Lawyer Kid

Rangers @ Knights, Jan 15, 2009

2009-01-23T12:03:00.000-05:00

Observations:

Overall thought: If the Knights put up 50+ shots, they should win almost every night, especially if they only allow 19. All told, a solid game by Parker van Buskirk (Rangers G). Absolutely robbed Justin Taylor in the 2nd period (and then denied Taylor on 3 breakways over the 2nd/3rd periods...Taylor had to wait until the net was empty to complete the hat trick).

Who I liked:
Justin Taylor (London F): Hat trick, solid all around game.
Zac Rinaldo (London F): Rambunctious game with 5 or 6 huge hits that opened up tons of space for the rest of the team. Also had a great assist on Varone's GWG.
Nazem Kadri (London F): 2 great assists with some great passing.
Phil Varone/Jason Wilson (London F): Combined with either Rinaldo or Salters to form a line that seemed to have constant chances and good jump. Wilson has been an underrated star.

Who I didn't like:
London D (other than Tarasuk/Roth): Montgomery especially had a bad game, while Del Zotto didn't look all that good either (at least on the defensive end).
Trevor Cann (London G): Didn't have to be great, but should have had the first Kitchener goal. No chance on the second one.

Shocking NFL Update

2009-01-08T15:48:00.002-05:00

Brett Favre to take some time to make his decision!

I'll be back to regular blogging shortly.

Basic Anatomy

2008-12-16T15:54:00.001-05:00

In my work, I deal with a great number of people complaining of “whiplash” (more appropriately and correctly described as an acceleration-deceleration injury to the spine). Without fail, these people when describing the accident suggest that their head was thrown forward, and then moved back.

Wrong.

The head moves back in a rear-impact collision, then forward, then as you are restrained (hopefully) by your seatbelt your body comes to a complete rest.
It never ceases to amuse me when I hear people say 10 times during the course of an examination that their head was thrown forward, and then slammed backwards.

So Long, And Thanks For All The...

2008-12-16T15:53:00.001-05:00

…not fish. Gotcha.

No, I suppose my thank you to AJ Burnett for his 3 years in a Blue Jays uniform is largely kept to his performance in 2008 (a solid year that was underrated). Leading the American League in strikeouts is no small feat, and one that he should feel proud of.

Leading the Jays fans in frustration for 2006 and 2007? Well…he did that too.

Is it coincidence that AJ had is previous best career year in 2005, when he was pitching for a contract, and his subsequent career year came in 2008 when he was pitching for a contract? I’m just saying…

Somehow I don’t think that would apply to someone like Mr. Roy Halladay, for example.

Movie Review: Four Christmases

2008-12-16T15:52:00.003-05:00

Here’s the premise: Superficial couple (Witherspoon and Vaughan) sneak off to vacation each Christmas each year instead of visiting each of their divorced parents. When they get caught at the airport, they are forced to endure (you guessed it!) four Christmas parties on the same day. They quickly find their relationship is not so functional, which they manage to completely fix before the credits roll.

Things we learned from this movie? Vaughan is not a leading man, better left for supporting roles. Witherspoon is quickly becoming the next Kate Hudson, in that she can only do rom-coms. And finally – never doubt that Hollywood can take a predictable movie and take it exactly to its predictable conclusion.

Movie Review: Transporter 3

2008-12-16T15:52:00.001-05:00

I had low expectations for this movie, really, I did. I thought it would be a halfway entertaining action flick, and I enjoyed Jason Statham in Transporters 1 and 2.

Transporter 3 blew them all out of the water. It has now become the worst move I have ever seen.

How so? Let me count the ways. In the middle of the movie for about a half hour, absolutely nothing happened. A few telephone calls were made, but no races or fights (the only thing one is looking for in a movie like this). The only other thing of note (unfortunately) was that Jason Statham did a striptease for the female lead.

Yup, that’s right – a striptease by the male lead in a movie where the target audience is 95% male. I have no idea what the director was thinking, but it was beyond terrible. And it was so bad, it wasn’t laughably bad, it was “should we walk out now because this is just so lame and boring?” bad.

We didn’t walk out, under the thought that the last fight scene MUST be halfway decent. Nope. Jason crashes his car onto a train, then straps Robert Knepper’s (better known as T-Bag from TV’s Prison Break) hand to a bomb, which blows up and they live happily ever after.

To put this movie into appropriate reference, The Marine, starring John Cena from WWE was a significantly, significantly, better movie. And it was well worse than Next, which won the award for the worst movie of 2007 in my books.

The End Of It All (Unless It Isn't)

2008-12-09T08:01:00.000-05:00

Well, it looks like this should be the end of the coalition, and I still tend to suspect that despite the apparent internal Liberal support for it, I have a feeling that we will either see the budget pass at the end of January (which, interestingly, would validate Harper's decision to prorogue somewhat), or an election. But I have a few more thoughts at the at least temporary end to one of the more interesting periods we've seen in recent Canadian policital history.

1) Harper shouldn't have requested the prorogation of Parliament. Although the coalition would have been an undemocratic and rejected option by the majority of Canadians (read any poll, or just look at the last election results), avoiding that option by similarly undemocratically proroguing Parliament doesn't help matters. This was a mistake by Harper. Although I see his point and do believe that the suggested coalition would be one of the biggest mistakes this country has ever made, proroguing Parliament simply expands the problem and looks equally undemocratic.

2) So what should he have done? Put back in the party-financing bill into the confidence vote scheduled for Monday, speak to the country and explain that he had previously agreed to EVERY SINGLE THING the coalition requested of him, and that the coalition was determined to gain power regardless, and die on THAT sword. I honestly think (should that have happened) we'd either be in an election campaign right now, or in the middle of an incredibly unstable coalition government that would have ended up with us back at the polls in 6 months time.

3) John Manley (who probably has more respect from me right now than every other Liberal party member) has eloquently explained why the coalition idea is bad for both the country and the Liberal party (Saturday's Globe and Mail). Frank McKenna also said he was never part of the whole "unelected and rejected" group. As a result, that band is down to a duo - Paul Martin and Roy Romanow. And there is still time for them to reject this as well.

4) Michael Ignatieff is making a major miscalculation. If he honestly thinks that the majority of Canadians are behind this little coalition, I suggest that he force an election when the budget is presented and take that coalition to Canadians. Good luck with that, sir.

5) I have no problem with coalition governments in general. The problem is that this type of situation is unprecedented, not just in Canada, but globally. In Israel and France and Germany and Australia (all examples used by pro-coalition proponents), coalitions are prepared in advance of the elections, and people actually know who they are voting for. Furthermore, the majority of those countries use at least some form of proportional representation, which lends itself to workable coalition governments rather than a hastily-patched-together-centre-left-separatist coalition that has no stability whatsoever.

6) I have heard the whole "62% majority" argument so much it is ridiculous. It wasn't 8 weeks ago that Layton and Dion and Duceppe were all fighting and swearing that they would never be in bed together, and now they are going to lead the country together? That sounds stable.

7) The coalition actually taking power after the country less than 8 weeks ago gave the ruling party an increased mandate is simply an abuse of the process. Dion was rejected like no other Liberal leader in history, and he was going to lead this thing? How, pray tell, is that democratic? I have no problem with the opposition voting the government down and going to another election (in fact, that would be very appropriate). But to try to grab power like this is simply unheard of in our system.

8) And finally, the major problem I have with the Bloc being part of this alleged coalition? The money that would have come from an economic stimulus package as presented by the coalition would have focused the bailout on two sectors: the Ontario automobile industry, and the Quebec lumber industry. That is why the Bloc was so interested - huge points for Quebec.

Unfortunately for the good of the country, the Bloc lumber industry is in a far more stable state than (say) the BC lumber industry, and there was no suggestion made of helping them out. And the Ontario automobile industry? Please. Let's be perfectly blunt - what is the point of making new cars if nobody has the money to buy them?

None of the above has any bearing on the fact that Harper should not have prorogued Parliament. But to suggest that the coalition would have been the best option for a stable government through the worst economic situation since the Great Depression is simply not seeing the big picture.

Harper vs. Dion - Word War

2008-12-04T08:01:00.000-05:00

Why does it feel we just did this? I guess we did just a few weeks ago.

HARPER

Good evening.

Canadians take pride in our history as one of the world's oldest continuous democracies. During the past 141 years, political parties have emerged and disappeared, leaders have come and gone, and governments have changed.

Constant in every case, however, is the principle that Canada's government has always been chosen by the people. And following the light of this democratic tradition, Canadians have built one of the most peaceful and prosperous countries the world has ever known a land of hope and opportunity that inspires others around the globe, and has drawn millions as new immigrants to our country.

On October 14, for the 40th time since Confederation, Canadians voted in a national general election. We are honoured that you returned our government to office with a strengthened mandate to lead this great country through the most difficult global economic crisis in many decades. Canada's government is acting to deal with the crisis, right now.

Further personal and business tax reductions are coming into effect. We are doubling spending on infrastructure; we are ensuring credit for businesses and consumers by injecting liquidity into financial markets; we are helping seniors who rely on RRIR income; and securing pension plans.
We are implementing the Automotive Innovation Fund and, working with the government of Ontario, we are undertaking due diligence on any further requests for assistance from the auto industry.

We are increasing support and incentives for manufacturers, the forestry sector, and others to pursue business opportunities. We are implementing agreements with the provinces to enhance labour mobility. And, next month on January 27, we will bring in a budget which will contain additional measures to boost Canada's economy, while making sure we avoid a long term structural deficit in Canada's finances.

In preparation for that budget we are consulting widely with Canadians, meeting with premiers of our provinces and territories, and working in collaboration with our international partners in G20. The minister of finance will be consulting with the business community and interest groups.

We are consulting with, and expect to hear more from, the opposition parties in Parliament. We hope they bring forward specific proposals -- we have invited them to do so. In fact, we have already changed some of our proposals to meet their concerns.

Unfortunately, even before the government has brought forward its budget, and only seven weeks after a general election, the opposition wants to overturn the results of that election.
Instead of an immediate budget, they propose a new coalition which includes the party in Parliament whose avowed goal is to break up the country. Let me be very clear: Canada's government cannot enter into a power-sharing coalition with a separatist party. At a time of global economic instability, Canada's government must stand unequivocally for keeping the country together. At a time like this, a coalition with the separatists cannot help Canada. And the Opposition does not have the democratic right to impose a coalition with the separatists they promised voters would never happen.

The Opposition is attempting to impose this deal without your say, without your consent, and without your vote. This is no time for backroom deals with the separatists; it is the time for Canada's government to focus on the economy and specifically on measures for the upcoming budget. This is a pivotal moment in our history.

We Canadians are the inheritors of a great legacy, and it is our duty to strengthen and protect it for the generations still to come. Tonight, I pledge to you that Canada's government will use every legal means at our disposal to protect our democracy, to protect our economy, and to protect Canada.

Thank you, and goodnight.

DION

Canada is facing the impacts of the global economic crisis. Our economy is on the verge of a recession. Canadians are worried about losing their jobs, their homes, their savings. Every economist in the country is predicting increased job losses and deficits for the next few years.
The federal government has a duty to act and help Canadians weather this storm.

Stephen Harper still refuses to propose measures to stimulate the Canadian economy. His mini-budget last week demonstrated that his priority is partisanship and settling ideological scores.
The Harper Conservatives have lost the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Commons. In our democracy, in our parliamentary system, in our Constitution, this means that they have lost the right to govern.

Canadians don't want another election, they want Parliamentarians to work together. That's our job. Canadians want their MPs to put aside partisanship and focus on the economy.

The Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party are ready to do this. Jack Layton and I have agreed to form a coalition government to address the impact of the global economic crisis. The Bloc has agreed to support this government on matters of confidence. The Green Party has also agreed to support it.

Our system of government was not born with Canada. It is ancient. There are rules that govern it and conventions that guide it. Coalitions are normal and current practice in many parts of the world and are able to work very successfully. They work with simple ingredients: consensus, goodwill and co-operation.

Consensus is a great Canadian value. In this spirit, we Liberals have joined in a coalition with the NDP. We have done so because we believe we can achieve more for Canadians through co-operation than through conflict. We believe we can better solve the challenges facing Canada through teamwork and collaboration, rather than blind partisan feuding and hostility.
Our coalition is a consensus to govern with a well-defined program to address the most important issue facing the country: the economy. It is a program to preserve and create jobs and to stimulate the economy in all regions of the country. The elements of the program need to be spelled out and this is what we will do if we are allowed to present it to the House of Commons.
We share the frustration Canadians have about a political crisis that has been allowed to take prominence over the more important economic challenges we face. Elsewhere in the world, leaders are working to cope with the recession, to bring forward the kinds of investments that will help their people and their economies. Politicians are working together. Rivals are working together.

Mr. Harper's solution is to extend that crisis by avoiding a simple vote; by suspending Parliament and continuing the confusion. We offer a better way. We say settle it now and let's get to work on the people's business. A vote is scheduled for next Monday. Let it proceed. And let us all show maturity in accepting the result with grace and the larger task of serving Canadians in mind.

Within one week, a new direction will be established, a tone and focus will be set. We will gather with leaders of industry and labour to work -- unlike the Conservatives -- in a collaborative but urgent manner to protect jobs. To stimulate the economy and create good well-paid jobs we will not only accelerate already planned investments, but invest significantly more in our country's infrastructure. Helping our cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal or Halifax build modern, efficient public transit systems. Investing in our rural communities so that cherished ways of life are protected for future generations. We can stimulate our economy through investments in clean energy, water and our gateways.

We will invest in our manufacturing, forestry and automotive sectors to protect and create jobs. We believe that in these tough economic times the government has a role to play to ensure that those who are doing their share for the prosperity of our country can continue to provide for the well-being of their families.

In times like this our compassion as a country is tested. We believe it is imperative that the government offers Canadians who have already lost their job, whether in the factories of southwestern Ontario or the forests of Eastern Quebec and British Columbia, the support they need to live in dignity and develop new skills. That is precisely what we intend to provide.
Earlier today I wrote Her Excellency the Governor General. I respectfully asked her to refuse any request by the prime minister to suspend Parliament until he has demonstrated to her that he still commands the confidence of the House. If Mr. Harper wants to suspend Parliament he must first face a vote of confidence.

In our Canada, the government is accountable for its decisions and actions in Parliament. In our Canada, the government derives its legitimacy from an elected Parliament.
Allow me to end tonight on a personal note. If I am entrusted with the role of prime minister for the next months that I have left to serve, I will work day and night to combat this economic crisis, to do what it takes to minimize its effects on Canadians, to protect jobs and to create jobs.

I will serve my country until my time to serve is at an end.

A Liberal That Gets It & A Conservative That Has It

2008-12-03T08:03:00.000-05:00

Hands-down the best partisan Liberal blogger on the net, Calgary Grit, has done an excellent job of summarizing why this might not be such a great idea for the Liberal party.

I don't want to cut and past the entire post, but I do encourage you if interested to give it a read. It's a great commentary on the risks inherent for the Liberal party, risks that if I were in their shoes I would not want to indulge.

Also (and he didn't raise this, but I will), at the end of the day, if Harper is hated by the public as much as the Liberals and Dippers do, wouldn't the public not have given him a stronger mandate as well as 38% of the popular vote (the same percentage they gave Chretien in 2000, and nobody was complaining then about his lack of legitimacy?) Why wouldn't the Liberals want to give this hated bully as much rope as possible, and then bring him down when they have a new leader? (Answer: This is about Dion's ego, and the loss of the party financing subsidy, which has since been revoked...unfortunately...which makes it predominantly about Dion's ego).

And another link for you: ALW again, with a great post about the reason behind the Liberal-NDP madness. The LPC and NDP do NOT like Mr. Harper. I dislike Dion and Layton and Rae, but it's nowhere near the vile that those gentlemen hold for the Right Honourable Prime Minister (whom, again, Canadians overwhelmingly voted in favour of).

A Call To Michael Ignatieff

2008-12-03T08:01:00.000-05:00

In times like this, it seems wrong to promote rumours, but the rumour that Mr. Ignatieff is not particularly thrilled with the advancement of this coalition government continues to a) not go away, and b) gain steam and traction with each moment that Ignatieff doesn't come out and reject it as a rumour.

To wit, then, I request that Mr. Ignatieff immediately either a) declare his own unbridled support for the coalition - which if successful he is the odds-on favourite to be the leader of in May, or b) denounce this shameful ploy once and for all.

I say this as a concerned Canadian citizen, most interested above all (when it comes to these matters) in our country's well-being, because I am increasingly of the opinion that this coalition could be the best possible thing for the Conservative Party of Canada's fortunes (not Stephen Harper's fortunes, regrettably, but the CPC for sure).

As a result, the best action on the part of Michael Ignatieff would be to denounce the coalition, first and foremost for Canada's best interests. I have a feeling that as a collateral benefit, it would also be the best choice for Mr. Ignatieff's own, long-term aspirations.

The Real Coalition Winner

2008-12-02T08:01:00.000-05:00

This says it all. The real winner if this coalition goes through? Gilles Duceppe and the BQ. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain. And the thought of a guy like Dion working with Duceppe seems unbelievably weird.

Duceppe is ONLY going to abide by this coalition agreement until he feels that he can gain more seats in a federal election. This whole "agreement for 18 months" crap? Not going to happen.

Furthermore, can anyone see Ignatieff working with Layton?

Of course, help us all should Rae with the Liberal leadership.

Ignatieff & Rae Both Signed Off On This Deal

2008-12-01T17:19:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to make sure that's crystal clear. They support this deal with the NDP and the deal with the Bloc.

If this goes through, just wait for how bad this extremely mild recession (in Canada anyways) will get once we have Dion and Layton trying to spend their way out of it. This is a disaster waiting to happen, not to mention an affront to modern democracy.

Stephane Dion - Canada's Next PM?

2008-12-01T12:49:00.000-05:00

And they take another step.

Again - perfectly constitutional. Ridiculous and unbelievable? Yes.

Stephane Dion was OVERWHELMINGLY rejected as the Prime Minister, just 6 short weeks ago. Now, the Liberals and NDP are going to try to appoint him in that role.

Of course, he's got the Unelected and Rejected group to advise and lead him, so at least there's that.

Unbelievable.

Democracy, Schmocracy

2008-12-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

At least, that's what this Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition attempt seems to suggest to the Canadian public.

There's a few links that very concisely say what I would like to. So I'll link you to them: Andrew Coyne's blog, as well as ALW's. The few recent posts on each of those sites is good reading.

Believe it or not, I believe that the Lib-NDP-Bloc have a perfectly reasonable right to first defeat the government, and then ask the Governor General for them to form the government. Of course, she'll first be hearing from the PM, asking her to dissolve the government and have an election. The opposition parties would have to convince her that they would be able to form a stable government (whether they could convince her or not, this is highly unlikely to be a 'stable' government coalition).

Why is this such an affront to democracy then? Well, just consider the fact that part of this coalition suggests putting in 4 'All-Star' Canadians as an 'economic council' to guide the Liberals and NDP on this glorious coalition. Who are they? Frank McKenna, Paul Martin, John Manley, and Roy Romanow.

None of whom are elected officials. None of whom were chosen by the Canadian people. All of whom either left elected office, or the Canadian electorate specifically rejected.

This leaves aside the grand plan of this coalition to try to spend our way out of this recession, by increasing taxes and providing "stimuli" - which would be bad enough, but to implement it via a system of unelected and rejected ex-politicos is simply embarassing.

I like that. If the above scenario happens, I'm going to dub that group the "Unelected and Rejected". Sounds like a cheesy band title. If only that's what it was.

Luongo Hurt

2008-11-24T17:22:00.002-05:00

...and all I hear about is Oiler fans celebrating.

I've never understood sports fans that celebrate in another player's injury. As has been said countless times, sports is largely cheering for laundry. And a player you are celebrating being injured one minute can be on your favourite team in the very next.

It just strikes me as weird to celebrate an injury to another human being in the sports arena period.

Follow The Leader

2008-11-21T11:53:00.000-05:00

I'm not a fan of the Parti Quebecois, but I AM a newfound fan of their new leader, Pauline Marois.

Why?

Here's why:

MONTREAL -- They may never write stories about her health again.
Bleary-eyed and freezing, a group of journalists was forced to follow Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois for her regular morning walk under a dark pre-dawn sky.
Marois had been frustrated by stories that she was too tired to run a decent
campaign, and that she had cut back on evening events to deal with her fatigue.
So she challenged her tormentors to join her for her daily walk -- and they
were compelled to oblige.

The 59-year-old politician was followed by a group of reporters and camerapeople as she began her march up Montreal's Mount Royal at 5:45 a.m., with only the moon piercing the near-total darkness.

It was a surreal scene.

Marois put on her iPod and listened to tunes while several panting members of the media struggled to keep up with her brisk pace. She occasionally tossed a taunt their way during the half-hour walk. "I'm still here!" she shouted back at one point.
When someone asked why she was doing this to them Marois replied: "Because all of you thought I was sick."

At the end of the walk, she told the assembled throng that she hoped their little field
trip would turn the page on any questions about her health.

Brilliant! C'est incroyable!

Remembrance Day Thoughts

2008-11-12T07:13:00.000-05:00

Several things were on my mind yesterday, as the world observed a day of remembrance for the tragedies of war.

1) Remembrance Day should be a statutory holiday. I remember the argument a number of years ago that children would be able to remember better in school than having a freebie day off, but when we celebrate Civic Holiday, Labour Day and now Family Day with statutory holidays, it seems somewhat embarrassing that we don't afford Remembrance Day the same respect. I have a view of the cenetaph from my office and I suspect the crowd that gathered would have been significantly larger if not so many people were working. This needs to be revisited again.

2) Just because you dislike war (as we all do) doesn't mean that you can't respect the sacrifices that people made to defend freedom.

There were a lot of good people who have died in wars over the years to help protect innocent people from tyranny. Remembrance Day is a day to honour those men and women. It is not a day for anti-war protests. There are 364 other days a year for that.

Lest We Forget

2008-11-11T07:52:00.000-05:00

NHL Expansion: London Knights

2008-11-10T12:03:00.000-05:00

Although I happen to feel that the current edition of the Knights could probably beat the New York Islanders in a best of 7 today, I was intrigued recently about the idea of current London Knight alumni in the NHL, and what type of lineup they would ice. Here's my best guess at how they would shake down.

Forwards:
R. Nash, S. Gagner, C. Perry
P. Kane, C.Kelly, B. Shanahan
R. Schremp, D. Bolland, S. Kostitsyn
T. Kostopoulos, B. Prust, D. Fritsche
Extras: K. Barch, D. Larman, D. Bois

Not a bad group. I included Shanahan (currently unsigned, but likely to play somewhere this year), and Schremp (still oddly unable to get an NHL chance). 3 of those players are likely to go to the All-Star game this year (Nash, Perry, Kane). I think there's probably quite a few NHL teams that would trade their current forward lineup for this one.

Defencemen:
D. Wideman, D. Girardi
A. Henry, K. Quincey
M. Methot, J. Erksine
Extras: D. Syvret, D. Jancevski

A solid group with options. Wideman and Girardi are probably two of the better young defencemen out there, and both should (if they keep playing the way they are) be at the 2009 NHL All-Star Game. The other 4 are solid depth defencemen. Again, I would guess that there are a fair number of NHL clubs that would take this group.

Goaltenders:
S. Mason
Extras: ?

One of the better goalie prospects in hockey, but also the weakest position due to absolutely no depth at all. New Knight T. Cann will probably join this list in the next couple of years, but it's clearly the weakest spot on the 2009 NHL Knights roster.

I think if this team could find a backup goalie out of retirement or Europe, they would likely be a solid threat to make the playoffs.

What Exactly Obama Will Do

2008-11-06T12:30:00.000-05:00

As I have been called to task, I will now have to put my extremely limited knowledge of the US Presidential campaign to the test and try to predict what President Obama will actually do.

1) Pull out of Iraq.

Might not be tomorrow, might not be Saturday, but I have a very strong feeling there will be a pullout of Iraq by the end of 2010, at the latest. Gradual, not an immediate pullout, but a pullout nonetheless.

2) The Attorney General won't be William Ayers.

I realize it's a negative, but it won't be him. Sorry MC.

3) Raising taxes.

He's got to. He shouldn't but he's got to. Don't ask me what taxes, but certain ones must be raised.

4) Improve of US relations.

At least temporarily. This will not be as drastic as many people think, partially due to the fact that Bush was far less unpopular worldwide than he was in the minds of many demoliberals. But at least initially, perception of the USA has dramatically improved (something that would not have happened should McCain have won).

5) Chicago will win the 2016 Olympics.

How can they not now? It will be the last year of Obama's term, and for them to host the Olympics in the first American black President's hometown will be too much for the IOC to resist.

6) 2012 Election Prediction: Obama over whomever.

It won't be with 300+ EC votes this time. But he's going to win in 2012 as well. The Republicans should be looking 8 years down the road.

Horrific Sports Journalism, Part 1

2008-11-06T08:01:00.000-05:00

"Mason Jars First Win."

I really hope it won't be up there long, but surely, SURELY they could have come up with something wittier, and less cringe-worthy.

Smiles and Cries

2008-11-05T12:03:00.000-05:00

"Ya gotta control your smiles and cries."

Points to whomever gets that reference first.

Anyways, I've been hearing an awful lot from a lot of people that the sky is caving in, now that we are about to have President Obama (or as his buddies call him, President Barack). Alternatively, I've heard that PO is going to solve world hunger, end all wars, and fix the economy all before yesterday's breakfast.

My take is that Obama won't be nearly as bad as his opponents are afraid of, and won't be nearly as good as his proponents are sure of.

All that said, it truly is an incredible day for the democratic process. And when it is all said and done, Obama's 2008 election campaign will go down as one of the greatest political performances in history.

Official Prediction: USA Votes 08

2008-11-04T12:31:00.000-05:00

Obama in a landslide, probably with more than 300 Electoral College delegates.

The Democrats should also take the House and Senate as well, although not as handily as Obama does.

Prepare for 4 years of...well, I guess we don't really know...

Movie Review: Dan In Real Life

2008-11-03T07:31:00.000-05:00

Yes, I realize this came out eons ago, but it was good enough to bother posting on well after the fact.

Steve Carell has many talents - and now apparently romantic comedy is one of them as well. One of the better family movies I've seen in a long time - eminently relatable, and very enjoyable. Nice to see him do something different from the usual slapstick humour that he seems to constantly fall for.

One of the more recommendable PG-13 movies out there, and it's a real question as to why it even garnered that rating.

World Series Preview

2008-10-23T17:04:00.002-04:00

This was supposed to go up earlier, but nevertheless:

Phillies in 5.

Dion Gone, Who's Next?

2008-10-21T12:01:00.000-04:00

While the Liberals continue to search for a quick fix to a rather large problem (namely, the Conservatives continue to crunch them from the right, and the NDP and Greens push from the left), Dion announces he will step down, but not until an interim leader is chosen.

This is apparently to avoid infighting over "which camp" an interim leader would come from - Ignatieff or Rae.

Of course, there will already be plenty of infighting over who the next leader will be, so Dion might simply figure too much is too much.

In terms of who the candidates might be, my guess it will be someone from the list of Ignatieff, Rae, McKenna, Kennedy, Hall Findlay, Coderre, Manley or Tobin. And from that, the only ones I really see with any reasonable chance of winning are Ignatieff, Rae, McKenna and Manley. And as a friend said to me recently, of that group, Manley should probably be a Conservative (agreed), and I would suggest that McKenna probably should be as well.

Weirdly, the best thing the Liberal party could do for their electoral forture is elect a right-leaning leader and try to steal back those right-of-centre votes they lost as a result of the left-leaning of Dion.

Canucks 4, Red Wings 3

2008-10-17T12:03:00.000-04:00

Being in attendance for this, compliments of my wife for my birthday, was awesome.

Canada Election 2008

2008-10-15T12:03:00.000-04:00

A few thoughts:

1) Please, please, please stop those of you making the comments that "Harper just wasted $300 million on a federal election that returned the exact same result." I have a feeling a good number of incumbent MPs that were turfed would disagree with you, not to mention those who have a new representative for them. Furthermore, if Harper was able to predict the election prior to the votes being counted, he should have a different job. And finally, the fact that no party other than the Bloc (and MAYBE the NDP) is fully happy today should be proof enough that the landscape has been altered.

2) And the landscape has been altered. The Liberals have taken one in the teeth, with shockingly low popular vote numbers, and bad (and surprising) losses around the country. There was nary a riding that was a positive surprise for them (never a good thing). The Greens have been emphatically declared "irrelevant". The NDP has put together yet another "good" result, but I wonder if Layton had actually gone after Dion (his real competition) instead of Harper (almost nobody actually chooses between NDP and CPC), if we could be seeing a NDP Official Opposition today. The Bloc will be happy, although I continue to wonder what purpose their party actually does play in the Canadian political spectrum. And the Conservatives will be mixed - happy they won more seats, disappointed they missed the majority, happy they broke through in Ontario, disappointed they failed to break through in Quebec and Toronto.

3) Speaking of Toronto, I'm still baffled that (apart from Layton and Chow) it always goes straight red.

4) Elizabeth May - why did you sell out the Greens and tell them to strategically vote Liberal in certain spots? Like Layton, if you had gone after the Liberals instead, you could REPLACE them, rather than simply be an afterthought. This election should signal the end of Ms. May's political career.

5) Same for Dion. Although I am still surprised that the Liberals seem to feel their choice is either Rae or Iggy. In the time we are in where the economy is a big deal, I have a feeling that the CPC war room would eat Rae for dinner.

Demise of the Economy...

2008-10-14T17:03:00.001-04:00

...appears to be somewhat exaggerated.

While it does appear that a downturn is coming, it seems beyond doubt that we are better prepared to deal with it than the USA.

MLB League Championship Series Previews

2008-10-08T12:08:00.002-04:00

Well, after a decidedly weak 1-3 record, I need to run the table to get over .500 for this year. Not looking good.

Dodgers/Phillies
The Dodgers team looks pretty locked in right now, but they did earlier in the late summer as well (winning 8 in a row), before crashing back and then recovering. They're a weird team to figure out.

The Phillies, on the other hand, are looking like they have some leftover business to take care of after last year's disappointing loss in the NLDS to the red-hot Rockies.

This one should be very close, but the Phillies just seem like an all-around deeper team. If the Phillies are smart and don't let Manny beat them, they should have enough hitting to get past the Dodgers.

Phillies in 6.

Red Sox/Rays
I strongly dislike both of these teams due to their residency in the AL East. A couple of years ago, the Red Sox zoomed past the Yankees for the title of "most disliked team in the AL East", and this year the Rays managed to do the same. So it's tough to pick between them.

I still don't believe in the Rays, so I'm grudgingly picking the Red Sox to make yet another World Series (and make Boston fans all the more insufferable).

Red Sox in 6.

Very Briefly

2008-10-07T17:13:00.002-04:00

Spending mass amounts of dollars in governmental programs and jacking up the tax burden on the average person is not the way to deal with an economic recession or crisis. This will only add more burdens to the average joe who is struggling to make their mortgage payments.

Ironically, when it comes right down to it, most people hate governmental interference in their lives, except when wannabe governments are advertising billions of dollars in spending (then they love it...except when they forget where the government money is actually coming from).

I think most people feel that they know how to spend their own money alot better than the government does.

Heli-Hit

2008-10-06T12:02:00.000-04:00

Ouch. To see the whole play, go to the 1:45 mark of the video at this page.

Captain, My Captain

2008-10-02T12:28:00.000-04:00

Roberto Luongo, goaltender and unequivocal leader of the Vancouver Canucks (who happen to be my favourite hockey team), was named captain by the team yesterday, despite the fact he is unable to wear the "C" or perform some of the on-ice duties of the captain due to a rule in the NHL from the 1940's. He already leads the team in the dressing room and in the media, as well as leading the team from the ice surface. The only place he cannot play an active part in is on the bench (because he's on the ice for the full 60 minutes).

A great article supporting the notion that a goaltender should be the captain is in today's Globe and Mail. Rather than quote it, I'll let you read it if it interests you. But it's a solid, well-written, eloquent article, with a bit of humour thrown in.

Contrast that with an article written by Sean McCormick from Sportsnet.ca. Sean is a well-known Sportscentre anchor, who happens to suffer from the inenviable disillusionment of being an Edmonton Oilers fan, and outspoken Vancouver Canucks hater. Sean had this to say about the Canucks honouring of their leader.

First, he goes through several other candidates, and then provides a reason for why each of them weren't the best choice for captaincy (including both Sedin twins, Bieksa, Ohlund and Mitchell). Then, he ends his ridiculous post with this conclusion:

The Canucks had plenty of legitimate candidates and options for the
captaincy before they had to turn left down Gimmick Street this week. This
is clearly nothing more than a stroke of Roberto's ego in hopes of persuading
him to re-sign next summer.

And if Gillis and his boys think that's
what it's going to take to help keep Roberto in Vancouver,
it sure isn't
saying much about the rest of the equation. In fact, it reeks of desperation. To
assume anything more would make you a member of the Gillis family tree.

This is clearly NOT simply a stroke of Roberto's ego, for the exact reasons that Sean says in his 2nd paragraph. Well, Sean, I'm not a member of the Gillis family tree, and neither is Gary Mason (who wrote that nice Globe article).

What this is is merely yet another chance for Sean to take another shot at the Canucks. I look forward to seeing his next post explaining why Hemsky is better than Gretzky and Crosby combined, and why the Oilers will finish 30 points ahead of the Canucks this year.

MLB Divisional Series Previews

2008-10-01T12:02:00.000-04:00

Without further ado.

Dodgers/Cubs
The key to this series will be who's pitching holds up. Both teams look like they have solid (or solid enough) hitting, especially now that Manny is in LA. Chicago looks a little more solid on both sides of the ball, but the questions surrounding the health of Harden and Zambrano are yet to be fully answered. If Harden and Zambrano are both fully healthy, this one should go 4 games, max. If not, the Dodgers might be able to steal it in 5. My money are that at least one of Zambrano/Harden will be okay, and that should be enough.

Cubs in 4.

Phillies/Brewers
Both of these teams can mash, and with potentially 3 games in Philadelphia's bandbox, this could be a slugfest. But pretty much all signs point to the Phillies. A deeper and healthier lineup, and a deeper rotation should ensure a series victory. CC Sabathia is the best pitcher in the game right now, but even he isn't a guaranteed victory for the Brew Crew (not when he's going against the underrated Brett Myers). Even if the Brewers win Game 2, the Phillies look like they are on a mission right now, and will find a way to prevail.

Phillies in 5.

Rays/White Sox
I honestly though the Rays would fold this year, they never did. I thought the White Sox would be 4th in the AL Central this year, and they won the division. Apparently I'm not so good at this prediction business. The short version here is that the pitching heavily favours the Rays, and the hitting heavily favours the White Sox (it would heavily favour them even more had Carlos Quentin not been an idiot and self-destructed his season). Pitching and defence wins in the playoffs, right? Generally true, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Rays bats will tighten up a bit in the playoffs, and the White Sox will finally prove all of us who have been saying the Rays are overrated right (albeit a bit late).

White Sox in 5.

Angels/Red Sox
In my mind, these are the best 2 teams in the AL by a long shot, and 2 of the best 3 teams in the league (the other being the Cubs), and yet here they are meeting in the first round. The Angels have better pitching, are healthier, and finally have not one, but two helpers for Vlad (Teixeria and Hunter). They've also lost to the Red Sox in 2 of the last 4 years in the playoffs. Hungrier? Check. This will end up being a surprising mismatch.

Angels in 3.

Green Shift/Debate Issues

2008-09-30T12:35:00.000-04:00

It's already been heavily discussed, but the Liberal Green Shift plan is now being roasted by senior Ontario Liberals as well (including the Ontario Finance Minister). Not surprisingly, he doesn't consider it to be good form to radically change the tax burden in the country at a time of economic instability (which seems to make alot of sense).

Harper also wants a full hour of the debate focusing on the economy. Layton has immediately agreed. That puts Dion in a tough spot - should he disagree, he looks like he either doesn't care about the biggest issue in the election, or he is worried about discussing it for that length. If he does agree, he gets an hour with his weakest (and Harper's strongest) issue. Big trouble for him, and strong move by Harper.

And I can't believe the Liberals are actually running out the whole "plagiarism" card when it comes to a speech Harper gave 5 years ago. Even when the Conservatives were blasting the Liberals over issues like the sponsorship scandal, it was a) current, and b) completely relevant. This is neither, and for the Liberals to be parading it like a big, scary, nasty find is simply amusing.

And finally, a big shout out to all you out there reading this. I had no idea so many of you were out there. Thanks for the readership, and I'll be trying to keep this a bit more up to date than I have in past months.

I Saw John McCain...

2008-09-25T12:07:00.000-04:00

...on an episode of 24 last night (an older, Season 5 episode). Amusing.

This move, although it reeks of blatant politicking (like the Palin appointment as VP), is going to be a tricky one for Obama to handle. How can Obama blast McCain about taking a break from campaigning, (including pulling all advertisements!!) to deal with the largest financial crisis the US has seen since the Great Depression? I'm looking forward to seeing how he'll respond (and if the debate will go through tomorrow night.

Why The NDP Will Be Forever Irrelevant

2008-09-24T12:56:00.001-04:00

Jack Layton: "We say the arts are at the core of the economy."

Am I saying I hate the arts? No. But to suggest the arts are what is driving the Canadian economy is so ridiculous that it's incredible that Jack can't understand why people don't take him seriously.

Arts funding is all well and good, but I have a feeling that for the vast number of average Canadians getting concerned about the pending economic situation, money for the arts that is instead diverted into other areas is probably a good thing, and I tend to think that even the most liberal of Canadians would agree that the arts are hardly at the core of the economy.

Genocide?

2008-09-24T12:38:00.000-04:00

According to Dr. Julio Montaner, shutting down a supervised illegal drug injection site is equivalent to genocide.

Actually, that's being kind. He says it is genocide.

Regardless of whether or not it's a good policy (and I have an extremely hard time seeing how tax dollars are appropriately being spent funding the injection of illegal drugs, but that's a different discussion), comparing shutting down Insite to genocide is disrespecting victims of true genocide (see Rwanda, Holocaust). And it does nothing to advance the cause of Insite.

Yammerin' Hank

2008-09-24T12:01:00.001-04:00

For a truly great read on the unbelievable nature of Hank Steinbrenner's whining, check out Ray Ratto's evisceration.

Hank the Yank is whining about revenue sharing, divisional realignment (a complaint which we share, but his team spends 210 million and has been the playoffs for 15 straight years), and undeserving teams in the MLB playoffs (basically the same thing as divisional realignment complaints).

Dude, when your team prints money and makes the playoffs for 15 straight years, you cannot complain about MLB being somehow unfair to your team. Just can it.

Boo-Hoo Rocket Roger

2008-09-23T17:17:00.002-04:00

So, apparently, Juiced Rocket Roger Clemens was more than a little sad that he wasn't included in the big Yankee Stadium tribute party event.

The words used in the article are quite hilarious: "heartbroken", "final crushing blow", "sad what they did to him", "clutching his wife's hand".

Think it might have been different Roger if you hadn't shot yourself up with illegal drugs? I think so, yeah.

Greyhound Security

2008-09-22T16:50:00.002-04:00

Yet again.

The question that has already been asked (and I'm sure that will continue to be asked) is: should Greyhound implement some sort of security scan like airlines do? (interestingly enough, absolutely nothing is being done by VIA, nor is it even discussed). As a further follow-up, what should be done regarding taxis? Or limousines?

It's a tricky subject. Obviously, the bus is a significantly cheaper form of transportation than a plane, train or taxi (or other car service). Adding extensive security measures will automatically raise the price, which will have a direct impact on the people in the lowest income bracket of our society. The question then becomes how to best manage safety with economy, a difficult question, only heightened by the mass media involvement in the story.

Worth monitoring, to be sure.

Proposed MLB Realignment

2008-09-22T16:40:00.001-04:00

I prepared this post a while back and forgot to post it. It essentially came out of frustration with the current MLB divisional format, and the disparity between the divisions.

What would I love to see?

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Northwest (Pacific North):
Seattle
San Francisco
Colorado
Oakland

North (Lake Michigan):
Minnesota
Milwaukee
Chicago
Chicago

Northeast (Lake Erie):
Detroit
Cleveland
Toronto
Pittsburgh

East (Atlantic North):
Philadelphia
New York
New York
Boston

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Southwest (Pacific South):
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
San Diego
Las Vegas Rebels**

South (Gulf):
Texas
Houston
Arizona
San Antonio Mustangs**

Southeast (Atlantic South):
Atlanta
Florida
Tampa Bay
Washington

Midwest (Prairies):
Baltimore
Cincinnati
St. Louis
Kansas City

Balanced schedule, with divisional games early and late in the year.

Division winners make playoffs, plus top 2 records of non-division winners. Top 2 division winner records in each league get 1st round “bye”. 1st round series are 3 games series. Divisional, Championship and World Series are 7 game series.

Why is this better? 2 team expansion gets 32 teams, which means 16 teams in each league (balance). 6 teams make playoffs, and 2 best records are rewarded. This will mean there will be more intrigue in the last few weeks of the year (benefit in finishing 1st and 2nd, chance for 3 teams in one division to make playoffs).

It’s basically copying the NFL style of playoffs, which in my opinion works extremely well. It only adds 5 games (at the absolute most) to the schedule (3 extra 1st round games, and 2 extra 2nd round games).

Obvious problems are in placing both Chicagos and both New Yorks (as well as Boston and Philadelphia) all in the same league. Of course, since 3 teams from a sole division CAN make the playoffs, this only means that a couple of teams are missing out. Smaller divisions mean more championship races (good), more playoff teams (exciting), and more crossover play.

This would also mean the National League accepting the DH role or the American League deleting it.

The American League does look significantly stronger than the National League (not that that is a big surprise). I personally like the intra-city rivalries in the same division. I also like the way teams are in the same geographic regions better than they currently are. I realize it’s not perfect (Baltimore in the Midwest, and Washington in the Southeast seems like the strangest mix), but the rest seems to work well. Toronto gets to play their natural rivals (geographically) in their same division (Cleveland and Detroit).

Will it ever happen? No, (partially because of TV ratings, and partially because of baseball’s extreme aversion to change), but MLB might think about how it works in the NFL and the benefits that stem from that approach.

Leader's Debates? Should be Dion vs. Harper.

2008-09-11T07:30:00.000-04:00

It is incredible how an entire week can go by, and I realize I haven't blogged. And I actually was intending to stay on top of this, and just completely forgot about it.

I've got only one key thing to say today:

Elizabeth May should emphatically NOT be involved in the Leader's Debates. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that she has endorsed another leader as the "best prime minister" and has convinced that leader not to run a candidate against her, but she is somehow going to be expected to argue and debate all the issues distinctly?

There are only 2 political parties in the country with ANY hope of winning this election, and ergo, any real chance of leading the country. There are only 2 people who have any hope of being prime minister.

As such, I would love to see Harper publicly request a one-on-one debate with Dion, so Canadians can actually see an honest-to-goodness comparison between the two people they are really choosing between. Although I believe the NDP and Bloc will both win a number of seats (and the Greens might even win one or two), they have no chance of winning the election (even Layton knows this). Dion vs. Harper. I would actually watch that (versus these leader's debates, which I have no intention of watching).

2008 NFL Predictions

2008-09-04T12:02:00.000-04:00

Simply on order of finish, with wild cards marked with a *.

AFC East:
New England
Buffalo
Miami
New York

AFC North:
Pittsburgh
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Baltimore

AFC South:
Indianapolis
Jacksonville*
Tennessee
Houston

AFC West:
San Diego
Denver*
Oakland
Kansas City

NFC East:
Dallas
Philadelphia*
New York
Washington

NFC North:
Minnesota
Detroit
Green Bay
Chicago

NFC South:
Carolina
New Orleans*
Tampa Bay
Atlanta

NFC West:
Seattle
Arizona
St. Louis
San Francisco

AFC Championship: San Diego over Jacksonville
NFC Championship: Minnesota over Dallas
Super Bowl: Minnesota over San Diego

Twice in a Week? No Way!

2008-09-03T11:07:00.004-04:00

Well, when I said I was going to try to get back into this, I was serious.

And anyone who reads (or maybe I should say "read") this blog knows that I like sports and I can't go an awful long time without blogging about something sports related.

What's the beef? The Blue Jays treatment of Travis Snider.

They call him up before the 40-man roster are activated, meaning that his service clock has started already. Fine. I'm okay with that, if they're going to play him.

But apparently he's going to sit against LHP's, which doesn't really make an awful lot of sense to me. The team is out of it, it's time to see if Snider is a MLB player NOW, or an MLB player LATER. The only way they'll find out is by playing him against LHP.

Am I bitter because I started him in my fantasy playoffs last night because I thought Beltran was hurt and then Beltran hit a HR and Snider sat? Yes, but that doesn't change the point.

Snider should be playing full-time now, either with the Jays or with the AFL. Doesn't make much sense to use him this way.

Wow, He Blogs Again

2008-09-02T15:46:00.002-04:00

It's been a really long time, but I figured with a new season it might be time to kick up the dust again and try to get back into this stuff.

Staying away from sports and the law, momentarily anyways:

1) Another hurricane hits the New Orleans area. No disrespect to the people there, but who exactly thought that was a good spot for a city? And more importantly, when do people decide enough is enough and they just don't want to be constantly rebuilding their city?

It would seem to me that constantly rebuilding in a place that is certain to be hit again with the exact same natural disaster seems somewhat ridiculous.

2) Apparently we'll be going to the polls on October 14th. Regardless of "who forced the election", it seems quite surprising to me that the Conservative minority has lasted as long as it has. Regardless of what the polls currently say, I can't see anything less than another Conservative minority, as Dion just hasn't been able to make any real mud stick to Harper (at least, mud that the masses care about). And (equally as important), Dion hasn't been able to take over the agenda. The fact that the country has not collapsed in the last 2 years with Harper at the helm suggests to me that Canadians (not known for rocking the boat too much) will likely send him back with another minority, or, if he's lucky, a majority.

3) Every time I've eaten meat in the last couple weeks I keep thinking "Is this safe?" Amazing what a scare like that can do.

4) John McCain is really old to be running for President.

That's it for today. Baby steps.

Pierre McGuire is a Horrible Announcer

2008-03-27T08:01:00.000-04:00

Last night, while watching a couple minutes of the hockey game, Pierre had this awesome quote:

"Forsberg has just awesome chemistry out there. Look at the chemistry he has with Statsny, and Sakic, and himself."

Yes, folks, Peter Forsberg is so awesome he has chemistry with himself.

Why The Jays Released Reed Johnson

2008-03-24T12:22:00.004-04:00

This was an expected decision, as far as I can tell. As I wrote here, Johnson cost more and was unlikely to outproduce Stewart anyways.

Of course, this has not stopped hundreds of angry message board posters freaking out for a variety of reasons over the injustice done to their favourite "dirtbag". A sampling of some of the comments here.

The bulk of the comments seem to fall into a couple of categories.

1) Johnson has grit/hustle/heart and Stewart is a lazy bum who can't throw and has not grit.

To wit:

I think the Jays will regret this. Johnson provides some grit to the Jays
and is a "gamer". Stewart is on the downward slope of his career and cannot
throw.

and

Reed Johnson is a heart player, I think the Jays made a mistake.

and

Where is the loyalty? He's been nothing but grit, heart and soul for the
Jays since he was called up, now they just leave him hanging? Terrible
move.

Now, don't get me wrong - I liked watching Reed Johnson play alot. He was one of my favourite Blue Jays the last couple years, and he was awesome in 2006. Unfortunately, that was 2006 and that was only one year. If you take out those stats, his career is decidedly "average" at best, and "well-below average" at worst.

Wow, release the fan favorite for the guy who couldn't wait to get out of town.

Wow! Did not see this coming. I feel Johnson is still better than Stewart offensively. Faster, younger, cooler. Bad move in my opinion.

So you're telling me you couldn't even get a draft pick for this guy.

What a bonehead move by the Jays! It sad to see that a player's position is determined by their name and not their stats. Reed Johnson has always been a class act and deserves better.

Where is the loyalty? He's been nothing but grit, heart and soul for the Jays since he was called up, now they just leave him hanging? Terrible move.

Shannon left the blue jays for bigger money for the twins a few years ago, Reed stayed and showed his hustle and grit despite a ack. Is Loyalty important to JP.

What are they doing the one guy on the team that could actually get the bunt down and be a catalyst for this team....Dumb Dumb move

Johnson is way overrated. A .281 with little power, poor baserunning ability, below average defense. Tons of heart will only take you so far, probably as far as he has been. His injuries over the past few years will start to show a quick decline in his ablilities. With Johnson at 31 and in his decline you might as well take the more consistant hitter in Stewart. Good move by JP.

Pronger/Kesler - No Skate Stomp

2008-03-14T14:12:00.002-04:00

Can someone please explain to me how this is any different from Simon/Ruutu?

Simon/Ruutu - Skate Stomp

2008-03-14T14:11:00.002-04:00

Simon gets suspended for 30 games for "Intent to Injure". 30 Games.

Recent Updates

2008-03-13T12:01:00.000-04:00

1) Spitzer resigns. As discussed below, this story is just plain sad (especially for the man's family and spouse). But as outlined by the anonymous response, this in all liklihood was something that was coming down the pipes for a while, based on a bad decision, long ago.

2) Ferraro resigns. Political suicide can sometimes be averted if you immediately apologize. If you don't, you're generally cooked.

Blue Jays Spring Training Thoughts

2008-03-12T17:29:00.002-04:00

Several thoughts (and as a warning, this post will likely show once and for all why my dream job is the General Manager of the Blue Jays):

1) Casey Janssen done for the year. Janssen was in the running for the 5th starter job with the Jays, and had long been the preferred choice for that job (from this corner, anyways). An ERA+ of 190 last year? Very nice. Moving him into the rotation and getting 180+ innings of that type of production would have been fantastic (as a frame of reference, Roy Halladay's Cy Young year ERA+ was 145).

Regardless, this does help to explain the rather curious Armando Benitez signing of yesterday. Anytime you have a reliever with a significantly better than 1 K per 1 IP average, you've got a potential gold mine on your hands. And he's cheap, with no risk. Even without Janssen, the bullpen should be okay.

The biggest problem as far as I can tell is that now Jesse Litsch is essentially guaranteed to win the 5th starter's job out of Spring Training (especially after Gustavo Chacin stunk up the joint yesterday). I have nothing against Litsch, but he doesn't strike anyone out, and after him we now have very little depth (except for Chacin, who doesn't scare anyone). Riccardi says he might be after another starter, and I don't blame him. Litsch would likely be better to start the season at AAA and use a veteran stop-gap for the time being. This may be partially dealt with by the following point:

2) Reed Johnson vs. Shannon Stewart for the RH part of the LF platoon (the other part being Matt Stairs). I thought as soon as the Jays made this signing that the writing was probably on the wall for Johnson, and now rumour has it that he might be on his way to the Mets (likely in exchange for either prospects or a possible pitching option). Johnson, 2006 numbers aside, has always been a 4th OF, and I really think that 2006 was an outlier for Johnson and Stewart will outproduce him this year.

If the Jays can move Johnson for some SP help or even organization depth to save a bit of cash, that seems to me like the best option. Johnson would likely have been gone at the end of this year anyways (as Adam Lind is knocking on the door), so why not move him now while he has some value and you can get something for him? Stewart will likely provide comparable numbers at a cheaper cost, and very well could outproduce Johnson.

3) BJ Ryan back already. I'm not sure how I feel about this. It's only been 10 months or so since the surgery, and it is generally a 12-16 month recovery period. I really hope he's actually ready to go, because if he's not, that's going to mean major further setbacks, which doesn't bode well for the bullpen. That Benitez signing is looking better by the day.

Wrong Move, Geraldine

2008-03-12T12:39:00.000-04:00

I'll let these words speak for themselves:

As Mississippi voted, the tone of the race took another nasty lurch, as the
Obama camp demanded the dismissal of Clinton's supporter Geraldine Ferraro, for
saying: "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position."

...

But Clinton said only that she did "not agree" with Ferraro's portrayal of
Obama as the privileged recipient of affirmative action, and found it
"regrettable" that supporters might resort to personal attacks.

"We ought to keep this focused on the issues. That's what this campaign
should be about," she said while stumping in Pennsylvania ahead of the state's
crunch primary.

Later on Fox News, Ferraro refused to apologize, accused the Obama
campaign of waging a hate campaign against her, and reiterated that the
candidate's political success was "in large measure because he is black."

"I said this (Obama's) is one of the best campaigns. I speak about his
star quality. I talk about how exciting it is to have two campaigns, but you
know, the truth is the truth is the truth," Ferraro added.

Regardless of the truth of that statement*, that's equivalent to policial suicide. And then defending the use makes it all the worse.

It is quite incredible how intense and nasty this campaign is getting. The talk of a Clinton-Obama or Obama-Clinton ticket seems less and less likely by the day.

*As an added note, I am making no comment on the truth of that statement.

Wiped Away

2008-03-11T15:28:00.002-04:00

This story, whatever is actually true, is sad.

It's incredible to think that this man, considered a future presidential candidate, has essentially seen his entire career wiped out by a sole decision. While perhaps no different from others who have done the same thing (or allegedly done), the amount that he has lost (and will lose) seems astronomical.

Even allegations of this type are so incredibly damaging to a public career (rightly or wrongly), and it stands to me as a solemn warning of the dangers of putting yourself in the slightest of situations that can lead to the wrong conclusion, let alone the dangers of actually involving in the said offence.

Cadscam Thoughts

2008-03-11T11:19:00.002-04:00

This story just keeps getting weirder.

Would Harper really be that stupid to be invovled in a bribe? Maybe, but that seems so incredibly unlikely (and completely unfounded in evidence - including the fact that Dona Cadman seems to support Harper's version of the facts).

Why do the Liberals only take the Cadmans' word some of the time?

Why would Harper threaten to sue to the Liberal party (where any backroom secrets could come out on examinations for discovery) if he wasn't worried about it?

Why are the Liberals specifically targeting Harper?

The Spiderwick Chronicles

2008-03-10T16:41:00.003-04:00

One of the better kids/fantasy movies I've seen a while, largely because they didn't try to overdo it - rather, keeping with the program they had and wrapping it up in one movie, without trying to drag it through for more movies. Sequel-free, and that's a good thing, but in no way a negative comment on the movie.

Freddie Highmore is one of the better young actors out there right now, and he strikes me as a Macaulay Culkin type that might actually make it as an adult actor. He plays both sets of twins, and does a solid job of making both characters distinct. The rest of the characters are from the "solid-but-unspectacular" mold.

The special effects were decidedly weak. Quite disappointing. It looked like cartoons in a movie and that took away from the overall impression.

Overall, an enjoyable movie, that was surprisingly dark and intense for the younger audience it was likely aimed at.

Jumper

2008-02-28T12:02:00.000-05:00

Imagine if the director from The Bourne Identity decided to do an action/sci-fi movie about teleporters. You'd probably think it was not only going to be entertaining, but probably pretty decent too.

You'd be wrong.

Jumper was entertaining - actually, quite entertaining, but had so many plot holes and bizarre lines and ideas that it pretty much just completely fell apart. Also, when they use actors that have been completely typecast for me that doesn't help either. I couldn't get away from the impression that I was watching Anakin Skywalker run around the globe with Summer Roberts, all the while running away from Shaft.

They also decided to throw in a weird subplot involving Diane Lane, which didn't really make an awful lot of sense.

Actually, the movie didn't make an awful lot of sense period, but at least it had some cool visuals, a bit of decent action, and some humorous lines. The best character was easily Jamie Bell's character, a "more-experienced" 'jumper' who helps out Anakin along the way.

The weirdest part of the whole movie was that by the end of the movie it was fairly difficult to like Anakin. He just wasn't that likable of a character. For example, in most superhero movies, when a TV broadcast says "There are still people trapped by the flood and nobody will be able to get to them in time", that's generally the part where Superman/Spiderman/X-men/etc. will fly/swing/claw/etc. into action to rescue the people. Here? Anakin ignores the TV, goes gets some of his money, and teleports to Britain for the day.

Just a strange movie. Entertaining and fun, yes. But what I'll really remember it for was the lost potential.

Federal Budget

2008-02-26T16:57:00.003-05:00

Interesting that Dion has immediately announced the Liberals will support the budget. Generally that would take a couple of days, anyways.

Good on them. If they're not going to oppose it, better to announce that earlier rather than drag it out for several days, providing endless speculation.

From my quick perusal of the budget itself, it seems reasonable - obviously it wasn't going to be heavy on spending.

From an election standpoint, this presumably means Dion is content to wait until late spring or early fall at the earliest for an election. With the Afghanistan motion and budget passing, it would seem as if everyone is fairly content with the state of affairs at this time.

NHL Trading Deadline

2008-02-26T16:55:00.003-05:00

Big winner(s): Penguins (for getting Hossa for spare parts), Sharks (for getting Campbell for cheap), Stars (for getting Richards for role players and a backup goalie)

Big loser(s): Leafs (for only being able to get a few picks, and only dumping Gill, Belak and Kilger), Canadiens (for missing out on Hossa, and dealing away Huet for a goalie), rest of Western Conference (for watching the Stars and Sharks get alot better and failing to improve)

Liberals to support Conservatives on Afghanistan

2008-02-25T08:02:00.000-05:00

Leaving aside everything else momentarily, how are we supposed to take Dion now saying that they will agree to keeping troops in Afghanistan until 2011? Was he not serious when he said that they needed to be out by 2009? Has he changed his mind? If so, why?

Surely it's not because he doesn't want an election now. Surely not.

Michael Clayton

2008-02-25T08:01:00.001-05:00

Watched this yesterday afternoon, as an unintentional prelude to the Oscars. And I was left wondering why it got the reviews it did. An entertaining movie, sure, and well done, but nominated for 7 Oscars, including essentially all the big ones? Not so much.

If you're looking for a good legal thriller, Fracture is far better. Not sure why it missed out on the Oscar love...there was really nothing special about Michael Clayton.

A Thought From CS Lewis

2008-02-14T16:52:00.003-05:00

If we readily accept that all physical creations have a creator, why don't we apply the same logic to the universe?

Quantum of Solace

2008-01-24T17:12:00.000-05:00

Is apparently the new title for the new Bond movie, apparently out this November (7th, to be precise).

3 movie posts in a row. At a weird time of year too.

I'm surprised they already have another one, and it'll be interesting to see how this one does, since Casino Royale went over so well.

2 Movie Reviews

2008-01-24T08:01:00.000-05:00

I've seen two movies in theatres over the past 5 days or so, and both were entertaining and a good start to 2008.

Juno
Friday night, with my fiancee. Very funny, fast moving...as one friend pointed out "it's kinda like Napoleon Dynamite", which is sort of true, except for the fact that Juno was really good and Napoleon Dynamite was really awful.

But it's kinda like the same sort of stuff that if Napoleon was updated for the year 2008, it would be closerish to Juno. Ellen Page is a million-word-per-minute talking machine, and any time you have not one, but two actors from Arrested Development, you know you're off to a good start.

The Bucket List
This one really didn't need to be seen in theatres, unless you like seeing lots of closeups of Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson on a movie screen, but it was a well-done movie, if it was exactly what you would expect. One thing it is nice to see is older actors playing older people, as opposed to certain actors trying to recreate the magic by pretending that they're capable of pulling off Rambo again. Not that I'm pointing any fingers, Stallone.

Anyways, Bucket List was solid, entertaining and emotional enough to ensure that I left the theatre feeling satisfied, which is really all you can ask for.

Movies of 2007

2008-01-16T20:32:00.000-05:00

Well, it takes a sick day to get me back blogging again, but whatever works, I suppose.

Here's the official list of my favourite movies of 2007:

Top 5
Reign Over Me
Transformers
The Bourne Ultimatum
Fracture
The Condemned

These were all good, all for different reasons. The best summer blockbuster of the year (Transformers), the best drama of the year (Reign Over Me), the best action movie of the year (The Bourne Ultimatum), the best WWE movie of the year (The Condemned) and the most underrated movie of the year (Fracture).

Movies I Will Buy
Spider-Man 3
Ocean's Thirteen
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Basically, these were all entertaining movies that I would watch more than once again, and enjoy them enough to purchase them. None were exceptional, but they were all entertaining and fully worth the money spent.

Movies I Would Watch Again
Ratatouille
Bee Movie
Evan Almighty
Shooter
Disturbia
3:10 to Yuma
Charlie Wilson's War
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Blades of Glory

This is the "glad I saw it, would watch it again, but only once". Ratatouille was actually really good, as was Charlie Wilson's War and 3:10 to Yuma, it's just they didn't do it for me like some other ones did. The rest were all entertaining, but nothing special.

Movies I Would Not Recommend
Alpha Dog
TMNT
Pirates of the Carribbean: At World's End
300
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Shrek the Third

These are not recommended for a variety of reasons: really vulgar (Alpha Dog), really boring (Shrek, Pirates), really cliche (TMNT, Chuck and Larry) and all-around disappointing (300).

Movie That Was So Stupid It Deserves It's Own Category Of The Most-Wasted 2 Hours Of My Movie-Watching Life This Year
Next

I seriously can't remember much about this movie, but I remember walking out of the theatre and turning to my sister who I had watched it with and said "That is going to be the worst movie of the year." And sure enough - it was.

Facebook

2008-01-04T16:52:00.000-05:00

It's really incredible to see how Facebook has evolved over the past couple of years.

I was one of the earlier people to get on Facebook - back when you needed an email address from an officially recognized university (of which many universities weren't even accepted). They gradually opened it up until it's at the point where it is now, with it easy to create multiple aliases, and loaded up with so many junk applications that the essence of the website has been completely lost.

In addition to the many pointless and excessive applications, the family-friendly content of the site has really tanked. It seems that every other FunWall or SuperWall or AdvancedWall joke you see is either a) rude, or b) risque. And that doesn't even begin to discuss the "Daily Babe" or "Babe of the Hour" or "Hourly Babe" (same for the guys as well).

Not including, of course, the ads (although, admittedly, they seem to have heard the massive complaints and have toned those down as well).

The question now becomes whether Facebook is essentially the new "MySpace" and if it will continue to become just another massively overpopulated networking site.

Tricky

2008-01-03T14:04:00.000-05:00

This diet thing is tricky.

For example. Today at lunch - a friend offered me a couple of onion rings, which I put on my plate before remembering. And then the mint that comes with the cheque...yup, not able to eat that either.

I find that the first couple weeks are hard, and then I get used to it, and my body adapts.

Dieting Thoughts

2008-01-02T08:01:00.000-05:00

Several thoughts as we begin a new year:

It seemed like every single channel was showing a different dieting show last night. "Healthy eating, more exercise...etc, etc, etc." I will confess I watched the premiere of The Biggest Loser: Couples last night, and despite my initial intention to only watch the first hour, I ended up watching the whole thing. I do wonder how much of the incredible weight loss is simply water loss.
Speaking of water, one of the things I plan to do as this year begins is make a real focus on drinking more water. For a while I was drinking at least 1 litre in the morning and 1 litre in the afternoon, but I slipped out of that (with a corresponding coffee consumption increase). So that's a new focus.
Furthermore, I'm limiting my coffee/tea consumption to one a day of each, with a goal of eventually weaning off of both of them. Right now it looks like a coffee in the morning, and a tea in the afternoon/evening. No sugar in either.
And speaking of no sugar, I'm going on a strict diet prior to my wedding. The list of sugar-filled items I will be abstaining from includes: pop, iced tea, chocolate, ice cream, candy, cake, pie, desserts. This is complemented by the list of fat-filled items I am also abstaining from: chips and fries.
I'm also making a commitment to eat regularly and increase my consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Exercising daily - be it personal workout or walking/cardio.
Sleeping regularly and sufficiently. I've realized that if I get 7 hours, I'm good. So that's the new goal.

It's aggressive, but needed. A healthier lifestyle is a little overdue, in fact, and the fact that I'd like to feel like I'm in good shape going into the wedding is a bonus. The fact that my fiancee is joining me in this endeavour makes it easier.

8 Years

2007-12-28T11:19:00.000-05:00

Blogger has been around for 8 years now, and I've been on board (in some form or another) for 5 of those. For some reason, that seems strange.

It's also weird how my interest in politics has massively quieted down. A friend pointed out recently that might be because being in school allows for massive amounts of news reading and political discourse on a daily basis, which simply isn't present post-school. An astute point.

Broken People, Broken Programs

2007-12-10T12:59:00.000-05:00

Over the last while, I've been engaging in a debate (both in the blogosphere and face-to-face) about the merits of "church". This has led to a label of me arguing the "pro-church" position on these issues. The fact that there would be a "pro-church" view implies there is an "anti-church" view, which I presume would have to be the opposing position. I presume this implies "church" as a "structural building with traditional Sunday services", although I would be interested in hearing what the actual definition being referred to is.

This blog post is largely, although not exclusively, inspired by this post. Reading it will help in understanding the topics on which I am commenting.

I'll start by disagreeing with the statement: "There's no problem with the programs, it's a problem with the people." To imply that nothing is wrong with church programs is a wrong statement - or at the very least, less than perfectly true. More accurate might be "Church programs, though not perfect, can be valuable tools in growing, reaching and encouraging people."

Programs might be (and most probably are) flawed, but people unequivocally are flawed. That's why it's a prima facie, de facto problem with the people. If people were perfect, there would likely be perfect programs. Unfortunately, people aren't.

I'm not saying traditional church (or its associated programs) are perfect. I'm just saying it's pretty darn good. They help many, many people. And people are pretty darn bad.

You know what? I'm immature, incompetent, unwilling, rebellious, selfish and lazy, in addition to being slothful, greedy, lustful, weak and cowardly. Among many, many other "not-so-nice" labels. That's just the start. Throw me a few more and I'll sign up for those too. I am a complete and utter sinner, and the only reason I'm on this earth today is by the unconditional grace of God, without which I would be even more decrepit than I am today, as I am utterly and completely deserve to be burning in hell for eternity, and thanks to His great mercy, I have been given new birth.

In my prideful opinion (missed that one in the first list), there is a great degree of personal responsibility in each of our lives, period. And we shouldn't expect the church to do any of it for us. At the end of the day, we're not responsible for what the "church" did to us, or what quality of "programs it offered" - we're responsible for our actions and our own spiritual health.

Although saying "there is no problem with the programs, it's a problem with the people" might be giving the programs too much credit, I don't believe it's selling the people out at all. The programs aren't sinfu - but people are.

I am not willing to attack people, because I have no right to. How dare I point the finger at another when I am guilty as charged? The parable in Matthew 18:21-35 feels directly on point.

That's not an exercise in self-flagellation, simply an honest assessment of myself. I'm a broken individual, ergo, I will inevitably create broken programs.

If the people are the cause of the programs, then let's work on the people as opposed to blowing up the programs.

Baseball Trades

2007-12-07T20:01:00.000-05:00

If the proposed Rios-for-Lincecum trade happens, JP should follow up with Burnett-Kemp. I would like that very much.

Golden Compass, Golden Scandal

2007-12-06T12:45:00.000-05:00

2 Thoughts for today:

1) I'm not sure that going around screaming "The Golden Compass is evil! The Golden Compass is evil!" is going to accomplish much. Simply saying something is evil/bad/etc. rarely does the trick. Far more effective is explaining why something is wrong, etc.

I'm currently reading the book. I'll get back to you.

2) I am at a serious loss to explain this ridiculous lack of decorum. Think of how this sells for the NDP: "Young Conservative MP caught looking at scantily-clad women on laptop on Parliament Hill". Sounds like a pretty good smear, no?

Except it has a perfectly valid explanation: the pictures were of said young Conservative MP's girlfriend.

How is this possibly defended? How embarrassing would this be if in a public setting accusations were made by someone who had been snooping on you? I can't imagine the situation Moore must have felt he was in.

And to paint this as anything other than a blatant and embarrassing attempt to smear Moore is impossible.

I'm actually in shock that any MP would try this. Mathyssen should be absolutely ashamed of herself.

Christian Gossips

2007-12-04T01:28:00.000-05:00

Why are Christians the worst at this? Is there any possible justification for this?

Why is it that people avoid working at churches because they are hives of gossip?

Why is it that we have roast pastor for lunch way too many Sundays?

Why is it that when someone comes to us with a problem we tend to quickly share it with a "friend" with some sort of ill-conceived rationale?

Where along the way did we forget Proverbs 16:28: "A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends?"

Wedding Invite Rules

2007-12-03T11:02:00.000-05:00

1) Don't invite yourself to anything.

2) If you're not invited to something, it doesn't mean the bride and groom don't like you.

3) Don't invite yourself to anything.

4) It costs alot of money to have a wedding, and every single seat at a reception costs money. Don't be offended if the bride and groom decide that they would prefer to spend more money on establishing their new life together, and less on more people at the reception.

5) Just because someone else is invited doesn't mean you should feel jealous.

6) Don't invite yourself to anything.

More Snow = Less Snowplows

2007-11-30T15:16:00.001-05:00

I love how CTV links the following news stories together:

Coldest Winter in Years, Environment Canada Warns

and

City scaling back winter snowplow service

The two run nicely, hand in hand.

Child Care

2007-11-20T08:02:00.000-05:00

Why do we assume that the best avenue for child care is the government?

We complain about the government so much, and yet somehow it is a good idea to trust our most precious resource to them?

Bye, Bye, Barry

2007-11-16T15:59:00.000-05:00

Finally.

The worst kept secret is going to come out. Barry Bonds has* used steroids.

* = allegedly.

Shopping Trip

2007-10-26T09:11:00.000-04:00

Apparently it's time to hit the US for a good ol' shopping trip.

This may be partly deceiving, as it's still unclear whether the Canadian dollar is stronger, or if the American dollar is just really weak, but it's interesting to see where this is headed.

Says here that there will be a common North America currency within 5 years. Now that the two currencies are close in value, the incentive will only increase.

Throne Speech Vote

2007-10-24T08:01:00.000-04:00

Throne Speech vote tonight. It's expected to pass.

My thoughts?

However - and this is important - if that's his position, then he all but has to abstain from every vote on issues related to the Throne Speech. The upcoming justice bill, for instance? If he intends to abstain from voting it down now, he should abstain from voting it down later. Will he? Perhaps, but (again), only to save himself from an election he doesn't want.

I probably should have used "should" instead of "all" in the first line. But my thoughts remain the same.

WS Prediction

2007-10-23T08:02:00.000-04:00

Rockies in 7. Why not?

Election 2007? Not yet.

2007-10-18T08:03:00.000-04:00

Dion seems to have figured a way out.

Basically:

Dion said he will introduce an amendment to the speech that criticizes the government for abandoning Canada's Kyoto commitments and asks for combat operations in Afghanistan to end by February 2009.
But the amendment is expected to fail because the New Democrats, who want an immediate troop withdrawal, will be unable to support it. The Liberals would then abstain from the final vote, keeping the government alive.

"Criticizes the government for abandoning Kyoto"? What does that mean? It's all well and good to criticize, but Dion needs to either say "yes, we agree, we can't meet Kyoto", or "no, let's stick with it".

If he says "yes", then he shouldn't be "criticizing" it in the Throne Speech, and it shouldn't affect how he votes on the Throne Speech. If he says "no", then as a matter of principle he should be voting it down.

Then, furthermore, how can he abstain from the final vote on the Afghanistan issue? Either he thinks that Canada should be out by 2009 (and then vote against the Speech) or doesn't care, and then he can let it go.

Perhaps that's his goal (it clearly is): let the government stand for now without actually supporting it. Then, he can pick his battles later on.

However - and this is important - if that's his position, then he all but has to abstain from every vote on issues related to the Throne Speech. The upcoming justice bill, for instance? If he intends to abstain from voting it down now, he should abstain from voting it down later. Will he? Perhaps, but (again), only to save himself from an election he doesn't want.

It's one of the main problems with a minority government - the ability of the opposition to determine when they want to force an election - and on which issue, regardless of their position on the issue as recently as several months prior.

Throne Speech of Oct. 16, 2007

2007-10-17T08:19:00.000-04:00

I've always been more interested in federal politics than provincial. I'm not sure why, it's just been the way it's gone. I suppose as I move on to having a more personal involvement with the educational and medical spectres (due to children and elderly parents), my interest will likely increase over time, but as for now, I was relatively bored with the provincial election, but took an acute interest in the throne speech, delivered yesterday by Michaelle Jean (although of course written by Stephen Harper & advisors).

Harper seems to like to work in groups of five. He had five priorities for the last election, and he's followed it up with five priorities for this term of government:

Strengthening Canada's sovereignty and place in the world;
Building a stronger federation;
Providing effective economic leadership;
Continuing to tackle crime; and
Improving our environment.

The biggest "surprise" would be the inclusion of the environment, but that was pretty much a given due to the media outcry over the issue. Whereas the last throne speech included a few vague words on the environment, this one included 11 paragraphs. Interestingly, it included a new direction for the government on the issue (more on that below).

The priorities:

Strengthening Canada's sovereignty and place in the world:

Highlights included:

Improving living conditions in the North for First Nations through better housing
Building an arctic research station
Mapping Arctic seabed
Increasing patrol ships/surveillance of the Arctic
Modernizing Canadian military, increasing reservist policies
Improving support for veterans
Implementing Afghan mission until 2011 (period covered by Afghanistan Compact

A surprising focus on the Arctic, but perhaps this is only due to my lack of experience with the topic. There's an interesting relationship to the environment, as Arctic research could be directly related to determining the extent and tracking the development of alterations in the earth's climate.

The words related to the military appear standard: modernize, etc. Improving support for veterans appears to be a worthwhile cause - it is interesting to think that as the number of major world wars fall farther and farther into the rear-view mirror, the number of veterans from those wars continue to fall.

By far the most contentious of these objectives will be the continuation of the Afghan mission until 2011. I really don't buy the "Support our troops by bringing them home" argument - in a time where we have people enter the army by choice, they have chosen to subject themselves to that lifestyle, and it seems strange for a civilian to believe that they are "supporting" the troops by removing them from their chosen profession. The Afghan mission is UN-sanctioned and supported, appears to be doing good (even the opposition agrees), and is focused on far more than simply "fighting". I can support that.

Building a stronger federation

Highlights included:

Implementing legislation to put formal limits on use of federal spending power for new shared-cost programs in areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction
Consulting with voters on changes to senate, including appointment process and term limits
Developing strategy for next phase of Action Plan for Official Languages
Implementing legislation to guarantee Aboriginal people on reserves same protections under the Canadian Human Rights Act, and legislation specific claims
Issuing an apology for the Indian Residential Schools matter

I'm all for senate changes - specifically elections and limits on the length of service. If we are going to keep the Senate (which I think we should), it needs to be modeled more after the American model - provide some real options and give it real teeth.

With respect to limits on the federal spending power - a formalization of this process cannot be harmful.

Providing effective economic leadership

Highlights included:

Cutting the GST as promised by another percentage point
Protecting cultural and intellectual property rights, specifically copyright
Improving governance of Employment Insurance
Implementing an infrastructure plan to support long-term growth
Supporting workers in key industries, including: forestry, fisheries, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, mining

The GST cut isn't a surprise - indeed, just a follow-up on a campaign promise. You could wonder whether there would be a corresponding suggestion for a PST cut as well (at least for us Ontarians), but I'm not holding my breath for Dalton.

Copyright reform is probably needed, as the law is quite complex and convoluted.

Supporting infrastructure is critical, as it has a ripple effect on all areas of daily living. This is an area that should be a focus of all governments, and it's nice to see it prioritized.

The one major issue I felt was lacking was a further income tax cut - which I would have definitely preferred to the GST cut, but it is my speculation that the CPC is saving that one for an "election bullet" so to speak. Harper clearly does not want to empty his gun too early, and the lack of tax relief (apart from the GST) leads me to believe that it will be a major plank of Election 2007? (or, hopefully, 2008 or 2009).

Continuing to tackle crime

Highlights included:

Reintroducing a "Tackling Violent Crime" bill to provide stricter measures on violent criminals and predators, including: age of protection, impaired driving, dangerous offenders and stricter bail/mandatory prison sentences for gun crimes
Strengthening the Youth Criminal Justice Act for young offenders who commit serious crimes
Implementing a National Anti-Drug Strategy
Recruiting 2,500 more police officers
Legislating to ensure protection against terrorism and responding to the Supreme Court of Canada's decision on security certificates

Harper was obviously not impressed that his Violent Crime bill didn't make it through last time, and intends to rectify the situation immediately. As he has outlined that all bills related to the Throne Speech will be confidence matters, this could possibly be a 'poison pill' once it appears down the legislative road. If Dion/Layton/Duceppe shoot this one down, it will be a major argument of Harper's come election time (and should any of them vote against it, there will be some explaining to do).

Toughening the Youth Criminal Justice Act isn't a surprise, but could be more contentious due to the variances on belief about young offenders. The specifics will be interesting to follow, as this has the potential to be a campaign issue (or at the very least issue in the House).

Police officers are needed, and will be provided. This shouldn't be particularly contentious, as it's hard to argue that we shouldn't have more officers (unless the argument is the money should be spent elsewhere, but a specific objective would need to be substituted).

Improving our environment

Highlights included:

Pressing for international agreement to cut global emissions in half by 2050
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 60-70% by 2050
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020
Binding national regulations on greenhouse gas emissions
Implementing national air pollution regulations
Stating Kyoto targets will not be reached
Implementing new water strategy to clean up major lakes/oceans/access to safe drinking water for First Nations
Bolstering protection of water and land through tougher environmental enforcement with accountability to polluters
Introducing measures on food and product safety

Quite the extensive list. No surprise on the final rejection of Kyoto - it wasn't going to happen anyways, and fault can be divided appropriately. The intention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (20% by 2020) lacks teeth, but is a start.

The national air pollution regulations are key - and one of the major planks of this environmental strategy. Essentially, the government is saying "we're going to deal with greenhouse gas emissions, but the focus of the strategy is to get cleaner air and cleaner water".

For me, that is a much more important goal. Clearly, things need to be done about our climate, but with smog advisories every day in the summer and water pollution problems a daily news update, they appear to be pressing issues. Greenhouse gas emissions might kill us in 50 years, but air pollution and water pollution is killing us now.

Interestingly, Dion will have a hard time supporting what has to be the most comprehensive environmental throne speech of all time in Canada(and likely in history for what is known as a "Conservative" government). His horse is tied to the Kyoto wagon, and now that the government is rejecting that wagon, he'll be hard-pressed to do an about face on that issue.

In short - the greenhouse gas emission targets feel weak, and will be correctly viewed as such, but the focus on water and air pollution will see immediate benefits, and is critically important.

Overall, an in-depth throne speech with a particular focus on crime and the environment. Two parties (NDP, BQ) have already stated their intentions to vote against it, leaving Dion's Liberals as the determining party. Harper would likely love to go to the polls now with this throne speech as the backbone of his electoral platform (with the aforementioned income tax cut in his back pocket), and Dion would likely love to avoid an election, as he would be the prohibitive underdog. However, it will be difficult for him to vote for the throne speech due to the provisions regarding the environment (and to a lesser extent, continuing the Afghan mission until 2011).

My money says that enough members of Dion's caucus are "sick" on the day of the vote to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation where the opposition votes to keep the government intact. The speech passes, and Dion figures out a way to kill the government at some point surrounding the next budget (but not likely on the budget itself).

Spinny Spin Spin

2007-10-17T08:02:00.000-04:00

In a series that is tied 1-1, (such as the Boston-Cleveland one was a couple of days back), what are the options for reporting on a preview for Game 3?

I read each of the following:

Boston tries to take control of series
Cleveland looks to gain advantage at home

Interesting, the first one was national media, the second, local.

Then, after Cleveland won Game 3, the following headlines for Game 4:

Boston looks to get back into series
Cleveland looks to put stranglehold on Red Sox

Same news sources.

Incredible how simple wording and spin can paint a drastically different picture.

Playing Games With The Throne Speech

2007-10-12T08:03:00.000-04:00

According to the Liberals:

CP says that Prime Minister Stephen Harper believes the Liberals are so desperate not to go to the polls they would rather accept a throne speech that states Kyoto targets can't be met rather than trigger a election. The throne speech is a confidence motion that would force an election if voted down.

McGuinty, the Liberal environment critic, says he doesn't know what will be in the speech, but that he has heard that the prime minister may try to force Canada to abandon Kyoto altogether.

"We have heard rumours that the prime minister is going to try to use the throne speech to take this country outside of the Kyoto Treaty," said McGuinty.

Which, I might point out, he has a right to do. But then McGuinty goes on:

"We simply cannot believe all of this effort and all of these games being played by the prime minister. We're just scratching our heads and saying why isn't he moving forward in a positive way to protect the environment for Canadians as opposed to playing these procedural games? I think most Canadians are getting very, very tired of this," said McGuinty.

But if the Tories move away from Canada's Kyoto obligations, Liberal Leader Stephane Dion will be placed in a tough political position. He could face ridicule if he votes for such a throne speech because of his party's well-publicized support of the accord.

But there are also reports that the Liberals may find a way to oppose the speech or elements of it without forcing the government to fall.

McGuinty did not comment on the speculation, but he said the Liberals are exploring several options to deal with potential outcomes from the speech.

It's quite simple, really.

If Canadians are getting "so tired" of this posturing by Harper, then McGuinty should recommend the obvious if Harper indeed does do this - force an election. Of course, they probably really don't want an election based on the recent byelection results and Dion's already bad poll numbers.

And "procedural games"? As one of the commentators pointed out on the CTV thread, the Liberals signed the Protocol in 1998, and then did nothing for 4 years, rendering the targets completely unattainable. Those are the real procedural games.

LCS Predictions

2007-10-11T19:13:00.000-04:00

Having decided that the Rockies are my new NL team (and this isn't bandwagon jumping, I've been cheering for them all year, and historically in the past as well), it's not surprising that I'm both:

a) excited they are in the LCS, and
b) picking them to advance to the WS.

Ergo - Rockies in 6.

The AL pick is much more of a heart over head pick, although I do think that there aren't that many differences between the teams. Fine, who am I kidding - the Red Sox should be better on paper, but if they have to face Sabathia/Carmona for a total of 4 games, I see the Indians winning 3 of those, and then they only need one of the other 3. Good enough for me.

Indians in 6.

Ontario Election

2007-10-10T23:33:00.000-04:00

Well, that was a whupping.

Final results still to come in, but Tory lost his riding, and a very solid majority for the Liberals.

And a decisive rejection of the MMP system. A bit surprising, but maybe it shouldn't have been.

What can be learned from this? Ontarians are largely happy with the current state of affairs - and if true, I'm quite content with that. Ontario has a semi-consistent history of alternating colours provincially and federally, and I'm more interested in a Harper-McGuinty combination versus Dion-Tory combination.

Criminal Record for Hockey Attack

2007-10-10T08:03:00.000-04:00

As reported here in the London Free Press:

A Niagara Falls woman hockey player has kept one on-ice record no professional player has ever earned -- a criminal record.
Julia Tropea, 22, lost the appeal of her sentence for assault levelled last January in a precedent-setting case of hockey violence.
Tropea pleaded not guilty to assault causing bodily harm, but guilty to common assault last November for the vicious attack on a London player during a tournament at the Western Fair on Feb. 12, 2005.
Her sentence -- a suspended sentence and two years' probation -- was a far stiffer sentence than faced by professional hockey players who, in high-profile cases, have been given conditional discharges for on-ice assaults.
Both Todd Bertuzzi and Marty McSorley -- NHL tough guys who went to criminal court for on-ice hits -- were granted discharges, leaving them without criminal records.
Superior Court Justice John McGarry upheld the sentence from Ontario Court Justice Ted McGrath, saying "these actions were not in the heat of the moment but a planned attack in a no-contact sport."
McGarry stressed in his decision the London amateur women's hockey game was supposed to be non-contact.
"In these circumstances, the comparison of sentences being conditional discharges for professional hockey players is not helpful when one considers non-contact amateur sport."
Tropea, who played for the Niagara Falls Rapids, was charged after Carly Bernard, 20, playing on the London team, fell on another Niagara Falls player and prevented her from getting up.
She was about to be sent to the penalty box for unsportsmanlike conduct when Tropea came across the ice and cross-checked her.
Bernard fell to the ice and Tropea kicked her helmet at the top of the head with the toe of her skate.
When Tropea was being escorted from the ice, she was heard threatening other players with "I'll kick the (expletive) out of you, too."
Bernard was later diagnosed with a jaw dislocation and a possible concussion.
Tropea was assessed a cross-checking penalty.
The Crown and the defence agreed at the original sentencing there was no way of knowing if Bernard's injuries were caused by the cross-check or the kick.
Tropea's lawyer, Andy Rady, is considering an appeal to Ontario's highest court.
"I will be consulting with my client to decide whether to appeal the matter further to the Ontario Court of Appeal," he said.

Interestingly, the Bertuzzi and McSorley cases were cited in the oral decision. Justice McGarry is an excellent judge - well spoken and very articulate.

The case has some interesting precedential value, but since the actions occurred in a non-contact game, it has slightly less applicable precedent to professional or contact hockey. The next similar case will be interesting - if a judge follows the Bertuzzi/McSorley line, or the new Tropea line.

Citation to the actual decision will be posted once it is made available.

A-Rod: Choker or Champ?

2007-10-09T21:18:00.000-04:00

Much has already been written in the last 24 hours of the Yankees tragic loss and elimination from the postseason. As a Jays fan, it is difficult to feel sorry for the Yankees or A-Rod, but I'll try.

Incredibly, blame for the Yankees collapse has been riding with one of the least responsible people of all: Alex Rodriguez.

Leaving aside the fact that aside from A-Rod's fantastic season the Yankees probably finish 3rd in the AL East, and definitely miss the playoffs, the question then becomes: is A-Rod really as bad in the playoffs as is widely (almost universally) reported?

It's almost impossible to disagree that after Robby Cano and Johnny Damon, A-Rod was the best offensive Yankee in the series. But somehow, it's all his fault.

Despite the fact that he went 4-9 with a HR over the last 2 games, all anyone is talking about is his 2 strikeouts to lead off game 4. Unreal.

If the NY media/national media drives A-Rod out of NY (a possibility - and if he leaves, he's probably headed to Anaheim), the Yankees will be worse team next year. Unfortunately, that seems to be the way things are headed.

Here We Go!

2007-10-09T17:41:00.001-04:00

It's time for a blog.

I'm likely to discuss sports, politics, religion, law, news and more.

Stay tuned!