s team, drooling at the prospect of another council ally to help push his conservative agenda, is poised to unleash “Ford Nation” on Councillor Maria Augimeri in a court-ordered by-election.
Nick Kouvalis, the campaign strategist who guided Ford to victory last October, confirmed he has offered to run the campaign of Augimeri challenger Gus Cusimano if a new vote proceeds in Ward 9, York Centre.
“Augimeri isn’t keen on implementing Ford’s agenda,” Kouvalis said in a phone interview Monday, adding he plans to frame the by-election as “referendum” on Ford’s progress, with a plea to give him another vote to expand contracting-out, cut the budget and other conservative initiatives.
“Augimeri votes with the left on most occasions and, if we can replace her with somebody who votes on the center-right on most occasions, that would be a huge victory for the mayor,” Kouvalis said.
Oooo Nick, I love when you talk right wing uniformity. You may be slightly unethical*, but you talk so purdy.
* That helped land you the Harper gig, so kudos.
Read more here.
Nick Kouvalis, the campaign strategist who guided Ford to victory last October, confirmed he has offered to run the campaign of Augimeri challenger Gus Cusimano if a new vote proceeds in Ward 9, York Centre.
“Augimeri isn’t keen on implementing Ford’s agenda,” Kouvalis said in a phone interview Monday, adding he plans to frame the by-election as “referendum” on Ford’s progress, with a plea to give him another vote to expand contracting-out, cut the budget and other conservative initiatives.
“Augimeri votes with the left on most occasions and, if we can replace her with somebody who votes on the center-right on most occasions, that would be a huge victory for the mayor,” Kouvalis said.
Oooo Nick, I love when you talk right wing uniformity. You may be slightly unethical*, but you talk so purdy.
* That helped land you the Harper gig, so kudos.
Read more here.
Atlas Shrugged is the Battlefield Earth of greed movies
Oh come on, don't be selfish..opps I mean be really really selfish, go see it and help make the world a more brutish, nasty place.
It's what Ayn would have wanted.
Read more here.
It's what Ayn would have wanted.
Read more here.
Sam Harris: I don't condone torture...but...
What's more dangerous than a thug who supports torture?
An intellectual who does.
Sam Harris has always given me the creeps. Just as some ulta religious seem fanatically dangerous when they speak, Mr. Harris shares this trait, only on the atheist side.
He spends a lot of verbiage to essentially say: I'm against torture, really I am...oh except when I'm not.
Read more here.
An intellectual who does.
Sam Harris has always given me the creeps. Just as some ulta religious seem fanatically dangerous when they speak, Mr. Harris shares this trait, only on the atheist side.
He spends a lot of verbiage to essentially say: I'm against torture, really I am...oh except when I'm not.
Read more here.
BBC's Andrew Marr embarrassed by his own hypocracy
BBC presenter Andrew Marr has revealed he took out a super-injunction* to protect his family's privacy - but says he will not pursue it any further.
Mr Marr told the Daily Mail he was "embarrassed" about the gagging order he took out in 2008 to suppress reports of an affair with a fellow journalist.
"I did not come into journalism to go around gagging journalists," he said.
Private Eye editor, Ian Hislop, said Mr Marr, as a journalist himself, had been a "touch hypocritical".
Mr Marr's comments follow a number of recent injunctions which have banned the identification of celebrities.
* a gag order:
A gag order (also known as a gagging order or suppression order) is an order, sometimes a legal order by a court or government, other times a private order by an employer or other institution, restricting information or comment from being made public.
Gag orders are often used against participants involved in a lawsuit or criminal trial. They are also a tool to prevent media from publishing unwanted information on a particular topic. A Criminal Court, for instance, will issue a gag order on the media if the judge believes that potential jurors in a future trial will be influenced by the media reporting or speculation on the early stages of a case. Another example might be to ensure police are not impeded in their investigations by media publicity about a case.
In a similar manner, a 'gag law' is intended to limit freedom of the press, by instituting censorship or restricting access to information.
And the wealthy are misusing it. I'm shocked, shocked!
Read more here.
Mr Marr told the Daily Mail he was "embarrassed" about the gagging order he took out in 2008 to suppress reports of an affair with a fellow journalist.
"I did not come into journalism to go around gagging journalists," he said.
Private Eye editor, Ian Hislop, said Mr Marr, as a journalist himself, had been a "touch hypocritical".
Mr Marr's comments follow a number of recent injunctions which have banned the identification of celebrities.
* a gag order:
A gag order (also known as a gagging order or suppression order) is an order, sometimes a legal order by a court or government, other times a private order by an employer or other institution, restricting information or comment from being made public.
Gag orders are often used against participants involved in a lawsuit or criminal trial. They are also a tool to prevent media from publishing unwanted information on a particular topic. A Criminal Court, for instance, will issue a gag order on the media if the judge believes that potential jurors in a future trial will be influenced by the media reporting or speculation on the early stages of a case. Another example might be to ensure police are not impeded in their investigations by media publicity about a case.
In a similar manner, a 'gag law' is intended to limit freedom of the press, by instituting censorship or restricting access to information.
And the wealthy are misusing it. I'm shocked, shocked!
Read more here.
New pieces of the Lion Man statue discovered
Over the past two years, German archaeologists have carefully excavated more of the sediment near the spot where the Lion-Man showed up. Thousands of bone fragments and some ivory pieces were found. Some of them matched the Lion-Man perfectly, a delighted Kind reported. Some of the figure's missing right side and parts of the back have already been restored as a result. "It needs a huge amount of patience," said Kind. "It's like doing a jigsaw puzzle in 3D." The work is continuing with the help of computer tomograph images of the pieces and simulation software. By next year, the Lion-Man may be complete.Read more here.
More on the Lion Man of Hohlenstein-Stadel here.
Marcus Gee: When Snobs become 'Journalists'
Mr. Gee can *always* be counted upon to express in words the seedy underbelly of Toronto that is "gentrification".
One can picture him rolling the word around on his tongue, like fine wine...
The pace of gentrification in downtown Toronto is truly astonishing. Queen West, Queen East, Leslieville, Little Italy, the Junction, Parkdale – one by one, downtown neighbourhoods have been infiltrated by galleries, coffee shops and yoga studios, while house prices on the surrounding streets soar.
From my own door step near Dundas and Dovercourt, I’ve had a front-row seat on this phenomenon. When I bought my house two decades ago, I told my father how much I’d paid. “A quarter of a million to live in a slum, eh?” he helpfully remarked.
Slum? Hell no. A couple of well placed condos and we'll have those nasty poor fleeing to..to where ever the hell they flee to.
Who cares? Yoga studios!!!
Read more here.
One can picture him rolling the word around on his tongue, like fine wine...
The pace of gentrification in downtown Toronto is truly astonishing. Queen West, Queen East, Leslieville, Little Italy, the Junction, Parkdale – one by one, downtown neighbourhoods have been infiltrated by galleries, coffee shops and yoga studios, while house prices on the surrounding streets soar.
From my own door step near Dundas and Dovercourt, I’ve had a front-row seat on this phenomenon. When I bought my house two decades ago, I told my father how much I’d paid. “A quarter of a million to live in a slum, eh?” he helpfully remarked.
Slum? Hell no. A couple of well placed condos and we'll have those nasty poor fleeing to..to where ever the hell they flee to.
Who cares? Yoga studios!!!
Read more here.
On the other hand, The Borgias doesn't suck
It's worth watching if only of this sequence.
That said, it also checks off all the items listed for Game of Thrones, just in slightly different ways.
It does have misbehaving Popes, so it wins on points.
Game of Thrones is really quite awful
Yes, these are child actors. Hard to tell, as everyone acts childish in the Seven Kingdoms.
HBO's latest offer is the miniseries "Game of Thrones".
Does it have all the prerequisite conditions of a modern series?
Needless violence. Check
Gratuitous nudity. Check
Incest. Check
Anachronistic swearing. Check
Children and dwarves. Check (here we get a double bonus, dwarf nudity and children saying "cunt". Ah, good times)
Lesbian scene. Check
Add to this confusing plot*, countless unpleasant characters we don't give a fuck about, and rampent misogyny and you get a ratings bonanza.
It does have some nice opening credits, without which we'd be even more confused.
* its source is a series of books, and a familiarity with said books would have helped. Apparently, all the nastiness is in the books as well.
Do you miss Tolkien yet?
Monday, April 25, 2011
Ugly Conservatives: Maine's Gov. Paul LePage
These vile people really do see themselves as the good guys, when really they want to say: "Send 'em back to the mines, and let them die like flies in the service of the community."
This is the same governor who had art removed because some business people complained.
Notice a trend?
Come Sherman, we've set the machine way way back....
You too can be Lord of Liechtenstein...except if you're Snoop Dog
Those who fancy a slightly different Easter break this year can hire a whole country - Liechtenstein for £40,000 a night.
The country's officials decided to put the tiny land-locked country up for rent after realising its potential earlier this year.
U.S. rapper Snoop Dogg was given a stern refusal when tried to rent the country for an undisclosed figure to use in a music video.
Read more here.
The country's officials decided to put the tiny land-locked country up for rent after realising its potential earlier this year.
U.S. rapper Snoop Dogg was given a stern refusal when tried to rent the country for an undisclosed figure to use in a music video.
Read more here.
Conservative thugs vandalize Liberal targets
Well duh, it's in the modern Conservative playbook: Insult, Intimidate, Turn back the Clock
Mr. Harper, if you don't come out and instantly deplore this, you are, well, Harper.
Residents in a central Toronto riding are reporting another spate of vandalism believed to be politically motivated.
Lynne Steele, campaign manager for Liberal candidate Carolyn Bennett, says residents in Bennett's riding of St. Paul's told her vandals stole more election signs from their lawns Friday night.
Steele says others reported their car tires were slashed that night, despite a "massive" police presence in the area.
Toronto police are investigating earlier incidents involving 16 vehicles in the riding Thursday night — some had tires slashed, others their paint scratched.
Read more here.
Mr. Harper, if you don't come out and instantly deplore this, you are, well, Harper.
Residents in a central Toronto riding are reporting another spate of vandalism believed to be politically motivated.
Lynne Steele, campaign manager for Liberal candidate Carolyn Bennett, says residents in Bennett's riding of St. Paul's told her vandals stole more election signs from their lawns Friday night.
Steele says others reported their car tires were slashed that night, despite a "massive" police presence in the area.
Toronto police are investigating earlier incidents involving 16 vehicles in the riding Thursday night — some had tires slashed, others their paint scratched.
Read more here.
480 escape Kandahar prison. Who will play the Steve McQueen character in the movie version?
Kinda paints our "side" as the bumbling Germans, no?
I know nothing! Nothing!
Taliban militants tunneled more than 480 inmates out the main prison in southern Afghanistan overnight, whisking them through a 320-metre-long underground passage they had dug over months, officials and insurgents said Monday.
Officials at Saraposa prison in the city of Kandahar only discovered the breach about 4 a.m. local time, about a half hour after the Taliban said they had gotten all the prisoners out.
Read more here.
I know nothing! Nothing!
Taliban militants tunneled more than 480 inmates out the main prison in southern Afghanistan overnight, whisking them through a 320-metre-long underground passage they had dug over months, officials and insurgents said Monday.
Officials at Saraposa prison in the city of Kandahar only discovered the breach about 4 a.m. local time, about a half hour after the Taliban said they had gotten all the prisoners out.
Read more here.
Apologists emerge for Gilbert Gottfried
It had been about a month since Gilbert Gottfried lobbed those brutally crude jokes about the Japanese tsunami when I met him earlier this week. He still seemed a little stunned by the reaction, which included a public drubbing by the morality police, and being fired as the voice of the Aflac spokesduck. Still, he couldn't quite make himself grovel for forgiveness. "You start to feel sorry, and then you wonder what you're feeling sorry for," he says. "That I made jokes?
Oh not just jokes, but totally insensitive morally reprehensible ones.
No one stopped him actually making these jokes, but reacted to them as a normal person with a heart would.
It's not edgy, it's human.
Read more here.
Oh not just jokes, but totally insensitive morally reprehensible ones.
No one stopped him actually making these jokes, but reacted to them as a normal person with a heart would.
It's not edgy, it's human.
Read more here.
OMG FLEE, Graffiti is motivated by the Anti Christ
Or so it seems to the breathless writer of said piece...
Mayor Ford, are you a moonlighting writer under the pen name 'Heather Mac Donald'?
I've always imagined you as a 'Gwendolyn' myself.
Drive behind the Geffen Contemporary, an art museum in downtown Los Angeles, and you will notice that it has painted over the graffiti scrawled on its back wall. Ordinarily, that wouldn’t be surprising; the Geffen’s neighbors also maintain constant vigilance against graffiti vandalism. But beginning in April, the Geffen—a satellite of L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art—will host what MOCA proudly bills as America’s first major museum survey of “street art,” a euphemism for graffiti. Graffiti, it turns out, is something that MOCA celebrates only on other people’s property, not on its own.
One can only imagine Ms. Mac Donald clutching her pearls, and sipping her white wine to compose herself at the thought of the barbarians at the gates.
Read more here.
Mayor Ford, are you a moonlighting writer under the pen name 'Heather Mac Donald'?
I've always imagined you as a 'Gwendolyn' myself.
Drive behind the Geffen Contemporary, an art museum in downtown Los Angeles, and you will notice that it has painted over the graffiti scrawled on its back wall. Ordinarily, that wouldn’t be surprising; the Geffen’s neighbors also maintain constant vigilance against graffiti vandalism. But beginning in April, the Geffen—a satellite of L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art—will host what MOCA proudly bills as America’s first major museum survey of “street art,” a euphemism for graffiti. Graffiti, it turns out, is something that MOCA celebrates only on other people’s property, not on its own.
One can only imagine Ms. Mac Donald clutching her pearls, and sipping her white wine to compose herself at the thought of the barbarians at the gates.
Read more here.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Justice John Woodcock Jr. of Maine is just as f*cked up as the Governor
A federal judge ruled Friday that Gov. Paul LePage did not violate the free speech clause of the First Amendment when he ordered a mural removed from the headquarters of the Maine Department of Labor.
In a 45-page decision, Justice John Woodcock Jr. said that state-owned works of art are "government speech," and that political leaders are entitled to select the art that is displayed in state offices.
Translation: the normal rules of democracy don't apply to government.
Read more here.
In a 45-page decision, Justice John Woodcock Jr. said that state-owned works of art are "government speech," and that political leaders are entitled to select the art that is displayed in state offices.
Translation: the normal rules of democracy don't apply to government.
Read more here.
Apologists emerge for Dharun Ravi
The writer here, a one Jessica Bennett*, tries so hard to be PC, but you can tell she really doesn't want to be.
It was perhaps the most brutal example of a private moment gone public. A shy 18-year-old, an accomplished violinist, learns a month into the school year that his college roommate has been spying, via a computer webcam, on his sexual relations with another young man. This student is not openly gay, nor does he know how many of his peers have viewed the recording. So it’s easy to imagine that Tyler Clementi was assuming the worst when, two days later, on September 21, the Rutgers freshman jumped 202 feet to his death from the George Washington Bridge.
There's a "but" coming, you know it and I know it.
But as painful as Clementi's story is to hear about—and as much as the indictment has been applauded by some activists—there are legal experts who question whether the punishment fits the crime.
Well no, but flogging is so medieval.
You need more reasons why Ravi is *sooo* misunderstood?
Ravi’s attorney’s insistence that the images of Clementi—while widely reported to have been “live-streamed”—were never in fact transmitted beyond a single computer belonging to Ravi’s alleged accomplice.
Oh well, that makes it all alright then.
* a writer for the Daily Beast, an online site for conservatives who's anti agression meds seem to be working.
Read more here.
It was perhaps the most brutal example of a private moment gone public. A shy 18-year-old, an accomplished violinist, learns a month into the school year that his college roommate has been spying, via a computer webcam, on his sexual relations with another young man. This student is not openly gay, nor does he know how many of his peers have viewed the recording. So it’s easy to imagine that Tyler Clementi was assuming the worst when, two days later, on September 21, the Rutgers freshman jumped 202 feet to his death from the George Washington Bridge.
There's a "but" coming, you know it and I know it.
But as painful as Clementi's story is to hear about—and as much as the indictment has been applauded by some activists—there are legal experts who question whether the punishment fits the crime.
Well no, but flogging is so medieval.
You need more reasons why Ravi is *sooo* misunderstood?
Ravi’s attorney’s insistence that the images of Clementi—while widely reported to have been “live-streamed”—were never in fact transmitted beyond a single computer belonging to Ravi’s alleged accomplice.
Oh well, that makes it all alright then.
* a writer for the Daily Beast, an online site for conservatives who's anti agression meds seem to be working.
Read more here.
If you resist corporate commercialization of the Net, CNN thinks you're a fifty hippie
Our Overlords have Spoken
Internet activists, perhaps today's new generation of hippies, often chant the mantra that "information wants to be free."
The New York Times may have silenced some of them on Thursday. The venerable news outlet announced that 100,000 people had signed up for digital subscriptions in the first month since they were offered.
The NYT asking price is fucking expensive btw.
Read more here.
Internet activists, perhaps today's new generation of hippies, often chant the mantra that "information wants to be free."
The New York Times may have silenced some of them on Thursday. The venerable news outlet announced that 100,000 people had signed up for digital subscriptions in the first month since they were offered.
The NYT asking price is fucking expensive btw.
Read more here.
US Republicans offer frightening selection of very white not too bright rich f*cks for President in 2012
They really do think American voters are fools, don't they?
Obama wimps out while talking Turkey
US President Barack Obama marked Saturday the anniversary of the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks, calling for a "full" acknowledgment of the killings hotly contested by Ankara.
While denouncing the "horrific events" of 96 years ago, Obama stopped short of labeling the killings a "genocide," despite vowing to use that exact term during his 2008 run for the White House.
"I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and my view of that history has not changed," the president said in a White House statement on Armenian Remembrance Day.
"A full, frank, and just acknowledgment of the facts is in all our interests."
Read more here.
While denouncing the "horrific events" of 96 years ago, Obama stopped short of labeling the killings a "genocide," despite vowing to use that exact term during his 2008 run for the White House.
"I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and my view of that history has not changed," the president said in a White House statement on Armenian Remembrance Day.
"A full, frank, and just acknowledgment of the facts is in all our interests."
Read more here.
China has yet another tantrum, this time involving the Easter bunny
China would be a laughing stock, if not for the fact they are also a brutal dictatorship.
At least 20 Chinese Protestants have been arrested as they tried to gather for an Easter service in Beijing.
The worshippers, from the Shouwang church, were trying to hold an outdoor service because they own no premises.
In recent weeks, the police have arrested dozens of people from the church, which has about 1,000 members.
The authorities have also been carrying out a wider suppression of dissent - harassing foreign reporters and detaining lawyers and activists.
Read more here.
At least 20 Chinese Protestants have been arrested as they tried to gather for an Easter service in Beijing.
The worshippers, from the Shouwang church, were trying to hold an outdoor service because they own no premises.
In recent weeks, the police have arrested dozens of people from the church, which has about 1,000 members.
The authorities have also been carrying out a wider suppression of dissent - harassing foreign reporters and detaining lawyers and activists.
Read more here.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Sleazy politician Jon Kyl changes the record to hide his sleazy lie
Jon Kyl's statement that 90 percent of Planned Parenthood's activities are related to abortion -- which drew mockery when he explained it was "not intended to be a factual statement" -- has been stricken from the Congressional Record. From POLITICO Pulse:
Sen. Jon Kyl has quietly removed his infamous comment that 90 percent of Planned Parenthood's business is abortion from the Congressional Record. Senators are allowed to revise and extend their comments in record* and his statement now simply says: "If you want an abortion you go to Planned Parenthood and that is what Planned Parenthood does." Kyl's office could not be reached for comment.
He'd just change it later.
* how fucking convenient.
Read more here.
Sen. Jon Kyl has quietly removed his infamous comment that 90 percent of Planned Parenthood's business is abortion from the Congressional Record. Senators are allowed to revise and extend their comments in record* and his statement now simply says: "If you want an abortion you go to Planned Parenthood and that is what Planned Parenthood does." Kyl's office could not be reached for comment.
He'd just change it later.
* how fucking convenient.
Read more here.
Washington DC Police and Charlie Sheen: Idiots of the Day
How anyone can think this loser is someone to admire is beyond me.
Police in Washington DC are investigating who authorised a controversial high-speed police escort for actor Charlie Sheen.
He was apparently escorted from an airport outside the city to his stage show, Violent Torpedo of Truth: Defeat is Not an Option, on Tuesday.
Police chief Cathy Lanier told a local TV station the escort appeared to violate department policy.
Police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump said the department was investigating.
Sheen posted a photo to Twitter of a speedometer reaching about 80mph (129km/h) and wrote: "In car with Police escort in front and rear! Driving like someone's about to deliver a baby! Cop car lights #Spinning!"
Read more here.
Police in Washington DC are investigating who authorised a controversial high-speed police escort for actor Charlie Sheen.
He was apparently escorted from an airport outside the city to his stage show, Violent Torpedo of Truth: Defeat is Not an Option, on Tuesday.
Police chief Cathy Lanier told a local TV station the escort appeared to violate department policy.
Police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump said the department was investigating.
Sheen posted a photo to Twitter of a speedometer reaching about 80mph (129km/h) and wrote: "In car with Police escort in front and rear! Driving like someone's about to deliver a baby! Cop car lights #Spinning!"
Read more here.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Pope Benedict takes questions on TV, gets every answer infallibly right
DING! That's correct! You win this beautiful lounge suite.
Pope Benedict XVI has made history as the first pontiff to take part in a televised question-and-answer session.
The pre-recorded programme was broadcast on the Italian Rai channel on Good Friday afternoon.
Seven questions were chosen from thousands submitted for the Pope to answer during the 80-minute programme.
Read more here.
Pope Benedict XVI has made history as the first pontiff to take part in a televised question-and-answer session.
The pre-recorded programme was broadcast on the Italian Rai channel on Good Friday afternoon.
Seven questions were chosen from thousands submitted for the Pope to answer during the 80-minute programme.
Read more here.
Possible wardrobe malfunction to blame for serious international incident
In the second period of Game 4 between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens, Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference scored to cut the lead to 3-2. After the goal, Ference skated toward the glass and gave an obscene gesture to the Canadiens fans.
After the Bruins won 5-4 in overtime, Ference addressed the incident.
"It looks awful. I just saw it," he said. "I can assure you that's not part of my repertoire. I think my glove got caught up. I can assure you that's not part of who I am or what I ever have been. It looks awful. I admit it and I completely apologize to how it looks. I was putting my fist in the air. I'm sorry. It does look awful. I don't know what else to say."
Yorkville rids itself of street vendors. Next, security/background/financial checks to enter Holt Renfrew
The wealthy really have some despicable traits. In this city, they've tarted up an area, think they own it and can keep the rest of nasty Toronto out.
FYI, the other people of this city don't like you.
Haughty Yorkville will be hot dog free by the end of the year.
Despite appeals from several vendors who have served up street meat along the Mink Mile for decades, councillors on the Toronto and East York Community Council voted to cancel their 11 vending permits.
The change comes after the vendors waited out years of multi-million dollar construction along Bloor St. only to find when the dust settled, new street furniture installed along the new, wider, granite sidewalks put their permitted spots in violation of a city bylaw governing clearance around vending locations.
Read more here.
FYI, the other people of this city don't like you.
Haughty Yorkville will be hot dog free by the end of the year.
Despite appeals from several vendors who have served up street meat along the Mink Mile for decades, councillors on the Toronto and East York Community Council voted to cancel their 11 vending permits.
The change comes after the vendors waited out years of multi-million dollar construction along Bloor St. only to find when the dust settled, new street furniture installed along the new, wider, granite sidewalks put their permitted spots in violation of a city bylaw governing clearance around vending locations.
Read more here.
Gov. Perry of Texas gives up, begins flinging virgins into volcanos
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim the three-day period from Friday, April 22, 2011, to Sunday, April 24, 2011, as Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on that day for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal way of life.
Because I, Governor Perry of Texas haven't a clue how to deal with real problems in the real world.
Read more here.
Because I, Governor Perry of Texas haven't a clue how to deal with real problems in the real world.
Read more here.
Mayor Ford gives himself until May to come up with excuse to defund Pride
The knuckledraggers who elected him will settle for nothing less.
The contentious debate over city funding for Pride Toronto has been delayed until May.
Mayor Rob Ford made a successful motion at Wednesday morning’s executive committee meeting to defer the issue until the committee’s May 24 meeting.
Ford said “many, many” people had called and written to him saying they couldn’t go to City Hall to express their feelings on Wednesday because they were observing the Jewish holiday Passover.
If Pride survives this nasty little man's time in office, I'll be very much surprised.
Read more here.
The contentious debate over city funding for Pride Toronto has been delayed until May.
Mayor Rob Ford made a successful motion at Wednesday morning’s executive committee meeting to defer the issue until the committee’s May 24 meeting.
Ford said “many, many” people had called and written to him saying they couldn’t go to City Hall to express their feelings on Wednesday because they were observing the Jewish holiday Passover.
If Pride survives this nasty little man's time in office, I'll be very much surprised.
Read more here.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
In completely unexpected nod to Democracy, Harper says he'll not form government if he hasn't the seats
This is our chance people. Not only to rid ourselves of this awful government, but also to see if he really means it.
Somehow, I doubt it.
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said he would not attempt to form a government if another party won the most seats in the election and his party came in second place.
In an exclusive interview with CBC’s Peter Mansbridge aired on Thursday afternoon, Harper said if Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff or NDP Leader Jack Layton won the election, but was unable to gain the confidence of the House, he would not attempt to try and take power.
“They will form the government,” Harper said.
”I think If the other guys win, they get a shot at government and I don’t think you challenge that unless you’re prepared to go back to the people.”
Harper said he would reject an offer made by the governor general to try and form a government
"So you’d say to the governor general 'No, I wouldn't do that?' Mansbridge asked.
"Yeah, absolutely," he said, adding that people don't want another election.
Read more here.
Somehow, I doubt it.
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said he would not attempt to form a government if another party won the most seats in the election and his party came in second place.
In an exclusive interview with CBC’s Peter Mansbridge aired on Thursday afternoon, Harper said if Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff or NDP Leader Jack Layton won the election, but was unable to gain the confidence of the House, he would not attempt to try and take power.
“They will form the government,” Harper said.
”I think If the other guys win, they get a shot at government and I don’t think you challenge that unless you’re prepared to go back to the people.”
Harper said he would reject an offer made by the governor general to try and form a government
"So you’d say to the governor general 'No, I wouldn't do that?' Mansbridge asked.
"Yeah, absolutely," he said, adding that people don't want another election.
Read more here.
Rare Sex Pistols disc is 'most valuable vinyl'
A rare recording of God Save the Queen by the Sex Pistols has been named the most valuable vinyl disc of all time, with experts saying it is worth £8,000.
The single was originally produced by A&M Records. But the group were dropped before it was released and most of the copies were destroyed.
Read more here.
The single was originally produced by A&M Records. But the group were dropped before it was released and most of the copies were destroyed.
Read more here.
See, Toronto is world class! The SlutWalk spreads
Toronto police constable Michael Sanguinetti thought he was offering the key to rape prevention. “I’m not supposed to say this,” he told a group of students at an Osgoode Hall Law School safety forum on January 24, but to prevent being sexually assaulted, “Avoid dressing like sluts.”
Despite Sanguinetti’s subsequent written apology and promises of further professional training, the victim-blaming gaffe heard round the world sparked a movement that began in Canada but is now sweeping the United States and abroad: SlutWalks.
Read more here.
Despite Sanguinetti’s subsequent written apology and promises of further professional training, the victim-blaming gaffe heard round the world sparked a movement that began in Canada but is now sweeping the United States and abroad: SlutWalks.
Read more here.
Who's to blame if CNN looks like a troglodyte?
It must be hard of those who hold the belief it is the woman's fault they are raped, a deeply held cultural belief, to have this belief questioned.
Makes their little heads spin, as the Toronto police recently learned (hello SlutWalk).
Here, a one LZ Granderson of CNN, safely removed from his critics by time and space, gives a convincing performance of a time traveller come from an earlier age.
LZ Granderson, author of the splendid piece we discussed yesterday, in which he admonished parents not to let their daughters dress like tramps, responded to some of the many comments he received on the article, and, suffice it to say, he wasn't moved by his critics. (Not that he seriously engaged any truly substantive criticism, anyway.)
Read more here.
Makes their little heads spin, as the Toronto police recently learned (hello SlutWalk).
Here, a one LZ Granderson of CNN, safely removed from his critics by time and space, gives a convincing performance of a time traveller come from an earlier age.
LZ Granderson, author of the splendid piece we discussed yesterday, in which he admonished parents not to let their daughters dress like tramps, responded to some of the many comments he received on the article, and, suffice it to say, he wasn't moved by his critics. (Not that he seriously engaged any truly substantive criticism, anyway.)
Read more here.
Lady Gaga has no idea what the Streisand Effect is
Lady Gaga turns down request by Weird Al for a song parody.
Opps
Weird Al releases it anyway under Fair Use in a glorious Fuck You.
Harper defensive over yet another scandal...rince repeat
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is defending his campaign spokesman from allegations of political interference in a senior appointment at the Montreal Port Authority.
Dimitri Soudas, the Conservative Party's spokesman, is accused of putting pressure on the board of directors of the Montreal Port Authority to appoint a favoured individual as its chief executive officer.
Read more here.
Dimitri Soudas, the Conservative Party's spokesman, is accused of putting pressure on the board of directors of the Montreal Port Authority to appoint a favoured individual as its chief executive officer.
Read more here.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Privacy hating generation gets a surprise gift from Apple
You know, they seem to make their Terms of Use as unreadable as possible.
Wonder why....
Apple iPhones and 3G iPads are secretly recording and storing details of all their owners' movements, researchers claim.
Location data is kept in a hidden, unencrypted file according to security experts Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden.
With the right software, it can be used to map exactly where a person has been.
Apple has yet to comment on the revelation, however there in no suggestion that it has been uploading or using the information.
The findings, first reported by the Guardian newspaper, will come as a surprise to most iPhone users, as their devices do not give any visual indication that such data is being recorded.
However, although the practice is not explicitly flagged-up, it appears to be covered in the company's terms of use.
"We may collect information such as occupation, language, zip code, area code, unique device identifier, location, and the time zone where an Apple product is used so that we can better understand customer behaviour and improve our products, services, and advertising"
Read more here.
Wonder why....
Apple iPhones and 3G iPads are secretly recording and storing details of all their owners' movements, researchers claim.
Location data is kept in a hidden, unencrypted file according to security experts Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden.
With the right software, it can be used to map exactly where a person has been.
Apple has yet to comment on the revelation, however there in no suggestion that it has been uploading or using the information.
The findings, first reported by the Guardian newspaper, will come as a surprise to most iPhone users, as their devices do not give any visual indication that such data is being recorded.
However, although the practice is not explicitly flagged-up, it appears to be covered in the company's terms of use.
"We may collect information such as occupation, language, zip code, area code, unique device identifier, location, and the time zone where an Apple product is used so that we can better understand customer behaviour and improve our products, services, and advertising"
Read more here.
Entertainment industry adds Britain to its list of client states
We Entertain and Terrify™
A legal challenge to the Digital Economy Act has failed get the controversial legislation overturned.
The judicial review, requested by BT and Talk Talk, rejected claims that Parliament had overstepped its powers with anti-piracy measures.
However, Mr Justice Kenneth Parker upheld one of the objections, relating to who pays for the law's enforcement.
Today's ruling was welcomed by copyright holders who said that it would help reduce illegal file sharing.
The act, which was rushed through Parliament before the 2010 general election, obliges internet service providers (ISPs) to co-operate with rights holders in identifying computer users who may have downloaded music, software or videos illegally.
Read more here.
A legal challenge to the Digital Economy Act has failed get the controversial legislation overturned.
The judicial review, requested by BT and Talk Talk, rejected claims that Parliament had overstepped its powers with anti-piracy measures.
However, Mr Justice Kenneth Parker upheld one of the objections, relating to who pays for the law's enforcement.
Today's ruling was welcomed by copyright holders who said that it would help reduce illegal file sharing.
The act, which was rushed through Parliament before the 2010 general election, obliges internet service providers (ISPs) to co-operate with rights holders in identifying computer users who may have downloaded music, software or videos illegally.
Read more here.
Leading intellectual Ted Nugent bemoans the fact homophobia is so expensive these days
Where are the good old days when you could call a queer a fag and get away with it. Goodness gracious me, where are the standards today....?
Remember gentle reader, Mr. Nugent and his ilk are the good guys.
Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant was socked with a $100,000 fine by the NBA last week for calling a referee what the NBA thinks is a derogatory, ugly and vile name.
To be exact, Mr. Bryant committed this egregious verbal foul because he used a word demeaning to homosexuals, the most protected class of people in America.
Gay rights groups applaud the decision of the NBA, which must make all the homosexual basketball fans feel peachy and special. Who knows, maybe the NBA will use Mr. Bryant’s $100,000 to buy courtside seats for gay basketball fans. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Show some gay pride, NBA.
Those among us who work tirelessly to shut down (and shout down, if the need arises) speech they disagree with must also be absolutely gay with pride and satisfaction over this fine.
Mr. Bryant can obviously afford to pay the fine, but that’s not the point.
The principle is what matters. Those of us addicted to common sense and logic think that fining Mr. Bryant $100,000 for calling a referee a name is much more ugly, vile and demeaning than anything Mr. Bryant uttered or could possibly have uttered. The politically correct brain-dead can’t seem to remember the ending for “Sticks and Stones.”
Read more here.
Remember gentle reader, Mr. Nugent and his ilk are the good guys.
Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant was socked with a $100,000 fine by the NBA last week for calling a referee what the NBA thinks is a derogatory, ugly and vile name.
To be exact, Mr. Bryant committed this egregious verbal foul because he used a word demeaning to homosexuals, the most protected class of people in America.
Gay rights groups applaud the decision of the NBA, which must make all the homosexual basketball fans feel peachy and special. Who knows, maybe the NBA will use Mr. Bryant’s $100,000 to buy courtside seats for gay basketball fans. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Show some gay pride, NBA.
Those among us who work tirelessly to shut down (and shout down, if the need arises) speech they disagree with must also be absolutely gay with pride and satisfaction over this fine.
Mr. Bryant can obviously afford to pay the fine, but that’s not the point.
The principle is what matters. Those of us addicted to common sense and logic think that fining Mr. Bryant $100,000 for calling a referee a name is much more ugly, vile and demeaning than anything Mr. Bryant uttered or could possibly have uttered. The politically correct brain-dead can’t seem to remember the ending for “Sticks and Stones.”
Read more here.
'Ten Easy Steps to Martyrdom' and other tips from Inspire magazine
Leafing through Inspire magazine, one finds glossy, high-quality pages, articles in English on the Middle East uprisings, interviews with al-Qaeda enthusiasts and a do-it-yourself feature on how to handle weapons and bombs.
Al-Shamikha, the al-Qaeda version of Cosmopolitan magazine, mixes beauty and fashion tips with articles encouraging women to push their husbands on the path of martyrdom*.
“These publications are considered ‘Jihadi cool.’ Some, like Inspire, are published in English to specifically target twentysomething jihadists with European or American citizenship,” says Magnus Ranstorp, research director at the Center for Asymmetric Threat Studies at the Swedish National Defense College.
Read more here.
* and who says Islam doesn't have divorce.
Al-Shamikha, the al-Qaeda version of Cosmopolitan magazine, mixes beauty and fashion tips with articles encouraging women to push their husbands on the path of martyrdom*.
“These publications are considered ‘Jihadi cool.’ Some, like Inspire, are published in English to specifically target twentysomething jihadists with European or American citizenship,” says Magnus Ranstorp, research director at the Center for Asymmetric Threat Studies at the Swedish National Defense College.
Read more here.
* and who says Islam doesn't have divorce.
New research suggests right-handedness prevailed 500,000 years ago
Right-handedness is a distinctively human characteristic, with right-handers outnumbering lefties nine-to-one. But how far back does right-handedness reach in the human story?
Researchers have tried to determine the answer by looking at ancient tools, prehistoric art and human bones, but the results have not been definitive.
Now, David Frayer, professor of anthropology at the University of Kansas, has used markings on fossilized front teeth to show that right-handedness goes back more than 500,000 years. He is the lead author (with colleagues in Croatia, Italy and Spain) of a paper published this month in the British journal Laterality.
His research shows that distinctive markings on fossilized teeth correlate to the right or left-handedness of individual prehistoric humans.
Read more here.
Researchers have tried to determine the answer by looking at ancient tools, prehistoric art and human bones, but the results have not been definitive.
Now, David Frayer, professor of anthropology at the University of Kansas, has used markings on fossilized front teeth to show that right-handedness goes back more than 500,000 years. He is the lead author (with colleagues in Croatia, Italy and Spain) of a paper published this month in the British journal Laterality.
His research shows that distinctive markings on fossilized teeth correlate to the right or left-handedness of individual prehistoric humans.
Read more here.
Harper and Co. decide to lose youth vote and appeal Ontario marijuana ruling
Although I do believe marijuana should be legal, anything that will keep Harper from power is a good thing.
Not that many young people would vote for Harper anyway. Liberal feelings run high among the young, until age and experience show them that the world is filled with spiteful backwards looking people who call themselves "conservatives*".
A soul crushing experience for even the most optimistic of youth.
Ottawa is appealing an Ontario court ruling that, if left to stand, could make the possession of marijuana legal in the province.
The Public Prosecution Office of Canada announced Tuesday that it has filed a notice of appeal with Ontario's top court in respect to Justice Donald Taliano's April 11 ruling.
The appeal states that Taliano made critical errors in law by declaring the federal medical marijuana program unconstitutional.
Taliano ordered that Ottawa fix the program by July or face the prospect of effectively legalizing marijuana.
The judge's decision came in a criminal case involving Matthew Mernagh, 37, of St. Catharines, who was unable to obtain a medical marijuana licence.
Mernagh's lawyer, Paul Lewin, has said that he's confident the decision will be upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Read more here.
* They are called "conservatives" because "assholes" is still not used in polite society.
Not that many young people would vote for Harper anyway. Liberal feelings run high among the young, until age and experience show them that the world is filled with spiteful backwards looking people who call themselves "conservatives*".
A soul crushing experience for even the most optimistic of youth.
Ottawa is appealing an Ontario court ruling that, if left to stand, could make the possession of marijuana legal in the province.
The Public Prosecution Office of Canada announced Tuesday that it has filed a notice of appeal with Ontario's top court in respect to Justice Donald Taliano's April 11 ruling.
The appeal states that Taliano made critical errors in law by declaring the federal medical marijuana program unconstitutional.
Taliano ordered that Ottawa fix the program by July or face the prospect of effectively legalizing marijuana.
The judge's decision came in a criminal case involving Matthew Mernagh, 37, of St. Catharines, who was unable to obtain a medical marijuana licence.
Mernagh's lawyer, Paul Lewin, has said that he's confident the decision will be upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Read more here.
* They are called "conservatives" because "assholes" is still not used in polite society.
NOW magazine files complaint against poor delicate flower Mayor Rob Ford
NOW Magazine has filed a complaint with the city’s Integrity Commissioner against Mayor Rob Ford’s office following an alleged order to remove the weekly’s copies from all City of Toronto locations.
Last month, NOW claimed its magazines, featuring several photo-shopped photos of a scantily clad Rob Ford, were yanked from City Hall by order of the mayor’s office. NOW said they have “solid evidence” in the form of an e-mail request to Lorraine Pickett, supervisor of custodial services, with directions to “remove all NOW newspapers from all City of Toronto locations/facilities asap. Please remove and dispose.”
“This is a disturbing infringement on the right to free expression and speaks to a careless disregard for democracy in the highest office of city government,” said CEO Alice Klein. “We have a right to know who ordered this infringement of our democratic rights and to see that there are consequences for those who are responsible for this outrageous act.”
Responding to the complaint, Mr. Ford’s press secretary Adrienne Batra said “there's not much information I can provide you because this is an ongoing matter.”
Translation: The Mayor is still reportedly confined to his fainting couch, recovering from the severe taunting he received at the hands of those Pinko monsters at NOW.
Last month, NOW claimed its magazines, featuring several photo-shopped photos of a scantily clad Rob Ford, were yanked from City Hall by order of the mayor’s office. NOW said they have “solid evidence” in the form of an e-mail request to Lorraine Pickett, supervisor of custodial services, with directions to “remove all NOW newspapers from all City of Toronto locations/facilities asap. Please remove and dispose.”
“This is a disturbing infringement on the right to free expression and speaks to a careless disregard for democracy in the highest office of city government,” said CEO Alice Klein. “We have a right to know who ordered this infringement of our democratic rights and to see that there are consequences for those who are responsible for this outrageous act.”
Responding to the complaint, Mr. Ford’s press secretary Adrienne Batra said “there's not much information I can provide you because this is an ongoing matter.”
Translation: The Mayor is still reportedly confined to his fainting couch, recovering from the severe taunting he received at the hands of those Pinko monsters at NOW.
343 reasons CEOs are f*cking greedy
Only they and their brain washed followers think this is fair.
In 2010, chief executives at some of the nation's largest companies earned an average of $11.4 million in total pay -- 343 times more than a typical American worker, according to the AFL-CIO.
"Despite the collapse of the financial market at the hands of executives less than 3 years ago, the disparity between CEO and workers' pay has continued to grow to levels that are simply stunning," said Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO president.
In an effort to shine a light on CEO pay, the AFL-CIO examined chief executive salaries at 299 firms traded on the S&P 500. Their compensation was up 23% in 2010, compared to 2009. AFL-CIO used Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data to define typical worker pay, which was $33,190 for all occupations in 2009, the most recent year for which data is available.
Read more here.
In 2010, chief executives at some of the nation's largest companies earned an average of $11.4 million in total pay -- 343 times more than a typical American worker, according to the AFL-CIO.
"Despite the collapse of the financial market at the hands of executives less than 3 years ago, the disparity between CEO and workers' pay has continued to grow to levels that are simply stunning," said Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO president.
In an effort to shine a light on CEO pay, the AFL-CIO examined chief executive salaries at 299 firms traded on the S&P 500. Their compensation was up 23% in 2010, compared to 2009. AFL-CIO used Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data to define typical worker pay, which was $33,190 for all occupations in 2009, the most recent year for which data is available.
Read more here.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
U.S. is discovering committing human rights abuses is a bitch
This time involving Bradley Manning. Never embarrass a torture regime.
Facebook lets homophobic bigots call the shots
via Boing Boing
Richard Metzger of Dangerous Minds (you may know him as founder of Disinformation, or as a BB guestblogger, or as the counterculture "Charlie Rose"), writes in with the odd story of a Facebook photo ban, and the media misinfo frenzy that followed.
Since just last Friday, the above photo, a publicity still from the popular BBC soap opera "EastEnders" has become the emblem of an utterly unnecessary Facebook scandal. One that's already gone international and one that I, personally, I am tangentially involved in. I say unnecessary because it never should have happened in the first place, but let me state this at the beginning of this for those of you--you know who you are-- who'll just read the first two paragraphs before zipping off to write something snarky in the comments: I do not personally believe that the Facebook corporation is in any way homophobic. Not even in the slightest. Okay?
Now that I've got that out of the way, here is what happened and why some people might think that they are:
Update: Facebook reverses, with a "oppies it was a mistake" excuse.
Read more here.
Richard Metzger of Dangerous Minds (you may know him as founder of Disinformation, or as a BB guestblogger, or as the counterculture "Charlie Rose"), writes in with the odd story of a Facebook photo ban, and the media misinfo frenzy that followed.
Since just last Friday, the above photo, a publicity still from the popular BBC soap opera "EastEnders" has become the emblem of an utterly unnecessary Facebook scandal. One that's already gone international and one that I, personally, I am tangentially involved in. I say unnecessary because it never should have happened in the first place, but let me state this at the beginning of this for those of you--you know who you are-- who'll just read the first two paragraphs before zipping off to write something snarky in the comments: I do not personally believe that the Facebook corporation is in any way homophobic. Not even in the slightest. Okay?
Now that I've got that out of the way, here is what happened and why some people might think that they are:
Update: Facebook reverses, with a "oppies it was a mistake" excuse.
Read more here.
Governments of the world discover they dislike citizens having freedom
Nothing governments dislike more than real freedom. Makes their job just that must less relevant.
Some countries are running each other over in their rush to repress. What are they afraid of?
Freedom on the worldwide Internet is in danger, according to a new report by Freedom House.
In a survey of 37 countries, only 8 qualified as having completely "Free" Internets, while 11 were designated "Not Free" and the remainder were "Partly Free." The survey measured Internet freedom by studying obstacles to access, such as governmental efforts to block technologies or control over Internet access providers, limits on content, including the blocking of websites and other forms of censorship, as well as violations of user rights including privacy, online surveillance and real world repercussions for online activity. The U.S. scored second on the list as ranked by most to least free, with Estonia taking the lead as the nation where the Internet was most free. Germany, Australia and the UK were ranked just behind the U.S.
Among the most alarming findings of the report was evidence that a growing number of countries are attempting to restrict the flow on information online by blocking political content and threatening website owners and bloggers with arrest. Even more democratic countries, like the UK, are chipping away at web freedom with other forms of censorship and surveillance, or with legal harassment.
Read more here.
Some countries are running each other over in their rush to repress. What are they afraid of?
Freedom on the worldwide Internet is in danger, according to a new report by Freedom House.
In a survey of 37 countries, only 8 qualified as having completely "Free" Internets, while 11 were designated "Not Free" and the remainder were "Partly Free." The survey measured Internet freedom by studying obstacles to access, such as governmental efforts to block technologies or control over Internet access providers, limits on content, including the blocking of websites and other forms of censorship, as well as violations of user rights including privacy, online surveillance and real world repercussions for online activity. The U.S. scored second on the list as ranked by most to least free, with Estonia taking the lead as the nation where the Internet was most free. Germany, Australia and the UK were ranked just behind the U.S.
Among the most alarming findings of the report was evidence that a growing number of countries are attempting to restrict the flow on information online by blocking political content and threatening website owners and bloggers with arrest. Even more democratic countries, like the UK, are chipping away at web freedom with other forms of censorship and surveillance, or with legal harassment.
Read more here.
Toronto now broadcasts its world class violence to the world
The world gets a taste of the endless drumbeat of violence that is life in Toronto.
Nobody here cares though. As long as they have a condo to live in and a car to drive, the rest of the world can go fuck themselves.
Michael Moore was an idiot. If they're wise, people in Toronto lock their doors.
A 23-year-old exchange student, attacked in her Toronto apartment while a friend in China watched via computer webcam, was found dead there hours later, police say.
Toronto Police on Monday identified the student as Qian (Necole) Liu of Beijing. She was talking early Friday morning to a male friend from home when a man allegedly knocked on her door, asking to use her phone, police said in a news release.
The online witness said he saw Liu and the unknown man struggle for a time before the attacker turned off her laptop, the news release said.
The friend in China then started a desperate bid to find out what happened, CNN-affiliate CTV reported.
Read more here.
Nobody here cares though. As long as they have a condo to live in and a car to drive, the rest of the world can go fuck themselves.
Michael Moore was an idiot. If they're wise, people in Toronto lock their doors.
A 23-year-old exchange student, attacked in her Toronto apartment while a friend in China watched via computer webcam, was found dead there hours later, police say.
Toronto Police on Monday identified the student as Qian (Necole) Liu of Beijing. She was talking early Friday morning to a male friend from home when a man allegedly knocked on her door, asking to use her phone, police said in a news release.
The online witness said he saw Liu and the unknown man struggle for a time before the attacker turned off her laptop, the news release said.
The friend in China then started a desperate bid to find out what happened, CNN-affiliate CTV reported.
Read more here.
Whitewash supplies low as Pentagon clears General McChrystal
The Pentagon has cleared of wrongdoing a US general sacked after a magazine reported he and his staff had spoken disrespectfully about top US officials.
A Pentagon report found insufficient evidence Gen Stanley McChrystal, until June the top US general in Afghanistan, had violated US military policy.
It said events narrated in the magazine had not occurred as written. Rolling Stone said it stood by its article.
Read more here.
A Pentagon report found insufficient evidence Gen Stanley McChrystal, until June the top US general in Afghanistan, had violated US military policy.
It said events narrated in the magazine had not occurred as written. Rolling Stone said it stood by its article.
Read more here.
If Jan Brewer is the most sane person in Arizona...
..what does that say about the rest?
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed a controversial measure on Monday that would have permitted guns to be carried on public rights of way at public university and community college campuses, the Arizona Republic reports.
And
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has vetoed a bill that would have required President Obama and others to prove their U.S. births before appearing on the state ballot.
Read more here and here
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed a controversial measure on Monday that would have permitted guns to be carried on public rights of way at public university and community college campuses, the Arizona Republic reports.
And
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has vetoed a bill that would have required President Obama and others to prove their U.S. births before appearing on the state ballot.
Read more here and here
Monday, April 18, 2011
An Open Letter to Canada
This video will have no effect on the 40% of Harper supporters, who seem to revel in the shear awfulness of the man and his party.
Bu seriously folks, Stephen Harper and his government may be complicit in war crimes in Afghanistan. What are the moral implications of having a leader such as that?
If your vote is just to save taxes and kick hippies, you're beyond hope.
Doug Ford pushes Non Pinko priority: A waterfront stadium
Bread and circuses.
Doug Ford has a vision: a football stadium on the waterfront. He says the NFL stadium might be built on the site of the abandoned Hearn generating plant in the underdeveloped Portlands.
The stadium would be the anchor for a massive redevelopment of the Portlands that would “turn this dump site into a wow factor.” It would include dramatically designed residential buildings and high-end retailers such as Macy’s department store. A monorail elevated transit system would link it to downtown.
And unicorns will dance in the sunlight.
Why is this important you may ask?
He says that when he brings U.S. visitors to Toronto, they tell him, “Doug, you’ve got a beautiful, clean city but there’s nothing to do here.”
“Well,” he tells them, “there’s going to be something to do.”
Yup, mustn't be embarrassed by easily bored jock oriented Americans, now must we?
A little note to Rob and Doug: get out more. It would benefit us all.
Read more here.
Doug Ford has a vision: a football stadium on the waterfront. He says the NFL stadium might be built on the site of the abandoned Hearn generating plant in the underdeveloped Portlands.
The stadium would be the anchor for a massive redevelopment of the Portlands that would “turn this dump site into a wow factor.” It would include dramatically designed residential buildings and high-end retailers such as Macy’s department store. A monorail elevated transit system would link it to downtown.
And unicorns will dance in the sunlight.
Why is this important you may ask?
He says that when he brings U.S. visitors to Toronto, they tell him, “Doug, you’ve got a beautiful, clean city but there’s nothing to do here.”
“Well,” he tells them, “there’s going to be something to do.”
Yup, mustn't be embarrassed by easily bored jock oriented Americans, now must we?
A little note to Rob and Doug: get out more. It would benefit us all.
Read more here.
The RCMP oversteps its bounds
Can't have a crack in the drug wars, now can we?
The RCMP secretly commissioned research in hopes of discrediting Vancouver's supervised injection site, the Pivot Legal Society says.
The Downtown Eastside advocacy group is claiming the Mounties hired academics to challenge the Insite facility's track record.
Pivot Legal Society lawyer Doug King says it's not the RCMP's job to seek out research on Insite and Pivot has filed a complaint with the federal auditor general, asking for an investigation to determine if the RCMP used public funds to finance the research.
Read more here.
The RCMP secretly commissioned research in hopes of discrediting Vancouver's supervised injection site, the Pivot Legal Society says.
The Downtown Eastside advocacy group is claiming the Mounties hired academics to challenge the Insite facility's track record.
Pivot Legal Society lawyer Doug King says it's not the RCMP's job to seek out research on Insite and Pivot has filed a complaint with the federal auditor general, asking for an investigation to determine if the RCMP used public funds to finance the research.
Read more here.
New Zealand parliament member Melissa Lee: Hypocrite of the Day
In a beautiful twist of irony, New Zealand parliament member Melissa Lee has been caught in a copyright quagmire. It turns out that just hours before she spoke out in support of the controversial new copyright law being rushed through parliament, she tweeted how pleased she was with a compilation of K-Pop songs a friend copied for her.
Cut her off from the Net, and throw the bitch in jail. I mean, that's the kind of just verdict New Zealand wants to impose on its citizen's (with urging from the entertainment industry).
It's only fair...
Read more here.
Cut her off from the Net, and throw the bitch in jail. I mean, that's the kind of just verdict New Zealand wants to impose on its citizen's (with urging from the entertainment industry).
It's only fair...
Read more here.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
BOOOO! Harper and Co. use fear of Quebec to scare voters
What year does he think this is? 1995?
Conservative fear filled bullshit of the day:
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says a Conservative majority is the only way to stop Quebec sovereignists.
"I don't want to get in too much to talking about the sovereignty movement and Quebec provincial politics, but what I do want to note is what Mr. Duceppe has said coming out of that PQ convention [Sunday] — he has said that they are moving towards, they are walking towards, his objective — the sovereignty of Quebec and another Quebec referendum," Harper told reporters.
"And [Duceppe] says step one to achieve that is to stop a federal Conservative majority government in Ottawa. Step one is to weaken the country, have a weak government in Ottawa, and that is another reason why Canadians, we believe, must choose a strong, stable, national Conservative majority."
Read more here.
Conservative fear filled bullshit of the day:
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says a Conservative majority is the only way to stop Quebec sovereignists.
"I don't want to get in too much to talking about the sovereignty movement and Quebec provincial politics, but what I do want to note is what Mr. Duceppe has said coming out of that PQ convention [Sunday] — he has said that they are moving towards, they are walking towards, his objective — the sovereignty of Quebec and another Quebec referendum," Harper told reporters.
"And [Duceppe] says step one to achieve that is to stop a federal Conservative majority government in Ottawa. Step one is to weaken the country, have a weak government in Ottawa, and that is another reason why Canadians, we believe, must choose a strong, stable, national Conservative majority."
Read more here.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Harper and Co. won't commit to war in Libya...or at least while there's an election on
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has ruled out sending more aircraft to participate in the NATO mission over Libya, saying any such commitment requires consultation in Parliament.
His comment Friday came as NATO failed for a second day to find new ground-attack aircraft for the fight against Moammar Gadhafi's forces in Libya, but Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen expects the additional planes soon.
Harper, speaking Friday on the campaign trail, said Canada is making a "significant contribution" and believes Gadhafi's leadership must "end" in order to fully protect the civilian population.
But Harper reiterated his government has been clear that it will not put Canadian soldiers on the ground in Libya.
"In terms of any requests for additional participation, we will not make those kind of commitments during an election campaign. To make any kind of additional commitment would require the Parliament of Canada to be sitting and to be discussing these matters," he told reporters in Richmond Hill, Ont.
If he wins...
Read more here.
His comment Friday came as NATO failed for a second day to find new ground-attack aircraft for the fight against Moammar Gadhafi's forces in Libya, but Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen expects the additional planes soon.
Harper, speaking Friday on the campaign trail, said Canada is making a "significant contribution" and believes Gadhafi's leadership must "end" in order to fully protect the civilian population.
But Harper reiterated his government has been clear that it will not put Canadian soldiers on the ground in Libya.
"In terms of any requests for additional participation, we will not make those kind of commitments during an election campaign. To make any kind of additional commitment would require the Parliament of Canada to be sitting and to be discussing these matters," he told reporters in Richmond Hill, Ont.
If he wins...
Read more here.
Stephen Fry and others set to help defend Twitter user against idiotic conviciton
Our leaders are scared little rabbits, are they not?
Comedian Stephen Fry has said he is "prepared to go to prison" over the "Twitter joke" trial.
Fry was at a benefit gig for a man who is appealing against his conviction for sending a menacing communication.
Paul Chambers had tweeted: "Crap! Robin Hood Airport is closed. You've got a week... otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!"
Fry argued that Chambers' tweet was an example of Britain's tradition of self-deprecating humour and banter.
In a culture that thinks torture is sometimes AOK to use (but only on brown people), it's a wonder our Glorious Leaders didn't have the man flayed alive.
He's probably white, so just jail time...
Read more here.
Comedian Stephen Fry has said he is "prepared to go to prison" over the "Twitter joke" trial.
Fry was at a benefit gig for a man who is appealing against his conviction for sending a menacing communication.
Paul Chambers had tweeted: "Crap! Robin Hood Airport is closed. You've got a week... otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!"
Fry argued that Chambers' tweet was an example of Britain's tradition of self-deprecating humour and banter.
In a culture that thinks torture is sometimes AOK to use (but only on brown people), it's a wonder our Glorious Leaders didn't have the man flayed alive.
He's probably white, so just jail time...
Read more here.
The John Snow Pub, London: Idiots of the Day
They even closed early, hoping not to become an international laughing stock.
Too late...
The pub at the centre of a homophobia row closed its doors, as hundreds of people prepared to attend a "gay kiss-in" protest there.
The John Snow, in Soho, central London, became the focus of unwanted attention when James Bull and Jonathan Williams were asked to leave on Wednesday night by a staff member who allegedly described the couple's kissing as "obscene".
Williams tweeted about the incident, which propelled him and Bull, who were on their first date, to the attention of national media, leading to plans for a "gay kiss-in" Facebook event, scheduled for 7pm on Friday. The John Snow, perhaps wary of the impending siege, closed at around 3.30pm, leaving bemused drinkers locked out on the street with beverages in hand, according to one bystander.
You know the owner is being congratulated by his/her fellow knuckledraggers; "We'll done! You've made yourself feel better by discriminating against a fag! High five!"
Read more here.
Too late...
The pub at the centre of a homophobia row closed its doors, as hundreds of people prepared to attend a "gay kiss-in" protest there.
The John Snow, in Soho, central London, became the focus of unwanted attention when James Bull and Jonathan Williams were asked to leave on Wednesday night by a staff member who allegedly described the couple's kissing as "obscene".
Williams tweeted about the incident, which propelled him and Bull, who were on their first date, to the attention of national media, leading to plans for a "gay kiss-in" Facebook event, scheduled for 7pm on Friday. The John Snow, perhaps wary of the impending siege, closed at around 3.30pm, leaving bemused drinkers locked out on the street with beverages in hand, according to one bystander.
You know the owner is being congratulated by his/her fellow knuckledraggers; "We'll done! You've made yourself feel better by discriminating against a fag! High five!"
Read more here.
Entertainment industry has New Zealand do its bidding via an earthquake relief bill
A sleazy industry finds sleazy politicians to do its dirty work.
This week, New Zealand's Parliament rushed in its controversial 3-strikes Internet disconnection law, using emergency procedures invoked to help victims of the Christchurch earthquake for cover. The law allows whole families to be disconnected from the Internet if someone using their Internet connection is accused -- without proof -- of three acts of copyright infringement. The NZ government and press say that this draconian law only goes into effect if infringement doesn't decline over the next two years. But the reality is that 3-strikes can go into effect as early as September, based on consultation solely with rightsholders, with no need for public consultation.
This is completely unjust, but we can't cut into the Industry's profits, now can we?
Cutting someone from the Net these days is like cutting their phone access. Unacceptable, but it shows the greed involved by those who think this is just.
EH in reply to afs97209
Yes, the next thing you know they'll be starting wars and engineering light settlements from bankers.
Read more here.
This week, New Zealand's Parliament rushed in its controversial 3-strikes Internet disconnection law, using emergency procedures invoked to help victims of the Christchurch earthquake for cover. The law allows whole families to be disconnected from the Internet if someone using their Internet connection is accused -- without proof -- of three acts of copyright infringement. The NZ government and press say that this draconian law only goes into effect if infringement doesn't decline over the next two years. But the reality is that 3-strikes can go into effect as early as September, based on consultation solely with rightsholders, with no need for public consultation.
This is completely unjust, but we can't cut into the Industry's profits, now can we?
Cutting someone from the Net these days is like cutting their phone access. Unacceptable, but it shows the greed involved by those who think this is just.
EH in reply to afs97209
Yes, the next thing you know they'll be starting wars and engineering light settlements from bankers.
Read more here.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Intentionally leaked audio makes Obama sound tough
Surrrrrrre this is accidental.
President Barack Obama was caught on an open mic making some blunt and intriguing remarks about the actions of Republicans in recent budget negotiations that produced a deal to avert a government shutdown at a fundraiser in Chicago on Thursday, CBS News reports.
Read more here.
President Barack Obama was caught on an open mic making some blunt and intriguing remarks about the actions of Republicans in recent budget negotiations that produced a deal to avert a government shutdown at a fundraiser in Chicago on Thursday, CBS News reports.
Read more here.
Spotify does a Bait and Switch
"Nice little music service you've got here, Spotify. Shame if anything were to happen to it. Make these changes 'suggested' by the entertainment industry, and we can guarantee your, um, safety."
Online music service Spotify is halving the amount of free music that users can listen to.
Users of its free service will be limited to 10 hours per month, half the time currently offered and will only be able to listen to tracks five times, from May.
New users will get six months of free content before the changes kick in.
The news has angered fans who accuse the firm of seeking to change its model from free to paid.
This is something denied by Spotify.
Ken Parks, Spotify's chief content officer told the BBC: "Our chief priority is to keep the free service, which is what has made Spotify so popular.
"We're a company whose ambition is to offer all the world's music to everyone which means growing the business and our user base to many times its current size."
"Everything we do is designed to ensure our users continue to have access to an amazing free experience," he added.
Last month, the online music service announced that it had one million paying subscribers across Europe.
But the majority of its 6.67m listeners use the free service, which is subsidised by adverts.
Read more here.
Online music service Spotify is halving the amount of free music that users can listen to.
Users of its free service will be limited to 10 hours per month, half the time currently offered and will only be able to listen to tracks five times, from May.
New users will get six months of free content before the changes kick in.
The news has angered fans who accuse the firm of seeking to change its model from free to paid.
This is something denied by Spotify.
Ken Parks, Spotify's chief content officer told the BBC: "Our chief priority is to keep the free service, which is what has made Spotify so popular.
"We're a company whose ambition is to offer all the world's music to everyone which means growing the business and our user base to many times its current size."
"Everything we do is designed to ensure our users continue to have access to an amazing free experience," he added.
Last month, the online music service announced that it had one million paying subscribers across Europe.
But the majority of its 6.67m listeners use the free service, which is subsidised by adverts.
Read more here.
Google says it's "almost absurd" (but not quite) they're f*cking with rival's search results
Google has defended recent changes to its search system that reduced the prominence of some popular websites.
One of the worst hit by the "Panda" update was Ciao.co.uk, a Microsoft-owned company that had been leading an EU competition case against Google.
Its web visibility fell by 94% according to analysis by Searchmetrics.
Google's head of search evaluation, Scott Huffman, said it was "almost absurd" to suggest that the results were rigged.
The company regularly changes the algorithms that determine what users sees when they search for something.
Read more here.
One of the worst hit by the "Panda" update was Ciao.co.uk, a Microsoft-owned company that had been leading an EU competition case against Google.
Its web visibility fell by 94% according to analysis by Searchmetrics.
Google's head of search evaluation, Scott Huffman, said it was "almost absurd" to suggest that the results were rigged.
The company regularly changes the algorithms that determine what users sees when they search for something.
Read more here.
Youtube and the Entertainment industry think you are a child
Insulting video that talks down to you, you naughty child.
More bullying for an industry that looks more and more as if they run the Net.
Now go to your room, you've been very bad!
Actually, what they are doing is hiding a rather brutal message behind cutesy graphics, ala Duck and Cover.
In the video, a voice-of-god narrator explains to young Russell the stiff penalties associated with copyright infringement. He could get sued for serious money, for example. “You could lose your ‘booty,’” the narrator tells Russell as a pile of treasure disappears from the squirrel-pirate’s home. “Or worse, you could lose your YouTube account!”
Read more here.
Apple will be the first $1 trillion company
If there's one company that will hit a trillion dollar market cap, it will be Apple, according to USA Today. Apple could do it in the next three years. USA Today came up with Apple's trillion dollar market cap based on its five-year geometric mean average increase of 59% a year. So given today's market value of about $310 billion, if Apple continues to increase in value by 59% each year, in 2014, we'll have the first trillion dollar company. How huge is that? The most valuable company ever was Microsoft in 2000. That year it hit a $604 billion market cap.
Read more here.
Read more here.
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner thinks being a hateful prick is 'legitimate'
These people wear their vileness like a cologne...or a spray on tan.
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) suggested on Thursday that an upcoming House hearing on “defending marriage” is a “legitimate” use of U.S. government funds as the subcommittee confirmed that witnesses who are set to testify include anti-gay activists.
During a news conference, Boehner made the remarks in response to a question from the Washington Blade on whether he supports the planned hearing, which is set to take place Friday before the House Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution, and if he thinks the event is an appropriate use of federal resources.
“There are a lot of committees, a lot of hearings,” Boehner said. “As I made it clear from the beginning of this year, the committee process is important to this institution, and I think addressing any question — serious question — in American society is legitimate.”
Read more here.
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) suggested on Thursday that an upcoming House hearing on “defending marriage” is a “legitimate” use of U.S. government funds as the subcommittee confirmed that witnesses who are set to testify include anti-gay activists.
During a news conference, Boehner made the remarks in response to a question from the Washington Blade on whether he supports the planned hearing, which is set to take place Friday before the House Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution, and if he thinks the event is an appropriate use of federal resources.
“There are a lot of committees, a lot of hearings,” Boehner said. “As I made it clear from the beginning of this year, the committee process is important to this institution, and I think addressing any question — serious question — in American society is legitimate.”
Read more here.
US Republicans are hypocritical scum. Shocking I know.
Here is the reality: the Republicans have spent the past 30 years creating deficits and the Democrats have spent the past 30 years closing them. The unimportance of deficits became an article of faith during the second Bush Administration: "Reagan proved that deficits don't matter," Dick Cheney famously said. It has been rather hilarious for those of us with even a minimal grasp of recent history to watch these folks pull fierce 180-degree turns on the issue--and it is even more hilarious to watch them accuse Obama of hyper-partisanship after the dump-truck full of garbage they visited upon his head these past few years.
I'm not sure what is more frightening. Republican bullshit, or the dangerous people who buy their lies.
Perhaps they are still living in the age before Google, before people could easily look up previous statements and contrast for bullshit.
Keep it up, or these bastards will make grandma (and the future you) fend for herself in the medical marketplace.
Cause nothing says loving and caring like Capitalistic Medical Coverage...
Read more here.
I'm not sure what is more frightening. Republican bullshit, or the dangerous people who buy their lies.
Perhaps they are still living in the age before Google, before people could easily look up previous statements and contrast for bullshit.
Keep it up, or these bastards will make grandma (and the future you) fend for herself in the medical marketplace.
Cause nothing says loving and caring like Capitalistic Medical Coverage...
Read more here.
Toronto police thugs all upset by Mayor Ford's "goons"
Why didn't the police just surround the Mayor's representatives and beat them.
It's worked before...
He called me a name! WAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Grow up children.
Toronto Police has initiated an investigation into alleged “unprofessional” and “inflammatory” comments made to a member of the Police Services Board Thursday, the Sun has learned.
Saying he was “outraged” Councillor Michael Thompson complained to Chief Bill Blair directly about “disturbing” comments made about him at Thursday’s Toronto Police Services Board Meeting .
“I have to say I am very upset,” the Thompson, the TPSB vice-chairman said when contacted.
Thompson was livid after being told that he was part of a cabal sent by the mayor to cut police funding.
“What I was told was there was going to be a showdown here today because the mayor’s office had sent his goons into the meeting to take money away from the police,” Thompson said Thursday night. “The comments are inflammatory, outrageous and untrue.”
Saying he spoke directly to police, Thompson did not elaborate on who made the comments or where the allegations of the mayor’s office sending in “goons” originated.
Read more here.
It's worked before...
He called me a name! WAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Grow up children.
Toronto Police has initiated an investigation into alleged “unprofessional” and “inflammatory” comments made to a member of the Police Services Board Thursday, the Sun has learned.
Saying he was “outraged” Councillor Michael Thompson complained to Chief Bill Blair directly about “disturbing” comments made about him at Thursday’s Toronto Police Services Board Meeting .
“I have to say I am very upset,” the Thompson, the TPSB vice-chairman said when contacted.
Thompson was livid after being told that he was part of a cabal sent by the mayor to cut police funding.
“What I was told was there was going to be a showdown here today because the mayor’s office had sent his goons into the meeting to take money away from the police,” Thompson said Thursday night. “The comments are inflammatory, outrageous and untrue.”
Saying he spoke directly to police, Thompson did not elaborate on who made the comments or where the allegations of the mayor’s office sending in “goons” originated.
Read more here.
A British high court deems London G20 'kettling' illegal, thus confirming the f*cking obvious
This won't change a thing, as police are the last to get the "cut out the illegal activities" memo...
The kettling of G20 protesters in London was illegal, a British High Court has ruled in a case with sweeping implications in Toronto.
The decision Thursday by the Queen’s Bench justices said police were working “in good faith” but still overreacted when they corralled 4,500 people inside a Climate Camp in London for three hours on April 1, 2009.
“The police may only take such preventive action as a last resort catering for situations about to descend into violence,” the Queen’s Bench justices.
“The test of necessity is met only in truly extreme and exceptional cases.”
“This is groundbreaking,” lawyer John Halford, representing the claimants Hannah McClure and Josh Moos, told the Toronto Star. “Never has there been a judicial review challenging a mass use of force by a lot of officers at once.”
This was “the blunt instrument being used when a scalpel is available,” he said.
“It is not necessary to make thousands of others suffer because police can’t be bothered to arrest the ones who are responsible.”
To our younger readers: There has been a highly successful campaign by our leaders to demonize any form of protest.
"Filthy hippies..."
Having protests thus discouraged, it's a free for all for those in power.
How convenient...
If you find you're being fucked over by government etc, speak up, protest. If you don't, power will walk over you as if you were an old doormat. They will wipe their boots on you in contempt.
Read more here.
The kettling of G20 protesters in London was illegal, a British High Court has ruled in a case with sweeping implications in Toronto.
The decision Thursday by the Queen’s Bench justices said police were working “in good faith” but still overreacted when they corralled 4,500 people inside a Climate Camp in London for three hours on April 1, 2009.
“The police may only take such preventive action as a last resort catering for situations about to descend into violence,” the Queen’s Bench justices.
“The test of necessity is met only in truly extreme and exceptional cases.”
“This is groundbreaking,” lawyer John Halford, representing the claimants Hannah McClure and Josh Moos, told the Toronto Star. “Never has there been a judicial review challenging a mass use of force by a lot of officers at once.”
This was “the blunt instrument being used when a scalpel is available,” he said.
“It is not necessary to make thousands of others suffer because police can’t be bothered to arrest the ones who are responsible.”
To our younger readers: There has been a highly successful campaign by our leaders to demonize any form of protest.
"Filthy hippies..."
Having protests thus discouraged, it's a free for all for those in power.
How convenient...
If you find you're being fucked over by government etc, speak up, protest. If you don't, power will walk over you as if you were an old doormat. They will wipe their boots on you in contempt.
Read more here.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Marketers make themselves even more loved
It's a toss up between marketers and pond scum. Pond scum has a slight edge as it hasn't yet mastered the telephone system.
An increasing number of Canadians on the national do-not-call list say they are getting more unwanted calls than before they registered.
The latest survey of people who have signed up not to get marketing calls found that 80 per cent of registrants reported receiving fewer telemarketing calls than before they put their number on the list, down from 84 per cent in 2010, polling firm Harris/Decima reported Thursday.
In addition, 15 per cent of do-not-call list registrants said they actually receive more telemarketing calls than before they joined the list, up from 12 per cent in 2010.
In the industry, the technical name for it is "revenge".
Read more here.
An increasing number of Canadians on the national do-not-call list say they are getting more unwanted calls than before they registered.
The latest survey of people who have signed up not to get marketing calls found that 80 per cent of registrants reported receiving fewer telemarketing calls than before they put their number on the list, down from 84 per cent in 2010, polling firm Harris/Decima reported Thursday.
In addition, 15 per cent of do-not-call list registrants said they actually receive more telemarketing calls than before they joined the list, up from 12 per cent in 2010.
In the industry, the technical name for it is "revenge".
Read more here.
Montreal's Mayor Tremblay takes time from demolishing buildings to be center of corruption scandal
Montreal, corruption...ah Tradition.
First he was under fire for a corruption and collusion scandal that erupted during his 2009 campaign for re-election. Now Montreal’s mayor is under fire for trying to clean things up.
At least that’s how he saw it Wednesday as he delivered a fiery response to the province, which mandated its new anti-corruption squad to investigate the city, also on Wednesday.
Read more here.
First he was under fire for a corruption and collusion scandal that erupted during his 2009 campaign for re-election. Now Montreal’s mayor is under fire for trying to clean things up.
At least that’s how he saw it Wednesday as he delivered a fiery response to the province, which mandated its new anti-corruption squad to investigate the city, also on Wednesday.
Read more here.
Mayor Ford, the citizen's champion, shuts down citizen's commitees
Mustn't have all those Pinko voices defusing Ford's Pure Vision, mustn't we?
The Ford administration says waste-cutting is its motive for moving to scrap 21 citizen-dominated committees that advise council on everything from cycling to pedestrians to aboriginal affairs.
But critics charged Wednesday that axing the committees — which are made up of volunteers, including some councillors, and have no budget — is an undemocratic move meant to shut out anyone with opposing views.
Councillor Adam Vaughan said the Ford administration just isn’t interested in consulting some sectors of the community.
Read more here.
The Ford administration says waste-cutting is its motive for moving to scrap 21 citizen-dominated committees that advise council on everything from cycling to pedestrians to aboriginal affairs.
But critics charged Wednesday that axing the committees — which are made up of volunteers, including some councillors, and have no budget — is an undemocratic move meant to shut out anyone with opposing views.
Councillor Adam Vaughan said the Ford administration just isn’t interested in consulting some sectors of the community.
Read more here.
Mayor Ford annoyed he can't yet find an excuse to pull Pride funding
Cause ya know he's got flunkies working on the problem right now.
The touchiest issue of the day arose from a report on Queers Against Israeli Apartheid, a controversial group whose inclusion in last year’s Pride Toronto celebrations prompted council to threaten to withhold more than $120,000 in funding for the event.
Mayor Rob Ford campaigned on a pledge to terminate support for Pride if QuAIA was allowed to march in the parade, arguing that it promotes hate.
The city report, contained in the executive agenda, concluded that the group doesn’t contravene any of Toronto’s anti-discrimination policies and that no reason could be found that the city should withhold its contribution to Pride. That didn’t sit well with the mayor’s camp.
“If they want to go out and have a good time and celebrate their gayness, that’s up to them,” said deputy mayor Doug Holyday, who added that he would vote to cut Pride funding if QuAIA marches. “When they’re using money to make political points and to put people down, we’re not into putting our money up for that.”
I love when politicians express their "ignoramusenous".
Stupidity is not just confined to the Mayor's office, as this comment from the story provides:
boris21
11:55 PM on April 13, 2011
The queers should go try to be queers in any Muslim country for a week..then they can come back and explain to us how " evil " Israel is.
The touchiest issue of the day arose from a report on Queers Against Israeli Apartheid, a controversial group whose inclusion in last year’s Pride Toronto celebrations prompted council to threaten to withhold more than $120,000 in funding for the event.
Mayor Rob Ford campaigned on a pledge to terminate support for Pride if QuAIA was allowed to march in the parade, arguing that it promotes hate.
The city report, contained in the executive agenda, concluded that the group doesn’t contravene any of Toronto’s anti-discrimination policies and that no reason could be found that the city should withhold its contribution to Pride. That didn’t sit well with the mayor’s camp.
“If they want to go out and have a good time and celebrate their gayness, that’s up to them,” said deputy mayor Doug Holyday, who added that he would vote to cut Pride funding if QuAIA marches. “When they’re using money to make political points and to put people down, we’re not into putting our money up for that.”
I love when politicians express their "ignoramusenous".
Stupidity is not just confined to the Mayor's office, as this comment from the story provides:
boris21
11:55 PM on April 13, 2011
The queers should go try to be queers in any Muslim country for a week..then they can come back and explain to us how " evil " Israel is.
Kobe Bryant fined 100K for "not meaning to offend anyone"
The usual excuse these days when someone is caught expressing their true selves...
Homophobia is getting so expensive these days.
The National Basketball Association fined Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers $100,000 on Wednesday for "offensive and inexcusable" comments he made during Tuesday night's game, the league said in a statement.
Bryant used an expletive and an anti-gay slur directed at a referee after receiving a technical foul in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
In a pregame phone call Wednesday night to Joe Solomonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, Bryant apologized for using the slur, the commission said in a statement.
"We had a very sincere conversation in which he expressed his heartfelt regret for the hurt that his words caused," Solomonese said. "He told me that it's never OK to degrade or tease, and that he understands how his words could unfortunately give the wrong impression that this is appropriate conduct. At the end of a difficult day, I applaud Kobe for coming forward and taking responsibility for his actions."
What did he say? He called a ref a "fucking faggot"...
Read more here.
Homophobia is getting so expensive these days.
The National Basketball Association fined Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers $100,000 on Wednesday for "offensive and inexcusable" comments he made during Tuesday night's game, the league said in a statement.
Bryant used an expletive and an anti-gay slur directed at a referee after receiving a technical foul in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
In a pregame phone call Wednesday night to Joe Solomonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, Bryant apologized for using the slur, the commission said in a statement.
"We had a very sincere conversation in which he expressed his heartfelt regret for the hurt that his words caused," Solomonese said. "He told me that it's never OK to degrade or tease, and that he understands how his words could unfortunately give the wrong impression that this is appropriate conduct. At the end of a difficult day, I applaud Kobe for coming forward and taking responsibility for his actions."
What did he say? He called a ref a "fucking faggot"...
Read more here.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Bret Easton Ellis: Twidiot of the Day
"I like the idea of Glee but why is it that every time I watch an episode I feel like I've stepped into a puddle of HIV?"
There are numerous answers your questions Bret, none of which you'd like.
Read more here.
There are numerous answers your questions Bret, none of which you'd like.
Read more here.
In shocking reversal, Harper government wants minorities to be visible
Because even conservatives like to peer over the wall at the rest of the world, nervously pasting on a smile and waving as if they care.
But only if they are wearing easily identifiable costumes. How else can we tell Them from Us.
A Conservative campaign staffer in a Toronto riding waded into hot water Wednesday, sending out an email seeking voters in "national folklore costumes" to appear at a photo-op for an upcoming visit from Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper.
"We, at the Etobicoke Centre riding, are trying to create a photo-op about all the multicultural groups that support Ted Opitz our local Conservative candidate and the Prime Minister," the email signed by Zeljko 'Zed' Zidaric said.
"The opportunity is to have up to 20 people in national folklore costumes which represent their ethnic backgrounds," said the email.
"These people will sit in front row behind the PM — great TV photo op." Zidaric went on to write that the campaign was still "seeking representation from the Arab community" and asked for people willing to participate in "ethnic costume."
Piñatas and burkas for everyone! Throw in Ukrainian ribbon dancers, a May pole, and I'm in. Weeeeeeeeee!
Read more here.
But only if they are wearing easily identifiable costumes. How else can we tell Them from Us.
A Conservative campaign staffer in a Toronto riding waded into hot water Wednesday, sending out an email seeking voters in "national folklore costumes" to appear at a photo-op for an upcoming visit from Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper.
"We, at the Etobicoke Centre riding, are trying to create a photo-op about all the multicultural groups that support Ted Opitz our local Conservative candidate and the Prime Minister," the email signed by Zeljko 'Zed' Zidaric said.
"The opportunity is to have up to 20 people in national folklore costumes which represent their ethnic backgrounds," said the email.
"These people will sit in front row behind the PM — great TV photo op." Zidaric went on to write that the campaign was still "seeking representation from the Arab community" and asked for people willing to participate in "ethnic costume."
Piñatas and burkas for everyone! Throw in Ukrainian ribbon dancers, a May pole, and I'm in. Weeeeeeeeee!
Read more here.
Morally Bankrupt Leaders succeed in corrupting American's youth
Congratulations. You've managed to twist your young into soulless monsters such as yourselves.
You must be so proud. It's a massive step backwards, but that's your ultimate goal, now isn't it?
Americans’ opinions on torture seem to have fractured, and largely on generational lines. A new study by the American Red Cross obtained exclusively by The Daily Beast found that a surprising majority—almost 60 percent—of American teenagers thought things like water-boarding or sleep deprivation are sometimes acceptable. More than half also approved of killing captured enemies in cases where the enemy had killed Americans. When asked about the reverse, 41 percent thought it was permissible for American troops to be tortured overseas. In all cases, young people showed themselves to be significantly more in favor of torture than older adults.
It is repulsive to think that some in power actually thought is was something that should be up for debate. If this belief holds as these teenagers grow up, the problem will only grow as the century progresses and they obtain positions of power.
If it become policy, the West deserves everything it gets*.
* "wasn't Justin Bieber enough?"
Read more here.
You must be so proud. It's a massive step backwards, but that's your ultimate goal, now isn't it?
Americans’ opinions on torture seem to have fractured, and largely on generational lines. A new study by the American Red Cross obtained exclusively by The Daily Beast found that a surprising majority—almost 60 percent—of American teenagers thought things like water-boarding or sleep deprivation are sometimes acceptable. More than half also approved of killing captured enemies in cases where the enemy had killed Americans. When asked about the reverse, 41 percent thought it was permissible for American troops to be tortured overseas. In all cases, young people showed themselves to be significantly more in favor of torture than older adults.
It is repulsive to think that some in power actually thought is was something that should be up for debate. If this belief holds as these teenagers grow up, the problem will only grow as the century progresses and they obtain positions of power.
If it become policy, the West deserves everything it gets*.
* "wasn't Justin Bieber enough?"
Read more here.
Second-year political science PhD student Lindsay Mahon: Idiot of the Day
If Harper is elected because of this sentiment, we're all fucked:
One comment that struck a chord with the young electorate was Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper's warning of the possibility of yet another election if a minority government is elected.
"This is where I think Harper has the strongest argument," said Lindsay Mahon, a 25-year-old second-year political science PhD student. "It's just exhausting."
So is dealing with people like you. It's not like you're being asked to build Parliament every election with your bare hands, just vote.
Exhausting I know.
Read more here.
One comment that struck a chord with the young electorate was Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper's warning of the possibility of yet another election if a minority government is elected.
"This is where I think Harper has the strongest argument," said Lindsay Mahon, a 25-year-old second-year political science PhD student. "It's just exhausting."
So is dealing with people like you. It's not like you're being asked to build Parliament every election with your bare hands, just vote.
Exhausting I know.
Read more here.
Non entity runs for president..oh wait..no...umm maybe yes?
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty told CNN that he is running for President.
Pawlenty made the straight-forward proclamation during an appearance on CNN's 'Piers Morgan Tonight' set to air Tuesday. Morgan asked Pawlenty if he would ever consider being Donald Trump's running-mate on a hypothetical ticket. The former governor responded, "I'm running for president." He then continued, "I'm not putting my hat in the ring rhetorically or ultimately for vice president. So I'm focused on running for president."
The statement follows Pawlenty's March announcement in which he formed a presidential exploratory committee.
UPDATE (8:40 p.m. ET) -- CNN reports on comments from a Pawlenty spokesman:
"As the governor has said many times, he is not running to be anybody's vice president," Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant told CNN. "He will have a formal announcement about running for president later this spring."
Read more here.
Pawlenty made the straight-forward proclamation during an appearance on CNN's 'Piers Morgan Tonight' set to air Tuesday. Morgan asked Pawlenty if he would ever consider being Donald Trump's running-mate on a hypothetical ticket. The former governor responded, "I'm running for president." He then continued, "I'm not putting my hat in the ring rhetorically or ultimately for vice president. So I'm focused on running for president."
The statement follows Pawlenty's March announcement in which he formed a presidential exploratory committee.
UPDATE (8:40 p.m. ET) -- CNN reports on comments from a Pawlenty spokesman:
"As the governor has said many times, he is not running to be anybody's vice president," Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant told CNN. "He will have a formal announcement about running for president later this spring."
Read more here.
Is Stephen Harper as loathsome as Rob Ford?
Some really do admire these people. The more you try and remind them their so called leaders are in reality anti intellectual bullies, the more they revel in the shear awfulness of it all.
Anything to kick the pinkos....
As scandals pile up in the Tories’ corner, this election presents a massive case of déjà vu – but it’s not of federal campaigns past. No – the national vote of 2011 is shaping up to be a repeat of the 2010 municipal vote in Toronto, which saw scandal-plagued councillor Rob Ford defy the odds, the pundits, and hostile media to triumphantly claim the Mayor’s chair in Canada’s largest city.
Oh and, is Stephen Harper as loathsome as Rob Ford? He's worse, as Ford isn't yet a possible war criminal.
Read more here.
Anything to kick the pinkos....
As scandals pile up in the Tories’ corner, this election presents a massive case of déjà vu – but it’s not of federal campaigns past. No – the national vote of 2011 is shaping up to be a repeat of the 2010 municipal vote in Toronto, which saw scandal-plagued councillor Rob Ford defy the odds, the pundits, and hostile media to triumphantly claim the Mayor’s chair in Canada’s largest city.
Oh and, is Stephen Harper as loathsome as Rob Ford? He's worse, as Ford isn't yet a possible war criminal.
Read more here.
Ontario moves closer to legalizing marijuana
Ontario is one step closer to the legalization of marijuana after the Ontario Superior Court struck down two key parts of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that prohibit the possession and production of pot.
The court declared the rules that govern medical marijuana access and the prohibitions laid out in Sections 4 and 7 of the act "constitutionally invalid and of no force and effect" on Monday, effectively paving the way for legalization.
If the government does not respond within 90 days with a successful delay or re-regulation of marijuana, the drug will be legal to possess and produce in Ontario, where the decision is binding.
Just an FYI to our political parties running in the election now: Declare you will legalize marijuana within 90 days of winning, and you will get the entire youth vote.
All except for you Mr. Harper. You are not permitted to win this election. There is not enough marijuana in the world to make that pain go away.
Read more here.
The court declared the rules that govern medical marijuana access and the prohibitions laid out in Sections 4 and 7 of the act "constitutionally invalid and of no force and effect" on Monday, effectively paving the way for legalization.
If the government does not respond within 90 days with a successful delay or re-regulation of marijuana, the drug will be legal to possess and produce in Ontario, where the decision is binding.
Just an FYI to our political parties running in the election now: Declare you will legalize marijuana within 90 days of winning, and you will get the entire youth vote.
All except for you Mr. Harper. You are not permitted to win this election. There is not enough marijuana in the world to make that pain go away.
Read more here.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Microsoft, always the innovator, copies StreetView
Microsoft is launching its own version of Google's StreetView - dubbed Streetside - across Europe.
Best bullshit:
Microsoft has been keen to avoid the privacy concerns that dogged Google's service but said that it does plan to gather wi-fi data.
Given Microsoft's sterling record in security, that should go well.
Read more here.
Best bullshit:
Microsoft has been keen to avoid the privacy concerns that dogged Google's service but said that it does plan to gather wi-fi data.
Given Microsoft's sterling record in security, that should go well.
Read more here.
Obama: Let Them Eat Catfood
President Obama plans this week to respond to a Republican blueprint for tackling the soaring national debt by promoting a bipartisan approach pioneered by an independent presidential commission rather than introducing his own detailed plan.
Obama will not blaze a fresh path when he delivers a much-anticipated speech Wednesday afternoon at George Washington University. Instead, he is expected to offer support for the commission’s work and a related effort underway in the Senate to develop a strategy for curbing borrowing. Obama will frame the approach as a responsible alternative to the 2012 plan unveiled last week by House Republicans, according to people briefed by the White House.
Read more here.
Obama will not blaze a fresh path when he delivers a much-anticipated speech Wednesday afternoon at George Washington University. Instead, he is expected to offer support for the commission’s work and a related effort underway in the Senate to develop a strategy for curbing borrowing. Obama will frame the approach as a responsible alternative to the 2012 plan unveiled last week by House Republicans, according to people briefed by the White House.
Read more here.
Dutch Government to become a political arm of the entertainment industry
If you look, almost all the restrictions and barriers appearing on the Net have their origin in the Entertainment industry...
Today, State Secretary of Security and Justice Fred Teeven announced that the Government wants to modernize current copyright law. One of the most drastic changes put forward in the new plans is that in addition to uploading, downloading of all copyrighted material will also be outlawed.
Read more here.
Today, State Secretary of Security and Justice Fred Teeven announced that the Government wants to modernize current copyright law. One of the most drastic changes put forward in the new plans is that in addition to uploading, downloading of all copyrighted material will also be outlawed.
Read more here.
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