London, ON Peeping Tom Video

I saw this on the news this evening. The guy had his charges tossed and his lawyer is trying to say the infra-red cameras may be abusing his right to privacy. The premier of Ontario, Dalton McSquinty McGuinty has apologized to the three girls who were being watched; apologized on behalf of the crown who tossed the charges. Apparently the perv was incorrectly charged.

Tory candidate dumped for frank TV comments

A moment of candour has cost Gordon Landon a shot at federal politics.
Landon was dumped Monday as the Conservative candidate for Markham-Unionville after publicly musing the GTA riding was being shut out of federal infrastructure funding because it is held by a Liberal.
The York regional councillor says he complied with a request from the Conservative party to step aside, adding he is not used to people telling him what to say and think.
The news came as Prime Minister Stephen Harper touted his government's progress in rolling out the pro-growth stimulus money announced in the Jan. 27 budget.
Source: The Toronto Star

You may recall the post from September 24th where I predicted Mr. Landon would be punished by Hitler Harper, so this is really no big surprise.

Charges wont be laid after driver, cyclist get into altercation

No charges will be laid after a cyclist and the driver of a luxury car got into an altercation near Queen and Yonge Streets on Tuesday.

Witnesses say it appears as though the vehicle initially struck the cyclist, which led to a confrontation between the two people involved at about 10 a.m.

The cyclist, believed to be a bike courier in his twenties, was seen by witnesses pounding on the vehicle. The driver of the BMW says the bike rider allegedly threw punches through the window.

The driver then stepped out of his car to punch the cyclist. The courier suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

The attack comes on the heels of the death of a Toronto bike courier, who was killed in August after an altercation with former attorney general Michael Bryant. Cyclist Darcy Allan Sheppard was dragged under a vehicle and died of his injuries.

Bryant is charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death.

Source: CP24.com

2% garbage fee increase recommended for 2010

Toronto residents, who went without curbside garbage pick-up for six weeks during the municipal strike, will still see their garbage fees increase 2 per cent in 2010 if city council accepts the recommendation of staff.
The increase would translate into an extra cost to residents of $4 to $8 per household.
The recommended fee increase comes as the city says it saved $33.2 million during the strike.

Full Story

Diesel fumes unhealthy, MD tells train protest

Toronto's medical officer of health launched his latest salvo today in the war of words with Metrolinx over a controversial proposal to run about 400 diesel trains a day to Brampton and Georgetown.
Dr. David McKeown took the unusual step of speaking at a political protest organized by the Clean Train Coalition, telling residents he remains concerned about the health impacts of Metrolinx's proposal to expand diesel rail service in the Georgetown corridor.
Full story at: thestar.com

I have to agree with the doctor on this one. I'm all for improved rail service, but I don't think diesel is the way to go.

Darcy Allen Sheppard Fundraiser Tonight

If youre in Toronto tonight (September 26th), come on down to the Darcy Allan Sheppard fundraiser. There will be raffles, items for sale (T-shirts, stickers, pins, spoke cards, vouchers, etc.), "Kick Ass Karaoke" by Carson T Foster, and lots of good people. Great Lakes will be helping us out with beer. The door will be ten dollar or pay what you can. All proceeds will go to help pay for the burial/transportation costs and to raise money for the children of Darcy Allan Sheppard.

Host: TOBMA-Toronto Bike Messenger Association
Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Network: Global
Start Time: Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 9:00pm
End Time: Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 2:00am
Location: Sneaky Dee's
Street: 431 College St.
City/Town: Toronto, ON
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125621767851

If you cant make it to the fundraiser, but still want to contribute, here are some other ways to help out:

1) Visit the TOBMA website at http://www.tobma.com/ and donate via PayPal (100% secure)

2) Any branch of TD Canada Trust. Please provide the name Darcy Allan Sheppard and/or the account number 06906676860 to donate in person at a TD location.

3) Check or money order:
Make payable to: TOBMA
Reference: "Darcy Allan Sheppard Memorial Fund" on the check or money order.
Mail to:
TOBMA / Courier Worker Centre
92 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON M5C 1X6
Canada

Baby Dancing to Beyonce

Miller Quits!

Toronto's Mayor David Miller has confirmed he will step down from his post when his term is done in 2010. He told reporters Friday that he has accomplished all that he has set out to do and now wants to focus on his family.

"It was a difficult decision but I feel secure in my priorities and proud of my record," he said at a news conference Friday morning at City Hall.

Miller -- who still has 14 months left in office -- has said repeatedly thoughout the term that he planned on running in the next election.

The announcement comes as the mayor continues to be battered in the polls following his perceived mishandling of this summer's 39-day civic strike. He was also heavily criticized this week after it was revealed that the true cost of employee sick-day benefits far surpasses the figure Miller touted during the strike.

However, Miller said he is "proud" about all that he has accomplished since he was elected as mayor in 2003, including launching an ambitious transit expansion program and making Toronto one of the most eco-conscious cities in the world.

Source: CTV

Good riddance!

Toronto (finally) launches 311 Information Service

The city of Toronto has finally launched its long awaited 311 information service. Toronto 311 is to be a one-stop information service. Here's how to contact them with any question about Toronto services:

Website: http://www.toronto.ca/311/index.htm

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311
Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca
E-mails are usually responded to within 48 hours.

Always call 911 for emergencies.

Send us feedback on Twitter @311toronto

Hurricane Hazel Gets Caught?

Mississauga mayor failed to declare verbally a conflict of interest over son's $14M land deal

Video of a Mississauga council meeting on May 21, 2008, shows that Mayor Hazel McCallion did not verbally declare a conflict of interest, despite minutes that state she did.

That discrepancy is now being investigated by city clerk Crystal Greer, after Councillor Carolyn Parrish raised the issue at yesterday's council meeting.

"The minutes indicate the mayor declared a conflict, but the video showed she did not," said Parrish. "My concern goes beyond a conflict into the realm of accurate minutes, or even worse, `doctored' minutes ... I'm hoping there's a simple explanation that I've clearly missed."

Full Story at: thestar.com

Yeah, they all get caught eventually.

TTC fare hike talk gains momentum

With a fare hike possible as early as the New Year, the TTC is being accused of blaming its best customers for its poor financial picture.

Transit officials are already looking at potential increases that could go into effect as soon as Jan. 1, according to Peter Milczyn, one of 11 councillors serving on the Toronto Transit Commission.

Although no decision has been made, he suggested the TTC could wring more revenue out of its popular Metropass.

A TTC report before the commission today says that most of a $17.4 million shortfall in the operating revenue is due to the popularity of the all-you-can-ride monthly pass, earning an average of $1.77 per ride, compared with a projected $1.80.

Source: Thestar.com

This is bullshit. The transit hike has become as predictable as the increase we see from Canada Post every year.

Please write to Adam Giambrone and tell him a fare hike is unacceptable.

P.M. Responds To Allegations That Stimulus Money Was Misused

Personally I think Stephen Harper is a liar who would lie to his mother's face about anything. I will also post the City News follow up, once the punishment is meted out (its sure to happen).

HIV vaccine 'reduces infection'

An experimental HIV vaccine has for the first time cut the risk of infection, researchers say.

The vaccine - a combination of two earlier experimental vaccines - was given to 16,000 people in Thailand, in the largest ever such vaccine trial.

Researchers found that it reduced by nearly a third the risk of contracting HIV, the virus that leads to Aids.

It has been hailed as a significant, scientific breakthrough, but a global vaccine is still some way off.

Full story at BBC News

This is encouraging news!

Award for Poland abortion woman

A Polish court has awarded $11,000 (7,400 euros) in damages to a woman likened to a child killer by a Catholic magazine for wanting an abortion.

The article also compared abortion to the experiments of Nazi war criminals at Auschwitz.

Alicja Tysiac had been warned by doctors when she became pregnant that she could go blind if she had her baby.

Source: BBC News

Ahhhhh, God is love.

China to take the lead on climate?

Expectations were building for China to take the lead on climate change, as some 100 world leaders gather Tuesday to breathe new life into deadlocked negotiations.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called the biggest-ever summit of national leaders on climate change some 100 days before a high stakes gathering in Copenhagen, which is meant to seal a successor to the landmark Kyoto Protocol.

We will have to wait and see, but China is trying to seal itself as a new world leader and the competition with India is getting fiercer, but a country like China could make very minor changes to its laws regarding pollution, industry waste and the like and due to its sheer size, would make a HUGE impact.

Any sort of pollution limitation and advances toward greener economies are still advances, but I have a feeling this may get blown out of proportion. Even with significant cuts to pollution and changes to laws, China would, like the United States, still be a major contributor to the amounts of pollution and greenhouse gases on earth.

This future is going to be very interesting.

Will this be China's biggest move yet to assert itself as the new world superpower?

That day is coming, and the west is currently funding it.

TTC Screws up maps

The CN Tower is a 10-minute jaunt from St. Andrew subway station. But a new TTC map posted at the station doesn't show that.

According to the map, the Toronto landmark doesn't exist. Neither does the Rogers Centre or City Hall.

The maps, intended to show transit users what city sites are nearby, have been raising eyebrows since they started to appear three weeks ago.

Full Story

TTC Chair Adam Giambrone says "part of the issue is there is no one who oversees map creation". Well Mr. Giambrone, as the TTC Chair I would say that automatically makes it your job since there is no literate manager or otherwise qualified TTC employee to do it, and obviously you are not doing your job very well. Furthermore, for a paper like The Star to be reporting this says quite a bit considering how many typos and spelling errors they print everyday! This is just one more pathetic example of what Toronto has deteriorated to under the Miller regime.

Author pits evolution against creationism

Richard Dawkins' new opus isn't so much a book as ammunition.

Unrelentingly scientific, occasionally dry, sometimes angry, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution was written to arm evolutionists with evidence to counter creationists who argue the world was made in six days by God, Dawkins says.

"I've written about evolution before," he says on the phone from London, England.

"But I've always rather assumed the evidence for it and never actually laid out the evidence for the reader in its totality. And that's what this book is." Read the full story at thestar.com

Richard Dawkins will be in Toronto promoting his new book. I think I may get a copy and see if I can get it signed.

Toronto dumps in Lake for three days

Sewage spills into Lake Ontario -- such as the one that happened in 2006 -- are unavoidable but that will change over time, a prominent city councillor insisted yesterday.

"We have a $1-billion plan over the next 25 years which is in the process -- large retention tanks and trunk sewers -- which will over time solve the problem of sewage leaks," said Councillor Adam Giambrone, a member of Toronto's public works committee.

"Today it happens and is common around the world. Toronto is implementing a plan to eliminate the problem."

In 2006, a storm was expected to overwhelm the Ashbridge's Bay waste-water treatment plant.

PERMISSION

The city was given permission by Ontario's environment ministry to discharge partially treated water into the lake to try and ensure sewage did not back up into people's basements in the east end. Toronto Water forgot to close the bypass gates and sewage flowed into the lake for three days.

Source: Torontosun.com

I saw this on the cover of The Sun the other day, and meant to check it out. I just remembered tonight. The first question that comes to my mind is; Why didn't I see this story anywhere else? Seems to have been hushed, although it could be that I just missed it at Thestar.com or elsewhere.

I am the first to admit that I am not a fan of The Sun, but I am glad they printed this, although I think it is very poorly written and hard to figure out exactly what they are trying to say. Read it and make your own opinion.

International Day of Peace

Olympic Clean Up Begins in BC

A proposed law that would give the B.C. government the power to force people into homeless shelters has civil liberty activists crying foul.

According to government documents leaked to the BC Civil Liberties Association, the proposed legislation would allow authorities to make a declaration of extreme weather, which would then allow police to force a homeless person into a shelter.

B.C. Housing Minister Rich Coleman has acknowledged the legislation is in the works for the fall, but says it has nothing to do with the 2010 Winter Olympics in February -- a point of dispute with the civil liberty group.

Source: CTV News

Link: Vancouver Olympics Site

I think it is obvious what the Chinese, er BC government is doing here. If you are a native living BC, watch out, I suspect you will be next.

Precious film takes Toronto prize

Precious, a gritty movie produced by Oprah Winfrey and featuring singer Mariah Carey, has won the main prize at the Toronto Film Festival.

It won the award voted for by film fans, taken last year by eventual Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire.

Director Lee Daniels said he made the film "for every person who looked in the mirror and felt unsure about the person looking back".

Precious stars actress Gabourey Sidibe in her first major screen role.

The film gained a warm critical reception when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and is due to be released in cinemas in November.

It tells the story of Harlem teenager Precious, who is illiterate and expecting her second child.

The movie also features rock star Lenny Kravitz in one of his first acting roles.

Source: BBC News

Are B.C.'s Gulf Islands the key to Elizabeth May's victory?

SIDNEY, B.C. -- ‘‘I'm getting kind of a bad rap," says Elizabeth May. She lowers her voice to a mocking bass. "‘Oooh, she moves here, she moves there.'"

Peripatetic, yes. Apologetic, no. The Green Party leader has been told by her executive council to just win a darn seat in the House of Commons already.

Recently of New Glasgow, N.S. and Ottawa and London, Ont., Ms. May has moved west, to the opposite end of the country. Where her chances of winning are best, according to polling data collected by a national firm for the Greens.

Source: National Post. Click here for the full story.

Canada anger at 'flu body bags'

I see the BBC is reporting on this proud Canadian story.

Canada's health minister has ordered an investigation after body bags were sent to aboriginal reserves as part of supplies to deal with swine flu.

The body bags were delivered this week to First Nation communities in Manitoba province which were hard hit by a swine flu outbreak a few months ago.

Community leaders said they were "horrified" when they saw the bags.

Health officials have apologised for any alarm caused and say the bags were just sent as routine restocking.

My initial post on this story is here.

'Chance Of Meatballs' Puts Fun In The Forecast

Wondering how the town of Swallow Falls got to be a place where it rains soup and snows mashed potatoes? Well, Judi and Ron Barrett didn't tell you in their 1978 children's book, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. But it turns out, in a 3-D film that's more or less an animated "origins" story, that a teen inventor named Flint Lockwood is responsible.

When Flint (voiced by a very funny Bill Hader) was an adolescent, he invented lots of things that didn't work quite the way he'd hoped: spray-on shoes that he couldn't take off, or a remote-controlled TV with legs that came to you when you wanted to change the channel, except that it often wandered out the door instead. By the time he was in his teens, he'd come up with a monkey thought-translator for his pet monkey, Steve (Neil Patrick Harris), which would've proved more useful if monkeys had more complicated thoughts. Then there were the rat-birds, which... well, rat-birds just aren't a very good idea.

Full Story: NPR

I want to see this movie. It's 3D, YA!

CDN Gov't ships body bags to natives as Swine Flu preparation package.

Health Canada is admitting that it "erred" when it shipped body bags to a Manitoba native community trying to prepare for the H1N1 flu virus.
Jim Wolfe, regional director with the First Nations and Inuit health branch of the department, said yesterday the bags were part of a shipment intended for reserves to use over the winter and were not "linked exclusively to H1N1."
"We really regret the alarm this incident has caused and it was unintended," Wolfe said. "We order these supplies as a matter of routine business and ... this was part of a very normal restocking process."
But Grand Chief David Harper says he's not satisfied. Harper, who represents northern First Nations, said they want an apology from Aglukkaq and they want Wolfe's resignation.
Saying the body bags were part of a routine shipment is "an excuse that is totally unacceptable," Harper said. "We don't even accept his apology. The only apology that we'll accept is from the minister responsible for health and well-being of our First Nations."
Source: thestar.com

This dispicable act is about as close to an actual admission of how the Harper government really feels about the Canadian native population.

International Day of Peace: September 21, 2009

The United Nations' International Day of Peace - marked every year on September 21 - is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace.

Candidates of the Green Party of Canada will speak out on Peace on September 21st at C'est What! near Church & Front St.s in Toronto. Click here for a map.

Featuring Josh Rachlis, making you smile! Emceed by Chris Tindal!

Mulroney wades where Harper won't - in support of Obama in U.S. health debate

A Conservative prime minister has launched a stirring defence of universal health care, and lauded Barack Obama in his bare-knuckle political battle to extend benefits to all Americans.

But it's not the current Conservative prime minister.

Brian Mulroney used a speech to 1,500 Conservative supporters to wade where Prime Minister Stephen Harper has steadfastly refused to venture: the bitter U.S. debate over health reform.

The former prime minister drew parallels between Obama's uphill fight to reform health care to his own struggles as prime minister, which may have cost him popularity but benefited the country.

"Political capital is acquired to be spent in great causes for one's nation," Mulroney said Thursday.

"Prime ministers are not chosen to seek popularity.... They are chosen to provide leadership. . . President Obama is fighting for a form of universal health care and is encountering ferocious resistance.

"The attacks on President Obama are often bitter and mean-spirited and his approval ratings, his popularity, are sinking like a stone. Still, he fights on. . .

"Fifty years from today, Americans will revere the name, 'Obama.' Because like his Canadian predecessors, he chose the tough responsibilities of national political leadership over the meaningless nostrums of sterile partisanship that we see too much of in Canada and around the world today."

The vast, crowded hotel ballroom went silent at that part of Mulroney's speech. One woman was seen snickering.

It didn't take long for tongues to start wagging that Mulroney's speech -- which, in 40 minutes, mentioned old Liberal and NDP opponents but never once uttered the name 'Harper' -- was a craftily designed swipe at the prime minister.

Full Story Click Here

Source: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Obviously there is no love lost between Mulroney and Harper, but what strikes me the most about this is Mulroneys inflated ego. He sounds like George W. Bush when he says, " "Fifty years from today, Americans will revere the name, 'Obama.' Because like his Canadian predecessors, he chose the tough responsibilities of national political leadership over the meaningless nostrums of sterile partisanship that we see too much of in Canada and around the world today."

I take it that Mulroney means himself when he says 'Canadian predecessors', which implies that he expects us to revere him in the future, or at least my decendents will revere him. HA! Obviously this jerk wad hasn't changed much in the years since he was Prime Minister.

Darcy Allan Sheppard Fundraiser

There will be a fundraiser for the children of Toronto bicycling courier Darcy Sheppard, who died after an altercation with former Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant, and his automobile.

The fundraiser will be held on September 22, 2009 at Sneaky Dees's, 431 College St. Toronto. Please see below for more information.

Visit the facebook group.

Darcy Allan Sheppard Fundraiser
Host: TOBMA-Toronto Bike Messenger Association
Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Network: Global
Start Time: Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 9:00pm
End Time: Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 2:00am
Location: Sneaky Dee's
Street: 431 College St.
City/Town: Toronto, ON

Donations for the Darcy Allan Sheppard memorial fund can be given several ways:
1) Come to the fundraiser. We will be accepting cash there.
2) Visit the TOBMA website at http://www.tobma.com/ and donate via PayPal (100% secure)
3) Any branch of TD Canada Trust. Please provide the name Darcy Allan Sheppard and/or the account number 06906676860 to donate in person at a TD location.
4) Check or money order:
Make payable to: TOBMA
Reference: "Darcy Allan Sheppard Memorial Fund" on the check or money order.
Mail to:
TOBMA / Courier Worker Centre
92 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON M5C 1X6
Canada

Bid to halt US 'vein' execution

Lawyers for a US man on death row say they will try to halt a second attempt at his execution by lethal injection.

On Tuesday the execution of murderer and rapist Romell Broom was called off and delayed for a week after Ohio state officials failed to find a vein.

His lawyers demanded that the procedure be stopped after two hours, describing it as "cruel".

They say that as he survived it would amount to "cruel and unusual punishment" to try again.

Source: BBC News

This is sick. I have been firmly opposed to the death penalty forever. I know some of you are saying well he raped and murdered, which he did, and should be punished and it was a terrible crime. But, this just goes to show how execution is never easy. Now this man has to wait two weeks for the next attempt? Ridiculous!

Now, I know many people don't have any sympathy for him and will say things like, 'he had no sympathy for the girl he raped' and that sort of thing. Fair enough. But if that is your argument, then what you are doing is putting yourself in the same category as the killer. Why lower yourself to his level?

I will never waver in my belief that; No state should have the right to decide if someone lives or dies. This is more because of the potential for abuse, racially motivated executions and the ever present possibility of executing an innocent person, than for sympathy towards creeps who kill innocent children or anyone else.

Ryerson at Maple Leaf Gardens?

Canada's largest supermarket chain confirmed today it is in talks with Ryerson University concerning the future development of the former National Hockey League shrine.

Loblaw Cos. Ltd., which bought the historic building in 2004, has said it plans to open a flagship supermarket in the former hockey shrine, a move that drew protests from some hockey fans.

Partnering with Ryerson, which has for some time been in search of an arena for its hockey team, could dampen the outcry.

"Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is in discussions with Ryerson University regarding the possible future joint use of Maple Leaf Gardens. The discussions are still in progress and we do not have any information to share at this time. Updates regarding our discussions will be provided as appropriate," Inge van den Berg, Loblaw senior vice-president corporate affairs, confirmed in an email today.

Source: Thestar.com

This sounds like a good idea to me, but there are obviously many details to work out. In the mean time it would be nice if Loblaws would at least keep the place clean and decent looking for tourists, and those of us who live here and like the old gardens.

Keanu Reeves at Tiff

A fan awaits the arrival of Keanu Reeves, star of 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee'.

All photos copyright of markdaye photography 2009.

Robin Wright-Penn at TIFF

The Star headline says it all.

Drunk driver lives in 'own hell'

On March 6, 2006, Dawn Cox, now 39, was driving a Ford Explorer on the Gardiner Expressway with her boyfriend in the front seat and 17-year-old Ravi Madhai in the rear.

The teen had been doing odd jobs for Cox that day. The three went to a west-end bar for beer, although Madhai did not have alcohol.

Around 10:20 p.m., Cox was speeding and driving erratically west of the Humber River when her Explorer collided with one car and forced another driver to swerve.

The Explorer spun out, struck the curb, and slid along the guardrail. Madhai's head broke through the rear side window and hit a support post, killing him instantly.

This spring, Cox pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death. Kinahan said his client has accepted complete responsibility and is "living in her own hell."

Boo hoo, poor, poor Dawn Cox! Yes, that was sarcasm. I'm sure any of Ravi Madhai's family would be quick to point out the obvious in The Star headline which is that Dawn Cox gets to live. The boy she killed is dead. He is dead because she CHOSE to drink and drive. This idiot also had the audacity to tell Ravi's family in court that he told her on the day of his death, if he died that day he would die happy! So I ask you Dawn Cox, are you a complete idot? You deserve to "live in your own hell" since you are fortunate enough to be living you stupid cow.

the Daye... On Twitter

I finally caved and signed up for Twitter yesterday. I was going to wait for a week or so and see how it goes before posting anything. So far I have been on the website three times, and every time I have gotten an page error message, which is frustrating and time wasting. I'll give it a few days but if it keeps happening I can promise my experience with Twitter will be a short one.

If you would like to follow the Daye... on twitter click on the link in the lower right column of this page.

Seeing Stars at Tiff 2009

New surveillance footage: Michael Bryant loses patience when Sheppard lingers at green light

This is an update to this original posting.

I was contacted today with the following message with the subject: "New surveillance footage: Michael Bryant loses patience when Sheppard lingers at green light" and link to the attached youtube video. Please take a look, and form your own opinion. I know the media stories lately seem to be leaning towards blaming the victim, however, it is still my feeling that the car should have immediately stopped. One more thing; please share the road!

"Please take a look at the links below to YouTube videos (surveillance camera footage) showing what happened exactly – at Bay & Bloor in Toronto - between cyclist Darcy Allan Sheppard and motorist Michael Bryant. The clips appeared on City TV hours after the accident, yet the media continues to imply Sheppard chased the car down on foot in a rage after a minor collision.

In the footage, Bryant loses patience after the light turns green - first uses the car to intimidate Sheppard. Then strikes him and pushes him ten feet. Bryant then puts it in Reverse then Drive and guns it past Sheppard. As the cyclist struggles to get up, he grabs the passing car mirror to try to keep the car at the scene."

NOW Magazine (read public comments at bottom)

http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=171209

Bryantfacts

http://twitter.com/bryantfacts

Bryanttruths

http://twitter.com/bryanttruths

On YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/honestedits

Colin Farrell clashes with photographer on red carpet

Colin Farrell gave a photographer an up-close-and-personal lesson in manners, after he felt his sister was insulted on the red carpet. The photographer insists Farrell overreacted.

"I was just shouting 'clear the red carpet,'" said Joe Alvarez, 38, a freelance photographer from London. "He is obviously a live wire, I did not insult his sister. I did not swear at his sister." Farrell's publicist could not be reached for comment.

Full story from thestar.com

The Beer Store Loves Cyclists

In the ongoing saga of the bike rack for the Church street Beer Store, I am happy to report that we now have a bike rack at this location. I was there today and it is right out front with spots for about ten bikes. Way to go Beer Store!

Adolf Harper Loses It

Video Exposes 'Real Harper'

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's opponents say a closed-door speech in which he says a majority is within Conservatives' reach and laments the possibility of left-wing ideologues in federal courts and agencies reveals his true colours.

"There have always been two Harpers," Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said yesterday. "The real Harper always comes out when he thinks he can't be heard."

Ignatieff said a video of Harper speaking to a Tory audience last week shows him as "contemptuous of other political parties" and "spiteful" toward the "institutions that guarantee our freedoms."

"He treats every adversary as a public enemy who has to be destroyed, and so you wonder why it's difficult for me to continue to support him?" Ignatieff told a Montreal news conference.

While Harper's language in the Sept. 2 meeting with Conservative supporters is blunt, his message about a majority is one internal party polls suggest has resonance after five years of minority governments, sources say.

His political rivals say the tape is proof Harper never intended to make Parliament work.

Source: thestar.com

I have always said he is evil, and I stand by my opinion.

Hatchery Grinds Live Chicks To Death

McGuinty Gets Scared

This tidbit comes from our esteemed premier;

"When it comes to our 23 biggest agencies, boards and commissions, that they follow the same rules we in government follow," he said. "Their expenses must be approved separately and independently by the integrity commissioner." Source: thestar.com

Yes, that sounds all well and good, but considering the way the media (and rightly so) has been following the e-health fiasco, McSquinty must be shitting in his pretty tailored suit. So now he has swept the deck at the OLG, but lets get real. The OLG has obviously been mismanged for quite sometime, and furthermore the premier has been in power for six years... and just now he's realizing that his cronies are mis-spending public funds! What a shocker! This jerk needs to find a new job. I certainly won't be voting for him in the future and I hope you don't either.

Does The Beer Store Only Pretend To Like Cyclists?

Way back at the beginning of summer on May 11, 2009 I posted a piece about the Church street beer store and its lack of a bike rack. I was at The Beer Store the other day and noticed that the bike rack is still not there although it does have 17 parking spots for cars.

I was also recently on Bathurst St. and I noticed the store there does have a bike rack.

As I am now somewhat suspicious about the elusive bike rack, I will be writing once again to my Beer Store contact, District Manager Mario Di Paolo. Of course I will post any reply here.

Former ON Attorney General Charged

Former Ontario attorney general Michael Bryant has been charged with criminal negligence causing death after a 33-year-old cyclist was struck and killed last night.

He was also charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death.

Friends identified the victim as bicycle courier Darcy Allan Sheppard, father of three.

Bryant is scheduled to appear in Old City Hall court on Oct. 19.

Sheppard, who was called Al by friends, was likely heading to his new home in the Dupont and Dufferin Sts. area at the time of the incident, friends said. They said Sheppard had just got back together with his on-again-off-again girlfriend, Misty, and had said he wanted to marry her.

"Things were starting to go well for him right around now. Stuff was looking good for him," said 24-year-old Sana, who did not want to give her last name.

Witnesses on Bloor St. last night described a heated confrontation between the driver of a black Saab convertible and a cyclist that began near Bloor and Bay Sts. at about 9:45 p.m.

Police Sgt. Tim Burrows said that after a minor collision, the cyclist grabbed hold of the car, which drove west on Bloor toward Avenue Rd.

Witnesses said the cyclist clung to the driver's side of the car, which had its top down, while the driver yelled at him to get off.

The vehicle veered into the eastbound lanes and mounted the curb, brushing against trees and poles. The victim was apparently run over by the rear wheels of the vehicle, witnesses said.

The driver's wife was a passenger in the car, police said.

Lots of people were watching and they couldn't believe what was happening," said Ryan Brazeau, a worker with a crew laying sewer pipes on Bloor.

One construction worker told CTV News he heard the squeal of tires and saw the car racing the wrong way down the street past their construction site, with the cyclist hanging onto the car.

"The guy hanging onto the car, hit the mailbox, hit the road, (then) . . . the car ran over him with the back tires," the witness said. "The guy bounced and the car sped off . . . the person was there just bleeding."

The witness said he felt sick to his stomach when he saw the cyclist "bleeding from his head, his mouth."

Sheppard was taken to St. Michael's Hospital with serious head injuries and died around midnight.

Burrows said a large portion of the incident was captured on surveillance video and that investigators are working to fill in the gaps.

Police said alcohol was not involved.

Around 9 a.m. today two of Sheppard's friends sat on the sidewalk scrawling notes for their friend, which they taped to a tree.

Read the full story at thestar.com

Now that a former, high level Ontario government official has (allegedly) managed to kill a cyclist, perhaps we will finally get bike lanes on Bloor St. Then again in David Millers toronto, I'd expect that we will have to kill off a few more cyclists in 'accidents' such as this one. Maybe then we will see some change. This whole thing reeks of a case of road rage on at least Michael Bryant's part, and maybe on the part of the unfortunate cyclist too, but that doesn't justify dragging a man down the street until you (allegedly) kill him.