tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70005498979328510252024-03-13T12:38:32.877-04:00Experiments in Real 3"Hobos are a lot like zombies:<p>Smell bad. No direction in life. Looking for a free meal."Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-79666215950177527132010-10-27T08:03:00.003-04:002010-10-27T08:20:48.644-04:00Movin' on up...Well, kind of.<br /><br />It's been a while since I've posted anything on here and I'm sure at least one person - namely the one living somewhere in my frontal lobe who seems to steal any serotonin my brain produces during sleep - misses my usual two minutes' hate.<br /><br />But I've been busy in a lazy sort of way and have contributed a short film script in the new book <a href="http://www.40wattspotlight.com/">These Are Not Movies: Screenplays For Films That Will Never Be Made</a>, published by one of the nicest guys I know, <a href="http://www.40wattspotlight.com/abouttheauthor.html">Adam Thomlinson</a> via his very own indie publishing house, <a href="http://www.40wattspotlight.com/40watt.html">40 Watt Spotlight</a>.<br /><br />So hunt that book down and buy as many copies as you can to show a little love for Adam and all the hard work he's done to get this book out. And to me. Because one day I'm sure some anonymous reader with no sense of humour will file a complaint to the HRC about something I've written, and I have no money for lawyers.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-52923374560017177682010-05-27T21:33:00.003-04:002010-05-27T21:38:53.174-04:00Abort Harper...Conservatives, and anyone who supports the conservative agenda, have no regard for human life. Don’t ever be fooled by anyone claiming to be a “pro-lifer” because they seem to fail in understanding Canadian law and morality in general. And they murder women.<br /><br />Last month, Stephen Harper decided that no foreign aid will fund abortions. He declared that he doesn’t want to reopen the abortion debate, but that is exactly what he’s doing while at the same time sending the message that Canadian laws don’t really mean much.<br /><br />He’s also dictating who should and shouldn’t live.<br /><br />From the <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/810145--abortion-don-t-ask-don-t-tell?bn=1">Toronto Star</a>, May 15, 2010: “In countries where access to abortion is permitted for a wide array of reasons, the procedure is generally safe. In South Africa, infection from abortion decreased by 52 per cent after the law was liberalized in 1996.”<br /><br />Denying women the right to a safe procedure (the same rights women in Canada currently benefit from) goes beyond a political, social or religious agenda. It’s murder, plain and simple.<br /><br />Tens of thousands of women in foreign countries die each year from unsafe or botched abortions while people who believe in virgin births and divine resurrection strut around Parliament Hill as if they wrote the book on saving lives.<br /><br />According to Section 223 of the Criminal Code: “A child becomes a human being… when it has completely proceeded, in a living state, from the body of its mother, whether or not (a) it has breathed; (b) it has an independent circulation; or (c) the navel string is severed.”<br /><br />Perhaps there should be groups on the Hill wearing sandwich boards declaring NOT UNTIL YOU’VE TAKEN A BREATH!<br /><br />But again there’s a misunderstanding here. Read between the lines of the laws. It doesn’t seem very likely that a woman will carry a fetus nearly to term and suddenly decide it’s a bad idea. Putting up with swollen feet, a sore back and unshaven legs shows some dedication. But should a woman who’s put up with all that and much more be told her life may be in danger upon delivery, then the government steps aside to allow her to make a horrifying and painfully difficult choice between her own life and the potential life of her child without condemnation.<br /><br />This is to say nothing of the majority who abort soon after conception when the fetus is nothing more than a collection of cells, a zygote, and nothing more. Which, I’ve been assured, is still a horrifying and painfully difficult choice to make.<br /><br />It’s not likely many people know where to draw the line on when exactly a human life begins. There’s no fine line in this muddled grey haze. But no government and no organization has any right to tell anybody – no matter what the circumstance may be – that their own life is forfeit.<br /><br />It’s no doubt that after years of side-stepping the issue, Harper’s decision not to re-open the abortion debate by re-opening the abortion debate is really just the tried and tested ace up the sleeve for Tories for gaining momentum at a time when their poll numbers are falling fast. And the only genuine thing about Harper is his insincerity, not only on the issue of abortion, but the laws he’s meant to uphold.<br /><br />Just over 40 years ago, contraception was decriminalized in Canada. Before then it was illegal to sell, distribute or even advertise birth control because it <a href="http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=a1ARTA0000779">was obscene, "tending to corrupt morals</a><was tending="" to="" corrupt=""><a href="http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=a1ARTA0000779">."</a> It was decided in 1969 that there were too many dicks and cunts in government getting between the cocks and pussies of the people, and a thin layer of lubricated latex was promptly erected between the two. (Although sodomy still carries the same consequence as using contraception previously had, and is still technically punishable by up to two years in prison because that’s just icky.)<br /><br />According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, it was decided that “Birth control could free women from debilitating annual pregnancies and reduce the incidence of illegal abortion. It could improve marital relations, maternal and child health, and family welfare.”<br /><br />It is now shown that legal, safe abortion procedures save tens of thousands of legally recognized “human beings” a year from death.<br /><br />If Stephen Harper and the Conservative government, “pro-life” activists or Christian fundamentalists want to make themselves feel better about saving lives, then they should simply and without political pandering, or self-righteous religious conviction: Stop. Killing. Women.<br /></was>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-49356397199093135472010-03-17T07:55:00.002-04:002010-03-17T07:57:46.776-04:00I'm cool too..."Anything you can do I can do lamer."<br /><br /><object width="400" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G5tWSMwhGkc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G5tWSMwhGkc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="250"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-56609044701046291232010-02-05T18:20:00.002-05:002010-02-05T18:38:16.535-05:00Dear Jackie-Boy...Hi Jack,<br /><br />I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer but I'm really glad to hear you say you're going to fight it and fight hard.<br /><br />There's not much I can do to support you in this except to let you know that you've got all my best wishes in your fight which I'm sure will not be easy at times. If it makes you feel better, I think you should name your tumor Stephen.<br /><br />Sorry, I have a sick sense of humour sometimes. I get that from my mother.<br /><br />Anyway, Jack, I do wish you all the best and that you win this battle. I've been pretty critical of you in the past, but you know how it goes. You're a public figure. But no one deserves to be in this situation and I hope everyone backs you up and no one has the nerve to assume your cancer is a Conservative or Liberal boon. <br /><br />Besides, you're one of the last men on the planet that can successfully sport a mustache without being seen as creepy or scary.<br /><br />Okay, there's that humour again. I deal with things poorly sometimes.<br /><br />So Jack. Jackie-Boy. Mr. Layton. Fight hard. Good luck.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/S2yr0GVIhMI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZCINQX_4FEQ/s1600-h/jack-layton-low.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/S2yr0GVIhMI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZCINQX_4FEQ/s400/jack-layton-low.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434907761870144706" /></a>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-4524068847020539402010-01-06T09:06:00.005-05:002010-01-06T09:54:48.078-05:00Fear & ignorance...<object height="275" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AXFuZwqGrCU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AXFuZwqGrCU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="275" width="400"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-84151885979777919102009-12-09T09:15:00.003-05:002009-12-09T09:18:19.471-05:00Faux news...Fox News is 120% stupid.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/Sx-xSccotQI/AAAAAAAAAEg/E9cm0cess74/s1600-h/Fox.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/Sx-xSccotQI/AAAAAAAAAEg/E9cm0cess74/s400/Fox.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413240207554688258" border="0" /></a>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-27210082938646140242009-07-08T08:59:00.003-04:002009-07-08T09:06:48.943-04:00Tough guys...It takes a special kind of motherfucker to pull this shit off.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oeuD2YH2Fy4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oeuD2YH2Fy4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />I know it makes me feel tough when I get a couple of my buddies, redneck ourselves up real good with a shitty pickup truck and start chirping off to the biggest black guy we can find.<br /><br />Of course, when we realize we can't fight for shit, we get back in our truck with our <s>precious</s> vicious terrier and go look for hookers that will let us piss on them for twenty bucks.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-78834744282456553502009-06-16T08:24:00.004-04:002009-06-16T08:45:41.278-04:00Ronery...Kim Jong Il has vowed to make one more nuclear bomb. This would bring his total up to about seven bombs. Which, so far, are too large to attach to rockets. This would be scary if you were living next door to the Yongbyon Reactor in North Korea. I could see how it would be a little unnerving for South Koreans too.<br /><br />Kimmy has also stated that the reason he's being so brash lately isn't because of his ailing health which has recently caused him to name one of his sons (no, not the gay one. Or the Disney fanatic. Yeah, that one, the fat alcoholic with the bum hip) as successor.<br /><br />The fact is, Kimmy has only recently seen Team America: World Police and was less than impressed with his portrayal as a marionette psychopath who just wants a hug.<br /><br />Kimmy wants the world to understand that he's not ronery, as Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of Team America would like their audience to believe. The real reason Kimmy has been so brash lately is because he has the smallest penis of any man alive today.<br /><br />And he sure knows how to capitalize on it. Way to go, Kimmy. You're a douchebag.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gCmqzrFL26M&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gCmqzrFL26M&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-41968588816832491942009-06-11T23:35:00.000-04:002009-06-11T23:36:01.367-04:00Hiya...<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8093946.stm">Best. Headline. Ever.</a>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-7052437409698059402009-06-03T08:36:00.002-04:002009-06-03T08:37:44.105-04:00Boom...<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VO6-5BqBkIM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VO6-5BqBkIM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-12731114961919384032009-06-02T19:44:00.006-04:002009-06-02T19:55:44.026-04:00Flint ain't Ottawa neither...I don't have to explain that ridiculous title to anyone from Ottawa.<br /><br />I'm just glad the stupid ad campaign and patronizing radio commercials have finally come to an end. And just to prove the whole comparison of the two cities was foolish to begin with, I give you exhibit A:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/SiW569_l0aI/AAAAAAAAAEY/7rYnL4887Wo/s1600-h/flint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/SiW569_l0aI/AAAAAAAAAEY/7rYnL4887Wo/s400/flint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342880955669795234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Very real. Look it up.<br /><br />How they got Dr. Manhattan to model for the Detroit Free Press, I'll never know.<br /><br />Now that I think of it, Ottawa and Flint do have some similarities. We both have a problem with assholes wandering unchecked on the streets.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-71825509140287749482009-06-01T08:48:00.006-04:002009-06-01T09:03:16.860-04:00Tankman...Twenty years ago this week, China almost became a democracy.<br /><br />On June 5, 1989, probably my favourite moment in history happened when one unarmed citizen stood up against a line of People's Liberation Army tanks and won.<br /><br />Today, not many people in China know about Tankman, which is why it's so important for the rest of us to remember.<br /><br />Here's the skinny, accompanied by sappy music from Coldplay and Moby. (It had the most complete footage I could find before work):<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t959SEpUaEw&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t959SEpUaEw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />If you're still interested, you can find part 1 of an 8 part documentary about Tankman on YouTube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB70mWXrzEE&feature=related">here</a>.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-38647080788509720382009-05-27T08:33:00.004-04:002009-05-27T08:58:43.833-04:00Flip floppherty...How did Jim Flaherty get his job? Honestly, I'd like to know.<br /><br />So Canada's fiscal deficit will be jumping to over $50 BILLION from the original $34 BILLION estimated by Canada's money-handler on January 27.<br /><br />Funny how the Tories didn't want to release that number, isn't it? Not like it's their money. It's our money. And they seem to be more interested in saving their own asses than admitting to Canadian's what the situation is.<br /><br />This is the CPC at its worst.<br /><br />I can understand Canada will have money woes these days. I have no problem with that. Anyone who can turn on a television or pick up the international section of the paper can see things will be tough for a bit. I'm not naive enough to think Canada will sit in a bubble.<br /><br />What bothers me is Conservative obfuscation. Many Bothans died getting the federal balance books to the Canadian public and that's exactly how the Tories want it.<br /><br />Our November surplus of $800 million? It never existed.<br /><br />The four years of surplus Stephen Harper promised us? Gone.<br /><br />Harper's promise to balance the books was a lie and he's going to keep lying if it means he can hold on to power with his clammy, robotic death grip. From what I've heard, that sort of behaviour runs in his family and Canadians should be aware of his genetic disorders.<br /><br />But don't worry, this deficit - the largest in Canadian history since fellow Conservative, Brian Mulroney - is just what Flaherty calls a "substantial short-term deficit."<br /><br />Bullshit. There's no such thing as short-term when you're in the hole... FOR $50 BILLION!Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-34315551438660364582009-05-23T10:06:00.002-04:002009-05-23T10:09:27.040-04:00Zombicrats...<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l-zNoxRxs_A&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l-zNoxRxs_A&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-71367896670188401512009-05-18T08:41:00.004-04:002009-05-18T08:55:41.704-04:00Cash is easy...Basically, that's what Brian Mulroney said when he was asked why he took about a quarter of a million dollars from Karlheinz Schreiber. You see, he was trying to get back into "private life" and had no staff to help him handle a big fat cheque.<br /><br />Apparently, all this cold hard cash is also much easier to keep out of banks and in Mulroney's private safes under the radar, of course.<br /><br />It's also a better business practice to make deals in a seedy room at the HoJo than say, in an office.<br /><br />And for Mulroney, it makes things so much easier when you don't even have a business going at all.<br /><br />"If he (Schreiber) had come to me, for example, at the time when I was installed in my legal firm with an assistant and secretary and so on I would have said, 'Look, we are here during business hours and what have you, can you give me a cheque to begin this relationship.'"<br /><br />Sure, Brian. That's exactly what you would have said.<br /><br />You can't roll around naked on a cheque. I mean, you could, but it takes all the fun out of it.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-48951669997654534752009-05-14T08:15:00.006-04:002009-05-14T08:55:59.908-04:00Function...According to the the CPC, Michael Ignatieff is more American than our fearless PM could ever be, and Stephen Harper is really pissed off.<br /><br />In a 2004 C-SPAN interview, Ignatieff was quoted as saying "You have to decide what kind of America you want. Right? You have to decide. It's your country just as much as it is mine."<br /><br />Upon hearing this, Harper showed a rare display of emotion where he retorted: "Nah uh! I didn't make out with Cheney for nothing!" Harper then downed a gritty double shot of sand oil, punched Stockwell Day in the face and sidesaddled a 40 megaton nuclear bomb ten thousand feet to his death over the Soviet Union.<br /><br />The Tories want people to believe that Ignatieff doesn't care about them. Which is probably true. But Harper doesn't give a damn either. If either of them cared, there wouldn't be any attack ads or threats of costly elections, especially in a recession.<br /><br />For the past few years we've seen party politics at its absolute worst. It's disgusting. And our elected officials, the people who are supposed to look after us and lead us are too caught up in their playground fights to accomplish anything.<br /><br />Ignatieff is even asking for donations to the Liberal "war chest." Ironically, their letter (which I'm certain promised sexual favours for money) was titled "Enough is Enough."<br /><br />I couldn't agree more. Stop the bullshit, guys. Get back to work. Stop wasting time and money.<br /><br />Assholes.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-36569224104736468092009-05-10T10:29:00.004-04:002009-05-10T11:12:51.514-04:00Never good enough...The GOP is playing hot potato with terrorists. Seems that Guantanamo detainees are too dangerous to keep on American soil now that Gitmo's being closed up. Can't America just put these dangerous <s>convicted</s> suspected criminals on an Island somewhere?<br /><br />Oh, wait... right... nevermind.<br /><br /><br />Anyway, the Senate republicans have brought in the Junior A/V Squad from the Ronald Regan Secondary School in Feartown, Patriotica to make a movie about the whole debacle.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fRmBsvWgdbE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fRmBsvWgdbE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Wait a minute... who was that 27 seconds in to this epic masterpiece? Hey! It's Omar Khadr, the Canadian kid who's Charter rights got trampled on and we've been trying to repatriate! Ah well, he's a terrorist now, so I guess he doesn't have rights.<br /><br />But hey, you know what, Senators? I think if you ask us really nicely, Canada can take Khadr off your hands. I mean, I know he's absolutely terrifying in that picture you showed in your movie trailer. (What was he, 15 when he was detained?) I know, he's scary. But I think we can handle him.<br /><br />But don't you ever think of asking us to take that vicious terrorist, <a href="http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/44544152.html">Ashton Lundeby</a>.<br /><br />He's pure evil. Lundeby sounds like it might be Iranian or something. One of those evil countries that worships satan and speaks backwards and listens to rock music. I mean look at this kid.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/SgbscmTHHuI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/B5MMEHXmUJk/s1600-h/Patriot_Act_Kid.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/SgbscmTHHuI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/B5MMEHXmUJk/s400/Patriot_Act_Kid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334210784728129250" border="0" /></a>Pure. Fucking. Evil.<br /><br />He reminds me of Kevin Bacon from Footloose. And we all know what kind of shit disturber HE was.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-33744264940132861462009-05-07T08:22:00.004-04:002009-05-07T08:36:53.544-04:00Canada votes...Don't worry, there's not going to be another federal election. At least not until late summer. Where nothing will change. Again.<br /><br />Instead, the Toronto's Luminato festival put together their list of what they think the <a href="http://www.luminato.com/2009/events/44">10 greatest Canadian songs are and want us to vote</a>.<br /><br />Isn't it sad BTO's "Taking Care of Business" is beating out "Helpless" by Neil Young and "The Weight" by The Band, combined.<br /><br />But at least Leonard Cohen is giving the Overdrive a run for their money.<br /><br />And where's Lightfoot's "Edmund Fitzgerald?" Hasn't every person who attended public school been traumatized by being forced to sing this song over and over in between waterboardings?<br /><br />Was that just me?<br /><br />I'm casting my vote for someone else. Greatest. Canadian song. EVER.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HcOZ6xFxJqg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HcOZ6xFxJqg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-1344707465256474302009-05-05T08:38:00.003-04:002009-05-05T09:01:13.094-04:00All work and no play...I've been talking about this <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090505.wleisure05art2240/BNStory/International/home">working class burden</a> on Canada for years. It's no wonder some of the first school shootings were in Canada. If I knew half my life would be spent making a shit wage for some heartless company only bent on product output and not their employees, I'd want to shoot the fuck out of everybody, too.<br /><br />I worked at a large retail store after highschool. When it came time for my raise, this one store which made many tens of millions of dollars could only spare a thirty-five cent raise for most of us who were living under the poverty line (after the government tax-rape.)<br /><br />Even now, with a simple morning routine and a commute, my work day takes up almost 10 hours and yet, somehow, I'm still hanging around the poverty line.<br /><br />I'm not a work-a-holic. Not for a bi-weekly paycheck. Work to live, not live to work. But North America doesn't support this concept like almost the entire continent of Europe does.<br /><br />I was talking to a Lebanese cab driver this weekend about his trip back home last year. He said when you go for food in Lebanon, it's a six-hour feast with friends and family, outdoors, surrounded by palm trees the natural beauty of the country. And when they drink, its to socialize. Not to get fucked up and puke on the corner of York and Dalhousie.<br /><br />A Jamaican man I worked with, Omar, said Canada and America have all the opportunity in the world which is what makes us great. But you have to sacrifice your life to grab it.<br /><br />This is not the way I want to live. Can you tell I don't want to go to work today?Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-48914552315997246102009-04-28T08:36:00.003-04:002009-04-28T09:03:00.289-04:00Insight...Anyone else sick of hearing the debate on <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090428.wbcinsite28/BNStory/National/home">Insite Clinics</a>?<br /><br />The debate I keep hearing isn't about law, it's about what's best for Canadian citizens. The fact is <a href="http://canadianmedicine.blogspot.com/2008/04/vancouver-safe-injection-site-gets.html">safe injection sites work</a>. At the very least they're a step in the right direction.<br /><br />Department of Justice lawyer, Robert Frater, believes that changing drug laws to accommodate addicts is similar to changing arson laws to accommodate pyromaniacs.<br /><br />Maybe if we treated arsonists by partnering them with demolition crews so they could safely torch a building in a safe, positive and maybe even healthy way. Maybe there would be less property damage and loss of life in this country due to arsonists.<br /><br />Of course, that would just be a small step in rehabilitation. (I'm not sure how, it's still early and I just thought of it.)<br /><br />What it comes down to is the safety and freedom of all citizens.<br /><br />Junkies are going to shoot up no matter what the laws are. Here in Ottawa, cops don't even bother arresting street junkies. There's no point. It's a drain on the system and their jobs. All they do is stomp crack pipes on sidewalks and maybe rough up a junkie every now and then out of frustration.<br /><br />And I don't blame them.<br /><br />If Frater's precious laws prevented me from doing my job effectively, I'd be frustrated too.<br /><br />So it's time to re-think some things. Safe injection sites keep a majority of the drug users off the streets, at least while using. There's less needles and pipes lying around, plus you're not walking your kids by a dingy alley where Crackhead Johnny is junking out with his sharpened screwdriver desperately looking for a fix.<br /><br />Safe injection sites also help keep track of the using community. And it IS a community. Once you can keep track of users, people who are smarter than Frater can gather information and try to come up with ways to reduce drug consumption altogether.<br /><br />Most importantly it puts users in easy contact with people who can help them should they want help. Remember, this is their lives, not yours. And last I remember, I'm free to choose whether or not I want to be a junkie, or a criminal, or a politician. So long as I'm not hurting anyone (unlike most politicians and lawyers) than what's the problem?<br /><br />As it should always be, but rarely is; the question should be put to people on both sides of the front line: beat cops, social workers, community members and yes, even junkies themselves should be asked what works for them. What isn't working? What makes them feel safer and more free? And how can they contribute to help pay for the Insite service?<br /><br />When's the last time a politician visited East Hastings to do their job?Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-71934618324677622272009-04-25T10:41:00.004-04:002009-04-25T10:55:16.843-04:00Major issue...In light of recent events involving <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090424.wafghandead0424_1/BNStory/International/home">Major Michelle Mendes</a>, I want to suggest a book by Helen Benedict. As far as I can tell, no bookstore in Ottawa carries it, but you can still <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Lonely-Soldier-Private-War-Women-Helen-Benedict/9780807061473-item.html">order it online</a>.<br /><br />I'm not trying to imply anything in this situation. I don't know any more than what I read. But there is a level of curiosity around Major Mendes' death and anyone interested in the story might want to know about this book. I just hope we find out what really happened and how it could be prevented in the future.<br /><br />Canada is finally making great leaps in recognizing soldier-specific issues. Maybe we could all go a step further. Keep the ball rolling, and address some more.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-50825755516346512062009-04-17T21:42:00.003-04:002009-04-17T21:52:53.960-04:00Tonight, tonight...The weather is finally good enough to let into my apartment.<br /><br />I don't have a balcony, but I'm lucky enough to have french doors which open up over a major street. Most the time, it's a pain in the ass because the traffic is spitting distance from my living room.<br /><br />For now though, the weather is perfect. It's warm (warmer than a month ago) and there's a cool breeze. It's dark out and there are people walking everywhere. Cars are driving by with their windows down and I'm actually glad to hear the thump of shitty subs in jacked up purple Honda's.<br /><br />I'm having a beer and a smoke and watching all the people I've hated all winter and finding myself welcoming them back into my world for another summer.<br /><br />I'll end up hating them all again for the next long winter, but right now, I like everything just how it is.<br /><br />Thawing and stretching out. Trying to make the best of these short Ottawa summers.<br /><br />Welcome back, everyone. It's good to be back.<br /><br />I feel like I'm part of the city again.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-87602537995652268112009-04-15T08:37:00.002-04:002009-04-15T08:47:11.924-04:00Sold...This is amazing.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NUXhJZZRUIg&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NUXhJZZRUIg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Does it look familiar to anyone?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/SeXW7bHTw1I/AAAAAAAAAEI/K7UDNaTndco/s1600-h/akira-bike.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/SeXW7bHTw1I/AAAAAAAAAEI/K7UDNaTndco/s400/akira-bike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324898450814518098" border="0" /></a>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-79566015703035009802009-04-12T17:26:00.003-04:002009-04-12T17:33:13.552-04:00Medic!...In the future, ambulances <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7986460.stm">"may have ejector seats to launch paramedics quickly into the thick of the action."</a><br /><br />I know doors are a pain in the ass to deal with, but who's going to tend to the poor medics who fail the landing?<br /><b></b>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000549897932851025.post-79907848702684672922009-04-09T08:51:00.002-04:002009-04-09T08:54:04.082-04:00Garrggahhh, quite...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/Sd3v4aHK_iI/AAAAAAAAAEA/tZkE0DUO9fw/s1600-h/Zombie+Austen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yCXeNQy21a8/Sd3v4aHK_iI/AAAAAAAAAEA/tZkE0DUO9fw/s400/Zombie+Austen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322674086982909474" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/apr/09/austen-zombie-pride-prejudice">This is awesome.</a>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10640171142307898833noreply@blogger.com0