Microsoft readies bumper update

Microsoft will issue its biggest ever security update on 13 October.

The update will include 13 bulletins that between them tackle 34 vulnerabilities.

Microsoft said that eight of the bulletins were rated as critical - the most serious sort of vulnerability.

The security patches will close loopholes in many different programs including different editions of Windows, Internet Explorer and some elements of Office.

One update, rated as critical, tackles a loophole in Internet Explorer 8 running under Windows 7. The next version of Microsoft's operating system is due to be released on 22 October.

Now Microsoft is releasing updates for products not yet available.  My advice: Get a Mac!

Obama pledges to end 'don't ask, don't tell'

U.S. President Barack Obama pledged to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a Washington speech Saturday but acknowledged to a cheering crowd that the policy changes he promised on the campaign trail are not coming as quickly as they expected.

"I will end 'don't ask-don't tell,"' Obama said at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay civil rights advocacy group.

Obama reaffirmed his commitment to end the ban but did not give a timetable or the specifics that some activists have called for.

Full Story at CBC.CA

I, like many others would like to see you do something for a change. Enough with the talk and promises, how about some actual action?

Praise, shock greet Obama's Nobel win

U.S. president Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in a stunning decision designed to encourage his initiatives to reduce nuclear arms, ease tensions with the Muslim world and stress diplomacy and cooperation rather than unilateralism.  
Full Story at The Toronto Star


Okay sure. I think I deserve a Grammy, after all I wrote a song once. It will be interesting to see if he actually completes any of the things he's been given this award for. 

Congratulations Paul & Colin

My friends are getting married today. I wish them well!

A message from The Green Party of Canada

This October 24, demand a future for our children.

Join in the global movement to press world leaders for the decisive action climate change demands.

World leaders are gathering in Copenhagen this December to negotiate a global agreement on climate change for the post-Kyoto period. The decisions they make will determine the world our children inherit. Failure to commit to the dramatic changes that science demands could leave a vastly impoverished planet this century, no longer able to sustain us all.

Emerging science indicates that the emissions reduction targets being discussed in Copenhagen are likely too weak and Canada is proposing targets well short of this inadequate range. The Green Party of Canada is joining with Canadians to press our government for the commitments our children need.

Now is the time for Canada to take responsibility.

What can we do?

The Green Party of Canada is calling on all its members to do four things on October 24.

1. Sign the KYOTOplus petition and spend part of the day collecting more signatures.
2. Call or write your MP on or before this day and demand that Canada meet and exceed the measures called for by KYOTOplus.
3. Participate in International Day of Climate Action events in your neighbourhood or help Fill the Hill in Ottawa.
4. Attend a local screening of The Age of Stupid or arrange a screening of your own.

Click the links to find out more.

Copy and print a flyer to spread the word.

Above all, help make October 24 a celebration of life and of this planet we love.

Auditor General Ehealth Report

The McGuinty government has WASTED ONE BILLION DOLLARS of our money.
What are you going to do about it? Click the post title to see the auditor general's report.
Here's a couple of highlights copied directly from the auditors press release:
1. Of the $1 billion spent so far on the EHR initiative, $800 million was spent by the SSHA primarily to build a computer network for health-care providers that is expensive to operate and significantly underutilized, mainly because of a dearth of available applications. 

Specifically, it is costing $72 million annually to operate the network; and, on average, users are utilizing less than 1% of the network’s available bandwidth (or system capacity), with peak usage averaging only about 16% of available bandwidth. 

2. Allegations earlier this year that eHealth Ontario awarded contracts to certain companies without giving other firms a chance to compete were “largely true,” as were allegations of “favouritism” in the awarding of such contracts. For example, one firm that bid 500% more than the next qualified bidder was invited to bid again, the only company offered such an opportunity, and, after lowering its bid significantly, won the contract. Another firm that was awarded untendered contracts on the first phase of several projects was awarded many subsequent contracts worth about $7 million to work on successive phases of those projects. 

I am disgusted by this and will be urging the opposition leaders to hammer McGuinty in the legislature. He has a majority government so there's not much we can do until the election in a couple of years.

Health Minister Caplan quits

Government won't confirm resignation on eve of report into spending scandals at eHealth Ontario

Health Minister David Caplan has resigned on the eve of a report into spending scandals at an agency tasked with creating electronic health records.

Sources told the Canadian Press Tuesday that Caplan tendered his resignation to Premier Dalton McGuinty. However, the Liberal government will not confirm the minister has quit.

Full story: The Toronto Star

All I have to say is; it's about time!  This government has gotten away with too much of this wasteful nonsense for far too long. Wake up people!

Bureaucrats skirt rules to hide huge salaries

Hefty salaries for some of Ontario's highest paid civil servants – including the deputy health minister, who earned nearly $500,000 last year in salary and taxable benefits – are being channelled through hospitals to skirt government pay guidelines, the Star has learned.

As Premier Dalton McGuinty's administration clamps down on untendered contracts and consultants' meal expenses in the wake of the eHealth Ontario spending scandal, salaries for top bureaucrats are being buried in hospital budgets.

Read the full story: The Toronto Star

Here we go again. Looks like Dalton isn't interested in getting re-elected considering his government has seen one spending scandal after another recently. Personally, I'm sick and tired of his governments abuse of OUR money!

Apple Resigns From Chamber Over Climate

Apple has become the latest company to resign from the United States Chamber of Commerce over climate policy.
“We strongly object to the chamber’s recent comments opposing the E.P.A.’s effort to limit greenhouse gases,” wrote Catherine A. Novelli, the vice president of worldwide government affairs at Apple, in a letter dated today and addressed to Thomas J. Donohue, president and chief executive of the chamber. Click here to read the letter.
Click here to read the New York Times article.
It's great to see more companies promoting greener policies.

Cat Stevens' Peace Train by Dolly Parton

Community Meeting on Trans Rights

Please click on the image to view full size.

Phishing attack targets Hotmail

Thousands of accounts on web-based e-mail system Hotmail have been compromised in a phishing attack, software giant Microsoft has confirmed.

BBC News has seen a list of more than 10,000 e-mail accounts, predominantly originating from Europe, and passwords which were posted online.

Microsoft said it had launched an investigation.

Phishing involves using fake websites to lure people into revealing details such as bank accounts or login names.

It's a good idea to change your password periodically, if you have a hotmail account, I suggest now would be a good time.

Empire State in China lights row

Rights groups have criticised the move to bathe New York's Empire State Building in red and yellow in honour of communist China's 60th anniversary.

Managers of the building said the lights were to honour the Chinese people, adding that they celebrated many cultures and causes in such a way.

But Human Rights Watch, which has offices in the building, voiced dismay.

The group objected to celebrating the Communist Party, whose rule it said had seen many rights abuses.

Full Story at BBC

Human Rights Watch is right to object to this light show. Here in Toronto the CN Tower lights are used to celebrate different groups, but I think this was a big mistake on the part of the Empire State Building management.  Maybe Human Rights Watch needs to move or at least make some changes to their lease when it comes up for renewal.

Beds Are Burning - tck, tck, tck campaign

Download the song at www.timeforclimatejustice.org and become a climate ally. 

We're Number One!

As you may or may not know, I am a practicing Atheist, whatever that is.

I am also a Kiva.org supporter and have made several micro loans to people around the world.

My reason for this post is simply this: many people seem to mistakenly believe, especially the Christians, that you need Jesus or God in order to have some sort of moral compass. The world will go to hell in a handbasket otherwise. They always cite the good works that Christians do and that sort of thing.

I would agree that the Christians do many, many good deeds and help millions of people around the world everyday.  But, many times that good deed comes with a Jesus-string attached. It is simply one way (among many) that Christianity expands its base. Just like the Catholic church and its stance against abortion, homosexuality, masturbation and birth control.

It's really not about people jerking off, or hoovering a few cells from a uterus or guys banging each other. Its about promoting their own religion. If a (married) couple doesn't masturbate, have abortions, screw the milkman, (maybe I should say Fedex man) or take the pill, chances are they will be pounding each other and popping out new little baby Catholics every year or so.

Now, I realize that this isn't happening so much these days in the West, but what about the uneducated masses in third world countries around the globe? Of course the church is there, helping as they do, but don't forget that help has Jesus attached to it.

Our Kiva group helps others without the strings, and as far as I am concerned that is a strong argument for the Atheist movement.  Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The Atheist group is in first place among Kiva lender groups for loaning the most money to others. Over 900 million dollars in over thirty-two thousand loans. I'm proud to be a part of that.

Check out our group at Kiva.org just click here. I hope you will join us in helping others around the world, at the grassroots level.

Poll Results

In our last poll we asked the question; "Should Toronto license cyclists?"
The results are in and 78% (11 votes) said no, while 21% (three) said yes. 
I know that only adds up to 99%, I don't know why.  

Sesame Street: Mad Men

Councillor Sandra Bussin is a liar and should resign!

The following is from the Toronto Star;


Councillor Sandra Bussin apologized today for calling in to a local talk radio program where she defended mayor David Miller's record as mayor — but didn't identify herself by her last name or indicate she is a city councillor.
The problem started when Bussin, who is also the Speaker for city council, called CFRB's Strong Opinions show hosted by John Tory and Tarek Fatah last Friday.
The show was on air after Miller gave his surprise announcement that he wouldn't be running again for mayor next year.
A lot of callers were critical of the job Miller had done.
Bussin, a Miller loyalist, called Tory, who is seriously mulling a run for mayor, and Fatah, an outspoken activist in the city, to say she thinks Miller is the most brilliant municipal politician "anywhere in the country'' and complimented the mayor for tackling the municipal employees controversial sick bank.
She was asked several times during the show if she works for the city.
Her reply: "No I don't work for the city.''

Click the link above for the full story. This idiot needs to resign, not only is she a councillor, but she is also the 'speaker' at city hall when council meets. Please write to Councillor Bussin and Mayor David Miller and let them know that we are sick and tired of a city council of morons.


This is my letter to the Mayor and Councillor:
Dear Councillor Bussin and Mayor Miller,

I fully expect that I  won't get a reply, as seems to be the policy at city hall these days, however, since I spend so much time encouraging others to direct their bitching at those who have the power to make a difference via my blog, I will do the same.

(See http://thedaye.blogspot.com/2009/09/councillor-sandra-bussin-is-liar-and.html#links)

The reason I am writing is because of the idiotic phone call and lies attributed to Councillor Bussin and I  would ask that you try to find some integrity and resign immediately.

Mr. Miller, perhaps you could find some of that integrity that I once thought you had and ask your cheerleader to take her floor show elsewhere.

Mark Daye,

Toronto, ON

Nova Scotia bishop facing child porn charges

A bishop based in Nova Scotia has been charged with possessing and importing child pornography, just weeks after his diocese reached a $15-million settlement with people who said they were abused by priests as children.
Raymond Lahey, 69, resigned from his post with the Roman Catholic diocese of Antigonish on the weekend before news of his arrest became public knowledge on Wednesday.
Police says Lahey was sent for a secondary examination at the Ottawa airport as he was returning from a foreign country on Sept. 15.
Ottawa police said in a news release that border services searched his laptop and "found images ... that were of concern."
The laptop and other media devices were seized by border guards.
Read the full story: The Toronto Star

Just one more example of the good works of Christianity.  What makes this even more pathetic and sad is that I'm not really surprised by this. 

McCallion faces judicial probe

Mississauga City Council has voted to call for a judicial review into a possible conflict of interest by Mayor Hazel McCallion over a $14.4 million land deal that was being brokered by her son.
Wednesday's 6-4 vote came after a contentious debate between councillors who accused each other variously of conducting a witch hunt or dereliction of duty.
Source: The Star

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.